Writing winners 2010-11, part 4

2010-11 Best of Colorado Critical Review Samples

Arts And Entertainment

The King’s Speech A Raging Success

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came into The King’s Speech expecting a good movie (its recent slew of Academy Award nominations enticed me to see it), and it more than fulfilled its promise.

The great triumph of The King’s Speech was in its mastery of character-driven film, done in a way I have not seen in a long time.

The King’s Speech follows King George IV’s (Colin Firth) ascent to the throne during the 1920s and ’30s.

As he reluctantly fills his role, he is trouAlex Wissmann bled by a debilitating speech impediment; Columnist the movie centers around the King’s work with speech therapist Lionel Loque (Geoffrey Rush) while he attempts to give speeches to the public over the radio.

His wife Queen Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter) is a constant presence.

The script places enormous burden on these three actors by making their performances the lynchpin of the movie’s success.

All three step up to this challenge, ultimately exceeding expectations.

Colin Firth submits a truly spectacular performance here, especially with regards to his portrayal of the actual speech impediment.

Firth masters the ability to simultaneously show progress and to struggle with his speech impediment. He masterfully intertwines this balance with his struggle to gain the confidence necessary to be the King of England.

Geoffrey Rush also does a wonderful job of portraying a peculiar and daring speech therapist. His performance supplies youthful vitality and energy to the movie, which contrasts well with Firth’s more serious performance.

Rush, however, manages to provide exceptional dramatic sequences that rival those of Firth.

The movie shines most through Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush’s character interactions. The scenes that portray their discussions and interactions during their therapy sessions are profound and rewarding.

The real value of this movie is in watching the two characters and their relationship evolve over time.

The main narrative primarily functions as a background for the interplay between them.

The movie shines so much on the two that there is little room for Helena Bonham Carter’s excellent performance to have any lasting impact. While her and Firth’s relationship is intricate and interesting, it is easily overshadowed by that of Firth and Rush.

The writing guides the movie along a subtle but convincing course. The pacing is slow but the content is deep enough to sustain it. Its script is minimal but effective as it gives the characters room to work their magic.

The only questionable portion was Firth practicing speech exercises, which started to resemble an ’80s fighting movie montage.

In the end, The King’s Speech moves through its story with such ease and grace that the entire experience leaves you more than satisfied.

Graceling Is Full Of Intrigue And Adventure

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he first of a trilogy, Kristin Cashore’s Graceling takes readers to the exciting world of Katsa, a warrior-girl in her late teens. Marked as a Graceling, she is one of the few that possess a talent beyond what most mortals are accustomed to.

Katsa’s unique Grace is considered very useful, and her ability to fight and kill incites the interest of her manipulative king.

Forced to carry out the gruesome orders of her monarch, Katsa seeks a way to escape. However, Monica Wang her fearsome powers prevent the growth of sevColumnist eral friendships, leaving Katsa trapped in a world where her every move is watched.

This book is a real treat for its reader. There is a powerful heroine who undergoes a transformation, discovering a strength of character to match her physical strength.

The political intrigue was surprisingly compelling, as there was enough to make it interesting, but not so much that it would overwhelm you. The magical elements of the story alter reality just enough to create a fun, fantastical world into which each reader journeys.

While the messages of the book apply to everyone, this is a book that only the mature should read. There are a few scenes where the main characters are more than mushy.

Overall, the book provides a fascinating story, and I would recommend to anyone in high school, especially those who love a strong heroine, an unpredictable plot, and fiction.

Page 8, THE SUN DEVILS’ ADVOCATE, February 23, 2011

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on her own. embracing the rumors.

Unless you are an IB, Olive uses her reputation AP, or honor student, it to help out may be hard gay friend relate ...80’s teenage to Brandon to Olive’s classics and at c o n f i d e n c e (Dan Bryd) by pretending the same time as an outcast to sleep with and how she him at a party makes fun of the accepts her to make teenage agnst tormentors. people think Stone movies of our Luckily he’s straight is funny, decade. so he can smart, and get through sweet so the high school with out being audience relates to and tormented. Other misfits loves her anyway. learn of Olive’s good deed The movie is a huge and Olive begins a business nod to the 80’s teenage of trading gift cards for the classics and at the same right to say you slept with time makes fun of the her. teenage angst movies of our This blows up in her decade. The movie accepts face, causing her to be the cheesiness of the genre ridiculed and become and takes it with pride and an outcast. On the verge style. Who knows, maybe of being expelled, Olive some day this movie will must find a way to redeem be referenced as one of the herself. With all of her classics. “clients” gone or unwilling to come clean, Olive is left alex sorell

rning u t ie v o m e g a A new teen generation point for new

Thanksgiving Word Search

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is forced to wear a red A on her clothes representing adulterer.

Just like Hester Pryne of “The Scarlet Letter”, Olive is wrongly accused of sleeping with the wrong person, or in her case persons. Though still a virgin, Olive tells her friend Rhianon (Aly Michalka) a wild tale of a sexual escapade with a college boy in order to explain why she was unable to go camping with her friend’s hippie parents. The story is overheard by the school Jesus freak Marianne (Amanda Bynes) and spreads instantly through the school.

Olive decides to take advantage of her newfound attention and messes with her tormentors by

Oven Rolls Macaroni Beans Glazed Pumpkin Pie November Thanksgiving

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Take that teenagers of the 80’s! We finally have a teen movie we can be proud of. Will Gluck’s “Easy A” is teenage comedy that is decent and entertaining, unlike many of the teen comedies of the 90’s and 00’s.

The movie stars Emma Stone as Olive Penderghast, the typical snarky, nerdy outcast. We first meet Olive in a webcast where she is broadcasting her problems.

Apparently Olive has become the school slut.

Her story mirrors that of “The Scarlet Letter”, the book she is reading in her English class. The book is about a girl who is wrongly accused of sleeping with the town priest. She is made an outcast of the town and

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Page 15 November 2, 2010 The Talon Tribune

Second Gen. Apple TV Released New version smaller, cheaper, wireless

Jessica Cruz The Talon Tribune

Apple released its newest generation of the Apple TV on September 1, 2010. This is the second generation of the Apple TV and it’s only $99.

Apple TV is one of the easiest ways to watch some of your favorite movies and listen to some of your favorite songs right on your flat screen TV. The first version of the Apple TV was released

in 2007, which was three times the price the of the newer version and was made as an accessory for your iTunes and computer.

The new version is wireless and works from an Internet media service or a local network. It’s 80% smaller than the previous generation and uses less power than a night-light. It allows you to stream photos and music from your computer to your TV all in HD. The new generation allows you the ability to not even have to use your computer. You can now control Apple TV with your iPod, iPhone, or iPad. All you have to do is download the Remote app and

you’re all set. You can even send movies, photos, and music to your Apple TV with one of these devices using the new AirPlay icon.

You can compare the Apple TV to a Blu-Ray player since it now allows you to connect to Netflix, Youtube, MobileMe, and Flicker.

You can choose from 7,000 movies to rent and have up to 30 days to watch it. Once you start watching the movie you have up to 48 hours to watch the movie as many times as you want.

Fall Play A Success Mac Miller: A Breath of Fresh Air Veronica Henderson-Davis Talon Tribune

Andy Frothingham Talon Tribune

insecurity’s many teenagers have about growing up, showing how different Mac is from the general In the past year, the Rapper Wiz hip hop community. The Spins is a Khalifa has exploded, becoming rhyme of all our dreams: “Wanna a top Itunes seller with his songs get a mansion/ a Jacuzzi/ a the“Say Yeah,” and “Black and Yel- ater to watch my movies/ couple low.” However, Kalifa is not the whips and lots of fancy things.” only great rapper out of Pitts- He continues about dating the burgh’s Allderdice High school. perfect girl and hanging with his Mac Miller released his first friends all day in the summer sun. mixtape only a 80’s beats few months afcombined with ter graduating, Millers quick and the 18 year rhymes and old is turning carefree voice heads with his are both origilaid back style nal and well and old school rounded.

He beats.

He has a Jack Johnsigned to Rosson demeanor trum Records, and Kanye the same label West rhymes, that propelled original beats, Wiz Khalifa and is clearly Dan Pope enjoys some new rap to stardom. having fun domusic on his super-big headK.I.D.S. foing what he phones. cuses on the loves. The best joys of adolesthing about the cence: driving around in a car full album? It’s free. Miller has gained of friends, playing loud music, his success from the Internet, and and sitting around the house in decided to release the album pajamas. Miller offers a breath free of charge. His Youtube page of fresh air in an industry full of has more than 200,000 views, boasting and disputing. Instead about 10,000 followers on Twitof talking about Ferrari’s and ter and 50,000 fans on Facebook. pools, he rhymes about his HonThe general message of the da Civic, graduating high school, mixtape is something all people and missing his grandfather. can take to heart, “Enjoy the best The High Life is one of the best things in your life, cause you songs on K.I.D.S, and is about the ain’t gonna get to live it twice.”

“Nice Guy Syndrome” stood out to me the most. “The Apple Tree” was a hilarious reenactment of the As a critic, I am not afraid to biblical scene of Adam and Eve; say that I was a little pessimis- it follows them as they discover tic to be spending my Satur- the opposite gender. I thought day night watching a bunch of it was brilliantly acted by junior high school students attempt to Carly Marquis, and seniors Conperform a play that was prob- nor Magyar and John Doolittle. ably too advanced for them.

