Issue #2 by Mark Newton

eagleeye

Mountain Vista High School

10585 Mountain Vista Ridge Highlands Ranch, Colo. 80126

Volume 9 • Issue 2 • November 24, 2009

Poms win league for third straight year

> page 16

INSIDE THE EYE Shirt. Two students put together a shirt company with a simple name: Shirt. > page 12

Senior Jessie Christ copes with parents’ cancer battles

Senior Jessie Christ lost her mother to breast cancer in 2007. Her dad has been battling brain cancer for two years. Still, she remains one of the strongest girls in the school. > page 10

>> SKI + RIDE Jump into ski season with information on Vista skiers and resorts. > page 15

Climbing up the Ladder Job Hunting

Before you even walk out your front door, you have to have the right mind set. You need to be ready for what you’re about to do.

Resume

> >

Building a resume shows the employer you have put effort in finding a job. It also lets the employer know more about you. Even if there is no work experience, the resume gives the employer an idea of who you are.

Lists

Instead of going for one job, make a list of multiple places you could try. This way you can have choices of where you want to work.

Accepting “No”

Not every place you apply to will hire you; be ready for rejection. Many jobs will say “No.” There is a right and wrong way to react to it. Simply respond saying something along the lines of “If you need sometime in the future, please give me a call.”

Follow Up

If you don’t hear back from an employer, wait a week to give them a call. Get in touch with the employer any way you can. And make sure to talk to the person who would be hiring. Don’t rely on someone else to get the right message to the manager or person hiring.

Less is More

There is no need to go above and beyond at an interview. For guys a dress shirt and khakis would be sufficient. For girls avoid excessive jewelry, makeup and perfume; keep the outfit plain.

First Impressions

>>BLACK SHEEP

Make sure to not show up late to an interview. Allow extra time to get to the location. Arriving early rather than on time or late shows the employer you are ready to work and want the job.

Information from jobsearch.about.com

November 24, 2009 |

Dropouts

Johnson stresses the importance of counselors to help with students’ problems. Counselors will do what they can to meet a child’s needs, such as shortening schedules. Ryan Winter > Word Co-Editor In Colorado, It has gone through the head of virstudents are not able tually every high school student at some to legally discontinue point of their life. their education until The burden of waking early, dealing they reach 17 years of with classes, mounds of homework, age. As a result, the extracurricular activities and personal majority of dropouts drama makes the option of dropping are seniors, with a fewout very pleasant, but never plausible. er number of juniors. For most students, the idea will never For students who come to fruition. decide they cannot So far this year at Mountain Vista, handle their situathere have been only five dropout cases. tion at a traditional However, across the country, the sohigh school, there called “dropout crisis” has had a much are alternatives such bigger impact. as Eagle Academy in Mountain Vista has generally had Highlands Ranch and a low dropout rate over the past few Daniel C. Oakes High Photo illustration by Valerie Buccio School in Castle Rock. years, with the total number per year never rising more than twelve. ConWhile the dropout rate at Vista over the years has been generally low, the issue still needs to be addressed. Both programs offer a sequently, Vista has one of the highest “If Mountain Vista is not working for you, let’s find somewhere that does,” Principal Steve Johnson said. unique path towards graduation rates. achieving a high The same can be said about the rest school diploma. to the fire when it comes to struggling students, of the Douglas County School District, as well as Johnson said he does not believe punishments At Eagle, classes are held Monday through most suburban schools. Thursday from 3:15 p.m.—10 p.m. Students are such as suspensions contribute to dropouts. “The problem is not with school districts like additionally expected to work a minimum of 25 “I don’t think in general kids drop out for beDouglas County,” said Principal Steve Johnson, hours per week, and must be at least 16 years old havior,” he said. “Rather than a cause, it is more who has been principal at Vista since 2001. “It with a minimum of 10 credits from their previof an effect.” has more to do with bigger urban areas.” Last year at Mountain Vista there were a total ous school to be eligible. According to the Los Angeles Times, the It is imperative that students at least graduate of 93 suspensions. dropout rate in Los Angeles for the 2008-09 with a General Equivalency Diploma (GED), “The big reason is they are not being successschool year climbed to 34.9 percent. said Johnson. With a GED, a student can be acful,” Johnson said. “Poor attendance and grades, Additionally, in 2007 more than 6.2 million cepted into the military or a community college. nonparticipation in school activities and influstudents between the ages of 16 and 24 in the “Find a way to get an education. Without ences outside of school, such as limited family U.S. quit school. a complete education, you will quickly put support, are also causes.” So what are the real reasons motivating these He also said the most common dropout cases yourself behind the eight-ball,” Johnson said. “If students to abandon their education? are with kids who have struggled since freshman Mountain Vista is not working for you, let’s find While behavioral issues certainly do add fuel somewhere that does.” year and even middle school.

Is the so-called ‘dropout crisis’ hitting Vista?

DECA goes E big C A Deca

Vista takes many titles atWolverine and Eaglecrest competitions

Trevor David > Co-Editor-in-Chief Mountain Vista’s DECA chapter continues to prove it is a force to be reckoned with at competitions. They amounted a total of six individual first-

place finishes and five partner first-place finishes between the Wolverine competition at the Denver Technical Center Nov. 6 and the Eaglecrest Invitational in Beaver Creek Nov. 8-9. At the Wolverine hosted by Chaparral High School, Alex Kester took first place in “Hotel and Lodging Management,” Brennan Boehne finished atop “Sports and Entertainment Marketing” and Danielle Derian placed first in “Food Marketing.” From a team standpoint, Tyler Kirchhoff and Hillary Stuart took first in “Business Law and Ethics.” Casie Peet and Jake Sweeney won the “Financial Analysis Team” category and teams of Erika Bakke and Claire Fullen and Jenna Owens and Andi Patton tied for first in “Buying & Merchandising.” Vista, a three-time Eaglecrest Invitational overall team champion, again had success at this year’s event. Both Kester and Boehne repeated as champions in their categories and Scott Hall took first place in “Retail Merchandise and Technical Sales.” The teams of Kirchhoff and Stewart and Peet and Sweeney again took first at the competition. DECA brought in another first-place honor at the Junior Achievement Stock Market Challenge Nov. 5. Peet, along with fellow seniors Liz Johnson, Karli Moats, Carly Belzer, Megan Hyatt and Abbey Traylor, earned Vista its third championship at the event, and its first from an all female team.

Winners Wolverine Individual First Place Food Marketing — > Danielle Derian Hotel and Lodging Management > Alex Kester Sports and Entertainment Marketing > Brennan Boehne Wolverine Team Finishes Business Law and Ethics > Tyler Kirchhoff and Hillary Stuart Buying and Merchandising > Erika Bakke and Claire Fullen > Jenna Owens and Andi Patton Principles of Business Management > Collin Benjamin Principles of Finance > Avery Kemp Eaglecrest Team Finishes Business Law and Ethics > Tyler Kirchhoff and Hillary Stuart Financial Analysis > Jake Sweeney and Casie Peet Hotel and Lodging Management > Alex Kester Retail Merchandise and Technical Sales > Scott Hall For all results, visit the Eagle Eye Web site

November 24 , 2009

The Eye of the Eagle >> Eagles making the news

What is your opinion of CONNECT being a pass-fail grade? “I don’t like it because it puts more pressure on me. I only go because I can fail.”

>CODY CORBIN, JUNIOR

Photo by Amy Markowski >Eagle Eye: What did you win? >>Savanna Walker, junior: “I won the first prize in Duo Interpretation.”

>Eagle Eye: What did you win? >>Jenna Peters, freshman: “I won overall champion at the Lincoln Douglas Debate.”

