Arapahoe Herald October Issue 2014

LET ME SPEAK Continued on page 7.

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.”

ArapahoeAward High School

Monday, October 27, 2014

Arapahoe High School | Centennial, Colorado

Volume 51| Number 2

Arapahoe High School | 2201 East Dry Creek Road | Room E8 | Centennial, Colorado 80122 | email: arapahoeherald@gmail.com | web: http://www.ArapahoeXtra.com

2

CONTENTS

Arapahoe Herald | Monday, October 27, 2014

Lindsay Carter, 10, and Hannah Wood, 10, celebrate the Warriors’ 30 – 23 win over Grand Junction on Oct. 10. Photo by Allison Swomley, Calumet Yearbook.

On the cover: Photo illustration by Emily Cunningham, Maddie Dorman, Connor Scott and Mason Steiner.

Adviser: Greg Anderson Editor-in-Chief: Maddie Dorman

NEWS & SPORTS

FOCUS & CRITICAL REVIEW

3 TESTING, TESTING

7 NO MORE

12 PARKING PROBS.

By Emily Cunningham, Maddie Dorman, Mason Steiner and Paige Paulsen

EDITORIAL

Design Editors: Mason Steiner, Carrie McDaniel

13 IT’S HARD OUT HERE

Photo Editor: Emily Cunningham

A wave of new standardized tests is coming.

By Keegan Fulwider

4 “FRISBROS”

Ultimate Frisbee finds its stride.

By Carrie McDaniel

Examining sexual assault and harassment in the community.

15 ANNABELLE

Is the doll worth the dollars?

5 PRE-GAME RITUALS

Athletes get ready for victory with their own unique rituals.

By Mackenzie Callahan

By Katie Franklin

16 LET’S SMASH, BROS.

A review of the long-anticipated Super Smash Bros. game.

FEATURE & OPINION Taking a look at the issues in the parking lot.

Perhaps teenagers have it harder than adults.

By Lindsey Archipley

6 THE PUMPKIN PLAGUE

Pumpkin spice has infiltrated the country.

By Erica Martinez

By Brian Heissenbuttel

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.

Managing Editors: Anna Zeek Brian Heissenbuttel Copy Editor: Lindsey Archipley

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

EDITORS & STAFF

Arapahoe High School | 2201 East Dry Creek Road | Centennial, Colorado 80122 | Twitter: @ArapahoeHerald | Email: arapahoeherald@gmail.com | Web: ArapahoeXtra.com

Arapahoe Herald | Monday, October 27, 2014

News

3

Standardized testing advances with technology

by Keegan Fulwider hroughout students’ four years in high school, stress concerning standardized tests is not uncommon. This year will bring changes to the way students are tested, as new tests are introduced and new online testing methods are implemented in Colorado.

The new tests include two state-mandated tests: the Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS ), which will be given during the week of Nov. 4, and a test developed by the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC), which will be administered in the spring of 2015.

One other new test is optional, the new practice test for the ACT college entrance exam, called the ACT Aspire. The ACT Aspire, which replaces the former practice PLAN test, will be given on Nov. 1 to sophomores.

The CMAS, which will be given the week of Nov. 4, will be the first standardized test to be taken online. Only seniors will take the CMAS, which is designed to measure students’ performances in science and social studies. The CMAS will include writing portions such as written responses. “[The CMAS] is a skill assessment,” said Assistant Principal Angela Boatright.

According to state testing director Joyce Zurkowski, the state is making a shift in the way testing will affect college placement which will be evident in the CMAS. Although it is not official yet, the CMAS could possibly affect college placement in similar ways as Advanced Placement classes do.

Some students are worried about the new tests, and many seniors are displeased about having to take another test. They entered this year expecting to never take a standardized test in high school again but the CMAS changed that. The test is required

T

for seniors.

“It is frustrating since it adds another test on top of the college applications and schoolwork we have already,” said senior Hailey Fulwider. “If [seniors] are not motivated, a lot of us may not try hard and the scores may not accurately reflect our knowledge.”

However, Boatright said it is important that students perform their best so that Arapahoe’s ranking in the state does not go down. High test scores on the CMAS will insure that Arapahoe’s reputation remains one of the highest in the state.

“

It is going to be great for you as a generation of students fluent in technology,” – Assistant Principal Angela Boatright

“I want it to mean something to say, ‘I went to Arapahoe,’” Boatright said.

As the school year continues, students will venture into uncharted territories with new tests and testing methods. One of the most drastic changes this year will be the advancement of testing methods. The PARCC and CMAS will be taken online and are the start of a new generation of testing.

Although the tests may present unknown challenges, there are supporters of the recently initiated online tests. “It is going to be great for you as a generation of students fluent in technology,” said Boatright.

Online testing has the potential to fit perfectly with the high school generation. “I think people will feel more comfortable behind a computer screen,” Boatright said.

Run by the same privately owned company as the CMAS, the new PARCC test will be focused on skills in language arts and math.

The PARCC is a statewide test that students will take online. “[The test is] a huge game-changer,” the CEO of the PARCC organization, Laura Slover, said. “This is a quality test. It is better than anything else out there on the market.”

The PARCC tests, initiated in many states across the country, will be administered in multiple sessions during the school year and can be taken up to four times a year. According to supporters, the PARCC is a more rigorous test than past assessments.

However, lots of controversy surrounds the PARCC, and many parents and even some school districts are attempting to pull out of the assessments due to their concerns.

“The PARCC test that students across Colorado will begin taking this year is criticized for being intrusive, expensive and reducing classroom learning time,” local news site Watchdogwire.com said.

This year’s practice test for the ACT college entrance exam, called the ACT Aspire, will be given on Nov. 1 to sophomores. The test is not required, but will provide a great opportunity to practice taking the ACT taken by juniors. Students will be tested in English, math, science, reading and writing.

With three new tests, some students still have questions.

“It is harder to know what exactly to expect, so studying is less effective,” sophomore Michael Gibbs said. “I do not see the need for another state test,” he said.

The many changes in testing will bring a new dawn of standardized testing. and they are designed to reduce the stress of students, to prepare them for college and to test their learning.

Saying goodbye to the unpopular TCAP and welcoming a modern era with CMAS and PARCC, will bring a future filled with possibilities for Colorado testers.

Warriors react to the release of Dec. 13th report

by Abigail Guadnola Dec. 13 was a day that uprooted Arapahoe from a place of comfort and the normalcy of life to a place filled with uncertainty. One of many issues students have had to face following the events of the 13th is the release of the Sheriff ’s

report. On Oct. 10 the Arapahoe County Sheriff ’s office released the official Sheriff ’s report concerning the events of Dec. 13, 2013. The full report is 4000 pages, however, the redacted report released to the public is 37. Since the release, there has been a variety of reactions amongst both students

and faculty. As a result, almost everyone has something to say about the report. Students were asked to respond to a short questionnaire concerning their views on the report. Below are the thoughts of several staff members and members of the student body.

How has the release of the report and/or the report itself affected you? Has it brought closure or made things harder? Explain.

“If anything, the report made me even more proud of the AHS staff and students. We know things could have been much worse than they were so the way everyone responded and acted quickly surely saved lives.” - Science teacher Cara Syers

“It made things harder. It made me question everything I thought I knew about my friendship with Karl.” -Anonymous

“It’s brought a lot of things up that I wish we could just move on from. They keep telling us to try and move forward, but that’s pretty hard when everyone keeps talking about it.”

- Senior Ellen Savarese

“I feel like it just opened up old wounds. There wasn’t any new information in the report, just gruesome details that people for some reason felt obligated to read. It provided no closure.”

-Anonymous

“Overall, the release of the report has brought closure. I think we were all anxious and a little apprehensive as we waited, so having it published removes the unknown. It wasn’t easy to read, but somehow, it helped me find a little closure.” - Science teacher Cara Syers

“I think that although the report brought closure for the most part, it made a lot of people, including myself, really sad that we didn’t catch on or assess the signs soon enough or correctly.”

