Issue 1

Wednesday October 29th, 2014

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Volume 17

Issue 1

EDUCATION IN THE 21ST CENTURY OPINION: What needs to be said about education in The United States by Oliver Ullman

century version of a lecture, even though teachers who use them still leave many kids ur education system is an old broken in their class just as bored after they finish with their slides. down Volvo and we’re trying to So how can we change this trend? To fix it with a paint job. Our teachchange the way our teachers teach, we ing methods remain rigid, even though flexibility is more important than ever. And have to change the way our students learn. Instead of learning what we learn just by hearing is useless to us as we teach “As other countries adapt information and writing it down we and learn in and evolve to find better need to make sure an uninspired that they can apply fashion. ways to educate their that information Where did it students we’ve stuck with in a hands-on, all go wrong? interactive enviThe truth the same system, and ronment. In a way, is, the United we’ve already done States’ educhanged only the this, but we’ve done cation system minor details.” it entirely in the hasn’t been wrong way. To meet heading in the standards, and to show ‘progress’, we’ll right or wrong direction: it’s been headhave ‘hands-on’ labs and activities, like in ed in no direction. Though we’ve gotten a class like science that end up taking days slightly better at how we teach, the way to explain a small amount of curriculum. we teach has changed too little too late, Think about the last time you did a lab in meaning that as other countries adapt science; was everybody in your group proand evolve to find better ways to educate ductive? How much of your time was spent their students, we’ve stuck with the same system, and changed only the minor details. Lectures, the most popular method of education, are reaching fewer and fewer students in a generation where a growing number of children are being diagnosed with attention deficit disorders. To give our schools partial credit, many have begun to realize the value Students performing coding functions, following along with Sue Johnson in her 3rd period Java class. Photo by John Honan learning of new technoloand how gy in fixing these much time was spent mindlessly doing? problems. Monarch itself is now very much Often all we do is look up the infora computer-oriented school, but instead mation or complete the instructions, and of using the new technology to create new then be told what we’ve learned. There methods of learning, we’ve tried to revive needs to be a better blend of self-learning and update our old methods and make and teaching in our schools, otherwise we them shinier. PowerPoints are just a 21st

Sophomore Marcus Cassar(left) and junior Geritt Duffy(right) working on a chemistry lab during Kathy Packard’s 3rd period Advanced Chemistry class. Photo by John Honan

throw ingenuity out the window. Schools also need to become more flexible in how they allow their students to learn, and how they prove their knowledge. Currently, people with learning disabilities get accommodations like extra time on tests or extended time on homework assignments, but that doesn’t address the real problem: some students just don’t learn the way everybody else does. Everyone in our school learns better in conditions that acknowledge their many quirks and habits, some students like a quiet room to be taught in while others revel in the energy of a loud one, or prefer self-teaching to being taught. Some students can learn a lot from group activities while others may find themselves spacing off. We have also known for a long time that almost everyone is either an auditory or a visual learner, meaning that someone may learn a lot more from hearing a lecture than by watching a powerpoint, and vice-versa. Obviously individually tailoring school for each student is ludicrous, but schools must allow more options for personalized learning and teach more effectively with it. If we allowed our students to take more control over their own education, we would instantly allow them to learn more eficiently. For example, just like certain classes

are advanced or regular, certain classes would allow more freedom than others. So, a student would be able to take a regular biology class, or take an ‘intuitive’’ biology class that would still include labs and dissections, but allow students to have more control over how they learn and how they demonstrate what they’ve learned. A student would be able to present a project through a speech, PowerPoint, or whatever method works best for him or her. Tests could also be taken orally or regularly since some students just don’t do well when they have to sit down and fill in bubbles for an hour and a half. Yes, our education system is evolving. And yes, some teachers are working to give freedom to students. But most of the overall changes we make are the wrong ones. Using technology for the sake of technology makes no progress for students, while hands on activities just end up taking too much time while teaching very little. Clearly what we need is to be more flexible. Some students may benefit from using computers in class while others may not be able to resist going on Facebook. Every change in education affects students differently, and until we end our one size fits all teaching styles, students’ full learning potential will be left untouched.

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FASHION AT MOHI

THIS ISSUE IN THE HOWLER...

How these German sandals are slipping on the feet of many at MHS

YOU ARE ONE OF 15

by Mckenzie Harris

“

Seriously? You’re wearing those???” Anyone who has ever worn birkenstocks has probably heard this and hopefully ignored it. Birkenstocks have been regarded as a fashion faux-paus strictly reserved for the fashion impaired, until this past year. From the high fashion runway to the halls of Monarch High School, Birkenstocks are seen almost everywhere this season. Birkenstocks are the perfect mix between comfortable and fashionable, making a perfect addition to anyones closet. Birkenstocks are basically a chunky sandal with a corkboard sole, they come in over eight hundred styles with just about every color imaginable. They have been on the market for over ﬁfty years and up until now, they have been overlooked. Birkenstocks have grown from being a shoe brand to a style in their own. “I like how diﬀerent they are. They just came back like last year and not many people have them yet.” said junior Megan Bellon. Senior Katie Battreal rocks her Cocoa Nubuck Arizona style

“We all played a role in moving to 5A, and that makes you play even harder for your teammates.” -Phillip Bubernak

Birkenstocks on a nice fall day. Photo by Mckenzie Harris

page 5 HOW THIS GOLDEN RETRIEVER MADE ITS WAY INTO MHS

Junior Megan Bellon wears her Taupe Suede Arizona Birkenstocks with colorful socks for the fall months. Photo by Mckenzie Harris

page 7 mhshowler.com

High fashion brands have caught on to this trend. Designers from Tori Burch to Céline, and even Christian Louboutin, have modiﬁed the traditional Birkenstock. Birkenstocks have even made an appearance at this years Mercedes-Benz fashion week in New York City and have been named by Vogue.com as “the must-have shoe” and well, you can’t get much more stylish than that. Not to mention that Kate Moss, Alexa Chung, both Olsen twins, and countless other fashion It-girls have been

photographed wearing these pretty ugly slip-ons. The slip on sandal has become the most adaptable piece in a woman’s closet. “They are very versatile you can wear them with any outﬁt, in any season. You cant say that about many other shoes.” Said senior Katie Battreal. Birkenstocks can be worn in the summer and converted to a fall stable by wearing them with socks. Yes thats right, socks with sandals. They are practical, stylish and just all around great!

