The Mix - Volume 25, Issue 5

SKOTES 4 LIFE

...STUDENT PARKING

Spending time in junior lot, Lauren McKenzie ‘24 poses in front of her car while sitting between two spaces. Although accidental, parking like this is a common occurrence, as seen on @mohibadparking on Instagram.

...HEIGHT VARIETY

“Hows the weather down there?”

— Van Nellessen

“He’s so giant, if he stepped on me he would squish me.”

Standing beside each other in A-Hall, Van Nellessen ‘24 and Olivia Hall ‘26 compare their significant height difference. Hall stood at 4 feet 9 inches and Nellessen at a staggering 6 feet 8 inches, nearly a two foot height difference.

...WEIGHT ROOM

Lifting weights, Leif Anderson ‘24 takes time after school to do upper body strength training in the weight room. It became a place students wanted to go to support each other and work on their individual growth.

...TARGET

“The best thing about this Target is that it’s close and has everything you need, like food, clothes, books, and makeup.”

— Skylar Schmidt ‘25

...CHOIR

“Mrs. Klotz has gotten me a lot more interested in music, and she’s taught me a lot. She’s really supportive and enjoys what she does.”

— Lillian Vaughn ‘25

...INTERIM PRINCIPAL

“Mr. Sibley is the best. He’s calm, cool, and collected. He thinks through things very reasonably and is very fair. He follows up on things immediately. He’s a great person to work with.”

—

Math

teacher

Melissa Vass

...GIRLS BASKETBALL

“It was a pretty fun once in a lifetime thing. We played so well together and made it so far. I feel like that was something special, and I will always remember that.”

— Hayley Luther ‘24

Celebrating after their win against Arapahoe High School in the semifinals playoff game, the girls varsity basketball team storms the court and hugs each other at the Denver Coliseum on March 11. The girls basketball team made it to the finals of the 6A girls basketball state tournament this year.

...COFFEE BAR ...INSTAGRAM

“It’s a really helpful resource, especially when I’m not sure what activities are happening throughout the week.”

— Keirra Kernan ‘24

“I like that I can get coffee almost every day,” Izabella Duckworth ‘25 said. “The people working there are always super to make sure that everything is done well.”

...POP-ITS

“I think it’s just a nice tactile feel, honestly, you know? It’s very satisfying to just fidget with.”

— English Teacher Miranda Lee

...UNIFIED BASKET BALL

Throwing a basketball in a unified game between BVSD schools at Monarch on April 27, Jack Mygatt ‘24 was led to the basket by student mentors. The unified basketball program was formed eight years ago, and since then mentors and students in the ILC program have come together and formed a close-knit community.

...7-ELEVEN SLUSHIES

...BUMPER STICKER

Displaying a bumper sticker of actor Michael Cera’s face, Zasha Greening ‘24’s black Acura is parked in the junior lot. Greening developed an ongoing joke about the actor with her sisters, and purchased the stickers to decorate her car.

“It’s home to so many clubs that I love, and it has given me a wonderful space here at Monarch.”

— Kassie Bat-Itgel ‘24

Pouring a slushy at 7-Eleven, Abbie Lehman ‘26 smiles. After opening this fall, the 7-Eleven off of 96th St. and Dillon Rd. became a popular locale for students given its close proximity to Monarch.

“Everyone gets really excited when I come out in front of the stands. It was a fun experience because everyone was really excited to see me. They probably wouldn’t be excited to see me if I didn’t have the mask on.”

— Mo the Coyote

...COWS

“It’s so cool, and it’s so recognizable. You just know something great is gonna happen every time you hear it.”

Standing amongst their herd, a mother and her calf curiously stare at a photographer. Monarch had been given the nickname “Moo-Hi” because of the pastures filled with cows that surrounded the campus.

— Connor Lockrem ‘25

Standing next to a tripod, Patrick Thomson ‘24 talks into a microphone for his next KYOT voiceover. Working with Thomson, Connor Lockrem ‘25 idolizes Thomson’s voiceovers.