>Eagle Eye: What did you win? >>Maddie Saaveadra, junior: “I won the overall champion in Duo Interpretation.”

>EE: How long have you been in the club? >>SW: “I started this year.”

>EE: How long have you been in the club? >>JP: “I started at the beginning of the year.”

>EE: How long have you been in the club? >>MS: “I have been in the club for about a year.”

>EE: What was the hardest part of the competition? >>SW: “I felt ridiculous because it is so over the top, so it took me awhile to get over that.”

>EE: What was the hardest part of the competition? >>JP: “The hardest part was figuring out where to go since this is my first year.”

>>SW: “It felt pretty good to win, but it will be harder at the varsity level.”

>>JP: “Everyone there had not done the competition before so it was easier to win.”

>EE: What was the hardest part of the competition? >>MS: “Memorizing the script is the hardest part because you cant look at your partner during the performance for help.”

“I think it shouldn’t be a passfail class because sometimes there is stuff that needs to get done that is more important and its not fair.”

>>MS: “It gives me a chance to let out my emotions through my work.”

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Monitoring... For What?

Teachers in the hallways Ryan Winter >Word Co-editor Most of you are probably aware of the constant presence of teachers in the upper hallway and commons. It is also pretty apparent that most of the teachers just sit at a desk and grade papers. Teachers are positioned throughout the

school due to the addition of off-campus to the school schedule. “There was a lot of trepidation going into off-campus,” said Linda Hammerton-Morris, a Spanish teacher who is stationed at the entrance of the upper 400s every Monday during second period. However, teachers so far have not been forced to do much to keep the hallways trouble-free. Hammerton-Morris has not scolded one student yet, but she doesn’t mind the duty. “I enjoy it,” she said, adding that it is nice to catch up on grading during her off-period. “If I wasn’t (on duty), I would probably be in the teachers’ office grading papers anyway.” Hallway patrol will be up for evaluation to assess the necessity of this precaution.

>OlLIVIA MARTIN, SENIOR

“I think it holds kids more accountable. If kids showed up in the first place there wouldn’t be a problem.”

> LINDSEY JAFFE, LINK CREW SPONSOR

Science teacher Sandi Gregston monitors the entrance to the 300s during second period. “I get to see all the students I previously taught, that’s why I like it,” she said. “And I get my grading done.”

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Sit the SAT >>

Isabel Salinas >Word Reporter Year after year, upperclassmen throughout the United States throw themselves into studying for the SAT, an exam that determines a students ability to perform well in the studies of math, science, reading and writing. Or at least, that is the belief that has caused so many people to lose so much sleep. Recent studies have shown that this exam upperclassmen anxiously take to get into their preferred colleges may in fact mean nothing at all. Edward Carroll, a standardized test expert, has taken every SAT test over the past decade and from his extensive research has discovered that this test does not aptly display a student’s math or verbal abilities. “The SAT, more than anything else, shows how well you take the SAT,” said Carroll in an article from the Washington Post. In other words, he says, this test is not a test that reflects anything but this test. It creates a good situation for students who excel in test-taking scenarios, giving them more of an advantage over someone who may have studied a lot, but struggles during a timed exam.

“I think its not technically a class so its not fair to be a pass/ fail since we do nothing in it.”

Is it really worth our time and money?

According to counselor Wendy Strait, it is hard to say how appropriate the ACT test is over the SAT test, since every test “has a method” and every test “has a bias” in how it presents the material. Placing the taking of the SAT even further into question is the fact that many colleges Does it really make across the country do sense that all my not require SAT scores for admission, instead English accumulated accepting only the knowledge can be ACT. Though some tested by a few schools do, in fact, obscure words? require both the SAT katherine simmons,12 or ACT, it is becoming more common in colleges today to accept one or the other. Strait made sure to emphasize the fact that the two tests are created and put together in order to analyze two very different aspects of a student. “The ACT states that it measures more of the content of a student’s learning abilities,”

“

”

said Strait. “The SAT states that it is more of a measure for the capacity of a student to learn in future scholarly environments, a predictor of how that student will do in college, if you will.” Senior Emily Mudge said the SAT was “thorough” and, at times, “hard to understand, especially since most of the stuff covered was from ninth or tenth grade.” Senior Katherine Simmons had a similar viewpoint. “I thought the SAT sucked,” she said. “Does it really make sense that all my Englishaccumulated knowledge can be tested by a few obscure words? I don’t think so!” Though some may see the SAT as something to be avoided at all costs, Senior Colin Ida chose to take a more optimistic view on the examination ordeal. “I feel as if the SAT was a good way to test me and get into college,” he said. “Even though some of the questions were unfair — it wasn’t possible for me to answer them in the time given — there’s always the chance that I’ll be able to take it again, and again, and again, until I do better.”

>HAYLEY HARDER, SENIOR

“Connect is a joke. I don’t think we should be graded on watching movies. No college is going to give a rats behind about a failing grade in a pointless class.”

Photos by Valerie Buccio

>TANNER HARRIS, JUNIOR

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November 24, 2009 10 |

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November 24, 2009 |

Parking violations go too far PARKING LOT

Relentless fines stress students as they search for a space to park

What is America so afraid of ?

Graphic by Jamie Woodworth

Caleb Williams > Reporter There’s an old saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Yeah, I know it has the grammar of some redneck on “Jerry Springer,” but it’s true. We live in not only the most powerful, but also the safest country on the planet. We have more health advancements than any other country in the world, and the most powerful military worldwide. Time for a smack to the face, middle-class America: you’ve been pampered. People are scared and I’m not sure why. Parents are sheltering their kids from almost everything. Watch the news. A third-world country gets enough weapon money to assault another third-world country halfway across the globe, and what does America do? We send in troops to tell them to knock it off and then prepare for a backlash. We police the U.S.-Mexico border 24/7 while terrorists walk right through customs in Canada. Parents in upper-class, rich neighborhoods lock their doors and install high-tech security devices to keep intruders out, while their children are downstairs watching VH1 and learning terms that Tila Tequila herself should be slapped for using. What is really upsetting is that most of these precautions are being taken within upper-class neighborhoods like Highlands Ranch. People in South Central Los Angeles don’t hook up anti-theft alarms in their houses. But in “hardcore ghettos” like “The Bubble,” we had better make sure there are at least seven cops per mile, just in case there is a teenager or two outside of their cages. An upper-class neighborhood like ours specifically gives

kids the idea that they have the real world dialed and everything is going to be the same once they leave, but the closest thread of a clue these sheltered kids have of the “real world” is the show on MTV. The technology supernova that occurred about 10 years ago didn’t do American paranoia any favors either. Take this for example: A high school kid makes a joke on Facebook, writes the words “Al Qaeda” on someone’s picture and within 12 hours the National Security Agency has figured out who he is, tracked him down to his home and arrested him for harboring terrorism. Not a true story, yet. But the National Security Agency has some 11,000 employees at their disposal who can constantly monitor any activity going on almost anywhere in the U.S. I’m not sure, but I think letting my kid be outside with some teenagers is a little less scary than the government saying “screw you” to the Fourth Amendment and watching our every move. Some little innocent girl gets assaulted in a rough California neighborhood? Give all the little rich, white girls pepper spray and a rape whistle. In some tiny, unknown African country a monkey gets a bad case of the sniffles? We should probably shut down the school so the kids don’t get sick. America is preparing our children for a terrifying world that doesn’t exist. Yeah, I get it, there’s some rough stuff out there. But instead of hiding everybody from it, help people to understand it. These poor kids are going to go out into the world and be so naïve to the rough ways of the world that they won’t know what to do, and they will have to realize pretty quick that real world challenges are a little tougher than going two months without a new phone.