- Senior Liesl Steeb

“For the most part the report has brought closure. The healing process will go on for quite sometime but the anxiousness in waiting for the report to be released is over.”

- Science Department Chair Jesse Craig “It brought some closure, but now I want to read the rest of Karl’s diary. It sounds morbid, but I would have complete closure if I knew exactly what he was thinking and feeling.”

- Senior Taylor Ogborn

“Seek to find the good in your classmates. Seek to find the good in others. Seek to find the good in yourself. Judge less. Love others for who they are and who they are becoming. And then you will be a Warrior not only taking care of others but also taking care of yourself; you will have more to offer the world.” -World Language teacher Jeff Brandberg

“I wish the students of Arapahoe could be informed more about what is going on with our security staff and administration regarding how they “could have stopped” that day from happening.” -Anonymous senior

“The release of the report has proven how far we’ve come. We are able to accept the truth while also continuing on. Perhaps we all should be congratulating our progress instead of punishing ourselves for our lack of disconnect from the past.” -Anonymous

“There is a major dichotomy here at school- people who talk about the shooting as often as possible and those who pretend it never happened. That is what is preventing Arapahoe from moving forward.” -Anonymous

“It has caused me to think back to December 13th more and more often. Reading the things Karl was thinking and writing about is scary. I like the fact that I know most of the details about that day and it has given me more closure because I’m no longer uninformed about what happened in my school.” -Anonymous Senior

Graphic illustration by Brian Heissenbuttel

4

Arapahoe Herald | Monday, October 27, 2014

sports

The Ultimate Frisbee team soars with new players 1

2

3

1. Senior Zach Parkhill jumps for a pass from Alex Bragg in the Cherry Creek loss. 2. Senior Alex Bragg reaches out for a disk against a Cherry Creek defender in their loss on Oct. 23rd. The score was 14-7. 3. Junior Kenny Bui slings a forhand pass to a teamate in a close catch. Photos by Carrie McDaniel

by Carrie McDaniel The “Frisbros” are taking the Arapahoe community by storm. The Ultimate Frisbee team is currently 2-6 and they have played rival teams including Lakewood, Monarch and Littleton.

The Fall season will come to a close in November after the state tournament.

The Ultimate Frisbee team had a winning season last year after they took third place in the state tournament.

This year, the team is focusing on rebuilding and training new players to become stronger and more skillful for the team’s future.

“This year is a transition year,” senior captain Max Geise said. “We lost a lot of our good senior players last year.

We are trying to have fun and set up the club for the next four years.”

For Geise, the role of captain is not a difficult task because of his four years on the team. He uses his leadership to teach other players more about the fundamentals that help make a player successful in Ultimate Frisbee.

“I take it seriously, but at the same time it is about having fun,” Geise said. “I try to be a good example and show what a good player can look like to the newer players.”

The team has many unique qualities, one of which is that the players looking forward to the laid back environment at practice.

“It is very relaxed,” senior Alex Bragg said. “It is not demanding so you can do other things. In the winter time I snowboard, so you do not have to freak out about it.”

Most of the young players are new to the Ultimate Frisbee world. It is a nocut sport and new players are guaranteed to get playing time in games.

Also, players will learn more skills from the other experienced players through practices.

“Anybody who is interested in joining the team is more than welcome to come out,” Geise said. “We are good teachers and do not judge people. Some of us started out where we could not even throw a disc.”

Frisbee also differs from other sports by being co-ed. Having both boys and girls gives an interesting twist to the team’s strategy in games and allows them to play a variety of other teams.

“It is actually a lot of fun because we can play other co-ed teams,” Bragg said.

“Girls do not have the height advantage to them usually.”

In the Spring, there will be an all- girls Ultimate Frisbee team, with Arapahoe alumn David Courtney coaching.

In order to start, the team will need to recruit eighteen girls who are interested in playing.

The Ultimate Frisbee team hopes their fan base will grow as more word about the team gets out, prompting more recruitment and support from other students.

“It is actually an Olympic sport now,” sophomore Caden “Squirt” Witte said. “It would be great if the school recognized Ultimate Frisbee as a sport and not a club so more people will want to join it.”

Soccer starts as underdogs, rises through season

by Quinn Trask The Arapahoe Ball Kickers were upset by Westminster High School Friday at Arapahoe High School by a score of 6-4 in penalty kicks.

This was the opening round of the 2014 playoffs after a delay due to lack of daylight. Westminster will play Chatfield High School in the quarter-final round.

The Warriors finished the year with a 7–4 league record and won the Warrior Invitational tournament in early September.

The team was the sixth seed this year but captain Mitchell Fisher as well as the team were well satisfied with the high seed.

“I think it is appropriate that we were fairly high seeded,” Fisher said. “It is a little bit high but we will take it. It is a good seed and we will try to make the most of it.”

Fisher had big expectations for the playoffs and wanted to keep the Warriors working hard through the playoffs.

“We have pretty high expectations,” Fisher said. “We of course want to win. Initially we should beat the first few teams, and then we will have to keep working hard to make sure we are winning.”

As the sixth seed, the team had to fight through their size weaknesses to keep up their winning ways.

“We are a pretty short team,” Fisher said. “It has let us down a few times just because we are not big enough so we will try to work around that.”

Though the team has some weaknesses, they were one of the better all-around teams in Colorado and were

stacked with depth with seven seniors, seven juniors, five sophomores and two freshmen.

“We have 20 players on our team but everyone contributes really well,” Fisher said. “Other teams have like ten players they look up to and we have 20, so it really helps out to get some fresh legs.”

As well as seniors Mitchell Fisher and Mike Chism, underclassmen had made a big impact on the team and helped give the Warriors the 6 seed.

“The younger guys have done a really good job,” Fisher said. “Our two freshmen, Griffin Hampton and Chris Grauberger have really contributed well. They have scored a few goals and they have put out a lot of good effort and a lot of good work and a style of play that other teams are not used to. So it’s really important that we have had those younger guys.”

The Warrior soccer team was not always on this winning tear though. They have fought through adversity and built a squad that was looking to make a deep playoff run.

“We struggled at the beginning of the year,” Fisher said. “Our first two games were losses and before that we had a little DU camp where we struggled. We struggled as a team, but we came together and we are doing a lot better. I think we deserve that sixth seed.”

The Westminster vs. Chatfield matchup date and time have not been determined.

Ultimately, the Warriors experienced a dissapointing end to a great season. They look to make it to the playoffs once again next year.

Freshman Griffin Hampton and Sophomore Mason Gueller communicate about the upcoming play vs. Westminster Thursday October 23rd. Photo by Quinn Trask.

NFL or Flag Football? New rules “soften up” football

If you are an avid football fan, you probably love bone-crushing highlight reel hits – hits that leave receivers pondering why they play football. Sean Taylor demolishing punter Brian Moorman in the 2006 Pro Bowl or Sheldon Brown making Reggie Bush look like he was sitting in a chair are hits that make stadiums erupt with cheers.

With the new defenseless receiver

penalties and helmet to helmet contact penalties, football fans rarely see hits like these. Fans have recently become accustomed to 15 yard personal foul calls or shouts of “protect the players” on demolishing hits.

While one can argue that safety is an issue, nobody is forcing these players to lace up and put on their pads. It is their choice to run a slant

route up the middle and focus on the ball, not the six foot two, 210 pound safety who wants to behead them in front of teammates and coaches.

People remember Sean Taylor for his superhuman ability to knock receivers, running backs, quarterbacks and even punters into tomorrow. People will remember Ray Lewis for his legendary hits just as much as his motivational speeches and pre-game dance.

Roger Goodell has said that player safety is his number one priority. This is good, but has he taken safety too far? It seems now that every big hit draws a 15 yard penalty and likely suspension or a barrage of boos when a penalty is not called.

Safety Brandon Meriweather said last season that he would have to go for tearing players’ ACLs and messing up their knees because hitting high was illegal. It seems that there is no way to stay safe, right? Wrong.

Football players, especially professional, grew up with hitting drills and being mobbed by teammates after destroying an opposing player.