...PROMPOSAL

At a Rockies game versus Cardinals, Ryan Morrison ‘24 asked Rylen McCauley ‘25 to prom. He used a poster referencing all-time great Cardinal players that read, “Will you be the Molina to my Wainwright at prom?”

...WORST TRAFFIC LIGHT

“It’s just really inconvenient. It makes it really hard to get out on time.”

— Caroline Lavens ‘24

...GLEN

“I work at Monarch because the people I work with treat everyone equally, no matter what position in the building they are.”

— Special Ed Para Glen Einrem, who won a Lifetime Achievement Award

As the traffic light on the intersection of Campus Dr. and S.

88th St. stays red for what feels like eternity, a car sits idle and

waits. This intersection is the only way in and out of Monarch’s campus, making traffic hectic.

...HAIRCUT ON LIVE

“Everybody gave Gavin some money and he did it for 100 bucks... It was really spiky at first, but now it’s smoothed out and has grown back nicely.”

— David Marcus ‘25.

Covering his head with shaving cream in the backyard of David Marcus ‘25, Gavin Laverty ‘25 prepares for an intense haircut. He won a bet with his friends by allowing them to shave his head on Instagram Live for 100 dollars.

...SENIOR SUNRISE PHOTO

...CLASS PRESIDENTS

“STUCO is a family and every single person in there, whether they’re a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior. Everyone just has a sense of love for each other.”

...SPOON GAME

“Some of the best times were during the assemblies when everyone in the class student council was working together and putting on a production for the school.”

– Pierce Zickerman

“A technique I used to win was that Grady and I basically stayed together the whole time, so it was more of a team effort than an individual effort.”

“Senior sunrise marked the beginning of such a meaningful year for my friends and I.”

– Abby Gaudet ‘23

– Mia Reinke ‘23

‘23

Under the blanket of a vibrant sunrise, Abby Gaudet ‘23 smiles with joy as she and her friends cuddle up together at senior sunrise on Aug. 19.

– Sean Kendall ‘23

“It takes me about a minute to get from my last class to leaving on Campus Drive, so I beat traffic. Only a few people cross the street to get to their cars, so it’s easier to navigate out of the lot.”

– Jakub Bisaillon ‘23

...SENIOR SONG ...SCHOLARSHIP

Alina Miranda ‘23 wears her Colorado College t-shirt with pride and a smile. Miranda earned the Boettcher Scholarship, a full-ride, meritbased scholarship awarded to only 40 seniors to attend any college or university in Colorado.

“I sang The Road Home when I was a sophomore and a junior and I never really saw myself in the position of being in the middle singing it. It’s bittersweet because the people change every year, but the song doesn’t.”

...DIVISION I ATHLETES

Jen Dugdale ‘23 is heading to The University of Texas at Austin for rowing.

Kate Chynoweth ‘23 is heading to University of Colorado, Boulder for cheerleading.

Emma McCoy is heading to Butler University for cheerleading.

SIGNING OFF... seniors

Ihad no taste for most of the classes I took at Monarch. The sciences sucked, the maths mauled my mind, and I had no appreciation for the arts. Yet I took those classes anyway. I took those classes alongside the excruciating exercise electives. I took them because they were required.

While taking those classes, it would make sense to go insane, but I was still doing all right. School also exposed me to classes I liked. Reading stories nourished me. The way people used words was exhilarating. Reading Speak as a freshman, I felt empowered by the story of someone I never knew. Reading Fahrenheit 451 as a sophomore, I felt a cold grip of reality so chillingly near. Reading Catcher in the Rye as a junior, I was flabbergasted by how someone could write such flowing words, even if I didn’t like the story.

Juvenile Jumble 4

to put only the best classes in my senior curriculum, and I loved all of them. I loved learning not about some equations but about culture. Mythology class taught me the power people wield in their beliefs. World Affairs exposed me to other perspectives. Journalism revealed to me the beauty which surrounds the world.

