The Mix - Volume 25, Issue 1

the editor

If I’m being completely honest, everything is stressing me out right now. My life feels like an endless cycle of school, soccer practice, music lessons, homework, and very small amounts of sleep. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

Every day, I look for an escape.

An escape from the ten college applications looming in my Common App dashboard.

An escape from my overload of after-school activities.

And sometimes, even an escape from my friends and family.

At some point, we all need a second to debrief, take a deep breath, and reset ourselves. Something to keep our minds off of the countless things we have on our plates.

Maybe it’s time for some of us to take a page out of Milo Needle ‘24’s book. Just down the hallway from the library, a comforting classroom awaits stressed-out students like Needle. Students have the ability to take a few minutes of their day and go visit the Wellness Center and its welcoming counselor, Mr. McDonald.

Maybe it’s time to let loose and celebrate the holidays. Halloween is, in my opinion, the best holiday. From horror films to trick-ortreating, what isn’t to like about the spooky October holiday?

Or maybe we look to fashion. Take Reese Hyde’s ‘23 tips and tricks to turn your everyday outfits into something to be proud of and settle your anxiety.

We all have different things to cope with stress, and by looking into the interesting and unique lives of others, we might gain a few ideas to add to our list.

M.

staff

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Maeby Aleo

MANAGING EDITOR

Arianna Bergman

DESIGN EDITORS

David Maxwell Brenna Severson

COPY EDITOR

Zoey Perrine

OPINIONS EDITOR

Minh Anh Le

SPORTS EDITOR

Zoey Perrine

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR

Minh Anh Le

SOCIAL COORDINATORS

Abbey Elalouf

Ben Lehman

STAFF WRITERS

Sofia Blair

Cas East

Abbey Elalouf

Maren Holecek

Josh Huyg

Ben Lehman

Zach Mirviss

Clay Mustoe

Alex Randle

Brianna Sandoval Mars Smith Maya VanVleet

Ben Reed

our policies

Opinions or expressions made by students in this publication are not expressions of Boulder Valley School District Board policy. The district and its employees are immune from any civil action based on any expression made for or published by students. The Mix is an open forum for and by the students, faculty, and community of Monarch High School. The Mix is willing to accept and publish any appropriate articles. We will not print letters sent to us without a name and signature.

the mix-up

ON

target

COMMUNITY REJOICES AS LOCAL TARGET REOPENS

By Clay Mustoe and Zach Mirviss

To Poppy Quincy ‘25, the Target in Superior was more than just a store, it was a place of comfort.

“I’ve lived here my whole life, and going to Target, I’ve done that pretty much my entire life,” she said.

When the Marshall Fire devastated the LouisvilleSuperior area on the evening of December 30, 2021, the local Target was badly damaged. Quincy lost her home completely.

With her life already completely changed by the fires, a closed Target only made things much more difficult.

“I had to buy a bunch of replacement stuff because my house burned down,” Quincy said. “We had to drive all the way to Westminster to get clothes from (a different) Target. So it kind of was like a huge, huge deal for my family.”

So, when the doors of Target finally re-opened its doors on August 30—eight long months after the fire, Quincy was ecstatic, “We went 3 times the week it re-opened,” Quincy said. “It was really refreshing to go back there.”

The re-built Target also provided job opportunities to the community, especially Monarch students like Henry Vahl, who is currently employed at Target.

“I’m glad it’s reopened. I didn’t like having to drive to the Westminster Target,” Vahl said. “But it’s nice now that it’s remodeled, and it’s good that it’s over.”

The reopening of Target signifies our strength as a community and our progress in light of the destruction caused.

“Finally, we have our Target back,” Quincy said.

Henry Vahl ‘23 works the self checkout line at the Superior Target. He has worked there since the building re-opened after the Marshall Fire.

IT’S been real

HERE ARE SOME OF MONARCH’S BEST BEREALS

STUDENT REVIEWS OF DO REVENGE the yelp

Do Revenge had an absolutely wonderful soundtrack with incredible acting from the two leads. It was the kind of movie you expected to be another boring teen drama, but it ended up being really amazing.”

- Ash Shnepp ‘26

Do Revenge was a very enjoyable movie, there were twists and turns every step you take. I love this movie because I never once got bored. It got right into the action,= and just got better and better throughout.”

- Sebi Medina ‘26

The plot was a bit odd, but watching two women in really cool outfits make a man cry was great. Also, Maya Hawke being a villainous, gay disaster was even better.”

- Minna Most ‘23

I enjoyed the costumes and the aesthetic of the movie, but the plot did not make that much sense. There were a lot of cheesy moments and it seemed to remind me a lot of Riverdale, where the characters don’t act like typical teenagers and aren’t relatable at all.”

- Symone Craven ‘24

COYOtea

HOW DO YOU BREAK UP WITH SOMEONE?

“Do it in person. Don’t do it through text, and don’t call them. Also, always make sure that you’re putting their feelings before yours.”

“I would call them and say, ‘Hey, so I think it’s time we take our relationship to the previous level.’”

“Call them and then tell them why I’m breaking up with them. I would also hold my ground so that they can’t convince me to not break up with them.”