It is not their first time being hit. NFL receivers can take hits and get up. If they could not, they would play flag football or not play at all.

Like I said before, the players are not being forced to play football and make millions of dollars every year. It is their choice to play football. If they get hurt, they knew they were at risk of getting hurt beforehand.

Nothing should prohibit the big hits that make whole stadiums roar with life. Football is a rough game and nothing should ever change that. Players get pumped up to hit other players, not shoestring tackle their rivals.

So next time you see a big hit called for 15 yards or trigger “protect the players” complaints, just imagine the kind of game football used to be.

Arapahoe Herald | Monday, October 27, 2014

SPORTS

Sports rituals keep the high school traditions alive

5

Pump-up playlists and pregame speeches are prominent in sports rituals.

by Mackenzie Callahan t is five minutes before game time. Everyone stands in a circle as nerves and excitement bounce off each player like a pinball machine.

Everyone is looking at the coach as he prepares to give the pregame speech. No matter what the coach says, the excitement to play builds and the motivation to win gets stronger. As with many other rituals, the pregame speech, regardless of the sport, may be a little cliched, but is a longstanding ritual nevertheless.

“A pregame speech should always set the tone of the game,” varsity softball head coach Jeannie Krueger said. “When you are coaching girls, you want to set a happy tone. I try to start my pregame speech by joking around with them for about a minute.”

In any given sport, there are many superstitions and rituals. Some, though not very sanitary or pleasant smelling, are believed to have an effect on the game.

A few superstitions that have seemed to

I

“

work include: not washing socks, not wearing batting gloves, cheering a specific cheer before every meet, ending a before-game practice on a good throw, and praying before every game.

“I run to the Warrior Strong banner by myself and then I pray at third base,” sophomore baseball player Scott Mountz said.

Spiritual rituals often make an appearance

the locker room to make sure the game goes well,” junior basketball and softball player Becca Garner said.

Spiritual reflection seems to be a trend with players; other rituals may be less structured, but have the same effect on performance. Spiritual based rituals as well as many of the other rituals make an impression on attitude and the way an

I run to the Warrior Strong banner by myself and then I pray at third base,” Scott Mountz, 10 in sports. Regardless of whether the whole team prays or an individual player, the traditions frequently show up. There are a many famous athletes who pray before games including Javier Hernandez, Tim Tebow, Kevin Durant, and many more. Mountz is not the only player to have some form of a spiritual ritual at Arapahoe High School.

“I usually have a quick prayer before I leave

athlete walks into a game.

Confidence has a very large impact on performance and confidence is key in playing any sport. Athletes have to believe in themselves in order to do well.

“I feel that if you go into a game knowing you’re prepared and also coming into it hyped, you will do better,” sophomore soccer player Camden Castellano said.

With sports having a lot to do with attitude, there is one specific ritual that seems to run throughout almost all sports: listening to music.

Music has a huge impact on the way someone might walk into a game. Professional athletes are often pictured with headphones in their ears.

Baseball players have walk up songs. Almost every athlete has one playlist that helps get them pumped before games. Music seems to be one of the major things involved in motivation and excitement that helps athletes play better.

“Music has a way of reminding you of what you have done right and helps you figure out what needs to be fixed,” junior baseball player Kyle Hurd said.

Without rituals, sports would not really be sports. Speeches bring eagerness and music brings inspiration.

Cheering may help the team as a whole, while being alone may help an individual player.

All these elements come together to make great sports teams and passionate players all pursuing the goal of victory.

Behind the scenes with high school sports trainer

Katie Wallace stands close by while student athletes begin warming up for the days workout. Wallace supervises the football practice after school on watch for injuries. Photo by Mason Steiner

by Monica Splain She is at most major home football, volleyball, baseball and basketball games; not in the stands with all of the rowdy high school students, but on the sidelines. She is not watching for entertainment, she is constantly focused to keep an eye out for a sudden injury or medical emergency. This vigilant professional is Katie Wallace: Arapahoe High School athletic trainer. Wallace has worked as the Arapahoe trainer for five years. Many high school students are involved so heavily in sports and activities that they feel they “live at school” at times. Wallace pushes that lifestyle to the limit being contracted for thirty hours after school at Arapahoe and ten hours at clinic.

Wallace took the Sports Medicine class at Billings West High School in Montana, which is similar to the class offered by Mrs. Bradley for juniors and seniors at Arapahoe. For completion of the sports medicine class, students are required to help in the training room and at the high school sports events for a particular number of hours. Wallace credits the sports medicine class at her high

Senior Sheridan Goodfrey gets her ankle taped by Katie Wallace before cheer practice. Many student athletes have Wallace tape their ankles before practice and games daily. Photo by Carrie McDaniel

school for giving her her interest in athletic training.

“I went in after school everyday and helped with taping,” Wallace said. “Then I went out to cover whichever practice I was assigned to for that season. I travelled with the team, similar to the managers here, but I was responsible for taping them and taking care of minor injuries.”

As the first to the scene of injured sports players, either during practice or during games, Wallace has the inside scoop on trends of common injuries. Wallace notes that most injuries come from the more intense contact sports such as football, hockey, lacrosse and rugby. Sports injuries generally tend to occur less often in non-contact and individual sports such as golf, tennis, swimming and cross country. The injury that Wallace sees most often is the sprained ankle, but there is also other serious damage that can occur at any moment of sport participation.

“I see more injuries in practices,” Wallace said. “Kids take a lot more reps in practice then they do in games, so the injury rate tends to be higher. More catastrophic, season-ending injuries tend

to happen during games.”

The most rewarding part of the job is helping and healing the student athletes. Wallace explains just how important this job is.

“The part I like most is helping athletes return to play,” said Wallace. “Even small injuries when I am able to do something that makes them feel better or feel good enough to play.”

There are always pros and cons to any job, and an athletic trainer is no exception; although the job of an athletic trainer is very rewarding in getting to assist in an injured student’s healing, there are also downsides to working with athletes.

“Watching players get hurt or having them injured and having to tell them they will not be able to play [is a drawback],” Wallace said. “I want them to be out on the court or field as much as they do.”

Some may call Wallace the most dedicated Arapahoe sports fan. Whether it is wrapping ankles for practice day in and day out or standing sideline at a weekday evening game, Wallace is all in when it comes to the athletes of Arapahoe.

Arapahoe Herald | Monday, October 27, 2014

FEATUREs

6

Pumpkin spice plague overwhelms food industry

by Erica Martinez n a world where one can easily purchase items as odd as Pumpkin Spice Pringles, it is easy to see that modern culture is all about trends. Books, movies, music and clothes have always been popular in cycles, starting in older generations then

I

Every year in September, Starbucks unveils the Pumpkin Spice Latte to its customers. Coffee drinkers from all over the nation generate an enormous amount of buzz leading up to its release. The Pumpkin Spice Latte is so popular that it has its own well-known abbreviation; PSL,

“

reappearing in later years.

Even now foods are involved in the trend cycle. This season, and every fall for the last couple years, the pumpkin spice flavor has made its inevitable return. It is impossible to ignore; pumpkin cardboard cutouts hang from ceilings and giant pumpkin stickers

pumpkin treats to its menu. Of course, it now has a pumpkin bagel that comes with pumpkin shmear. Other items to choose from are: the pumpkin walnut crunch, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin cluster and Einstein’s version of the Pumpkin Latte. These items appeal to the high

are pasted onto business’ doors. Food and drinks flavored with pumpkin and pumpkin spice line grocery store aisles.

There is no escape from the pumpkin plague. This craze originated and is most prevalent at our neighborhood coffee shop, Starbucks.

advertised are real or just a hoax. There are some foods that would never be mixed if it was not to meet the standards of what is relevant at the time, such as pumpkin spice hummus and pumpkin spice peanut butter. These odd flavor combinations fly off the shelves to satisfy

school students who frequently eat at Einstein’s.

Eager to jump on board with the newest, most popular parts of culture, teenagers tote small paper bags of pumpkin pastries side-by-side with sugary, orange-colored coffee.