When May the 19th comes around, I’ll be graduating. By May 20th, I’ll be waking up without the stress of 6 classes and extracurriculars. The evening of May 25th, I’ll be taking my drivers test, and passing. By May 30th, I’ll be able to drive without my parents watching me like hawks. I can’t wait to see the beautiful world.

Realizing my love for reading, I knew

years in brief

Walking through the doors of Monarch High School for the first time was like walking into a different world. I didn’t know what to make of it. Middle school never prepared me for what high school would be like.

Although I’ve had some mixed experiences being at this school, one thing I can say for sure is that I’ve had some amazing teachers who truly put their heart into what they do. From Mr. Kelpy’s US History lectures, to Ms. Barnes’ 10th grade English, I’ve had teachers who’ve made my learning experience enjoyable, and I thank them dearly.

In retrospect, I think my senior year was where I was able to grow into a more mature individual. I got out of my comfort zone and did things that I never thought I would be

I’m taking people classes, and in my classes are the people I learned I love dearly. The people are what I most enjoy classes for. Learning about people’s stories, their interests, then making them laugh is what I have pride myself on. Even with people I don’t know, hearing from them and allowing them to change my mind is a dignifying experience. School exposed me to new ideas and experiences, and although I will likely never go to school again, I have learned about a part of myself that will help me forever.

able to do or achieve.

In all my three years of high school prior to joining the newspaper, I never would’ve expected that any high school class would have such a profound impact on who I am as a person. I’ve been able to meet and interview people I never would’ve known, and it’s given me an elevated sense of confidence.

In addition to having a real voice in our school’s community, it really gave a new found sense of community. Being on the cusp of officially ending my high school career, I know I’m going to miss this class the most without a doubt in my mind. High school has been a time of growth and I’m happy to say I have learned a lot during my time at this school. I wish I had something wise to say, but if high school has

taught me anything, it’s that you shouldn’t take anything very seriously.

To wrap up my excerpt, I’m glad to say I enjoyed high school, and I’m excited to leave and start a new chapter in my life.

— Zachary Mirviss

— Clayton Mustoe

High school has been a very chaotic experience. It has had its ups and downs for sure. I didn’t get to have the normal high school experience. I have gone to three different high schools during my first three years, one of which was 100% online.

I never really participated in many activities, apart from orchestra my freshman year and going to Boulder Tech last year for criminal justice, which I very much enjoyed. Doing the cadaver lab in that class was one of the most memorable things I’ve done in high school. Even though I enjoyed it, I regret not joining more classes, and all of the opportunities I’ve missed making memories as memorable as cutting open a dead body for a grade.

This year, I decided to turn my regrets into action, and I joined the school newspaper. This class has opened many opportunities

Plan YOUR Path Do It Proudly

The summer before my freshman year, I decided to join the marching band because I already played the trombone. During those long, hot summer days, we would march for hours a day on the scorching football field, perfecting our spots so that our movements told a story.

Throughout our practices, I was told that if I messed up, to do it proudly.

On freshman orientation day, I was scared. I didn’t know any of the teachers, the school felt like a labyrinth, and I didn’t have any friends in my classes. Even though I was scared, I walked into every classroom proudly, ready to see what would happen that day. Wouldn’t you know it, I had an amazing first semester, and I had seven more to look forward to, full of opportunities and memories.

Then the pandemic happened. Online learning took away my second semester, and my sophomore year, so I only had four

that I didn’t think I would ever get, like going inside the rink at a hockey game, or taking photos of football games on the sidelines. When I have to report stories about school events on our print papers, I’ve enjoyed asking around and learning the inside scoop about what’s happening around. One event that I didn’t report, but was excited to go to, was our prom. Ever since I was eight, I was excited to pick my prom dress. I dreamt that mine would look like Cinderella’s. When I was buying a dress for my junior prom, not only did I learn that those dresses are heavy, but they’re very expensive. Buying my prom dress this year was surreal because I was reminded that my time in high school was nearly over.

If I could go back in time and talk to my freshman self, I would tell her to plan out my classes wisely, and take the required classes earlier so you can get the required credits out

of the way. Trust me, you don’t want to end up as a senior stuck in a freshman class. Even if you don’t continue to pursue that path, at least try to set yourself up with some solid foundation.