Carli Auran > Co-Editor-in-Chief Driving into the school parking lot each morning you find yourself searching for any sign of an open parking space, squeezing into the spot and rushing off to class. But careful, your haste could cost some serious cash. The school’s parking policies and fees have always been strict, but lately the restrictions and fines have taken things from rigorous to ridiculous. In addition to the $50 cost of buying a permit — and $10 more for a second or temporary tag —the school has begun to issue a minimum of a $10 fine for first offense parking violations. From there, the subsequent penalties for violations increase to $100 and booted vehicles. Security guard Scott Herbert said when he checks

cars he looks for cars violating requirements and permit requirements. “If there’s one that’s really obvious then we’ll give it a ticket,” Herbert said. Herbert and his staff scout the parking lot twice daily and don’t hesitate to write tickets. The school has a no warning policy and security personnel write 3-24 tickets a day. “Right now, I’ve already written five and I’m halfway through,” Herbert said during his morning routine Nov. 3 in the middle of third period. If security inspects the lot twice daily and writes at least five tickets they make $50 a day on parking fees alone. The profit goes towards simply repainting the lot’s lines and new equipment. Senior Kristen Zavilla received a ticket for parking over the line in early October. “It seems like the school is just trying to make money,” Zavilla said. “It’s not fair.” Herbert said many parking

lots downtown charge $75 to vehicles parked over the line and the school’s rules simply prepare students for the real world. But this isn’t downtown. This is the suburbs of Highlands Ranch and our district can afford to let us park free at our own schools. Fifty bucks is already a high price to pay just to park at school, but with the additional charges, the cost of parking is no longer affordable for broke high school students. This is our school. Why do we have to pay such a high fee to park here? Other Douglas County public places don’t charge to use their parking lots. Safeway does not issue permits or establish requirements for how to park. The library doesn’t care if you park slightly over the white line. It is only the high schools in the area that carry out similar parking laws. Highlands Ranch High School at least gives students a warning for first offenses, but still charges mon-

etary fines for later violations. Senior Jake Price had to pay $10 for having a vehicle without a permit. “I had ice caked on my car, so at the last minute I took my mom’s car instead,” Price said. “I had a permit on it last year, but since they only let you get a permit for one vehicle this year I couldn’t get one for (my mom’s car).” Because he did not get a temporary tag fast enough, his car was issued a violation. The mighty administrationsecurity tag team jumps at any opportunity to charge students in the parking lot. Gaining some funds from permits seems reasonable but this year they’re going too far. We can be trusted to park sensibly within the spaces without causing a hazard. So far, no students have complained of insufficient room to park due to another’s parking job. Inching our tires a little over the line does not deserve a fine without warning.

<<thelowdown

Photo by Carli Auran

COLLEGE

1,482>>seniors, juniors and sophomores at school 600 >>parking spaces in the parking lot 641 >>parking permits sold to students 288 >>parking violations issued this year $100 >>cost to remove boot after fourth ticket

Seniors: Finish strong to succeed in college Stay focused all through senior year or face the consequences next year Trevor David > Co-Editor-in-Chief The life of a senior: Come a little bit late to first period because it’s only to be a teacher’s aide, go to second through fifth physically but check out for the day mentally and get in the car around 12:30 p.m. to go home as the underclassmen face nearly three more hours of school. Part of being a senior seems to be all but taking a year off as we head off to college. But, is that really the best approach? Those of us going to college are in for a rude awakening and a bone-crushing change of pace next fall. Brigham Young University freshman Colin Gill said the hardest part of college is

workload and keeping high percentages in your classes. “It’s a huge amount of work at first,” Gill, a Mountain Vista graduate, said. “You get overloaded with readings and stuff. It’s hard because you never get assignments for a grade so your overall grade is just based on tests and quizzes.” The tests will be harder and the professors won’t be making sure you’re on track to succeed. Students alone will be accountable for studying and doing the assigned homework, most of which won’t even be collected. “College is a lot harder (than high school),” Jene Mayfield, a Mountain Vista graduate and current freshman at Regis University, said. “Teachers expect a lot more out of you and some don’t care that you just left high school and that you aren’t familiar with their styles of teaching.” >> continued on page 7

Photo Illustration by Tim Bratina

Graphic by Tim Bratina

EAGLE EYE 2009-2010 STAFF

CO-EDITORSIN-CHIEF Carli Auran Trevor David SECTION EDITORS Val Buccio Brenna Cameron Kelsey Krebsbach Tyler Mustin Zachary Smith Kyle Tosch Ryan Winter Caitlin Young ADVERTISING Dallin Calvert Jordan Laeyendecker

REPORTERS Allison Cole Taylor Ernest Andrew Frieman Brooke Healey Makeeba Helms Macy Morgan Erica Rasquinha Isabel Salinas Jake Smith Caleb Williams

>CONTACT Eagle Eye, Mountain Vista High School, 10585 Mountain Vista Ridge, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126. Phone: 303387-1500. FAX: 303-387-1501. Adviser e-mail: mark. newton@dcsdk12.org. Publication e-mail: EagleEyeNews@ dcsdk.12org >COST Single copies are free. Where available, additional copies of this paper are available for purchase for 50 cents each. Contact Eagle Eye for more information. Taking more than one copy of this paper with the intent to prevent other individuals from reading this edition of the paper is prohibited (C.R.S. 18-4-419). Violators, subject to prosecution and penalty under C.R.S. 13-21-123, will be prosecuted. >OPEN FORUM CONTENT Some material courtesy of American Society of Newspaper Editors/MCT Campus High School Newspaper Service. ©2009 Eagle Eye/Mountain Vista High School. All rights reserved. >ON THE COVER Mountain Vista’s poms team performs in front a large crowd at the Continental League competition Nov. 11. Their routine took first for the third consecutive year.

Cover photo by Cody Enboden

THE FIRST AMENDMENT

PROPS

teams for state. The girls team had only qualified once before, while the guys team made their first-ever state appearance.

>Props to the three straight snow days

right after fall break. Students reaped the benefits of fall break’s “hangover” as 20+ inches of snow pounded the area, creating a two-day week after a full week off for fall break. Photo courtesy of Chapman/MCT

ADVISER Mark Newton, MJE

>LETTERS TO THE EDITORS Eagle Eye welcomes and encourages letters to the editors. This is a chance to express your viewpoint on important issues. Letters should be limited to 250 words. Letters will be edited for space and legal considerations, but not for inaccuracies, grammar or spelling. Letters must contain information pertinent to the students of MVHS. The staff retains the right to not publish any letter not meeting these requirements. Unsigned letters will not be published. Please submit typed letters in person to Room U328 or via mail or e-mail.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Props to both the girls and boys varsity > cross country teams for qualifying their

PHOTOJOURNALISTS Tessa Kaufman Amy Markowski

>POLICY Eagle Eye, a legally recognized public forum for student expression, is published six to nine times a year by the Newspaper class for students of Mountain Vista High School. Expression made by students in the exercise of freedom of speech or freedom of press is not an expression of Douglas County school board policy. The views expressed in Eagle Eye do not necessarily represent the views of the entire staff, adviser, MVHS administration or the Douglas County School District administration. Board policy regarding student publications (JICEA and JI/JIA) is available in the journalism/publications room (Room U328) or in the principal’s office.

D C

PROPS

OUR VIEW

FLOPS

the STAFF

November 24 , 2009 |

to the poms team for winning >theProps league championship for the third

straight year. Doing it once is hard enough, twice that much more challenging and three times almost impossible.

