Issue #4 by Mark Newton

eagleeye BIG

Mountain Vista High School

10585 Mountain Vista Ridge Highlands Ranch, Colo. 80126

V Volume olume 9 • Issue 4 • January 29, 2010

Murphy’s band prepares to make it

> Page 10

Photo used with permission of Mario Masitti

INSIDe THe eYe

Vista family adopts African child

> Page 8/9

CHIvALrOuS AT BeST

0.3

Senior gymnast Lindsay Ebel misses Olympic trials by only three-tenths of a point

> Page 16

BUDGET CUTS > Pages 2, 7

>> Budget continues to plague Vista 2

January 29, 2010

Students may feel slight eﬀects of $36 million shortfall in Douglas County as money shortage may lead to bigger and fewer classes next school year

$5.50

$3.50

from. “Off-campus is staying,” the eight-year principal said. Johnson said money may come from textbooks and technology. Linda Hammerton-Morris, Department Chair of World Languages, said course offerings may be limited based off of enrollment. “There will only be a few students who will feel the difference,” she said. “It will be those who desired to take certain classes that will be cut.” “I think A.P. Spanish should be cut because only foreigners really pass the A.P. test,” junior Maddie Saaveadra said. Hammerton-Morris said some teachers may still offer cut classes on their own time. For example, she teaches A.P. Spanish Literature to four students who wouldn’t be able to take the course otherwise. For the most part, students will notice a slight increase in the ratio of students to teachers per class. Johnson said each teacher

$1.00

has a 150-student maximum, but that might change next year. “I don’t think when (students) are sitting in class, they will see a big change,” he said. “We want to get as close as we can to 30 (students per class).” In addition, seniors may have less choice when it comes to taking more than the minimum of five classes per semester. “I really don’t want to do that,” Johnson said. This would possibly cut down classes offered because less students would be able to take them. In total, DCSD has to cut $31-$36 million on top of the already planned $5 million for the 2010-2011 school year. At the board meeting Dec. 15, possible reduction strategies were discussed. One consideration is a salary freeze for all employees at an estimated $6.3 million. “I think money should come from sports teams,” junior Amy Parks said, “because they should be able to provide their own funding.” The transportation department is expected to have the biggest reduction for next year, even after the severe cuts already in place. The final budget will be adopted by the Board of Education in June. Overall, students may only feel a small effect from next year’s budget cuts, but it is still a bite out of the burrito. “The budget is a domino effect on students due to the fact that some teachers don’t supply paper and pencils, etc.,” said senior Dallin Calvert. “It’s clearly evident the budget affects us all here at Mountain Vista.”

“Buses because we have less already and have to walk.” >STeveN CHIpMeN, sophomore

“School food because I don’t eat here and there is the opportunity of oﬀ-campus.” >eLLIe peNLAND, junior

“After-school activities like sports or clubs because they can do it on their own time.” >BreTT NeWMAN, sophomore

“Sports because they spend too much. They focus more on sports than education.” >SHANNON CASSIDY, junior

“There should be budget cuts on the use of electricity because we have a lot of natural light ﬂowing in.” >CArTer HeurLIN, junior

Photos by Valerie Buccio

Where should money come from out of the budget?

Photos by Valerie Buccio

CHARTER >> Almost 1.2 million students were enrolled in 4,132 charter schools in 2006–07. >> Charter schools enrolled larger percentages of black, Hispanic and American Indian/ Alaska Native students and lower percentages of white and Asian/ Paciﬁc Islander students than conventional public schools.

School mementos tanking from economy Students may miss out on class rings and yearbooks due to the recession Joanie Lyons > Reporter With people loosing jobs left and right, high school mementos are being removed from people’s lives because of a down economy, even hitting close to home at Mountain Vista. Around sophomore year kids usually purchase class rings, but as sophomore Jacob Dodson said, “People don’t want to spend their money on jewelry, when they need the money to survive. “I know kids that have not gotten rings because of the economy.” Usually, 1,800 yearbooks are bought out

Going green

CU takes step to save energy costs

Isabel Salinas > Reporter Colleges are often advertised for and made well known by “their football teams” said senior Liam Murphy, or “the type of food or color that’s in their name (like Rice or Brown)” said freshman Victoria Salinas, or even “the amount of hot boys passing through the campus” said senior Nikki Kutcher. However, there are only a select few colleges that, through shows like Good Morning America and energy report bills, have become well known in the college world based off of their title of “Most Green Campus in the United States.” One of the most prominent of these campuses is the University of Colorado. Their efforts through the last 20 years have made a significant difference in the way faculty and students at colleges around the globe look

Photo by Valerie Buccio The price of some traditional school keepsakes such as the “Aerie” yearbook may prevent some students from receiving one.

of 2,000 kids at Mountain Vista every year since 2003. Prices don’t go up too often though. Prices had not gone up since 2004 school year. This year the cost went up $5 because of the need of more pages in the Aerie yearbook. Some students are even aﬀected throughout all years of high school with the economy. Freshman Emily Schantz said her mom will not let her get a yearbook until her senior year. She said, “She doesn’t want to spend over $200 over the course of four years for something I’ll never read.”

to saving the environment, according to the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA). While many campuses plan to cut back on the budget, professors and classes in order to save money, CU has a much different game plan in order to start saving. They plan to install shower timers that either shut off the water or give students an audio warning about how long they have been in or how long they have left. “This is indeed a new and cool way in which CU is thinking about starting to save the environment as well as saving money: money that we can start to devote to other venues, like our classes and our campus intramurals” said Ric Porreca, Senior Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer of CU. According to several CU students, they are consistently “asked and encouraged to challenge and rethink our consumption habits, and strive to find the ‘happy medium’ between ‘just right’ and ‘way too (darn) much’,” said Brian Stephens-Hotopp, sophomore at CU. This constant encouragement has caused many CU students to cut back on their own

personal expenditures. “I bought a fan, because when the dorms get too hot in the winter, I will just turn that on instead of cracking a window and overworking the already overworked heating system,” said sophomore Danielle Griego. Junior Kristian Hahn said she bought energy-efficient compact ﬂuorescent bulbs. “It was potentially one of the ‘brightest’ decisions I’ve made this year,” she said. The shower system, before campus-wide installation, will be tested in Baker Hall, an eco-friendly community whose students’ majors varying from environmental sciences to bio-astronomics. “In the end, no matter how much (the staff ) wants this to work, it all eventually comes down to how devoted the students at CU are to keeping our campus as friendly to the environment as possible,” said Porreca. “Just remember, the longer we keep the world clean, the longer we’ll be able to keep it at all. “And personally, I’d rather not find out that, in a few years, my great-grandchildren are going to have to live on Venus because our world has been overrun by trash and pollution.”

✓ OUT

Studies reveal that girls may be better drivers

As a result, most of the money will be funded by the school, rather than the already suffering DCSD.

>> A charter school is a publicly funded school that is typically governed by a group or organization under a contract or charter with the state.

For more information about what you can do to “keep it clean,” visit: • http://www.colorado.edu/ • http://www.my.hsj.org/Schools/Newspaper/tabid/100/newspaperId/3414/view/frontpage/ Default.aspx.

According to National Public Radio, almost three quarters of the 6,000 fatal car accidents last year of 15-to 20-year-old drivers were male.

In 2008, nine teens ages 16-to-19 died every day from motor vehicle injuries.

In 2008, nearly three out of every four teen drivers killed in motor vehicle crashes after drinking and driving were not wearing a seat belt.

Male high school students (12.5 percent) were more likely than female students (7.8 percent) to rarely or never wear seat belts.

Compared with other age groups, teens have the lowest rate of seat belt use. In 2005, 10 percent of high school students reported they rarely or never wear seat belts when riding with someone else.