“Nice Guy Syndrome” disAnd as a critic, I am also not played an online conversation beafraid to say that I was wrong. tween two friends with the twist The Man/Woman Thing, per- of the actual conversation being formed October 22 and 23 at acted out at the same time by Silver Creek, was a fantastic col- the two friends’ “virtual selves.” lection of The scene scenes, definitely m o n o showed logues, how Interand songs net relaabout the tionships seemingly can be discomplex torted and relationmisunships bederstood. t w e e n The real men and life friends women. w e r e Everyplayed by Left to right: Sammy Kreitman, EmmaRose thing from juniors Connolly and Taylor Winter were only three of first atTa y l o r the six merry murderesses in their rendition of traction Winter the Cell Block Tango. to love and Ryan and heartWo o d . break and even a little mur- Virtual friends were played der were displayed on stage. by seniors Doug Elgar I was thrilled to see the “Cell and EmmaRose Connolly.

Block Tango” from my faI was already expecting the singvorite musical, Chicago, per- ing to be good, but the quality of formed at the end of the play. the acting surprised me. I didn’t Senior Sammy Kreitman was once think that I was watching especially villainous as the a a high school play. Each actor scorned wife who “accidentally” brought their own flair to their stabbed her husband ten times. parts while still being connected It’s hard to pick a favorite out to their character. It was truly fun of all the scenes and songs, but to watch the people I know transthe scenes “The Apple Tree” and form on stage into someone else.

Featurettes

Oct. 4, 2010

Chew On This...

Pumpkin Spice Latté

By TARA JURGENSMEYER

By KATRIN JUNG

Trojan News Staff

When I heard Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte was returning I felt compelled to try one! I mean, it IS the perfect autumn drink afterall…then I remembered how expensive Starbucks coffee is.

I mean, I make $8.30 an hour; a grande (meduim) Pumpkin Spice Latte is $4.15 without tax. Half an hour! I have to work half an hour for a latte that will take me 5 minutes to drink.

I don’t know about you, but I can think of bigger and better things to get for $4.15. And so I thought, why not make a pumpkin latte? I went online and this is the recipe I found which makes two cups of coffee: Ingredients: 2 cups milk 3 tablespoons canned pumpkin 3 tablespoons sugar 3 tablespoons vanilla extract 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 1 cup of strong brewed coffee Directions: In a saucepan combine milk, pumpkin, and sugar. Cook on medium heat, stirring, until steaming. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and pumpkin spice.

Next, whisk the mixture very well

Trojan News Staff

until foamy.

Transfer mixture into a mug, filling only half the cup, and filling the mug the rest of the way with coffee. Top with whipped cream and either pumpkin spice or cinnamon, if desired.

Delicious! It’s about the same price to buy the Starbucks latte as buying all those ingredients once and you can make many cups of coffee (year around!) If you prefer it sweeter, you may want to make it with less coffee. In all, I think you will find that this new autumn drink is a cheaper way to have a coffee treat! Enjoy!

Living Without

By JAKE TOKLE Trojan News Staff

For most high school students, text messaging is as much a part of their lives as much as breathing is.

A Trojan News survey found 50% text every few minutes, 28% every hour, 9% once or twice a day and only 12% do not text or don’t have a cell phone.

While text messaging can be beneficial, for example, when you need to urgently tell your parents that your school bus will be late dropping you off after school, but it can still be a serious distrac-

Texting

tion from what you need to get done.

One option could be to talk to your friends in person when you’re able to instead of texting them. This way, you can pay better attention to what is going on, and still be able to communicate with your friends.

Another option is to communicate through email, if you are going the weekend with out text messaging, so you’re able to communicate in large blocks of information, instead of very small amounts of information at a time, and still be able to get your point across.

Outsider perspective

By KATRIN JUNG Trojan News Staff

Hi, I am Katrin Jung, aka Kati and I am a foreign exchange student from Germany. I came here on the 1st of August and I am going to stay until June 2011, attending LHS, living in a host family, getting to know the American way of life.

For the Trojan News, I will write about the experiences I have here.

The first weeks that I have been in Longmont were full of new things, sometimes big, sometimes small, that made the time very intense, extreme and overall, a very happy, fun time. It’s so interesting just to be here and observe everything.

Basically you can say that Germany and America are totally different from each other, with a very few similarities.

So it’s hard to compare the two countries, and many things are either new or different for me.

The big things are language, which is still challenging sometimes, but I am learning a lot every day, and also school, since the American High School system

World of Numbers

is completely new to me.

I really like going to Longmont High and experiencing and learning so much here.

Many of the little things in your environment that make your life the way it is such as traditions, habits, food, shops, landscape, and even the not-too-important ones like measurements, sheets, plugs, hole punchers and so many others are different from what I am used to.

And I enjoy experiencing all these things, trying them, looking at them, making them become normal for me and learning from them. But that also can be hard sometimes. It was like I was thrown into cold water and I had to find a way to get to the surface.

Luckily I have wonderful people around me here that already make my time unique and unforgettable. Just becoming a part of the community is something very special, that only can happen if you really spend more than just vacation around.

I feel like I am taking relatively strong strokes so far.

Mysterious number #6174 In 1949 the mathematican from Devlali, India D.R. Kaprekar devised a process that is known today as Kaprekar’s operation: • Choose a four digit number where the digits are not all the same (not: 1111, 2222, ...)

• Rearrange digits to get the largest and the smallest number these digits can make • Subtract the smallest number from the largest one to get a new number • Carry on repeating this operation for every new number You will get a surprising result.

Let’s try it with the number 2010;

2100-0012 = 2088 8820-0288= 8532 8532-2358= 6174 7641-1467= 6174

(another example with 8962): 9862-2689= 7173 7731-1377= 6354 6543-3456= 3087 8730-0378=8352 8532-2385= 6174 7641-1467= 6174

- When we reach 6174 the operation repeats itself - You can do it with every four digit number that four digits are not the same and you will always get to number 6174 eventually.

Gadgets & Gizmos

By WILL GIES-BARTON Trojan News Staff

The Headphone Test With an iPod or other MP3 player in the pockets of many students, everyone needs a pair of headphones to blast their favorite tunes. I sat down with five different pairs of headphones from three different companies and found these results.

Skullcandy Icon’s can be found for as little as $9.95 on amazon. com and come in every color and design you can imagine.

My first impression of these headphones was how light they felt in my hand. Albeit the weight, the sound produced from these colorful little headphones is a definite step up from the basic Apple earbuds.

The bass is decent at best and these do not block out much sound. I’d recommend these headphones to the average listener who wants a cheap pair of headphones with an okay sound.

Next up in price are the Skullcandy Lowriders which can be found for $15-$25 on amazon. com.

These headphones fold up and come in many designs and colors.

They produce a little more bass and block a little bit more outside sound than the Skullcandy Icons, for only a slight increase in price.

The trade off, however, is that the Lowriders are higher profile and a bit heavier.

The final Skullcandy product in the lineup is the Hesh headphone. They cost $25-$50 on amazon.com and are a bit bigger than the other two Skullcandy Headphones.

I bought these for a long plane ride and was rather disappointed with the comfort and sound quality. After about two hours of prolonged use, I had to take off the headphones and massage the cartilage on my ear for twenty minutes.

The sound is bassy, but every other frequency sounds muted. Like every other Skullcandy Headphone, the Hesh is stylish and comes in every pattern under the sun.

A slightly more expensive alternative to the Skullcandy Hesh is the Sony MDRV6.

These are $69.95 on amazon.com and my headphone of choice. The Sony’s are not nearly as stylish as the Skullcandys, but leaps and bounds better sound qual-

Headphones

ity.

http://www.irishuk.com/images/T/lowrider_green-black_main1-01.jpg

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They have a full sound with good bass, mids and highs. They are comfortable to wear for prolonged periods of time and feel very durable.

I would recommend them to someone looking for a quality sub $100 headphone.

The last headphone in my test combines the best of the Sony’s and the Skullcandy’s – style and excellent sound quality. I am of course talking about the Beats

by Dr. Dre. Like the Sony headphones, these have a full sound but a little bit more rich.

The only drawback however is the cost of having Dr. Dre’s name blazoned across the bar. In my humble opinion, the price is still too high even though the sound quality is absolutely superb. If the price was dropped by about $150 I would pick up a pair in an instant.

The bottom line- Skullcandys are very stylish but the quality of sound is a lot to be desired.

2010-11 Best of Colorado Staff Editorial Samples

The Buzz with Medical Cannabis Staff Editorial Crimson Report Staff Since the year 2000, Colorado has been among the fourteen states that permit the use of Medical Cannabis. A constant fluctuation in state law makes medical cannabis an issue that is always dynamically changing in Colorado.

While driving within the Denver city limits, a person can’t help but notice seeing a marijuana dispensary on every corner. In Colorado medical cannabis can be available to those who posses the following conditions: glaucoma, cancer, HIV, chronic pain, severe nausea, Epilepsy, and MS. Research shows that compounds in cannabis called cannabinoids offer significant value to the medical industry. Although Marijuana does show promise in the medical industry, the way in which it is run is an absolute joke.

In recent years, certain doctors have found light in the medical cannabis industry. By ignoring certain conditions, many medical doctors have chosen to get rich by giving anyone who walks in their office an MMJ license.

The question is not how many people posses MMJ licenses in Colorado, but rather how many of them actually need one.

There is no doubt about it that certain people have benefited from the use of medical cannabis; the amount of people that abuse the drug is much higher than the amount of people that strictly use cannabis for the benefit of alternative medicine.

The use of medical cannabis is far too widespread in the state of Colorado, and those who actually need it are viewed as just another person who wants to use marijuana.