VOLUNTEERING

Get involved, make a difference Although sometimes unnoticed, students’ work to assist others, community makes large impact

ountain Vista cares. Everybody, whether it be on a small scale at our own school or on a larger scale such as on another continent, needs help. Although everyone at times falls through the cracks, kids at our school do a considerable amount for those in need. The support starts with the people in our school who need it. For example, senior David Bull, along with FBLA, organized a “Cookout for Cancer” to raise money for senior Jessie Christ’s father, who is engaged in an ongoing bout with brain cancer. They raised money by selling hamburgers, hot dogs and other snacks, and organized a dodgeball tournament. “It originally started as a project for FBLA but Lotem Sella and I didn’t care about it for FBLA,” Bull said. “We wanted to help out a friend who was going through a tough time.” The event raised $1,600 for the Christ family. National Honor Society puts dozens of hours of effort and community service into help people in need. Last year, NHS participated in “adopting” Highline Elementary School in Aurora. Members took a bus on Mondays to visit, read to and tutor the children, many of whom had to deal with poverty and worries about being deported. Around Christmastime, NHS bought, wrapped and delivered gifts for a family that had recently lost their father to brain cancer. Members of Key Club spend nearly all their time giving back to the community, participating in numerous service opportunities throughout the year. They recently finished a project that raised $2,000 for the oncology

✓ OUT

center at The Children’s Hospital. The money was used to buy toys for teen patients. Extending help to a global view, “Hope Reigns,” an organization dedicated to helping people in Haiti, donated a significant amount of time and effort to help people on the other side of the world. “Hope Reigns’ main goal is to raise awareness about the poverty found in Haiti and to make a difference, while proving that anyone can change the world,” Chelsea Szydlowski, the organization’s president, said. Mountain Vista students are already helping solidify Szydlowski’s goal of showing how anybody can have an impact. Often teens are labeled with reputations of being apathetic, even selfish, but the assumptions are far from true. The many efforts of clubs, organizations and individuals such as Bull prove such thoughts to be nothing more that hasty generalizations. Throughout the school as well as the community, young adults are donating their time and talents to better the lives of those in need. Whether they are working to help a close friend or to touch the life of a complete stranger, teens at Mountain Vista and in the rest of the Highlands Ranch area do their parts. Even though they might not ask for anything in return, these students deserve recognition for caring enough to spread the love and spread the wealth. With the holiday season coming up, Vista students will undoubtedly impress the community with efforts to make it a special time for everyone.

CLUBS you can join to get into the volunteer spirit >> Key Club >> FCCLA >> Hope Reigns

>> NHS >> Passionate Penmen (see Eagle Eye Web site)

FLOPS

> Flops to T-Mobile for their massive

service outage Nov. 3. People across the country faced major frustration as their phone’s stopped sending and receiving calls and texts. Most phones were not working for nearly five hours.

>Flops to the construction backing up

the already crowded parking lot. Getting out for lunch became a 10-minute process as the right-turn lane out of the school parking lot was closed off for multiple days due to construction.

>Flops to overkill on obvious Facebook

statuses. We know there’s a game on tonight, we know it’s the weekend and we know what the weather is outside. Thanks, but there’s no need to post the same status as 50 other people on Facebook.

>> continued from page 6 Taking an off-period or two makes sense. Seniors deserve them, they’ve worked hard for three years and should get a special privilege. But taking it easy on the way to college is about the worst thing you can do. You will likely get a little smug and feel like you’re drowning as you head into your first exam of college. “I just wish I wasn’t so lazy with ‘senioritis,’” current Colorado State University freshman and Mountain Vista graduate Ryan Greene said. “When school started I still had all my lazy habits.” According to a University of California study of more than 80,000 college freshmen, high school grades are the best predictors of college success, even more so than standardized tests. Even if you’re not taking Advanced Placement or Arapahoe Community College classes, you can still keep yourself academically sharp and stay away from succumbing to the deathgrip of “senioritis.” Make sure you study for tests and quizzes, even if you don’t think you need to. In college you’ll most likely need to study for every single one, so prepare yourself accordingly. Also, don’t just let those seemingly small assignments go. Get used to doing everything teachers assign because in college each and every guide or help a professor gives you will be key to succeeding in the class. Seniors especially, next time you reach for the remote and push aside your backpack, think about next year. You may want to power off the TV and hit the books.

8/9

November 24, 2009 |

Mountain Vista alumni give the lowdown on their new college lives and what to expect

“

Whooo…University of New Haven football! This is at the first game they had in seven years. Therese Buccio, freshman at University of New Haven in Connecticut

“

”

This is a picture of me and Hannah Stolz at the University of Arizona! Haley Caldwell, freshman at University of Arizona

”

“

I am having the time of my life, and working hard! Everyone here is so much fun, college is awesome, and not as hard as everyone says. Lauren Hamilton, freshman at University of Colorado at Boulder

Vista alumni, clockwise from top left, are Therese Buccio; Hannah Stolz and Haley Caldwell; Molly Carlson and Claire Butler; Libby Munson; Amanda Bauer and two friends; a friend, Lauren Davis and Megan Healey; Paul Rogers; a friend, sister and Sarah Stacy; Lauren Hamilton, Sarah Suby-Long and Hannah Simmons.

”

“

Here’s me and Amanda and a friend Mikelle at a CSU game before their losing streak! College is so awesome and so much fun. But figure out the best way to study because classes are hard. Sarah Stacy, freshman at Colorado State

”

“

If you really want to go to an academy, you just have to keep in perspective that this isn’t just a college. You will be trained to become an officer in the armed forces in addition to your education, and be required to serve a minimum of five years on active duty. That’s more than a nine-year commitment of your life, so you have to be really serious in order to decide to go. Paul rogers, Cadet at United States military academy at westpoint

”

Note: In the print publication, pages 8-9 are flipped into one page.

Class of 2009 grad lands full-ride scholarship what are the

ODDS

Literally thousands of scholarships exist for students in Colorado, offering anywhere from $50 to a full scholarship. The vast majority of them are merit and/or need based, although some also have ethnicity requirements. Below are some quirky examples of scholarships:

Of being accepted by Harvard University: 8.97%

Erika Moore poses in front of her new college in Baltimore, Md. Johns Hopkins is ranked 14th in the U.S. News & World Report among the best national universities of 2010.

Of being accepted by Colorado State University: 85.55%

Of being accepted by University of Colorado Boulder: 77.96% COMPARED TO: Surviving Marburg Fever, a particularly deadly disease that causes delirium, shock and liver failure: 18.34%

Funky, Off-the-Beaten-Path Scholarships

said. Caitlin Young > Juice Co-editor his fall, Vista Alumni Erika Following her older sisters’ Moore attended Johns Hopfootsteps, Moore applied for kins University in many scholarBaltimore, Md. on a 96 ships with a percent scholarship ride. The university has an basic application, acceptance rate of 26.09 including awards percent. won, references Moreover, of the and previous jobs. 2,000 freshmen, only “Apply for as about 150 were actumany scholarships as ally accepted into the you possibly can,” she distinct Biomedical said. “Only about two Engineering program hours are invested in Moore participates. the process, and up to What did Moore do thousands of dollars to catch Johns Hopkins’ Vista graduate Erika Moore, are gained.” attention? now at Johns Hopkins Moore actu Moore said she does University ally did not apply for not know, but supthe particular scholarposes the school was ship that sent her to impressed by her good grades and John Hopkins because it was given to her leadership skills. through the university. “Colleges just want to know why Planning to double major in Applied Mathematics, Moore reminisces upon her you would improve their school,” she

steps to writing a college essay SHIRL CHUMLEY, A.P. English teacher “Try to be unique in your approach. Don’t be afraid to tell a personal story with rich language and description. Remember, the admissions officers read thousands of these essays. You want yours truly to jump out at them.”