Source: nces.ed.gov

Photos by Ryan Winter

card your aunt gave you for Christmas. Your friend’s disappointed face haunts you all through your meal. The idea of each student at Mountain Vista losing $200 next year may seem of limited concern when compared to the $3,366 they will have in their individual budget for the 2010-2011 school year. However, with 2,019 students currently enrolled at Vista, that number amounts to $400,000 total that needs to be cut. In the entire district, an estimated total of around $10 million will be taken from the student-based budget. Principal Steve Johnson explained the possible areas where the money will come

Ashlyn McKesson > Reporter A new charter school, which will be located in Highlands Ranch, has been given the OK from the Douglas County School District Board of Education. The board gave conditional approval in early December 2009 and the school is scheduled to open in the fall of 2010. STEM Middle and High School’s curriculum will focus on science, mathematics, technology and engineering. The school aims to prepare students for college and careers in these industries. Mark Baisley, board president of STEM, said the school is a “win-win” for everyone because the industry will get a prepared workforce, the economy excels and the students get high-paying jobs. The school’s opening location will be at 8757 Ridgeline Blvd. Its ultimate goal is to build a permanent campus on the empty land north of Super Target. According to a YourHub article in The Denver Post, “charter schools are public schools funded by per pupil revenue, but the start-up costs are funded by the schools themselves.”

January 29. 2010

Schools

valerie Buccio and ryan Winter > Word Co-Editors magine, it’s Tuesday, fifth period, and all you can think about is a chicken bacon ranch foot-long at Subway. The bell rings, and you rush to get a great spot in the line, reach into your pocket for the $5.50 you packed this morning and realize you are two bucks short. “No big deal, I’ll just get a six-inch today,” you say. The next day, you drive to Taco Bell, and your best friend asks for $2 so he can have two 5-layer cheesy burritos to hold him off during block-day math class. You open your wallet, but all you see is the Starbucks gift

Photos by Ryan Winter

Young people ages 15-24 represent only 14 percent of the U.S. population. However, they account for 30 percent of the total costs of motor vehicle injuries among males and 28 percent among females.

In 2008, about 3,500 teens in the United States aged 15–19 were killed and more than 350,000 were treated in emergency departments for injuries suﬀered in motor-vehicle crashes. Information from www.cdc.gov

January 29, 2010

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e n you v i he g gio es T t irs Reli t giv on ive~ t F i F s irs e r t h i F u i T e e F et s yo h Th t e ~ T e Pt giv irs v i F uF he irs o T F y ~ e es ive y Th v i F u mbl tg o s r y i e rst es Ass eF i v i h g T eF t h s T ir F Attention Class of 2011: e It’s time to start thinking about your senior portraits! Th Want to get senior photos that you will love

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January 29, 2010

prOpS

Our vIeW

SECTION EDITORS Val Buccio Brenna Cameron Kelsey Krebsbach Tyler Mustin Zachary Smith Kyle Tosch Ryan Winter Caitlin Young ADVERTISING Jordan Laeyendecker ADVISER Mark Newton, MJE

REPORTERS Allison Cole Taylor Ernest Andrew Frieman Brooke Healey Makeeba Helms Joanie Lyons Ashlyn McKesson Ryan McKinney Macy Morgan Erica Rasquinha Isabel Salinas Jake Smith Caleb Williams PHOTOJOURNALISTS Cody Enboden 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.

>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.

>CONTACT Eagle Eye, Mountain Vista High School, 10585 Mountain Vista Ridge, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126. Phone: 303- 387-1500. 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.

>ON THE COVER

Senior David Murphy (second from right) and his band Chivalrous at Best pose for a photo in downtown Denver.

THE FIRST AMENDMENT Congress shall make no law respecting an establish¬ment 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 as¬semble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.



eAGLe eYe >2009-2010 STAFF CO-EDITORSIN-CHIEF Carli Auran Trevor David

January 29, 2010

FLOpS

>>the >STAFF 6

prOpS

> Props to Nathan Thompson and

his family for adopting an African child. The Thompson’s took in a 6-year-old Ethiopian orphan in December. (Story on Page 12)

Graphic by Jamie Woodworth

Budget cut decisions: Keep class sizes down A.P. Calculus is hard. Sitting in class, you stare down at an integration problem and don’t even know where to begin. You pick your brain for 10 minutes until finally succumbing to the notion that you need some help from your teacher, just to see six other students already in line to talk to her and the other 30 making so much noise you can hardly concentrate. Sharing a teacher with 20 other students is hard enough, but adding even more will make individual attention that much harder to job. Douglas County School District’s budget issues in the wake of the economy’s recession are not going away, and the district is planning to cut at least $30 million, maybe $35 million, for the 2010-2011 school year. Although class size increases are not definite, the possibility poses a scary alternative for returning students next year. Even though some classes already boast high student totals, some around 40 students, the possible increase means core classes could reach a higher capacity. Overcrowded classrooms will lead to noisy learning environments and less one-on-one time with teachers. Feeling your voice isn’t heard in terms of needing academic help can be frustrating, especially when tackling the difficult material in an upper-level classes. Mountain Vista’s teachers are exceptionally accommodating and dedicated to helping their students, but it would take Superman to provide each student with the attention and individual assistance they deserve if class sizes increase.

Additional solutions include cutting certain classes, laying off teachers or forcing seniors to take only five classes per semester. Principal Steve Johnson said the latter, if it were to happen, would not happen for a few years. It may be a few years in the future, but it seems to be the best and most viable solution. Limiting a senior’s ability to take a full schedule may seem a little bit drastic, but it’s the option that has the least negative effect on the student body. Kids planning on taking two off periods already will feel no effect, while those originally desiring to take seven can either take classes at night, online or enjoy the time off without any guilt of not pushing yourself (after all, it’s not your fault the district is in a budget crisis). Teachers would be able to better focus on the underclassman, who need more guidance as it is, and classes would not have to be as full as they would be if seniors have the option of taking a full slate. With budget cuts looming in the near future, it’s time to make a decision. So, do we get rid of our teachers and possibly lower the quality of our school’s education? Or, do we simply strip ourselves of unnecessary workloads and lessen the stress of both students and teachers? Learning will take a downfall if we jam more kids in the classrooms. Larger classes will only create a more hectic learning environment. If the district and Johnson can keep the sizes down, students will appreciate not having to battle 34 other frustrated students for help on that pesky integration problem.

$36 MILLION 1,709 30,000

> Props to two con-

secutive three-day weekends. Thanks to an inservice day, and more importantly the recognition of Martin Luther King Jr.’s life, we got two straight long weekends.

> Props to “Gen-

Photo courtesy of Fort

eral” Larry Platt for Worth Star-Telegram/ pointing out society’s MCT pants issues on “American Idol.” Everyone with your pants on the ground, it’s oﬃcial, you look like a fool.

FLOpS

> Flops to Facebook for being so

slow lately. It is geting impossible to send a message on Facbook Chat with it taking almost ﬁve minutes to send.

> Flops to the trash in the

school parking lot and ﬁeld. It’s not that hard to walk 10 feet to the trash can to throw away your McDonald’s. Stop being lazy and clean up after yourself.

> Flops to the lack of

Photo courtesy of The Fresno Bee/ senior attendance at as- MCT

semblies. Fewer than 50 seniors attended the winter sports pep assembly. It’s embarrassing to be quieter than freshman ﬁve months before graduation.

Douglas County needs to cut could buy...

