# EagleEye
6012 1 18 3 1 18 12 1 60 1 18 3 5718 1 12186018 5 1 5760 1 1812 1 5 3 1857 1 1860 3 12 3 18576012 1 3 18571857 3 5 181257 1 1260 18 18 5 1257 1 1212 3 1860 5 57 1 1212 5 18571812 1 1 60121260 5 1 18 5 5712 5 18 3 1 60126012 1 3 6018 5 1 18 3 60 57 3 18 5 1 60606060 3 3 5 3 1860 3 57 5 6018 3 1 3 6018 3 3 1 6057 5 60 3 6060 1 3 60 3 60 1 1 3 60 1 1260 5 3 5 1 60 1 12 5 1218 3 5 1 1 6060 5 1 5 1 3 606012 5 5 60 5 1 12 3 12 1 5 1 3 1812 5 5 5 5 12 18 5 3 3 18 3 57 5 1 18 3 3 18 3 1812 5 57 1 3 18 3 3 18 1 3 5 3 181857 3 3 571818 5 60 3 3 18 5 121857 3 57 3 18 5757 5 6060 5 12 57 3 57 5 6060 1 60605712126012 5 1 57 3 6057 5 126012 1 5 12576057 5 60 1 5757606012 1 12 1 60 5 125718 3 5760 12 60 5 5718 3 1 3 12126018186057 1 5 6018125760 3 60 1 5760 5 3 12 3 18 1 5 1212 3 60 1 60 1 3 1 601212 5 12 5 60 18 1 1212 5 12 5 1860 5 6012 1 1212 1 1812601212 5 5 1212 5 1 5 60 1 1212 1 6018 5 5 12 5 12 5 3 5 60605760 3 5 12 3 606057185760 5 3 3 60126018 3 1260 5 601857 3 1860 3 3 57 5 186018 3 5 6057 3 18 3 1857 60 3 5 1212 5 1 3 60 60 5 12126012 3 3 1 5 1218 5 60606012 3 5 6012 1 60 5 1 6012 3 57126060 3 3 12 1 60 1 6012 18 1 3 1860 3 1 1 1 18 3 1860 3 60 5 1 18571860 3 3 18 1 18 1 3 3 60 1 3 3 181860 1 5 18 3 18 1 5 6018 3 1 3 60 12 1 1 60 5 1 12 1 12 12 1 60 5 5 5 5718 1260 3 1 5 12126018 1 5 5 12 5 1 12 5 18 1 60 5 121857 5 5 12 5 5 601218 3 3 1818 12 18 6018 3 3 57 3 1257 60 3 5 18576018 3 571857 3 185718 60 3 57 3 3 57605712 3 571857 3 121857 5 1 5760 18 60 1257 5 1 12 1 60 5 5 5 5757121260 5 5 5712 1 601257 12 1 5 60 5 1212 5 60 1 126012 1 1860 5 5718 5 3 60 3 18 5 57186018 5 1 3 5712 5 6018 3 57 1 5 6018 3 60 5 1818 1 1857 18 1 5 18 60 3 6018 60 3 1 1257 1 5 3 5 60 1 1257 5 57 3 3 3 3 57 5 5 5 57 1260 1 5 60 5 12 3 1 5 57 5 5 1 6057 3 1212 3 5 3 60 5 3 57 5 57 3 3 60 5 3 1 60 60 1 3 57 3 5 60 5 3 3 3 576060 3 3 5 57 3 3 3 5 606060 5 5760 5 1 6012 57 12 5 60 5 1 1 1818 1 12 1 1 1818 5 3 60 1 5 12 5 1860 1 1 12 1 60 5 1 18 1 5 571218 3 3 1860 12 57 3 3 18 5712 186018 3 1257 3 1 1857 3 121818 3 6018 3 57 3 12 3 126012 1 6012 5 60 12 1 6057 60 57 5 5760 60 1 5712 1 60125760 5 57 1 126060 1 60 5 60181860 3 5 60 1818 5 1 3 18 1 18 60 18 1 60 18 3 5 1 6018 1 18 5 3 1 5712 1 1 3 1 12 12 57 57 5 5712 1 5 57 1 12 1 1 12 5 12 3 12 5 601218 18 60 18 5 5 5 60 3 5 12 6018 3 18 3 60 3 3 1 18 1 1 57 57 1 60 1 1 1 1 60 1 18 1 5760 60 1 1 1 1 18 60 3 12 5 5 3 3 5 18 3 1812 3 18 3 1218 18 3 60 57 3 6018 1 1 5 5718 60 5 1 60 57 6018 57 60 3 3 18 5 3 57 18 60 5 1860 3 1860 18 5 12 3 3 12 5712 3 60 12 57 60 5 5 60 1260 5 18 60 12 5 57 5 1 60 1 57 12 1 60 3 12 12 5 1212 60 12 5 1 60 18 3 1860 1 18 3 18 5 60 60 5 60 1 57 3 3 3 3 3 5 1 5 5 1 57 57 12 12 60 60 5 5 18 12 60 1 12 18 60 The different 3
The
numb3r5 Issue Vol. 14 Issue 2 11.24.14
stories from around Mountain Vista show that numbers are everywhere p. 12
Mountain Vista High School | 10585 Mountain Vista Ridge, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126
Get Ready to Move Mountains YOU CAN
Dream of a better life. Of an associate degree and beyond. Of a new career path. Of a promotion. Of your own business. ACC can help you as we’ve helped thousands of others. You can do anything if you put your mind to it. ACC can help you every step of the way.
Contact Student Recruitment and Outreach for details at 303.797.5637 or email acc.recruitmentws@arapahoe.edu
arapahoe.edu Associate Degrees • Transfer Credits Certificates • Workforce Training
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Eagle Eye
Littleton • Parker • Castle Rock • Online
VISTAj STAFF Editors
Gretchen Cope Jacob Cushatt Reagan Fitzke Antonia Fornaro Tyler Kraft Tara O’Gorman
Gabe Rodriguez Daley Smith Tori Soper Erica Tagliarino Francesco Viola Kaitlin Zenoni
John Bellipanni Graham Carroll Conner Davis Taylor Desmond Max Dunevitz Sara Hainsey Christian Holton Amy Huang Gowri Kalyani Ana Krasuski Kit Miller
Hayley Mustin Kelsey Pharis Katie Pickrell Emy Pye Peyton Reeves Josh Romine Austin Sack Savannah Taylor Lexi Weingardt Maddy Worley Taylor Zakhem
Staff
Policy
Eagle Eye, a legally recognized public forum for student expression, is published six to nine times a year by the Journalism class for students at 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) are available in the journalism/publications 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 Adviser email: mark.newton@dcsdk12.org Publication email: EagleEyeEditors@dcsdk12.org
Distribution
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 is prohibited (C.R.S. 18-4-419). Violators, subject to prosecution and penalty under C.R.S. 13-21-123, will be prosecuted.