NEWS

A MOUNTAIN OF MONEY How will the state’s largest school bond in history affect you?

by Matthew Keenan and Sam Wexler

576 million. The largest amount of money a school district has ever requested in Colorado history, and is the amount that will be given to the Boulder Valley School District if bond issue 3A is passed this election day. It will provide the district with the resources they many say they need to renovate, reconstruct, and replace buildings and equipment as well as other general improvements. A bond is when a company promises to pay back an amount of money to the government that it has borrowed and pays interest on that money. BVSD would be loaning funds from the government and the taxpayers dollars would supply the amount needed to repay the bond. The only opposition at this point has been because of the raise in taxes. There has also been talk about students and families who do not live in Boulder County, yet attend Boulder Valley schools. They would not have to spend a single penny on the improvements that are to happen. “BVSD a few years ago checked buildings and decided what needed improve-

ments. The state also did this and the statewide need was $15 billion dollars,” said Superintendent Bruce Messinger. “We are figuring out our part with this bond; some districts can’t even have this discussion because there is just no money.”The BVSD bond will bring improvements of all kinds to every school and site in the district, which includes major building renovations (even some completely new schools), upgraded in-classroom technology, as well as other perks in the kitchens and classrooms. Each one of these subtle upgrades will help boost the learning environments of the students, which can be greatly impactful on school performance. Classroom problems in the district include heating and air conditioning problems, and even go as far as to having asbestos in the walls. “I’m here almost more than I am at home sometimes,” said Monarch principal Jerry Anderson, “I know that [a student’s] environment can affect the way that they learn.” For Monarch High School, many significant advancements will be made to enhance students’ surroundings. This bond is directed towards bettering the overall

The Monarch weight room, one of the many areas in the school set to be improved with the $576 million bond. Photo by Sam Wexler

facilities of the school.Some of the more major things include a new roof, new gym bleachers and a new music area, and more security and innovative learning funds. “I fully support [the bond] because of the new additions for sports,” sophomore Maya Jennings said. “I think the best new thing is the field bleachers; they would be great for football and other sports.” Monarch’s athletic facilities will be greatly impacted as well; new bleachers, a press box, better fields and courts, a modernized weight room, an all-new fitness room, and

IN WITH THE NEW

by Emma Wolters

A get-to-know-you with four incoming teachers James Kelpy (Social Studies) Meghan Mosher (Science) How long have you been teaching? What surprised you about Monarch?

This will be my second full time year.

efore the 2014-2015 school year, Monarch hired an array of new teachers to help provide for Monarch’s growing population. A few of them shared their thoughts, stories, and opinions about teaching at Monarch.

Kim Palomaa (Math) This is my 5th year

I had heard nothing but good things, When I came to Monarch it surprised The number of students who love and I was really surprised at how they me how busy the halls were and how to have their cell phones out during many kids there actually were. Also lived up to all the stories I heard. the awesome school spirit in Monarch. class.

What’s your favorite thing about Monarch?

I’ve really enjoyed in the classroom student discussion participation is really high; it seems like kids really get into activities.

How would you describe the students here?

Super hard-working, really some funny kids, and adventurous as well. It seems like everybody’s doing something outside of school.

What’s your weirdest teaching story?

A student asked me if I could spit, and I said that I grew up on a farm, of course I can spit! He asked if I would enter a spitting contest, only to find out that they were talking about rapping or slam poetry. So yes I can rap a little, but not enough.

Describe yourself in a sentence.

I have been teaching at Monarch since the first day of school, but I was a student teacher here last fall.

many other upgrades will be implemented. The passing of this bond will improve all of the schools in Boulder Valley School District and is said to benefit all students in some way. Monarch High school will receive $9 million dollars in renovations and many improved facilities, the sixth highest amount among high schools in the district. Five hundred and seventy-six million dollars is definitely a lot of money for a district, but it will enhance the learning environments at schools all around the Boulder Valley School District.

Energetic.

Allison Boone (L.A.) I have been involved at Monarch as a student teacher, and a substitute since 2010. This is my first year teaching as part of Monarch’s lan-

I like how welcoming its been and how The math department. I love the My favorite thing about Monarch is teachers; they’ve been so supportive. the friendly MoHi community. supportive all the other teacher have been. Also how friendly everybody is.

The students are fantastic. They are very curious.

Last year when I was student teaching I had to video myself for a project and I had a sub that day and she had just moved to Colorado and was sitting in the back of the room and then all of a sudden my sub passed out. None of the kids noticed. I am very supportive and open, but I’m always looking for a new challenge and adventure. And I’m Canadian.

Passionate about technology, and The students at Monarch always I have one class in particular that’s impress me with their passion for and extremely hardworking and very commitment to their activities, sports, focused. A lot of students advocate forclubs, and favorite school subjects. themselves. I had a stapler that said one finger, 20 page stapler, meaning you could staple 20 pages with one finger, and I had a student who stapled his finger. That was pretty weird. He actually had to go to the hospital to have it removed. He never tried to staple his finger again. Quirky and passionate, about teaching, math, and life.

I would describe myself as a voracious reader and traveler who loves to experience these adventures with my family, and to share what I’ve learned with my students.

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A FOOL’S GUIDE TO ISIS What you need to know about the Middle Eastern militants By Brody Coronelli and Miguel Brache

What is ISIS? ISIS, or The Islamic State of militant extremists that aim to create a strict Islamic state across the Sunni areas of Iraq and Syria. They plan on doing so through abolishment of organized, democratic government in these areas. At heart, ISIS consists of aggressive groups of religious extremists that are currently pushing their conservative version of Islam upon the people of Syria and Iraq.

What is ISIS doing in the Middle East?

ISIS is spreading their control across Iraq as they are capturing an increasing number of Iraqi towns and villages. ISIS’ ultimate goal is to push the return of the Caliphate: A political system where the government is ruled by a group of religious scholars who are guided by the Caliph, the supreme leader. ISIS believes the Caliph’s ultimate duty is to enforce Sharia (Allah)’s law, and anyone who does not submit to its guidelines must die. Once in control of an area, the group forces their ultra conservative views of Islam on civilians. To enforce their authority in these towns and villages, the group has become infamous for brutal public executions and torture of those who spite them. Most widely recognized in the Western world, ISIS executed Steven Joel Sotloff and James Foley: Two American journalists. While creating militant chaos throughout Iraq, ISIS is also creating a network of severe media intimidation targeted at the rest of the world. The executions of these journalists, among others, were filmed for the world to see; a tactic meant to ensue fear in the Western world.

How Is ISIS Funded?

Along with their extreme views and expectations of Iraqi citizens, ISIS also stands as the richest terrorist group in the world. Most of this wealth stems from their vast oil smuggling network; it is estimated that the group makes an upwards of 2 million dollars a day. ISIS also receives financial support from many enthusiasts in Qatar and Kuwait, among other countries.

Shiite militiamen loyal to radical cleric Muqtada Sadr enter Amirli, Iraq, on Monday, Sept. 1, 2014, after helping to liberate the town from a nearly three-month siege by Islamic State militants. (Shashank Bengali/Los Angeles Times/MCT)

What’s the difference between ISIS, IS, and ISIL?

ISIS stands for the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. This title was shortened to IS, simply standing for the Islamic State, when the group elected their Khalifate. ISIL, as President Obama calls the group, stands for the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant; the Levant, a French phrase for “lands of the rising sun”, which refers to Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, and Jordan. Photo courtesy MCT Campus

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What is the world doing to combat ISIS?

What do we have to fear? Because of what ISIS has done, one might think the United States of America may be a bit frightened, but that is not the case. In the words of president Obama, “As Americans we do not give into fear. When you harm our citizens, when you threaten the United States, when you threaten our allies, it doesn’t frighten us.” Obama has issued a plan to strike ISIS with airstrikes in Syria, and both the House and the Senate have already signed off on the plan. While some are saying this will be America’s third Iraq war, during a speech President Barack Obama said that “The American troops deployed to Iraq do not and will not have a combat mission.” The United States is focusing more towards helping Kurdistan and other countries ready for a ground war. The US has also called upon several other

Photo courtesy MCT Campus

countries to help in the battle against the Islamic State, “American military power is unmatched, but this can’t be America’s fight alone.” said President Obama. So if the US is doing all that work to stop ISIS, what are other countries doing? There are about 40 countries at the time that are willing to join the US in a military effort against ISIS, but not many are ready to go to war. What many countries fear is that directly going into Iraq would create another Vietnam situation, where unfamiliarity with the area and long distances from resources could dramatically hurt militaries. Britain Prime Minister David Cameron stated “This is not about British combat troops on the ground, it is about working with others to extinguish this terrorist threat.”