What are you doing to prepare for college?

high school career—specifically math.

“The class that helped me prepare the most for college was, undoubtedly, A.P. Calc BC,” Moore said. “[A.P. Biology teacher] Brad Shores truly helped me unveil my passion for biology.” Her workload this year is similar to her senior year at Vista because of the five Advanced Placement classes in which she was enrolled. She encourages students to take as many A.P. classes as possible. “There is a large gap between high school and college,” she said, “and the more A.P. you take, the smaller the gap.” From her college application experience, Moore learned one can’t always achieve a dream school and it is very important to have a backup plan. If one is going to try for the best schools, she said, be as well rounded

as possible, as well as being the best at one thing you truly love.

Makeeba Helms > Reporter

> Here are a few tips for students going through the essay-writing process right now and are in need of a little help when writing their essays. 1. Prewriting: Find your strengths. Ask friends and family if you do not know what they are. 2. Outline: After finding your strength give at least five examples as evidence and outline it. 3. Standard Essay: Take a couple points from your outline and put them into each paragraph. Choose more unique things, too. 4. Less is More: Now choose one topic that you find the

“Trying to budget time, balance friends, school, work and volleyball. I’m already accepted into Mines and waiting for CU.” Morgan Rohlfing, 12

Emily Anderson, 12

Vegetarian Resource Group College Scholarship: Two $5,000 scholarships. Participants are judged on having shown “compassion, courage and a strong commitment to promoting a peaceful world through a vegetarian diet/lifestyle and have promoted a vegetarian lifestyle at their school and community.”

Earl Anthony Memorial (Bowling) Scholarship: Five $5,000 Earl Anthony Memorial Scholarships. They recognize male and/or female bowlers for their community involvement and academic achievements both in high school and college. Financial need is also considered. Student must be a United States Bowling Congress member. Must go to Web site to download application.

Eisenhower-Evans Caddie Scholarship (Golf): One-year, full tuition, renewable for four years. Must be a qualified golf caddie, financial need. Apply after July 15 following your junior year. Normal deadline: Sept. 30 of senior year. Scholarships limited to certain universities, depending on state in which the candidate resides.

✓ OUT

For more scholarships: > Naviance on the Mountain Vista Web site > fastweb.com

most interesting about yourself. This style works best for shorter college essays. 5. Feedback: Have someone you know and trust look over your work and tell you their honest opinion of it and see if they understand the message you are trying to convey about yourself. 6. Bring It Down: Your essay does not have to be the most extravagant thing ever. Make it simple, because this is a personal essay about you. 7. Proofread: Go over it a couple more times just to catch any last spelling or grammatical errors. Source: College Board, shorter college essays

“Just keeping up with my grades and not slacking off. Working on being more independent as an adult. I’m being recruited for gymnastics by North Carolina State, University of Arizona, Kent State and Central Michigan.”

“I’m taking A.P. classes so I don’t have to take as many classes in college, and I’m trying to get as much financial aid as possible.” Dan Lander, 12

Note: In the print publication, pages 8-9 are flipped into one page.

> > Through the 10

years

November 24, 2009 |

Inspiration

Student displays grace in face of parents’ cancer

2006

Jessie and her mom spend an afternoon in Disneyland. After her mom died, Jessie and her family spread her ashes in Disneyworld. “Me and my mom love Disney. (When we spread her ashes) we even spread some on her favorite character Eeyore.”

2008

Jessie enjoys the beach with her stepbrother TJ and stepsister Jenna. “They are both great kids and I’m happy to call them family.”

Photos courtesy of Jessie Christ Jessie and her mother Kathi stand near a beach in California in 2006. Kathi battled cancer for five years before passing away in 2007. “(My mother’s death) was both good and bad,” Jessie said, “It was good to see her not in pain and not struggling to breath, but it was bad because she is my mother and I can never have her back.”

Senior Jessie Christ has new outlook on life after many struggles

2009 H

Jessie hangs out with friends seniors Kristen Harrison and Kayla Goyette. “They have always been there for me.”

2009

Jessie and her father pose for a picture together before Jessie heads to the homecoming dance. “I kept thinking this could be our last picture picture together.”

Brenna Cameron > Soul Co-Editor er smile shines across an entire room, revealing that sparkly attitude that has carried her through so much. Going from school to cheer practice, senior Jessie Christ radiates a happiness that doesn’t even begin to portray the adversities she has overcome. “The scariest thing I have faced is watching my mother pass away,” Jessie said. Jessie’s mom, Kathi Christ, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003. The cancer spread to her bones and liver and after battling the disease for five years, Jessie’s mother passed away Aug. 10, 2007. Before Jessie could even lament for her mother, her father, Jeff Christ was diagnosed with a grade-four brain tumor in December 2007. The doctors immediately removed the tumor and Jessie’s dad started chemotherapy. “One of my biggest challenges was the fact that my mother passed away and then my dad got brain cancer,” Jessie said. “It was back-toback life-changing experiences and I will never forget how scared I was then.” Jessie’s father has fought cancer for two years now, but according to Jeff ’s doctors he may not have much time left. Knowing full well the hardships and burdens that trail in the face of death and disease, Jessie has conquered her parents’ illnesses with grace.

She admits that some days scary and emotionally troubling thoughts can overwhelm her. When her dad was first diagnosed, Jessie said her mind automatically went to bitter and self-destructive thoughts, asking herself why this terrible thing had to happen to her. “I could no longer move on in my life,” she said. “Me and my dad aren’t as close, but I still need him here to watch me grow and succeed.” Jeff Christ has hope that he will beat this disease and his optimism has had a profound effect on his daughter. “(My hope) has helped Jessie become stronger and believe in herself and others,” he said. The positive attitude that Jessie possesses allows her to even see the silver lining to her mother’s death. “(My mother’s death) was both good and bad,” she said. “It was good to see her not in pain and not struggling to breathe, but it was bad because she is my mom and I can’t ever have her back again.” And though her mother has passed, Jessie can still find a feminine figure in her step-mom Julie. “Without Julie I don’t know how I could have done this by myself,” she said. Julie said at first she had a hard time approaching Jessie and fitting into her life, adding she’s doing everything in her power to help Jessie

through this trying time. Though Jessie still feels amazement at her own ability to keep going, she said she just continues to live her life the best she can. “I cannot even begin to think of how I am able to go through this but I just wake up every morning and think that I can’t give up,” she said. Jessie continues to fight all the challenges against her, shedding her fear and turning it into a courage that bewilders the people around her. Her positive attitude and gracious smile that still shine despite her struggles amaze her family. “We both admire Jessie for her strength and her attitude towards everything that has happened to her,” Jeff and Julie said. Jessie has overcome these obstacles with tenacity, realizing the blessings that she truly has and the ways she must cherish them. “People everyday in life take things for granted and they do not realize what they have,” Jessie said. “I have learned to be a strong person.” From the time she was young, Jessie thought her perfect life could never be tainted, that her family structure would never crumble under such a terrible disease. “I thought my mom would be there for everything and to watch me succeed in life,” Jessie said, “but the tables turned and now I’m approaching life at a different view.”