Gilly

CJ Giseburt ‘23

Nate Carasick

LUNCHTIME locales

Outside is filled with wasps and the sun (is hot). Here, it’s nice and there is a consistent temperature. It’s also convenient because I have LA as my 4th period.”

- Jack Cook ‘23

feels

We spend all day inside, so it’s nice to come outside for a change. Here we can sit on the grass. It’s nicer on the grass than concrete. Vibes in cafeteria are not good.”

- Waverly Fisher ‘23

I like being out here while the weathers still nice before it gets cold and we have to be inside. I don’t want to be inside is it can get loud and people burn stuff in the microwave.”

- Austin Gussenbauer ‘24

TUNES

scentsational

vanilla

gasoline

pine

pumpkin spice

apples

HOW EACH GRADE TRULY FEELS ABOUT EACH OTHER de-grading

“It creates a hierarchy system, where everyone knows that the seniors are there, and they’re more likely to call out freshmen or juniors for their bad behavior. It keeps everyone in line, even if it’s just subconsciously.”

- Eddie Weich ‘26

“I don’t want to be a junior because they’re always quiet and working. I think sophomore year is the year. It’s lowkey.”

- Jonnah Schwinnen ‘25

“I think sophomores can be a little bit too much. Obviously, they’re underclassmen, but they think they’re better than they are. They could definitely do better showing spirit at football games.”

- Ava Himmelberger ‘24

“Personally, I wish the freshman would grow up a little bit faster because they’re still very immature. I feel like they also don’t have any respect for their teachers.”

- Lillian Dehner ‘23

stories

mix matches

FOOTBALL

FOR THEfirst time

FOOTBALL GETS CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP

By Zach Mirviss

When Fox Reichert ‘23 took to the practice field at the beginning of the football season, he saw freshmen and seniors joining forces to prepare to destroy the opposing team.

New head coach, Aaron Paddock—known affectionately as AP— made this possible.

“Coach AP just does a better job including everyone,” Reichert said. “With former head coach, Phil Bravo, I know a lot of the freshmen were just sent to the grass to practice by themselves.”

Reichert believes this change will have a huge impact on the team.

“I feel like we have unlimited potential,” he said.

Coach Paddock has always loved football. He grew up with it as a huge part of his life.

“My dad was a football player,” Paddock said. “He played in college for a little while, and as soon as I showed interest, he signed me up and I started playing.”

Reichert appreciates the team’s new coach and enjoys his new, fresh style.

“AP definitely brings a new mindset to the game,” he said. “He’s just playing to our strengths a little bit more.”

Reichert believes that, although Bravo was good, he played a game focused more on physical strength and running plays than technicality.

“Bravo was definitely more hard-nosed,” he said. “He ran a pretty old style of offense that is very run-play heavy.”

Paddock worked with Bravo for years. The two coached at Centaurus together, then both decided to go to a new school, Monarch, when it opened.

“I was only at CHS for three years when Monarch opened in the fall of 1998,” Paddock said.

When Bravo moved over to Monarch, Paddock followed. 25 years later, Paddock would take over football, as Bravo left to become an assistant coach at Frederick High School for the 2022-2023 school year.

Paddock values every player he has.

“We have 105 players, and every single one of those 105 players is an important piece of the code.”

With each play, Reichert, Paddock, and the other 104 players on the team become a closer family.

“He’s just bringing an overall better atmosphere to the team,” Reichert said.

RACING around the world

NORWEGIAN SETS RECORDS FOR XC

By Arianna Bergman and Sofia Blair

Crowds roar as Sofie Donker ‘25 strides across the finish line, becoming the 13th fastest girl to run a 5K in Monarch history.

After moving to the United States, Donker started running as a way to meet new friends and as a way to move her body.

“I wanted to do an after school activity to stay active and in-shape,” Donker said.

Donker had never run on a team before, and just 2 months after leaving her home in Norway, her run time was increasing at a shockingly fast rate.

“At first, I ran a 5k in 22 minutes, then it became 21, and then I broke 19 minutes,”

Donker said.

Along with 8 of her teammates, Donker is on her way to compete at regionals. The goal is to qualify for the state championships

Her inspiration and father, Bob Donker, will be on the sidelines to cheer her on. He was once one of the greatest distance runners in Canada.

Donker has found a new love for the sport, and the community it brings.

“Running is what shapes who I am, and I definitely want to keep running through high school, and possibly even beyond that,” Donker said.

Football coach, Aaron Paddock, gives a pep talk to the team. He has led the team to many victories so far.

Sofie Donker ‘25, runs a 5K at a cross country meet. After moving from Norway, she has improved drastically.

A TEAM OFtheir own

TWO GIRLS START FIELD HOCKEY TEAM

By Abbey Elalouf and Minh Anh Le

Last spring, Courtney Windt ‘26 her mom had a dream–to bring an East Coast sport to Colorado.

Windt said she tried many sports as a child, but none of them really clicked for her.

Her mom, Erin, struggled to help her daughter find a sport she enjoyed.

“I was really disappointed when we moved to Colorado and there just wasn’t really an opportunity for girls to play field hockey here,” she said.