Australia is sending military advisers to Iraq and is also willing to deploy several aircrafts and tanks, however they will not be providing any ground troops. Britain will help arm Kurdish forces and coordinate UN efforts, but they too are not providing any ground troops. France is funding several renaissance flights over Iraq, as well as providing 18,000 rounds of .50 caliber ammo to the Iraqi troops. Germany is taking a less militant approach on the matter, attacking the propaganda methods of ISIS in addition to making it illegal to fly black Syria flag. They are also providing military assistance to the Kurdish area as well as paratroopers who will offer training to those who wish to join the fight. Saudi Arabia has offered offered to train rebels on their soil. US wants them, Qatar, and Egypt to broadcast anti-ISIS messages also put $500million into UN efforts cutting off money flow. A less militant approach is being taken by many countries. The US is seeking Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt to broadcast anti-ISIS messages on television. The Netherlands are taking citizenship from anyone who assists terrorists, and Turkey is helping to cut flow the flow of money towards ISIS, as well as denying entry to thousands of foreigners looking to join the terrorists. Qatar is also providing several humanitarian flights, and Kurdistan is contributing ground troops and airstrikes.

SPORTS

TOGETHER, WE ARE ONE OF FIFTEEN

Monarch makes the move to 5A football together

TheMonarchfootballteamcomestogetheronelasthuddlebeforetherivalgameagainstFairviewhighschoolstarts. Photo by Jordan Kennedy

by Jordan Kennedy and Libby Bell

mbarking on their first attempt as a 5A competitor, Monarch High School’s Varsity Football program takes this move to heart. The team will “Accept the challenge with great pride and great motivation,” said Head Coach Phil Bravo. Every two years CHSAA does a count to re-evaluate current school’s standings for the following two years, which in football includes seven classifications ranging from six man football all the way to 5A. This season, for the first time, the Coyotes went up against opponents such as the Fairview Knights, Horizon Hawks and the Fossil Ridge Sabercats. Connor Fagan. For football, the lowest number to qualify for 5A football is 1,609 students. “This last October count we were at 1,624 students, which made us fifteen over the count, so that put us in 5A as one of the smallest schools in football,” Bravo said. With this small number having such an extensive impact on the football program, Coach Bravo decided to put an emphasis on this. The concept “One of Fifteen” was created. Wristbands and game undershirts were created displaying the “XV” symbol. “We challenge them to everyday come out to the field and remember that they are one of those fifteen guys” Bravo said. “Everyone is one of fifteen” said senior and captain Bruce Oliver. As players, this concept gives a common thread to the spread of grade levels that are represented throughout the football team. From freshman to seniors, this approach touches everyone. “Being one of fifteen means being part of a special team that made the breakthrough to 5A and it also shows how close we are as a team,” said junior Quarterback

Zack Berohn. Even as a new player of the team, freshman Ernesto Chavez recognizes that being the smallest team in this division requires the maximum level of dedication. “We always work our hardest for each other,” freshman Ernesto Chavez said. As the season starts to wind down, reflecting on both wins and losses, the team has pulled together. “There is so much motivation that comes from knowing that every kid on our team is in this together. “We all played a role in moving to 5A, and that makes you play even harder for your teammates,” said senior and captain Phillip Bubernak. These boys now have an even stronger connection and a “strong support of teammates and peers in and out of the classroom” senior Hugh Bent said. Working their hardest everyday, pushing themselves at games, it paid off. “Every day, every one of them counted” Bravo said.

HeadcoachPhilBravoproudlyholdsupthe“XV”wristband.Thewristbandswere givenouttoeverymemberoftheteamandthemanyplayerswearthemeveryday. Photo by Libby Bell

Opposing

Home

McArthur(FL) 7

Monarch 45

Standley Lake 7

Monarch 43

Poudre 7

Monarch 2

Mtn. Range 21

Monarch 35

Fairview 35

Monarch 10

Fossil Ridge 29

Monarch 28

Horizon 22

Monarch 29

Above:Seniorcaptain,ChadSloan,looksonashisfellowcaptainsPhillipBubernak,JacksonStephens,BruceOliverandMichaelMcCruddenwalktowardthecointossinMonarch’sgameagainstFairview.PhotobyJordanKennedy

Legacy 28

Monarch 21

Left:SeasontotalsasofOctober27.MonarchwillcompeteinplayoffsagainstRegisJesuitonFriday,October31.

Rocky Mtn 31

Monarch 7 mhshowler.com

ATHLETE’S SWEET TOOTH

Giving the OK to sugar in athletics by Rachael Jacobs

appy Halloween runners, swimmers, football players, cheerleaders, and gymnasts, ect.! With the temptation of all things sweet around this time of year, you will find it hard to drag yourself away from the candy corn. After all, sugary things don’t do anything but harm to your body, right? Wrong. A quick treat will do the trick if you need a little energy before a game or meet. Heidi Skolnik, a nutritionist who works with dancers at the School of American Ballet, says that even a handful of jelly beans will give you the boost you need. Sophomore Holly Bent, a runner, watches her diet in order to get the nutrients she needs. “With the amount of running me and my teammates do, you have to be eating a lot of food, a lot of protein” Bent said. Runners need protein because it helps to build the muscles that runners need. Meat is a well-known good source of protein. Good examples of other sources of protein are certain dairy products and even vegetables.

Sophomore Jake Kreiter drinks chocolate milk after his hockey games to get protein. “After a game or practice I usually eat more protein to rebuild my muscles. Protein shakes, chocolate milk, all good food,” Kreiter said. Many athletes have a pre-game ritual, sometime superstitious, but mostly to get their body prepared for what’s ahead of them. “My pre-game ritual includes basically music and apples with peanut butter,” sophomore volley ball player Paige Stockebrand said. If you know that you’re going to play the entire game or you are going to be on your feet for more than 15 minutes, this kind of snack will be perfect for you. However, if you know you will be swimming for about a minute and then waiting more than 30 minutes for your next race, a Starburst or two a couple minutes before your race will be the perfect amount of energy. So don’t shy away from snagging a few treats this Halloween.

Stockebrand “treating” herself with a Rice Krispie Treat at the MHS Student Store. Photo by Rachael Jacobs

ATHLETE OF THE MONTH Meet MHS athlete of the month, Holly Bent by Casey O’Keefe

eet Holly Bent, a Monarch High school sophomore whose passion for running has always been second to none. Bent started running during the summer before her freshman year, and was introduced to the sport by a friend. Over time, she quickly realized she had a passion for the sport, and her determination only grew stronger to become the best athlete she could be. “I love running because no matter what emotion you go into a run with, you come out with a feeling of accomplishment and happiness,” said Bent. Recently, Holly and her team won at a Colorado regional meet and will be competing at state on Saturday, the 25th. When asked to describe herself using one word, her response was, “”passion”, I believe you should care about what you do, that you need to give everything your best effort, and that applies to me both inside and outside of running.” Last Saturday, October 25th, the girl’s cross country team placed 2nd as a team at state, while Bent succeeded in reclaiming 4th individually throughout Colorado. Bent’s fierce desire to become the best athlete she could be, and overall passionate personality, are what makes her, the athlete of the month.