2010 Honda Accord sedans iMac computers

7,200,000

feet of Subway footlongs

Not seeing the connection

Students not taking full advantage of Connect’s bonding opportunity Trevor David > Co-Editor-in-Chief aren Monsees has been in my Connect class since my freshman year, and like me, shows up to the class every Wednesday. With two meetings per week freshman through junior years and one meeting per week this year, that’s a total of more than 200 Connect classes together. Still, in asking how well she thought she knew me, she responded, “Not well at all.” Assistant Principal Corrie Hitchens said the purpose of Connect is to create a connection between students. “I think it’s an opportunity for teachers and students to bond together in a non-academic setting, a time for teachers and kids to get to know each other better outside of the more structured classroom environment,” she said. On paper, the idea of the class sounds quite sensible. I like the idea of getting to know a relatively small group of kids and walking with them at graduation. However, for me this has not been the case at all. “Connect is pointless because we only hang out with the people we’re friends with already anyways,” senior Hayley Ehring said. In my experience, this is true. I can honestly say for a number of kids in my Connect class, the only thing I know about them is their names, much less their interests. This is the first year the class has been referred to as Connect, changing from the previous name RAP. “Kids didn’t go to RAP and didn’t see the point of RAP and we made a bigger push last year to give it some purpose,” Hitchens said. I was glad to see administration Graphic by Lizzy Grathe and Amy Markowski

noticed the apathy kids had towards RAP and tried to make a change, but this year has been no different, and it’s not the administration’s fault. Half the kids seem to roam the halls or break early for lunch and the people who do go just talk to kids they already knew outside of Connect. “I talk to about five kids and the rest sit on the other side of the room in their own corner,” senior Alex Brateman said. “As bad as it sounds, I don’t really talk to anyone in that class.” Even as seniors put together for four years, we —and this includes me — refuse to even remotely step out of our comfort zones to make the connections we were put in the class to make. For seniors, it’s too late. Next year high school will be but a memory and Connect the last thing anyone thinks about. But, juniors, sophomores and freshmen still have a chance to change their views on Connect. Sure, you may think it’s a waste of time or think you’d rather be sleeping, but since you have to go anyways (three absences warrants a failing grade in the class), why not just make the best of it? It’s easy to talk to people you already know, but you’re graduating with the entire group of kids. Don’t let that kid in the corner sit there by himself for 45 minutes. Talk to him, engage him, find out something cool about him. Caren, let’s see if we can change that “not very well” to “a little bit” before we walk across the stage and close our high school careers.

STUFF THAT MAKES ME TICK 

January 29, 2010

DIARY Balancing school, work, social life

by ryan McKinney

makes enjoying high school diﬃcult Writing this piece, it is 11 o’clock at night. I have just gotten off work at Pizza Hut, which is my second job. I work afternoons at Einstein’s Bagels and nights at Pizza Hut right next door to it. I spend three hours a day at Einstein’s, and five-to-seven hours a day at Pizza Hut, and then come home just in time to do homework (when I can, of course) until one or two in the morning. Some people call me crazy for working so much. I call it life. I have one day off a week from Pizza Hut, and three off from Einstein’s. Of course, none of those fall on the same day — that would be too convenient. One week seems like a long time: seven days, 168 hours. In truth, it’s not. It is very easy to become consumed in school, work and keeping up with that elusive thing known as a social life. This quickly becomes too much for many to handle, and makes finding a balance one of the most difficult things in life. In high school, especially, students can easily find themselves overwhelmed if they are not careful. Between the 35 hours a week spent physically at school and another 10 spent doing homework, a student has already fulfilled a quarter of the time in their week. Adding a job to the mix can make the balance of life pretty tricky. Still, some students do it. Do the math. I spend 45 hours a week in school and doing homework, and about 40 at work. That’s 85 hours of

the 168-hour week accounted for. I get about six hours of sleep a day during the week, and around 10 on weekends. That’s another 50 hours. Count it up, 135 hours spent between school, work and sleeping. I also spend about an hour-and-a-half total, per day traveling to and from school, home and to either job. That’s about 10 hours a week, not considering traffic ﬂuctuation. About 145 hours of my week are completely accounted for so far. Now, factor in that, being a human being, I like to eat food. And that accounts for about 45 minutes, per day as well, so tack on, eh, say five hours to that. This can change if I eat at work or don’t eat at all. So, 150 out of 168 hours are spent on nothing fun or exciting. Granted my schedule does ﬂux a bit and some hours are switched around every once in a while. You may think I’m a machine. I know I do. But, I’m not done yet. Don’t forget I have a girlfriend, friends and a family to spend time with. And, I’m not the only kid doing this. How do we find the time? The answer is make time. Do homework or stay up late to finish watching that movie with your little siblings. Skip the Qdoba and invite your significant other over to eat with the family for once. Enjoy the time you do have to yourself and enjoy the time you spend with the people who are important to you. Try to unwind whenever you can, and do what you need to do to take care of yourself and use the little time you can create.

Caleb Williams

[ [ Breakdown

>> the In a 168-hour week, Ryan’s schedule is virtually ﬁlled with only the necessities. RED >> Work (24%)

GREEN >> School (27%) BLUE >> Sleep (30%)

YELLOW >> Social (10%) PURPLE >> Driving (6%) ORANGE >> Eating (3%)

Terrorism? I’ll deal. Teenagers? Not on your life.

It was 8:30 p.m. in the middle of July 2009. Two of my friends and I were standing on the sidewalk outside one of their houses. His next-door neighbor looked out of his front door with a look on his face like a zombie apocalypse was happening. “What are you kids doing on my property?” He asked us in a creepy German accent that brought me back to “Inglourious Basterds,” “Are you maybe stealing something?” Keep in mind, the entire time we were on the sidewalk. Public property. I guess the second any human being turns 13 the spirit of Satan infects their mind and forces them to wreak havoc and become irresponsible savages for the next seven years. I’m always hearing things from suburban

adults like, “I don’t discriminate against anyone,” or, “I don’t look at anybody differently.” But the second a group of teenagers walks past them, they will clutch their children as if we were the Chinese government coming to take them away. I walked past a gas station recently with a sign hanging in the window that said in big, bold letters, “Only two students at one time.” Basically once you become a teenager, convenience stores suddenly have acceptable reason to force you out. Would it be OK if there were a sign that said, “Only two senior citizens at one time?” What about, “Only two African-Americans at one time?” I don’t discriminate against anyone. “Teenagers are really just trying to find a place in the world,” said Kaaryn Dahlquist, sophomore. “There’s just a few kids daring

enough to do stupid stuff and they drag the rest of us down.” What Dahlquist forgot is the tiny detail that all teenagers are actually the foot soldiers of Al Qaeda, and normal people need to protect themselves for the seven hours per day parents let us out of our cages. Well, teenagers are all terrible drivers. Really? We’re terrible drivers? As opposed to the little old lady in the Buick who is only visible by a tiny tuft of white hair above her steering wheel? What about the slowly-slipping-intoinsanity soccer mom with kids eating Cheetos and watching “Spongebob” in the back of her army tank of an SUV? Yep, you’re absolutely right. Teens cannot be given an opportunity to endanger these “responsible” drivers. “I was at a Safeway and trying to find my mom in some of the aisles,” said Courtney

Dover, freshman. “They told me I was loitering and kicked me out.” I don’t discriminate against anyone. Everyone is different, I’ll never judge a book by its cover. Unless of course, that piece of literature happens to be a teen. Then, we can all know for sure that every single one of those hormonal hurricanes wants to steal from our convenience stores using paintball guns and attack our children just for kicks. Why is it unacceptable for people to force certain ethnicities out of their stores or neighborhoods, but perfectly typical, normal behavior to call your children back inside, shut the windows and bolt the doors just because a group of young adults is hanging out across the street? I just don’t want little Timmy to get too close to any of them, he might get infected.

my.hsj.org/co/highlandsranch/eagleeye

January 29. 2010

s e to ekd d n M a

8/9

Junior Nathan Thompson ventured to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to support the local orphanages — and adopt his new sister reaching the palace of Emperor Menelik II at the peak. Shrouded in the shade of eucalyptus trees, Menelik’s palace is considered a holy place by many Ethiopians. They enjoy the view, and return to the orphanage.

Zack Smith and Caitlin Young > Juice Co-Editors Through sickness, chicken neck soup, poverty and hourly wakeup calls from a rooster, Nathan braved the differences of Addis Ababa. What follows is a daily account of his experiences.