After joining a club team, Windt’s new passion fueled her to start a high school team.

“I was playing on a club team, and it was sad because we had a bunch of younger girls, who were super committed to field hockey, but there was nowhere to play once they got into high school,” Windt said. “We made this video where we interviewed all the girls from our club and all our coaches to show to the athletic director why we thought field hockey should be a high school sport. And then we each also wrote personal letters to the athletic director.”

Dedicated to establishing a field hockey team, Windt and her friend, Lyla Jolly ‘26, took on significant responsibilities before they even started high school.

“Towards the end of last school year, it was confirmed that we were going to have a team,” Windt said. “Lyla and I went door-to-door asking for donations and if they knew anybody who would like to join.”

Their dedication paid off.

“Now we have a team of thirty five girls,” Windt said.

Kicking off the season, most of the players had never even picked up a field hockey stick before.

“A lot of our girls have never played field hockey before, but they may have played soccer or lacrosse or ice hockey or golf or something like that,” assistant coach Courtney Van der Linden said. “They usually have played other sports and are just trying a new one.”

Despite it being a brand new, district-wide team based out of Boulder High School, Van der Linden believes it’s well-organized, and the players picked up the sport surprisingly well.

“I love coaching and we have a really good team,” she said. “Everyone is really sweet and we’ve got some hard workers. I’m very impressed with how much everyone has learned in such a short period of time.”

Having a place to play a new sport has opened up many opportunities for the girls, and for Maddie Sims 24’, it has continued her family’s tradition.

“My parents played field hockey growing up because they lived on the East Coast,” Sims said. “They’ve always thought it is a really fun sport and wanted me to get into it, but we live in a state where it’s rare. I was really excited to be on the team. I hit the ball around with my mom a little bit, but that was the first time I’d ever picked up a field hockey stick.”

Many girls can now occupy their fall with a new sport, due to the dedication of Windt and her peers.

“All of these girls who are starting from kindergarten all the way up into high school are learning to play and loving it,” Windt said.

Courtney Windt ‘26 practices field hockey. The team has given many students new opportunities to play a sport.

FIELD HOCKEY fast facts

1. It became an official CHSAA sport in 2020.

2. Even though Monarch students founded the team, Boulder High School is their home.

3. Only a junior varsity team exists in BVSD this year.

SMILING THROUGH THE shortage

LACK OF REFS IMPACTS PLAY

By Maeby Aleo

You suck!

Harsh statements and questions are screamed across the nation at referees in a variety of different sports. While they may get harassed constantly, officials are a vital part of fairness in almost every sport.

“It’s hard to run any contest without an official,” Harry Waterman, Boulder Valley School District’s Athletic Director, said. “In CHSAA sports, refs are an important component of the game and are there to promote sportsmanship and fair play.”

But the biggest problem facing high school athletics today, is the lack of refs. Schools across the district, state, and country are struggling to find officials to monitor their athletics.

“We’re currently in a crisis with the number of officials available,” Waterman said. “More athletes have come forward to play, and we’re adding new schools and more teams and more levels. But our officials are not adding at that same rate.”

Interest in reffing has dramatically decreased because of COVID, but also because of the lack of pay.

“They’re making minimal money,” Waterman said. According to

CHSAA Officials’ Fees, referees and judges rarely make more than $70 per individual varsity contest, and occasionally as little as $40 per individual junior varsity contests.

The lack of money isn’t all that enticing for new employees, and the treatment officials receive on the field or the court scares them away.

“Fan behavior is–in my opinion–at an all-time worse than it’s ever been,” Waterman said. “No one really wants to go out there and get berated by fans. Everyone makes mistakes, but it’s just horrific how fans lose their heads in a game and end up screaming harsh comments at the officials.”

Boys varsity soccer player, Ty Hanneman ‘23, has experienced the causes of the referee shortage first-hand.

“I feel like the problem is mostly the parents who don’t really understand the rules of the game, and they kind of just get a little too into it,” Hanneman said.

Hanneman used to referee for younger club teams with players around the age of seven through the Colorado Soccer Association (CSA). He can tell fan behavior is beginning to get out of hand.

“Sometimes it’s just over the top, and I think that’s definitely the main reason why the amount of refs is dropping,” he said. “They don’t really want to get backlash after every decision they make on the field.”

After being in the shoes of an official, Hanneman has found some ways to give referees more grace on their calls.

“After every game, the whole team goes over and we thank the refs,” Hanneman said. “Even if they made bad calls during the game, you don’t mention it to them. If they made a mistake, they know what they did, and they’re just trying to improve their calls to be fair.”

How did you not see that? Get some glasses! Are you blind?

Soccer players thank the referees after a game. They do this after every game to show their respect.

FORMER, INTERIM LEADERS ANSWERS QUESTIONS

By Maeby Aleo, Joshua Huyg, Alex Randle, and Brenna Severson

neil Anderson

Where are you working now?

The Boulder Valley School District Education Center on Arapahoe Road in Boulder.

What is your new position?

I am the Executive Director of the Southwest Network of schools for BVSD. I officially supervise, support, and engage with 22 schools within Boulder Valley, which cover the feeder programs for Monarch, Fairview, Arapahoe Ridge, Boulder High, Boulder Universal, and a few other schools.