Perhaps in ten years the Colorado State Government will work on revoking MMJ licenses of those who do not necessarily need them. When doctors write recommendations for medical cannabis they don’t specify how much to use, or what dose might be appropriate for certain conditions. This fact leaves a large loophole in the consumption and distribution of medical cannabis.

In Colorado a person can posses up to two ounces of usable cannabis at one time. This means that users may use up to two ounces a day, far more than any person would need in a week. Because the laws regarding the use of medical cannabis are always changing, one can not always be sure of the legalities in the rapidly growing cannabis industry.

Although medical cannabis can be beneficial to people with certain conditions, the industry needs much revision if it will be taken seriously in the future.

TCA Vow: Make it Matter On the wall in the forum, the Classical Academy’s Honor Pledge is engraved in silver letters: “As a member of the Classical Academy community, I vow to further a culture of personal integrity, academic honesty and social respect.”

However, few students read, or even notice the honor pledge. Seniors are required to make this vow, and participate in the tradition of marking each of their thumbprints as a promise to uphold the pledge. But aside from the seniors, the rest of the secondary school is left in the dark. This needs to change, if we want to see the effects of this pledge manifested in our school.

Students should make this pledge every year from junior high on. Whether this is simply at the beginning of the year in an assembly, or with each of their individual classes, is up to the jurisdiction of the school. Another way to incorporate it would be to have students discuss the meaning of it with their Titan Time groups.

However the pledge may be incorporated, it should be an important statement reflecting the views and responsibilities of the students.

The pledge has always been a significant part of student life, ever since it was created by a group of high school students years ago. The main purposes of the pledge are creating a school culture of truthfulness and reverence. Students should seek to leave behind a positive legacy, as well as lead their fellow students forward towards this common goal.

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February 18, 2011

Rocky Mountain Highlighter

Revolt in Egypt

It is utterly astonishing to me the lack of knowledge in prevalent, crucial events Ramsey happening in our modern Nicholas world.

Several days ago, the current, ongoing Egyptian revolution was brought up in a couple of my classes and I was taken aback to find that a number of students hadn’t the slightest clue as to what I was talking about. With the immense overload of technology and the vast possibilities for finding resources and information in the world we live in, I am ardently disappointed at the number of teenagers who would choose to watch the infamous Jersey Shore over an informative news program.

As of Feb. 7, the death toll in Egypt has reached a striking 297 people and is expected to continue rising at a swift rate. Now spreading to areas of Egypt outside of Cairo, the revolt against Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has brought violent conflicts with the police and intense fights with pro-Mubarak gangs.

Currently in Egypt, the British-based Vodafone corporation has shut down phone and internet service throughout the country, creating nation-wide havoc and violent, riotous behavior. The American company, Narus, happens to be the culprit that enabled this action by selling Egypt the surveillance technology helping to lay the foundation for blocking communications.

Originally addressed in June 2010, the Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act has now been re-introduced by Senators Lieberman and Collins. In other words, the bill if passed, would have the right to create an internet kill switch, shutting down all US civilian access to the internet. In case of a “national threat,” our government feels that voiding American technology would be the best way to protect our country, therefore the Senate bill has once again been proposed.

Not only is violence prevalent throughout the people, but a serious danger has now reached many of the foreign journalists that happen to be reporting the uprising in Egypt. Media workers are now suffering through arrest, harassment, confiscation of equipment, and even death.

If you find yourself wanting to know more about these current issues in our modern world, I encourage you to read into the matter through Amy Goodman’s, Democracy Now at Democracynow.org. If you do not have any care or concern to the matter, then continue to watch your redundant and pointless reality shows on MTV. I also believe that these redundant reality shows and hundreds of mindless rap songs in which the singer can’t even remember her own name, are created as a distraction for young adults in order for the government to keep a controlling grip on the American society. Not only does the media firmly press drama and egotism, but they are also poisoning the public by creating a generation that lives somewhere outside of reality.

I strongly encourage everyone to pay attention to current events, read the paper, and watch the news.

These are the occurrences we’re going to be telling our kids and grandkids about. Don’t be an embarrassment to our generation, this is OUR future. Promote democracy.

Ramsey Nicholas is a junior and Editorial editor for the RM Highlighter.

Queen of Egypt

Reanna Nelson

Students need weight behind CSAPs

W Staff Editorial ►Exploring possible ways to create student accountability.

e applaud the efforts of the school to raise the bar on students focusing in the upcoming CSAP tests.

Still, there is a fundamental flaw in the CSAP test as currently presented: student accountability.

In order for students to build up any form of care or concern for taking the CSAP tests, a solid foundation of outcomes or consequences must be set in place. Because the CSAP scores mean little to students in terms of their present or their future, the motivation to do well is hardly present.

Elementary and even middle school students can nearly always be talked into taking the test seriously.

However, as students enter the high school setting, they become much more aware of cause and effect, learning to think for themselves and make decisions on their own.

What students really want to know is what is in it for them, what their efforts will mean.

Currently, there seems to be no weight on the tests to encourage students to really try their hardest.

The situation that we seem to be looking at now, is a large portion of teachers and administrators standing together to increase the moti-

The Rocky Mountain Highlighter is published nine times during the school year by the newspaper staff of Rocky Mountain High School/ 1300 W. Swallow Rd./Fort Collins, CO 80526.

Contact Rocky Mountain Highlighter staff members at 970-488-7090 or 970-488-7091 for advertising information. Also the Rocky Mountain Highlighter staff is in Room 528, during 4th period.

Editor-in-Chief Tess Halac Editorial Editor Ramsey Nicholas Sports Editor Calvin Jouard Features Editor Cassa Niedringhaus National Scholastic Press Association National Critique

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Rocky Mountain

Center In-Depth Editor Mary Willson Limelight Editor Chloe Evans Advertising Manager Jake Mohr

Staff Charlie Anderson John Califf Ryan McCrary Trevor Merrill Regan Miller Geneva Mueller Ryan Nelson Fahey Zink

vation in students for CSAPs. Of course, the teachers and the administrators care about the test results; they are being directly affected by the scores and participation of students.

At the state and district level, a school effectiveness is partially determined by CSAP scores.

Clearly, the teachers and the administrators can see the importance of these tests.

However, in order for the students to see any relevance in them, the care must be transferred from the school and from the teachers to the students. Students need something to back up the tests; in other words, tests have to lead to something.

We have come up with several ideas that may influence students to see an importance in taking CSAPs. The first idea is to possibly create some form of credit gain from taking the test. If a student did well, he or she would earn credits toward graduation.

Second, CSAP performance could be tied into graduation. Students would need to be proficient in all CSAP areas to graduate. If they score below proficient, they would have the opportunity for remediation and test re-takes in an effort to become proficient for graduation.

ighlighter Artists Loren DeWeese Reanna Nelson Mark Steininger Adviser Stephen Wahlfeldt

As a third possibility, the state could work with colleges to better connect proficient CSAP scores with admission. There is no doubt that a greater number of students would try harder on CSAP tests if they were looked at seriously by colleges.

Right now, a student who earns a 33-point score on an ACT exam and a zero on the CSAP test would without a doubt be admitted into the college of choice. This example demonstrates the unimportance of CSAPs in the college admission process.

Lastly, if course changes-taking additional courses fo example--were to actually be set in place if enough students scored poorly on the tests, a stronger sense of importance would come to a greater number of students at the school.

Many schools have already started a double-blocking system, especially in subjects such as math and science.

What this means is instead of semester-long courses, students would be forced to take year-long math classes due to weak results on the CSAP tests.

Regardless of the path, the relevance of CSAPs to students must be elevated. Until this happens, many students will continue to put forth minimum effort.

RM Highlighter editorial policy

The Rocky Mountain Highlighter is a student news publication which strives to report school and community events with truth, accuracy, objectivity, and clarity. The RM Highlighter will also comment on issues of interest to its readers.

The purposes of this publication are to report the news to the Rocky Mountain High School community, to provide the school community with a public forum for thoughtful discussion and debate, and to provide students on the newspaper staff with practical journalism experience.

In order to make the RM Highlighter as professional a publication as possible, important legal and ethical guidelines will be followed. Senate Bill 90-99, enacted by the Colorado General Assembly during the 1990 legislative session, declares that “students of the public schools shall have the right to exercise freedom of speech and the press.”

(Colo. Rev. Stat. Sec. 22-1-120) We, the staff of the RM Highlighter, are prohibited by law from publishing certain materials. We will respect these laws. No material which is libelous, encourages illegal acts, or causes material and substantial disruption to school activities will be published. Expressions which are obscene will not be printed. Profanity will not be printed unless it is considered absolutely necessary by the RM Highlighter editorial board to express the views of the writer or quoted person.

Expression which is false “as to any person who is not a public figure or involved in a matter of public concern” will not be printed. “Expressions which are in violation of lawful school regulations designed to control gangs” will not be printed.

In the event of a potential controversial item, the editorial board —consisting of all the editors, the advertising manager, and the adviser —will meet to discuss the merits of the item and then decide whether or not to print the item.

Coverage of deaths which occur within the Rocky community will be carefully considered by the editorial board. Natural or accidental deaths will be reported for clarifications of death and will contain a memorial. Except in extreme circumstances, suicides will not be covered to reduce glorification of such acts.

In general, the RM Highlighter observes the guidelines presented in the “Code of Ethics” of the Society of Pro-

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fessional Journalists. The RM Highlighter will not allow source review prior to publication, unless there is a clarification issue. Source anonymity will be granted only after careful consideration by the editor, with the editor reserving the right to make the final decision. Staff editorials shall be presented logically and will represent the views of the majority of the staff.

