Writing winners 2010-11, part 5 by Colorado High School Press Assn.

2010-11 Best of Colorado Sports Column Samples Each writer was required to submit three columns.

Dylan’s Take School sports seek more support

sportseditor

getpumped: On Jan. 28, the student section got riled up as the boys basketball team continued to add points to the score board. With a 14-5 record, the team continues to defeat the competition and rise to the top. The Montrose Indians boys basketball team finished the game with a win, 64 to 41. The theme of that game was a pool party, and the student body dove in with a splash, dressing up to support the Montrose Indians. “We want to get everybody involved and try to make the student section as loud as possible,” senior Dalyce Reese said. Next Tuesday, there will be a spirit bus traveling to Grand Junction High School as our teams take on the Tigers. Interested students can sign up in the main office, it costs $5 to ride the bus and $3 to get into the game.

Athletes up and coming Freshman

Jeremiah Banuelos

Pregame Drink

Monster

Wrestling Sophomore

Blake Alexander

I’m Known For...

My Half Nelson

Alyssa Aragon

Swimming

Fav. Sports Movie

Never Back Down

Fav. Sports Team

Nuggets

Being left Dr. Pepper handed

The Like Mike Mighty Ducks

Being the craziest person

A League of Their Nuggets Own

Basketball Sophomore

Photos by Sarah Hall

Pure Sport

February 2011

o winning teams bring in all the crowds here at MHS? To an extent that may be true, but mainstream sports seem to be the only sports getting support. Can we call ourselves true sports fans if we are only putting our energy into supporting sports like basketball, football and occasionally wrestling? As a passionate fan, senior Cara Hampton, said she wants to spread school spirit to all sports. “I personally want to support all teams because I feel support can be a big factor in motivation to win for teams,” Hampton said. “And although not all sports receive the same amount of support from students, it would be nice to see that change.” Football seems to be the sport that gets the most support. Defensive coordinator of the football team Eric Handke thinks the fan support is great and stronger than at most schools, but should be spread equally. “I believe all programs should be supported because it is about getting kids involved regardless their success, talent level, etc.,” he said. “As an educator that’s what we should be supporting: kids getting involved and being part of their school.” Swimmer senior Emily Stucky said she thinks that at MHS, winning has nothing to do with fan support. She also said she feels that even if less mainstream sports are winning, no one notices or recognizes their accom-

Showing our Indian pride

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dylan dejulio

plishments. “It doesn’t have to do with winning. For example, our swim team probably is going to do better than any other team this year, but no one notices,” she said. “I think it just has more to do with the entertainment and how much the fans can be involved. If the support group cannot get involved with cheering and stuff, then it is not much fun for them.” Winning plays a big part in getting fan support for more mainstream sports. Six years ago, the football stadium had many empty seats with a 0-10 record. A year later, fans crowded the stadium to join in the excitement of a successful program. Not too long ago, McMillan gym was busting at the seams during girls basketball games. When the boys game began though, crowds were exiting, due to the boys less-impressive record. Regardless if the team is winning or losing, Hampton said she thinks the student body needs to give as much support to all our teams as possible. “Having our support gives the athletes more motivation and confidence, whether they are winning or losing,” Hampton said. We need to be true fans and support all our teams, including tennis, track, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, climbing, cheerleading and baseball. Regardless the success or the popularity, we need to give them the enthusiasm that shows our school pride and helps our athletes excel. “When you have that strong ‘home field advantage’ it energizes the players, coaches and, hopefully, they turn that into a positive, to go out and perform their best,” Handke said.

Dylan’s Take Parent-less practice makes perfect

sportseditor

defensivestance: Junior Emma Cooling gets low as she defends the opposing team from making a basket. The Lady Indians played the Delta Panthers on Tuesday, Dec. 14th. The final score of the game was 37-50 with Delta coming out on top. The Lady Indians will play next in their home Black Canyon Tournament. Photo by Shae Maloney

Basketball preps for home tournament dylandejulio sportseditor

or Montrose boys and girls basketball, another season has tipped off as the Indians finished their first two preseason tournaments and look next to their home Black Canyon Tournament. First year coach Martin Maloney and the boys traveled to D’Evelyn where they faced a tough Pueblo Central team, who beat them last season 79-59. This year was no different as the Indians suffered an opening game loss, 76-69. The Indians bounced back the next two games, beating Conifer 96-64 and getting a last second tip in basket from senior Brian Davidson to beat Centaurus 64-63. “The first game was real rocky; we got off to a tough start and had a lot of turnovers. I think we understood that it was just the first

game and whether you want to talk about it being first game jitters or the nervousness of finally getting on the floor and playing against another opponent… but they were a quality bunch and did a great job of playing against us,” Maloney said. “The next night we defiantly stepped it up considerably and cut down on our turnovers…we improved as a team and we started playing together and certainly had a lot more success the last two games with better concentration and a little better focus.” Senior Johnathan Sierra was pleased with how the guys came out in their first tournament of the year. “Overall I was very happy with how the team played at the opening tournament considering it was our first. However, I would have liked if we could have competed better against Pueblo Central, we made a lot of mistakes

that are common for a first game and we have been working very hard to eliminate those mistakes,” Sierra said. The Indians were back home to play Basalt, where they got their third straight victory, winning 62-27. Then they were back on the road for the Steamboat Tournament, where they again went 2-1, picking up wins against Moffat County and Green River (WY), but losing to Castle View. The boys finished third overall. “Overall I was pleased, third place in Steamboat is always a good thing,” Maloney said. “As a coach, you are never quite satisfied and feel like you could have done a bit better…but 2-1 in both those tournaments was good and it is always good to shoot for higher goals and if you are satisfied, you are never going to continue to progress.” Continued on page 20

December 2010

s an athlete at Montrose High School, receiving two different signals, one from your coach and one from your parent, can be confusing. This may not be the case for all parents, but sometimes when parents attend practices they can be a distraction to athletes. Two years ago, parents were given the opportunity to watch their kids wrestle under Coach Jack Garrison. After his resignation and when Kevin Passehl took over for the Indians, Passehl took away the opportunity for parents to come watch their kids at practice. “I do not think it’s a good idea,” Passehl said. “I think the kids are more worried about what their parents are doing and if the parents don’t like what they are seeing they are going to go home at nights and tell their kids. Instead of the kids listening to what the coach is saying, the parents are saying you should be doing this or that, so I think if they are not attending it is a lot better.” Passehl thinks he has seen a difference from two years ago, when parents were up on the mats yelling and talking to their kids. “I think the kids practice harder and they are not getting hurt near as much. They don’t have their mom or dad sitting up here saying that he is hurt or he doesn’t feel good and they just work through it and work extremely harder and it is better for them all around that way,” he said. “Plus, the kids like it and

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rather their parents not be up here watching them. If you ask most of the kids, they will tell you they like it the way it is now.” On the flip side, senior basketball player Brian Davidson has had his dad attend his practices for the past three years and thinks it is fine for him to attend. “I think it is okay for parents to come to practice if they do not complain or try and influence the coaches and players. If they are there to watch, it is neither good nor bad, it just is,” he said. “My dad has watched me the past years and he just sits and watches us play and leaves. A lot of parents live vicariously through their kids and that might be another part of parents coming to practice, but it is not a distraction because I am focusing on practice.” Brian’s father, Don, said he thinks it all depends on the coaches and what they believe is best for their team. “I think it all has to do with the coaches philosophy but I don’t find it a problem as long as we keep our mouths shut and keep our distance and just watch,” he said. “I think if the coach finds it inappropriate for us to be there, then I think you should respect his decision and not be there.” As parents, it is nice to go and watch practices and see your kids excel in athletics during high school. Parents can, however, be a negative influence in the cases in which they are giving different advice than coaches or butting in and trying to coach the kids themselves. But parents can be a positive influence as well. Regardless, it is best parents stay home when its practice time. Practice is a place for coaches to work with their players to improve. As for parents, they can wait to see their kids hard work pay-off on game-day

Dylan’s Take Leadership Lacks

sportseditor

Photo courtesy of Susan Robertson

seniorsignings: Montrose High School had four seniors athletes sign to colleges this month. Top left: Four year varsity all conference baseball player, Nathan Robertson, signed to play at Mesa State College. Bottom left: Drew Trujillo, four year varsity golfer, signed with Colorado at Boulder. Trujillo took second place individually at State in 2009 and took tenth this last year. Top right: Varsity basketball player Brian Davidson signs with the Air Force Academy. Bottom right: Swimmer Emily Stucky committed to the University of California Santa Barbra.

Photos by Emily Bernier

by the

Numbers

6 7

The Montrose wrestling team will have six varsity seniors this year. Drew Shumann, Chris Sandoval, Lyle Wright, Josh Mora, Isaiah Bercillio and Bryce Gaber will be the six that hit the mat. Gaber took second place at state last year individually for the 171 lb. weight class. The Montrose boys basketball team, who had one senior last year, will have a varsity squad full of seven seniors this year. The Indians were 18-8 last year and finished second in the SWL.

in the

News

College basketball is underway, with defending National Champions, the Duke Blue Devils ranked number one. Michigan State is number two in the polls, with Kansas State at three.

Another major league baseball season has ended, but free agency is underway. Cliff Lee is the hottest name, where will he end up? The Yankees seem to be the leading team.

November 2010

role model is a worthy person who is a good example for others. Today, in professional sports, our athletes are criticized for being bad role models. But what kind of role models are MHS athletes being for the younger athletes who look up to them, if they are breaking training code? Sadly, what is the difference between what our high school athletes are doing compared to the superstars? Though they show their talent and skill on game day, some of them are nothing more than party animals off the court or field. “I find it pointless to compete in a sport when your not 100 percent committed to the sport,” senior Chris Sandoval said. “By taking part in drinking and drugs, you are just showing that you do not want to be part of something special and that you do not care about your teammates. You work hard during the week and then for people to throw it away on weekends, by destroying their bodies, I find that a big letdown to your teammates, your family and your community.” We have some athletes who are praised around the school by teachers, praised by the community and even state-wide, but their commitment is all a facade. Kids are given the best opportunity to compete and represent our school, so they should take a little more pride in it and show some leadership. “I think it is pretty immature and disrespectful to your team and coaches to participate in partying,” senior Nathan Rob-

Talented seniors get signed

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dylan dejulio

ertson said. “You have a role on the team and partying is not one of those roles.” The athletes that do drugs and alcohol, destroying their bodies on the weekends — they are not showing enough appreciation for their sport. Especially when they are talented athletes drinking, it shows they don’t really care about their sport. If it’s so hard for them to stay away from drugs and alcohol, then they should not be given the opportunity to compete. “I think if athletes have made a commitment to their teams they should realize they are leaders not only on, but off the court or field. High school athletes, especially upperclassmen and varsity players, are role models for their younger teammates. So if high school athletes go out and party, the younger kids will think that’s cool and okay when its not,” senior Canaan Wright said. “If you make a commitment to your team, partying is completely hypocritical of everything that commitment stands for. When athletes do this, they lose a lot of trust and respect in their teammates, and it can impact not only their future but the team’s success.” So what should be done about this problem state wide? Drug testing is one thing. And all sports should be subject to this. Role models can sometimes let us down in their actions. Sadly, athletics isn’t the only place leadership can fail. It happens everywhere, from our student government to school clubs. The students and the athletes who party are setting a bad example for the people around them — they are not being the leaders, the players, they said they would be. Maybe it’s best we all take a look at the training codes before we sign them and really commit to what we are signing.

Rocky Mountain Highlighter

ports

January 21, 2011

Why do they come back?

School features previous students as coaches

Class of ’91

Class of ’89

Highlighter Archive

1991 Rocky Yearbook

Clockwise from top left: Derek Widmier coaches up his team, Ron Clark surveys the soccer field (middle left), Ron Clark’s senior picture (bottom left), Derek Widmier playing pool back in the day (far left).

1989 Rocky Yearbook

Class of ’95

1995 Rocky Yearbook

Class of ’83

Highlighter Archive

Clockwise from middle right: Head coach Mark Brook looks on during a football game, Brook D’s up on an opposing player (top right), Todd Matkin coaches up the girls’ basketball team (middle right), Matkin’s senior picture (bottom right).

1983 Rocky Yearbook

Former students contribute to legacy through coaching

Once rivals, other schools now provide coaching opportunities

by Geneva Mueller Reporter

by Ryan Nelson Reporter

“’Neath the Rockies, snow capped glory, Rocky Mountain high…” The beginning words of Rocky’s Alma Mater are just one representation of the way that the school manifests itself into the hearts of all who enter the halls. Everyone has an Alma Mater. Sports However, some choose to continue their lives there after graduation. At Rocky, there is a group of teachers and coaches who are also Rocky graduates. They attended for their high school career and returned after college, and continue to contribute to the legacy of the school. Math teacher and sprint track coach Derek Widmier is one of these alumni coaches. During his high school career, he was an athlete and active student. “High school was a lot of fun; I have a lot of good memories,” Widmier said. “Getting this job was a coincidence I never imagined.” He never planned to come back to Rocky in order to teach or coach, but was lucky enough to receive the job when he applied for it. He takes pride in what he does—something that is a result of Rocky being his Alma Mater. “Do I consider me being a graduate an advan-

“Once someone comes here and is a part of Rocky, they find it is pretty hard to leave,” Athletic Director Wayne Moddelmog said. That seems to be a common thought of people who have involved themselves in the Rocky Once community. One of the someone most common ways to show pride and comcomes mitment in through here and athletic programs. is part of Many people particiWayne Rocky, pate in athletics. Over Moddelmog, 4,000 participate at athletic they find Rocky, including multidirector it pretty sport athletes. Many hard to of those people will go on to coach in their leave. expertise after they have moved on from being a student athlete. Of those, some return to Rocky as coaches and many others will go on to coach elsewhere such as rivals Collins, Fossil and Poudre. But what drives someone to be a part of a different program, especially a rival school? Moddelmog played football and baseball for

Special

Jump to ALUMNI, page A6

Highlighter Archive

Class of ’99

1999 Rocky Yearbook

From top: Scot Jones talks to Justin Frank during a football game, Jones is pictured during his senior year while trying to catch some zzz’s (bottom).