November 24, 2009 |

Photo Illustration by Rob Denton

relationships

Testing limits: teenage relationships

Ashleigh Branstetter and Alex Brateman ignore judgments to find romance

>> hallway talk

Kelsey Krebsbach > Soul Co-Editor s the blur of students push through the hallways during passing period each day, seniors Alex Brateman and Ashleigh Branstetter hold hands, laughing and whispering to each other, proving any doubts about their relationship wrong. “I think it’s a common stereotype that high school relationships aren’t real or mature,” Branstetter said. Parenting sites all over the Internet are flooded with comments and advice on teenage romantic relationships. “Prepare for when your child says they are in love,” “hormones surge in high school relationships,” “romance for teens may be difficult to understand…” All of these articles communicate one clear theme: high school romance appears differently from those at any other time in life. According to the American Sociologist Association (ASA), 80 percent of teens have already been involved in a relationship by the age of 18. The length of these relationships varies, but according to sociologist Peggy Giordano, it’s a common assumption that these associations are

“

short-lived and shallow because of the age of the partners. Brateman and Branstetter have proven such assumptions wrong — the two of them have been together two-and-one-half years. “A lot of people, especially adults, doubted it would work,” Branstetter said. Being in high school has undoubtedly presented the couple with challenges, and they have broken up twice throughout high school. Both agree the key to a successful relationship is willingness to talk through the problems. “You have to be willing to work things out, ‘cause everyone fights sometimes,” Branstetter said. Although they are together often, Brateman said that there are times when it is difficult balancing time between school, friends and spending time with Branstetter. “Being in high school, it’s hard not to get sick of each other because we’re together so much,” Branstetter said, “but then again, it makes it weird being apart for too long.” While it’s true the human brain does not fully mature until age 25, recent research by the ASA

shows that teenagers take important life lessons from these relationships about themselves and their emerging identities. Wendy Strait, counselor, agrees these relationships are an important way for teenagers to learn what they are looking for in a boy or girl, but also said some of them put a strain on a ‘young’ couple. “Romantic relationships often put pressure on high school students because everyone is changing at a different rate, and expectations vary so widely,” she said. While she said she does not think success is impossible, Strait said it is important to know why one is dating a person if the relationship is to truly work. “Many students are trying to be adults in a teenage relationship,” she said. However, Brateman and Branstetter just may prove themselves to be the exception to a typical teen romance. “A lot of people end up giving up on each other to try something different or just to move on,” Brateman said, “but I think we’re different than most couples.”

The Silhouette ” Adam Adkins

What do we hear during passing period?

> “Guys, I kinda got a black eye today.” > “So, if the world ends tonight...” > “Don’t worry, I’m just letting the smell of

TALENT: Photography

When his dad got a camera for his birthday three years ago, Adam Adkins discovered his talent for photography. “I just started taking pictures,” Adkins said.

booze into the hallway.”

> “Do you know what it’s like to breastfeed?” > “We’re having a fern baby together.” > “Where’s Jesus Christ? Oh, there He is.” > “Who even LIKES putting on sunscreen?”

“I guess photography is the one thing I’m actually good at.”

Photo by Amy Markowski

Adkins says his favorite thing to photograph is nature and the outdoors. “Not just the typical pictures of mountains and sky,” he said.

YOU

whathave did to say? about high school relationships

have to say that many people like > “I’d getting into relationships to almost have something to do. Sometimes they turn out great and you go on to marry your high school sweetheart, other times it’s just a fling.”

STEVEN MCCLUNG, 12

get serious when you have > “Why your whole life ahead of you? Dating

is awesome but don’t let a relationship keep you from achieving your wildest dreams.” CAMMILE BROWN, 11

OUT ✓

For more responses: my.hsj.org/co/hr/eagleeye

“I try to be more out of the ordinary.” He also says the art of photography presents some challenges.

“The hardest part is getting where you need to at the right time,” he said. Adkins says he is not sure if he will pursue it as a career. “I’m not really sure yet,” he said. “We’ll just see how it goes.” Adam’s photo of an electric lightening storm was recently nominated for Canon’s ‘Photo In The Park’ contest.

OUT ✓

Web.me.com/adkinsadam1/ to see his photo and more of his work.

Clothing

Simple. Classy. Clothes.

McGill, Plantico use creativity to establish unique clothing line

OUT ✓

The K&S Elite Facebook group to learn more information and order shirts

Erica Rasquinha > Reporter Ever get sick of expensive and boring labeled clothes? Seniors Sean McGill and Kyle Plantico started a unique shirt company K&S Elite. They started the company for fun at first and then realized it was a profitable creation. McGill’s original thought was a simple tee that said “Shirt.” After they came up with the idea, a name and slogan quickly followed: “Simple. Classy. Clothes.” “To me this company means fun,” McGill said. “It’s just a stress-free way to make money and get our cool ideas out on the market.” McGill and Plantico have a heavy responsibility when it comes to their company. “We try to spread out the

roles pretty evenly, except ironing. I’m boss at ironing” Plantico said. McGill and Plantico make the shirts on an order-to-order basis so they don’t have a surplus, making the cost-to-profit ratio low. They said they tried to avoid following regular store prices, selling each shirt at just $9. “I dare you to find a shirt as classy as ours for less money!” McGill said. Currently K&S Elite’s publicity travels through word of mouth, people wearing the product and a Facebook group. When McGill wears his product he has gotten comments like, “ Oh, that’s a cool shirt” or “Where did you get that?” One future idea is a shirt

with “24!” on it. This creative and abstract design represents factorials in math, basically, all the numbers below the number (24) multiplied together, such as It’s just a 5x4x3x2x1. stress-free way McGill and Planto make money tico are and get our cool working on ideas out on the simple jokes market. of pictures that are one sean mcgill, 12 of a kind. The two said they hope K&S Elite impact the students at Vista with their affordable and unique clothes. “The company definitely has a place in my heart,” Plantico said. “Like Snuggies and fire extinguishers, it’s sweet and really cool to keep around.”

“

Photo by Spencer Godfrey McGill and Plantico assemble shirt orders for their clothing company K&S Elite. The shirts are sold for $9 a piece.

[

Escape to Shambhala TRAVEL

Student Buddhist retreat: an enlightening experience

Macy Morgan > Reporter rom practicing the demanding poses of yoga to tasting the vegan dishes of another culture, 26 Vista students experienced a completely different way of life for one weekend last October. English teacher and wrestling coach Frank LaVoie is a Buddhist “by philosophy,” learning to develop

compassion and become less aggressive through practicing yoga and meditation — a unique take on life for “The Bubble.” The past couple years, he has given students the opportunity to become familiar with Buddhist practices and find relaxation in a divergent way. LaVoie, along with three other teachers took students to the Shambhala Buddhist retreat and meditation camp in northern Colorado Oct. 3-4. “It was relaxing, the coolest thing for real,” junior Brian Conahan said. Students experienced a fresh and exotic lifestyle over the course of the weekend, and explored multiple activities and facets of Buddhist customs and tradition. “We learned about other cultures,” said junior Nick

Photo courtesy of Frank LaVoie

Students sit on the steps of a stupa at a Buddhist retreat center in Northern Colorado. The trip introduced them to new cultures and new ways of thinking.

King. “I would definitely go again.” Students meditated, tried yoga, and saw the Great Stupa of Dharmakaya, the largestBuddhist temple in the Americas. “We went all around the Stupa and talked about the Buddha statue,” junior Laetitia Vivier said of Dharmakaya, which also houses relics of Buddha and other Buddhist teachers. Primarily, this trip happened because of the success of last year’s trip, said LaVoie, who hopes to make Shambhala trips bi-annual. “For both trips, students couldn’t stop talking about it and how much they liked it,” he said, “They loved the environment.” Junior Laetitia Vivier described the trip as providing “a new way of thinking,” as she and twin sister Laure Vivier, junior, described the experience of mediation, a way of relaxing and clearing the mind by concentration on breathing and the five senses. “It was refreshing to see students from a conservative environment expand their horizons,” LaVoie said.