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Monarch high school girl’s cross country runner Holly Bent runs in a race during a meet. Photo by Bob Fuchs

FEATURES

MONARCH WELCOMES SERVICE DOG Girl’s best friend is girl’s best helper by Anna Blanco with Camila Cabrera

or the first time, Monarch is hosting a service dog, named K.B, a service dog belonging to freshman Jaden Rivera. Given to her by Kiwanis, a program for children who need service dogs. He was the blondest Golden Retriever, and that is where he got his name, which stands for Kool Blondie. Rivera has a service dog to help her with monitoring her blood sugar, since she has type one diabetes. “I got him almost two years ago,” Rivera said. This is the first year that K.B is allowed to attend school with her because he is now certified. “Though he wasn’t certified, he could go to restaurants and to the mall with me even when he was a puppy, because he needed to be social with people,” Rivera said. The process to obtain a service dog is quite lengthy.“There’s so many things that you can have a service dog for, but it has to be really meaningful to your health,” Rivera said. Once it is clear that someone needs a service dog, they have a home visit, and if they are approved, they get a puppy at seven weeks old, and train it on their own. Regardless of what you need the service dog to do, the first step is always obedience training, which includes the basic “sit, stay” and “down” commands. Once they are trained, they move on to scent training if they are being trained to help someone with diabetes. “It’s kind of complicated, but I show him my blood strip, the test strip, and he smells it. Then if it’s low, he’ll

Rivera and K.B. sit and enjoy their lunch period together. Photo by Anna Blanco

bark, and if it’s high, he’ll whine, but if it’s normal he won’t do anything,” explained Rivera.This indicates that either Rivera has to drink some juice to raise her sugar level, or give herself an insulin shot to lower her sugar level. The golden colored, long-haired K.B. has grown up with Rivera for two years now, being trained from the moment he was recieved. After the one year and eight months it took to finish, he is now a fully trained service dog. As a fun but important trick K.B. also knows a skill that not all dogs do. “He just goes and finds my meds; it;s like hide and seek,” Rivera explained. Though some people train service dogs individually, there are organizations that train dogs for other purposes as well. Service dogs may be used in many other cases as well. Some service dogs assist the deaf, and some are alerting dogs, who can sense things such as epileptic seizures or panic attacks. Paulette Foss is the Northern Area Resource Coordinator for the American Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired of Colorado (ACBCO). She is visually impaired, and has a guide dog named Aries, a 13 year old Yellow Labrador. The training for guide dogs starts in the same way that training for service dogs starts; with obedience training. Then, they move on to learning how to lead someone. “They have them do something, and when they do it right, they get praise. Now their training with kibble at our school,” explained Foss, “If the dog is misbehaving, you simply stop, you don’t talk to them, you don’t do anything; you just stand there. Sooner or later, the dog gets the message.” There are 13-14 accredited guide dog schools in the United States and Canada. There are many different breeds that can be service and guide dogs. The larger breeds, such as Golden Retrievers, Labradors, and German Shepherds are often used for guide dogs because of their size and their calm, sociable nature. If a dog is too small, the harness handle used by the visually impaired can be adjusted to a certain extent, but it can not be extended far enough for a smaller dog. The smaller breeds however, may be used for other services, such as alert dogs. “They can alert at any size. Any dog can do that, so it doesn’t have to be any particular breed. It can be large, small, or in between,” said Foss. In order for someone to have a guide dog, they have to have good Orientation and Mobility skills. Contrary to what some may believe, guide dogs don’t actually know where they are going. It is the

Rivera and K.B walk out to their usual lunch spot on campus. Photo by Anna Blanco

Rivera. job of the handler to know where they Although having a service dog need to go, and give commands to can be fun, it can also present some the dog such as difficulties.“If one of “right”, “left”, “He is super sweet, he my friends is allergic and “forward.” to dogs, I can’t go over think’s he is a lap dog. He’s “The dogs to their house, because are only there to really good, very smart, and he is supposed to go keep you safe,” everywhere with me,” said doesn’t misbehave.” said Foss. This Rivera. In such instances, does not mean -Jaden Rivera Rivera will meet her that service friend in a park, and let and guide dogs K.B play in the grass. are guard dogs; their purpose is to During school, K.B.’s job is to be keep their handler safe from everyday with Rivera, and help her monitor her things, such as cars in the street, or blood sugar levels. In class K.B. simply notify them if a danger they aren’t sits underneath the desk Rivera is aware of presents itself. “They can be sitting at. He doesn’t make any noise, trained for many things, but that is the and doesn’t distract other students. whole point, they have to be trained,” “She has to sit by somebody who explained Foss. the dog knows, because he’s more K.B wears a blue service dog vest comfortable that way, so she sits close when he is on duty, which is in public to people she knows. She sits kind of in places. When he is wearing the vest, the back so people don’t see him,” said it is very important that he be left Melissa Vass, Rivera’s math teacher. alone. “You can’t pet him because he’s “The other day I walked past and I working, and he has to focus on me was talking to Jaden, and he licked my rather than other people,” said Rivera, toe, that’s the only way I knew he was “he goes shopping, [to] birthday there. That’s the only interaction I’ve parties, he goes everywhere.” K.B is had with him. He’s a really nice dog.” not always on duty, but when he is not Many people are curious about the working, he is still aware of Jaden’s service dog wandering the halls, next needs. to Rivera. She is open to answering any “When we go home and take off the questions that students have about K.B. vest, he’s a completely different dog. “Come up and ask me, I am totally an He’ll be a puppy, he’ll start playing open book. Whatever questions [you] with toys. But when you put the vest have for me, I can probably answer back on, he’s very in tune with what them.” he’s supposed to be doing,” explained

Graphic by Anna Blanco

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Celebrating the wonder of costumes this week and any week WHAT COSTUME WILL IT BE THIS YEAR?

Social Studies teacher Kristen KerrGannon dresses up as James Madison for Constitution Day. Photo Courtesy of Matt

Flashback to October 31st, 2005. It was a complete disaster. You grimace as memories of candy corn barf and terrifying eighth graders flood back into your mind. And as you look at yourself in front of your mirror on Halloween night, 2014, you think, maybe Mom was right. I should not have tried to fit into my ladybug costume I wore when I was seven. As we grow older, our idea of Halloween grows with us. It’s perfectly okay to reminisce on our favorite costumes like junior, Garyn Grace does when she takes a flashback to one of her favorite Halloween costumes. “I was Elvis in the fourth grade… not really sure how that came to be,” said Grace, talking about her one of a kind costume which included a full jeweled jumpsuit and fake plastic Elvis inspired hair-piece. Of course, dressing up for

Halloween usually involves into a pair of cat ears and a black tank top, but to others it’s a sacred tradition to be kept throughout generations. “I come from a long line of costume wearing family members” said Social Studies teacher Kristin Kerr-Gannon. “My mom thought it was delightful to try to embarrass me by showing up in public in really goofy costumes. So she would get me at the airport in a gorilla costume, or she would show up to school to pick me up with all the other parents dressed like a witch, cackling,” Kerr-Gannon said.

“Wearing little kid costumes brings back memories of being the last one on the block trick or treating and ﬁlling up pillowcases full of candy,” said junior Casey O’Keefe Photo by Ali Harford

ARE YOU READY FOR HALLOWEEN? The Ultimate Halloween Checklist Have a bonﬁre telling scary stories with your friends Eat an entire bag of candy corn Thoroughly make sure your costume is in check

Only eat Halloween-themed food (hot dogs aren’t actually hot dogs; they’re witch ﬁngers, and that ‘orange juice’ you’re drinking is really a love potion. Pick me up at 7. You’re paying for dinner.)