“”

Jump to RIVALS, page A6

The Full Nelson

Ryan Nelson

The good coach According to the dictionary, a coach is a person who trains an athlete or a team of athletes. However, when you look for “good coach” there is no definition. That is because everyone’s definition of a good coach changes from person to person. A coach is much more than just a person who trains; they are mentors, role models and even life changers who prepare us for the next play, the next day, the next game, and more often than not, the next part of our lives. A good coach is someone who can look beyond the confines of athletics, and look deeper into the character of an athlete. Character is one of those words that is defined differently from person to person. Back when the football pads were much smaller and not as smelly, my football coach said that character is “what you do when you think no one is watching.” My most recent football coach posts a sign outside his room that states, “Thoughts become Words, Words become Actions, Actions become Character, Character is Everything.” When I read this I feel as though all my coaches have unconsciously added on to each other’s messages. They simply are passionate about the sport and to them there is nothing better than being part of that sport. When a coach shows this much passion it reflects in their athlete’s passionate style of play, style of thinking and style of living. From what I have noticed, the bigger the heart of the coach, the bigger the heart of the athlete. Coaches display this passion in many ways. The little things coaches do and say display their true love and devotion to the sport, as well as the inspirational speeches we all see in movies. However, I think the one thing that makes a good coach even better is their ability to demonstrate and practice what they preach. Another one of my coaches used to race us for conditioning, and once we could beat him in a race, we were done conditioning. The other and most prominent way a coach exemplifies real commitment to the game is to, in every way, even when no one is watching, be the person they tell their athletes to be. Every successful coach has one thing in common. It’s not that they are hardnosed, S.O.B.’ s who simply enforce their authority with yelling and constant angry expressions. It’s not that they are sympathetic and coddle their athletes. And it isn’t a healthy balance between the two. The only common factor between the Vince Lombardi’s, the Mike Ditka’s, The Joe Paterno’s and the Bear Bryant’s of coaching is that they were and are all respected by their players. A good coach does not demand respect, they earn it. A good coach doesn’t have to think about inspirational things to tell you, they naturally feel inspired and just pass the message on. And finally a good coach doesn’t just train athletes or teams of athletes, they train individuals for the next play, the next day, the next game, the next chapter of their lives. Ryan Nelson was a senior tight end on the football team and is a reporter for the RM Highlighter.

Rocky Mountain Highlighter

February 18, 2011

Basketball teams staying positive despite recent struggles by Ryan McCrary Reporter

A cold streak has hit the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams. The boys recently ended a sixgame losing streak against Bear Creek High School at the Pepsi Center, winning 74-53. The girls’ team ended a seven game drought with wins over Bear Creek and Greeley West high schools. Both teams maintain that a combination of tough opponents and failing to come together at game time has hurt them. “Winning the last couple of games has shown that we can

play with anyone. Of our 11 losses, eight have come to ranked teams, or teams on the verge of being ranked in state,” said girls’ head coach Todd Matkin. “We haven’t had an easy schedule. We’ve really been trying to prep for the end of February.” Senior Erica Musante affirms her coach’s statement. “We started out a little rocky. It seems like we get flustered and panic in difficult situations, which may have to do with some inexperience on the roster.” The boys’ team, having lost consecutive games to all of its cross-town rivals, is suffering its

defeat for a different reason. “Our team chemistry is still good. There have just been a lot of players’ confidences shaken up, and that makes it hard to play as a team,” junior guard Matt Buchanan said. Senior Aaron Hubert thinks that there may be some other contributing factors to the team’s level of success lately. “Our confidence level is way down, and there has been some drama mid-season that may have been distracting to the team,” added Hubert. Jump to STRUGGLES, page A7

The Full Nelson

Ryan Nelson

Fahey Zink

Driving to the hoop: Junior guard Jason Tran closes in for a layup against Colins’ Chase Thurgood. The Lobos’ slump continued after losing the game 61-47 on Feb. 11.

Preseason, in-season and offseason. Drillwork, lifting and conditioning. It’s all part of...

Early mornings...

Clockwise from top left: A student walks into school for 6 a.m. baseball practice, Austin Allen hang cleans for football workouts (top right), Amber Winger fights for the ball against Loveland (right), students walk out of school after wrestling practice (bottom right), Cale O’Donnell pitches at an early morning baseball practice (bottom left).

...and late nights

Commitment to athletics inspired by love for game by Calvin Jouard Sports Editor

►Junior Lucas Lovell

While most students wake up for school at 6 a.m. on weekdays, the baseball team is just warming up. Returning players play on Monday and Thursday at this hour. Freshman and non-returnees participate Tuesday and Friday at the same time. And on Wednesday nights the team hits and does drill work at the Edge Sports Center. And on Tuesdays and Thursdays the team lifts after school, then lifts on Saturday in the morning. And its only preseason. But the baseball team is not the only one demanding this type of com-

ports

mitment from its athletes. Football lifts and does agility workouts four days a week. Girls’ soccer practices and lifts as well. “It’s like keeping up with the Jones’,” said head baseball coach Scott Bullock. “Everybody does this in the offseason now. If you want your kids to have a chance, you have to have an aggresSports sive offseason program. Is it healthy? I don’t know.” This taxing commitment to sports has not always been considered normal. The offseason for sports has changed drastically, according to football coach and physical education teacher Mike Dyer. “The difference is huge, there’s almost no comparison,” Dyer said. “But, then again, if you don’t have any offseason training, you’ll get left behind.”

Special

Jump to COMMITMENT, page A7

For the sake of the game The goal of most professional football players’ career is win the Super Bowl and bring the coveted Lombardi Trophy home. In the most recent Super Bowl, the Green Bay Packers made those goals a reality. They played a great game in one of the best Super Bowls the NFL has seen in many years. However, I for one am sick of hearing that some people’s favorite part of the Super Bowl is the commercials. Sure, the commercials are entertaining, but why can’t people watch a game for the game? The NFL has become a show business. Everything is an event. Four jets flew over during the national anthem at the big game (none of which were even seen because the dome was closed). There is no such thing as a game for the sake of competition. It is always for the next ticket sale, the next T.V. contract and the next multi-million dollar paycheck. The elite athletes of professional football are the reason we tune into the big games every Sunday. However, I have begun to question the nation’s best football players’ moral codes. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, was suspended at the beginning of the year because he violated the NFL’s personal conduct policy. He was accused of assaulting a girl in a bathroom in a night club while his bodyguard guarded the door so no one could enter the bathroom. Chad Johnson, wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals, recently changed his name back to Chad Johnson, after dubbing himself Chad Ochocinco. I have wondered ever since he changed his name the first time, does he really not have enough respect for his family to simply wear the family name on his back? I truly believe that players like Roethlisberger and Johnson have made it so that people will only watch the big game for things such as commercials or the half time extravaganza. People don’t like to see jerks succeed. Back before the Packers won the first Super Bowl in 1967, there were no over-the-top contracts, no players who couldn’t squirt water in their own mouths and no half time shows where the entertainers sweated more than the players. There was a game to be won. Simple as that. It was all about playing your heart out and leaving it all on the field. I fear there is no return to the classic days of professional football. The best thing the NFL can do is forget the money and play the game the way it was meant to be played. Ryan Nelson was a senior tight end on the football team and is a reporter for the RM Highlighter.

Rocky Mountain Highlighter

ports

March 25, 2011

’06-’07

Makings of a dynasty: Marco Gonzalez pitches during the Lobos’ first state championship (left). The team celebrates a run in a game leading up to the 2007-2008 state game (right).

Highlighter archive

The Full Nelson

’07-’08

Ryan Nelson

Highlighter archive

The Strive For

’10-’11? ’08-’09

Highlighter archive

Champs: (From left) John Schraeder, Bryan Peters, Marco Gonzalez, J.T. Leidholdt and Chris Bonk pose and hold the state trophy during the ’08-’09 celebration (left). The team dog piles after their most recent state championship victory (right).

’09-’10

Highlighter archive

Baseball team coping with losses Pitching performances to play key part in team’s shot at 5-peat as it prepares for new season by Ryan McCrary Reporter

One Colorado Player of the Year, three All-Colorado and All5A players, four Sports All-5A class Honorable mention, five college signees and 12 seniors. All gone. “Anytime you lose 12 seniors, eight starters, and two out

Special

of your three starting pitchers, it’s going to make a difference,” head baseball coach Scott Bullock said. “Experience is going to be lacking, but that is what high school sports are all about. You can’t sign long-term deals. The team is going to be new and exciting; people are going to have the chance to step up.” Jump to 5-PEAT, page A7

by Calvin Jouard Sports Editor

It’s no secret. Solid pitching makes for solid wins. The baseball team is no exception. Pitching has played an integral part in each of the team’s four state championship runs, with contributions coming from Bryan Peters, Pierce Trumper

and Nick McLimans to name a few. Then there was the pitcher who pitched in and won each of the teams’ four state championship games and maintained an ERA of 2.15 last year in his senior season--Marco Gonzalez. And with his departure, the Lobos lost arguably one of the Jump to PITCHERS, page A7

The humbling experience “There is no better humbling experience than getting your butt kicked.”-Mike Tyson Winning four consecutive state titles can bring great levels of confidence to anyone, and deservingly so. And to keep the team focused on another title, Coach Bullock brings the team to Arizona every year to play some spring games. Teams like the ones in Arizona often have more field time, and they know one another’s playing styles. They practice together on an actual baseball diamond all year and more times than not they have been playing together for years. And while many of our baseball players have been playing together for multiple seasons, they just don’t have the advantage that Arizona teams possess. When the preseason begins, the team may need a little “bringing down to earth” after coming off yet another state championship. The boys feel good looking back on the past season and the outlook for the future is great. But, how do you keep a great team like this one in check? You can tell the team they will have to work hard to get that fifth title or you can bring them to play against these teams that play with each other year round. Due to Bullock’s great connections in Arizona, he has been able to get his team down there to play in some high profile tournaments against some of the nation’s best high school teams. And while our baseball program is arguably the best in Colorado, the amount of on the field experience just doesn’t compare. In Arizona last year the baseball teams winning percentage was .600, losing only two games to teams from Arizona and California. On the flip side, when the boys came back to Colorado, they were undefeated, taking their fourth consecutive state title. However, anyone who has seen our team play and has seen the team off the diamond would say that what our team lacks in the amount of time on the field, they make up for in camaraderie. They are a team everywhere they go and always watch out for one another. Teams who work well together off the field often work well together on the field. This baseball team has a great amount of care for one another and in the past four years that has really shown in the play style and devotion to the game. The team doesn’t have to spend time building on their care for one another and their care for the game. By the time they arrive to Arizona they are all ready to take the field together Ryan Nelson was a senior tight end on the football team and is a reporter for the RM Highlighter.

Sports

Page 21

Double A Sports Talk

Amanda Aquino- Sports Editor

In the book titled Nutrition and Diet Therapy, written by Linda K. DeBruyne, Kathryn Pinna, and Eleanor Noss Whitney, it states, “athletes who participate in sports that emphasize leanness are at special risk for developing eating disorders. Athletes must often meet stringent weight requirements to compete in their sport. Many athletes report that they engage in behaviors that are typical with eating disorders.” This means that any athlete who has to compete in weight based sports or sports that require intensive training are at high risk for developing an eating disorder. Whether they are trying to stay in shape or slim down for the season, some athletes will take the training and dieting to an extreme. What may seem like a simple harmless diet for some, may eventually fall under the category of an eating disorder and the line between healthy and obsessed will become blurred.

What happens when this line is blurred? An athlete will develop a mental obsession with their weight and will limit the amount of calories put into their bodies, and then they will go to the gym or find another resource to burn these calories off. Now, this sounds like a normal diet, right? Wrong. When an athlete limits the amount of calories put into their bodies and then they continue to obsessively weight train or go to the gym, they will then lose a much more significant amount of calories than which they’ve consumed and will begin to lose weight rapidly. When someone develops this compulsive exercise disorder it is known as Anorexia Athletica, which is defined by Kidshealth.org as “an exercise addict’s frame of mind: he or she no longer chooses to exercise but feels compelled to do so and struggles with guilt and anxiety if he or she doesn’t work out. Injury, illness, an outing with friends, bad weather, none of these will deter those who compulsively exercise. In a sense, exercising takes over a compulsive exerciser’s life because he or she plans life around it.” What can be done? Since most disorders can be prevented at an early age, coaches, parents and even professional athletes can develop programs to show awareness of the new trend. When an athlete goes to a coach for weigh in and

Above:Athletes train in preperation for the season.

he or she seems to be worrying about twhe fact that their body isn’t quite yet made to perfection, a coach and parent should sit down with the concerned student and plan out a healthy diet and exercise program in which the athlete will be able to follow without coming close to pushing themselves over the edge. A coach is one of an athlete’s biggest motivations and perhaps even role models, and when you are told that you aren’t fit to play your beloved sport, your dreams are crushed. If the coaches were to help with a students weight training and loss then maybe you wouldn’t hear stories about the athletes who ditch class to work out all day in order to lose the final five pounds before their meet that day. To show a little concern would help one feel like they didn’t need to be concerned with their extra two pounds and the stress wouldn’t lead to an overactive imagination that in some cases turns deadly.

Lauren Albin Looks to Win

Aboe: Albin, Senior, gets set to dive into a pull of success.

Brooke Poulson – Staff Writer Lauren Albin, a senior at Thompson Valley who has been swimming since she was seven years old and has been a part of the TV swim team for all four years of her high school career, is an essential part of the team. Albin’s competitive nature and continuous striving for success in swimming propelled the team to take first in State in the 2009-2010 season, and there is much more to be expected this upcoming season. “My goal this season is to beat my 100 back time, because it’s been the same all 3 years I have swam,” states Albin. Being one of the captains on the team, along with Sarah Bracken, who attends Berthoud High School, her passion and power for the sport have pushed her to the top and helped her become captain. One of her biggest role models, and the reason she got involved with swimming, was her older sister, Sierra Albin. “I got involved in swimming because I always did what my older sister did, and she wanted to swim so I did too.

Above: Albin gives it her all to help the swim team prevail. Photo courtesy of Lauren Albin.

She’s my best fiend and mentor, she’s the reason I keep swimming because she comes to all my meets and is the loudest one cheering me on,” explains Albin. Her passion to swim has given her many accomplishments; she also has been coaching the Bill Reed swim team for three years and loves devoting her time to teaching the future swimmers of Thompson Valley. “I love racing and the feeling it gives

me when I compete. I also love all the girls on my team,” Albin exclaims. She will be attending CSU next year but won’t be participating in swimming. Albin’s plans at CSU are to become an English major for four years, then after graduation join the Peace Corps to work with language. Albin’s strong fire and intensity for the sport have paid off for not only her but the Thompson Valley Swim team as a whole.