Even though these past couple of years have been chaotic for me, I am really going to miss high school. I will miss the friends I have made, and I will always remember the experiences I have had. It really has been a fun and memorable experience.

In the end, I look back and remember the incredible memories I have made in these past four years. Now, it’s time to look forward to college and adulthood.

semesters left to have fun before we all went our separate ways. After being stuck at home for a year, I’ve realized the thing I’ve missed about school wasn’t even about school; it was seeing other people, and having fun with the time I had left.

So I’ve decided to change my mindset about how I act during school. During spirit weeks, you’re going to look for the people who went all out, not the people who were too embarrassed with dressing a certain way. During sports games, the rowdiest crowd is the most fun crowd, and the most fun people at the games are the ones who have all the energy. When I reported the football game against Centaurus on our home field, I was scared. I was all by myself, in front of both student bodies, taking pictures of the game. Nobody was rooting for the photographers that night, but feeling the energy of our crowd made me proud of this school. That night, we showed that Spangenberg Field

was Monarch’s home field.

— Alexandra Randle — Josh Huyg

Now that my time as a student here is coming to an end, apparently I’ve become a wiser person. My advice? Find the excitement in every moment, step outside your comfort zone, and don’t be afraid to act like a fool every once in a while. The most exciting people I’ve met find the most fun way to enjoy the moment, and that even involves acting foolish in the moment. Are they afraid of how they look in front of their peers? Of course they do. But they do it proudly.

MOMENT

The summer before my freshman year, I decided to join the marching band because I already played the trombone. During those long, hot summer days, we would march for hours a day on the scorching football field, perfecting our spots so that our movements told a story.

Throughout our practices, I was told that if I messed up, to do it proudly.

On freshman orientation day, I was scared. I didn’t know any of the teachers, the school felt like a labyrinth, and I didn’t have any friends in my classes. Even though I was scared, I walked into every classroom proudly, ready to see what would happen that day. Wouldn’t you know it, I had an amazing first semester, and I had seven more to look forward to, full of opportunities and memories.

Then the pandemic happened. Online learning took away my second semester, and my sophomore year, so I only had four

BE IN THE Worth THE CLIMB

If I’m being honest, I hated high school. Most alumni would describe it as the best time of their lives. I, on the other hand, felt I was constantly facing an uphill battle.

Freshman year of high school, I dealt with countless toxic friends. My sophomore year, I experienced a destructive car crash. All four years, I was called stupid or worthless straight to my face. Someone even told me they could care less about my existence.

I never felt as though I fit in. Each new trend had passed by the time I caught up with it. I was never in the front row at football games. Like most teenagers, I didn’t find peace in getting high or blacking out.

My junior year, I was diagnosed with severe anxiety. The diagnosis explained why I felt like eyes always lingered on me in the hallways. Why I was genuinely afraid of coming to school. Why I experienced full blown panic attacks in the parking lot and would not show up to class.

semesters left to have fun before we all went our separate ways. After being stuck at home for a year, I’ve realized the thing I’ve missed about school wasn’t even about school; it was seeing other people, and having fun with the time I had left.

So I’ve decided to change my mindset about how I act during school. During spirit weeks, you’re going to look for the people who went all out, not the people who were too embarrassed with dressing a certain way. During sports games, the rowdiest crowd is the most fun crowd, and the most fun people at the games are the ones who have all the energy. When I reported the football game against Centaurus on our home field, I was scared. I was all by myself, in front of both student bodies, taking pictures of the game. Nobody was rooting for the photographers that night, but feeling the energy of our crowd made me proud of this school. That night, we showed that Spangenberg Field

was Monarch’s home field. Now that my time as a student here is coming to an end, apparently I’ve become a wiser person. My advice? Find the excitement in every moment, step outside your comfort zone, and don’t be afraid to act like a fool every once in a while. The most exciting people I’ve met find the most fun way to enjoy the moment, and that even involves acting foolish in the moment. Are they afraid of how they look in front of their peers? Of course they do. But they do it proudly.