Editorial criticism, of either individuals or groups, will be based on fact and will be constructive.

Guest editorial space, the “Open Forum,” is available to anyone in the Rocky community, including students, parents, faculty, and administrators. Anyone interested in writing in the “Open Forum” should contact the editor-in-chief or the adviser, Stephen Wahlfeldt.

Letters to the editor are welcome. They should be signed, and a home phone number should be included. The writer’s name may be withheld upon request, provided the editor agrees that the reasons for withholding a name are valid and compelling. Try to limit letters to 300 words and place them in one of the “Letters to the Editor” boxes, located in the Media Center and the Main Office, or give them to a RM Highlighter staff member, RM Highlighter adviser Stephen Wahlfeldt, or drop them by the RM Highlighter room, Room 528, during 4th period. Letters may also be mailed to the Rocky Mountain Highlighter, Rocky Mountain High School, 1300 W. Swallow Rd., Fort Collins, CO 80526. To talk with anyone on the RM Highlighter staff, phone (970) 488-7090.

Columnists express their own views and not necessarily those of the RM Highlighter staff. No expression made by students of the Rocky Mountain Highlighter shall be considered an expression of school board or Rocky Mountain High School policy. Furthermore, Poudre School District and its employees are immune from any civil or criminal action based on any expression made or published by the students.

All advertisement is welcome. To place an ad, contact RM Highlighter advertising managers at (970) 488-7091.

The RM Highlighter, however, reserves the right to refuse advertising which the staff considers inappropriate for our audience.

The RM Highlighter is a member of the ASNE/MCT Campus High School Newspaper Service, and some material is courtesy of that service.

The Rocky Mountain Highlighter reserves the right to edit anything it publishes.

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a place f( ) r opinions

September 23, 2010

9

Cornell Notes: Enough already!

Forum Staff Editorial

Alright, administrators, we get it We know that Cornell Notes is a versatile note-taking system that promotes organization and comprehension. We know that most colleges throughout the country love Walter Pauk’s template to death. We know that you’re only shoving the concept down our throats for “our own good.”

It may be useful to the administration to point out that students definitely don’t like to be force-fed. If it is such a wonderful, useful resource, wouldn’t it be better to ease the student body into the system instead of pushing it, teaching it and even grading it right off the bat? A required switch from conventional note-taking systems to this new one that most students haven’t even learned about is going to take time, and punching us in the gut isn’t going to make it go down any faster.

But there’s another problem neither the staff of Legend or AVID had thought to address: Students aren’t a resource, a quantity, an item the education system manipulates. Each and every one of us is our own person, and we all learn in different ways.

Not only does each and every one of us learn at our own pace (in case you haven’t noticed, that’s why chugging Cornell soup is generating such school-wide unrest), but we all have our own styles and methods of learning as well. Visual-oriented students compile massive quantities of information in outlines, webs and other illustrative elements to organize entire

chapters of material. Auditory learners record their information in lists and charts that they memorize verbally later on, and the papers of kinesthetic learners are laden with examples and questions they can practice with on their own. The structure of Cornell notes in no way accommodates the needs of the many types of learners that exist.

One of the goals of Cornell Notes is to have students copy down the important details and summarize the bits of information that are applicable to the questions the teacher assigns, contradicting the strict copyeverything style of the visual learner.

Auditory learners are also deprived of their efficiency by the fact that Cornell notes do not allow for customized lists and charts, but require responses too long and detailed to be memorized or recited efficiently. And let’s not forget the stab wound kinetic learners have to endure – with no designated spaces for examples or work besides a short summary, they don’t have anything in their fields to work with.

Teaching how to take notes is one step forward, but neglecting to teach a variety of note-taking systems is one step back. If the administration really knows what’s best for the school, they will abandon this “one size fits all” mentality and encourage teachers to offer different styles of notes for each learning style.

And if the staff doesn’t reconsider their of Cornell Notes policy? We’ll just have to slog it out like the duplications they think we are.

“You’ve got some sexy lobes there”

(by Mattie Alfrey)

Lately around the halls I’ve been noticing more and more teens with ear stretches, plugs, pinchers, and tapers, common tools used to stretch ear lobes.

I have gauges myself, 7/16(11mm) of an inch, but I never really noticed how popular they are getting among people.

In the 5th grade, Mr. Kyle Porter, the new art teacher, got his left ear pierced, then as he entered middle school he pierced his right ear. He started stretching his lobes freshman year of high school, and he is currently at 13/16g(20mm) of an inch. His parents were never too excited about his lobes being stretched, but they realized it was his choice, so they gave him their opinion on them, and he continued to stretch.

“This girl that lived down the street had 00g(10mm), and they looked totally cute,” said Danielle Kappes 09, who is currently at 8g(3.2mm) stretches. She’s only had them for about eight months and is planning to keep stretching until she gets to 0g(8mm). Her mother doesn’t mind her stretches, but her father hasn’t noticed them yet.

Beau Humback 09 has been stretching his

lobes for two years. A guy he saw at the show, Rain Supreme, first inspired him. He thought they looked “cool.” Humback’s parents aren’t very happy with his lobes being so large, so they’ve tried to regulate how big he can go. He is currently at 3/4s of an inch (19mm).

These people with stretches have had both good and bad feedback about the size of their lobes.

“People think it’s gross,” said Kappes In all honesty, people can be small-minded when it comes to being different, but lobe stretching is undeniably a unique way to bring out your selfexpression. I love seeing all the kids with the tapers, plugs, etc. bringing some diversity to Legend halls.

But I have a question for all of you who are thinking about getting stretches, are you doing it because you want to, or are you doing it because everyone else around you is doing it? If you are, just remember, this is permanent; it will not go away, unless you get surgery. If surgery isn’t the option for you, than just stay small.

For more on gauges, piercings, and other forms of bodily alteration, see the Legend Forum website at www.legendforumnews.webs.com.

Editors-in-Chief: Victoria Robinson and Megan Kearns

Adviser: Mrs. Carrie Denman

F( )rum

Online Editor: Macy Franken everyone’s welcome Copy Editor: Jimmy Aaron Photo Editor: Corinna Leigh Art Editor: JoLynn Morris Design Editor: Bambi Tran Motivation Editor: Maya Sarpy, Victoria Robinson News Editors: Larissa Farrell, Assisted by Adrianne Mendez Sports Editors: Kaylee Krough and Kyle Kercheval Opinion Editors: Kay Nguyen, Assisted by Maya Sarpy & Morgan Noll Centerspread Editor: Miranda McHodgkins Backpage Editor: Mattie Moose Entertainment Editors: Kelly Thomas and CJ Kasten Special Topics Editors: Tyffani Hoff and Jeff Booher Business Managers: Jared Beckstead and Daniel Gay Public Relations Manager: Jessica VanDoozer Calendar Manager: Scott Reba Distribution Manager: Tyler Honahan Photographers: Sara Koshfam, Josh Jenkins, Kyle Kercheval, Larissa Farrell, CJ Kasten, Victoria Robinson, and Megan Kearns Artists: Bambi Tran, Justin Acquavella Staff Writers: Shea Boyett, Josh Brunson, Nathan Erickson, Jacob Jenkins, Tyler O’Tremba, Scott Reba, Devin Smith Under Colorado Student Press Law, the Legend High School Forum cannot be censored by the administration, the district or the state, as we are a “public forum of student expression,” unless we print something slanderous, educationally disruptive or inappropriate.

Letters to the editor are encouraged. To send a letter to the Editor, you can have it stashed in the main office mailbox of Mrs. Denman, bring it directly to room E204, or send it via e-mail to lhsforumnews@ gmail. Unsigned letters and pseudonyms will be rejected on sight, but we may withhold names upon request.

This being a student-run publication, the administration and faculty of Legend High School, or the Douglas County School District, are not responsible for anything printed here.

by Jessy VanDoozer

Instant Salesman, Just Add Student

(by Macy Franken)

If you play a sport, or know someone who does, you are probably familiar with the concept of the Titan Card.

A plastic card for $30 that lets whoever buys get a discount to the restaurant/ store/other purveyor listed on the back in teeny tiny font. Another handy little feature is that it lets whoever sells buy a spot on their varsity sports team.

Wait a minute. Let’s back up a ways, shall we?

We’ve all heard that anyone interested in playing a varsity fall sport was told at the beginning of the year that they were required--or “strongly encouraged”--to sell a given amount of Titan Cards to play on the varsity team. If they couldn’t, their parents would have to shell out the additional $250+ to pay for the cards, on top of the $150 sports fee already required to play.

It seemed to me that this is the equivalent of buying one’s way onto a high school varsity team. Kind of stupid, and kind of illegal, when you think of the fact that were this to happen in the pro leagues, any player who tried to pay off a coach like this would be sent to jail, or at least fined heavily.

So why do it on a high school level? So, I did a little digging, and what I found made a lot of sense to me.

No one is actually required to sell anything, or else, in any fundraising activity. Rather, the push for fundraising is more one of “help support your team” which I can understand. In newspaper, we’re required to sell $100 in ads per semester (or obtain three “rejection slips”), but that’s attached to

a grade that none of the other activities have, so we’re a little different. But beyond the lower GPA, if you don’t sell your ads, you are reviled in the newsroom until you fix the situation.

The pressure isn’t a coach-to-athlete (or reporter, as the case may be) variety; it’s more of an athlete-to-athlete variety.

But there is a little misguidance, I will admit. And for a reason--if you don’t really care about the opinion of your teammates, maybe the (mis)understood threat of “I won’t be able to play” will push you to get the money.