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Double A Sports Talk Female Underdogs

Amanda AquinoSports Editor The saying is that behind every man is a great woman, but why does she have to be the one who is behind doing the following? If you were to ask a student what the top three sports of their high school are, one would find their answers to consist mainly of male dominated sports such as baseball, basketball and football. This brings to mind only one question: what about the female athletes? Females have always been looked down upon and their participation in

sports has never been taken as seriously as a male derived sport. But, for Thompson Valley the female athletes are the ones bringing the pride back to the school and putting Thompson Valley back into the sports community. With the gymnastics team going to State, and the volleyball team being successful, it makes me wonder why both events are still lowly rated and attended. A female athlete works just as hard as a male athlete, putting in plenty of practice hours, going to each game and giving it their all. Why are women not as celebrated as males? The double standard in sports is that a guy can get a championship win or place first and they will be highly celebrated, whereas if a female accomplishes the same feat her success will be merely glanced over as if to say she was expected to do great and that doing well just filled the expectations. Even in the national media, male

Senior female athletes of powderpuff football 2010 pose for a photo.

athletes dominate the newspapers and take the covers of sports magazines, while a female athlete will be mentioned as a side note and the only way she will be on the cover is by showing off the swimsuit body that she worked so hard to get. In a society that is said to be “equal,” why is a female sport considered to some as a “joke?” Is the media to blame, or is the fact that schools publicize the male sports more than the female ones? Are there more sports that can be offered to females through the school that they do not already offer? The answers to the above may vary to some, but they will all lead back to one conclusion: female athletes are not recognized as much as they should be. If the school would publicize female events in more ways then just the announcements that are barely heard, then maybe the student body would be excited to go support their

fellow female athletes. Society is one of the main reasons that women as a whole are not recognized for their achievements and are looked down upon. If a female athlete wants to be recognized then she has to boost her celebrity status rather then making a good play. The double standard should be stopped and females should be recognized for their success. Every sport takes the same ingredients to make it successful, like dedication, commitment and a good work ethic. Males are not the only ones capable of achieving great things and they should stop being the only ones who are recognized when they do. Every great man may have a woman behind him, but woman do not always have to live in the shadows. It is time for females to take a stand and lead the way to a generation of great achievement and even more power.

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Sport s

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Double A Sports Talk Fan or Foe?

Amanda Aquino-Sports Editor Knowing your team’s line-up frontwards and backwards, being able to tell facts about every single player that an outsider would not know, and standing by the team through thick and thin no matter if they win or lose, being a fan is not just being able to say you are one, it takes dedication and commitment to your favorite team or athlete. When they lose you will not smack talk or throw your jersey aside, you will stand up and sport the colors proudly because that’s when you feel most connected to them. You deserve the right to say you are the number one fan and take every win to heart. As I sat alongside the wall of Coor’s Field, between the seats and the field, I overheard a dispute taking place right alongside me. A Rockies’ fan was frustrated and distraught over a comment made by a fellow crowd member. The crowd member was sporting purple and black, which is Colorado’s team colors, yet he was yelling at the players as they ran by and telling them his own thoughts on when he decided they were going to be traded. The frustrated fan fired back yelling at the man, sticking up for players and told the crowd member to go home, in more or less words. Seeing a fan get so riled up because another person was about to ruin the name of his team, sparked a feeling of excitement and realization inside of me. These days, there is a shortage of real fans out there in the sports world, ones who truly want their team to do the best they can and know just exactly what

their best consists of. Most fans now-a-days are what I simply like to call “bandwagoners.” These fans are the ones who jump on the trusty ol’ bandwagon when they see that a team is doing well, but are the first to get off at any sign of trouble. A bandwagoner is the one who will tell you that he roots for a team, but he will also be the first to bash that team when they start to lose. Any true fan can spot this person. He is the one who states facts that are untrue and recites statistics that are simply read in the newspaper or learned by flipping through local sports channels. To a true sports fan, this person is public enemy number one, other than any person rooting for your team’s top rival, and is probably the laughing stock of your listed fan site. A prime example of a bandwagoner would be the fans surrounding the Colorado Rockies throughout their 2007 season and the seasons to follow all the way up through the current 2010 season. When they made their marvelous run to the World Series in 2007, the underdog team became a fan favorite back home in Colorado. Ticket sales went up, and black and purple could be seen throughout the streets of Denver. All of the hype, though, died down when the following 2008 season was a bust and seemed to prove the magical season as a fluke. In 2009 hope was brought back to fans when the Rockies clinched a playoff spot and took back the title of the National League Wild Card champions, and the 2010 season started off inconsistently for the team having a miraculous at home win percentage and had just about the complete opposite statistics when they played on the road, but after the all-star, break everything flipped back around and the team was exactly where they wanted to be. With Ubaldo Jimenez and Carlos Gonzalez developing their skills as players the,

national media coverage started to bring Colorado back into the spotlight, which allowed for all of the bandwagon fans to come out of the wood works. In September, Troy Tulowitzki went on a torrid tear throughout the major leagues batting a .325 batting average which includes the 15 homeruns he hit in the month alone. Once again fans surrounded the team and went to each game expecting to leave satisfied with a win. Unfortunately, the team could not stay consistent in the wins column and fell out of the race to the playoffs. When the team faltered, where were these so called fans? Back home listening to the commentators that were back to covering the east coast teams wiping the Rockies clear from their minds. If the team you favor does not go to the playoffs, does that mean that they are no longer good enough to play at the major league or professional level? If you answered yes, then, you my friend, are a bandwagoner. A true fan will still make a case for their team and still have hope that one of the other teams that did make it to the championship playoffs will be caught cheating and kicked out leaving the empty spot to miraculously fall into the hands of your team. True fans are what give the players motivation to go out and play every day, they are the reason that the sport is still intact today, and they are the reason that each game has meaning and emotion behind it. So while all the bandwagoners are waiting to see what other team they can claim as their favorite and what teams they can toss aside, true fans will be at home or at a game living every moment play by play and holding their breaths until their team is crowned champions.

Loveland v.s. Thompson Valley

@ Where: Thompson Valley Gym When: October 8 at 5:30 p.m.

Members of the varsity team line up before a game. The Lady Eagles (as of press time) have posted an 8-2 overall record, and are 5-1 in conference play thus far.

Come support the Lady Eagles as they take on the Indians. Stop by the volleyball game at 5:30 then visit the football game after.

2010-11 Best of Colorado General Column Samples Each writer was required to submit three columns.

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STAFF EDITORIAL

An advertising facade Campaign ads - CHEYENNE McCOY -

O U R TA K E

Recently, campaign ads have made it apparent that “Ken Buck is too extreme for Colorado.” Many voters probably have no idea who Ken Buck is, or what impact he may have on their freedoms, taxes, or rights. Conversely, most of these same voters probably believe that, “Ken Buck is too extreme for Colorado.” It is possible that some voters know that Ken Buck is pro life and agree with his views, but when it came time to vote, they may only remember that “Ken Buck is too extreme for Colorado.” In an election there are generally several debates, but in our news room there was no debate about these negative “attack ads.” Our staff calls the redundant message of Ken Buck’s apparent extremism annoying, whereas a political group known as the “People for the American Way” call it campaigning and advertisement. In elections, the goal is to earn votes. However, it is Political ads apparent that elections are becoming less about stating what a candidate should promote can do well, and more about what an politicians, not their opponent will surely do poorly attack their opor has done poorly in the past. ponents. It has reached the point where political trash talking has become the focus of ads, debates, and entire campaigns. This phenomenon reflects negatively on our society. Are we really so pessimistic that we only are willing to elect the lesser of two evils rather than the greater of two goods? Regrettably, the answer is yes. However, it is never too late to change. We suggest that any politicians wishing to get elected promote their own abilities, accomplishments, and qualifications. When applying for jobs, the average American tells their potential employer why they would be a great choice for a job. It is unthinkable that an applicant would give their potential employer a list of the deficiencies of the other applicants. One solution to this problem could be to only allow ads to be publicized through nonpartisan groups designed to build campaign ads for, but not against, either candidate. Another solution is for the voters to simply ignore these damaging campaign ads to let candidates know how they feel about these annoying and redundant advertisement. The voters of Colorado ultimately decided that Ken Buck was actually “too extreme for Colorado” and he was not elected to the senate in a very tight race with incumbent Michael Bennett. It is definitely valid to wonder if this outcome would have been the same if Ken Buck was not portrayed as “too extreme for Colorado” or if his opponent actually had merit to propose such a claim. Voters deserve to know if there is genuine problem with a candidate, but we would like to be given the information in an appropriate and responsible manner. Tools used in attack ads, such as sound bites, threatening narrator voices, and black and white pictures degrade voter intelligence. We do not want to be brainwashed into voting for a candidate, we only want to be given facts in a way that does not use insulting propaganda. We only ask that voters begin to educate themselves and that campaigns begin to educate voters on a candidate’s successes as well as his or her failures, because both are extremely important to the future of our country.

OP/ED EDITOR

Going “green” has gone mainstream. Everyone seems to be switching to organic foods, turning down the thermostat, and recycling. By embracing a greener lifestyle, you can help preserve rain forests, prevent animals from extinction, stop global warming, and save the planet. Right? Being environmentally friendly is good for the Earth, but it doesn’t hurt a marketer’s profits either. Studies have shown that 35 million Americans regularly buy green products, and many will pay more for eco-friendly goods or services. Selling supposedly “environmentally friendly” products

leads to higher sales and profits. It makes sense that businesses would market products that will increase their sales, but green means more than a name on a label. Take hybrid cars, for example. They are attractive because the electric motor does not produce exhaust and therefore reduces smog levels. However, the nickel metal hydride batteries in today’s hybrids end up in landfills, which is incredibly bad for the environment. Many people throw out perfectly useable items to replace them with “eco-friendly” ones. Waste is never good, and this increased production of goods

takes resources from the environment more than the original items. The problem of our world’s lack of resources will not be solved through consumerism. Don’t buy anything that you don’t really need. It’s always more environmentally friendly to be frugal with the things you have. It is important to protect the environment, but in order to do that you need to look into products that claim to be eco-friendly to make sure that they actually are. Think about what you are really trying to accomplish by buying these products—don’t just throw your money at new products because they may be fashionably “green.”

The day the music died -

CAITIE RODGERS STAFF REPORTER

In 2003, Rolling Stone’s Magazine released their list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. 309 of these albums were from the ‘60s and ‘70s. Only 74 were from 1990 or later. These numbers are obviously based heavily on opinion, but it’s one with which I happen to agree. The music industry today is a ridiculous sham, a mockery of what music used to be. Music is supposed to be a form of expression. Since the first caveman banged a stick against a rock, music has been used to communicate our innermost emotions and connect with other humans. Music can be used to touch our souls, to rend our hearts, and to make us laugh. The music industry today would have us believe that the purpose of music is to stick as many blatant sexual references as possible

into one repetitive and boring beat, so that angry parents can demand that their teens shut off the crap blaring from the speakers. There is no soul in music today. There is no thought behind the lyrics, no attempt to paint a picture of human existence. Justin Bieber chanting the word “Baby” 50 times in his disturbingly pre-pubescent voice does not a song make. Except it has. Look at the list of the Top 40, and you’ll see the names of the same eight or so artists repeated. All of their songs sound exactly the same. The lyrics are all about either sex or dull teenage “love stories.” The only difference is the slight change in tone between individual “artists,” and I use that word in its loosest sense. Pop music is made up of exactly the same song rebirthed endlessly with

different brand names, known as singers, slapped on the products. The only objective of the music industry is to make more and more hits. The heart of music has been mutilated. This summer, Katy Perry’s “California Gurls” was a number one hit for 6 weeks. In 1972, “American Pie” by Don McLean was a number one hit for four weeks. “American Pie” is one of the most important, well-recognized, and discussed songs in musical history. “California Gurls” has a music video that looks like an X-rated version of the game Candyland, complete with whipped cream can breasts and pointless lyrics that make me ashamed to be the same gender as the singer. That is what mainstream music has come to. In today’s world, it seems Don McLean was right. The music truly has died.

Define the word defenestration.

Freshman, Heaven Tankersely

Sophomore, Moki Youngquist

“The act of roundhouse kicking someone in the face.”

Junior, Taylor Floyd

“The use of defense in the court of law.”

Senior, Michael Neubert

“An obese man deep-frying a chicken.”

“When one cries while peeling an orange.”

Actual definition: The act of throwing someone out of a window

PAWPRINTS 2010-2011

MANAGING EDITOR SIMON CONDON NEWS EDITOR KACEY SCHURR OP-ED EDITOR CHEYENNE MCCOY FEATURE EDITOR ANGELA OTT SPORTS EDITORS TYLER UNDERWOOD SASHA HOVER

Paw Prints is a student publication operating as an open forum under Colorado Public State BUSINESS MANAGER STEPHEN O’CONNORSEVILLE STAFF REPORTERS CAITIE RODGERS MINDY MCCRACKEN CYDNEY MCHENRY CODY MOORE JACKSON VERMEULE THOMAS CLEAVELAND JOHN HERNANDEZ RACHEL NELLIGAN MAYCEE HAINEY

Law. As per Colorado Statute Sec. 22-2-120, no school district, employee, parent, legal guardian or official shall be held liable for the opinions expressed in Paw Prints. Some material courtesy of ASNE/MCT Campus High School Newspaper Service.

Letters to the editor can be submitted through e-mail to pawprints@dolores.k12.co.us, through mail or hand-delivered to either the editor or newspaper adviser. Letters can be edited for length and errors as stated by Paw Print’s editorial policy. Paw Prints is a member of the Colorado High School Press Association, as well as the Columbia Scholastic Press Association.

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STAFF EDITORIAL

Teachers Rock

O U R TA K E

Everyday the Paw Prints staff hears our peers whining and complaining about the teachers of Dolores High School. We feel that it is about time we tell the truth about our teachers. There are going to be disagreements in any work environment, and clearly the people with power, in this case teachers, are going to make the people they have power over, students, angry from time to time. We are definitely not saying that it is not okay to be frustrated, but the students of DHS need to be thankful for the amazing teachers we have. In most schools, students are not given the same quality of teachers that we are in Dolores. All of our teachers are willing to work one-on-one with any student and help them succeed. Our teachers might joke with us, but they are all very professional and helpful. In some schools teachers refuse to have fun. Clearly, the main goal of teachers Our teachers are at DHS is to educate their students, underappreciated but their second goal is to make class enjoyable. Sure, classes can be borand deserve more ing but our teachers attempt to make recognition than them as fun as possible and they try students currently not to make every class follow the same monotonous pace. give them. Our teachers are also great because they recognize us as young adults. There is no doubt that our teachers are above us as students, but they try not to belittle us and make us feel like we are powerless or stupid. The best part is that if we feel a teacher at Dolores High School is mistreating us we can talk directly to them. Our teachers will nearly always work with us to correct the concern, and in the case that we still feel mistreated, our principal, Dr. Pepper, is always willing to advocate for students, as well as teachers, to resolve any conflict. Another thing that students commonly whine about in regards to their teachers is the difficulty of their classes. We think that mindset is ridiculous. No teacher at DHS purposely overloads students, and although homework can pile up every now and then, it is not the teachers fault that they are educating the student. More often than not our teachers are so understanding that they will change due dates to best accommodate their busy students. We are not saying that it is unacceptable to be frustrated with a teacher. What we are saying is that if you are a student and you are frustrate with a teacher, stop for a second. Evaluate the situation from their angle. Once you have seen their perspective, examine your opinion and whether or not it should be changed. It is not always easy to be a student, but it definitely is not easy to be a teacher. Our teachers here at DHS sacrifice for us daily and they do things for us that others have attempted to do, but failed. For example, the Washington post reported that a “study from the National Education Association, a teachers union, half of new U.S. teachers are likely to quit within the first five years because of poor working conditions and low salaries.” Our teachers here at DHS have stuck it out with us, and hopefully they will continue to stand by us. The Paw Prints staff asks that all DHS students try to appreciate our teachers more and we also ask that our administration give them an incentive to continue giving us the high level of education that they currently provide. QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? pawprints@dolores.k12.co.us

Cartoon by: Angela Ott

Suppression through censorship -

CAITIE RODGERS STAFF REPORTER

Book Banning. Censorship. The conscious, pre-meditated suppression of ideas. Everyone has heard of the idea, but it always seems so far away. Restricted to brief news reports and “Banned Books Week.” It’s not far away at all. It’s even happened at our own school. In 1998, Phantoms by Dean Koontz was removed from the high school library based on the content of 3 pages of the book. The district’s guidelines for challenging books states, “The value of any book or other material shall be judged as a whole, taking into account the purpose of the material rather than individual, isolated expressions or incidents in the work.” The complainant admitted to never having read the rest of the book According to school librarian Jonnie Ryan, the required paperwork that must be filled out and filed isn’t on record. There’s no evidence that the correct procedures were followed. The only records are the original half-completed complaint form and a note to the librarian from the superintendant ordering the immediate removal of the

book, as well as a review of all other Koontz titles. No evidence is present of a committee being appointed to review the book, as should have occurred, only the superintendent’s order. The policy also says, “The Board shall not permit any individual or group to exercise censorship over instructional materials and library collections”. The complainant was both a parent and a member of the school board. Book banning is more than just not letting high school students read certain novels in English class. Banning books promotes the destruction of thought. No advancement can occur without differing ideas being presented. Where would society be if no one with new and startling ideas was allowed to air their views? It’d be like we never left the Dark Ages. Ray Bradbury, a frequently challenged author, once said this, “You don’t have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.” Bradbury’s book Farenheit 451 explores the possible repercussions of censorship, and has been banned often.