Senior Nolan Patsy and the men’s soccer team finish their season. p. 31 Photo by Taylor Zakhem
contents 6 school news
Stories and statistics pertaining to the new year are given.
12 mv unit
The history of the MV Unit is highlighted. by Christian Holton and Taylor Desmond
7 stuff that ticks teachers 14 Cross Country off Teacher Brian Wood discusses the various ways to tick a teacher off.
8 commentary
Editor Cesco Viola shares his views on high school.
9 political ads John Bellipanni talks about the problems with current political advertisements.
Open Forum Content 11 staff editorial Some material courtesy of American Society of Newspaper Editors/MCT Campus High School Newspaper Service and Creative Commons licensing. ©2014 Eagle Eye/Mountain Vista High School. All rights reserved.
FEATURES
LEADING OFF
Editor Reagan Fitzke explains how numbers control our lives.
The men’s cross country team is highlighted for its third state championship victory in a row. by Peyton Reeves and Hayley Mustin
16 Rock Climbing Rock Climbing has more to do with numbers than meets the eye. by Graham Carroll
18 Tri-m
Involvement for the music program is on the decline, except for this organization. by Kit Miller
NEWS
20 Men’s soccer
The men’s soccer team returned 12 seniors who greatly influenced the season. by Kelsey Pharis and Taylor Zakhem
22 orchestra
Chamber Orchestra members share their experiences. by Katie Pickrell
28 CMas
The controversy surrounding the senior class taking, or not taking, CMAS testing is discussed by student Andrew McGraw and editor Tyler Kraft.
30 VISTAj in D.C.
24 Aubreigh-ana tubbs Junior AubreighAna Tubbs finds her voice despite the odds. by Amy Huang
Senior Emy Pye was awarded a superior rating for her photo at the National Journalism Convention.
31 sports briefing
26 baseball
The baseball team is in its second year of 6 a.m. workouts. by Maddy Worley
Eagle Eye
Statistics for the fall sports seasons, including men’s varsity soccer, are given.
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EP!C Photos
Chase Pacheco & Nolan Gao
Achieving goals: Sophomore Nolan Gao celebrates his goal against Brighton High School with sophomore Chase Pacheco. “I had a good time and lots of fun. We had fun winning games but not so much losing games, but it happens,” Pacheco said. “The first playoff game was my favorite part and it was my first one I ever played in because I didn’t play last year, so it was a good experience especially because we won.” Mountain Vista won the game, 4-0.
photo by Taylor Zakhem 4
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Photo by Kaitlin Zenoni
Photo by Emy Pye
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Photo by Gabe Rodriguez
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Photo by Amy Huang 1. Sophomore Davis Auth passes out
candy during Trick-Or-Treat Street. “I liked how everybody was able to get involved and could really participate in Trick-Or-Treat Street,” Auth said. 2. Sophomore Emily Abed passes the ball in her first season as a varsity field hockey player. “Our season was a little iffy in the beginning but we all had a lot of fun and we all bonded very well. The coach was amazing although she is leaving next year. The season went really well and we could have made it to state,” Abed said. 3. Freshman Audrey Gallagher cheers during the Battle of the County at Douglas County High School. “I was kind of nervous but it was still pretty exciting,” Gallagher said. “I didn’t really Photo By Conner Davis think much of it but it exceeded my expectations.” 4. Senior Karly Geist crafts a quilt during the NHS meeting Nov. 14. “It was great to hang out with other members while doing fun activities like making blankets and cards for kids in need,” Geist said. 5. Senior Megan McGuire passes the ball over the net during a varsity volleyball game. McGuire is a libero, the player who is responsible for the back court. “The biggest challenge [this year] was trying to live up to the expectation of doing as well as last year,” McGuire said. “My teammates did a great job stepping in when they needed to.”
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Faculty ofthe Month Charlie Tingstrom C
harlie Tingstrom, an Algebra I, Geometry and Honors Geometry teacher makes class both enjoyable and a great learning environment. If a student shows up late to his class, the student must be prepared for the consequences of singing the Vista fight song or cleaning his classroom after class. Outside of class, Tingstrom is adventurous. He has three fears: bungee jumping sharks, and snakes. He is very proud to say he has conquered two of them. “After I bungee jumped, all my other fears were easier to conquer,” Tingstrom said. “It is very important to face your fears.” Tingstrom has taught for 22 years. Then one day he decided, “I need a life,” and decided to start traveling. On his many adventures, Tingstrom has been attacked by a moose, elephant, sea lion, grizzly bear and a three-foot fish. While at a zoo, he willingly jumped into a pit of crocodiles. He also swam with a penguin for 30 yards, has had over 30 surgeries and lived in 42 different houses. Tingstrom not only teaches math, he can share some cool stories along the way.
numbers By the
VISTAj recently took a look at some interesting statistics about the Colorado winter season. Here is what we found:
Currently,
As of today, there are only
11 7 17 out of the
Colorado ski resorts
are open.
29
days of school left until finals week and
16left until
degrees. The
average temperature for the month degrees of November is
54
mon. tues. wed. thurs. fri. Finals Day 1
SOAR 7:35-9:05 a.m. Per. 1 9:10-10:40 a.m. Per. 2 10:45-12:15 p.m.
Finals Day 2
Per. 3 7:35-9:05 a.m. Per. 4 9:10-10:40 a.m. Per. 5 10:45-12:15 p.m.
winter break.
The average temperature for the school week of Nov. 10-15 was
finals week The week of Dec. 15-19 All Classes Periods 1-7 Regular Schedule
days of school
Finals Day 3
SOAR 7:35-9:05 a.m. Per. 6 9:10-10:40 a.m. Per. 7 10:45-12:15 p.m.
no students Teacher Work Day
in Colorado.