Dec. 25 – Christmas in Ethiopia

Dec. 14 –The Eve of the Trip

The Thompsons celebrate Christmas quietly, eating a midday meal at another restaurant and singing songs of praise. Nathan, his family and Mekdes read the nativity story of Jesus’ birth before turning off the lights to prepare for another long day of traveling.

While snow blankets Highlands Ranch and freezing temperatures permeate the soil, Nathan packs his suitcase with long-sleeve shirts and a few pairs of khakis. Although the average temperature of Addis Ababa hovers in the 70s, Nathan selects clothes that reveal little skin. He has heard Ethiopians have strict rules on dress code; wearing shorts or other exposing garments is socially unacceptable and could lead to shop owners denying him service. Despite the immensity of a trip to Ethiopia, Nathan feels no anxiety or nervousness about meeting his new sister, Mekdes. Not yet, at least. “I definitely was not enthusiastic about spending a day on a plane,” Nathan recounts. The entire trip will consume the better part of two days, during which Nathan will travel by air, bus and taxi to the mountainous capital of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. For now, he worries only about getting sleep.

Dec. 26 – Teff, Flower Farms and the Long Trip Home

The last day of Nathan’s international trip entails a spontaneous visit to a local farm, only five hours before heading to the airport. At the request of Burtukan, the guesthouse owner, the Thompsons take a trip the countryside of Addis Ababa. Taking a special “out of city” taxi, Nathan has the opportunity to

see the source of the main ingredient of injera, called teff,

Dec. 15-17 – Flying & Onboard Entertainment For any other reason, three days of flying may have proved insufferable. However, Nathan, his parents and siblings Stephanie and Nick brave the journey. Stopping for a short time in Houston, Texas and Dubai, United Arab Emirates along the way to Addis Ababa, Nathan and his siblings search for ways to pass the time. The screens showing plane position, altitude and location are a temporary respite from the bores of flying – although the onboard televisions would be confiscated on the way back to Denver as a result of the attempted terrorist attack on Dec. 25. When they finally arrive, Nathan crashes at one of the orphanage’s guesthouses.

Dec. 18 – Meeting Mekdes

Still recovering from severe jet lag, the Thompsons visit the orphanage of Gelgela to see Mekdes and the other children. Mekdes first sees her new family while clutching a book of Thompson family photographs in her arms, which the Thompsons sent to her two months earlier to give her an idea of the “every day environment” in which they live. Tall for her age and sporting a short haircut with two small pigtails, Mekdes anxiously eyes the Thompsons. She does not initially recognize Nathan because he has cut his hair since the time the pictures were taken. Hanging back to videotape the interlude, Nathan watches as his mother runs up to Mekdes and bursts out crying as she embraces her for a long moment. Mekdes believes at first they no longer want her, because of the way her new mother weeps. She soon learns otherwise, and

family members hug their new sister in succession.

The Thompsons give their donations of soccer balls and stuffed animals in support of the orphanage, which the children happily accept. The orphans especially love getting their

picture taken and viewing the picture on the camera’s small screen.

After the encounter, the Thompsons are introduced to Mekdes’ caretakers and given a tour of the grounds. Nathan says the orphanage is “pretty nice.” Fourteen girls sleep in Mekdes’ room, which Nathan said is similar in size to his room in Highlands Ranch. If the family wishes to go outside the orphanage, they cannot leave with Mekdes. “We didn’t want to get chased out of there,” Nathan says. The concept of adoption is not welcomed by all of the locals in Addis Ababa, and the family does not desire to push their welcome in any way.

Photos courtesy Nathan Thompson

Dec. 19 – Jet Laaaggg and 5:30-Wake-Up Chants

Trying to recover from yesterday’s events, Nathan wakes up bleary-eyed and sleepy to mysterious moaning originating from a nearby building. “There was this mosque that woke me up at 5:30 in the morning because of their chants,” Nathan says, with an indelible sense of humor. Because the nation’s money, the Birr, is 12.50 to the U.S. dollar, Nathan is able to indulge in much of the native food, which ranges from seafood, like squid, to the country’s staple

of injera, a pancake-like bread that serves as a three-fold plate, utensil and food item, to the famous Ethiopian coffee that

is sold everywhere.

Dec. 20 – Coffee and Chicken Necks

To get a taste of the local cuisine and the lifestyle of the people of Addis Ababa, the Thompsons decide to visit a bazaar, a mess of shops selling various goods, items and foodstuffs. There, they purchase 5 kilos (approximately 11 pounds) of Ethiopian coffee for the cheap price of $10.

“Everywhere (there was) coffee. It was the most delicious coffee I have ever tasted,” Nathan says.

However, such savory coffee comes at a price. Single mothers run the majority of the stalls, earning a day-to-day living from the profits gained from their sales. “It was pretty heart-wrenching. Women sold their goods for practically nothing just to make it for another day,” he says. After dropping off the coffee at the guesthouse, Nathan and his family eat dinner at a restaurant that offers a food comprised of an ingredient discarded as waste in American kitchens:

chicken neck soup, a “surprisingly beefy,” moist and crunchy dish high in protein and fat, but low in calories.

Dec. 21 – Z’s and Barbed Wire Fences

Nathan spends the majority of the day sleeping and further adjusting his internal alarm clock. While going to lunch later in the day, he continues to witness the drastic gap between rich and poor. The houses of the wealthy few are fenced in by barbed wire, but the majority of Ethiopians live in shacks. “Some people didn’t have homes at all,” Nathan says, enumerating that 2.5 million people live in Addis Ababa, a city comparable in area to Highlands Ranch, which has 86,000 residents. The scenery also stands in stark contrast. The roads are slabs of concrete with no lines, and “there were maybe three streetlights in the whole city.”

Dec. 22 – If only they ate roosters…

Nathan wakes up again, this time to the incessant crowing of the neighbor’s rooster. Throughout the trip, he has discovered roosters crow not only at the break of dawn, but also every hour of the night, and sometimes in 20-minute intervals. “I started hoping (the neighbors) would eat it,” Nathan says, chuckling. However, he learns rooster meat is rarely found on dinner plates, because their services are required to mate and help produce other chickens. Nathan and his family salvage what sleep they received and spend the rest of the day at the United States Embassy in

Addis Ababa, going through the process of getting Mekdes an immigrant visa. An immigrant visa allows Mekdes to enter the United States with permanent rights as a citizen. Although not much happens, Nathan says he and his new sister “come up with a cool handshake.”

Dec. 23 – Cultural Education Day

A week-and-a-half into the trip, Nathan and his family journey to the Ethiopian Cultural Center and the National Museum of Ethiopia to enrich their understanding of Ethiopia’s history and Mekdes’ background. After learning, in addition to a myriad level of other information, that Addis Ababa is considered the first Christian city of Africa, the Thompsons find their feet sufficiently sore and return to the guesthouse.

Dec. 24 – Montezuma’s Revenge (In Ethiopia)

It was bound to happen. After evading sickness for the duration of the trip, Nathan finally succumbs to sickness, most likely acquired from food or water. Though the water supply in Addis Ababa is relatively clean compared to that of other African cities, Nathan said he “didn’t even want to wash (his) hands with it.” Prior to the trip, Nathan and his family received no additional vaccinations, but they did take typhoid pills to prevent the salmonella-caused disease. Unfortunately, his sickness coincides with the day the family plans to hike to the peak of Mount Entoto, which towers on the outskirts of Addis Ababa. Despite the rigor of the trek, Nathan ignores his pain and goes with the rest of his family, eventually

along with an authentic ﬂower farm. The ﬂight home is very different, because of the Detroit terrorist incident on Dec. 25. Because he and his family arrive in the United States from a Middle Eastern country, security is even more strict and cautious. Compared to the experience of basically being stripsearched, Nathan finds the other protocol less obtrusive. Like many other flights, theirs does not allow blankets an hour before takeoff and landing and requires them to keep their hands clasped together in their laps, to not stand up and disables the onboard map for the whole plane trip Despite this particularly trying trip — they struggle through 17 hours of daylight— Mekdes does really well considering her inexperience with flying. “She was a trooper,” Nathan says, “no crying or screaming on the plane. She was very calm, so it was nice.” After four hours in customs, and an unexpected disinfecting because of their time on the farm, the Thompsons finally step back into Denver. There, Mekdes witnesses her first surprise: snow. Although they previously attempted to explain snow to Mekdes, she had no concept of the freezing powder.

