Lobo
Legend Conifer High School
10441 Highway 73, Conifer, CO 80433
Lobo Regiment Takes State by Storm
What’s Inside A Truly Haunted Storm Page 4
So You Want to be a Hero? Page 6 Just Keep Swimming Page 8
Photo By: Cooper VanAuken
Is Your Mom Dead? Page 9
Cooper Van Auken Reporter
tion played by senior, and orchestra first chair, Shannon Craig. In recent years, Conifer High School has formed a new tradiThe band entered semi-finals in 6th place. After an initial tion in the instrumental music department. This tradition is performance, they not only made it into the top 8 required to the Colorado State Marching Band Competition. move on, but jumped all the way to 4th place. Watching the For the students in band this involves missing a Friday of school, and staying overnight in a hotel. Band members spend performance and waiting for the results was stressful for band members and parents. “I’m not sure it was our best perforthe night bonding in small groups throughout the night in preparation for the performance. At bedtime, Hermanson and mance,” said pit section leader Maddy Kuhl. After this nerve-racking announcement the band is disthe seniors gather separately for a secret farewell ritual. The next day though, is all business, because the Lobos go to win. missed until the finals later that evening; in the meantime For the past several years the Lobo Regiment has traveled to band members decomp. Then they play a final performance to determine any the far off land of Colorado Springs to take the field at the Air change in position from the semi-finals. Just before the final Force Academy and compete to prove themselves against the performance senior Zach Bashaw had this to say, “I’m overbest marching bands from all over Colorado. joyed we didn’t get 10th again, so now we just gotta do our Every high school marching band is comprised of a band best. What happens, happens, and we’re just gonna leave it director and any external instructional staff they choose on the field.” to hire. This Staff includes drum line instructor Colin, pit While The Lobo Regiment didn’t jump any higher than instructor Sean, brass instructor Joe, and color guard instruc4th place, that was still the best they have ever done in state tor Cristian. Band director John G. Hermanson and his staff competition. “The one word I have to describe how I feel is select the music and choreograph the show, however they pride,” said band director John Hermanson, “it was really the take the students input into consideration. Below them are the student drum majors who are responsi- kids, they wanted it, they worked hard, and they got it.” After all of the 4A and 5A performances, all of the finalist ble for conducting the band in performance. The drum majors bands hit the field for the full retreat. This is a ceremony in this year were Peter Getz, a senior, and junior Riley Mack. which each band marches onto the field and then marchThen of course there is the main body of the band. ing band organization officials present awards to the drum The theme of this year’s show was “Cubic” and featured majors of respective bands. Afterwards all of the bands march large cube-shaped props. Some of these props doubled as off, pack up, and settle in for the long-awaited ride home. percussion instruments played by 8th graders interested in joining the Lobo Regiment. Another interesting aspect of this year’s show was the utilization of electric violin in the pit secDecember 2012 Volume 17 Issue #3
Killing the Critique Page 10 Prepping for Your Demise Center
Important Upcoming Events Dec 17-21: Finals Week 18th: Period 2,4 19th: Period 3,5,7 20th: Period 6,8 21st: Make Ups Dec 22 - Jan 8: Winter Break Jan 1st: New Year’s Jan 9: First Day of School - Silver Day Jan 16: Late Start Jan 21: No School MLK Jr Day Jan 23-26: All State Jazz Band Jan 23: Late Start