What is a feeder school?

For example, the Monarch High School feeder pattern is Eldorado K-8, Monarch K-8, and Louisville Middle School, and the feeder pattern for those schools are Superior, Louisville, Fireside, and Coal Creek Elementary.

How is being an executive district director different from being the principal at Monarch?

Now that I work with elementary, middle, and high schools, I have experience at different levels of intensity at all three of those levels, which is really beneficial, but it is so much larger than I was used to. In my work with principals at each level, we think through, strategize, and problemsolve challenges from a political, teaching, learning, and student standpoint, then make the best decision together to solve the challenges they may face or to identify opportunities that exist.

What factors contributed to your decision to take your current position?

One of the main reasons was the fact that I could still work and be present in schools.

I really loved the engagement when I was a principal, even just being a teacher or a coach. I just love that in this new role, I get to be in schools, doing good work with principals and students to make sure they are succeeding and growing.

What is something you would like the student body to know about the job change?

I want the student body to know that the job change wasn’t without incredible thought and processing. I love this school.

I love what we do together in this school academically, socially, athletically, musically, and artistically. I’m super proud of all the programs that we have for students. It wasn’t something that I rushed to, and I’m not running away from anything, it was an opportunity to go and support other schools, champion other students, and make our school district even more successful.

What do you miss most about being the principal at Monarch?

The interactions with students and the intensity of closeness of work. That’s what I love about being a school principal. It’s near and dear to me, because I took great pride in the work I did here at Monarch. I love seeing students thrive and succeed.

mark Sibley

What is your current job title?

Intern Principal at Monarch High School.

What is your previous job experience?

I started coaching at Centaurus in 1992 and have been teaching there since 1995. When Monarch opened in 1998, I came over and have been here ever since with the exception of last year.

What did you do last year in Nederland?

It developed like this position: It was graduation day, last year, and I received a call from the district asking if I would go up to Nederland for a year to be the principal. They had hired a candidate but they had to quit at the last minute and they couldn’t accept the position, so I did.

What would you like to bring to Monarch this year?

I want to continue to keep up the positive energy because I don’t want school to feel just like school for students. You’re going to seven classes, then going home. When kids are involved in being excellent, it really gives them a well rounded experience. I really hope that there’s a continuous positive energy in the building from teachers, students and staff.

What’s it like to fill the shoes of Mr. Anderson?

I think he’s one of the smartest individuals I’ve known, but I asked to be me. I think the mistake people make is to try to be something they’re not. People eventually see through that. We’re going to continue all the good work that Monarch has been doing and we’ll get to do it in ways that are going to be best for the students.

How does it feel to lead a high school?

With such a high performing school with outstanding students like this, it’s pretty awesome. You probably all heard Mr. Anderson said that he’s proud to be Monarch’s principal, and I’m just as proud. I’ve been here since the very first day it opened, so I certainly never envisioned that I would be in this position.

What is your word of advice for the student body this year?

I would say never pigeonhole yourself saying ‘I can’t do this’, ‘I can’t do that’, the harder you work now, the easier it is down the road. I wasn’t the best student, but it never kept me from doing what I wanted to do. I had to work harder because I didn’t have the best grades. So my advice is to work hard now because that will pay dividends in the future.

What was your deciding factor to come back to Monarch?

I wanted to be certain I could come back here because my daughter is a senior, and I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to be on stage to give my kid their diploma.

“I’m happy for him. It’s great that he got a promotion, but at the same time it was hard to hear that he was leaving before school started. He’ll always be a coyote. “

- Chris Windhausen ‘24

- Ellis Bieringer ‘23

I haven’t noticed too much of a difference. He has a friendly air to them, and he’s nice and encouraging”

KEEPING

IT

FRESHMEN TAKE INITIATIVE IN VARIOUS ACTIVITIES

By Minh Anh Le, Maren Holecek, Zach Mirviss, Clayton Mustoe, and Zoey Perrine

FRESHMAN SINGS IN TOP CHOIR

Of the many voices in Monarch’s choirs, that of Cooper Craze ‘26 holds great ambition.

After submitting his audition to Madrigals, the top choir at Monarch, Craze got a callback. He knew that he might not make it in, but he still tried his best and got accepted as one of the only two freshmen in Madrigals.

“I think it’s scary at first, but once I actually did it and I got in, my family congratulated me,” he said. “Now I feel really proud of myself.”

When Craze pursued his interest in Monarch’s top choir, he was nervous.

“It was nerve-wracking,” he said. “When I walked in for auditions, there were only three other freshmen.”

The first time Craze tried out for a choir was a year earlier, in eighth grade.

“I think the first day that I walked in there, I was really, really nervous,” he said. “But they accepted all the new kids in and you were welcome there.”

The ambition Craze found in the choir followed him through to high school, where he hoped for a future career in music.

“A singer-songwriter has become more of an option for me as a career,” he said. “Now that I’m focused on learning music and singing, I’m thinking of possibly being a musician when I grow up.”