Books are challenged for numerous illogical reasons. Anxious parents order them removed from shelves due to obscenity that’s tame compared to what comes out of their own children’s mouths. They flutter over sexual references far less explicit and graphic than can be found on daytime TV. Not letting kids read about the suffering of people with drug addictions does nothing to stop them from trying drugs at parties. Despite teenagers having been denied books that contain references to differing sexual persuasions, some researchers estimate that up to 10% of our population is homosexual. Banning a book is not going to protect teenagers from the big scary world. Chances are, they’re going have to face all of those taboos anyway. Censorship makes new thoughts seem dangerous. The ability to think unique thoughts is what makes us human. Censorship is denying our humanity. Denouncing a book will not protect the students who would read it; censorship only helps the destruction of the freedom of thought we cherish.

How is the opposite sex better than yours? Freshman, Tyler Weir

Sophomore, Dianna Croke

“Girls are cuter than guys.”

PAWPRINTS 2010-2011

MANAGING EDITOR SIMON CONDON NEWS EDITOR KACEY SCHURR OP/ED EDITOR ANGELA OTT FEATURE EDITOR CHEYENNE MCCOY SPORTS EDITORS TYLER UNDERWOOD SASHA HOVER

Junior, Richard Belt

“Boys are better than girls when it comes to sports and physical things.”

Senior, Lindsay Balgobin

“Girls have smaller feet and longer hair, for the most part.”

“Boys aren’t better than girls. Boys stink.”

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STAFF EDITORIAL

dress code

O U R TA K E

Dress codes can foster a good learning environment; however, they can also be used to smother a student’s individuality. Recently, the administration banned “i love boobies” bracelets from school, school activities, or while representing the school. They were banned because “they are distracting from the school’s educational mission.” This may sound perfectly reasonable, but many students chose to wear these bracelets to support breast cancer awareness. At Dolores High School, students feel that the dress code is preventing them from representing their beliefs and their personality. It seems that the school is more concerned with developing wellrounded citizens than developing Dress code scholars. Obviously, the purpose hinders student of a school is to facilitate learnindividuality ing. This includes developing a and limits what student’s beliefs, personality, and ability to self regulate. makes Dolores Our staff feels that DHS is an High great. excellent school, not because it has good policies on what people may or may not wear, but rather the opposite of policing students. Dolores schools are excellent, high achieving, and great places to be from because teachers and administrators take the time to listen to what students have to say and build rules based on what is fair for the students. If a student feels that he or she can make a difference in the word by wearing a breast cancer awareness bracelet and making a donation by buying a product that donates 100% of the profits to breast cancer awareness, then we feel unless the product is grossly offensive it should not be banned. We propose that our administration should take the “i love boobies” epidemic on a case-by-case basis. Yes, if the bracelets truly are a distraction to learning, they should be removed from the classroom. But if students are harmlessly wearing the bracelets and not causing problems, they should be welcomed and even encouraged to stand up for what they believe in. It is clear that students should not be permitted to parade around the hallway wearing profanity or clothing that shows too much skin, but the dress code is becoming harsher and harsher over time. The administrators at Dolores High School needs to think about what really makes DHS so great and that what appears to promote learning may only hinder life’s real lessons. DHS, for as long as we can remember, has inspired students to, in Mohandas Gandhi’s words, “Be the change in the world that you want to see.” It is our belief that students at DHS should be given the opportunity to be that change, and the administration should give these students the opportunity to do so responsibly.

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Evaluating role models - CHEYENNE McCOY OP/ED EDITOR

Who did you want to be like when you grew up? Was it your favorite actress, your mother, or the best baseball player in the major leagues? When I was a kid, I wanted to grow up and be exactly like the celebrities. I envied everything about them. I wanted the dresses they wore on the red carpet, their incredibly talented singing voices, their boyfriends, and their stylish lifestyles. I idolized Lindsay Lohan, the cute freckled girl who skillfully acted as both twins in The Parent Trap. But after her four trips to rehab and multiple arrests for driving under the influence, I have realized that maybe Lindsay isn’t everything she was cracked up to be.

My friends admired Tiger Woods for over ten years. This guy really seemed to have it all together; he won fourteen major golf league tournaments, 71 Professional Golf Association tournaments, had his own type of Gatorade, and was the highest paid professional athlete in the world. But after seeing the way he acted in the recent scandal with his ex-wife, it’s easy to forget all of his accomplishments. Britney Spears looked like a promising child star. At the age of eight, she was on The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse television show. When she was 17, her first of three consecutive successful albums reached the #1 spot on the pop charts. Basically, Britney was awesome until she shaved her

head, had a 55-hour marriage, and disappointed millions of young girls who had looked up to her. These days, it seems that the celebrities that kids once looked up to are now leading lives that no one would envy. Finding out that your favorite athlete has been using steroids during their entire career can be devastating for a child, leaving them to wonder: is there anyone left to look up to? My advice is to look at the people in your own lives. Think about the person who might not be airbrushed-beautiful, filthy rich, or have the voice of Madonna, but has always been a strong, powerful role model for you. Then you can ask yourself, who do I want to be like when I grow up?

The worst effects of such cruel stereotyping can be demonstrated by the numerous school shootings, including and following those at Columbine. When a person first sees someone, they automatically make assumptions based on the first impression. If we limit our understanding to this first look, we never understand the real person. “You can never really know a person, until you know a person,” as junior Fallon Kelley said. Stereotypes aren’t only based on how you act or look; there are stereotypes about everything from gender to race to hair color. Blondes are stupid, men have no emotions, and Irishmen are drunks. These

kinds of generalizations flood our society with bigotry. Stereotypes are based on the most shocking individuals of a group, because they are the ones that stand out. Based in unusual fact, they are allowed to grow to overcome the image of an entire population. Not every teenager dyes their hair daily and punches holes in every bit of skin they can expose. There are some that do these things, but they aren’t necessarily the majority. “Stereotypes are like Cliff Notes…they’re user friendly in a really heinous way,” said Carlos. Stereotypes come from laziness and ignorance. If you don’t take the time to really understand people, you can never come to fully appreciate the beauty of human diversity.

Stereotyping stereotypes -

CAITIE RODGERS STAFF REPORTER

Stereotypes cloud the mind and destroy the egos of high school students. Movies, TV shows, and novels are all filled with cultural and gender stereotypes that infect humanity with false notions of reality. Goth. Prep. Emo. Jock. These are the cookie-cutter phrases that pervade high school culture. Everyone has to “be” something. We can’t escape them, and these generalizations can be very painful to those they’re applied to. “Stereotypes are a weak mind’s best friend,” said QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? Carlos Somers, the psychology pawprints@dolores.k12.co.us teacher at Dolores High School.

What stuctural improvement would you most like to see at DHS? Freshman, William Sumner

Sophomore, Michelle Kline

“I’d probably say the science building.”

PAWPRINTS 2010-2011

MANAGING EDITOR SIMON CONDON NEWS EDITOR KACEY SCHURR OP-ED EDITOR CHEYENNE MCCOY FEATURE EDITOR ANGELA OTT SPORTS EDITOR TYLER UNDERWOOD

Junior, Kameron Rockwell

“I think the locker rooms because there’s not enough space to accomodate the athletes.”

BUSINESS MANAGER STEPHEN O’CONNORSEVILLE STAFF REPORTERS CAITIE RODGERS SASHA HOVER MINDY MCCRACKEN CYDNEY MCHENRY CODY MOORE JACKSON VERMEULE THOMAS CLEAVELAND JOHN HERNANDEZ RACHEL NELLIGAN MAYCEE HAINEY

“I think it would be cool if we had a student lounge.”

Senior, Cortney Brunner

“I think the locker rooms need the most work.”

Paw Prints is a student publication operating as an open forum under Colorado Public State Law. As per Colorado Statute Sec. 22-2-120, no school district, employee, parent, legal guardian or official shall be held liable for the opinions expressed in Paw Prints. Some material courtesy of ASNE/MCT Campus High School Newspaper Service.

Core Values Part 1 in an examination of TCA’s Core Values Document by Zack Clemmons One of the unique aspects of TCA when compared to other public schools is the frequent tossing around of phrases like “Charlotte Mason philosophy” and “Socratic Method.” I can’t remember the last assembly in which some administrator did not boast of or at least mention TCA’s exceptional educational philosophy. On November 2, 2009, the TCA board, with the support of TCA’s administration, adopted and approved a document entitled, “The Classical Academy’s Core Values,” a document that contains what the board refers to as TCA’s, “Core Beliefs and Values, Mission Statement, Instructional Philosophy, Commitments, Behaviors and Practices, and Vision for Exemplary Citizens.” The first page of the documents boldly states, “The foremost measure of our success now and in the future is how well we live up to the words of this document. . .” Such an important set of ideas should be readily evident in every aspect of the school. Yet I doubt that a majority of TCA students even know of the existence of the TCA Core Values Document. The board and administration can talk all they want about “Education as an atmosphere,” or “lifelong pursuit of truth, beauty, and goodness,” but all the talk means nothing if administrators, teachers, parents and students don’t all commit to and carry out the ideas. In the next few columns, I will be going through the Core Values document and examining how effectively the different philosophies are carried out in practice. The most sophisticated and thought-out educational philosophy in the world doesn’t amount to anything if it’s not carried out. I believe in TCA’s philosophy. I believe the Core Values Document puts forward ideas and commitments that have the potential to create an unrivaled elementary, junior high and high school experience. I question, however, whether TCA as a whole effectively carries out the philosophy it claims to hold so dear. My goal in this series of articles is to encourage TCA administrators, teachers and students to live the ideals they claim to uphold. I long to see a TCA experience that is deeply thoughtful, exciting, and that inspires educational curiosity. These articles will be most effective if readers are familiar with the Core Values document. I encourage every student and parent to read it, think about, and examine for his or herself how well TCA carries out its philosophy. The Core Values document can be found online at: http://www.tcad20.org/pdf/TCA_Core_Values_Final_12-6-2010.pdf. What Would Charlotte Mason Think of TCA By Zack Clemmons To begin this article I would like to point out that the TCA Core Values Document on which I have been writing has been finalized since my last article. (Previous to the first article, the document was just a third draft.) Now, however, the document is final, and TCA’s ideological future is, so to speak, set in stone. The finalized document can be found here: http://tcad20.org/pdf/TCA_Core_Values_Final_12-6-2010.pdf. I would also like to point out that in my articles on the Core Values Document, I talk about the positives and negative I see in TCA, I am in no way attempting to single out or refer indirectly to any specific staff member. At the same time, however, I am limited in my writing to referring to my own personal experience at TCA, as my personal experiences have shaped my opinions on TCA’s philosophy. The “Charlotte Mason Philosophies” section is by far the largest section of the instructional philosophy page of the Core Values Document. Based solely on that fact, it could be deduced that Mason’s educational philosophy is one of the cornerstones of the TCA education. Add to that the fact that many teachers have a stone proclaiming, “I’m a Mason!” displayed in their classrooms, and that staff meetings are peppered with mentions of Mason’s philosophy, and the previous deduction is shown to be all the more true. But what exactly would the real Charlotte Mason think of TCA? While it’s easy to say we follow a Charlotte Mason approach to education, actually carrying it out can be rather difficult. And because Mason was a big proponent of the home schooling movement, and a majority of her writing was directed towards elementary-age children, it could very well be almost impossible for the secondary school of 600 students at TCA to consistently carry it out. However, this does not negate that fact that TCA proudly claims it upholds and carries out Charlotte Mason educational philosophy. Though I remain unable to speak directly to her, I am able to give what I think is an answer somewhere quite close to the truth after a cursory examination of Mason’s volume, A Philosophy of Education. I will walk through the four main points of the Charlotte Mason philosophy that TCA puts forward in their Core Values, addressing “Education is an Atmosphere” and “Education is a Discipline” in this article, and “Education is a Life” and “Education is the Science of Relationships” in my next article.