After two staple teenage hangouts began to sell pumpkin-flavored items, grocery stores joined the movement in hopes of becoming relevant.

At almost any major food retailer, entire grocery bags can be filled with pumpkin or pumpkin spice flavored products. Some are geared towards adults, such as pumpkin flavored alcoholic beverages, and some are for children, like Brach’s Pumpkin Spice Candy Corn. Most of this merchandise is made with trend-obsessed teenagers in mind and offers a quick solution to fulfill fall-inspired cravings. These pumpkin products range from Eggo Pumpkin Spice Waffles to Baskin-Robbins Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice Cream and Pumpkin Spice Oreos.

Pumpkin spice is so popular that it has become difficult to tell if all the products

Pumpkin Spice Latte: Ingredients: 1 cup milk

After the introduction of pumpkin products to Starbucks, the company reports that more than 200 million Pumpkin Spice Lattes have been sold since its release in 2003.”

and even has its own hashtag, #pumpkinspice, which has been featured in 29,000 tweets since August of 2012.

Because of the obsession with the PSL, Starbucks introduced other similarly flavored drinks: Pumpkin Spice Chai and Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino. To go along with this much anticipated drink are multiple food options in the same flavor, such as the pumpkin scone, pumpkin sugar cookies and the pumpkin cream cheese muffin. After the introduction of pumpkin products to Starbucks, the company reports that more than 200 million Pumpkin Spice Lattes have been sold since its release in 2003.

As expected, this fixation on pumpkins spread rapidly and left no store untouched.

From Starbucks, it infected Einstein Bros. Bagels and eventually big grocery stores. Einstein’s added a variety of

RECIPE 2 tablespoon pumpkin puree 1 tablespoon sugar

consumers’ fall cravings.

Even if this sometimes overwhelming pumpkin spice craze seems like a fleeting fad, a huge marketing empire has been built on it. According to an article published on Vox. com, Americans spent more than $308 million on pumpkin-flavored products in 2013. This number has increased exponentially since 2012 when Americans spent $290 million. As more products are offered in fall flavors, the pumpkin spice industry is still growing. Market research company Mintel reported that beginning in 2006, pumpkin as an ingredient on menus has grown 130%. Because this trend is seen as “seasonal”, people flock to supermarkets and coffee shops to acquire their share of pumpkin-flavored food before it is gone for the year.

There is really no end in sight; the infectious nature of pumpkin and pumpkin spice flavor will continue to saturate markets. Well, at least until winter comes and the peppermint plague begins.

1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 cup hot espresso or coffee Whipped cream for serving What to do: Combine milk, pumpkin puree, sugar, pumpkin pie spice and vanilla in a medium bowl.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and cut a small hole as a vent.

Microwave until the milk is hot, about 1 to 2 minutes.

Whisk quickly until the milk mixture is foamy. This takes a about 30 seconds.

Pour the espresso or coffee into a large mug.

Add the foamed milk into the mug.

Top with whipped cream.

Photos by Erica Martinez

From Comic-Con to Halloween: costumes still cool

by Alissa Brown Do you remember Halloween when you were in elementary school and you would dress up as your favorite character roaming the streets, on the prowl for the best candy? Do you remember consuming as much sugar as you possibly could to try building up energy as you darted from house to house seeking more?

Halloween used to be so exciting, but as the years pass by, the fun of Halloween can feel as though it is gradually vanishing.

However, some high schoolers are still expressing their inner child and creating an amusing experience for themselves on this quirky holiday. Costumes bought from Party City are no longer original, and generic is not a style to strive for since middle school ended.

Senior Cassi Guerra generally has a killer time on Oct. 31st by making one-of-a-kind costumes. Guerra may no longer be in it for the candy, but the fun of dressing up still leads to an engaging, funky experience. If this Halloween only consists of handing out Milky Ways and Runts to little kids, Guerra may suggest spicing up your holiday by buying or even make your own costume.

Q A

“What is the worst costume you have ever made/worn?”

“Back in middle school, I tried to throw together some Slytherin School robes for my Halloween costume made completely from what I had in my closet. I had these awful, ill-fitting pants, the only green tie I could find and pinned a big cardboard Slytherin badge to my blazer. Luckily, I now have put together an accurate costume which I wore to Denver Comic-Con in 2013.”

Q “Where do you get your ideas?”

A “My ideas are mostly inspired by pop-culture, movies I watch and video games that I play.”

Q

“Have you ever seen someone wearing a costume you really liked and that inspired you?”

“Do you make your own costume for Halloween?

How long does it take you to make a cool costume?”

A

“An old friend and I started costuming together at our first convention back in 2009. Every time I get to see her at different Cons, I am so amazed by how much she has taught herself and the costumes she has made. I look up to her as the big sister I never had and I aspire to become as good at costuming as she is.”

Q

“How much money do you spend on a costume?

Where do you get your materials?”

A

“I usually get materials from Joanns Fabrics and/or Hobby Lobby.

I think the most I have ever spent is about $200. Hopefully, I can keep my budget under $200 this year too.”

Q “Is Halloween your favorite holiday? If so, why?”

I have always been really into horror movies and spooky A “Yes, things. It is just a whole month of fun and pretending to be

Cassi Guerra in one of her first costumes, a lion, has come a long way in the ways of costuming.

Photo courtesy of Cassi Guerra

Q A

“Yes, when I am getting ready for a convention, like Comic-Con, it will usually take me about 6-8 weeks to prepare my costume.”

Q “What is your favorite costume you have ever Senior Cassi Guerra, dressed as Elizabeth Comstock from the video game “Bioshock Infinite,” ready to attend the Denver Comic-Con in June 2014. Photo courtesy of Cassi Guerra

A

made/worn?”

“Elizabeth Comstock from the game ‘Bioshock Infinite’.”

something else.”

Q “What are you going to dress up as this year?” year for Halloween I will be Veronica Sawyer from the A “This movie ‘Heathers’. Later in the year, my big project for ComicCon will be ‘Batman’s’ Harley Quinn.”

She�dressed�like�that?

NO MORE She�was�ASKING�for�it.

She�was�drunk?

NO MORE It�was�her�FAULT.� Was�she�leading�him�on?

NO MORE BOYS�will�be�BOYS Stop� being� such� a� girl.

NO MORE Take�it�like�a�MAN The contents of this focus may be triggering or upsetting for some audiences. Discretion is advised A two-time Pacemaker Award winner.

Monday, October 27, 2014

ARAPAHOE HIGH SCHOOL | CENTENNIAL, COLORADO

Graphic illustration by Emily Cunningham and Mason Steiner

“Today’s news is tomorrow’s history.”

Volume 51 | Number 2

10

Arapahoe Herald | Monday, October 27, 2014

FOCUS

A man’s commentary on ending sexual assault and harassment

I

by Mason Steiner f you confront the average teen male about sexual assault, his response would most likely be, “Not all men are like that.” Confronting someone from the “Baby Boomer” generation would likely elicit the response of, ‘‘Boys will be boys.’’

The problem with these statements is their negation of the experiences of female victims, or anyone who has experienced sexual assault or harassment. To be honest, yes, all men are raised in a culture that sexualizes women. But as for “boys being boys,” how does being a boy excuse the criminal behavior? Being a boy does not give someone free rein to violate another person.

In our society, rape culture is prevalent. We live in a society that teaches girls to change what they are wearing or how they are acting to suit boys. School dress codes seem disproportionately applied to

“

girls, because apparently, a girl wearing short shorts and spaghetti straps in May or August “distracts the boys” in the class. Instead of teaching our girls to cover themselves in

or how she was acting. It is time to stop living in a society that blames victims. Any victim of rape, sexual violence or harassment does not deserve it.

Boys, it is time to change the culture. It is time to accept that all men are “like that.”

No, boys should not be boys, if being a boy means that we can get away with violating another person, simply due to our Y chromosome. Catcalling must come to an end. Women are not to be harassed, assaulted or viewed as any sort of toy or object available for torment if they deny a man.

It is time to be allies with women. It is time to step up. Women are our equals, and it is time to treat them so. Let us change the statistics. Let us drop from one in four to zero in four.