But what I’m still wondering is, why are we pushing fundraising so hard? I realize that there has been budget cuts, and we don’t want to cut programs or program quality, but when does enough become enough? Let’s face it--between keeping the grades at a level that parents won’t ground us until they improve, and working to pay for a car, gas money, spending money, and future college tuition, is it even possible to fund-raise that much for a sports team or any other extracurricular activity? And when does gathering money for a sport or an activity begin to blind a student to all other aspects of life? When do we say, “I am not going to let football/soccer/band/choir and Titan cards/butter braids/burritos/magazine subscriptions control my free time”?

When did high school athletics and activities quit being about getting involved and start being about raising money? Is one of the district’s end statements “Become a successful doorto-door salesman”?

“It seemed to me that this is the equivalent of buying one’s way onto a high school varsity team.”

The Sun Devils’ Advocate Kent Denver School 4000 East Quincy Avenue Englewood, CO 80110

NON-PROFIT org..

U.S. POSTAGE PAID Englewood, CO Permit No. 818

Advocate Editorial

Conflict In Congress Stalls Progress

I

n light of the shocking attack on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, many, including the President, have been pushing for a country whose politicians are more civil toward each other, and one that begins to stray away from the “polarizing discourse” that has been one of Washington’s defining characteristics for a while now.

After the shooting, the centrist group Third Way proposed the idea of crossing the aisle and having members of opposing parties sit together during the State of the Union Address.

Senator Mark Udall (D-Colo.) took up the cause, sending a letter to other members of Congress suggesting that Democrats and Republicans sit side by side in an effort to emphasize unity and a new era of civility in politics.

Udall stated that the traditional seating arrangements “serve to symbolize division instead of the common challenges we face in securing a strong future for the United States.”

Although Udall’s proposal is more of a show for the public than the start of a groundbreaking new practice, lawmakers are treating it as difficult and irritating task.

This simple indication of respect between members of Congress should be uncomplicated, and the reaction from Washington shows that there is a lot of ground to be covered before we enter a new era in which we can achieve Udall’s goal and “debate our differences with respect, honor and civility.”

While some members of Congress were eager to buddy up with their ideological adversaries for the State of the Union Address, others were unwilling to get on board.

Representative Paul Broun (R-Ga.) indicated his hesitation saying, “I already believe very firmly that it is a trap and a ruse that Democrats are proposing.”

Even Mitch McConnell, the Republican Senate leader, made no effort to reach out.

It’s surprising that many Republicans weren’t very willing to participate in this symbolic gesture, considering the new Republican-controlled House, in a purely symbolic act, voted to repeal last session’s healthcare law.

The Sun Devils’ Advocate is a monthly publication of Kent Denver School, located at 4000 E. Quincy, Englewood, Colorado 80110 303-770-7660, Ext. 56 • www.sundevilsadvocate.com

Editors in Chief Phoebe Morgan ......................................................pmorgan12@kentdenver.org Emma Miller...............................................................emiller12@kentdenver.org News Editors Anthony Lafontant ..............................................alafontant12@kentdenver.org Sabrina Luo .....................................................................xluo12@kentdenver.org Commentary Editor Molly Moore ............................................................mmoore12@kentdenver.org Page 16, THE SUN DEVILS’ ADVOCATE, January 26, 2011

The decision was 245 to 189 for the repeal of Obama’s “signature domestic policy achievement.” Republicans passed the bill knowing that it would be blocked in the Senate, or by the President.

The bill’s title — Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act — epitomizes the vitriolic nature of the debate behind the issue.

If Republicans want to make changes, they should start by developing a comprehensive new plan for healthcare that addresses the current problems with the system.

Instead, Republicans have the House Appropriations Committee searching for ways to prevent the law from getting necessary funding, while the House Judiciary Committee is looking into the constitutionality of the law.

This could be a defining moment for members of Congress, and now is the time for significant changes in Washington.

Politicians need to step up and to begin making new traditions instead of cementing old practices.

Source: The New York Times

Those Dam Beavers

by Liz Beaver

Features Editors Ashley Achee ..............................................................aachee12@kentdenver.org Elli Itin .............................................................................eitin12@kentdenver.org Arts and Entertainment Editors Kate Herrington ................................................kherrington13@kentdenver.org Emily Fisher ................................................................efisher12@kentdenver.org Sports Editors Catherine Sheehan.................................................csheehan13@kentdenver.org Matt Olson .................................................................molson13@kentdenver.org Photography/Graphic Arts Editor Caroline Adams ........................................................cadams12@kentdenver.org Faculty Advisor Darryl Stafford ...........................................................dstafford@kentdenver.org Printer Southeast Denver Graphics

Opinion

The o&b gives its opinion on the recent suicides due to bullying.

Graphic by Jasmine Waples

Five suicides

were committed in the last several weeks by gay teens because they were bullied about their sexual orientation. No matter your personal beliefs on sexual orientation, we are all people, no matter our sex, creed, sexual preference, color or interests. We must support each other.

Teasing and bullying that leads to suicides is intolerable and need to be eradicated.

30 percent

Currently, of teens in the United States report being bullied, bullying others or both, according to ABC News. The National Center for Victims of Crime has even more dramatic figures, stating that three out of four students report being bullied while in school.

160,000

ABC News also claims that kids stay home from school every day because of bullying. Another study from Yale University reports that bullying victims are 2 to 9 times more likely to commit suicide than non-victims.

For any student to feel unsafe coming to school because of bullying is ludicrous. School should be distinguished by education and growth, not fear and torment. By no means is school a place where one should be led to take his or her own life.

To prevent these statistics from becoming more startling, we must take action. If someone is bullying, report it.

The District 51 policy for bullying mandates immediate action. The policy asserts that “A student who engages in any act of bullying is subject to appropriate disciplinary action including suspension, expulsion and/or referral to law enforcement authorities. The severity and pattern, if any, of the bullying behavior shall be taken into consideration when disciplinary decisions are made.�

We cannot make choices for others concerning their lives. We can only control our reactions.

By reporting and preventing bullying, a life can be saved.

Let us rise above this recent trend. Let us set the example.

Sources: The Denver Post, The Trevor Project, ABC News, Yale University and The National Center for Victims of Crime.

I

n Wyoming, an 18-year-old jumped off a bridge. In California, a 13-year-old hanged himself in his back yard. In Indiana, a 15-year-old hanged himself.

In Texas, a 13-year-old shot himself.

In Rhode Island, a 19-year-old hanged himself in his dorm room. In Michigan, a 19-year-old hanged himself. In Pennsylvania, a 14-year-old purposefully ran into the path of a tractor, killing himself.

Bullying, for any reason, is unacceptable.

If you are in crisis, these phone numbers may be of use: For LGBTQ Teens is crisis: 1-866-4-U-TREVOR Boys Town Hotline for free counseling: 1-800-448-3000

november 2010

Suicidal crisis or emotional distress: 1-800-273-TALK Suicide Hotline: 1.800.SUICIDE /1.800.784.2433)

o&b | 13

2010-11 Best of Colorado Commentary Samples

January 2011

Opinions

13

Cyberbullying: from page 1 on social networks (facebook, twit- if the teasing is physically harmful ter, text, email) yield dangerous re- to the victim. sults when utilized carelessly. RuLaw enforcement rarely enters mors spread faster than one can say the picture unless sufficient evithem, and that speed is greatly ac- dence of threatened bodily harm is celerated with the click of a mouse. provided. Coronado could better Direct personal attacks of cyber- educate the student body about usbullying occur when teens take it ing technology ethically and make upon themselves to send nasty mes- it known that cyberbullying is not sages and pictures, or hack profiles acceptable by stressing its harmto sabotage another teen. ful effects. Schools face obstacles Have you ever messaged someone though because the boundary bea piece of gossip that a friend relayed tween off-campus and on-campus to you? Inadvertent cyberbullying problems becomes blurred when is extremely common because it in- the bullying occurs through techvolves chains of gossip and rumors. nology.

It is possible that unsuspecting teens Adults shouldn’t be so naïve were involved in the nightmare that about what they put out about caused another teen to commit sui- themselves on the Internet, for excide, just because that rumor did not ample pictures. Kids get inspired stop with them. by what adults do. In addition, “Cyberbullying occurs when new it’s good if parents show interest technologies, such as computers and and ask their children to show mobile phones are used to harass or them which sites they like to visit. bully somebody. The perpetrators But it’s usually not a good idea to often use SMS, e-mail, chat rooms forbid them from visiting certain and Facebook to spread their mes- website; they should instead teach sage,” according to them how to act when lmk.girlscouts.org. they are there.