Education is an Atmosphere This past year, the administration has put a big focus on “the TCA community.” They’ve been emphasizing building an atmosphere of unity and pride in the school, and really, it seems like that is the only atmosphere they are focused on building. This is not in itself a bad thing. But it is not really what Mason meant by education being “an atmosphere.” Instead, she meant that a school should be an honest, real, challenging, and nurturing place. Mason’s biggest problem with TCA in this area would be the carrying out of the statement, “intrinsic movtivation where external rewards are used sparingly and with caution.” Again and again, Mason states that the end goal of any education, any lesson, should be the pleasure in and of increased knowledge. At TCA though, a majority of students are driven entirely by grades, not a love of learning. And in many cases, including mine, achieving increased knowledge has decreased and taken a backseat to achieving good grades. With seven classes a day, most if not all being academic, it becomes hard to really process and store and savor all the knowledge we are all but required to take in and reproduce on tests for grades. Add to that the breakneck speed at which most classes go, and it becomes easy for a student to be overwhelmed by the pressure and underwhelmed by the possibly life-changing ideas we should be slowly but surely adding to our knowledge. I don’t know that it would ever be a possibility for TCA to stop using a GPA system, but we should at least make a big effort to deemphasize grades and reemphasize the simple but powerful act of learning. Education is a Discipline I believe Mason would actually be quite pleased with TCA concerning “Education as a Discipline.” TCA, being a school focused on character-building, is effective in its instillation of respect for authority, starting in elementary school. Students also easily come to realize that teachers correct students not to punish them, but because correction leads to knowledge and later, success. I have yet to have a teacher at TCA who does not have the success and increased knowledge of their students as their first priority. There is one questionable point in the Core Values document concerning education as a discipline, that there is a focus at TCA on, “the musts in life.” My TCA experience has not exactly followed this statement, though I acknowledge focusing entirely on the musts in life is possibly impossible in a secondary setting. Knowledge is a must in life, but being filled with many facts not connected to ideas in the name of “coverage” is not knowledge. A habit of focusing and completing work is a must in life, but homework, more often than not, is not a must in life. A rethinking and refocusing of this point by TCA staff, reducing the focus of TCA to the musts in life, from knowledge to discipline to relating well to other to pursuing personal passions, will lead to a better TCA education. Standings Ovation TCA’s class rank policy is well-informed, beneficial to students by Zack Clemmons As a competitive student hoping to apply and be accepted to at least a mildly selective college, I want TCA to do everything in their power to help me towards that goal. Going into this oh-so-important junior year, it was my firm opinion that class rank would be one such act that would help me. The idea of seeing and showing colleges where I compare to other students seemed beneficial. A class ranking system had the potential to create a culture that values academics, inspires healthy competition leading to higher grades and make strong students more attractive to colleges. TCA does not use a class ranking system. I was upset. I wanted to understand why a school that bills itself as academically rigorous and college preparatory wouldn’t institute a policy that seems like it would distinguish college-bound student. During my answer-seeking conversation with Amanda Garcia, assistant director of College Connection, however, I found myself changing my opinion. At a school as academically strong as TCA, class rank hurts more students than it helps. The official policy regarding class rank at TCA, as it appears in the document College Connection sends colleges describing the academic culture at TCA: “It is the policy of The Classical Academy not to rank our students. We believe the highly competitive nature of our school outweighs the benefits of ranking our students.” This policy derived from conversations the founders of TCA had with several colleges, “Especially Baylor,” said Garcia. Baylor recommended that TCA not use class rank. Due to the natural competitiveness of TCA, a class ranking system would only hurt TCA. In the current senior class, the Class of 2011, over 65 percent of the students have a B average or above. A 3.0 is a highly respectable GPA, one that many colleges wouldn’t look down on. Yet at TCA, a 3.0 could land you in the bottom half of the class, which does not look as attractive to colleges. If a college does in fact need to see class rank to factor into the admission process, Garcia said, “They can contact College Connection, and we’re happy to work with the college and clarify anything they need clarified.”

TCA senior Nate Florea shares the opinion of TCA, saying, “Class rank hurts the lower students more than it benefits the top students.” Going in, I thought TCA’s lack of a class rank was an ignorant or at least poorly thought through decision. With new information, however, comes new understanding, and I soon realized that the lack of the class rank system was a smart decision, one that benefits competitive TCA students in the college admission process more than hurts them.

7 Feature

Memories of a clean sweep

you wait, and wait, and wait and wait. Finally, a small hole in the ice begins to form, barely large enough for you to see through. It is dangerous to drive when only one-eighth of your windshield is visible, but when punctuality is on the line, you laugh in the face of danger. Driving between 10 to 20 miles over the speed limit (about the average on Highway 285) you sense the ever-so-close warmth of the school fast approaching. You may have lost valuable You leave for school the time, but the burning desire same time you do every morning, practically jumping to respect your teachers and for joy at having another op- administration heightens your portunity to receive valuable senses and improves driving. You turn onto 73 to find life lessons from your wona long line has formed at derful schooling establishthe stoplight leading to the ment. school. Apparently, you Pulling out of the driveway, you are struck with hor- weren’t the only one who had to wait on a frosted windror; you can no longer see. Despite the summer weather, shield. Heart beating rapidly, your car has retained a thick you slowly advance to the stoplight. layer of frost overnight. Finally, after what feels You quickly realize your like a thousand lifetimes, the car’s AC system has a light turns green. You swerve feature designed for such a situation, so you activate the into the lot to find every good defrost setting. Unfortunately, spot has been taken. Bitterly, you park in a rejected spot, the average American car does not employ the coveted, praying the added seconds to walk up the hill will not be the James Bond-esque flamedifference between tardiness thrower defrost system, but provides a mild warming. So and punctuality.

Past packs prints Some of CHS’s most prized possessions don’t come from the school’s budget or from student’s demands, but from past graduating classes. The class of 2010 gave the arbor leading down to the football field. Students helped out with the logging and stripped the bark. Rich, the Chainsaw Man, was responsible for the design. The class of ‘09 purchased the school tables and chairs for the commons area. The class gift of ‘08 was the welcome sign at the main entrance. Even though the gift is small, it still shows school spirit. Larry the Lobo, otherwise known as the dancing mascot at school games, was the gift of the class of ‘06. “I remember that the costume cost a lot of money,” said former Student Government adviser Chris Fer-

guson, “Also, the other things for the costume cost money, such as dry cleaning it and paying for the fan inside of it.” The athletic department later took the costume and has been responsible for it. “I was just glad we didn’t have to worry about the mascot anymore,” said Ferguson. “I was the Student Government adviser for just a couple years and I’m proud of the work we did,” said English teacher Eric Kragel. “The classes (‘04’05) were the ones who gave the carved lobo in the front circle of the school.” The Chainsaw Man carved the wolf. The project took two years to complete, because of the extensive carving and the building of the platform. Both classes gave money to the project. The classes of ‘02 and ‘01

Last year’s senior gift leads the way to the football field.

Running would be preferable with your limited time, but you don’t want to look like an idiot. Instead you do a brisk, speedy walk, trying to frown a bit so you don’t look happy to be at school. You pass two, four then eight students. The door handle is within grasp when …the bell rings. You failed. Not devoid of hope, you enter the school. Perhaps if you get to class in the next 30 seconds, the teacher won’t notice, or even let you off the hook. But it is not to be; a security officer stops you and asks for your name. You have been swept. At first, you consider giving a fake name, perhaps of a person you happen to be less-than-fond of. You immediately discard this idea, as you realize the officer might know the student you impersonated, and will haul you off to the principal’s office to be expelled for identity theft. You give your real name, which the officer writes down. While he is focused on you, three other students slip by without even receiving slap on the wrist. Silently, you curse them. The next day, you show up for detention, faith in humanity shattered, as you, a first time offender, are punished created the marquee by the highway. These groups had to combine their gift because of the length of time it took to make the sign. Electricity was required to create the sign and it had to be routed to the generator. The giant painting of the lobo on the floor of the commons was the gift of the class of ‘00. The painting has been preserved by the school ever since. “I’ve always wished the painted lobo on the floor of the commons would be respected like the seal of the president on the floor of government buildings,” said first Student Government adviser Bruce Lindsey, “It was the original idea that people would follow the tradition like they did in government buildings to walk around the seal.” The giant clock in the commons was the gift of the class of ‘99. Students felt that a clock was needed in the commons area because they never knew how much time they had to get to class. The oldest and most notable gift comes from the first graduating class, ‘98. Students painted a masterpiece lobo on the gym walls. The entire class was surveyed to decide the face of a lobo they wanted. Class members looked at a lot of different pictures of faces and finally decided on the

photo by Cameron McGrew

2010

Security guard Andy Marton sweeps unlucky students caught tardy for class.

for a crime others have escaped. You head for the wrestling room, assuming the reason detention is held in this location is because your punishment will involve two UFC fighters requiring a human punching bag to practice on. Your reach for the door and…it’s locked? You don’t believe it, and make a stronger, more rigorous attempt to open the door with no avail. Have they forgotten about you? You wait five

minutes, and others arrive, all expecting the same fate. After 10 minutes, everyone comes to the conclusion the detention has been cancelled. The group leaps for joy; for whatever reason, they were spared. You leave the wrestling doors and meet your friends for lunch. No matter what problems you might face in a day, somehow, things always work out.

one they wanted. The painting was placed in the gym to make it look more like Conifer territory. “I always think that the kids need to decide what they want, but it should be in the direction of the school,” said Ferguson, “I hope everyone appreciates the gifts and respects the students’ work on them.” “The class of ‘11 hasn’t decided on any gifts yet,” said the current Student Government adviser Tim LeCount. “They have been throw-

ing around some ideas and I’ve heard rumors of stained glass, but I’m not for sure.”

~ Quintn Parker

~Niles Koenigsberg

Missy Winefeldt Credentials

Specializing in :

Cell : 417.773.1292

Office : 303.838.2122

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6 Feature

Rap trailblazers

’s n t in Qu ll i Qu ints Po

Upperclassmen head offcampus for lunch every day. Most food establishments enjoy the added patronage, considering this the busiest hours of the day. But for one location, high school lunch is a time of heightened security. Safeway, North America’s third largest supermarket chain, is a staple of the Conifer community. The food and comfortable lounge provide students with a convenient hang-out area. However, a recent shoplifting concern has caused a harsh shift. The first time an em-

categories: freestyle and written. Blake said he writes his songs and admits to being a “terrible freestyler” conceding to anyone who goes against him in a rap battle. “I love to sit down and write my songs. It gives me a chance to say what I want to say,” he said. For the rest, freestyle is hip hop of choice. “I don’t ever write. It’s all about the flow. That’s what separates me from those other rappers in Conifer,” said Skertich. “I’m a lyrical master and love to challenge any other freestyler.” Kruse and Kelly have dabbled in the written scene, but prefer freestyle

cartoon by Meagan Webber

much more because they believe it “takes a lot more talent,” said Kruse. When skilled freestylers get together, it’s common for rap battles to break out. These include two or more rappers challenging each other, bouncing non-written verses off one another till one concedes and can no longer return a verse. With the exception of Blake, the other three thrive in rap battles and enjoy the difficult aspects of the activ-

ity. “Freestyling allows me to let my anger and frustration out lyrically instead of in physical confrontations,” said Kelly. Rap has become a way of life for these students and is more than Seniors Mark Skertich, Tanner Kelly and Tanner Kruse a pastime. For exchange freestyle verses while battle rapping. some, the activity Rap is a growing trend in the mounprovides an alternative to boredom tain area and all over the world with and whatever else a rap free world more people getting involved and provides. “I’ve had to learn how to survive on new forums for artists to publicly drop tracks like soundcloud.com. the mean streets of Conifer. The pain Their rap pioneering has given and struggle caused me to release my way to new students taking up the emotions lyrically,” said Kelly. trade, like senior Zach Mahaffey. The subjects of their lyrics differ “These kids are pretty good, but I’m from religion, insults to others and rapping now and it’s time to show describing daily life humorously. Blake them who’s boss,” he said. enjoys rapping about his faith and Though these men are some of things that “hit” his heart while Kruse the first rappers to represent CHS, and Skertich prefer lyrics which could they aren’t alone. Connor Moore, a potentially insult their target most often 2010 graduate, has been rapping for in rap battles. awhile and was recently signed by “I need to be angry about somean amateur label. thing because that’s when I spit the Community rappers have develhardest,” said Kruse. oped a new scene. Their talent is To perform in front of a live crowd, indisputable, but the question will rappers must find inspiration in some remain, who is the greatest Conifer form. According to Kelly, “my mind has rapper of all? There likely will be no to reach a higher level of conscious for decisive champion, but none are me to be able to flow.” afraid of a rap challenge. Except for Blake, most prefer to According to Kruse, “You can infreestyle at friendly get togethers of spect my calculations, or fall back in four to 60 kids, usually competing line, because my lyrical talent moves against at least one other rapper. without reason or rhyme. This is None have performed at any large poetry, this is passion, this is music, venues, but Blake got his first break this is action guaranteed to cut you rapping his hit song You Know You down like division and subtraction.” Aint G live in front of over 50 people at the Homecoming game tailgate party. ~Sam Katzman

Local store takes active approach to shoplifting ployee asked to see my receipt, I was confused. Still, I dug the piece of paper out of my pocket. He nodded, then asked the same question to those around me. It made for an awkward lunch. The second time I purchased lunch at Safeway, I placed the receipt on top of my meal before walking to the lounge area. Again, an employee asked to see our receipts. Since I had previous experience, my receipt was ready. The man glanced over our proofs-of-purchases until he came to a student without a receipt. He forced the student to buy his sandwich a second time. The problem is this: a direct path lies between the hot food bar and lounge. A student can easily use the food bar, take a seat and eat the meal without ever paying a dime. This is a practice Safeway has recently become aware of, and now innocent people are victimized. Because of the recent se-

curity increase, new methods are accurate, and the most I of food-stealing have mateknocked off the price was 19¢, rialized, the most common a modest amount of change, being improper weight meabut hardly worth the effort. surement. Students take their A similar technique is a bit meal (charged by the pound), more effective. One student and let the scale only weigh claims he does this almost a portion of it. The machine every day and has never gotthinks the meal contains less ten caught. food than it does and the price “Just enter something is reduced. cheap in the item-selection I became aware of this screen that’s also kind of practice when a zealous heavy,” said the student, cashier stopped me as I was “something like bananas. about to pay. Apparently, a Then weigh your food like portion of the food container normal and you can get a was off the scale, which she giant meal for 60¢. As long as believed I set up intentionthey don’t take a good look at ally to knock a bit of change your receipt, nothing bad can off my purchase. The line happen.” behind me groaned as she restarted the process for Executive Director me; this time she weighed it correctly. The difference Jill Sneed was 4¢. (303) 674-5881 I was suspicious about how necessary this was, so I did some investigating. Returning to Safeway when Mountain Area Pregnancy Center it wasn’t busy I attempted 27884 Meadow Drive P.O. Box 667 the method of cost cutting Evergreen, CO 80437-0667 the staff was worried about. Email: info@mapc.us As it turns out, the scales

photo by Grayson Geiger

Stereotypes aside, rap isn’t about the color of skin, the level of education you have or the neighborhood you grew up in. The emergence of a new breed of hip hop artists is claiming their hood in Conifer. Eminem and Asher Roth are no longer the only white rappers generating attention in the community for their unique style of music. Junior Trent Blake and seniors Tanner Kruse, Tanner Kelly and Mark Skertich are pioneers in the growing trend of local students joining the competitive scene of freestyle and written verse rap. Rap is a style of music where lyricists rhyme creatively, typically to a beat while piecing verses together to complete a song. The talent took years to develop, but recently was perfected by the locals, giving each the courage to share a musical gift publicly. Each artist’s story is unique, ranging from encouragement by a role model to getting caught up in the moment with a good beat too perfect to resist. According to Skertich, “I started rapping with my sixth grade teacher Mr. Bullock. He had a studio and used to make beats for me.” Each rapper has his own preferred style broken down into two

December

According to the clerk who made me re-weigh my food, Safeway will be reworking the computer systems to make these techniques impossible. Remember, in Colorado the theft law for anything under $500 (a Class II misdemeanor) lands you between a $1000 fine to three months in jail, and it only takes one upset manager having a bad day to press charges. The next time you’re feeling hungry and a little low on cash, instead of pressing the banana button, buy a banana instead. ~Quintn Parker

Commentary

December 15, 2010

Page 4

All Actions End in Consequences Neena McBaer Staff Writer

ne might believe that the third most frequently searched for word in the Merriam Webster Dictionary would be something along the lines of microlepidoptera (the “small” variety of moths) or duende (charisma). Surprisingly, the third most searched for word does not have Arabic roots or a scientific definition. Instead, the third most searched for word is actually one of the most commonly used words in the English language; love.