— Minh Anh Le

I found solace in my soft sheets at home, the only place that really felt safe and free from judgment.

I felt I had no path. I felt I had no passions. When I was rejected from multiple colleges, I felt as though all of the comments that had been directed my way were confirmed. Maybe I was worthless. Maybe I really was stupid.

I found solace in my school’s newspaper class from people who changed the course of my high school career. People who were kind, and genuinely cared about me. I felt as though I had a second family. They showed me that I could be my authentic self, and that was enough. I now understand that I’m not stupid in any way, I just put effort into things I care about.

I’m proud of myself for pushing through each hurtful word. I’m proud of myself for releasing relationships in my life that no longer serve me. I’m proud of myself for choosing a future path that actually excites

me. I finally choose me. My advice to you? If you feel as though you don’t have a place, know that high school is only the beginning. The world offers so much more and so much better. I promise that your path will show itself to you. Know that what is meant for you will never pass you by. Take life day by day, and take time to understand your likes and dislikes. The years are gone before you know it.

I wouldn’t change anything because my experiences made me, me. Each mountain I had to climb was worth it.

— Arianna Bergman

ON MY

They say high school will be the best four years of your life.

I don’t know who “they” are, but “they” were wrong.

High school has been the hardest four years of my life. Especially this last one. I never expected my little 14-year-old self to go through the things I have today. I lost friendships. I lost relationships. I lost a part of myself.

And I don’t think I will ever gain them back. All I can do is move on, something I have gotten somewhat good at since starting high school. I guess that’s one thing I can thank this experience for.

Now, I sit here, itching as my last few days of high school approach me. I’m itching for the freedom of my senior summer, for the freedom of college, for the freedom of meeting new people and having new experiences.

Leaving high school isn’t exactly something I’m sad about.

In our last choir concert of the year, myself, alongside the 13 other seniors in my ensemble, sang the second verse of The Road Home, a piece our teacher, Mrs. Klotz, picked out three years ago and has used ever since.

The song’s lyrics are emotional and touching, and every year, seniors end the spring concert in tears. But not me. At least, that’s what I told myself before we sang it. I couldn’t have been more wrong. I was practically sobbing when we finished the piece.

These lyrics were what got me: There is no such beauty

ROAD HOME

As where you belong Rise up, follow me I will lead you home And while I’m going to be leaving my home, at least, the only town I’ve ever known to be my home, I don’t feel sad about it because I’m going to find my new home, full of new people and new opportunities. College is all about starting fresh in my mind, and that’s exactly what I plan to do. But at that choir concert, I wasn’t crying about the fact that high school was over. I was crying about having to leave all the people I’m not going to see when I go to college.

I have to go through the experience of starting college all by myself, as my two closest friends aren’t going to be with me, or even starting college at all since they’re juniors.

And as much as I’m going to miss them, I’m going to have to keep myself from taking the bus back to my house on the weekends to go and hang out with them.

Losing contact with them is one of my biggest fears, but if it happens, it happens for a reason and it’s going to be hard. But, it’s the hard things in life that teach you how to move forward, so maybe that’s why I’ve gotten good at it. In general, I may have not enjoyed high school, but there were always a few things here and there that brought me joy. One of them being the Mix, and the incredible hardworking staff I’ve had the pleasure working with this year.

Being in charge of this newspaper has taught me a lot about being a leader. I’ve had to

make a lot of decisions in order to keep everything unbiased and meaningful in everything we do. We’ve taken risks in our writing this year. We’ve pushed boundaries and done investigative journalism, and for that, I am proud of us.

This class has been one of my little homes in high school.

I hope for everyone who is having a hard time in high school, that they have the ability to find their little homes somewhere. You never know who you might meet or what could change your life for the better.

I’m happy to say I found my home in high school, regardless of everything that didn’t go right.

I can’t wait to see what homes I find in my next chapter and who will lead me there.

— Maeby Aleo