Cyberbullying ocIn a 2010 study Teenagers should curs when new conducted by the take initiative by not technologies, such Cyberbullying Resending those nasty as computers and search Center, 20% messages or pictures mobile phones are of a random sample and if they witness of about 4,400 11- to cyberbullying, should used to harass or 18-year-olds admit- bully somebody. The note the date and peoted to being victims ple involved. If you perpetrators often of cyberbullying and are being cyberbullied, 10% admitted to be- use SMS, e-mail, chat confide in an adult you ing both victims and rooms and Facebook trust and make sure to offenders. There is a to spread their mes- log the instances when clear connection to the bullying persisted sage. school life – it ususo you can prove that it ally calms down in was not a one time octhe summer. currence. When emotional, teenag“It’s put my friends and myself in ers usually let all their feelings out very difficult situations that could and calm down later. If these emohave been avoided,” freshman Kayla tional outbursts take place in techParham commented on the troubles nological messages, where people she has run into with communicat- can not accurately read each other, ing over technology. small misunderstandings can escaText, IM, and Facebook messages late into vicious battles. Try to have are the perfect devices for teens to all serious conversations in person, bash and complain as they wish or send messages when you are feelwithout the fear of the face-to-face ing calmer and more reasonable. confrontation. The bully is almost “I was texting a story and the peralways from the same school as the son changed what I said and sent it victim. It is a lot easier to be a per- to a bunch of people, so everyone petrator on the Internet since it en- believes I’m someone I’m not,” Katie ables you to act anonymously. This Morgan, freshman, commented on also makes it possible for a weaker the problems with communicating person to bully a stronger person, over cell phones. which is uncommon in conventional So, the responsibility ultimately bullying. It is much easier to tear lies with you, the high school stusomeone down when you find your- dent. It is up to you to take action self having a conversation with a and demonstrate respect in the age computer screen; the consequences of lightning-fast communication. of those actions seem unthreatening Social networks have the ability to because, again, of that lack of per- connect everyone quickly. Instead of sonal confrontation. using that power to degrade someCyberbullying takes on a much one else, why not use it to let people harsher form of torment because know that they matter? Think how adolescents often do not know who you would feel if you received the the offender is or why they are be- message you are about to send and ing victimized. Computers and cell ask yourself if those words will rephones allow bullies to make a quick sult in anything but pain, anger, and insult a web sensation by steadfast frustration before you press send. proliferation.

Technology is the most unforgivable This form of bullying is not some- friend. It allows you to talk and bash thing to be ignored, because words and gossip, but it never allows you do hurt. Cyberbullying easily slips to truly retract one word. under the radar because it is often unclear who started the bullying and

12 TheOpinions

You Know What Really Grinds My Gears?

Patrick Devereaux Reporter Hello readers. This is the Valentine’s Day Gear Grinding Edition. We have already discussed how annoyed couples make me at school, now let’s list the things that bother me the most about this supposed holiday.

Valentines Day in general grinds my gears due to the fact that it is created by jewelry, candy, flower, card companies and all the other immature, unnecessary products you can think of that have too much pink. The holiday is aimed for those who are desperate, lonely and weak minded. It was created so that on just one day you can show someone how much you love them and redeem yourself from previous mistakes over the past year. I believe in love, but not on just one day of the year where you have to bust out three paychecks worth of pay, to buy a gift you probably won’t remember.

Last year was a rough year for me. I actually believed in the magic of Valentines Day: A HUGE MISTAKE. I had been casually seeing a girl since December and I thought it would be a good idea to take this girl on a “Valentine’s Day Date”. The laborious process began a week earlier when I spent three hours with my mom making homemade Valentine’s Day cookies. Then I bought expensive flowers, invited her over, gave her the cookies, introduced her to my parents

-who now think I have a serious girlfriendso does she. I dressed up nicely for once (a collard shirt) and spent 20 dollars on a movie, 22 including the Arapahoe County sales tax. (Eventually this led to prom with this girl, a whole other gear grinding.) I am ashamed for the movie I saw that evening.

I am a chump for seeing “Valentines Day” on Valentines Day. The night itself was not terrible, however the date marked the beginning of a relationship that was from Hell. I spent less time with bros, more time with this wretched girl, and more money than I could have anticipated. All because of a fictional holiday that greedy companies created in order to empty a guy’s wallet, in hopes of impressing some broad.

The following issues this month has grinded my gears to the point where I need WD-40.

Facebook- They might as well call it ventbook. I don’t care if you change your profile picture, where you are eating lunch, who you are with, and especially who you are thinking of. Statuses should be limited to calling someone out and important events i.e. the Tim Tebow just scored a touchdown.

The lack of support for Grandview sportsIt sickens me when our crowd sits down during a time out. And then whenever my front row comrades and I try to start a cheer, everyone looks as though they’re

too cool to cheer for their school. Also, we have an excellent girls team, and they have no support at their games from the student body.

When people ask me what am I doing nexr year- I do not know yet! When I know, I will post it on Facebook.

When people dog on country music- I respect all music and you are entitled to like whatever kind of music you would like.

However, do not bad talk country when you’re listening to Ke$ha or Bruno Mars.

Handshake miscommunications- Are we shaking? Are we bumping? Are we doing the shake bump combo? Or are we doing the shake hug snap? I’m proposing that we have a uniform greeting for one another. Look each other dead in the eye and say “hello.”

We do not have the Monday off after the Super Bowl- I love Abe and George is the man, and I especially love football.

Why don’t we just have Presidents Day the Monday after the Superbowl?

Our lack of snow days- We all know that nobody wants to be here after it snows 8 inches. Mostly because you people make the parking lot a rat maze. Sophomores: the parking lot does not extend to the doors. Go back to driver’s ed. You are in danger of being exiled to the green hall.

When non-athletes say that cheerleading or poms is not a sport- I am not taking a

stance as to whether it is a sport or not. But I will say that they are way more athletic than some bum that sits around and plays COD. all day.

Dollar menus- With tax, it is not a dollar menu. And that my friends, grinds my gears.

Patrick Devereaux vomits into a trashcan as a couple shows their love for each other in the hallway.

--Photo by Jessica Stanley --Graphic by Julia Shuster

Biting Words

Does the use of the n-word 219 times in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn justify the removal of the novel from the classroom?

Kelly Laughlin Editor-in-Chief The printed word is forever.

In the introduction to The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain asserts that creating the dialect and diction was not accomplished “in a haphazard fashion, or by guesswork; but painstakingly.” Twain uses the n-word 219 times in the novel to establish an authentic Southern dialect.

Editor and Mark Twain-scholar Dr. Alan Gribben visited several schools in Alabama whose teachers felt uncomfortable assigning either of Twain’s novels about Huck Finn because of the n-word. He then supervised the complete removal of the n-word from a new edition of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. In the introduction to the original novel, Twain also says, “without [the dialect] many readers would suppose that all these characters were trying to talk alike and not succeeding.” The severe Southern dialect in the novel establishes the differences between Huck and Jim. Only through these differences can Twain’s essential point be understood – slaves were considered inferior even if their white counterpart was merely a child.

Authors choose their words purposefully because connotation and history accompany each word in the English language. Despite controversy over the n-word in Huck Finn, the author implemented the word for a

specific objective. The characters’ use of the n-word signifies decades of racial violence and Twain exhibits his disdain for racism throughout the novel. “[The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn] is not promoting racism; it’s raking it over the coals. Twain is showing how ignorant [the racist characters] are,” said English teacher Anthony Bilotta.

Although the derogatory term is painful or uncomfortable for many students, without the n-word, the novel loses its ties to the reality of history. When students read Huck Finn, their focus should be on the ideas beneath the surface, not the immediate perception of the n-word. Twain’s novel is a commentary on our country’s history of racism, and without remembering the brutal history accurately there is no hope for forward movement. The use of the n-word is concentrated in the first two-thirds of the novel. Huck’s transformation into a tolerant individual is marked by the decreased use of the n-word by the conclusion of the novel.

Since marginalization and prejudice are not entirely eliminated in The United States, Huck Finn still applies to high school students. Every era holds its own types of outsiders. The individuals who live on the margins of society continue to push for acceptance and equality. As some minorities continue to fight for greater freedoms, the messages in the novel retain their meaning.

If the novel were eliminated from the classroom due to the derogatory term, the curriculum would lose value because Huck Finn contains multiple themes that extend beyond racism. Huck Finn contains material dealing with society’s perceptions based on an appearance instead of reality. Twain asserts that appearances do not necessarily lead to the right conclusions. Furthermore, Jim represents a true individual – he remains moral in the face of extreme obstacles. He is a true, unwavering friend. The novel is a coming of age story, which mirrors an event all individuals must experience. The idea of escaping boundaries is also present because Huck and Jim leave on a raft and struggle with identity within the confines of society.

A substitute novel with this complexity has yet to be found – Huck Finn is seemingly irreplaceable.

However, the novel cannot be taught without background information and careful conversation before students begin to read.

Without adequate preparation, students cannot appreciate Twain’s message. Although there are other novels that include the nword such as Their Eyes Were Watching God or Fences, no novel compares to the prevalence of the word in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The use of the derogatory term only composes part of the problem with teaching the novel in school. While the ideas of the novel still apply to minority groups

today, students have difficulty relating to the plotline of the novel. The story of a young boy traveling down the Mississippi River on a raft with his Black slave rarely resonates with students. Students can relate to the ideas presented by Huck Finn, but not the plot.

The novel creates a necessity for conversations about our country’s history of slavery. Instruction on this time period is necessary in order for the country to move even further from racism. New prejudices in the contemporary world share similar characteristics with Civil War-era racism directed against Black Americans.

Without moving backward to examine the embarrassing antics of our past, the United States cannot move forward. Some teachers argue that other books can encourage the same conversations about racism and those books do not include such heavy use of the n-word. While the condemnation of racism is the pinnacle of themes in Huck Finn, a substitute novel would not cover the rest of the ideas presented in Huck Finn.

“I refuse to eliminate good literature and good instruction based upon controversy,” said Assistant Principal Bruce Jansen.

But until a novel is implemented into the curriculum that begins the same conversations about racism and its history, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn must stay – along with the n-word.

Give A Hoot Opinion & Editorial

Page 15 February 14, 2011 The Talon Tribune

Physical Education: How Much is Too Much?

Margaret Heffernan The Talon Tribune Physical Education classes are required to graduate high school. Although exercising is important for health reasons, two years is just too much.

Students are required to take .5 credits of Fine Art to graduate from high school at Silver Creek. As we can all imagine, not everyone is gifted in the artistic field. Enforcing an excessive amount of a class in which one ignorant to the arts would flounder would be misguided of the district and unfair to the students.