For Craze, working hard to achieve his interests can be a challenge, so when he feels he needs to calm down, he uses his music to relax.

“Whenever I feel stressed or mad, I just go to my room and play guitar or piano or listen to music,” he said.

When Craze feels overwhelmed, his musical inspiration emerges.

“Music can share so much emotion,” he said. “It gets a message out and it’s just more powerful than talking.”

Craze also has an interest in writing songs, since it always begins with the words.

“Once you start the lyrics and understand where you want to go with them, it’s a lot easier to finish a song,” Craze said. “If you don’t know where you’re going to go with the song, then you’re not going to get anywhere.”

Cooper Craze ‘26 plays his guitar in a practice room before school. He joined Monarch’s top choir, Madrigals, this year.

VARSITY VOLLEYBALL TAKES

ON YOUNG NEW PLAYER

The doors click open and suddenly the voices of a packed gymnasium echo off the walls. Eva Becht ‘26 takes her first steps onto Monarch’s volleyball court. The excitement and nerves for tryouts thicken the air.

With Monarch’s five volleyball teams, varsity spots are extremely competitive. This year, Becht is the only freshman to make the team.

“At tryouts, I just had fun playing and having everyone see me and get to know who I am,” Becht said.

Despite the pressure, Becht had experience, she had been pursuing volleyball for nearly half her life.

“I just wanted to play volleyball in high school and get more competitive with it,” she said.

Becht’s motivation for volleyball was introduced by her mom, who introduced her to volleyball as a young child. Now, Becht puts volleyball above everything else.

Eight years of playing has only grown Becht’s desire to continue being competitive. For years, she had her mind set on making varsity.

“I just fell in love with it,” Becht said. “Anything and everything to do with volleyball, I just loved it.”

Becht has always played with older girls, so being on a team with only juniors and seniors isn’t all that new for her.

“They do a really good job of keeping me involved and including me,” Becht said.

Not only have Bechts teammates taken her in, but her coaches make sure to give her plenty of opportunities.

“I love my coaches, they’re really awesome and they do a really good job of treating me the same as the rest of the team,” she said.

The team dynamic and the spirit of competition drives Becht to pursue volleyball for the rest of high school.

“I plan on playing volleyball for all of high school,” she said.

Coming into tryouts Becht was an outsider entering a community. However, she was able to take initiative and reach for her goals.

“A freshman can make varsity, and you can do whatever you set your mind to,” she said.

Eva Becht ‘26 serves a volleyball during her game. She tried out for the team in August and made varsity.

Reese HydeReeseHyde

FASHION FANATIC FINDS HERSELF IN HER SENSE OF STYLE

By David Maxwell, Arianna Bergman, Ben Lehman

Strolling through the aisles of Shanghai Tang, a high-end, designer boutique nestled within the streets of Hong Kong, Reese Hyde ‘23, brushes the tips of her fingers through brightly colored silks and glamorous dresses. She pauses and shuts her eyes to breathe in the soft, lingering smell of jasmine perfume. Large, ornate cages of different colored parakeet birds hang from the ceiling of the boutique for decoration.

Growing up in Hong Kong, Hyde had a unique childhood. From a young age, fashion sparked her interest. Runway shows rested on repeat on her television, and books regarding fashion lined the shelves. Hyde often flipped through the books and was instantly captivated by historical fashion.

Hyde’s mother supported her efforts and pushed Hyde to pursue her curiosities.

“My mother worked in the fashion world for years. She was an editor in fashion. She always really supported me,” Hyde said. “We’re the same person, unfortunately. We even look the same. But we both have restless, creative energies, and when we have something in our head, we need to produce it and get it out into the world.”

At the age of seven, Hyde moved to America and found the change difficult.

“I was in an environment that I had never been in before, and was expected to adjust to,” Hyde said.

Back in Hong Kong, Hyde would wear a school uniform each day and didn’t have much of a chance to express herself. So when moving to America, she could finally use fashion as a way to fit in.

“I tried really hard to assimilate into

American culture, and I made that a huge part of my identity,” Hyde said. “I wanted to be exactly like my classmates, so I tried really hard in every single way to fit in, including what they wore.”

Like the parakeets in the boutique, Hyde was continuously caged in by these anxieties.

Moving to a new country worsened the anxiety and self-esteem issues she had since she was a child.

“When you’re anxious, you’re always worried about what other people think of you,” Hyde said. “You’re always second guessing yourself, and that quickly develops into low self-esteem.”

Fashion quickly became an outlet for her and a way to manage the issue. Hyde strived to be socially accepted because it made her feel more secure within herself.

“I was constantly worried my classmates wouldn’t accept me because I had such a different upbringing, so I used clothes as a kind of armor, which created this persona of confidence for me,” Hyde said. “Sometimes the only thing that gets me through the door in the morning is a great outfit. I can go to school and feel a little bit better about myself.”

Now, Hyde doesn’t rely on external validation to feel good about herself. Studying abroad in Paris over the summer, Hyde met her best friend, Lauren Elkington, at a fashion design class.

“She doesn’t really care what other people think about her outfit as long as she likes it,” Elkington said.