Seems strange that one of the simplest words ever imagined would have such a difficult meaning, does it not? As you have probably noticed, this issue of The Alamosan is stocked full of candy cane sweetness and other Christmas-y goodness. So it seemed to me that readers could use a break from all the tinsel and reindeer. It is the season of love and it seems like everyone has Spring Fever. High school suddenly seems like A Midsummer Night’s Dream, where no one know when their love is true. It is high school. It is a time to explore and date, but that does not mean we all need to become

callous and cold. In the last few months I have heard of couples breaking up because a girl’s prudence halted their relationship or because the guy was talking to that (insert nasty cuss word name here) that was his ex to many times. It is ridiculous! Relationships are built on trust and if you can’t trust the person you are with, why be with them at all? Just because your boyfriend talks to his ex-girlfriend does not mean that he’s cheating on you. He might have to ask her what he missed in their Spanish class last Thursday or what time their StuCo meeting is. Don’t be in a relationship just

matic cables. There seems to be no end to these confidential documents being leaked. What’s next? Santa’s naughty and nice list? Recently WikiLeaks has had to open up seven different domain names because they have been assaulted by DoS (Denial of Service) attacks. Their most recent domain name change was due to a U.S. domain name provider, Every DNS. net, dropped WikiLeaks. Even with numerous domain names the site still crashes a lot. In fact, while researching for this article, WikiLeaks sites were down three different times. After being dropped by EveryDNS.net, WikiLeaks servers had to move to Switzerland. Here, the data center resides within a cave made for a James Bond villain. Don’t believe me? Or even if you do, go search it on YouTube, it’s awesome. Finally, on November 30, WikiLeaks is living stably inside a bat cave. But wait, now the founder, Julian Assange, is on IN-

TERPOL’s (International Criminal Police Organization) most wanted list! The reasons for his arrest warrant are not appropriate for a humble newspaper like The Alamosan; however, I can tell you that they have nothing to do with the website. Assange, who seemed to have wanted to keep everything free and open, was hiding. Last Tuesday Assange was arrested in London. He has yet to be charged with any criminal offenses. Yet another problem to pile on WikiLeaks, PayPal has officially denied WikiLeaks of service. PayPal was the site’s main way of gathering donations. They have had to set up a separate donation service to handle contributions. On the lighter side, WikiLeaks makes the U.S. look relatively good. At least we’re not harboring multiple Nuclear Bombs. To a certain extent, WikiLeaks was founded with good concepts; however, some intel should just be kept secret.

Have you ever noticed that many people become popular by making others laugh? They are not afraid to look ridiculous. These people make new friends every time they do something crazy. A past youth director at my church broke the ice on his first day by telling stories of crazy things he had done. Blowing up his grandparent’s fish pond with a stick of dynamite or using a giant catapult to launch himself onto his neighbor’s garage were not his smartest ideas. Being bold enough to tell a roomful of strangers about a few insane stories instantly gained him new friends. I continuously try to cover up my blonde roots, but they still show in those moments when I rattle something off without thinking about what just came out of my mouth. My friends love when I walk into Subway and ask for a six inch, foot-long sub or attempt to back out of Sonic’s drive-thru with the car in neutral. In today’s society, people

with shy personality traits are at a disadvantage, especially in a work environment. Employers look for bubbly personalities. Shy people get left behind. The best way to overcome a fear of embarrassing yourself is to make yourself look foolish everyday. Ask a friend for help. My first day of journalism, a friend helped me learn to laugh at myself. He created crazy, false traits while introducing me to the class. Most of my classmates did not know me well enough to know how far from the truth everything was. Practice making yourself look funny in front of strangers. You will probably never see them again anyway. Walk up to a random person and start a conversation in an accent or do the Monster Mash down the isles in Wal-Mart. While sitting at a stoplight, everyone has looked over at the car sitting next to them and laughed at the person inside singing and dancing to the radio. Just seeing them puts a smile on your face.

to be in a relationship. It doesn’t make you any cooler to say, “I have a girlfriend.” Desperate people only get together with other desperate people and those relationships will never work. If you are going to commit yourself to one person, make sure it’s because you actually care about him or her and want to be with him or her. Isn’t that what the word commitment means? I for one, am sick of patting the backs of my heart-broken friends because they entered a horrible relationship with someone who doesn’t really care about them. If your “significant other” has a bad track record, she’s probably going to leave you after a few

weeks. That is not the kind of relationship you should want to be in anyway. What’s the point? If it does not even last a month, what can you get out of it, a couple of make-out sessions? Relationships are about more than just lust. Think about that the next time you go out on a date. Love is not lust and lust is not love, so before you commit, make sure you will actually be committed to the relationship you’re in. Do not be petty enough to enter a relationship if you don’t really care about the person you are with and please, PLEASE, do not tell someone you are in love with them if you really don’t mean it.

WikiLeaks Sparks Debate Cheaters Must Die! Chris Rice Commentary Editor

ikiLeaks, though released in December 2006, has been under harsh fire from the media and governments worldwide over the past couple of months. WikiLeaks is a website that discloses previously unavailable documents from anonymous news sources. It contains over 1.2 million leaked documents from all over the world. The main reason for this recent upheaval is due to leaks that put the United States and numerous other countries in bad light. Nobody, except for Kim-Jong-il, would be mad if someone released confidential documents that said they rescued a bunch of puppies, right? A few of large leaks that were protected and highly confidential include an Afghan War Diary, Iraq War Logs, and the nearly 250,000 confidential U.S. diplo-

Conquer Your Fear of Laughter Nicole Conner Staff Writer

veryone knows that nightmare when a person stands up in front of a crowd and forgets what they were supposed to say. The most common fear in America is public speaking. Everyone is afraid of messing up and embarrassing themselves in front of a large group of their peers. Everyone loves to laugh, but hates being laughed at. People need to learn to laugh at themselves. The same students participate in the crazy competitions at the school assemblies. All the students enjoy watching but are not willing to take the risk of participating. There is more enjoyment in the event taking place than in your class actually winning. At school dances, dancers that are not the most skilled, but dance anyway, attract attention. The other dancers enjoy watching someone have fun.

Jennifer DeSouchet Co- Editor in Chief

ey you! Yes, you with your eyes glued to my paper; back the heck up...please. I realize that maybe you stayed up all night doing your “woodshop homework”, but I actually studied. So please, do your own work. Yea yea, I know its probably the cool thing to cheat off of your neighbor instead of actually doing your work and getting an education or something...but can’t you at least pretend that you aren’t surreptitiously stealing my answers? Lately in our school, and probably in many others as well, there has been a great increase in the amount of cheating, even among top students. Not only do these students quickly copy the useless busy work given out by many teachers, but blatantly cheat on chapter exams and even finals! My question to you dirty little weasels is, where is your honor? Call me old fashion, but I’d like to think people who prevail in life must do it honestly: that those who reach a level of academic excellence do it with the love of learning as motivation, not the love of false recognition. While thinking of cheaters, I specifically recall a certain peer of mine that only passed chemistry because I was sitting right next to her. Though at the time I was a shy sophomore who was too scared to actually say something, I felt like a Jennifer DeSouchet-Co-Editor-in-Chief Darin Sisneros..............Features Editor Jed Smith.................Business Manager Marcus Shawcroft.............News Editor Jacob Heaton................................Staff Neff Malouff.......................................Staff Heidi Kritner.......................................Staff Kayla Barton.......................................Staff Nicole Conner.....................................Staff Neena McBaer....................................Staff Kyle Nye.............................................Staff Emma Smith.......................................Staff Hunter Jack........................................Staff

used napkin, thrown in the trash after you’ve had your way with me. Why does it seem that there is only a select few students who would actually rather fail than be caught cheating off of the nerd next them? Apparently the feeling of accomplishment means nothing to anyone anymore. Not only does the cheating mentality exist in academics, but in sports as well. Yea I get it, you want to be buff; but can’t you do it by working out instead of taking growth hormones that you stole from your father’s medicine cabinet? The problem not only lies in students and athletes, but in any person of authority that does not take a stand against such activities. To allow a student to attain an “A” in a class when you are aware that they cheated, is detrimental to not only the student, but to every other student in the class. The point is, it’s extremely disappointing to be beat in academics, sports or any other thing for that matter by someone that everyone knows is a cheating little snake. Why don’t we all take a second look at who we are, what our goals are, and how we plan to achieve them? Do you really wish to be known as the Barry Bonds of your activity? Or would you rather be known as that individual who works harder, studies longer, and trains harder than anyone else. Think about that the next time you peak at your neighbor’s test. Rachel Heaton.......Co-Editor-in-Chief Drake Sisneros...............Sports Editor Chris Rice............Commentary Editor Kole Kelley..............Asst. News Editor Tyler Cerny.......................................Staff Tonya Sisneros.................................Staff Samuel Bilderbeck...........................Staff Jennifer Dordan...............................Staff Zachary Meyer.................................Staff Logan Hostetter................................Staff Ashlee Romero.................................Staff Skyler Timmins................................Staff Jerry Reed..............................Advisor

The Alamosan is published by students of Alamosa High School, 805 Craft Drive, Alamosa, CO 81101. The Alamosan is typeset by the staff and printed by the Valley Courier, Alamosa, CO. The Alamosan is a member of the Colorado High School Press Association and the Quill & Scroll Society. Letter Policy: All letters to The Alamosan must be signed and not libelous or profane. Letters must fit the space (250 words max) and are subject to editing and style. Signed editorial opinions are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent those of The Alamosan or Alamosa High School. The Alamosan is an expression made by the students in exercise of freedom of speech and freedom of press, and is not an expression of the RE-11J school district.

Rocky Mountain Highlighter

Hain from page A1 in Denver specializing in spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injuries. “He was able to hold out one finger for yes, and two for no; we were really encouraged,” Dick said. “He was actually able to get a ‘hi dad’ and a ‘hi mom’.We really thought he was coming around. Then, well who knows, there was a build of spinal fluid, and we don’t know if that directly lost it, but he lost a lot of that ►Hain progress.” Through the fight for Zak’s progress, everyone around him was encouraged through knowing that Zak’s intelligence was being fully utilized, because he was listening, and completely coherent. “I would joke with him and sometimes if I was funny enough I’d get a smile or a little chuckle,” Dick said with a joyful reminiscent tone in his voice. “If you pissed him off for some reason, like turned the TV to the wrong channel, he would make a fist with his right hand and wave it around; it was obvious he was right there.” Zak made an impact on everyone around him, no matter what stage of his life he was in. “Before the accident, he was only really there (at Rocky) for two weeks, and in just two weeks we had one of his teachers, Mrs. (Carol) Seemueller come to the hospital to say she was very touched by him,” Dick said. “He really made an impact in a short

Tessting the Waters

Tess Halac

A religious defense

amount of time, and all his friends really stood by him.” “I try to think about what he would have done in most situations, because he really did the right thing at all times because he didn’t care about being popular, so it wasn’t hard for him to always make the right choice,” Sam said. “He wanted everyone to just treat each other well, make the right decisions, make the best of their time and have fun with what they did.” Not only did Zak make a difference in others’ lives, but the people who stayed by Zak’s side made a significant difference in his life, as well. “Everything that the school community and the community at large did for Zak and our family was something that he recognized,” Dick said. “Some people are uncomfortable trying to communicate with someone that couldn’t communicate back, but he really did appreciate everything that was done.” “I would like to thank everyone at Rocky, Poudre School District and the Fort Collins community because it was amazing all the help we got. Everything that was done for him we appreciate, and thanks to all the teachers and everyone who supported Zak,” Dick said, with an emotional quiver in his voice. When Zak peacefully passed away, family and friends were sitting by his side. Zak’s mother, Cindy Hain looked out the window to see a rainbow. “It hadn’t been raining around us, but I guess it was raining somewhere that day,” Cindy said. “It was Zak’s way of saying goodbye.”

News

October 8, 2010

am a journalist for three main reasons. One, RM Highlighter is awesome. Room 528 is a second home for me and the Highlighter has been a defining experience in my high school career. Two, it’s rewarding to be part of something bigger than myself, write something that all students read and are interested in.Three, I am by nature an extremely nosy person. Because of this nosiness, I decided to go do some ‘investigative journalism’ at the LaPorte Church of Christ, an infamous institution know for their racist beliefs and tendencies. After some serious begging and pleading, I convinced my mom to go to a service with me. The next weekend, my mom and I showed up in our Sunday best. We filed in nervously, though trying to appear cool and at ease. Some people in the congregation struck up an innocentconversation with us, their tone friendly and inviting. The service itself was very ordinary, just like a regular church service, albeit a honkier-tonkier version of one. It wasn’t until Pastor Peters delivered his message that anything appeared different. Even his speech appeared relatively tame, minus the expected angry tirades concerning public education and the “slander his church received.” I, of course, was immensely upset by his words. However, I knew what I was getting myself into, and was prepared for what he said. What I hadn’t prepared for was the reaction I got from

Church from page A1

Over the years, Pastheir forms. tor Peters and his conAccording to the sign, gregation have gained court officials seized the subtle notoriety as one property of the church, of Colorado’s racist ordering congregation to and hate organizations. “keep out.” Peters and his Groups such as the Anmembers “came in the ti-Defamation League name of Jesus Christ and (ADL) were outraged took it back.” by sermons written by When asked about the Peters, openly stating story behind this sign, Jews and homosexuals along with the nature and Charlie Anderson beliefs of the his church, to be species of the Under Investigation: The outside of the LaPorte Church of Peters responded; Anti-Christ. From a Christ. While small in local following, the church has a nasermon preached in “I hate to assist in the tional broadcast in which thousands tune into. September of 2007, work of whores. You come Peters identifies Jews; “One species of Antichrists, down here with a story that your editor wants you called Jews (...)” and homosexuals; “(…) the sin of to run, and you put a twist on it to make yourselves homosexuality.” look good. I’ll pray about it and get back to you Upon entering, members are greeted with a sign next week.” declaring the church’s defeat of a city-wide proAlongside heading the Church of Christ, Peters homosexual ordinance: is the director of an “international outreach minIn 1988 this church spoke out against and istry,” Scriptures for America. Peters describes the defeated proposed pro-homosexual city ordinance. organization as being dedicated to “proclaiming the Consequently, on Feb. 26, 1993, the state of true Gospel of Christ Jesus throughout the earth, Colorado who thought it was higher than our God and to revealing to Americans and the Western Jesus Christ and thought it had some jurisdiction Nations their true Biblical Identity.” Scriptures for on this church tried to seize this church building America distributes content through radio, internet because we refused to pay the state’s fine and sign broadcasts, CDs, DVDs and a monthly newsletter.