No more “boys will be boys.” No more “not all men.”

No more “she deserved it.”

No more.

Women are not to be harassed, assaulted or viewed as any sort of toy or object available for torment if they deny a man.” shame, we should be teaching our boys not to use girls in their class as nice things to stare at.

It is a part of human nature to be sexually attracted to someone. There is a difference, though, between treating them as a person or as your own object to force yourself upon.

It is a violation of privacy and respect, and it needs to stop. If you respect someone, you will receive consent. If you are not mature enough to talk about consent and sex, you should not be having sex at all.

Rape is rape. It does not depend on whether she was drunk, what she was wearing

10% of sexual assault

victims are male

How can we change Rape Culture? responses from within Arapahoe

“Teach boys that it is NOT okay.”

“Instead of teaching ‘don’t get raped,’ teach “don’t rape.”

“Understand that no means no.”

“Respect one another as human beings.”

“Stop blaming victims and realize that both genders can be raped.”

“Respect each other, don’t look the other way.

Say something when somebody does something inappropriate.”

Speak out Don’t be a bystander

Take action

If you see something, say something

Be an ally

Stand with the victims

Statistics compiled and taken from RAINN, Thebluebench.org. Results based on 192 responses to an online survey administered from Oct. 22-23. Information compiled by Paige Paulsen. Illustration by Paige Paulsen

Arapahoe Herald | Monday, October 27, 2014

Features

11

Fall play “Noises Off” packs laughs into a witty show

by Madison Wacaser he fall play, “Noises Off,” opening on Nov. 6, is in full swing.

Actors run up and down stairs rehearsing as railings are screwed onto the second level of the set. Actors not on stage practice their lines in the greenroom. Backstage, paint is mixed while saws and drills make a constant clamor. Despite all of this, both the cast and crew seem laid back.

“The show is really complicated and has a lot of parts and pieces,” senior stage manager Elli Streifer said. “I am really excited to see them come together into one cohesive unit.”

“Noises Off ” is a comedy about a play in which the cast and crew must deal with a large range of problems. From simple problems like forgetting lines, to more prominent problems like breaking sets, nothing seems to be going right. Fortunately, it does not seem like breaking sets are a worry for the actual cast.

“I am most nervous for anytime where my pants fall off in the show because I feel like I am about to trip,” senior actor Andrew Brooks said.

The show is comprised of three acts which become increasingly frenetic as they carry on. Events snowball and create a fun atmosphere for the audience.

“I just want the audience to have a really good time and laugh a little,” junior actor Davis Misloski said.

Although “Noises Off ” greatly exaggerates events, it shows the theatre in the works.

“It shows how much work goes into everything we do,” Streifer said. “But [the play] also shows how fun it is and how great it can be in the end.”

T

The cast of “Noises Off ” poses for a group photo. The play opens Nov. 6 and ends Nov. 9. Photo by Allison Swomley / Calumet Yearbook

1

2

3

1. Rebecca Hein, 11, puts in hours rehearsing a scene for the upcoming play. 2. The set for the play “Noises Off ” built by a student construction crew and students in the stagecraft class. 3. Alex Larson, 12, prepares a scene with Sean Coughlin, 11, in full costume. The play has two different casts under the direction of Ian Ahern and senior student director Paitra Babb. Photos by Anna Zeek

12

Arapahoe Herald | Monday, October 27, 2014

OPINIONS

A

WALKING

What is the biggest problem in Arapahoe’s parking lots?

How do you fix it?

“People stopping, getting out of their cars and going to talk with their friends.

I would say that if you are going to stop, then pull over to the side to chat.”

– Isaac Setor, 12

Please Keep Calm and Drive Safely

T

he last bell, signaling the end of the school day, is also the bell signaling the beginning of the chaos in Arapahoe’s parking lots. As crowds of students flock outside the school and upperclassmen rev their engines, students are forced to take advantage of defensive driving techniques.

All students and parents who are in the parking lots are trying to achieve the same goal. Everyone wants to get off of school property as quickly and safely as possible; however, sometimes going quickly takes precedence over safely. Maybe one would think that with just coming out of Safe Driving Week, parents and students alike would tend to be more calm and patient when driving on school grounds but it is not the case.

Some days, an argument or heated discussion can leave one’s blood pressure and frustration levels high, but it is in everyone’s best interest to calm down and relax.

Arapahoe’s parking lots have seen plenty of car crashes over the years of its existence.

Many car crashes involve one student backing up into the other. Yes, students will make mistakes as they have far less driving experience than that of an adult. But parents are just as likely to get into a car accident when they are not paying attention in the

“

parking lot; any driver inside of the parking lots can become distracted and crash into another vehicle.

In order to decrease the amount of car accidents inside of the lots, every one should put down his or her phone, realize that the process will take some time, have some patience and be alert to their surroundings.

It is imperative that all drivers pay attention because unfortunately, many teenagers walk through the parking lot staring down at his or

driver’s test.

It might also help if Arapahoe drivers followed this bit of advice: for any driver entering the west parking lot from S. Franklin Street, remember that there is a bump that may potentially hit the bottom of their car if it is low to the ground.

If drivers forget this fact, then their car’s front bumper will scrape against the pavement, resulting in a frustrated driver and necessitating a new paint job.

This bump has scarred plenty of cars over the years, so just go slow and be careful in order to end the bump epidemic.

The unwritten rules of the parking lots revolve around the idea of being patient.

They lay out the system for which students and parents leave school property safely. There is a reason why this system is in place.

Please follow the ebb and flow of traffic and do not try to cut corners by cutting off drivers or by speeding to get a better spot.

Drivers will get to their destination eventually.

Students and parents alike need to relax, be patient and trust in the system that has evolved in Arapahoe’s parking lots.

Nothing is gained in driving aggressively; cutting off other cars will only make the situation worse.” her phone.

If a parent or student needs to hurry out of the parking lot in order to get to an appointment, he or she should think ahead.

It is not another driver’s responsibility to go faster in order for someone else to be on time. Nothing is gained in driving aggressively; cutting other cars off will only make the situation worse. Yelling and honking car horns in frustration is not the answer either.

Students who are beginning a driver’s ed course notice their parent’s driving habits, and if parents drive aggressively, their children may follow their poor example once they pass their

This editorial represents the views of a majority of the Arapahoe Herald staff.

“The parking lot is very crowded. I am worried that children are going to get hit as there are young drivers and a lot of pedestrians walking through that parking lot. Maybe if we had a sidewalk that wrapped around the parking lot so that students did not have to walk through the parking lot it would help. ” – Jordyn Griffin, 11

“I would say that there should be a drop-off lane and also the East entrance is hard to get into. I believe that installing a drop-off lane would be better, maybe by the bus lanes.”

– Matt Parone, 10

“I have almost been run over in the parking lot. Drivers and students should be more cautious.”

– Brad Garcia, 9

Cartoon by Anna Zeek

Arapahoe Herald | Monday, October 27, 2014

opinions

13

Teens under more pressure than realized Belittling of teenage stress condescending, disheartening

by Lindsey Archipley ife is hard and I am stressed. No, really.

Classes are stressful, homework is stressful, work is stressful, relationships are stressful, preparing for the future is stressful, my lack of sleep is stressful and my lack of time and energy for a social life is stressful. There is no way I am the only teen who feels this way and I am sick and tired of being asked, “What do you have to be stressed about? You’re only in high school.”

Because I work in a restaurant, I spend a fair amount of time with young adults ranging from the ages of 18 to 25. Someone will often ask me, “How was your day?” Because I have been awake since 5:30 a.m. and spent seven hours

L

their parents if they are struggling financially, teens cannot be bailed out by anyone else if they screw up in school. Most of us are on our own when it comes to our grades and preparing for the future.