Have a scary movie marathon on ABC Family

Decorate the house with construction paper spiders (“It’s not trash, Mom!!!”)

Carve a terrifying pumpkin

Listen to Halloween music Become really inspired to throw a Halloween party, and then remember that throwing a Halloween party is not something you could pull oﬀ Go to all of the haunted houses on the block (Terror in the Corn, The 13th Floor, etc.) Go to the pumpkin patch and bring home the biggest pumpkin Buy some sort of clothing with a skeleton on it.

WHAT IS YOUR TRUE COSTUME? Which costume speaks to you?

a) Animal b) Don’t dress up at all c) Something Punny (‘smartie pants’) d) Movie or book character e) Typical Halloween (witch, zombie, ghost)

What is your favorite Halloween candy? a)Candy Corn b) Raisins c) Skittles d) Hershey’s Kisses e) Giant candy bars

How do you carve your pumpkin?

a) Triangle eyes, triangle nose, mouth with one tooth b) Make it look like your pet c) With the words ‘Happy Halloween!’ d) Paint, instead of carving e) Huge detailed spider

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PLAYING THE PART

It’s the zombie apocalypse. What’s your method of self-defense? a) Hiding b) Fighting with a sword c) Booby trapping the house d) Getting your hands on a really fast car e) Getting an attack dog and a crossbow

Favorite scary movie? a) Scream b) Blair Witch Project c) Sinister d) As Above So Below e) The Grudge

What are you most scared of going wrong when you’re camping? a) Phone runs out of batteries b) Running out of food c) Stepping on a rattlesnake d) Not having the best tent

If you answered: 3 or more ‘A’s, your true costume is an animal. 3 or more ‘B’s, you shouldn’t dress up! 3 or more ‘C’s, your true costume punny. 3 or more ‘D’s, your true costume is a movie or book character. 3 or more ‘E’s, your true costume is a typical Halloween costume: witch, zombie, ghost, etc

Junior Victor Brugal shows oﬀ the costumr closet in the theater department. Photo by Elaina Funk

The Art of Acting: dressing up and perfecting a fake British accent in order to convince people who you’ve met before that you are not, in fact, Jeremy-who-failed-the-science-quiz, but Mr. Poppleton, one of the richest men on Earth who will fall in love with peasant girl Claudia, who actually turns out to be an assassin, who was paid to kill you but her love for you overcomes that, and in the very end, you turn on her because actually, the whole time, you were John Powder, the evil scientist. Or, for short, The Art of Acting: how to put on a killer costume. Because, let’s be real, no one is going to believe that you’re John Powder acting as Mr. Poppleton unless you’ve got a fancy suit and a pair of old man glasses. Junior Victor Brugal is the self---proclaimed “costume God” in the theater department at Monarch. “My favorite thing [about making costumes] is being backstage and watching people walk onstage during shows and thinking, ‘if it wasn’t for me, they wouldn’t look this good.’” He has been working on theater costumes for a year, and he says that the costumes have an extremely important role in the show, since the costumes help their performers. “Actors need to look the

part to play the part,” said Brugal. “They want a costume that portrays who they’re playing.”

The Howler gets a sneak peek of the behind-the-scenes in the costume room in the theater department. Photo by Elaina Funk

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OPINIONS STUDENT SOAPBOX

What is your favorite Halloween costume? by Sam Wexler

alloween is nearing and the hunt for a crazy costume is on. Everyone at MoHi wants to dress to impress every October 31st, and in order to do that, one must have THE best costume on the block. What do your peers and teachers think is the best costume they have ever seen? Well, you have come to the right place. In the inaugural Student Soapbox of the MHS Howler, we went in search of people who have seen some crazy costumes, and this is what we have found.

he web has become a place for an extravagant amount of knowledge, a hub for cat videos, and a way for people to connect with old friends. We do this all on a daily basis without stopping to consider what kind of information we put out there. The routine of plugging in your first and last name, handing out your email, creating passwords, and telling your birthday barely makes a dent in our mind. We store entire identities in the cloud, everything that anyone would ever want to know about you is all right there in a couple keystrokes. The open net is just part of our everyday culture. But what are we actually putting there?

Jackson Risi, holds a hefty bag of candy while dressed up for Halloween as a battery. photo coutesy Margretta Risi

Laith Elnasser, Junior “The best Halloween costume I have ever seen was probably a banana suit because it was really funny, the banana suit was just on point” Kathy Packard, Chemistry Teacher “Ok, so, the best Halloween costume I’ve ever seen is when I was a kid someone dressed up as Sweet-ums from The Muppet Show. Sweetums is the great big monster with the great big head who wears a bunch of rags and stands about 6 foot 8 and he was just walking around the street and it was the best costume I’ve ever seen”

See this step-by-step guide on how to make your own Muppets costume

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Recent celebrity scandals leave internet users on edge by Andrew Patra

Madison Risi, Sophomore “My brother was a battery one year because he saw the commercial with the Energizer bunny and he wanted to do something with the battery but not be a pink bunny. So, he literally got building material and wrapped it around him and cut out arm holes and wore a battery hat, It was so funny!”

photo courtesy Margretta Risi

YOUR DATA IS UNSAFE, AND WE DON’T CARE

Think back to the photos you posted on Facebook a few weeks ago, or the post on Tumblr that has now hit a couple hundred notes. Do you remember what that photo was? Did you think that many people would actually see that post? Doubtful. It just goes to show how out of hand things could get once a posting has hit the internet. You didn’t think so then, but that photo from the beach may have been rather risqué. Well now that really creepy guy your mother warned you about before playing Club Penguin all those years ago is rejoicing. Now he’s following you home. Okay, maybe that’s an exaggeration but you get my point. The larger society doesn’t care until it’s too late. A few weeks ago, numerous celebrities had their supposedly safe iCloud accounts hacked, releasing their intimate photos across the internet. These included images from Hunger Games star Jennifer Lawrence and Sports Illustrated model Kate Upton. This resulted in the uproar of hundreds upon thousands of people wondering if their personal photos were safe. Today, very few people think about it. In one ear and back out the other. They now think that it was only because the victims were celebrities and such a thing would

never happen to me. There is a strange thing people overlook: it’s not about the photos, not about the accounts, instead it’s our mentality. We think (read: pretend) that our data is on this completely safe, unbreachable cloud server. In reality it is not. Thousands of people use “Password1” or “12345” as their passwords. You don’t need to be a hacker to break into those accounts. But those of you that use complex passwords such as “CDHHAhfhjvdjXH67” are still at risk. In the case of the leaked photos, hackers used a code that automatically accessed passwords by using the iPhone’s Find My iPhone feature, easily accessing their data. Your information is not safe on these so called “secure servers”, but hey, Apple called them secure so they must be, right! Right? Nope, wrong. While in this case it was Apple, they aren’t the only ones. Home Depot was recently breached, a while back it was Target, and those are far more serious. We have become too trusting of a username and password, too trusting of what the corporations tell us, and too naive in believing that something bad could possibly happen to us. We no longer are careful about what we post in the internet or what we store on the cloud. So you may read this and think about what you are putting on the internet, but change isn’t going to happen instantaneously. More likely you are going to go right back to sharing those photos with “someone you trust” or uploading that risqué blog post. Tomorrow, this may all just be another “inconsequential” moment in the world of open data.