WINTER BREAK no students OR FACULTY
December 20, 2014January 5, 2015
What is your favorite part about the fall season? “I like when the leaves turn different colors because it looks cool.” –JJ Robinson, 9
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“Being able to be cozy in my clothes and also and doing fall activities like hiking, reading and drinking tea.” –Karyn Schwartzkopf, 10
“The outdoors. I like the cold temperature and the trees. It’s just relaxing.” –Tyler Felske, 11
Stuff that Teacher Brian Wood shares the things that tick teachers off Teachers Off
ticks Brian wood
T
here are a lot of perks to being a teacher. The time off and the opportunity to work with some great people — students, colleagues and administration here at Vista — are definitely near the top of the list. If I was asked to write an article on what I love about teaching, I could write a long one. That being said, I was asked to write an article on things that tick teachers off. I only get one chance at writing an article for the Eagle Eye, so buckle up. Before you ask a teacher, “Are we doing anything today?” I would like to answer the question for you. YES. We are doing something today. Like every other day. Also, if you are missing class, I can answer that question as well. YES, you will be missing something. We do something EVERY SINGLE DAY. If you are curious about what, specifically, you missed, I happen to post a calendar on my website. If you would like to know what you missed, access the thing called the Internet and pull up the calendar. Also, for your convenience (or if you happen to be one of the rare Highlands Ranch teenagers without a smartphone) I staple a calendar up in the front of my room. It exists in real life, outside the Internet. The numbers on the calendar represent the days of the month. Find the number that matches up with the day you missed and you will find out exactly what we were doing when you were gone. As you could probably guess, calendars take time to create and post online. In theory, posting a calendar should save me from having to tell you what you missed. The whole exchange is a complete waste of my time. Would you ask me what time it is if we were standing in front of a clock? Actually, do not answer that. I think I know what you will say. Some teachers hand out candy from time to time. I used to do this quite a bit. I found that even though I spent my own money (which is severely limited) in order to bring some fun and chocolate into the room, students were incapable of throwing their trash into the trash can. There is not a more obvious way to say ‘screw you’ to a teacher. “Thank you for the candy! Please pick up my trash.” Here is what I end up doing. I pick up the trash, because it is
Photo Illustration by Tyler Kraft
embarrassing to leave a disgusting room for the janitors. There are many other things that aggravate teachers. If you come into class late, at least fake like you are sorry. If the teacher is nice enough to not count you tardy, maybe show up on time to the next class. If you are going to walk through Mr. Willahan’s gym during class, take longer steps — they get you through the gym quicker. When I walk down the hallway, I often see five or six kids, all on their phones. I can only assume they are texting (or snapchatting, or tweeting, or whatever) friends they are not currently with. Later, when they are with the friends they were texting earlier, I imagine those same kids probably text the people they were originally sitting with in the hallway. Get crazy and talk to someone. Like in real life. You might think it is only students who tick teachers off. You would be wrong. Mostly, kids are great. Our parking lot?
Not so much. I try to get to school early. Sometimes it does not work out. If I get to the stoplight in front of the school after 7:10 a.m., it usually takes me 10-15 minutes to get to my classroom. ßThe sheer idiocy of the design is staggering. A four-year-old with a crayon and some construction paper could offer up a better parking lot. Often, as I sit in my car, I have a recurring daydream. In this dream I find the engineer who designed our school and parking lot. It is a dream, so I have arms like Mr. Herman and fists the size of the Incredible Hulk. I do not condone violence in real life. However, in this daydream, I punch the engineer… a lot. It feels good. Sometimes, when I open my eyes, it is time to move forward a few inches. Last, but certainly not least, quit saying the Wood joke to my dad and me every morning. It is used up and unoriginal. Get creative. The last name Wood is a gold mine for a capable mind.
Eagle Eye
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F
five of Life
Francesco Viola III
Time in high school is such a small part of a person’s life and it doesn’t have to be a painful chore.
ive percent is not a percentage that is mentioned very often. In most studies, anything less than percent 10 percent isn’t considered relevant. However, 5 percent is a percentage that every high school student should know. Now the question remains, what does five percent represent? It is very simple; 5 percent is how much time the average United States citizen will spend in high school during their life. High school takes up only a small amount of someone’s life, but a rampant problem persists in spite of this: high school drama. Even though the reasons teens fight about, such as rumors about people insulting one another, are petty and insignificant, people still act as if the conflicts they deal with in high school are the most crucial issues they will ever have to face in their lives. For example, it is common for a teen who is rejected to grow resentful towards the person who rejected him or her or for a teen who gets a B or C on test to think the teacher hates him or her. This type of thinking creates an unhealthy environment for teens and causes people to grow hateful and resentful of the world around them. People begin to see the world as a place where it is eat or be eaten, making people always try to one up each other in order to secure their place on the top of the societal food chain. Friendships become fickle, relationships mean nothing and small issues seem to have galactic significance. The reality, however, is that because high school makes up such a small portion of a person’s lifetime, the petty issues that appear to be important do not really matter much. The high school rejections consuming teen lives do not really matter in the long term and getting one poor grade does not affect the rest of a student’s life. While some decisions can have consequences, such as the overall effort put in for a semester, social issues in high school will not follow a teen throughout his or her life. High school may seem to be a very important because teens do not know anything else. Aside from someone’s infant years, a high school student’s entire life has been spent in school. Going to school every weekday, aside from a few breaks, is the only lifestyle most students have become adjusted to because it is the only one they have been able to
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Photo by Francesco Viola III
live. However, the important thing to realize is that it is not the only lifestyle that can be lived. Even more important than that is the fact that living the school lifestyle, even for what feels like forever, does not have to change a teen forever. Given the average United States citizen lives to be 80 years old, the idea that a person will be defined by four years during the first third of their life is ludicrous. People are able to change and control their own social situations during and after high school. While it may seem impossible at times to deal with the stress and emotions high school brings, learning to not worry so much about the pointless occurrences and focus on things
that matter can make all of the difference between suffering through high school and enjoying high school. The whole point of high school is to prepare young adults for the world when they begin to live on their own. While the United States education system may struggle with this, teens have the power to prepare themselves for the world. Instead of telling a friend that they are scum, go and try out for the football team. Instead of crying about a failed romance, audition for a play. For all its faults, Mountain Vista High School has plenty of opportunities for students to take life by the horns. It is just a matter of avoiding the land mines of needless drama and pointless stress.