Election from page A1 Cries of intolerance have echoed from all parts of the nation. One example that currently holds heavy focus is the question of building a mosque near Ground Zero. Rocky students have mixed opinions on the ethics of this issue. For freshman Nada Elmikashfi, the issue hits particularly close to home. Elmikashfi is Muslim, and says she has felt intolerance and hostility toward her because of her religion and her hijab, a scarf worn over a girl’s hair. “People look at me like ‘oh no, she’s going to blow us up,’” Elmikashfi said. “There is no racial tolerance after Sept. 11. A lot of people think all Muslims are terrorists and all terrorists are Muslim. That’s exactly what’s going on at the mosque, too.” people I told my experiences to. ‘This is why I don’t like organized religion.’ ‘Organized religion sucks.’ ‘Religious people are jerks.’ Time and time again I received these comments. As a strong Christian, I was hurt and offended by these words. I totally agree with the general consensus that the LaPorte Church of Christ is out of line. I am aware that there are groups who hide behind bibles and churches in order to spread a message of hate. Over the summer, the Westboro Baptist Church visited CSU to protest against the Jewish and homosexual community. Less than a month ago, a Floridian pastor threatened to burn Korans on Sept.11. It is unfortunate that groups like these have to soil the Christian name. The truth is, the majority of religious institutions AREN’T like that, but unfortunately human tendency focuses on the bad, the crazy and the uncontrollable. Media isn’t going to cover a church serving supper to the homeless when there’s big, juicy stories to be covered instead. My plea for all of you is to not buy into this religious hate. Seeing the Christian faith only as a faction of judgemental, closeminded jerks is ignorant and just as judgemental. My advice is to turn off the news, do some of your own research, and get your own edjumucation. Tess Halac is a senior and Editor-in-Chief of The Rocky Mountain Highlighter.

A student who wished to remain anonymouse because of the sensitive matter disagrees with the mosque-building, but for separate reasons than most. “It’s not an issue of it (the mosque) being Muslim,”the source said. I don’t think any religion should be there; because of the events, buildings there should be unifying, and religion is divisve.” Despite the examples of this proclaimed tolerance, List stresses that the voter is most responsible for changing it. “When voters are angry, they are going to blame it on incumbence and the Tea Party is taking advantag,” List said. “I hope that people willl do their own research and decide for themselves and on election day the rational electorate will show up.”

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Only minutes away from Rocky!

Rocky Mountain Highlighter

Tessting the Waters

Tess Halac

Adopt-a-Family about spirit “It wasn’t the reward that mattered or the recognition you might harvest. It was your depth of commitment, your quality of service, the product of your devotion – these were the things that counted in a life. When you gave purely, the honor came in the giving, and that was honor enough.” This quote by Captain Scott O’Grady epitomizes the very spirit of Adopt-a-Family. For the past 15 years, Adopt-a-Family has been embedded in the Rocky culture. It is arguably the school’s most intensive volunteer project, drawing out extraordinarily high participant numbers and a side of selflessness one would normally render impossible in a high school setting. For those who haven’t yet been to a family pickup day, I invite you to attend one, because it is truly one of the most remarkable things you will ever witness. Imagine hundreds of students and teachers willingly filing in to school on an early Saturday morning. Wrapped presents abound the commons; a dressed up Santa banters playfully with the eager kids as each family is given their tremendous Christmas load. Last year 83 families were helped by the Rocky community, and this year 84 families will be given the Christmas of their lives. Anyone who has witnessed the Adopt-a-Family magic probably is wondering why our school doesn’t get some sort of reward or attention for this volunteer feat. However, the nonexistence of such coverage in my opinion is exactly what keeps the Adopt-a-Family spirit thriving. The reason for our altruism is not backed by some sort of accolade; we are simply acting in this way because it is the right thing to do. Maybe this is why Dec. 4’s video announcement upset me so much. During the program, several administrators came on the screen, challenging us to do more and raise more money for Adopt-a-Family. They promised us that if could beat last year’s amounts, we would get Jan. 17 (Martin Luther King Day) off of school. I do not know if this was supposed to be a joke or they were relying on student ignorance, but we already have this day off. If it is the latter, I am severely disappointed in the school’s leadership. Not only is such a promise completely undermining the spirit of Adopt-a-Family, it also destroys the integrity of MLK day. I am aware that the majority of students will not be spending the 17th honoring King. However, in my opinion it is just as bad that the administration is encouraging this behavior by dangling the day in front of us like it’s some sort of treat. As tempting as days off of school and other rewards sound, it is best to deny these temptations by the administration, for the sake of ourselves, and Adopt-a-Family. Tess Halac is a senior and Editorin-Chief of the RM Highlighter.

December 10, 2010

National recognition

News

RM Highlighter runs to NSPA Pacemaker award by Regan Miller Reporter

On Nov. 13, the National Student Press Association (NSPA) announced that The Rocky Mountain Highlighter won the prestigious Pacemaker award, the second Pacemaker award in the school newspaper’s history. “In the pond of journalism, this is a pretty big fish,” adviser Stephen Wahlfeldt said. “The Pacemaker is promoted as the Pulitzer Prize in high school journalism.” The only other time that the RM Highlighter won the Pacemaker award was in 2006, but has been a finalist for the award in 2007 and 2009. “When I got the text (that we won a Pacemaker), we just started yelling and screaming,” said 2010 graduate Greg Lewis, who served as co-editor-in-chief last year. “I’m really proud about it.” The award was announced in Kansas City, Mo., where seven of the RM Highlighter staff members accepted the award at the NSPA/ Journalism Education Association Fall National High School Journalism Convention. Wahlfeldt and his wife were also there with the students to accept it. “It was nice to have students there,” Wahlfeldt said. “In 2006, we didn’t take students. It was really good to have the students accept it.” According to the NSPA’s website, the newspaper was judged on the coverage and

Separate from page A1

of the girls in the room, the group contained members of numerous different religions. According to senior Elaina Trousil, who was a choir student on the retreat who did not partake in the prayer group, the girls circled up on one side of the room, held hands, cried and prayed about problems in their personal lives. “A lot of the girls who weren’t participating felt awkward with the situation and uncomfortable being around the open expression of religious beliefs,” Trousil said. According to Trousil, a non-participant even confronted some of the girls in the group, explaining the feelings of discomfort towards the situation. The next morning, the group continued their open expression of faith through song, by playing and singing spiritual music from their iPods. Rocky Mountain choir director Paul Falk said that the girls were taking out their Bibles and reading versus aloud to one another. “I felt like it was a good way for the girls to bond and share ideas and cultures with one another through friendly and welcoming communication,” Falk said. Three of the female chaperones knew about the group, but did not cease the open expression of religion. The rest of directors on the retreat were notified of the group the next morning, and were either aware of the singing or even witnessed it. Senior Kiersten Eden, who partook in the prayer group at first, ended up

“”

Looking Glass open for submissions The literary magazine The Looking Glass is now accepting submissions for the 2010-2011 issue. The Looking Glass In accepts submissions from every art including literary, musical, and visuals that students and teachers have created. Submissions will be accepted now until Feb. 11. See The Looking Glass adviser Sara Cummings for more details. Fahey Zink

Brief

content, the quality of writing and reporting, leadership on the opinion page, evidence of in-depth reporting, as well as a consistent and clean layout and design. According to NSPA, a total of 328 entries were submitted and 54 were named finalists. The RM Highlighter was among 27 winners from the finalist list. “It’s kind of surprising because the winning papers usually have a huge staff and overall better resources,” said senior Tess Halac, the paper’s current editor-in-chief. “It’s a long shot; even though we have a good paper, it’s just taking it to the next level. It’s a lot of work and it’s so cool to see that work rewarded.” Wahlfeldt has made a promise every year to the RM Highlighter staff that he would pierce his ear or shave his head if the paper took first in the state newspaper sweepstakes competition and won a Pacemaker in the same year. Since this feat was achieved by last year’s paper, Wahlfeldt went to Claire’s Nov. 28 to fulfill his promise. Wahlfeldt now wears a diamond stud in his left ear due to his staff’s accomplishment. “It was frankly embarrassing, but a promise is a promise,” Wahlfeldt said.

I feel more comfortable with people at my church. I can be more open because they have gone through the same things. I think people are just trying to find that in a school setting, as well.

discouraging the continuation of it when she realized the bad location and discomfort of the other girls. “I was comforting the girls on Saturday night when they were crying and stuff,” Eden said. “I told them it was cool that they were doing this (the prayer circle), and that there is nothing wrong with expressing their faith. However, when I heard that the other girls felt left out, I confronted them about it. It’s not a prayer circle, it’s a choir retreat.” Rocky Stocking Every year, Rocky holds a traditional concert normally taking place at the Lincoln Center, which celebrates the holiday season by presenting the musical talents of students. This year, due to the on-going renovation of the Lincoln Center, the mega-church Faith Evangelical Free Church, located off of Shields Street between Harmony Street and Horsetooth Road, offered to host the Dec. 6 Stocking in its large sanctuary. This correlates to the removal of church from public school because the church welcomed Rocky into their home and the school in return accepted the invitation. Like past Stockings held at the Lincoln Center, the concert was open to the general public and tickets were sold for the event.

Kiersten Eden, senior “If a venue is offering to let us play there, why wouldn’t we take advantage of it?” junior and Stocking participant Jazzy Schmich Kinney said. “Sure, I’m not planning to go to church this Sunday, but do I want to play music tonight? I damn well want to play.” Trousil not only attended the choir retreat, but was also a part of the Stocking. She agrees with Schmich Kinney in that it shouldn’t be an issue for the concert to be at a church. “I think its fine that it was at church,” Trousil said. “It was big enough to accommodate all the people that were there. And it was nice of the people who work at Faith E. Free to let us use their church.” The Stocking presents another question regarding the separation of church and state–the performance of religious songs at a school-sponsored activity. Like the venue, performing Christian songs had little impact on both Trousil and Schmich Kinney. “Singing religious songs in choir doesn’t bother me because the music is gorgeous, and it’s supposed to be about the music,” Trousil said. “You don’t have to believe what it is you are singing about.” Teaching Religion in School The struggle of separation of

Elaina Trousil

Celebrating RM Highlighter-style: RM Highlighter students (left) accept the Pacemaker award at the NSPA/JEA Fall High School Journalism Convention in Kansas City. RM Highlighter adviser Stephen Wahlfeldt winces as he gets his ear pierced. Wahlfeldt promised his staff if they ever won state and a Pacemaker in the same year he would get his ear pierced.

church and state is especially prominent in teaching in a classroom. There are a myriad of Supreme Court cases surrounding this issue. One landmark case was Engel v. Vitale (1962). In this cases, the justices determined it unconstitutional for state officials to compose an official school prayer and require its recitation in public schools. Another case was Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971). It was out of this case that the “Lemon test” was established, detailing requirements for legislation about religion. It stated that a government’s action must have a secular legislative purpose, its action neither advances nor inhibits religion, and must not result in an “excessive government entanglement.” There are no black-and-white answers to what a teacher can and cannot teach concerning religion. History teacher Kurt Knierim explained the difficulties of teaching religion without expressing voice or opinion due to these blurred lines. “It’s all about teaching what it is, rather than how it is,” Knierim said. Conclusion The separation of church and state debate will likely see no end. The blurred lines between the two make it hard to decided what is going too far and what is fair. What is undisputed, however, is that students will continue to seek out religious similarities with other students. “I feel more comfortable with people at my church,” Eden said. “I can be more open because they have gone through the same things. I think people are just trying to find that in a school setting, as well.”

Blood drive sees good turnout On Friday, Dec. 3, 50 people represented Rocky at the blood drive. Every year, a blood drive is held around the holidays. The blood drive had a great turn out and was very successful. However, this year, a blood drive competition will be held throughout Fort Collins in the month of April. People will be able to donate blood between 8 and 2 throughout the entire month of April. Geneva Mueller

Mary Willson

We Vant Your Blood: Senior Taylor Baird watches as she gets blood drawn. Baird was one of 50 participants in the annual blood drive.

Rocky Mountain Highlighter

Math from page A1 proficient or advanced, while 33 percent scored unsatisfactory on the math portion of the Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) in 2005. Last year, 39 percent scored proficient or advanced and 29 percent scored unsatisfactory. In 2005, 30 percent of 10th graders scored proficient or advanced and 32 percent scored unsatisfactory. Last year, 30 percent scored proficient or advanced and 31 percent scored unsatisfactory. Juniors and seniors do not take CSAPs. Males outscored females each year. “Whether intentionally or unintentionally, society sees guys as being more math or science people and then girls are more the English-type of people,” senior Jessie Croteau said. According to Science Daily, “stereotypes about female inferiority in mathematics are a distinct contrast to the actual scientific data.” It cited a study of nearly 70 countries around the world that revealed that boys and girls have similar achievement rates, but that girls often showed less self-assurance. This was less prevalent if countries did not put emphasis on gender differences and showed females as leaders. Math teacher and department leader Todd Pfeifer said he believes that gender stereotypes about math used to be more established, but are shifting each year. He said that he often sees an equal or greater number of girls in his classes. He also sees that scores are generally dropping. “Standards have changed here a little bit,” Pfeifer said. “I’m not the type of person who will point the finger and say ‘Hey, it’s the middle schools’ fault’ or ‘Hey, it’s the parents’ fault,’ but I do think that everyone in the middle school, in the high school, at home can do a better job of supporting kids and helping them value education more.” Pfeifer believes that as a state, students in Colorado don’t take the math CSAP as seriously as they should, which may contribute to lower scores. A lot of kids get into the mindset ‘Why care?’,” Pfeifer said. “I think that that’s the trap that we have fallen into, not only at Rocky, but at all the other high schools, in Poudre School District and across the state. Scores are low. I just think kids don’t care about the test. Kids could do better.” Math teacher Bob Haddad said he believes that another factor contributing to lower scores is that the culture of this country is one where kids get teased for scoring well, especially in math. “In other countries they take pride in academics,” Haddad said. “Here, we don’t have people saying it’s hard to read, but we do have people standing up and saying how hard math is for them. We don’t celebrate illiteracy the way we do

CSAP from page A1 of education on why they are important,” Assistant Principal Tyler Thomas said. “We are not asking kids anything but to try their best. It’s frustrating to see students choose to not come on test days or not try their best. They don’t realize that CSAP scores are now becoming transparent.” The problem currently being looked at is the lack of student academic growth in test achievement that has now caused the school to hit a flat line in the student learning and development. This growth illustrates an accurate measure of where the school stands academically and gives the public a quick snapshot of how the school is doing as a whole.