FEMINISM

What it is, and why we need it by Elaina Funk

ontrary to popular belief, feminists are not angry man-haters who want to have a complete social hierarchy swap between genders. While unfortunately that’s what most people truly understand about it, feminism is what I believe to be a necessity of the 21st century. Beyoncé, Emma Watson, Rihanna, Marina and the Diamonds: all well known feminists in current media who have spoken out for their cause, and are proud of what they stand for. These are all women who have not only gone against the grain of society, but, stood up for the people who don’t have as loud a voice as they do. They all pursued to make a change in the world, and yet are constantly pushed down in society as “Man-Haters”. I believe that what most people don’t understand while pushing down these women is the most basic component of the argument, the definition. Feminism is all about the advocacy for women’s rights, and pursuing a society where women and men are equals in both the social and work environment, It’s by far one of those words that conjures up a different meaning for everyone due to its root word, female. I can’t stress enough my feelings about the misuse of the word, by placing it in a sentence where feminism is equal to the belief that a woman is superior to a man. The way people use the word by defining it incorrectly makes me have to hold myself back from going on a five hour lecture. Looking back at the most recent 2014 VMAs this past August, Beyoncé Knowles gave a goosebump-raising performance including songs from her most recent album such as “Drunk in Love” and “Surfboard.” While the outstanding closing performance would have made its mark in history by itself, ‘Queen B’ decided to throw in what is probably the most public way of telling the world you support equal rights, by standing powerfully in front of bold letters reading ‘Feminist.’ This was such a bone chilling performance for me, because seeing someone that so many kids look up to (as well as numerous teens and adults) publicly put her voice into the world with such confidence is such an eye opener to the world. I know for me, being someone who grew up listening to Beyoncé, this performance really changed things for me and my idea of feminism being okay. Earlier this summer, actress Emma Watson was named the U.N. Woman Goodwill Ambassador, delivering an astounding and empowering speech addressing the gender politics of the recent celebrity nude hack involving big stars such as Jennifer Lawrence and Kate Upton. The Harry Potter star preaches in her speech, addressing the use of the word in

What Google shows when you search “feminism”.

today’s society. “Why is the word such an uncomfortable one? I am from Britain and think it is right that as a woman I am paid the same as my male counterparts. I think it is right that I should be able to make decisions about my own body. I think it is right that women be involved on my behalf in the policies and decision-making of my country. I think it is right that socially I am afforded the same respect as men. But sadly I can say that there is no one country in the world where all women can expect to receive these rights.”

I decided I was a feminist and this seemed uncomplicated to me. But my recent research has shown me that feminism has become an unpopular word. -Emma Watson

A few weeks after Watson delivered this speech and started her own campaign, #HeForShe (that supports women’s rights), numerous threats were directed toward Watson reportedly claiming that they were going to release her nude pictures. Of course, the entire situation was a hoax, but, still rambled up much hatred between many feminists and numerous “Hacker Groups” or ‘Internet Trolls.’ This goes to show that the unpopular word has confused many people, and hopefully soon, the misconception will be put to rest as more and more realize that the movement isnt against men, it’s for basic human rights.

WHY WE NEED FEMINISM: • A woman is paid $0.77 for every $1.00 a man makes. • A woman should have just as much potential to move on to higher opportunities as a man. • A woman should not be frowned upon for the decisions she makes about her body. • A woman shouldn’t be told how to dress, behave, and how to live her life. Check out Emma Watson’s #HeForShe Campaign at www.HeForShe.org mhshowler.com

STAY AT HOME DADS The controversy behind the “typical” American family by Daisy Fuchs

n the 1950’s the “classic family” was a father who went to work every day, a mother who took care of the home and family, and typically two children (very often a boy and a girl). Now, we all know that even for the ‘50’s that is an extremely broad generalization and it is even more glaringly obvious that the “classic family” is no longer the norm today. In this day and age, there are many different family structures, each with its own benefits. One variation on this that is often not considered is the mother working and the father staying at home. In common family structure either the dad or both parents work. I do not know how many times I have been asked “What does your dad do?” and I have had to explain that my dad is a stay-at-home dad and that his job is to take care of my brothers and me. This is not typical at all and often raises some eyebrows. There are a couple of stereotypes that often come with this that are totally and utterly false. The first of all, stay-at-home dads cannot work or are less suited for women than their spouse for some reason, whether that be because they lost their job or don’t have a college degree. Here is the truth: that is not the case, nor is it the case for stay-at-home moms. Parents they will very often make the choice to have one parent stay home and be the primary caretaker for their children.

Before I was born my dad was a chemical engineer. In my case, the time I was born it made more sense for my dad to take care of me than it would for my mom simply because of logistics. Another stereotype is that stay-at-home dads (or stay-at-home parents in general) do nothing all day. For children seem this way because we do not see all that our parents do for us. In reality, they do a lot. Stay-at-home dads perform all of the classic stay-at-home mom roles along with the classic “man” roles. For instance, they still keep the house clean, do grocery shopping, and shuttle children to their various activities, but they also have to deal with fixing items around the house like windows or lawn mowers. I find that because I have a stay-at-home dad, many of the jobs that a lot of people would hire another person for my dad ends up doing himself, therefore taking on more work as well as saving our family money. The final misconception about stay at home dads is that they are not as capable of being caregivers as women. This is absolutely false. Yes, it is not the same but a dad is still able to be there when something goes wrong. I have experienced such extreme assumptions of this that I have had the school nurse repetitively ask to speak with my mom when I was sick because she thought that the mom was the person who should

be taking care of the sick child, not the dad (at the time my mom was on a work trip). Never has it been a problem that my dad is not caring enough or capable enough to care for my siblings and I when we are ill, injured, sad, or have tragic events such as a pet dying. Stay-at-home dads are just as capable as a stay-at-home mom would be. This all being said, there are differences when you have a stay-at-home dad rather than mom. One example of this is that when I was younger I would want to wear

pigtails to school and I would ask my dad to do my hair for me. This was a slight challenge considering that my father is bald. These differences are more pronounced because my mom also travels so a lot of the time it was just my dad, brothers, and I. As in any family, there are the harder moments along with the good. Each family has their struggles and triumphs and I know that through thick and then my dad will always be there to take care of me.

Little brother, Calvin Fuchs, and my dad, Bob Fuchs, look out across Seattle from the top of the Space Needle. Photo by Daisy Fuchs

UPS & DOWNS: OCTOBER by Kenna Early icons by Kenna Early and Natalie Forman

69 year old man in Florida has spent the last ten years of his life collecting pocket change. Today he has $21,495 in coins saved in old jars that weigh over one metric ton total. Rick Snyder then decided to donate all of it to the Gulf Shore Animal League, an organization that spends most of their time dealing with cats. That’s a lot of money to spend on some kitties. Anyone else would have cashed it in for, well, cash. Now there’s a saint for the cats. According to The Wall Street Journal, there’s going to be a new movie coming out, it’s a live action “Tetris” film. No one knows many details yet, but it’s sure to be… entertaining. All people know is that there’s “Tetris” shapes falling from the sky. Is this some kind of end-of-the-world scenario? It doesn’t even have a director yet, just a script. There’s no way anyone will take it seriously, the movie industry really is running out of ideas. For those who’ve heard about the Bendgate issue, when the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus bent in people’s pockets, there is now a Hairgate issue. Apples most recent product is said to be catching hair between the glass and aluminum of the phone and pulling it out. Some suggest that the phone was a secret plot to get people with beards to shave. These new iPhones seem to be more trouble than they’re worth. A woman from Georgia was accused of having methamphetamine in her car after police found a strange substance on a spoon in her purse. She went to jail for a month while the substance was analysed. It turned out that it was just the sauce from a can of SpaghettiOs that she had been eating in the car. So next time a can of SpaghettiOs comes your way, don’t leave anything on your spoon. In New York there’s a new record breaker for the western hemisphere: the 432 Park Avenue skyscraper is 28 feet taller than One World Trade Center. Eighty-nine floors of skyscraper. Some think that the tower is an issue, that it ruins the look of New York. Others think the skyline is better off. When will the climbing stop? Higher and higher, where it stops, only gravity knows At a Delaware daycare, a 4-year-old was found giving out 249 packets of heroin to the other students. A young drug dealer? Not really-- she thought that the heroin was candy. Her mother had given her a backpack that contained the drug after the child’s original one was ruined. The mother is now separated from her children for maintaining a drug property. Innocence is so sweet, yet so corruptible.