However, students can flounder in Physical Education classes as well. So why is it that so many years of PE are required, but the same amount of Fine Arts isn’t enforced?

People can take as many Advanced Placement and honors classes as they are able to, yet the mere two unfinished years of PE will prevent them from graduat-

Silver Creek P.E. teacher“It’s just too bad that I’ve David Speckl thinks PE requiretaken so many upper level class- ments should be increased.

“School is the only place es, and now PE is the only thing holding me back from graduat- for some kids to get activity,” ing,” says Eva Bacmeister (12). says Speckle.

So, it’s concluded that “The people who want to exercise will exercise, the ones who physical fitness is beneficial. But just how much actual activity do don’t, won’t.”

Research has shown that we get in our PE classes at Silver degenerative diseases (such as Creek, or even countrywide?

A study conheart disease, cancer ducted

by John and diabetes among OPINION Cawley of Cornell many others) begin in early childhood. Physical ac- University concluded that intivity increases muscle tone, aids creasing the amount of required in controlling obesity, and stimu- PE credits will increase the lates proper growth and develop- amount of time students actually spend doing physical activity ment.

A national study conducted only slightly.

When an extra year of PE in 2006 analyzed data collected from adolescents across the U.S. was required for high school stuto examine the relationship be- dents, which is about 200 minutes tween physical activity and aca- more a week, Cawley’s research demic performance. Adolescents found that students will only who participated in school activi- spend an average of less than 8 ties, such as PE and sports, were more minutes a week exercising.

Another one of Cawley’s 20 percent more likely than their other peers to earn an A in math studies showed that 26% of schools in the country fail to comor English. ing.

ply with the state regulations for PE. “Some teachers are not keeping children moving during class time,” says Cawley to reporter Nancy Hellmich of USA Today.

Silver Creek physical education classes could very well be in this 26%.

Does taking a PE class really give students the benefits they need to overcome degenerative diseases and improve academic performance? For the students who don’t get an active workout, the answer is no.

When asked if he felt PE class was beneficial, Shane Ransom (11) said, “Well sometimes I get a legitimate workout, but for the most part no.”

As John Cawley’s study proved, if we only had one year of PE required, we would only lose 8 minutes of exercise a week.

Seems to me like a small price to pay in order to take a college interest class.

by Delanie Rio

Editorial

Opinions

The Pride, Peyton High School, November 1, 2010, Page 3

Extreme factions don’t speak for entire group

By Sabian Beard

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Editor

’m sure that we all have an involvement in this recent “War on Terror”; anything from a small contribution to give the soldiers a Thanksgiving dinner to a parent or other family member enlisted full time in the armed forces. Perhaps some of us have even lost loved ones in the war.

However, in all of the emotional confusion and fear, we must remember that even though we fight these people and they share the Muslim faith, they cannot represent the attitudes and actions of all Muslims everywhere.

Incidents like the Muslim people in New York City moving to raise a mosque near the site of the former World Trade Center have sparked many opinions and split usually tight friends into bickering opponents.

One of these sides is for the building of the mosque, using First Amendment rights and citizenship as bases for their argument.

Others are against this idea entirely. They believe that the Muslims, even though they are legitimate citizens, have no right to build such a provocative symbol and blatant slap the face to the innocents that died on 9/11 in that location. In fact, in a CNN poll taken in August, an impressive 70% of Americans disagree with the Ground Zero mosque. Islam is the religion of the extremists who leveled the World Trade Center buildings in clouds of dust and bursts of flame.

The idea of a mosque in this country is not unrealistic. However, the idea of

the mosque being built near the site of the only attack on American soil since Pearl Harbor, in which roughly 3,000 Americans lost their lives, is inexcusable to many Americans.

To be fair, this was a select group of terrorists acting among themselves, and, I reiterate, was not an accurate representation of the entire populous of the Islamic faith. If we wanted to label this incident as a onecovers-all deal, we would have to label all Christians the same way.

According to CNN Politics, members of the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, KS, have launched a national effort to protest what they believe to be some of the reasons for many of the problems of the nation.

Members of the church have protested at the funerals of soldiers, including the funeral of Lance Corporal Matthew A. Snyder, a soldier who died in Iraq. These church members stood outside the church where the funeral was held holding signs boasting messages such as “Thank God for Dead Soldiers,” and “God Blew Up the Troops.”

According to the church members, the reason for this was simple: many of the problems of the nation, including the war in the Middle East, are because God hates gay people. At least, that’s what they were marketing.

This case recently went to the Supreme Court and Snyder’s family was paid $7.9 million in damages.

In addition to their ongoing protests at soldiers’ funerals, MNN.com reports that the church sent a group to Charleston, WV, to high-

light their belief that the 25 miners killed in a recent cave-in were all killed by God because America is far too tolerant of people living “alternative lifestyles”.

With regard to the terrorists, the moderate Muslims may not be getting their hands dirty, but evil thrives when good men do nothing.

The only reason that terrorists exist is because they are allowed to exist. Fox News’ The O’Reilly Factor host Bill O’Reilly shares this view. On October 14, 2010, O’Reilly said, “If moderate Muslims all over the world would stand with America against radical Islam, the terrorists couldn’t exist. But obviously this is not happening.”

We do have courageous people who combat at least some of our extremist groups. For example, according to The Washington Post, a group of motorcyclists labeled the Patriot Guard Riders attended the funeral of Navy SEAL Lt. Brendan Looney at Arlington National Cemetery, and others.

These bikers, some of whom claimed veteran status, attend these funerals to counter the protests of the Westboro Baptist Church members by revving their engines as the protestors chanted their disapproval.

The bikers believed that if the protestors had a right to be there, then so did they.

Biker Clyde Fleming said to The Washington Post, “I’m a vet myself and I think that this is horribly wrong. If you want to protest a war, you do it with government officials, not with the soldiers who died for you.”

The point itself is that in every religion, no mat-

ter how different in ideology and custom, there are always radical extremists who push the basic ideas of their religion far beyond the realms of reason, or even forsake the gist of their religion entirely.

Another example of this is the Spanish Inquisition. The Spanish Inquisition was an edict established in 1478 by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain to maintain strict Catholicism in Spain.

The means to accomplish this

were similar to the means of the Muslim faith.

In the world, there are many religions. Within all religions and such similar groups, there are radical factions that grab the attention of the news and color people’s views. The important thing to remember about all of this is that it is unfair and unrealistic to accept the acts of these fanatics as a veritable base for categorizing the entire group.

The Panther Pride Newspaper Staff Editors

Sabian Beard Carly Neumann

Staff Writers/ Photographers Jessica Arana Nick Baca Kristen Bowman Rachel Hawkins Katie Knight Tabatha Lambrecht Haeleigh Little Heather Magginetti Tristan Moore Amanda Roark Zachary Scaggs Nelson VanTassel

Advisor Cindy Gill

Commentary

Money Made The Difference

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n a landmark 5-4 decision in January of this year, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Citizens United in the Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission case.

The decision reflects the court’s opinion that corporate funding of independent political advertisement cannot be limited under the First Amendment.

Although many saw the ruling as an imperative defense of their free speech rights, othEmma Miller ers were not so Columnist happy.

President Obama called the decision, “a major victory for big oil, Wall Street banks, health insurance companies and the other powerful interests that marshal their power every day in Washington to drown out the voices of everyday Americans.”

The case was the product of a 2008 film called Hillary: The Movie.

The independent film was created by a non-profit group called Citizens United, and after its release questions were raised about whether or not it could be aired due to its critical comments on the now, secretary of state.

This development changed a policy that had been in place since the Nixon administration when congress enacted a series of laws limiting contributions to political campaigns.

Since the Supreme Court strengthened these regulations with new campaign finance laws in 2002, corporations have been searching for loopholes.

In 2007, some of the stringency was reduced with a new ruling that allowed outside groups to pay for “necessary” commercials that attacked specific issues but did not plainly encourage a vote either way.

This decision, though, was the first that would directly affect the donations from private corporations.

Since the decision was made just in time for the 2010 midterm elections, its effects, some Page 12, THE SUN DEVILS’ ADVOCATE, December 8, 2010

subtle and others less so, were evident in the election results.

Many anticipated that the shift would create a chaotic situation with hundreds of different private corporations using aggressive advertising to sway voters.

This prediction did not materialize, this time, but third-party groups and anonymous donors became significantly more common.

Republican supporters were the ones who overwhelmingly took advantage of these new opportunities.

The I.R.S. allowed these nonprofit advocacy groups to engage in political proceedings as long as it was not their principal motivation.

Unfortunately for many Democratic candidates, there was no easy way to negate the effects of the donations for Republicans.

Although they attracted some donations from labor unions and other democratic-leaning groups, these funds were matched and gone beyond by conservative corporate contributions.

Although Democrats have been making efforts to pass a bill that would require disclosure, Jill Abramson of The New York Times said, “Such legislation is unlikely to grow any more popular before 2012, and most political experts agree that the secret money spent by outside groups this year will look like a pittance by then, when President Obama will face re-election.”

The Supreme Court’s decision may be able to be justified by the First Amendment, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s giving special interest groups the power to channel money into campaigns in order to ensure that their candidate wins, or that another one loses.

We can’t know how different election results would have been without anonymous campaign contributions from conservative supporters, but it is very possible that the Supreme Court gave the Republicans control of the House in the mid-term elections.

The Supreme Court’s actions are directly influencing elections.

Congress must act to remedy this soon.

News Source: The New York Times

10

Opinion

The baby boom...