“Mekdes saw snow for the first time, and she was baﬄed. She couldn’t understand why this stuff was falling from the sky, and why she was cold,” Nathan says. With the falling of the snow, Mekdes steps into her new life with the Thompsons. And the Thompsons themselves bring home perhaps the best Christmas present of all, given to them in the form of a small, six-year-old Ethiopian orphan.

Look at Us Now: The Thompson Family Today

Mekdes has since experienced a whole new world, ranging from English to technology. She speaks fluent Amharic and an additional dialect, although she is rapidly learning English. Nathan says she recently learned his name and enjoys repeating words she learns to her family, such as the word “beautiful.” Nathan says every day Mekdes’ antics bring a new surprise to him and his parents and siblings — as they continue to grow together as family.

Eis... thiopia

... a country whose main exports are coﬀee and ﬂowers. ... a place where injera takes the place of utensils. ... a landlocked, mountainous country in eastern Africa.

THe WAY I See IT: Orphanages in Zambia Makeeba Helms > Reporter Growing up with a mother from Africa has given me a better sense of the suffering going on in many of the nations there, specifically in her home country of Zambia. Living in Highlands Ranch, not a lot of students realize what is going on in the rest of the world, and the extent people are suffering and dying because of the awful conditions and situations surrounding them. But I have had the benefit of learning firsthand the deprivation of many people in Africa, specifically Zambia. Being surrounded by all these atrocities, my mother wanted to try and do something about it, so in 2006 she founded Joanna’s Kids Orphanage. Located at the southern end of the continent and directly above Zimbabwe, Zambia and much of its population suffer from AIDS, poverty and other diseases. The adult population infected with AIDS is 15-20 percent, and young women have a higher prevalence of contracting the disease than men. Due to traditional values and social inequality, women are not able to refuse sex or ask their partner to use a condom. Many children also are greatly affected by the HIV/AIDS problem in Zambia. In 2007, there were approximately 600,000 children orphaned by AIDS, and the number is still climbing.

✓ OUT

To donate or read more, visit Joanna’s Kids Orphanage online www.joannaskids.com

Q&A Teacher Alicia Brown rounds up 17 siblings and a “crazy” household

>Eagle Eye: How many >>AB: “They believe in helpsiblings do you have? ing children, they are good How many are at it and they have adopted? dedicated them>>Alicia Brown: “17 selves to it.” siblings, 13 of which >EE: What is your are adopted.” favorite country >EE: Name all of you have visited? your siblings. >>AB: “That’s not a >>AB: “In order ALICIA BROWN fair question, but so of age, they are: far my top three are Aaron, Emily, Elizabeth, Spain, Thailand and Egypt.” Regan, Kelsey, Jordan, >EE: What is it like when Riley, Serena, Lucia, the whole family is Spencer, Josie, Amani, Zoe, together? Jamison, Isaiah, Connor >>AB: “Crazy! Because of and Cooper.” the wide age range from >EE: From where are 2-30 years old, everyone is your siblings adopted? involved in the family in a >>AB: “Haiti, Russia, Libediﬀerent way. The siblings ria, South Korea, Vietnam, close in age are best friends, Kansas City and China.” and there is always some>EE: What is your famthing happening.” ily’s incentive for adoptTaylor ernest > Reporter ing?

January 29, 2010

January 29, 2010

Megan Vandenberg overcomes physical challenges to earn a night with her favorite sports team

Brandon Tomic David Murphy Nate Sowders Matt ricard Photo used with permisson of Mario Masitti

David Murphy and Brandon Tomic hope for fame throughout Colorado

Brenna Cameron > Soul Co-Editor usic ﬂoats through the car, a voice singing tunes the world has yet to hear. It drifts from the guitar in the backseat, not the car stereo or iPod sitting idle in the front cup holder. No, this music comes from the lead singer of Chivalrous At Best, senior David Murphy, who just wants to have a good time on the way to his next audition. The band, which just recently landed some recording time at their church Jubilee Fellowship and has had possible interest from a music producer, is planning to open for Plain White T’s at an upcoming benefit concert. But the members of the band, Rock Canyon junior Nate Sowders, Castle View graduate Matt Ricard, junior Brandon Tomic and Murphy, agree that they want to keep

themselves in check despite the excitement of a possible career. “It’s a slow process,” bass guitarist Ricard said. “You’ve got to take it day by day. It takes time to work all this stuff out.” The band was at first just an acoustic project, something to have fun with. But it soon exploded into a full-ﬂedged “basement” band in 2009. After some difficulties with various band members leaving, both because of commitment problems and a member moving to England, Ricard and guitarist Tomic joined the band. Murphy says he wrote songs for six months, trying to get the band ready to perform. But as the guys geared up some of their first performances together, three shows in a row

were cancelled. “The one that really sucked was at the ThunderRidge Battle of the Bands,” Tomic said. “We had our speakers set up, all our amps ready to go. We were tuning. David had just bought new strings and it got cancelled.” Sitting down with the guys, as they laugh and joke with one another non-stop, one can see how close they are. They say this chemistry has held them together despite such adversities. “We can go downstairs and get so much done in a half hour when most guys are struggling. We get down there and get to business,” Ricard said. Murphy said their Christian inﬂuence helps them stay focused on their ambitions. The group met through their church and they agree religion has a strong inﬂuence on everything they do. “(Our religion) holds us together,” he said. “We always pray like 30 seconds before we go on stage. It brings us back to reality and our main goal.” And their goals? “To someday tour the nation,” the band said. “I’m not afraid to set my goals too high. I hope one day that this band will financially support me and we will just be touring,” Murphy said. “When you

love music, the dream is worth pursuing,” Tomic said. “You love it enough you’re going to get there.” Music is what they all truly love — from playing guitar in the car to singing together right before an audition, their lives seem to revolve around this passion. “Music is a way of speaking from your mind and heart in a way that you can’t do with just words,” Ricard said. “You put it to something totally different and you preach in a totally different language that everyone can understand.” Smiling, Murphy talks about the songs that will appear on the upcoming album “Denver Weather, Please Hold Out.” “There’s a story behind everything,” he said. “The songs are closer to home than most people think.” “It’s a Simple Question Really,” a song they’ll perform at their upcoming show tonight at Castle View High School’s Battle of the Bands, talks about the group’s pride in their faith. Whatever they write about though, and whether they have a huge show in their near future, the group comes together at the end of the day knowing they have the same goal: to make music. Murphy said: “I can’t wait ‘til I’m walking down the street and someone says, ‘Hey, you’re from Chivalrous At Best.’”