Political Ads & why they suck
I
john bellipanni
t’s that time of the year again, and while many count down the days until Thanksgiving, Christmas or Hanukkah, television lovers everywhere had their calendars marked for Nov. 4: Election Day. Although politicians have been utilizing TV for decades, the growing quantity and general degree of “mud flinging” in political ads was especially striking this year. U.S. Senate candidates such as Mark Udall (D-Colo.) and Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) took full advantage of their TV time to smear each other with misleading accusations. One main ad detailed Udall’s apparent neglect towards the national Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) threat. However, according to 9NEWS’s political fact check, the ad was “deceptive” and “need[ed] context.” In a final collective statement 9NEWS said, “This ad grossly misrepresents Udall as ignorant and aloof about whether the group is even a problem in the first place.” Who could forget Naral Pro-Choice America PAC’s crusade to notify everyone in Colorado that Gardner is against
abortion. Likewise, 9NEWS indicated that the claims were based upon opinion and used subjective terms like “harsh” and “disturbing.” Just how effective is this negative advertising? During the 2012 election season, Science Daily published an article detailing that attack ads are most persuasive in moderation and that “massive exposure to a negative ad has a backlash effect.” The article was supported with data from a study by Juliana Fernandes, an assistant professor of communication at the University of Miami. Fernandes said in the article: “People will be more likely to appreciate and vote for the candidate who is sponsoring the negative advertisement if the ad is presented in a spaced-out manner, over time.” A Washington Times column claimed that whether political ads are positive or negative, the name of the game is demographics. For example, candidates seeking support from women would find more success targeting commercial time during “Oprah” or “The View.” Accordingly, Republican candidates might
spend their budget on commercial time for “FOX News,” “Duck Dynasty” or “NASCAR.” Despite the number of attack ads on television, a few competitors, such as former Colorado Secretary of State candidate Joe Neguse, preferred to take a higher road. In his ad, Neguse openly confessed he’s “new at this” and said, “It won’t matter to me whether you vote Democrat or Republican, just that your vote counts.” Although the ad is touching, it seemed to paint Neguse as rather apathetic and passive towards Colorado’s political climate. Can we expect to see more political ads in years to come? It is hard to tell, but many believe candidates will shift focus from the TV to the internet and mobile devices in approaching elections. One thing is for sure; as America gears up for the 2016 presidential election, there will be no shortage of attack advertising funding in candidates’ campaign budgets. At any rate, it is refreshing to see commercials finally return to supporting traditional American values…such as Progressive Insurance and the Snuggie.
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Are you graduating and your parents feel the overwhelming urge to show pictures of you as a baby? Make your parents happy.
Buy a senior tribute ad!
F i n a l D e a d l i n e is December 1.
Go to www.theyearbookcompany.com to learn more.
# numb3rs
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Numbers are associated with almost everything in life, even if this correlation does not seem to be present.
REAGAN FITZKE
ife revolves around numbers. A typical student’s life revolves around grades, money and time. It is always a question of, “What is your GPA? How much money do you have right now? What time is it?” We are always focused on the quantity of things. We count possessions and accomplishments. Kids from Highlands Ranch can remember the number of computers or phones they own. It is a matter of if one has more of an item, if one has less of a particular thing, if one has the right amount of something. There is even a subject in school that is fully devoted to simply numbers. Mathematics takes several approaches
to dealing with numbers whether it is as simple as an addition problem or as complicated as a calculus equation. No matter how they are used, numbers can solve the answers to nearly every problem. The concept of numbers is woven into other classes at school as well. Science incorporates equations and counting into different units and labs. English operates on how many words are in an essay and the number of pages required to be read by the next class period. All classes are based upon a percentage grading system, rating a student’s overall performance in courses on a scale from 1-100. This is translated into GPA, which is an overall assessment of how a student performs.
Time and money play a significant part in a student’s life as well. Time can signify the beginning of a significant event or the end of a class period. Money purchases anything a student could possibly need or want. It drives how society operates everyday. Numbers are essential to modern life and how society operates. They can tell various stories, including in the community. Numbers tell of 60 baseball players, 57 surgeries, 18 orchestra members, 12 seniors, a 10 percent decrease in band students, five levels of climbing, three years of holding a state title and one student body. The quantity of life is important and it is time that eight of these stories are brought to light.
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The Rise of a
Unit and a School
Mountain Vista’s student section has come together and united as one to form the rowdy MV Unit.
F
Christian Holton & Taylor Desmond | Photo by Kit miller
or students at Mountain Vista High School, school spirit is no longer just for the Friday night lights. The MV Unit has set new standards for what school spirit really is and has been recognized throughout Colorado as one of the most rowdy and organized student sections. Students and faculty at Vista were tired of having a student section where organized cheers were non-existent during football games and other sporting events so they decided to take action. About a year ago, the Class of 2014 decided to create an identity for their student section. “They wanted to figure out a way to bring the school together with spirit,” teacher Lindsey Jaffe said. “It was a way to connect with everyone in the school.” The seniors started to have meetings with Jaffe in order to organize their cheers and create an identity for the student body of Vista. “They would practice cheers for what they would do for each timeout, each quarter and each halftime,” Jaffe said. “It was a way to make things organized so people weren’t yelling over each other.” The new cheers that the seniors came up with were taught to the rest of the school and soon enough used at Vista’s sporting events. The MV Unit was born. The idea of having an identity for the student body caused the MV Unit to skyrocket in popularity. “It gave our student section an identity. Before we were just Mountain Vista and now we had a name and an identity,” Jaffe said. Seniors began to plan and organize fan themes for games and made sure the whole student body knew what cheers to do and when. “We understood to fully solidify
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# # #
represents the student section coming together as one and not in separate pieces. student sections were invited to the 9News studio to participate in the “9News Prep Rally.” is where MV Unit ranked in the final poll conducted by 9News. Rocky Mountain High School finished first. weeks that VISTAj staff member Maddy Worley’s photo of the MV Unit has won Preps of Instagram Photo of the Week as of Nov. 20.
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ourselves as a complete all- around student section we had to bring everyone together,” senior Brady Subart said. Vista was finally becoming united. The MV Unit Twitter page was a quick hit with over 300 followers in its first few hours and currently has more than 1,200. Pictures of Mountain Vista’s student body filled the timelines of social media after the school filled the gym time after time to support the MVHS basketball team. Game after game, the crowd’s spirit and enthusiasm increased. More and more Vista students started coming to the games as Vista became a spirit powerhouse. As the school year ended, the MV Unit was passed down to the current Class of
2015 to lead the school at events. Seniors were excited to take on this role of leading one of the most well-known student sections in the state. “It’s cool to be leading the school. It’s everything that kids look up to as a freshman,” Subart said. Vista’s football team recorded a historic record of 9-2, the best record for Mountain Vista’s varsity team ever. Students packed the stadiums for both home and away games to support their football team. Crowd involvement kept increasing and was soon noticed around the state. Mountain Vista was featured on “9News Prep Rally” after winning a poll voted on by Colorado residents. “It was really cool
# Leading the Team:
Mountain Vista High School’s MV Unit dresses for the American theme in the football game against rival Highlands Ranch High School. “Overall, it has brought everybody together in a sense that we are a unit. It shows together we can accomplish great big things,” senior Brady Subart said.