Once Hyde began to dress for herself, she found the power behind her individuality, and that it was a way to accept her story. “Fashion was a huge part of how I began to accept my past, and that I can be proud of that past,” Hyde said.

Finally being able to dress how she wanted led Hyde to discover what she truly feels inspired by.

“I really love to lean into my femininity,” Hyde said. “I feel like that’s something that’s really weaponized today. Why shouldn’t I wear hair bows? I’m a bow girly until the day I die. I wear lace, miniskirts, and corsets, and I love adding militaristic elements to feminine pieces.”

Hyde sees fashion in her future, even as a career. She hopes to go to school in New York or California to study costume design, and is currently working on her fashion portfolio and applications. She’s confident to frame her future with fashion because it’s shaped the woman she’s become.

“I’m not looking for validation from anyone else,” Hyde said. “It’s purely for myself, and I no longer care what anyone else thinks. Never be afraid of being too extra.”

WELL centered

MENTAL HEALTH COMFORT

By David Maxwell, Brianna Sandoval, Mars Smith, Maya VanVleet

In a far-off corner of the school, the sound of a piano being played can be heard from a dimly lit room. This place has become somewhat of a safe haven for many students.

Greg McDonald, the counselor in charge of the mysterious room, sits on a cushion on the floor as he talks to a student who is struggling with immense stress. They feel comforted by McDonald’s words.

“A student can find safety here, or have a break during their busy day to reset because nowadays we’re always busy,” McDonald said.

This transformed classroom, known as the Wellness Center, provides a space for the improvement of personal mental health. It’s also a place to escape from the harshness of high school and just take a breather from everyday life.

“Students walk in with the soft lights, the music, the fish scenes going on in the background, the comfortable couches, the tea, all of which help a person relax,” McDonald said.

Students like Milo Needle ‘24 have found comfort in the Wellness Center.

“I’ve had a couple of times this school year where I’ve been struggling and I’ve gone to the room,” he said. “Mr. McDonald has been there to help. It’s been really great.”

The Wellness Center, although it has many admirers already, did not randomly appear out of the blue over the summer. Over the past few years, the Wellness Center has been on the minds of Assistant Principal, Linda Hubbard, and the former principal, Neil Anderson.

“The administration went to Fort Collins to visit a high school that has a similar Wellness Center,” Hubbard said. “It was kind of in the

Aaryn Keltie ‘25 spends time in the Wellness Center. They de-stress by drawing after a long day at school.

back of our minds that it was something that we would eventually like to do here.”

The Wellness Center wasn’t actually created until the Marshall Fire impacted so many of our own. The school was approached by Impacted Education to give students affected by the fire an outlet as they learned to overcome the destruction. It couldn’t have come at a better time.

For the past few years, mental health among high school students has dramatically decreased, according to the CDC’s Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey. Social media and COVID have taken a toll on the mental health of high school students, causing a rapid increase in persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness.

“A lot of us are dealing with a lot of heavy stuff in our lives, especially our high school students,” McDonald said. “Even before COVID, there was a rise in anxiety and issues due to social media and cell phones.”

With scattered emotions, students often choose to keep their feelings trapped inside. However, it’s only a matter of time before all the feelings rush out like a waterfall.

“The Wellness Center has been a really helpful resource because it helps a lot of kids feel safe and secure,” Needle said.

Since the start of the school year, the Wellness Center has already seen great reviews across the school and large numbers of participation in the student body.

“I’ve had over 260 individual students come through from all different social groups, which has been great,” McDonald said. “That’s probably a tenth of our student body.”

What is the Wellness Center?

• The Wellness Center, a new addition to Monarch, raises confusion surrounding its purpose. A room in the works for around 4 years, motivated by vice principal Linda Hubbard. Donations from staff and students were gathered, and over the summer of 2022, the Wellness Center was finally brought to the school.

• The Wellness Center holds a lot in store for students. Whether it’s a quiet place to sit, an area to draw or to drink tea and hang out with friends, the Wellness Center has something for everyone.

• Students may come in during free periods, classes, or Access Time to relax or use the space to study. Staff welcomes students to use the Wellness Center in times of crisis or as needed.

Mr. McDonald assists a student with their college essay. He is always available to help students with their work in the Wellness Center.

The rise in popularity of the Wellness Center is not surprising to Aaryn Keltie ‘25. Before the Wellness Center, they found students would go to the counseling office if they were ever struggling with any problems relating to school or home.

“It’s just so much better than the counselor’s office because you’re actually recognized and heard,” Keltie said. “If you can’t deal with something right then and there, you have a place to just sit and calm down.”

Although the counselor’s office is still an option and open to anyone, Needle believes the Wellness Center offers different things than the counseling office.

“I feel like the counseling office, although it’s a helpful resource, is not exactly set up for people in crisis,” he said. “The Wellness Center is there for people to take a break from their school day.”

The Wellness Center is not only a place where students can just sit and relax, but it is a place where people know that they are not alone in how they feel.

“I think what separates our Wellness Center from other places in the building, is we are always here,” McDonald said. “We are always accessible for whenever anybody’s feeling the need to connect with someone in a safe, non-judgmental way.”