OUT ✓

For more information: shambhalamountain.org

November 24, 2009 |

>>The Critique

with Brenna Cameron

“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”

The new Stageflight Production does not seem up to par with other musicals that they have put on in past years. While some parts were entertaining, the overall execution of the performance seemed to be lacking. The play consists of all songs with no spoken words in between. This made it hard to follow the plot line. The huge chorus would drown out the main singer as well, making words almost undecipherable. The enormous cast seemed to distract from the main speaker. With everyone on stage at all times, I found it hard to concentrate on the main action. Overall, the production was entertaining but failed in the overall execution.

The Cafeteria

B-

The cafeteria has given school lunches a new meaning. The soft serve ice cream, Subway, smoothies and Crowfoot Valley Coffee gives many options to pick from than just the run of the mill cafeteria food. However, there are some downsides to the new high school dining area. The line for Subway is atrociously long, taking usually 15 or 20 minutes to get a sandwich. I would rather go to the real Subway down the street and wait only 10 minutes in line. While the cafeteria staff tries to change up the variety of the soft serve everyday, they have ventured into some flavors that I would rather not try, like blueberry. All the variety allows freedom with food options but the long lines and inconsistency makes me want to opt out and go off campus for my lunch.

“This is It”

The movie, out for only two weeks, shows Michael Jackson in his rehearsals for a concert he never got to perform. Through the very entertaining light shows, elaborte stage designs and dance moves, Jackson reveals his true passion—performing. However, if you’re expecting a fabulous concert video that shows hoards of crowds screaming for Jackson, you’ll be disappointed. The film shows Jackson in front of dancers and stage workers, not the millions of fans who paid their respects only a few months ago. “This Is It” reveals a new side to Michael Jackson in some of his final hours, conveying a strong and focused man, not one in emotional and physical distress.

[

November 24, 2009 |

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>> Class of 2010 leaves unique legacy 14

November 24, 2009 |

Football

22 seniors bid farewell to Friday night lights, leaving new expectations

Brooke Healey>Reporter t’s been four long, grueling, demanding years for the Mountain Vista football Class of 2010. But as the lights shut off at NAAC Stadium Nov. 13, the hundreds of hours spent lifting, training and playing came to an end for 22 seniors. It was finally time to hang up the Golden Eagle uniform. Training since the summer of 2006, the senior class is a group of boys that have dedicated much of their high school lives to an arduous sport that sometimes seems like a full-time job. But they all agree that Friday nights made the hard work well worth it. The seniors faced a big challenge this season. Coming off a 5-5 record in 2008, the squad’s mission was to improve that record, but more importantly, to make some huge changes to the team’s emotional morale. To improve this emotional morale, Head Coach Ric Cash implemented a new program called “T.I.L.T.” — “Teaching Influence to Leaders of Tomorrow.” “We felt that leadership was defined as the ability to influence the decision making of a group of people,” Cash said. “We needed to stress the value of positive influence and used the concept of ‘servant leadership’ as the basis of our program.” The team’s motto this season was “pathos kai orasi” — passion and vision. This motto, on the back of the team’s t-shirts and on the front of the helmets, was a constant reminder of Cash’s expectations. To both see the vision of success and exert the passion to meet their goals was the ongoing challenge. The expectations of the team were raised this year, and the seniors expected everyone to meet those expectations. “(The seniors) did a good job setting goals for the team,” junior safety Dan Zamora said. “They kept us as a team even when practice got hard.” Cash noticed this new attitude. I am honored to “Aside from their athletic talents and have been their coach individual work ethic, this senior class, in some ways, laid a new foundation for and look forward to our program and for how we operate on hearing of how they a day-to-day basis,” Cash said. become men of influ Senior offensive lineman Zach ence in the future. Garfield said the seniors did lay a new foundation. “I want the legacy we leave RIC CASH, COACH to be the ‘rebound season,’” he said. “We brought the team back to a state of really caring about the game and the team, and I hope the next classes can continue to do the same.” Senior defensive lineman Collin Benjamin agreed. “We brought leadership and passion for the game,” he said. “Every-

“

”

Photo by Rob Denton Seniors prepare for a game against Doherty. The Class of 2010, through the newly implemented “T.I.L.T.” program, led the Golden Eagles to a share of the league title this year. From left, Tanner Wiscombe, Brian Caggiano, Ryan Fix, Jonathan Fraker, Brandon Oswald, Troy Whitmer, Zach Rahm and Erik Syrstad. “I am honored to have been their coach and look forward to hearing of how they become men of influence in the future,” said Head Coach Ric Cash. one on the field wanted to play. There wasn’t the class division like in the past. We came together as one team.” And one team they were, as they took the Southern League title for the second time in school history. Ask team players what led them to that success, and they will say the dramatically different atmosphere. “Versus previous years, the leaders this year kept a positive morale on the team,” junior quarterback Isaac Archuleta said. “They led by example.” Adam Omansky, junior offensive lineman, agreed. “(The seniors) were a lot more enthusiastic and motivational than last year. We played harder because we were playing for them.” Several seniors echoed the same opinions, saying the program was better this season. “The team camaraderie was better this year,” Brian Cag-

giano, senior linebacker, said. “We played for the team, not ourselves.” Senior wide receiver Tanner Wiscombe said this year’s seniors emphasized leadership. “The teammates worked harder this year,” he said, “and the team was closer than ever.” But after a whirlwind four years, the time finally came to turn in the Golden Eagle jersey for the final time. “It feels surreal. It went by really fast,” said senior wide receiver Dan Lander. “I could barely take off my pads after our last game,” Benjamin said. “I didn’t want it to end, knowing that could be the last time I ever wear them.” Those left behind didn’t want it to end, either. “They were the best seniors we’ve had,” Zamora said.

>> Fall Sports Wrap-up

> Final Record > Key Player > Best Moment

Boys Tennis

5-5 13-4 17th place finish at state 10th place finish at state 4-6-5 7-4 13-9 17-6 259 strokes at regionals

Boys Soccer Boys Cross Country Girls Cross Country Field Hockey Football Girls Volleyball Softball Boys Golf

Cory Hensen: No. 2 Singles

"Getting second place at regionals in Grand Junction and qualifying for state."

Nic Morabito: Defender

"Defeating Mountain Range on a game winning goal by Jordan Anner."

Michael Finger

"Winning first at Air Force Academy."

Natalie Miller

"Getting first at Air Force Academy."

Kirsten Boeckman: Forward

"Beating Kent in overtime with two minutes left. They are our rivals."

Ryan Fix: Linebacker

"Conference champs and back-to-back comeback wins."

Katelyn Keith: Outside

"Beating defending state champs Cherry Creek for the first time in school history."

Randi Applehans: Catcher

"Beating Ralston Valley, who were the No. 2 team in the state, in extra innings."

Matt Weiss: No. 1 Varsity

"Shooting a 74 at South Suburban and getting to drive my dad's Cobra home."

November 24, 2009 |

place like home

SKIING NOT FOR YOU?