the inability to complete algebra.” Even students who perform extremely well in their math classes don’t put that same effort into the CSAP tests. Senior Caitlin Jones has completed all the math classes that Rocky www.schoolview.org offers and has addition- Years of Growth: Math CSAP scores are shown for freshman and sophomores in ally completed 2010. The model displays growth versus achievement in the tests. Introduction community looks at it. People who are in charge to Differential of funding look at it. That is one of the only Equations through CSU. snapshots that Rocky gets. Everyone should care “I find them (CSAPs) very boring,” Jones about that. We want to look good because we are a said. “They’re not at the same level as some of the good school.” classes I have taken, so I don’t really need to try, I Added Haddad, “You’re being asked to do two guess.” things: show what you know and do your best. Jones believes that students take tests such as Take some pride and ownership because we are all the ACT and SAT more seriously because they affected by it (CSAP scores).” have a more direct impact on students. Junior To combat the idea that math is too hard, the Brennan O’Grady added that students will often math teachers are looking at different possible hire tutors and put much more emphasis on the solutions. One is availability. They are available to ACT and SAT because they are important in help students before and after school, as well as determining what college a student will attend, during lunch. whereas CSAP scores are not. “I think that we are one of the hardest working “I don’t take it (CSAP) seriously because it’s departments in the building,” Haddad said. “We not effective in measuring my skill and what I’m are always with students.” currently learning,” O’Grady said. “When you They have also been involved in meetings with get to the higher level math classes, the geometry the administration in order to coordinate, work things (on the test) aren’t necessarily things that together and brainstorm solutions. you remember. For me, the SAT and ACT are One thing Pfeifer believes should change is the things that I am legitimately taking very seriously attitude that other teachers take towards CSAP. because they are a huge factor in determining He said that some teachers may speak negatively which colleges will take you.” about CSAPs and say that math is a hard subject. Math teachers at Rocky said they believe that He believes that kids will internalize that message the students have the potential to do much better and hopes that, instead, all teachers can encourage on the math sections of the tests; they just need to students to appreciate math and take their tests take the tests seriously. Math teacher Susan Chafseriously. fee said she believes that people have developed “The administration and everybody in the the mindset that math is too hard. math department really want to see a culture shift “Math has really gotten a bad rap,” Chaffee said. “Math has almost become like an urban myth at Rocky,” Pfeifer said. “Everyone is starting to value CSAP more and we are all in this together. that gets passed down that ‘math is so hard.’ Kids It is important to our school. And it is a direct hear that from their parents, the media, everyone, reflection of individual students, of math teachers, and so right off the bat this anxiety starts to add of Rocky. Speaking of the Lobo Way, I think the up.”’ The teachers have been working to get students Lobo Way is all about integrity and doing the right thing. That’s all we want is for students is to to look at the math CSAP as a valuable test. go into the test saying ‘I’m going to try my best.’ ” “It (CSAP) is important,” Pfeifer said. “The

The CSAPs are scored through a point system, ranging from one to four possible points. Students who have completed geometry by the end of sophomore year should successfully score a solid three to four points. The mystery that remains up in the air is the amount of successful, straight-A students who continue to produce poor results from the CSAP tests. According to the state legislature, it is now mandatory for schools to show student growth from the standardized tests. But if the amount of student participation on the tests is decreasing, it is overtly clear that the ability to know the real percentages of academic growth will also decrease. These flat scores are a primary

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News

February 18, 2011

Only minutes away from Rocky!

“”

CSAP test results and growth models will do nothing other than provide students with their own personal statistics and lead them into making the best decisions possible. Tom López, principal

statewide issue that has now reached a nationwide status, causing districts all over the country to take a second look at test-taking strategies. The newly created statistics model used by Poudre School District is not only a statewide growth illustration, but has now reached nationwide standards. In response to the insufficient capability to meet these student growth needs, scheduling changes may need to be made in future if the pattern on the growth model continues its rampant descending slant. “We are a high school where growth is huge,” Principal Tom Lopez said. “Many students don’t realize that the school’s average CSAP scores are publicized and are posted in the paper. Opting students out of the test is wrong; individual students will never stop taking standardized tests in their lives. As we are heading into a world of statistics and data, the CSAP test results and growth models will do nothing other than provide students with their own personal statistics and lead them into making the best decisions possible.” As Americans delve deeper into a world of more advanced technology,

America and the rest of the technological world have now begun to turn almost everything into statistics. Entering a world where everything society does is profiled, stored or put on file in some way or another, what has been created is not a setback, but an easier way of life focused on prioritizing, and maintaining information. Students not only can use the test results to benefit the academic choices they are planning to make, but they can also use them as a personal challenge for scholastic achievement in the rest of their high school career. This personal challenge is just one of many factors that fits into the primary characteristics of the Lobo Way. “We try to encourage students to be process-oriented, not result-oriented,” Social Studies teacher Satini Liufau said. “We want students to say, ‘Here is someone measuring me and measuring my community.’ It’s really a test of character and a test of culture. If we can help students understand that they are a part of something bigger, they will take the test more seriously and scores will be better.”

Tessting the Waters

Tess Halac

Spreading the word to end the word

Sticks and stones may break one’s bones, but words can break the heart. While this is a modification to the phrase, in my opinion it is infinitely more accurate. Words have a way of leaving invisible scars that cut deeper and heal slower than any physical harm could possibly do. My belief that words are the most powerful weapon has shaped a love for them; there’s nothing more beautiful to me than words strung together fluidly and articulately that give a fragmented thought profound meaning. However, I also have developed a distinct hate for certain words as well. My two least favorite? Gay and retarded. My dislike of these words do not stem from a hate of homosexuals or mentally disabled persons. My problem instead lies in a society that has so tarnished these words that they are now common adjectives to denote something derogatory. This generation often prides itself on its progressive ideals and accepting nature towards minority groups. However, nothing screams intolerant more than using these very groups’ titles as a way to criticize something. What surprises me most is that some of the most tolerant and accepting people I know continue to use them as terms as disparagement. This contradiction leads me to conclude that their ignorance and apathy drives their words rather than a pure unadulterated hate. While perhaps not as malicious, this type of usage is just as disgustingly untasteful. Firstly, this despicable word choice shows a complete lack of creativity. There are over 250,000 words in the English language. I’m sure at least 30 of them can be defined as something along the lines of stupid or dumb. If the only words you can think to describe a particular situation could potentially hurt and offend another group, I kindly suggest you go into your room, lock the door, start reading the dictionary, and don’t come out until you have a better grip on your vocabulary. I also think it is important to note the immense suffering minority groups and their loved ones endure when gay and retarded are used negatively. I have worked with both groups extensively through volunteering and can tell you honestly that some of the strongest, smartest, most inspirational people come from them. Both minorities have withstood plights that most of us don’t even dream of. Just because they aren’t a carbon copy of us doesn’t mean we can treat them any differently. It is not a moral issue; it’s a respect issue. The reason I specifically bring this up is because on March 3, the “Spread the word to end the word” campaign returns. Its specific goal is to end the use of the word retarded, but I believe it is just as applicable to the word gay. Together, we can stop using these words as a negative or even joking terms. I know we’re in high school and words sometimes slip, but I think if we work on this as a team, as a school, we can be successful in their elimination. Because to millions, the words “gay” and “retarded” are not just words, they are a life. Tess Halac is a senior and the Editor-in-Chief of the RM Highlighter.

The

Downfall of

Graphic by Jamie Woodward Photo used under Creative Commons licensing/courtesy of university. union, Rachel’s Secret and ﬁreballk2588

ion vis Te le

“I like it better now because it is more entertaining. It’s bad, but fun to watch.” | Luan Silva, 9

“It has gotten worse for society. I watch Teen Mom, but shows like Jersey Shore send bad messages and is worse for younger kids to watch.” | Alaina Gilbert, 10

innards or Lil’ Mama in the audience sucking on a paciﬁer. OK, I know a bunch of people can’t get enough of the wonderfully educational programs “16 and Pregnant” and “Teen Mom,” but really? Come on! It’s kind of sad, and rather bizarre, that we adolescents ﬁnd so much enjoyment in these inane programs. I don’t really know what to say, though. I’ve fallen victim myself to some of these shows, regrettably. “The Challenge,” for example, a riveting production featuring a bunch of high-strung manimals and ill-tempered women competing in physical battles to win a cash prize. Yes, Golden Globe material. I haven’t even mentioned “Jersey Shore.” I won’t insert my opinion here because it seems like every other person in the school is hypnotized by the antics of these “Italian” celebrities, but it is rather sickening to consider the amount of money they make for doing…whatever it is they do. The naysayers will argue and say “just change the channel!” and that is mostly what I do. I just wish the quality of content directed at my age group was more like the old days, when I wasn’t ashamed to be watching.

Room Raiders

Has MTV gotten better or worse than it once was?

Mu s

Ryan | Winter Commentary Let’s take a trip down ol’ memory lane. Remember, back in the day, when you would go home after a grueling elementary school day, turn on your analog cable television set and watch the music video countdown on MTV’s “Total Request Live?” Remember Carson Daly, the greatest TV personality/reality show host until Ryan Seacrest came along? He would interview such icons as *NSYNC, Britney Spears, Blink 182 and Limp Bizkit, while a hundred caterwauling adolescents on the New York City street pretended they could actually see their idols 30 stories above. Wait, can anyone even remember Limp Bizkit? Remember when shows like “Room Raiders,” “Next” and “Date My Mom” were the most scandalous programs on… TV really. Don’t you miss when MTV actually showed music more than just during the wee hours of the morning? Nowadays, the programs on MTV just don’t compare to what they were ﬁve or ten years ago. Perhaps we should petition to have the station renamed: Music Television is kind of absurd. Maybe “Mistaken Teen Values” or “Maddeningly Trashy Viewing” would do the acronym more justice. Of course, it doesn’t help when the channel actually shows something music related — the Video Music Awards — but all you remember is seeing Lady Gaga wearing a dress composed of animal

Vista

“Now it doesn’t ﬁt the name MTV because now the shows have nothing to do with music.” | Kelsey Cisarik, 11 Photos by Alex

MVHSEagleEye

The

A Ryan | Winter

Around this time every year, on a remote island in the Pacific Ocean, swarms of bull elephant seals swarm the beaches to contest an epic, life-or-death battle of male supremacy. The winners, of course, get to continue living, but the ultimate prize is the permission to mate with the females on the island. The champions earn the right to pass on their genes by proving to be the fittest specimens of the area. A few thousand miles to the east and several airplane refreshment refills later, a similar spectacle is unfolding at Mountain Vista High School. Hold it right there. I know where you’re going, and no, I was not referring to an adolescent, uproarious melee in the halls of our school, full of male students clamoring to secure dating rights. I was talking about college. It is that time of the year when the seniors at Mountain Vista compete with each other and with students across the country and world over that sacred acceptance letter to college. In a perfect world, everyone would get into whichever school they wanted, whether that be Colorado State, North Carolina or Harvard. As this is not the case, students unfortunately must contend with friends, foes and strangers in order to please admissions officers enough to get accepted.

College

Why so serious? While the elephant seal analogy may exaggerate the situation, it seems to me that the ever escalating pressure to go to the “best” school has created unnecessary tension and added to the already crammed stress-backpack riding the shoulders of most upperclassmen in the Mountain Vista hallways. The prospect of paying for a college education is

one of the biggest concerns. The continually skyrocketing costs of both public and private schools has added extra worry to kids to try to find scholarships and generous financial aid packages in order to pad their pockets and take a load off the checkbooks of the parents and themselves. Many kids are forced to take out loans to finance an education. Upon gradua-

tion, however, these loans burden the lives of students trying to start a career. College should not be a time of worry. It should be about the opportunity to find a passion and carry the hard work and preparation of an education into the working world. I am a believer that every college has something to offer no matter the size, location or selectivity. I

am sick of the stress and worry students place upon themselves to go to the best schools. The college experience will only be as good as the positive effort we put into it. Let’s not let the pressure of meeting inane expectations weigh down the real celebration of moving onto a new stage in life.

Showdown 12

eagle.eye december.13.2010 www.vistanow.org

Graphic by Tori Dorrell

I hate Douglas County voters. There, I said it. Go ahead and throw your tomatoes and empty Jamba cups at me if you want, but at least let me ﬁnish. Let’s back up a couple years, when every man and woman, parent and grandparent in Douglas County opened up their mailboxes and found a ballot for the November election waiting to be ﬁlled out. Of course, we all remember the historic occasion of this

election. Besides the certainty of a brand new president, the 2008 election featured an African-American on one ticket, and a woman on the other. But that’s beside the point. While Obama and McCain battled viciously across the country, there was a more local issue at hand, so local, apparently, that most adults in the county thought nothing of it. Does anyone remember the two little referendums

squeezed into the mass of political jargon called 3A/3B? All you voters had to do was say yes. Improved technology, new schools, the best teachers. Anything and everything was going to be done to assist the development of Douglas County School District. All you saw, I take it, was the tax increase. Yes, $10 a month (stiﬂe your screams) the district would charge you to improve the already stellar academic performance of DCSD. Ah,

rolling. Then the panic began. Teachers faced lay-offs, buried words like “tenure” and “performance” all of a sudden becoming holy grails to those who were able to stay. Class sizes gradually increased, with some even approaching 40 students. While helping to reduce costs of teachers and classrooms, huge classes don’t seem productive for either teachers or students. Of course, one good thing sprouted from all the negatives: the ability of students to leave

campus during lunch and off-periods. The off-campus success, in my opinion, overshadowed the budget turmoil last school year. But hold your horses. I haven’t even got to this year: “The year of the fees.” New charges for technology, increased fees for athletics and graduation (for seniors), and the usual costs of books and certain classes loaded parents’ checkbooks this year. I understand there are certain sports that need a higher budget than others (namely,

football). As a tennis player, though, a $150 fee seems pretty outrageous, considering we have to buy our own uniforms, there are no referees and only get a bus to three away matches (and no bus to bring us back). To what then, does this fee go? I’ll end with the bus fee, the icing on the budget cake. Honestly, paying to ride the school bus? Obviously, the district needs our help, but don’t go blaming them for the ridiculous policies governing our school. Blame

ignorance. The schools don’t need my money, you thought. Schlotzsky’s though… Hello! Hasn’t anyone ever heard the slogan, “Kids are our future?” Do you have any idea of the ﬁrestorm you created by checking the little box that said “no?” According to DCSD, district school population is expected to grow an average 2,000 students per year through 2012. The district also receives the lowest state formula per pupil

funding in the Denver Metro Area. Aha! I bet you didn’t know that. Douglas County, already low on funding, basically imploded when this bill did not pass. The ﬁrst things to go, if you can think back that far, were luxuries like colored paper and printing privileges and reductions in graduation credits (Public Speaking? Not important, I guess). Not exactly the same as, say, forsaking air or water, but these got the ball

Who to blame

eagle.eye november.03.2010 www.vistanow.org

Are you tired of hearing about budget cuts? Ryan | Winter

the people two years ago who didn’t know, or didn’t bother to understand the consequences of not passing 3A/3B. Conse-

quences we are all too familiar with, and tired of, today.