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Up and away!

Balloon Boy writer discusses his award-winning musical

By Samantha Thompson

ive years ago, a Fort Collins family reported that their six year old son had floated away on a helium-filled balloon and was heading towards the Denver International Airport. The world watched the news intently, worried for the boy’s safety. When the balloon finally landed however, rescuers found it empty and discovered that the boy was simply hiding in a crawl space during the entire incident. Soon authorities questioned the family, learning that it was all an elaborate publicity stunt to put them in the spotlight. Now, five years later, the balloon boy hoax is taking place once again right here on the Monarch High School stage as a musical. Not only that, but the brains behind it all is Billy Recce, a 17 year old high school student from New York, who started writing the production in the seventh grade, and Monarch is the first to perform his finished and final version, Balloon Boy: The Musical. Email Q&A with writer Billy Recce Four cast members at a rambunctious rehearsal of Balloon Boy: The Musical. Left to Right: Maddie Sinsel, Steven Evevard, Jack Vanderveer, and Hannah Hacker. Photo by Riley Ellico.

H: How long have you been writing? BR: For as long as I can remember! I used to write little, barely legible story books with construction paper when I was little. I would be writing and I would call out to my mother, “Mom! How do you spell (insert word here)?!”. She would politely answer and I’d go back to my writing. Within thirty seconds, I’d call out again “Mom! How do you spell (insert word here)?!!” and so on and so on. My Mom would always say “Lord, if he becomes a writer, let this kid learn how to spell!”. H: What inspired you to start writing plays? BR: I’ve always been a performer, so I guess that just acting in different musicals left and right made me want to take a hand at writing a script. Strangely enough, I never wrote straight plays at that age. Musicals always appealed to me. Throughout elementary school, I would just write musicals one after the other. Of course, I had no idea how to write music at the time, so I would just have these mountains and mountains of song melodies and lyrics in my head for years that had no way of getting out. Thankfully, by eighth grade, I learned how to transcribe my music and piano parts.

H: What drew you to the story of Balloon Boy? BR: When I heard about this story, I was captivated by it. Yes, it was ridiculous and criminal, but there was something so human about it all. It was all about the lengths a father would go to to get him and his kids to the top, sort of like a modern day Gypsy. But at its heart, there was a story about what a family is supposed to be, and how our wants and wishes take positive and negative affects on our families, our communities and the people around us. Of course, the story had a lot of humor in it and it really sung. It was ripe for a musical comedy. And, I also really wanted to say something about the ridiculousness of our media system in today’s day and age, so it’s the media that are the real targets in the play. H: What was your reaction to finding out Balloon Boy was going to be performed? BR: I’ve been working on Balloon Boy since 7th grade, so it’s gone through a lot of different incarnations. It’s been performed a few previous times back in my home state of New York, but this production is where it all comes together. This is the incarnation that I’m proudest of. It feels to me, complete, and hopefully, ready to get out there. So when I found out that Monarch was interested in producing this final version, and in Colorado no less (which of course means a lot to the story), I was ecstatic.

H: Do you see yourself writing plays as a profession? BR: It would be a dream come true. To do what I love to as a profession would be more than incredible. I’m a firm believer that if you do what you love, then you never “work” a day in your life, so I can only hope that more productions of Balloon Boy and other works I have written will get out there and be performed after Monarch debuts the show.

H: Where do you draw your inspiration? BR: Everywhere, it seems like. Current events are big inspiration for me, and I love parodying certain things in society. My next musical, Boots, Capes and Tights, is a parody of the big budget superhero movies that have been sweeping the nation these last few years. But, of course, I love drawing inspiration from my own life. And seeing a really well-crafted musical always makes me want to write more and more.

H: How did Balloon Boy get out there? BR: A previous version of Balloon Boy was performed by a children’s theatre company in 2011 at an off-Broadway space. After undergoing major revisions over the years, it won Thespian Musicalworks, a wonderful student musical writing contest this past year, meaning that it’s opening number would be performed at the International Thespian Festival in Lincoln, Nebraska. This news made some major headlines and was reported in Time and in the Denver Post, which was a crazy opportunity. Of course, I was beyond grateful for the publicity it got (even though I had to brace some less than nice internet comments). At the festival, I spoke with some of the team from the Monarch theatre program who showed interest in the piece. And now here we are!

H: Is it odd seeing your play make the transition from paper to the stage? BR: I guess it’s a little odd, but it’s miles more exciting and a dream come true. One of my favorite musicals, Sunday in the Park with George, said, “A vision’s just a vision if it’s only in your head. If no one gets to see it, it’s as good as dead”. I think that this is so true. Plays are not meant to be read, they’re meant to be performed. If they weren’t, they’d be novels or poetry. So, really, it’s just a dream come true. It makes me so grateful that I can realize that Balloon Boy has made this important transition. H: Will you be coming to the show? BR: You Bet! And I can’t wait!

Catch Balloon Boy on November 6-8 at 7:00 PM! mhshowler.com

GRITTY INDIE-ROCK AT ITS GOOFY FINEST Red Fox Run shares their quirks about band life and the significance of pizza By Andrew Patra

ased out of Denver, alt rockers Red Fox Run explode into the spotlight with drum beats that make you want to break out into the horizontal head bob and catchy guitar riffs that continue to roll through your mind, long after the song ends. Composed of frontman Daniel Rondeau, lead guitarist Joshua Hester, bassist Seth Beamer, and drummer Caleb Thoemke, the band has been able to draw a crowd with their blaring speakers and humorous charm. With songs that combine the feel of the relaxing-yet-energetic rock and roll melodies of The Strokes and the rompyfeel of the Epilogues, Red Fox Run would easily find a home in any alternative fan’s playlist. Formed in 2009, the band released their debut album take[ctrl] in 2011 and then followed suit with Skeletons in 2012. The band has played alongside groups such as Walk the Moon and The Outfit, while still being engaged in the community. The Howler got the opportunity to to talk to the group via email.

Howler: Could you talk about how your band formed, such as how you each met and what influenced you to start writing and performing music? RFR: Josh and Daniel met at a music school in the fall of 2008. They began a band called Neighborhood Hero, which didn’t keep too much momentum for long. In early 2010, Josh and Daniel started the band Red Fox Run. Caleb and Seth knew each other for some time from CU Denver, and through mutual friends, were introduced to Josh and Daniel, rounding off the current lineup of Red Fox Run. The connection that we have musically is part of why we play music together. It’s a very electrifying sensation. We hope to be able to share this with people who hear our music at shows and on CD’s. Music has helped some of us get through life in general. Life would have been a blur, if not completely ended if it were not for music.