My situation may be different from a 20-something-year-old, but that does not mean that I deserve constant belittling simply because I am still a minor. I work extremely hard and I am exhausted. I am motivated to power through because even though many aspects of life will be harder after high school, I know that life can only get better. I know I cannot speak from firsthand experience, but the college students I have talked to seem to agree that while college may

“

According to an annual survey published in 2014 by the American Psychological Association, teens reported their stress level was 5.8 on a 10-point scale, compared with 5.1 for adults.”

at school, the only response I can muster is a sigh. He or she will then look at me with utter confusion and tell me to enjoy the “best years of my life” while I can, because being an adult with “real” responsibilities is so much worse.

The condescension teens receive for simply not having multiple bills to pay is outrageous. Just because I do not pay rent does not mean that I live in a world without “real” responsibilities. For starters, high schoolers do have financial responsibilities. In my household, I pay for my own gas, clothes, social activities and any ‘extras’ I want or need. This means I need to devote a fair portion of my time and energy to my job. This responsibility would not be so stressful if I was not also taking three AP classes, three regular classes, an independent study and dedicating time to the school newspaper.

I understand working almost 40 hours per week in order to make rent is taxing for my co-workers, but when their shifts are over, they get to go out and drink with their friends and wake up whenever they want the next day. I, on the other hand, leave work to go home, do a couple more hours of homework and wake up just five hours later. The cycle never ends. Even though I am thankful I do not have to worry about not having a place to live, I have plenty of other obstacles to face. While many young adults are still lucky enough to be able to fall back on

technically be “harder,” it is much better than high school. I look forward to more freedom, studying what I actually enjoy, less pressure when it comes to grades, more sleep and more fun.

If you are someone who may be guilty of this offensive behavior, I ask that you please stop telling my generation that life only gets worse.

Not only is it degrading, but it leaves little hope in a teen’s mind that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The average high school student’s experience in the past was arguably very different than what it is today; older generations truly do not know what it is like to be a high schooler in 2014. As time has gone on, expectations have gone up and school has only gotten harder.

According to an annual survey published in 2014 by the American Psychological Association, teens reported their stress level was 5.8 on a 10-point scale, compared with 5.1 for adults.

These feelings are real and justified, but adults’ deprecating remarks are not.

To my peers who have experienced the ridicule I have, whether it be from your parents, siblings, teachers and/or co-workers, my only advice is to just ignore it. I truly believe there is hope after high school –– and if we can just power through, we can be the generation of adults who understand, support and help the youth, instead of the ones who scoff at them.

Photo by Lindsey Archipley

Book-to-movie adaptations deserve less criticism

Fans of “The Hobbit” movie trilogy will recall Richard Armitage’s portrayal of Thorin Oakenshield as a dark, bearded character adorned in armor and cloaked in black. However, while cross-referencing J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel “The Hobbit,” upon which the movie is based, the dress this vital character wears is described as “a sky blue [hood] with a long silver tassel.”

At this point, the quintessential fantasy teenage movie critic would put down their venti iced pumpkin spice latte and criticize director Peter Jackson, the writers and the rest of the movie crew for deviating from the exact text that Tolkien wrote. Cases like these always seem to fit the cookie-cutter argument as to why (insert director’s name here) cannot do a book justice with a movie adaptation.

Looking back at the original discrepancy,

the writers and producers of the movie aimed to build a dark and almost heartless persona for Thorin. It would be difficult to help that case by giving him a sky blue hood. I am not insisting that blue clothing is undesirable but it would be difficult to follow this prodigious heir to the throne of Durin who battled fearsome orcs, goblins and the dreaded dragon Smaug if he looked like a member of the UCLA marching band.

The same can be said for criticism about differences between books and movies in series such as “Harry Potter,” “The Hunger Games” and “Percy Jackson and the Olympians.” Sometimes the director’s choice to modify a certain characteristic, cast a certain role or omit a part can actually be beneficial. Returning to Tolkien’s work, I do not think the 12 hours of “The Lord

of the Rings” movie series would benefit from Jackson documenting all of the stoppages that the fellowship took and meals the hobbits ate on their march to Mordor. As a fan who appreciates the movie ending before I grow a full beard, I thank Jackson for keeping the plot moving. Even with this accomplishment, “The Return of the King” is still criticized for having an ending that is too long by fans’ standards.

Authors who gain success do not just create a riveting plotline with gripping characters. J.K. Rowling created the magical world of sentient trees, giants, beasts and most important of all, the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Suzanne Collins created the dystopian world of Panem, where the people are oppressed and the children are killed for entertainment. Rick Riordan created a way to fit all of Olympus into New York City. These renowned authors created entire realms where their story played out without much regard to the world in which the reader lives.

Movie directors have the improbable task of reproducing a story written in a completely different realm. While every reader has their own interpretation of the world that they read about, only the author knows the exact details of their realm. David Yates directed the “Harry Potter” movie series, not Rowling. Fans of “The Hunger Games” were satisfied with the film, partly due to the fact that Collins was an executive producer.

Unfortunately for fans of “The Lord of the Rings”

and “The Hobbit,” Jackson cannot appoint Tolkien as a producer because Tolkien died in 1973.

What these directors are paid to do is to place these stories into a civilization that closely matches our own. It is only logical, from the views of our society, that dark characters wear black, that towns where people are oppressed are surrounded by electric fences and that scenes with little importance to the overall plot from the book are not to be shown in the movie. While it would be nice to have the directors and actors use the original novel as a script, there are some serious problems. The most prominent problems would be the inevitable discrepancies between the viewer’s expectations and what would be shown on screen. While the viewer would be expecting one of the qualities listed earlier in this paragraph, there is no guarantee that the author followed them in their writing.

The reality that people have to accept is that an exact text-to-movie adaptation down to the smallest detail would be unrealistic and possibly unsatisfactory. People need to be a bit less cynical towards the directors, producers and writers who put so much time and money toward doing justice to classic stories. I urge the everyday movie critic to understand that it is not reasonable to expect an exact copy of a book down to the smallest detail with a movie adaptation. These directors have made awardwinning movies that allow people to enjoy a favorite story once more.

14

Arapahoe Herald | Monday, October 27, 2014

OPinions

Everyone needs to learn how to drive a manual car Drivers that have learned how to drive a stick shift car are better prepared for unknown situations

by Anna Zeek aught somewhere between paying attention to my teacher’s lecture and trying not to doze off in class, I sat at my desk. Thankfully, the teacher then transitioned to another topic with the sentence, “Shifting gears, let’s talk about this problem here.” With that phrase, I lean back in my seat, tune out my teacher and think.

Did everyone in my class get that reference?

Do students know how to shift gears in a manual transmission car? Thirty years ago, the vast majority of teenagers knew how to drive a stick shift car but times have changed.

I understand that learning how to drive a manual transmission car can be difficult to do, as stalling the car on a street is embarrassing.

Spending about an hour in order to understand the give and take relationship between your two feet and the pedals is tricky.

In my experience, I spent four hours learning how to drive my mom’s 1973 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia by driving around my neighborhood and I learned that driving a manual transmission car with two feet is difficult.

Learning in a forty-year-old car makes it even worse, especially when the car stalls and rocks back and forth when I let out the clutch too quickly and do not give the car enough gas.

I thought that the car was going to fall to pieces outside my old bus stop.

C

People are sympathetic towards those who are learning how to drive a manual car for the first time. No one magically gets into a manual car and knows how to drive it right then and there.

It takes time, patience and understanding in order to get right.

Teenagers these days seem to have the mentality that everything should be done easily the first time and that the easiest course is best.

“

into, whether it be this weekend of in the future.

What if the only way to get home is a manual car and no one knows how to drive it?

The art of shifting gears in a manual car, let alone getting the engine started, requires practice and if teenagers have not learned how to do it, they might be left stranded unable to drive a manual car in an unwanted situation such as a party. If teenagers took the few hours necessary to learn how to drive a stick shift car, they would

I understand that driving a stick shift car all of the time is not for everyone, but learning how to drive one is important.”

This mentality can be embodied by driving an automatic car, as the driver does not have to shift gears. The driver does not have to worry about RPMs or downshifting correctly while coming to a stop at a stop sign. They simply hit either the gas pedal or the brake.