“

week of Feb. 1-6

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from left to right>

an often crippling genetic disorder called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS). Diagnosed in March 2009, Vandenberg describes EDS as a problem with the collagen found in her tendons and ligaments. “Basically [the collagen] is too stretchy, so my joints are too loose,” Vandenberg said. “At one point, I was so my head confused at ﬁrst, started and now I’m just slipping so excited. I can’t back into my believe this. spine.” MeGAN Dealing vANDeNBerG, 12 with such a disorder has not been easy for Vandenberg’s family; they spent three years and visited over 40 doctors searching for a diagnosis before finally understanding what was wrong. Vandenberg said that although she was thankful to finally know what was wrong, living with EDS is an ongoing struggle. Last semester she missed a total of six weeks of school due to the pain caused by her joints dislocating. She also spent many of her days at school in a wheelchair and braces for her knees and wrists. “It’s very unpredictable, sometimes my wrists just dislocate in my sleep,” Vandenberg said. Perhaps one of Vandenberg’s most impressive accomplishments was her ability

Kelsey Krebsbach>Soul Co-Editor enior Megan Vandenberg followed Mr. Johnson up the stairs of the commons, wondering why she had been called into the main office. Thoughts of confusion pounded through her head. “I was sure I was in trouble,” Vandenberg said. She was wrong. When she cautiously entered the office, Vandenberg was greeted with a loud, “Surprise!” As her friends, family and teachers stood around her, Kendra Gish explained that the reason she had been called to the office was to tell her she had been selected as “Av For A Day.” Gish said she wanted to do something for Vandenberg after getting to know her during a semester of economics. Vandenberg will be able to attend a Colorado Avalanche hockey practice, receive a jersey of her choice and take picture with the team. “I was so confused at first,” she said, “and now I’m just so excited. I can’t believe this.” The program recognizes inspirational, inﬂuential kids in the community who have demonstrated strength and character despite any ongoing struggles in their lives, and Vandenberg certainly fits this profile. Not only has Vandenberg inﬂuenced the lives of children across the globe, but she has done so all while battling

Photo by Rob Denton Megan vandenberg and her economics teacher Kendra Gish hug seconds after Vandenberg learns she won a night with the Colorado Avalanche. Gish’s eﬀorts to nominate her for “Av For A Day” are the reason Vandenberg will have this opportunity.

sadie hawkins dance Thursday

HerO WeeKschedule

pep Assembly

Monday

Mr. vista

Saturday

Dance!

Wednesday

Photo by Cody Enboden

7 p.m.

to maintain straight A’s in all of her seven classes last semester in spite of her physical challenges. Her attitude and motivation made her stand out to her economics teacher. “Megan is my inspiration,” Gish said, “and I know whatever she does in life she is going to do great things. She truly deserves this.” Despite EDS impacting her life on a daily basis, she has still managed to positively inﬂuence the lives of those around her. In her free time, she is a student athletic trainer, and stays three hours after school each day helping athletes with their injuries — but her service does not stop there. Vandenberg also participated in a mission trip to Africa over the summer. She said what started out as a trip to teach deaf children how to communicate turned into a truly eye-opening experience. “You see these kids running around happy as can be, and yet they have no toilets, showers or running water,” she said. “It’s a very different lifestyle.” Even as her EDS progresses, Vandenberg maintains a consistently positive outlook on life. “My mom always laughs at how optimistic I am,” Vandenberg said, smiling. “I just never let [my disorder] get me down to the point that I’m not myself.”

7 p.m.

Tuesday

vista Idol 7 p.m.

Boy’s Basketball vs. Thunderridge

7 p.m. Friday

8 p.m.

Girl’s Basketball vs. rangeview

erica rasquinha > Reporter As HERO (Helping Everyone Respect Others) week approaches with its many events, Leadership is spending its time planning. This year’s charity was going to be Tennyson Center For Children, but after the earthquake in Haiti, the funds will now go towards relief eﬀort. “After we contact the charity, it’s all about how we can help them as a school,” junior Rachel Condie said. The theme for Sadies is “Through the Looking Glass” based oﬀ Alice In Wonderland. “Planning for Sadies can be stressful because if something doesn’t go your way you have to be able to roll with the punches,” said Condie.

][

>> Hope Reigns responds to earthquake in Haiti 12

Students rally behind small club to raise funds

Macy Morgan > Reporter n Jan. 12 around 5 p.m., as the world watched Haiti suffer a 7.0 magnitude earthquake, two students scrambled to make any effort they could to

Senior Shelby Delargy collects donations from students at the pep assemby Jan. 15. Photo by Rob Denton

help the poor country in their time of need. With the number of casualties increasing to a possible 200,000, Hope Reigns, along with student band Chivalrous at Best, is working to help aid the country in one of the most devastating natural disasters seen in the area. Co-presidents of Hope Regins Chelsea Szydlowski and Shelby Delargy spoke at the pep assembly Jan. 15, asking for the support of the student body. “It’s really surprising all the support we’ve gotten from the school,” Delargy said. “It’s incredible to see people step up and meet the challenge.” David Murphy and Chivalrous at Best are planning to open for the Plain White T’s at a benefit concert organized by the club. The concert

will happen sometime this spring, the date is still tentative. How “I believe you c -don that everyan h ate t elp o Ho body can -att pe R end t e agree with ig ns he be cert nefit the fact this s conp r ing w that what Whit ith P e T's lain happened a n rous d Ch at B iv in Haiti is a lest one of the biggest tragedies of my generation,” stated Murphy in a message. “The band is willing to do whatever it takes to get funds down to missionaries and relief efforts in Haiti.” The Baby s Bottle act had 33 F Change he e has T Drive, ets uak - q rshocks he stre rs which has t e nea already aft es line toll i h d t made $1,251, 59 -bo e dea $2 will continue, th en v s i a sg 00 according to . ha 0,0 ar 0 S . 2 club sponsor U so f he id a T Frank LaVoie. in lion Szydlowski mil said the funds will go to rebuilding an orphanage in Haiti. “I don’t want to just donate money,” Szydlowski said. “We want to get involved.”

talk

>>hallway

ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A FIFTH GRADER? HEALING HAITI FUNDRAISER EDITION> www.ﬁrstgiving.com/goldeneagles

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What do we hear during passing periods?

what’s the deal > “Guys, with pelicans?”

you hear he has > “Did man boobs?”

want to name my > “Idog Bleeblo.”

does it smell so > “Pants on the ground.” > “Why jank right here?”

The Silhouette Caleb Smith TALeNT: MuSIC

With Vista Idol approaching junior Caleb Smith looks at his music experiences for reassurance. Smith not only participates in Mountain Vista choirs, but has also been playing piano since the age of 8 and taught himself to play guitar.

Photo by Tessa Kaufman

“I’m pretty sure I’ve been singing since the day I was born.”

am not a chocolate > “Icow. ”

“Worship music really touches my heart,” Smith said, “so my passion is there when I lead the worship band at church.” Since he plays worship music so often Smith said, it’s his favorite music to write.

“I write a song multiple times over before I like it, and then I play it for friends to see what they think,” said Smith. Taking as many opportunities as he can, Smith said he is really excited for the Vista Idol “I can show the school what I love to do,” he said.

January 29, 2010

The Critique

“Avatar”

with Brenna Cameron

A+

INTeNSITY

After winter break it seemed everyone had seen this action-packed flick. But this movie is not just another “Spiderman” or “Lord of the Rings.” “Avatar” is unlike any movie I’ve ever seen. The interesting story line and amazing special effects makes viewers dive into another world. With local movie theatres showing the film in both IMAX and 3-D, it makes the movie truly an experience. If you haven’t seen this film, or haven’t seen it twice, go see it. You surely won’t regret it.

January 29, 2010

>> continued from page 14 school, agreed with Nutsch. “College sports require a greater amount of knowledge in the sport,” he said. “We spend almost half our time learning about our opponents and strategizing.” Taylor also found the transition to collegiate sports eye-opening on a different level. “There are players on the field that are around 24 years old,” Taylor, cornerback, said. “Some of my teammates have their own kids, and it just shows what kind of people you are playing with.” Unlike the common assumption that playing college sports makes keeping up with academics more difficult, Taylor found it to be the other way around. “If anything, playing sports makes it easier to finish schoolwork,” he said. “My team requires us to attend at least four hours of study hall a week, which is more than enough time for me to get my work done.” For Matt Conahan, who wrestles for Division III Saint John’s University in Minnesota, BrYCe TAYLOr plays football for the University of Nebraska Kearney. The team ﬁnished the 2009 season with an 11-2 record.