H: Could you describe RFR’s music to someone unfamiliar with the band? RFR: Yes. Gritty, poppy, rock and roll. Our band sounds like if Weezer were the little brother to Radiohead, and tried so hard to sound like Radiohead, but no matter what, was still Weezer. We like to put out the poppy, simple rock songs, but with a bit of complexity that we can really nerd out to. Others might not notice it, but they’ll feel it.

H: What was the inspiration behind the name Red Fox Run? RFR: Peaches. Pure and simple.

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H: What bands are RFR inspired by? Who of your favorite bands would you want to open one of your shows? RFR: Mutemath, Radiohead, Weezer, Kanye West, Snarky Puppy, Copeland, Fugazi… A painful amount of more.

H: Could you describe the process of writing new material? Is there something unique that the band does when writing and tracking songs? RFR: We have a multitude of songwriting techniques that we employ, and one of them involves large rubber balls. Sometimes it happens in the form of a rude interruption, when we should be preparing for show, but doesn’t knock commonly enough to let them pass them by.

H: Are there any particular subjects that as a band you try to convey to the audience? RFR: Hope, individual thinking, sharing conversations with God, and self expression

H: How has the release of your debut [take] ctrl affected the band since it’s release? RFR: This album was so all over the place, that after we tracked it and performed it a million times, we began to hone in the sounds, songs, and songwriting styles we enjoyed the most. We were able to find our sound from [take]ctrl.

H: How did the darker direction of Skeletons come into play, considering the bouncier nature of take[ctrl]? RFR: This was us getting to explore our deeper emotions and heavier sounds that we felt we were lacking in our previous songs in [take]ctrl. We were also going through some really rough times going into this record. We sometimes wanted to stay in bed instead of going into the studio, but some genuinely passionate music did result from it, as much as some of the time sucked.

H: Was there a specific issue that this album targets? RFR: Skeletons. In our closet, that we feel so contempt and comfortable with living with. The album is about learning to stare them in the face, and not eradicate them, but to revive them and create life from where death was prominent. H: Do you have plans for a third record? RFR: That’s still in the works. We are releasing a single on (10/18) called “No Wonder”, that will be available on our Bandcamp and Soundcloud, both accessible

Photo courtesy of Red Fox Run

through our website (redfoxrunmusic.com)

H: What does RFR try to and bring to their live performances? RFR: We try to blow your mind with the craziest energy you’ve ever seen. We get tired of going to shows and seeing so many bands that looks like they’re not having fun, and the audience is therefore bored. We try have more fun than anyone, and fun is incredibly contagious. That and bringing the fox furries. We literally have a following of furries.

H: Who are some of your favorite bands to play with? RFR: The Knew, Chemistry Club, Branded Bandits, Maroon Five, Anthony Ruptak, Ivory Circle, The Outfit, and more.

H: You guys were chosen to perform for the JeffCo Students for Change rally this week. What is your stance on the issue and how was this different from your other shows? RFR: This show wasn’t like any other show we’ve ever played. We very much support the cause of the JeffCo Students for a change, and we believe that the number one priority opinion should come from teachers, students, and parents, when it comes down to curriculum. Also, it’s so great to see students being active in their community, and even if you guys were protesting something as insignificant as pepperoni pizza vs. sausage pizza, we would support your voice being heard.

H: How do you guys feel about the Denver music scene; what are some of it’s best qualities? RFR: Diversity! And competition. We all love each other, but while we’re smiling at them, we’re thinking about all the ways we plan to outperform them.

“Our band sounds like if Weezer were the little brother to Radiohead, and tried so hard to sound like Radiohead, but no matter what, was still Weezer. We like to put out the poppy, simple rock songs, but with a bit of complexity that we can really nerd out to. Others might not notice it, but they’ll feel it.”

H: What were your favorite shows/festivals to play at this year? RFR: Underground Music Showcase for sure. The UMS is a four day festival, with the best music, and South Broadway becomes a huge 10 block long block party. Also our Super House Show that we throw every year at our house, known as the Fox Den. We invited some of our favorite bands, local and out of town.

H: How do you you guys spend your time outside Red Fox Run? RFR: School, work (a little) more Red Fox Run, and general bad***ery.

H: What do you think makes RFR unique from other bands? RFR: Physical beauty.

LISTENING TO MUSIC IN THE 21ST CENTURY

The pros and cons of each format By Miguel Brache

usic can be listened to in several different ways, but which one is the best one for you? With the release of Thom Yorke’s “Tomorrow’s Modern Boxes” on BitTorrent and the release of Weezer’s Everything Will Be Alright in the End on cassette tape, you may be asking yourself this question. The best way to discover your favorite format of listening to music is to first understand what each format brings to the table. Each of there are four factors that will uniquely contribute to your your musical experience, and some may have less sway than others; sound quality, how much each album costs, how much money is going to the artist for each buy ($/B), and how “hip” they are. Let’s start with sound quality, which is pretty self explanatory. Sound quality is a measure of how enjoyable and accurate music is coming from a listening device. Some people will also refer to music quality when talking about how certain mediums of listening have way different “feels” to them, such as the old-timey feel of a phonograph, or the futuristic feel of a computer program. Quality can be described as well as measured, typically in kilobits per second (kbps), or the amount of data in bits that can flow at a given time. The medium of listening with the highest sound quality is usually the CD, but vinyl records are known to have a distinct sound that is incomparable to other mediums. When buying music, always be aware of who you are buying from and how much money is going to the people you want. Knowing how much money is going to the artist is an easy way to build up your musical knowledge and maximize your support for the band. Let’s say someone buys a $10 album off iTunes, the record label for the artist usually takes half right off the top, then iTunes takes around 80% of what is left, earning the artist about a dollar. Vinyl records, CDs, and cassette tapes (with the exceptions of certain bands/record labels) are usually bought directly through the artist, eliminating the need for a record label taking a large cut. These mediums thus have a much higher percentage of money going to the artist. In cases such as Spotify and other subscription based services, the artists recieve money based on plays of their songs. Lastly, the hipster rating. There is only one real purpose for the hipster rating- to be able to say to friends “I have cooler music than you, therefore I am cooler than you.” The “hipster-ness” of music comes from how old or retro it seems. Over the past few years of thinking in the shower I’ve derived a formula for this- (i+t)/2r=h, when “i” is impracticality of the medium, “t” is how old the medium is, “r” is how relevant the medium is in everyday life, and “h” is the final product of hipster rating. Cassette tapes have the highest hipster rating, but after the release of the movie “Guardians of the Galaxy” which brought light to the music listening device, they have suffered a massive blow to their total hipster-ness.

Money to Artist

The cover of Jack White’s Lazaretto, an album that dropped earlier this year on the “Ultra-LP format; a vinyl record which played backwards and also featured two sets of grooves on one track for either an acoustic or electric intro. Credit: Third Man Records

Formula for Hipster Rating:

Hipster Rating

(i+t)/2r=h i= Impracticality of the format t= How old the format is r= Relevance of the format in daily life h= Final product of hipster rating

Sound Quality

The garage pop outfit Best Coast released their EP Fade Away last year on cassette. Credit: Jewel City Records

For additional content including music features, reviews, and interviews, be sure to visit mhshowler.com/ae! mhshowler.com

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