to represent our school in such a popular way and to get our school known by all of Colorado as the best student section in the state,” senior Allie McKay said. Students from the MV Unit demonstrated their school spirit on 9News with the cast by doing a cheer they were acknowledged for by the state. The energy and passion they brought to the news station was something rarely seen by high school students. The MV Unit is still a work in progress. “We are still learning, but I think for a group that hasn’t even been around for a year yet we have made a huge impact,” Jaffe said. The MV Unit’s goal is to bring the
# 1
support and hype that they are so well known for at football and basketball games to all of Vista’s sporting and co-curricular events. “We are definitely trying to support everything because we do have a lot of things in the school that people don’t get to see, so our goal this year is to lead the legacy that there is more to events than football and basketball. There’s plays, cheer, poms and lots of different events,” Subart said. The MV Unit will continue to be passed down the the upcoming senior class. “Overall, it has brought everybody together in a sense that we are a unit,” said Subart. “It shows together we can accomplish great big things.”
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, d
Vista Nation’s
3 years Running
The men’s cross country takes home the 5A state title for the third year in a row, leaving a lasting legacy.
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Peyton Reeves & Hayley Mustin | photos Courtesy of John Walton
hree years, three state titles, three seasons of hard work and dedication, all paid off for the Mountain Vista men’s cross country team. After a hard 3.1 mile race of hills, sharp turns and muddy paths, the team received news that it retained its title as state champions. “We had the most challenges this year compared to our first couple. It felt accomplishing. The fact that we overcame all that was thrown at us made victory taste even better,” junior Paxton Smith said. After a tough season of injuries, Vista went into the state competition being the underdogs against Fort Collins High School. This is not the first time Vista had come across Fort Collins. The team was defeated by the Lambkins earlier in the season at the Dave Sanders Invite. “Our teammates really stepped up and we truly believed in ourselves and that we could win against Fort Collins,” senior Tyler Matzke said. Prior to the race, most people viewed Fort Collins as the obvious winner, however Vista’s team stepped up its intensity and proved them wrong. “We knew we were the best team and we were going to work hard to maintain that goal,” Smith said. Vista Nation had five runners finish before Fort Collins even had three. The boys on the team knew they would have to work much harder and persevere through any obstacle thrown their way in order to retain their state title. After facing several obstacles, the boys said they fought all the way until they heard their coach yelling the results. “We saw our coach by the results
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# # # #
represents the number of consecutive years Vista men’s cross country has won a state title. seconds was the maximum amount of time between varsity runner finishes at state. wins were taken by the varsity team this season, one of which junior varsity raced in its place. was the fastest varsity time posted during the state meet.
30 7
17:26
stand and we all burst into emotion of happiness and some of us tears,” Matzke said. These past three years have been a long, hard battle but the boys on this team just showed the power of hard work and dedication. “[Last year’s team] was probably the best team Vista has ever had,” Matzke said. Knowing that this year’s team retained the state title really meant so much to every runner on the team. Every single member of cross country played a huge role in the team’s win. “It’s not just about varsity. Everyone helped,” Smith said. This entire program acts as one family and they all have many memories from the sport bringing them together. “I’ve made a lot of good friends
because of the sport and it’s crazy to think it’s over,” Matzke said. “I’m going to miss everything about it [next year].” The victory may not even be over for the Vista Nation yet. The team still has at least one and possibly two more races coming up. The team traveled last weekend to Arizona to run at Nike Cross Regionals (NXR) and see if they qualified for nationals. “This year I think we can move onto nationals,” Smith said. The team already is looking forward to next year. “Expect some amazing stuff next year. We’ll be better with strong returns, from Ryan Currie and Michael O’Sullivan, who faced injury this year. They’ll be coming
# # 3 Photo Finish:
Varsity runners senior Tyler Matzke (left) and junior Paxton Smith (right) finish the race side by side. “Our teammates really stepped up and we truly believed in ourselves and that we could win against Fort Collins,” Matzke said.
back strong and hungry,” Smith said. No matter what lies ahead, Vista Nation runners are sure to run their hearts out, as they always do. Winning the state title three years in a row is not only an honor but a huge achievement for the team.
#
Men’s varsity cross country crowds around trophy within seconds of receiving the award. Vista Nation has won state championships three years in a row, taking home the state title and a lasting legacy.
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Climbing in the
Numbers with the Vista team
The Vista Climbing Team climbs to new heights to start off the year strong.
O
Graham Carroll | photos of Gretchen Cope
n the surface numbers seem to only appear in math classes, science classes and finance. Although this is where numbers are mostly found, if you look deeper you will find numbers everywhere. One place that one would not expect to find numbers would be with the climbing members. Whether it is during a competition or just free climbing, numbers are always floating around in their heads. A number that is well hidden, but known by all climbers would be the one that they tie for every climb. “It is a figure-eight knot. We call it that because that is what it looks like. It keeps us safe because it cannot be untied unless you untie it,” freshman Will Berg said. One of the most important numbers to the climbers were the numbers associated with the Yosemite Decimal System. “It is a grading scale from 5.7 to 5.14 with each number getting harder and harder,” sophomore Iliana Winfrey said. The five determines that it is roped climbing, and the second number determines the difficulty: 5.7 is the easiest and 5.14 is the hardest. “It determines what I am going to do for the day. If I want to start easy, I will climb a 5.9, but if I am feeling good, then I will challenge myself with a 5.11,” Winfrey said. This grading scale also plays a large role for the climber during the competitions. In order for a climber to turn in a scorecard at a competition, he or she must climb at least five routes. Many of the climbers have their own strategy to pick the routes they will climb. “You start with the easier ones, then slowly work your way up to the harder ones,” Winfrey said. ”It gives you a nice variety of routes.” The ranking of the route that the climber climbs is also based off of how the
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5 3530 3110
#
represents the difficulty of climbing. It determines that the climber needs to be tied in and on belay.
#
was the highest male score received in the last competition.
was the highest female score received in the last competition.