- Assistant Principal Linda Hubbard

“The last several years have been pretty hard on our community.”

stop freaking out about...

Taylor swift

Oh my gosh, stop freaking out about Taylor Swift! She is not the music industry.

I don’t care what you say. Her music is completely mid. It’s not rip-your-ear-off bad, but it’s not good. There are so many songs without any catchy titles or melodies. “Gorgeous,” “Welcome To New York,” “I Forgot That You Existed,” for example, and the list goes on and on. I just don’t understand how songs THAT boring can qualify as good songs at all. “Lyrical genius this,” “lyrical genius that.” What does that even mean? Of course, she’s good at writing music. Every musician should be good at writing music! What makes her lyrics so special? I’d rather be caught dead than stay up all night and wait for her new album with one hit song to drop. All people do is stream it a million times to get it to be #1 on the charts even though it most certainly does not deserve that spot. Taylor Swift is not worth the hype. There, I said it.

— Maya VanVleet

r. pepper elationships

DPlease, stop obsessing over Dr. Pepper. It tastes vile. You seriously cannot convince me it’s not just cough syrup someone accidentally mixed with sparkling water. People literally think liking it is a personality trait. They’re so obsessed with it that it becomes part of their lifestyle.

Stop.

It’s just a soda and a nasty one at that.

The amount of Dr. Pepper that I have seen some people drink is insane. It’s not like the other sodas either. People like Coke, Sprite, and Root Beer, too, but I have never seen a soda get as much hype as Dr. Pepper. My own brother is obsessed with it, and it’s shameful. It tastes like the liquid medications that you’re forced to take when you’re a sick toddler. It’s not some crazy unique flavor you’ve never tasted, it’s just cola with a hint of cough syrup. So, please, I am begging you, stop.

— Zoey Perrine

RYes, some people are in relationships, and they seem happy, but it’s not the case for everyone. Don’t push yourself into someone that isn’t right for you. Having a boyfriend or girlfriend seems like the most important thing, but it could take a turn for the worse when you force it. Being in a relationship doesn’t only require you to think about your feelings and well being, but also your partner’s. Ask yourself whether you’d rather be in love and having a truly good time with the right person, or having a situationship where its nothing but arguing. You need to learn to love yourself before you can love a partner. There is more to life than having a partner. Have fun with your relationship, get to know the other person, see if you have things in common, before jumping into things fast. Focus on yourself and love who you are before the right person comes around.

— Sofia Blair

Apple products

The new iPhone 14 was released on September 16th, and it instantly increased in popularity. All it has is a few new minor features. Trust me, no one cares that you have the latest iPhone, Apple Watch, or the atrocious rip-off Beats. How could anyone enjoy wearing such bulky things? You can get headphones almost identical to them for way cheaper on Amazon. No need to send $200 down the drain. Hello? Money waster much? The new phone boxes may come with a cord, but don’t even have a block! And guess what? It’s an additional $30 if you want one. I’m guessing that it takes less than $10 to manufacture any product besides phones sold there. Why?! If you decide to go to the Apple store, be prepared to spend half of the money in your bank account. No one cares if you have every single Apple product and accessory out there, take the cheap way out. Your wallet will thank you.

— Ben Lehman

The whole decade was a cringey period of history that would be better left forgotten. First, there’s the music. It’s all bland, basic pop tunes about nothing. Not to mention that every song sounds the same, and all they talk about is dancing–just think of “Dynamite” by Taio Cruz. There are a few decent songs like “Titanium” by David Guetta or “Toxic” by Britney Spears, but they’ve been so overplayed that hearing them on the radio practically triggers my gag reflex. And then there’s “fashion.” The 80s and 90s may have had their flaws, but at least they had style. The 2000s infamous side part, micro skirt, and hideous long tank tops should have never been born. Don’t even get me started on the over-tweezed eyebrow trend that should be left where it belongs–in the trash.

C irports

OVID-19

It’s time to stop freaking out about COVID. It’s been over a year since scientists have given us a vaccine and have drastically brought down the number of cases. I understand that people don’t want to get sick, and being sick sucks, but when people make a huge deal out of it and freak out, saying, “Oh, my Mom has COVID. I have to miss a week of school since I was exposed!” No. That just doesn’t make sense. That’s being dramatic. At this point, COVID is just like the flu. Stay home for a few days then get back to normal once you’re not coughing up your lungs. People are making a mountain out of a molehill. The death rates have gone way down. Long story short, get vaccinated, stay home if you feel sick, and keep some tests in your bathroom. So just relax, we’re finally getting back to normal and that’s great, now we just have another sickness to add to our collection.

— Alex Randle

A Airport. TSA. Baggage Claim. Seating. Boarding. De-boarding. All of it. Trust me, you’ll be fine. Just take a step back. There’s no reason to freak out. It’s ok to arrive at the airport an hour before your flight. You might even be lucky enough to skip the flight attendant’s long safety procedure speech that you can recite word-by-word. TSA: Take your tray when you’re done and get out of the way. Don’t stand in line to put on your shoes. It’s weird.

Waiting to board: It’s not first-come-firstserve, so just have a seat until your section is called.