I know that driving an automatic car is easy; I drive one to school everyday, but it is essential that every driver be able to drive a stick shift car.

Teenagers and drivers in general do not know what types of situations that they are going to get

at least be able to get home.

Being able to drive a manual car solves another issue: it forces drivers to pay attention.

Although most teenagers and drivers in general have said that they will not text and drive, many still do it. According to a 2013 study conducted

by Health U.S News, 43% of teenage drivers text and drive.

A manual car requires that the driver puts down their phone while driving because they cannot focus on driving the car with the

distraction of a cell phone. This creates a safer driving environment for the rest of us.

I understand that driving a stick shift car all of the time is not for everyone, but learning how to drive one is important. I would compare the experience to learning how to ride a bike. Once the driver understands the basics of driving the car, they never seem to forget.

I am sure that after years of driving an automatic car that when the driver is required to drive a manual car that he or she would probably stall the car multiple times but eventually they would get to wherever their destination is.

Part of knowing why all drivers need to know how to drive a stick shift car is that it ensures that they are prepared for all driving scenarios. When thinking of a worst case scenario, it would have to be the idea of driving a manual car, uphill, and during a snowstorm.

With these conditions, it challenges the driver’s skill in maintaining control of the car as the roads are slick and icy. It tests the driver’s knowledge of how to drive a manual car as driving a manual car on a hill is extremely difficult. Learning how to drive a stick shift car, in ideal or terrible weather, is useful knowledge that can only benefit a driver.

So here is my advice: if you do not know how to drive a manual car, learn. Take advantage of an empty parking lot on a weekend and truly learn how to “shift gears.”

Cartoon by Paige Paulsen

Social media helps define our culture, world, legacy

If you’re not completely awestruck by the power of social media, you’re not paying attention. Social media has permeated the fabric of today’s society; but contrary to popular belief, this may not be a bad thing. Social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr and Snapchat are changing the world.

In the 21st century, no platform for enacting social change and unifying people to rally for a cause has been more efficient; I experienced this

first-hand last month. While scrolling through Tumblr, I saw a post about a national moment of silence for victims of police brutality. By clicking a link to Facebook, I found out where and when it would take place, and what to wear. Fast-forward a couple of hours, and my brother, my best friend and I were standing at Civic Center Park, holding hands with strangers and bowing our heads in remembrance.

The National Moment of Silence (see #NMOS14) was just one event

in the massive movement started in Ferguson, Missouri for justice in the police shooting death of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown.

Protesters in the city have put social media to incredibly effective use, using smartphones to record the allegedly inappropriate and excessive responses by riot control and police.

Demonstrators have also utilized Twitter to alert each other to meeting places and times of protests, share information about civil liberties concerning police and even to organize distribution of blankets as the weather turned cold. As a result, the citizens of Ferguson and the country have been forced to pay attention and listen.

As the demonstrations in Missouri progressed, something amazing happened. Suddenly, protesters in Ferguson were being tweeted at by Palestinian protesters in Gaza with

advice on teargas avoidance and relief, as well as words of encouragement.

It was incredible; not only was social media connecting people in the same city, but was also connecting people half of a world away.

Another, closer-to-home example was experienced by all of us last year.

Our entire community utilized social media not for justice, but to come together and support each other last December. In the special edition of The Herald from that time, one of the most popular spreads was centered on the social media aspect of our experience. Other schools and communities used platforms like Twitter to reach out and offer us their support and condolences, and there 4,800 posts (and counting) under the hashtag #WarriorStrong on Instagram.

Social media is changing the way we interact with people, no question. Because of social sites and

applications, there are tons of ways to connect: videos, photographs, texts, blog posts, instant messages, comments, hashtags and beyond.

Our generation and the ones to come are composed of people who are technologically literate and endlessly curious.

These sites are changing the way that we think and the way that we live; we are constantly receiving new information, new opinions and new ideas. And people are realizing how powerful this makes them.

No matter how hard China tries to censor and block social media sites, demonstrators in Hong Kong are finding ways around them right this moment. No matter how badly some in America want the people of Ferguson to quiet down, they will keep uploading.

If we wanted, we could change the world with a hashtag.

Arapahoe Herald | Monday, October 27, 2014

CRITICAL REVIEWS

15

“Annabelle” scares the daylights out of audiences

by Katie Franklin s the camera zooms closer and closer onto the movie screen, the bloodshot eyes, the dirty face and startlingly red lips of the horrifying antique doll named Annabelle comes into focus. Movie theater viewers become more and more intrigued, pulling their knees closer to their chests as the plot develops. Suddenly, blood and horror erupts as the demon-possessed doll tries to take baby Leah’s innocent soul into her own hands.

On Oct. 3, “Annabelle,” the

prequel to “The Conjuring,” was introduced to theaters. Mia and John Form are a happily married couple living in California in the 1960s. John gives Mia a beautiful antique doll named Annabelle, which she is very content with as it is the completion to her collection. A few nights later, however, a pair of young adults belonging to a gruesome diabolical cult invade the Forms’ house and attempt to murder the family.

After a series of violent attacks on the Forms, Annabelle Higgins, one of the two cult members, commits

suicide with Mia’s precious doll in her hands, thus embedding her soul into the doll. But it does not end here; the now demon-possessed doll Annabelle is on a mission to steal the soul of the Forms’ newborn baby, Leah, and they do everything in their power to try and rid of the demonic doll.

Upon reading the storyline, I was very excited to see this new film, and being the prequel to “The Conjuring,” “Annabelle” definitely had high standards to live up to.

Though undeniably not as good, the

movie still had recognizable qualities.

Despite the fact that the concept of a doll being the subject of a horror movie seems cliché, “Annabelle” switches it up a bit to make it more intriguing. To some, the plot might seem predictable and boring, but the intertwined jump-scares and slow moving action makes the movie more compelling than it may initially appear. Also, having the film set in the 1960s makes it creepier since many viewers may not know a lot about how different life was back then.

This new horror film has a captivating new twist compared to the classics. It is based on a true story, which adds to the disturbing effect. Upon watching, it became harder and harder to tear my eyes away from “Annabelle.” The story was riveting, and it was impossible, although tempting, to look away from the next horrifying stunt Annabelle would pull.

Though occasionally cliché and tacky, “Annabelle” is a good pastime if you are looking to see a frightening movie this fall.

by Reid Conant When entering a haunted house, you might be unsure of what to expect. Around each corner, you could be greeted by a clown with a

chainsaw or the top half of a zombie grabbing at your ankles. You know you are going to be scared, yet you flinch and scream anyways. Some may even wet themselves a little,

though they would never admit it.

Despite the brave faces we all try to put on this time of year, haunted houses have that special fear factor that raises our blood pressure and

unleashes that nine-year-old girl scream that we all try so desperately to suppress. Even though they cause sweaty palms and occasionally wet pants, haunted houses are

a common spectacle in October, which is why I have narrowed down the four best in the area that are definitely worth your time and money.

A

Haunted house scene provides fun, local scares

THE 13TH FLOOR

THE ASYLUM The Asylum is a horrifying haunted house in downtown Denver. The general admission ticket costs $30 and is open from Sept. 26 to Nov. 2, ThursdaySunday. This year, The Asylum added a second part to its haunted house experience called Primitive Fear. In Primitive Fear, thirsty zombies chase customers who attempt to escape a maze.

The actors lead them in the right direction but they mostly have to find the way out by themselves.

It is probably the closest thing to a zombie apocalypse around, because the actors seem like real, gruesome zombies. It is extremely intense and is more disturbing than scary.

Before I went to The 13th Floor haunted house, I had been told that it was the best in Denver.

General admission tickets are $30, but fast passes are available for $41. Many guests agree that the fast pass is worth the extra $10. The 13th Floor haunted house is by far the creepiest in Denver. Like The Asylum, it also has a second part: Undead: The Possession. The 13th Floor ranks number one in my opinion, because of its incredible actors.

The actors portray insane zombies that are out to kill every last guest. This haunted house has some spooky actors that gave me the chills multiple times.