“Lies and Legends: The Stories of Harry Chapin”

B+

The Goldtones put on a musical recently, something they’ve never done before. The setting was very intimate: 90 people crammed into the choir room with a small stage for the performers to sing. Instead of a solid plot, the musical was composed of separate stories inserted in each song. Although many of the songs seemed a little depressing, each seemed relatable to real life. I found myself smiling and laughing as the group showed oﬀ their many talents and even played a nostalgic slide show that had pictures of the group as kids. But, despite the close setting, sometimes I couldn’t quite hear the singers and this made some of the songs hard to understand. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed myself at this unique performance.

>> DETERMINED A N DEDICATED D

Photo by Brian Vu Brent Coﬃn, senior, shows intensity during a wrestling match against the Ponderosa Mustangs, the seven-time defending 5A state champions, Jan. 25. Although the Golden Eagles lost the match, they are 12-5 this year. The state meet is Feb. 18-20.

the college experience has also meant learning to do things differently. He has changed his game. “I’ve been working really hard, getting stronger, faster, smarter and learning a ton of great stuff,” Conahan said. Although Conahan refers to college wrestling as “hell,” he believes he has improved as an athlete physically and mentally. “I wish I could take what I know now back to high school and win myself state,” he said. While all of these athletes agree college sports require an increased amount of dedication, effort and intensity, they also agree they play college sports for one reason — the love of the game. And as the time comes for the athletes of the Class of 2010 to face the decision to play at the collegiate level, one factor should guide them, Taylor said. “Don’t be one of those people who regrets not continuing their athletics,” he said. “If you love the game, then play it.” MATT CONAHAN wrestles for Saint John’s University in Minnesota. The team currently has a 10-7 record and is ranked 11th in NCAA Division III. Photo courtesy of Matt Conahan

Photo courtesy of Bryce Taylor

Junior Boy Cheerleaders

These six boys — Steven Cirroco, Alex Hill, Chris

Tantillo, Brady O’Donnell, Michael Hepp and Derek Snow — recently performed at the pep assembly and blew away the crowd. I never knew there were guys at our school that could move like that. Not only was the dance funny, but it had technical dance skills that made jaws drop. Making a human chain and doing the worm seemed fairly difficult and showed that the boys definitely practiced to perfect their routine. The boy rolling on the mat while the other five boys jumped over him was performed on the last season of MTV’s “America’s Best Dance Crew” and displayed the true spectacle of skills the boys had. Overall, it was a great performance that had a little of everything: comedy, skills, astonishment.

DURANGO,

COLORADO

January 29, 2010

A N Mountain Vista 2009 graduates share collegiate experiences D Brooke Healey > Reporter n fall 2008, Taylor Kemp played soccer at an almost empty Shea Stadium, with only two rows of the bleachers filled, almost all by parents. A year later, Kemp was playing in the NCAA Division I quarterfinals as a starting defender for the 2008 national champions, the University of Maryland. “My initial thought was that it was going to be hard… more like a business and job instead of just for fun,” Kemp said. And his thoughts, he found, were true. “My days are completely centered around soccer,” he said. Kemp, along with 13 other Golden Eagle athletes of the Class of 2009, are currently playing collegiate sports. And while they have put in countless hours of practice and struggled to find the balance between school, a social life and sports, the experience for most, they say, is a rewarding one. “Every day, soccer takes up about four to five hours,” said Kemp, who has racked up an impressive string of top national honors during his rookie season. “Whether it’s getting treatment three

times a day or going to study hall with the soccer team after practice. It’s no secret soccer is the reason I am here.” For Sierra Joseph, her decision to play soccer at Arizona State University, also a Division I school, cut her summer in half. Training started July 3 and, she said, was extremely rigorous. “Over summer, we practiced I wish I could take three times a day, what I know now from 7-9 a.m., 2-4 p.m., and 7-9 back to high school p.m.,” said Joseph, and win myself state. who made 2009 MATT CONAHAN, All-Colorado 2009 vISTA GrADuATe Honorable Mention. Joseph said college sports require 10 times more dedication, commitment and mental toughness. “Practices are higher intensity and you play harder competition,” she said. Joseph squared off against some of the best competition in the country this fall, playing such teams as UCLA and Stanford. The Arizona State Sun Devils lost in the first round of the NCAA Division I Playoffs. Eric Anderson, who graduated high school with all-conference awards for football, basket-

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ball and baseball, decided to pursue the latter. Playing for the University of Missouri, Anderson has found the transition more difficult. “I thought (baseball) would be the greatest thing ever,” he said, “but actually it’s a lot of work.” Mizzou baseball practices about six hours a day. This intense practice schedule leaves little time for academics and social life. “It is difficult to balance baseball and school,” said Anderson, adding he finished the semester with a lower-than-expected GPA. Despite the challenges, Anderson said he still enjoys playing college ball. “It’s tough, but it’s great,” he said. Volleyball player Nikki Nutsch entered her collegiate career nervous about how she would be able to balance college and sports. “I was terrified with how I would handle school and volleyball workouts,” said Nutsch, who red-shirted this year for Chadron State College in Nebraska, a Division II school. “I knew it would be like a job, and it is.” College sports are all about quick thinking and knowledge, Nutsch said. “I always have to say to myself, ‘What would coach do?’” Bryce Taylor, who plays football for the University of Nebraska Kearney, also a Division II >> continued on page 13

Athletes prepare to showcase their talents in college

FOOTBALL: >> Brian Caggiano

Kyle Tosch > Pulse Co-Editor ach year Mountain Vista athletes who have excelled in their respective sport take that next step by committing to participate in a collegiate level sport. Senior tennis player Sami Lifpitz is one of four athletes who have decided to take that step so far this year. Lifpitz, who has been number one singles on varsity every year she has been at Vista, will play tennis for Cal Poly Pomona next year. “I think that playing a college sport will be much more time-consuming,” she said, “but at the same time I think it will be a lot of fun.” Lifpitz and senior swimmer Yana Garvey agree that while college sports will be very enjoyable, the competition level will be greater. “I think it will be challenging and a good experience,” said Garvey, who will be swimming for Colorado State University next year. “College tennis will be much more serious and competitive (than high school tennis),” Lifpitz said. Challenges not only come from the sport itself, but also from balancing college academics with the rigorous schedule of playing at the collegiate level. Garvey said she is hoping that

Senior Linebacker

Photo courtesy of Yana Garvey Lifpitz and Garvey have been excellent athletes at Mountain Vista. Both athletes will compete in college next year.

Photo by Rachel Edelman swimming will not affect her grades because of the how her coach handles academics with the team. “The coach says he always gives us enough time for our studies,” she said. “So, my academics will stay consistent.” In Lifpitz’s case, the coaches at Cal Poly Pomona do their best to ensure the best results on and off the court. “The work will be difficult, but the team

makes it easy for (the athletes),” she said. “The coaches set up tutors for everyone to make sure we don’t fall behind in our school work.” Both Lifpitz and Garvey agree college sports will be more competitive, but playing in college has always been something they have wanted to do. “I have been playing tennis since I was four,” Lifpitz said. “To play tennis in college has always been my goal and now it is actually going to happen.” For Garvey it’s the same story: “I really enjoy swimming and I have always wanted to swim in college,” she said.

MADISON ROBB, Golf

SAMI LIFPITZ, Tennis Cal Poly Pomona Pomona, CA

University of Purdue West Lafayette, IN

Colorado State University Fort Collins

SIERRA JOSEPH, Soccer Arizona State University Tempe, AZ

ADAM HACHTEL, Lacrosse Air Force Academy Colorado Springs

2009 Athletes

Where they are now

vista alum eric Anderson plays baseball at the University of Missouri. Photo courtesy of Eric Anderson

✓ OUT

Many vista athletes are making their names known across the country. Check them out at: my.hsj.org/co/highlandsranch/eagleeye

Liz Johnson Senior << Karli Moats Senior

Photo by Tessa Kaufman

SOFTBALL:

>>Marina Long Senior Outﬁelder

>Eagle Eye: What do you think college soccer will be like? >>Hayley Hughes: “I think it is going to take a lot of work and time. It won’t be like normal college, but it

TAYLOR KEMP, Soccer

will be fun.”