ChelseaHonea again

“WHO THAT IS? That’s just my baby daddy!”

Babies are cute. Babies are adorable. Babies are the future leaders. Babies are pouring out the walls at Frayser High School in Memphis, Tenn. According to MSNBC, there are 90 girls at Frayser High who have had a baby or are expecting a little bundle of joy--just in this school year.

This sets their pregnancy rate at almost 18 percent. This means that there could be a baby born in a gym class--now that’s a good health lesson.

The point is not to gape at this staggering occurrence, but rather to look at the deeper meaning behind this--what’s really going on with teenage girls? Why do girls ignore the warnings about teen pregnancy? Do these teen girls not care, think they’re immune to pregnancy, or think they can handle it?

Shows like MTV’s “Teen Mom” and “16 And Pregnant” glamorize the life of teen parenthood and pop culture has a profound psychological effect on teen girls everywhere.

“There’s a couple things that could be going on,” said counselor Leonardo Johnson. “It depends on the family issues and dynamics, the self esteem of these girls, and their involvement in extracurricular activities.” If a girl receives minimal or no support at home, wants to feel accepted by people at school, and has nothing better to do, these girls can be tempted to get into things they s h o u l d n’ t .

When there’s no support, it’s easy to feel like it’s necessary to do whatever possible to feel accepted.

Trust that there won’t be a camera and glam team following a regular teen mother around. The concept is a lot more real without the pretty title sequence that accompanies these shows. Teen moms need to think about that little child who may have nobody else but them before they succumb to desire.

Rising teen pregnancy rates should signal an alarm that desperately needs to be heard.

It’s a cry for help, because although the past cannot be changed, the future can. Teenagers need to be educated to know the real life challenges of raising a child. Babies are not easy to raise, they are not cheap, and they will determine the futures of their parents. This doesn’t mean that every teenage parent will fail, but these young ladies need to be informed of the risks--and if they decide to have a baby without doing so--then tough luck. ”That’s their problem; they want to have sex, so that’s their fault,” said freshman Marco Saucedo.

Is it worth it? One night of fun can lead to a baby who needs food, needs diapers, needs bottles, needs clothes, needs a doctor, needs a place to live, needs a stroller, needs a car seat, and, most importantly, will need his mother. If a teen girl thinks she can handle the emotional, mental and physical stress that accompanies bringing a child into the world, then by all means invite me to the baby shower.

Here at George, our pregnancy rate may not be as high as Frayser High’s, yet pregnancy is an issue that should be dealt with and given proper attention. Teenagers may think sex education is boring and repetitive, yet is crucial in our society that glamorizes teen motherhood and has a soft spot for cute babies. When a teen mother says that she didn’t know better, she is completely ignorant because there are abundant resources through school, work and doctors that can prevent or plan pregnancy. Isn’t there a Planned Parenthood right across the street from George?

“Teenagers need to be educated to know the real life challenges of raising a child.”

February2011

SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY AT THE

Fourth Annual GWHS Silent Auction “The Prince is Having a Ball” FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2011 • 5:30PM - 7:15PM Shop our Fourth Annual Silent Auction for great valued merchandise and services like gif� certificates, Nuggets tickets and other cool and unique local items.

Make it an enchanted evening and attend the Cinderella Drama Production that begins at 7:30. Tickets available online at www.georgedrama.com

Proceeds will repair the auditorium’s sound system and benefit GW’s Performing Arts and Speech & Debate Groups.

Student Life

12

Rising Above Adversity

By Mark Kroll

A personal story about finding happiness

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My mom and I pose for a picture after my state match last fall. She was there supporting me despite a broken ankle. She told me she wouldn’t miss my match for the world. This is just one memory that I have and one example of why the bond between my mom and me is so strong. Photo courtesy of Kroll family.

n my 17 years, this is what I know to be true: You have the power to control what you take away from whatever daunting challenges this life may throw at you.

And, the key to happiness in life is to focus on the positive and be aware of the negative.

In 2007, my life was a constant, negative spiral. It seemed every month my distant father, who was not only far from me emotionally and physically, but also from himself because of personal reasons, would make another terrible decision out of desperation.

These events accumulated to form the worst year of my life, to make it nearly impossible for me to want anything to do with him – whom my mother divorced when I was two – or to forgive him for the constant hell he put me and my family through for the better part of 15 years.

T

here was the Father’s Day weekend he threw my gift on the ground. It was the first gift he himself hadn’t previously bought, then written my name in the “From:” column. I had thought he would love my gift – a hat and T-shirt that said “Keepin’ it Reel, Father’s Day 2007” – because I had taken the time to pick it out especially for him.

There was the time I had to call police because he was trying to violate a court order regarding custody rights. As police arrived, my dad fled. I was frantic; no child should ever have to call the police on his own parent.

There was the time he “coincidentally” found my mom and I in Park City, Utah, during a family vacation when he proceeded to yell profanities at my brothers, friends and mother.

I tell you these stories so that you know where I’ve been.

But that’s not where I am now.

T

oday, I can say I am my own person. I didn’t let the dark times in my life shape me. I am involved in my school and community; I have amazing friends and unbreakable bonds with my family. Though there have been many times I wanted to break down and give up, my strong support system would not let me.

A huge part of that net was my counselor, Jackie Wilson. I owe her my positive outlook. She taught me how to be strong, how to stick up for myself, and how to reject the constant irrational and destructive stories my father tried to feed me.

She helped me learn how to live my life the way I want to live it, and to take control of my future. She also showed me how to find the positive in negative situations, even if the positives were far-fetched or miniscule.

But perhaps the best, most special attribute I have gained throughout this roller-coaster journey is the relationship with my mom.

We are best friends. We are able to make fun of each other, joke around with each other, laugh together and cry together.

She trusts my opinion just like I trust hers. I love her with everything I have and nothing could ever change that.

O

ur bond began cementing itself during the many 13hour drives we made to Iowa between October 2006 and February 2007 to visit my grandmother – my mom’s mother – who was battling acute leukemia.

My grandpa had died that October. But watching my grandma wither away in a hospital bed was my first experience with dying, and those five months became the saddest of my life. I felt confused, lost and cheated.

I couldn’t understand why my grandparents had to endure such terrible suffering. But my mom was so strong. Not only was she dealing with the loss of my grandparents, she also was guiding her three children through the impossibly dark tunnel of understanding death.

She was always there for my brothers and

These books have given me unique perspectives and helped shape my outlook on life.

“To Own a Dragon,” more recently published as “Father Fiction,” is a book about how growing up without a father is becoming more common.

Donald Miller writes in a humorous tone, which takes the edge off of a serious topic.

myself. We, too, were also there for her.

When she decided it was time for a visit to Iowa, she would load me in the car on a Friday, drive straight up Colorado, across Nebraska and into the parking lot of the hospital where her mother was staying. Holding my hand and keeping her head up high, we sat in my grandmother’s hospital room keeping her company until Sunday, when we would pack up and head home.

Small talk and venting sessions filled the car rides. During those times together we developed a strong, unbreakable connection.

I

n those moments, I realized even if my dad never became better, even if our relationship with him never improved, I would still be OK. I also realized that, with my mom, brothers and the rest of my family behind me, there was no way I was going to let him determine my view on life.

2007 was definitely a year during which I leaned on my mom. But what has strengthened our relationship is her ability to lean on me. For instance, this year she has battled a serious foot injury that has forced her to rely on others. I have become her go-to person, doing chores around the house, running to the store, basically being the substitute mom.

I have thought: What would she have done without me?

And then the question pops into my head: What would I have done without her?

The answer is clear: We don’t have to worry about that, because we have each other.

Many people experience debilitating situations that sometimes may seem too overwhelming to overcome. But the ability to fight back, to survive, to persist is in us all. Finding that strength can seem impossible. The key is to keep searching because once you find it you’ll understand what it means to live a happy life.

I know this to be true.

I read “My Father Before Me” to find out about how father’s and son’s are supposed to interact.

Diamond writes about specific encounters with his patients, covering numerous topics about father-son interaction.

Luckily, I have found people that genuinely care about me. My tennis coaches are no exception. They have been there not only for tennis but also when I need to talk to somebody about my situation. When my dad would make surprise visits to my matches and my body language was visibly altered, my tennis coaches were there to calm me down and support me. Photo courtesy of Kroll family.

Growing Strong

By Mark Kroll You have only made me stronger.

And that’s why I love you.

Not because you call yourself my dad. Not because you taught me what I love.

Definitely not because you treated my mom with disrespect, and not because you never hear what I have to say.

Many people know our story, Dad. And they all ask if I love you. I say I don’t love you like a son should. I never got the chance to love you that way.

But Dad, I love you for what you made me go through. You don’t realize what you caused, but I am thankful.

Not because you threw my Father’s Day gift back in my face when I was 12.

Because that day, I gained courage.

Not because I have called the cops on you more than once, something no child should ever have to do.

Because on those days, I grew brave.

I have learned how to stand up for myself and what I believe because of you. I have learned to ignore negative comments directed towards me because of you.

Not because you taught me those things, but because the people who loved me, truly loved me, took me in with arms wide open.

Butch, with his fatherly love, helped me believe that I could do anything I wanted. He took me as his own.

Jackie, with her perfect guidance, rebuilt my strength from the floor, something that you left lying there.

Jason and Beau, with their unfailing empathy, wiped away my tears and reassured me that everything would be OK. These people made me happy in a time of sadness.

So, you see, I have become a better person because of you.

Unfortunately, in spite of you.

I don’t hate you. No, I love you.

Because you have only made me stronger.