#
25
#
the number of people who participate in climbing team.
climber feels that day. “You mix it up if you have been working out lately and you are really sore, then you climb something easy but you still can be part of the competition but not have to win that day. Or, if you are feeling good and pumped and just had three coffees, then you want to do something harder like the five hardest ones you can,” Winfrey said. Time is also a large factor that a climber has to take into consideration. “You want to go as fast as you can and complete it without falling so if you do it easier you can move up to the hardest route quicker with more strength,” Winfrey said. “If you stay on too long your arms get tired
and your body gets tired and you cannot move on.” Every climber has a number in his or her head that determines when they have been on a route too long. “Once you have fallen a certain number of times and you have made that move successfully more than once but now you cannot make that move successfully is when it has been too long. I usually go with four falls,” Winfrey said. “If you get to that point then you just need to go climb something else and come back to that problem later.” For some climbers, numbers become a constant reminder of the task at hand. If a climber is doing a style of climbing called
# Just Hanging:
Sophomore Benny Cope shows the challenges of the final climb of the night. “By the time I was climbling that route I was super tired. It caused me to think more so I wouldn’t lose my grip. It was also different from the other routes of the night which made it more difficult,” Cope said.
lead climbing, then the climber must bring his or her rope up and clip into anchors along the way. “I know if I am lead climbing then I focus on the second anchor until I get there. Once I am there then I know I am safe. If I fall before that then I might hit the ground,” Winfrey said. “I look at the number of clips on the route before I go up. This helps me focus on the clips and how to position myself so I can clip the clip easier,” sophomore Benny Cope said. These numbers help the climbers stay safe and allow them to finish their routes quicker and easier.
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Music Programs on the
decline or on the Rise?
Despite what the numbers say, Tri-M members are working harder than ever to protect what they love.
I
Kit Miller | photo by KIT MILLER
magine a world without music. There would be no catchy jingles during commercials, no more singing loudly with friends when your favorite song comes on and awkward silences in the car. A world without music seems absurd and boring, yet that may be where we are headed. Mountain Vista High School’s musical programs have suffered in the past year. In the 2013-2014 school year, the band/ orchestra program had 153 members. This year, however, there are only 137, a 10 percent decrease. Marching band also lost six members between school years — a 12 percent decrease. With the largest freshman class to ever enroll in Vista, one would think it would be the opposite, yet every class except for wind ensemble lost members this year. Darren DeLaup, the band/orchestra teacher, thinks it is because of the intense academic pressure put on students. “Students are pressured to make concrete career decisions as high school students before they even have a chance to grow and develop their individuality,” DeLaup said. Junior Tony Swope says music is his life and is disappointed at the number of people who are not involved in the performing arts. “Most people do not recognize music as something important, or something as a career choice,” Swope said. “In this day and age, school has become a place where standardized testing and grades mean more than the arts. Why should grades be more important than music? Just because some people cannot see the applicable value does not mean it doesn’t have any.” DeLaup agrees with Swope and said that many other programs are taking precedence over music and the fine arts, but these programs are not benefitting the
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10 12% 2
# # #
represents the percentage decrease in number of students enrolled in band/orchestra. decrease in the number of students that are in the marching band. years is how long National Music Honor Society (Tri-M) has been at Mountain Vista. more students are in Tri-M this year than last year.
15
#
students. “Certain programs seem to be taking precedence over music and the performing arts without regard to the benefits of participation. Schools need to foster key programs that influence development in students’ abilities and skills in social aspects, organization, risk taking, creativity, team building, self esteem enhancing, building strong work ethics, expression, emotional development and cognitive development,” said DeLaup. “Band and orchestra are not the only activities that emphasize these aspects, but there is nothing we leave out.” Swope said the reason why music programs are suffering is because they are not supported on a school-wide level as well as they could be.
“There is never a recognition over school announcements, never any school pep assemblies to celebrate such huge accomplishments for individuals,” Swope said. “If I were to tell somebody that I got a superior rating at solo and ensemble festival, how many people would actually understand what that meant?” DeLaup says when students perform at community and statewide events the school is judged on its qualities as an educational institution. Without the support of administrators, the school as a whole will suffer from the consequences. “In order for the music programs to grow and improve quality, the activity must be encouraged by school administrators and teachers starting at the elementary schools and continue through middle and high school,” DeLaup said.
# Tony Swope’s Passion:
Junior Tony Swope performs with marching band during halftime at a home football game against Brighton High School. “Music is not just something that can be looked over, or cast aside because whether we like to admit it or not, it is a part of every person’s life.”
National Music Honor Society (Tri-M) has been at MVHS for two years as a chartered organization through the National Association for Music Education. Tri-M members, the musical ambassadors of MVHS, have vowed to bring music back into the lives of students in all grade levels. “We use music intertwined with service to help the community and also get the word out about how great band can be,” senior Andrew Bocker said. “We even do free concerts in the park so that both parents and children can be enthusiastic to become part of the band/ orchestra/choir family.” In an attempt to introduce younger students to the musical programs offered at the high school, the marching band invited band students from Mountain
# 10
Ridge Middle School to help them perform the fight song during halftime at the MVHS-Highlands Ranch High School football game. “As a group, Tri-M is attempting to develop continuing interests with middle schoolers at this time, as well as push elementary school children toward music,” junior Filip Pahs said. “Music is not just something that can be looked over, or cast aside because whether we like to admit it or not, it is a part of every person’s life,” Swope said. “Our whole society and culture was built off of music. It has shaped us and made us who we are, and it needs to be recognized for what it is, and have more support than it actually does.”
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12 Seniors
1 Team 1 Family
Seniors on the Mountain Vista men’s soccer team reflect on their last season as Golden Eagles.
T
KELSEY PHARIS & TAYLOR ZAKHEM | Photo By Taylor Zakhem
he Mountain Vista High School men’s soccer team had 12 seniors on its roster. The 12 made up the majority of the team, making them the core of the program. For some of the seniors on the team, the postseason was their last time they would play competitive soccer. Only a select few will continue to play soccer in college, while others already have made the decision focus more on their education. Most of the boys have been in the program all four years of high school, either working their way up from the freshman/sophomore team like senior Ryan Zenoni, or like senior Louie Sawaged, who played on varsity all four years. The seniors will be a major loss to the team as they leave and move on. The program will lose starters and muchneeded backups, who were always willing to go in and give anybody a break. “The seniors were really good role models and they showed us how to play the game the way it is meant to be played, as a team not as individuals,” junior Jackson Lines said. Each one of the seniors was special in his own way and brought his own specialties to the team. Each senior was a role model in his own way to the other players on the team. “Louie Sawaged was the most influential because he was always there for you on and off the field. He was also always ready to play and was really supportive of the whole team,” sophomore Nolan Gao said. It was a heartbreaking scene as their season came to an end against Broomfield High School Oct. 29. The boys lost, 2-0, and the pain on their faces was undeniable.
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12 4
#
represents the 12 seniors who were on the Mountain Vista varsity men’s soccer team.
#
years is how long seniors Louie Sawaged and Nolan Patsy played varsity.
26
# #
#
total goals were scored in the varsity season.