University of Maryland College Park, MD

>EE: What inﬂuenced your decision to play a college sport? >>HH: “I have been playing soccer

SEAN JOYCE, Lacrosse

ERIC ANDERSON, Baseball

Photo by Brian Vu

to kick it Division-I at the University of Colorado

ARIEL TURNER, Volleyball

YANA GARVEY, Swimming

Colorado School of Mines Golden

POMS:

RYAN MOORMAN, Lacrosse Merchant Marine Prep Academy King’s Point, NY

BRYCE TAYLOR, Football

University of Nebraska Kearney Kearney, NE

University of Colorado Boulder

KELLY UNKRICH, Softball

Williams College Williamstown, MA

Oakland University Rochester, MI

Chadron, NE

Photo by Rob Denton

Q&A Senior Hayley Hughes CEDAR BLAZEK, Softball

NIKKI NUTSCH, Volleyball GREG HACHTEL, Lacrosse BRANDON MILLER, Football Chadron State College

All-State Athletes of the Fall Season

St. John’s University Collegeville, MN

HAYLEY HUGHES, Soccer

Moving on to higher levels

MATT CONAHAN, Wrestling

University of Wyoming Laramie, WY

January 29, 2010

since I was three, everyone on my

Ballarmine University Louisville, KY

team wants to play college soccer.

2010 Athletes

University of Missouri Columbia, MI

Where they are going KEY:

2009 Graduates 2010 Graduates

So it was kind of expected that I would play college soccer.” >EE: How will college soccer be diﬀerent from high school soccer?

Photo by Rob Denton

“I always wanted to try to go out of state (for soccer), but when I went to CU for visits, I really liked the campus and everything about it. I like the fact that I can go home whenever I want. I can go home, still see my parents and do laundry.”

>>HH: “High school soccer is more fun having your friends watch you, and there is less commitment.” >EE: How will you balance your athletics and academics in college? >>HH: “All my spare time will probably be used up on academics.”

January 29, 2010

Gymnast keeps going despite setback After a near trip to the Olympic Trials, Ebel continues her love for gymnastics

Alli Cole > Reporter indsay Ebel was three-tenths of a point away from achieving her dream of qualifying for the United States Olympic gymnastic trials. After 10 years of training, it was an obvious letdown when Ebel, a senior, did not qualify for the Olympic team. After all, she practiced 35 hours a week, and since her gym is in Colorado Springs, she dedicated about 42 total hours of her time every week to the sport. “I was disappointed, but just making it (to the pre-Olympic trials) was incredible,” Ebel said. “I would have loved to make it (to the trials), but I can’t go back now, it was a one-time thing.” Ebel said that although it was upsetting, there is nothing she can do about it now, she just has to keep training for other competitions. Ebel started gymnastics when she was seven. Her best friend was into gymnastics, so she decided to try it and she ended up loving it. “Gymnastics is a lot harder then it looks,” she said. “It takes a lot out of you, but it’s cool because every day you’re setting new goals and achieving new things.” She said the sport pushes her everyday and

theVoice

Photos courtesy of Lindsay Ebel

Lindsay Ebel competes at the pre-Olympic gymnastics trials. Ebel missed qualifying for the Olympic Trials by only three-tenths of a point, but still continues gymnastics today. she likes that challenge. Although she spends many hours trying to nail extremely difficult stunts, Ebel says the most challenging aspect is mental. “It’s hard to get yourself to try new things after you crash,” she said. However disappointed she may be, Ebel is not letting missing qualification for the Olympics get her down. She is receiving a full-ride scholarship to the Air Force Academy next fall. She explains that once the typical gymnast reaches level 10 they most likely receive a full

“It is so much fun to travel to different competitions,” Ebel said. And although she trains year round, she only competes in a total of seven meets a year. It may seem like few to some, but, she said, it takes a lot of time to prepare for a competition. Despite her recent setback, Ebel said she plans to continue to work hard and compete in the years to come.

What sport do you think gets the most funding from the district? ALL EQUAL>5% FOOTBALL>67% CHEER>4% POMS>18% BASKETBALL>3% OTHER>3%

ANSWER: The school gets $46,000 from the school district and the amount of money for each sport varies greatly based upon the number of athletes, if the sport can charge at the gate and program needs.

Source: Survey 158 Vista students

Vista athletic director inducted into Colorado Baseball Hall of Fame

Studies reveal running barefoot may be healthier choice

Tyler Mustin > Pulse Co-Editor n Christopher McDougall’s best-selling book “Born to Run,” McDougall suggested that running barefoot is better and healthier for you, then running in thick and cushioned running shoes. Recent studies by sports scientists across the country seem to support McDougall’s claim. Irene Davis, a professor of physical therapy and head of the Running Research Laboratory at the University of Delaware said that the running surface has nothing to do with whether running barefoot is good or bad for you. “The harder the surface, the more lightly you land and the more easily you spring back,” Davis said. “The human body instinctively modifies itself to different kinds of terrain-- just think back to when you were a kid and how it felt to run barefoot on the grass, sand, or pavement.” “We’ve gone too far with cushioning and arbitrary shoe designs,” a leading sports podiatrist Stephen Pribut said in an article published on parade.com. The trick to running barefoot, Barefoot-run-

ride. All the hard work does pay off in the end, she said. The only regret, Ebel said, is not having more of a social life during her high school years. “The social aspect sucks, but I do what I can. I have my Saturday nights and weekends to see my friends.” Ebel, who does both school and club gymnastics, said club is by far her favorite. Club, she said, is more fun because it offers more of a challenge, adding she also gets to travel out of state four times each season.

thelowdown << Prices of running shoes

$180 >> Asics GEL-Kinsei 3 $185 >> Nike Air Max $148 >> New Balance 1123 $140 >> Saucony ProGrid Hurricane $95 >> Under Armour Apparition

ning coach Ted McDonald said, in the same article published on parade.com, is remembering three points: Be light, be quick, and be upright. You want to land gently and then instantly lift that foot back up so it feels like you’re in the air more than you’re on the ground.

Tyler Mustin > Pulse Co-Editor “The best memory from the banquet was the ountain Vista Athletic Director Dave opportunity to have my two children present Mumper was announced to be one of me as an inductee into the hall of fame, very the 19 members of the inaugural class similar to the professional sports halls of fame,” to enter the Colorado Baseball Hall of Fame Mumper said. “It was exciting for me to have Dec. 1. Katie and Marc act as my presenters The inductees were chosen based into the hall.” upon their overall contributions to I loved coachMumper said coaching baseball the baseball community in Coloing baseball and for two decades has helped him in rado, in addition to their achievecertainly never his current job as athletic director. ments on the baseball diamond. thought it would “(Coaching) forced you to be Mumper coached baseball for lead to the many able to manage time, situations and 20 years in Colorado, and was things that I have people,” he said. “You are always surprised to receive the phone call been blessed with from the Colorado Dugout Club Dave mumper confronted with things that force you to make the best possible decinotifying him of his induction into sion at that time.” the hall of fame. “I loved coaching baseball and certainly nev- Mumper said his favorite part about baseball er thought it would lead to the many things that is that every part of the game challenges the player, and that it is an individual game within a I have been blessed with thanks to baseball,” team game. Mumper said. “The friendships and relation Mumper said he misses working with athships are the most important thing that I could letes on a daily basis and trying to help them to take away from the game.” develop skills and to grow as young people. “(I While there is not a physical building at this enjoyed) watching them go on to college and to point in time, there will eventually be a place grow into adults,” he said. at Coors Field that recognizes the Hall of Fame members.

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