Exiting the aircraft: Don’t stand up. You can’t leave any faster by standing up with an eighty-pound carry-on in your hand.

— Maren Holecek

Baggage claim: Take a step back from the area. You’ll get your bags eventually, so stop blocking everyone’s view. You can probably see your luggage from a distance more easily anyways.

Stop freaking out when you’re at the airport and take a breath.

— Minh Anh Le

-

OF PERFECT SELF-IMAGE

By Abbey Elalouf

Ihate my teeth. I hate my hair. I hate my nose. I hate my personality. The list goes on. The pressure to be skinnier or prettier has altered who I am, but why? People care so deeply about their reputation and how they look. I felt obligated to become insecure too.

In 6th grade, I started caring what others thought of me. I never wanted to go to the mall with certain people because I hated being told to, “get a bigger size,” or certain styles wouldn’t “compliment me.” Those words would ring in my ears as I put the shirt back. Why did it even matter to them what shirt I wanted to buy? Was I a person who lets others knock me down and pick out my flaws? Where did the girl, who never cared what anyone thought, go? The girl who would wear stripes on top of plaid with a big rainbow skirt?

I started to change myself as I entered middle school. Not only my looks, but also my personality. I was constantly told I was too much, too loud, and too extroverted for just being myself. I started talking less, dressing differently, and being more reserved.

When did it become okay to tell others who they should be, or how they should act? It took me an eternity to learn to overlook what others thought about me and to be able to tune their comments out. In middle school, I only cared about how I looked, dressed, acted, and most of all, who I hung out with. I craved the feeling of being wanted, and when I received it, I realized how toxic it was.

I promised myself in elementary school I wouldn’t try to be popular, but I broke that promise the second I stepped foot into school.

Being popular came with requirements and comments like, “to be in the group you must...”

or, “well, all of us are doing this, so you have to also.” I don’t know why I let others influence me so greatly. With words like knives, people sliced me apart each day.

When I started to realize who I was becoming, I hated it and quickly began to ‘fix’ myself. I worked day and night to rediscover my true self, and to find people who brought out the real me. I could finally wash my hands of every toxic person who made me feel like I was less than.

Every person has issues they struggle with, but they shouldn’t be rooted in others’ opinions. I believe every person should be honest with their friends and tell them how they feel.

No one should be so incredibly insecure they feel the need to bring others down and attack them. That is unjustified.

It’s crucial to remember you are never alone and judgment from others is a projection of their own insecurities.

Surround yourself with people you can trust and who love you for you, and not someone they expect you to be.

I now look at myself in the mirror with a new take.

Today, I love my hair, teeth, body, and everything in between because it makes me who I am.

I don’t have a problem with others having opinions. My problem, is when others use their opinions to drag me down. All I ask is that everyone blocks out unnecessary criticism. Everyone should know they are perfect and more than enough, just as they are.

With words like knives, people sliced me apart each day

staff editorial

NEW YEAR ,

new schedule

NEW BELL SCHEDULES FRUSTRATE, DISRUPT LEARNING

By Brianna Sandoval

Every year for the past six years, Monarch has had a different bell schedule for one reason or another.

For the past three years, Monarch has started, but never ended school at the same time.

In 2018-2019, Monarch ended school at 3:00, which sounds amazing. However, the next year school ended at 3:30. Both 3:00 and 3:30 were reasonable, but then—once again—Monarch made a change. 2020-2021 was difficult to adjust to due to hybrid learning.

School in 20202021 ended at 4:00. No one understands the real reason behind the change.

Students tried their hardest to adapt to online learning, however the blockbased schedule was the last straw for many students.

The 2021-2022 school year seemed to be another bright, new beginning, but then there was another schedule change. School ended at 3:50, which was a plus for many of the students. We enjoyed the class length and the opportunity to still do activities outside of school, without it being too late in the evening.

The classes may have been a little shorter, but many of the students found they were still able to learn and absorb everything in the time given.

Summer ended, and we returned to the

most “normal” year we’ve had in the past three. When our schedules were released, we were excited to see our friends, but our happiness quickly drained after viewing the new schedule.

Students were expected to go along with the change, but do we really agree with it?

We just don’t get it. What’s been wrong with the schedules that have made them change them so many different times? We find it interesting that every year the school seems to find something to dislike about the schedule.

Many people disagree with the shorter lunches. People prefer when there are longer lunches, especially on block days, so they have extra time to get homework done, and to leave campus for lunch. But now, students barely have time to eat.

The schedule was also disruptive to their day-to-day life. Many people find the start and end times of the classes unusual, resulting in them being late to class.

While we do understand why the school extended our release time by 30 minutes last year, we find it odd, seeing as that the student feedback was extremely positive for when school ended earlier.

How many times can a new schedule be put in place before one is finally suitable for everyone?

‘‘ ‘‘ ‘‘

The passing periods are really short and getting from point A to B takes extremely long time.

— Mateja Rowton ‘24

It’s just annoying to have a different schedule every year.

— Medora Peltier ‘23

WHAT DO THE STUDENTS THINK? It’s a lot like less free time at lunch.

— Jonah Schwinnen ‘25

For the past years, Monarch has never ended school at the same time.