0.6 9
goals average were scored against the team for the season.
is how many goals total were scored against the varsity team for the entire season.
“We played well and we had our chances,” senior captain Jack Veihman said. “We were just unlucky because of how many shots they had on goal.” A combination of sweat and tears was running down their faces as they shook hands with the opposing team. “It sucked. It just really sucked,” senior Brandon Barich said. Coach Theresa Echtermeyer was
supportive as she rounded up the seniors and talked about each one individually. All 12 seniors were in a circle, crying over how this was their last game as a Golden Eagle. For many, it was one of the most heartwrenching things anybody could witness as the boys choked back tears, holding onto each other’s shoulders. “The last game was tough. We played
# The last Huddle:
As the Mountain Vista men’s soccer season comes to an end, the seniors gather in thier final huddle and enjoy each others company on the field for the last time. “It was great to play with such a great group of guys,” senior Cutler Patierno said.
well, it just didn’t go our way,” Sawaged said. “However, I thought it was one of our best games.” Although the seniors were not able to get the result they wanted for their last game at Vista, it was obvious they were an extremely tightly knit group of guys, all playing for a common goal. From before the season started to the pregame dinners during the season, the team was always doing something together off the field. “We played lots of FIFA (video game), lots of food eating and just practice in general,” senior Sean Nicolosi said about what the seniors did to help the entire team bond. The players were friends on and off
W a v S H P B V P N B Z C C A
# 12
the field, but not many were closer than senior Nolan Patsy and Sawaged. The two played together for almost 10 years. The team bonding showed when senior Jake Hutto’s father was in medical critical condition. “We all wrote ‘DH’ on our arms to support my dad for a few games,” Hutto said. The little gesture showed how close this team was. “The teamwork that goes into it [was] really inspiring,” senior Culter Patierno said. “It [was] great to play with such a great group of guys.”
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Creating
Harmony with Each Other By themselves, each member of MVHS sounds amazing, but together they synchronize perfectly.
M
Katie Pickrell | Photo by Katie Pickrell
ountain Vista is overflowing with clubs and extracurricular activities for students to partake. Orchestra, a class offered for the musically talented at MVHS, is a class in which all of the members share a common passion for music that allows them to create amazing art. The Vista orchestra is comprised of two classes, string and chamber orchestra. Chamber orchestra, the more advanced of the two, consists of 18 people playing instruments such as the violin, viola, double bass and the piano. The variety and assortment of instruments and musicians create the music chamber orchestra is notable for producing. Of the 18 people involved, three are seniors, seven are juniors, seven are sophomores and one is a freshmen. Junior Morgan O’Connor, a violinist for the chamber orchestra, finds freedom in music. “Yes, I’m confined to a certain range of notes, but I can play whatever I want and create my own sound,” O’Connor said. When Vista’s musicians create their own sounds, as O’Connor does, the orchestra provides depth and emotion to all of their performances. “I like playing in a big group because it completes the sound of a piece,” O’Connor said. For O’Connor, chamber “has opened many doors to new friendships and new experiences.” O’Connor, along with others, has thrived due to the opportunities provided within orchestra. All of the members of chamber orchestra are amazingly talented, but the way in which they come together allows them to create masterpieces. Many others members of the chamber
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#
represents the number of chamber orchestra musicians at Mountain Vista.
10 #4 #1 #1 #
musicians in chamber orchestra are violinists. musicians in chamber orchestra are cellists. musician in chamber orchestra plays the double bass. musician in chamber orchestra is the pianist.
orchestra, such as junior Doug Meredith, like to hear the melodies of all the instruments come together. Meredith plays perhaps the most monumental string instrument in the orchestra, the double bass. “There’s more depth when we play together, it sounds better and you can see all the interweaving melodies,” Meredith said. The chamber orchestra shares a bond many people don’t get to understand. “The feeling cannot be described,” junior violinist Tony Swope said. “It’s only felt by everyone playing in the group.” Swope, like almost all of the other chamber orchestra members, has been playing the violin for the past seven years. It’s commitment, like the
commitment shown by Swope, that makes the orchestra sound as it does. Senior Trey Yu, another violinist in the chamber orchestra, said that “there are benefits to playing alone and in a group,” but, “playing in a group [is] better just because it’s really nice when [there is] a bunch of different sounding instruments put together to make a really nice piece of music.” Chamber orchestra shares a sense of unity that they utilize to make music. “There’s a sense of togetherness when you’re playing with everyone else that you can’t really express in words,” Filip Pahs, junior violist, said. One of the most mellifluous and incomparable sounding instruments in
# Playing the strings:
Junior Emily Workman played the cello with the chamber orchestra at the fall concert Oct. 8, 2014. “I play the cello because it’s become a part of me,” Workman said. “It’s what I love to do and it’s almost like breathing now.” Workman is first-chair cello and is planning on sitting first row this year at Continental League Orchestra.
the chamber orchestra is the piano Michelle Mao, freshman, is the pianist of the chamber orchestra. Though playing the piano can often be thought of as a solo endeavor, Mao makes it clear she loves to play with the rest of the chamber. “It feels better to play in a group because you get a sense of unity,” Mao said. “We all have to work together to create a beautiful sound.” Another noteworthy contribution to the chamber orchestra, junior and first-chair cello player Emily Workman, describes her experience playing as one of my the most important things in her life. Workman’s says her passion for music is immense partially because of how she views the importance of how she, along
18 #
with all those around her, play. “It’s really difficult and it requires just every single piece of you,” Workman said. “It’s not just your hand and your fingers. It requires your whole body to be into it and every single part of your body has to be in it or you’re not going to produce something great.” Workman, though she loves to play on her own, also notes how much she appreciates the MVHS orchestra program. “I love [it],” she said, “because you know you’re a part of something and everyone else around you is committed and excited about what you’re doing.”
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Overcoming One
surgery after Another
Junior Aubreigh-Ana Tubbs has learned about kindness because of her rare throat condition and 57 surgeries.