Four Places to Sled in the Ranch: High Point: Wildcat Reserve and Poston-Stonington | Copper Mesa Elementary: Wildcat Reserve and Poston | Wildcat Ridge: Wildcat Reserve-Fairview-Macarthur-Quebec | Indigo Hill: Wildcat-Gateway Photo by Amy Markowski

Die-hard Currie embraces season

Skier spends almost every weekend on slopes

Allison Cole > Reporter

typical weekend for sophomore skier Mark Currie consists of heading up to his Keystone house and making his way down double blacks with friends and

family. Since he was two years old, Currie has had a love for the slopes, making his way up almost every weekend for the last 14 years. “It took about four years to learn to ski, and I was pretty good by the time I was about six,” Currie said. “The hardest part was that I had to keep trying over and over again.” In fact, he stayed on bunny slopes for an entire year before trying anything else. Currie claims he really wanted to build up his confidence and skills. He said he thinks it definitely paid off in the long run. Consistently going up with his family, all of whom are skiers themselves, Currie’s favorite place to ski is Beaver Creek. “My favorite part of skiing is whenever you get a lot of snow, and Beaver Creek always has good snow,” Currie said. His favorite run at Beaver Creek is called the Stone Creek Shoot. He said he enjoys it because it is really steep and there are a lot of good rocks to jump off. While skiing has always come naturally to him, Currie claims snowboarding seems to be the opposite. “I have tried to snowboard,” Currie said. “I didn’t like it. I didn’t want to have to be a beginner again.” This would be an understandable frustration to Currie, having mastered the art of skiing already. Currie said his favorite things on the slopes are tree runs and moguls because he likes a challenge, and these runs have many drops throughout them. He likes any dare the mountain has to offer. In fact he has perfected the 360-degree turn. “I actually just learned how to do it last season,” he said. “It wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be, it only took a couple of weeks. I had to really focus on how to get my weight in exactly the right place.” Currie said he understands the risks and danger of the

Lift Ticket Prices

A-Basin: $44 (day), $199 (season) Breckenridge: $213 (3-day), $309 (season) Copper Mountain: $72 (day), $359 (season) Keystone: $213 (3-day), $309 (season) Loveland: $46 (day), $269 (season) Vail: $177 (3-day), $309 (season) Winter Park: $65 (day), $369 (season) Photo courtesy of Mark Currie Mark Currie jumps off of a rock, as he rockets down the slopes of Beaver Creek Ski Resort. Currie says that his favorite part of skiing are difficult runs that provide a challenge. sport, although he has never closely known anyone who has suffered a great injury. He considers himself lucky not to have broken any bones, since injuries are so commonly associated with skiing. “I dislocated my hip when I was 14,” Currie said. “I was in a terrain park and I was doing a rail and I just came off of it wrong. But, I’ve never been badly hurt.” To fellow ski lovers, Currie recommends backcountry.com to buy gear. This is where he and his family shop, instead of

facing all the hassle of going to a crowded store. “I go there when I need something new, or even just to look at new things. It is really helpful to look at the ratings on gear to see how good something is,” Currie said. Currie said he is anxiously anticipating this upcoming season, and cannot wait to hit the slopes with friends and family. “Who knows,” Currie said, “maybe one day I’ll go pro, but for now it is all about having fun.”

November 24, 2009 |

Poms take first in midst of controversy Vista wins league for third straight year despite Grizzly complaints

booed, but it’s a rivalry so teams should be prepared for it to happen,” Moats said. Johnson said Vista still supports ThunderRidge’s team despite the animosity shown by the Grizzlies. With the state competition coming up Dec. 4 at the Denver Coliseum, the Golden Eagles have little time to celebrate their third consecutive league title as they look forward to defending their state championship. “We were very excited to win league but we know we can’t settle or be content with where we are now,” Johnson said. “We are focusing on one competition at a time hoping we improve at each one.”

Trevor David > Co-Editor-in-Chief or the third consecutive year, Mountain Vista’s poms team finished atop the Continental League. After having to stay frozen in their starting positions for more than two minutes due to difficulty in finding the correct music, they beat out second-place ThunderRidge for a rare “three-peat.” “Even though we lost seniors last year, It was a really it proves we can work tough competition hard and still have but the way they the same accomplishhandled it was ments,” team covery un-classy and captain Liz Johnson, doesn’t show what senior, said. spirit teams are The victory did about. not come without a Karli MOats ,12 little bit of controversy, as competing teams accused Vista fans of shouting inappropriate comments and ThunderRidge’s team made public

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Photo by Tessa Kaufman Poms team performs in front of a Vista crowd. The team edged out ThunderRidge to take first in the league competition. complaints over Facebook regarding the outcome. After the competition, held at Mountain Vista, school administrators did talk to several of the students accused of shouting inappropriate comments about sportsmanship. Comments from ThunderRidge dancers and fans on a video taken by a ThunderRidge spectator and posted on Facebook of the Grizzlies’ second-place routine ranged from saying, “Vista just sucks in person,” to “Vista can suck it because we were the real winners and everyone knows it.” “It was a really tough competition but the

way (ThunderRidge’s team) handled it was very un-classy and doesn’t show what spirit teams are about,” senior co-captain Karli Moats said. Additional Facebook posts made, some involving profanity, have since been removed from public view on the social networking Web site. “We felt like we put our best performance out on the floor and that’s all we can control,” Johnson said. “We can’t control our fans or the judges.” As for the fans, Moats said it was an unfortunate situation, but one to be expected. “I think it was wrong that our school

<<thelowdown regional competition >>The was Nov. 21 at the

Denver Coliseum. State is Dec. 4 at the Denver Coliseum.

✓ OUT

For results and coverage on the regional competition, go to the Eagle Eye Web site at my.hsj/co/highlandsranch/eagleeye

Replacing the void left behind With only two returning varsity players, Vista will rely on its new members to step up their game Kyle Tosch > Pulse Co-Editor ovember is a time of transition for Mountain Vista High School. As the Friday night lights turn off at Shea Stadium for 2009, a basketball team prepares for a new season. When fans first see the basketball team in action there will be a lot of new faces on the court. Junior guard Tony Kahn and senior guard Ryan Nash will be the only returning varsity players from last year’s team that finished 12-13. After getting knocked out of the second round of the playoffs last year, Kahn

Photo by Rob Denton Tony Kahn dribbles the ball up the court for the Golden Eagles against South. Kahn is one of only two returning varsity players for Vista this season.

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and Nash said they have some unfinished business they need to accomplish. “With only two players returning, it will be a tough season,” Kahn said. “We are really going to have to work hard I think some and give it our all teams may underestimate us on the and we could make court.” a nice run in the playoffs. Kahn, who Tony kahn ,11 also plays baseball for Mountain Vista, said the toughest part about this year is going to be dominating the boards down low.

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“We are a short team, and to be successful we are going to need to play tough in the paint.” Kahn said. The losses of Eric Anderson and Jordan Smith will leave a big void for the team at the forward and point guard positions. “(Anderson) was a big guy that could run up and down the court and played at a high level,” said Kahn. “Nash and I are going to need to step up as leaders on the team to fill the holes left by the graduated seniors.” “My height limits me to point guard,” the 5’9’’ Kahn said, “but I feel I am a good

ball handler that can get the ball from point A to point B.” With the team losing so many key players, some fans might think the team is in for a rebuilding year, just do not tell Kahn that. “I think some teams may underestimate us and we could make a nice run in the playoffs,” Kahn said. Junior A.J. Moseley has the same mind-set. “I think we have a lot of potential to have a great team,” he said. “I’m just excited to find out how we will stack up against the best teams in the state.”

> First Game/Match

> Key Player

Feb. 2, 2010 home against ThunderRidge

Dec. 1, 2009 - Home against Cherokee Trail

Tony Kahn, junior

Feb. 18, 2010 away against Highlands Ranch

Dec. 1, 2009 - Away against Cherokee Trail

Ali Stadjuhar, senior

January 25, 2010 home against Ponderosa Dec. 8, 2009 home against Regis

Dec. 3, 2010 - Home against Rock Canyon Dec. 1, 2009 - Away against Heritage

Taylor Gutierrez, senior Yana Garvey, senior