THE CITY OF THE DEAD THE FIELD OF CORPSES The Field of Corpses haunted house, located in Arvada, Colorado, is horrifying. The ticket was only $19, the cheapest of the four. The haunted house was alarming because the walls were lined with disturbing ghost-children. However the sets in the house had paintings of graveyards and tombstones, making it a little cliche and less eerie. This haunted house continued to give me the chills even after I left, mostly due to the fact that the actors walk behind guests the entire time and whisper in their ears. This was my least favorite of the four haunted houses because it was not as scary as the other three.

The City of The Dead haunted house is in Henderson, Colorado.

Tickets are $25 at the door which is a very reasonable price for multiple attractions and for three rooms it was a great deal.

The best part about this haunted house is that it has merchandise as well as food and drink. This was also the only house to offer refreshments to their customers.

It was not as scary as The Asylum or The 13th floor, but it was still enjoyable because it had actors around each and every corner. There are three different rooms, which are like three separate haunted houses.

The City of The Dead haunted house is worth the money for sure.

Graphic illustration by Brian Heissenbuttel and Maddie Dorman

16

Arapahoe Herald | Monday, October 27, 2014

CRITICAL REVIEWS

New Nintendo videogame smashes expectations

by Brian Heissenbuttel n the “Super Smash Bros.” franchise, it seems like every game has lived up to or exceeded fans’ expectations. It has had a long history of combining characters from “Mario,” “Kirby,” “Legend of Zelda,” “Starfox” and countless other games for a massive multiplayer brawl.

The new game was made for two platforms: the Nintendo Wii U and 3DS. As a result, the two versions of the game go by the titles “Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS” and “Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.” In the videogame community, it is commonly referred to as “Super Smash Bros. 4” or simply “Super Smash Bros.,” as the games for the two platforms are almost identical. This review covers the Nintendo 3DS version, as it was released on Oct. 3. The Wii U version will be released in North America on Nov. 21. One of the main bonuses of the game being released for two systems is that a player who owns a copy of the game for both systems can use the 3DS as a controller for a game on the Wii U. Releasing the game on two different systems is a major step in the right direction for Nintendo, as they are notorious for only releasing one addition to a game series for each console, then moving on. This trend especially applies to the “Mario” franchise, as “Mario Kart,” “Mario Party,” “Super Mario Bros.” and the “Mario” adventure games are the worst perpetrators. 3DS and Wii U owners can rejoice in the ability to keep their current console and still be able to play this hot new game.

The first game of the franchise, simply

I

titled “Super Smash Bros.,” came onto the video game scene in 1999 for the Nintendo 64. To this day, it remains one of the most praised games from a console that brought the classic games “Star Fox 64” and “Super Mario 64.” Nintendo released “Super Smash Bros. Melee” in 2001 for the GameCube, then, after a seven-year drought, released “Super Smash Bros. Brawl” for the Wii. “Brawl” brought the career game mode The Subspace Emissary. It added an exciting new dimension to the game.

The career mode in the new “Super Smash Bros.,” referred to as “classic” mode, is significantly shorter and simpler than The Subspace Emissary in “Brawl.” It allows the player to choose one of a number of paths to walk down and fight a series of opponents at the end of each path. If the player wins the series of brawls, a boss battle ensues that could result in a chance to unlock a new character or map. While it is not quite as fun as its predecessor, the new career mode is still a fun way to fight the bosses from past games and unlock familiar characters.

Beyond the classic mode, there are a number of other game modes. Chief among these are All-Star mode and ¬¬Multi-Man Smash mode. All-star mode allows the player to go through a series of brawls against generations of Nintendo characters. The first level puts the player against Mario, Pac-Man and other characters from the ‘80s. The last brawl includes Rosalina, Greninja and other opponents from the Wii era. Multi-man smash allows the player to fight hordes of opponents at a time, either to test how quickly the player can eliminate all

opponents or how long the player can survive with a continuous influx of enemies.

The brawl game mode is by far the single most popular aspect of the game. The game mechanics are extremely similar to those of the other “Smash Bros.” games, which is satisfactory to fans. It is nice to see Nintendo stay on that path and not stray from a winning formula.

The main difference is the adjustment of the characters, which means some characters, especially Kirby, are not as powerful as they were in “Brawl.”

As with the old games, the new “Super Smash Bros.” has its own series of maps, ranging from new maps based on the Nintendo DS’s Pictochat program and Rainbow Road from “Mario Kart 7,” to Corneria, an old map from “Melee” and “Brawl.” The maps on the Nintendo 3DS version are based on maps from games that made their appearance on handheld Nintendo systems, such as the Gameboy, DS and 3DS. The Wii U version features maps from the games from Nintendo consoles such as the GameCube and Wii. One of the most impressive features of the game is the ability to create a character from a player’s existing Mii. There are three classes of Mii fighter: brawler, swordsman and gunner.

Each class has its own attacks and abilities that let players customize their Miis as much as possible.

This game has the perfect balance of keeping the old “Smash Bros.” characters and features while adding its own new features. It is promising to see Nintendo release a major game for more than one console and to add this game to the proud history of “Super Smash Bros.”

New Characters

Pac-Man:

Well, it only took 34 years since the release of his original game for Nintendo to finally put Pac-Man into a Super Smash Bros game. This character assumes the 3D form that Pac-Man took in more recent games. He is relatively easy to play as but is not the strongest character.

However, Pac-Man has the added bonus of annoying all opponents by using an attack that leaves fire hydrants all over the map. Those who want to play as the yellow 2D guy from the 80s’ will get their chance by breaking a Smash Ball. This causes Pac-Man to assume that form, grow three times in size and launch anyone that touches him across the map.

Wii Fit Trainer:

Yes, this is printed correctly. Nintendo put in Wii Fit Trainer. The only antagonist in this character’s game is your body fat and blood pressure. It does not help that this character is difficult to use and has a concerning lack of strong attacks. Such attacks include generating and launching a ball of energy with the “sun salutation” move, gaining strength by using “deep breathing” or spiking a volleyball at opponents. While this character may be pitiful in performance, it does give the player a satisfying multiplayer benefit.

After all, when else would a person be able to brag about using yoga to knock their friend off the map?

SAY WHAT?!

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

“You can buy anything you want at Costco. You can probably buy little babies.” – South Lawn

“Volleyball is just a more intense version of ‘don’t let the balloon touch the floor.”

– E8

Rosalina:

A few years after Rosalina emerged onto the Nintendo scene with Super Mario Galaxy, the Smash Bros. team brought her into the fight. However, Rosalina’s role in Galaxy is more of a guide and overseer than one who intervenes in conflict. In short, she is a lover, not a fighter. Adding her to this game simply was not a good idea. Rosalina is a fairly difficult character to play as. She cannot recover from attacks very well but has the capability to hit hard and wear down opponents. Nintendo had to find new and interesting ways to allow this passive character to go on offense.

Images courtesy of www.smashbros.com

New Items Master Ball: One of the most disappointing moments when playing Super Smash Bros: Brawl or another previous Smash Bros game occurs when a struggling character finally gets a Pokéball but the Pokémon inside is weak and makes little difference. To remedy this, Nintendo added the Master Ball to the new Super Smash Bros game.

This item works exactly like the regular Pokéball, except it always has a legendary Pokémon inside. This creates a massive race to the rare purple and white ball whenever it spawns.

Spiny Shell: Super Smash Bros has always been Nintendo’s medium to combine all their games and franchises into one grand game. Nintendo drew, from the game ranked by dorkly.com as the second best video game to ruin a friendship, the most evil, despicable, maniacal and frustrating item in videogame history: the horrid spiny shell. Just like in Mario Kart, the character who is currently winning the brawl will have this item ominously follow them around the map for a few seconds before doing what it does best: spawn wrath, break friendships and, chief among these, blow up a friend’s character.

Graphic illustrations by Brian Heissenbuttel

“I can not see the haters past my mom jeans.”

– E8

“I’m sure hamsters with Ebola are going to rule the world.” – Library “My dog ate the Constitution.” – N5