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amy huang | Photos courtesy of aubreigh-ana tubbs
t three-years-old, the average toddler is just learning the ways of life. However, for junior Aubreigh-Ana Tubbs, she had her first of 57 surgeries. Originally, Tubbs went to the doctor to get her tonsils removed because of snoring, but her doctors found benign tumors by her vocal cords that were obstructing her airways. The first surgery was successful, in clearing her airway, but the tumors returned. Throughout her childhood, Tubbs required surgery every 3-4 months to clear her airways. The surgeries caused damage to her vocal cords and scar tissues on her airway. At eight-years-old, Tubbs was officially tumor free, however her airway was permanently scarred. For the last eight years, Tubbs has had multiple surgeries to help the recurring scar tissue that caused laryngeal stenosis. This narrows her airway. From doctor’s appointments to surgeries, Tubbs’ mom has always been there for her. “She’s taught me everything I know about my condition and how to deal with it,” Tubbs said. Her mom became Tubbs’ support system when the condition was very severe. In the beginning, Tubbs was able to tell when it was time for another surgery because her voice would be completely hoarse and she would get extremely tired simply walking. Since then, her mom continued to support her, especially through major surgeries. In 2011, Tubbs spent 19 days in the hospital after a laryngeal reconstruction surgery, which was expected to open her airways and prevent future scarring, had serious complications. Her mom helped her get through this tough time. “Without her, I wouldn’t know how to cope with being different,” Tubbs said. Tubbs has learned about kindness
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#
57 19
#
represents the number of surgeries needed to correct Tubbs’ obstructed airway. days were spent in the hospital after complications from her larygenal reconstruction surgery. of the U.S. population have this condition. years old was the age of when Tubbs had her first surgery. months since Tubbs’ last surgery, Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication
5% # 3 # 3 #
through having 57 surgeries over the past 13 years. Her condition causes her voice to be raspy and “every day, someone new asks me what’s wrong with it, ‘Are you sick?’, ‘Did you lose your voice?’” Tubbs said. Her mom has taught her how to deal with people asking her these questions. She learned to be patient with the constant questions, because she knows that people aren’t trying to be rude, they simply don’t know. “It’s hard,” Tubbs said. “How are you supposed to react when someone says, ‘You sound like a dying cow!’?” Her condition causes vocal fatigue, hoarseness and noisy breathing. The scar tissue causes her airway to be narrow and
it makes physical activity difficult for her. “I was always one of the last kids to finish running the mile,” Tubbs said. Tubbs is a competitive dancer so when her airway is narrow, she has trouble breathing. She hasn’t let this condition get in her way with dancing though, she goes at her own pace and works around it. Tubbs, along with 5 percent of the U.S. population affected by this, hopes for a cure. The cause of her condition is a viral infection that specifically targets the respiratory tract. The cure is still unknown and because the condition is very rare, many doctors have not even heard of it. Tubbs hopes to strengthen her voice and quell the never-ending questions.
# one more for the count:
Tubbs and her doctor before her 57th surgery, Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication (anti-reflux), in August 2014. “I feel that my latest surgery was extremely successful, and I hope that I won’t have to have any more surgeries for a long period of time,” Tubbs said.
#
Tubbs, at age 3, before her first surgery in 2001. “I was only three when they first discovered [the tumors] so I was scared, but I understood that [the tumors] needed to be removed in order for me to breathe and talk,” Tubbs said.
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The Early
bonding of Brothers
The Mountain Vista baseball players know what it takes to build a team, the Golden Eagle way.
D
Maddy Worley| Photos by Maddy Worley
uring the school week at least 60 baseball athletes attend strength and conditioning workouts with coaches Ron Quintana, Jim Mann and Brandon Shrump on a regular basis. These workouts take place in the Vista weight room every Monday through Thursday starting at 5:45 a.m. Yes, 5:45 a.m. The players take these workouts to heart every morning. They put their heart, soul and sweat into getting ready for the spring season. Working with 60 other guys has its ups and downs, senior Marc Mumper said. “It’s challenging, that’s for sure, but it’s at 6 a.m. So it’s kind of like you just go and get your own work done and then go to class,” Mumper said. Mumper also knows his responsibility extends beyond coming every morning. As a senior, he recognizes he needs to support the younger athletes. “Being a senior, it’s my responsibility to help the younger kids,” Mumper said. Spending time conditioning for the season early has its benefits. The workouts challenge the athletes to build a strong work ethic and a stronger bond with each other. “If anything, you’re forced to be with those guys so much with all of the stuff that we do that we just bond and start to form as one,” Mumper said. “There’s nothing better than competing against one another. In the weight room, in dodgeball, and in competition. We always push each other to get better no matter what we’re doing.” Baseball is more than a game of athletic skill. It demands constant mental attention, in order to develop focus. The players participate in a sports psychology class. The class teaches them strategies to take on and off the field. The preparation is not without fun though. So, they take time to cut loose, too. The team had a dress-up
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60 5:45
# #
4
#
represents the number of players that participate in morning workouts. is the time that the baseball team meets every morning.
times a week, the baseball team meets for the morning workouts.
dodgeball game on Oct. 30. These athletes also know they need to build a brotherhood. A friendly game of competitive dodgeball is one way they build their brotherhood. Investing in the team in off season builds the brotherhood needed for the spring. “[The benefit to all this hard work is] when the season comes around it’s nice to know that you can count on the other players now to have your back later. It’s really nice [knowing I can count on them],” Mumper said. “Last year we had a bond like never before, and I sure hope we can create something like that this year.” Another dedicated player at these workouts is junior Tyler Blais. “Working with 60 guys in one room can sometimes be chaotic,” Blais said, “but you get to know pretty much everyone in the program so that’s nice.” These players know when spring comes around they can count on each other; that when one of them is in need, he will have 59 other guys he can count. “We all have
each other’s backs on and off the field,” Blais said. “We are all like brothers. Sometimes we argue like any family does. At the end of the day we are all family.” Head coach Ron Quintana sees his players as his family, too. “Family to me is that we all take care of one another. We’re always there for one another on and off the field. We’re there for anyone if they need help,” he said. “The closer you are as a team, the better team you have.” “I’d rather have a team full of guys that work hard and are close as a family than a team that’s a bunch of individual goals instead of the team goal,” Quintana said. “Our team goal is obviously win state, but it’s also to play as a team and do it the Golden Eagle way.” There’s only one word to describe these baseball the bond of these 60 players in the morning. Family. “I truly believe that we always have each other’s back no matter what,” Mumper said.
# Leading the Team:
Head coach Ron Quintana firmly believes in having a strongly bonded team. “Teams win championships, individuals win awards. Family means we take care of one another. We’re always there for one other,” Quintana said. “We support each other on and off the field. We’re there for anyone that needs help. The closer you are as a team the better team you have.”
# 60 1 3 5 10 12 18 57 ##
of the baseball team pose with their costumes on Halloween. “It was nice # Players to take a day off from working hard and lifting to just have a good time with the whole program,” senior Will Dixon said.
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CMAS TESTING
Seniors take action for the final standardized test in their high school career.
OPINION: REFUSING TO TAKE THE TEST
I
Andrew mcgraw
do not feel standardized testing, especially the Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS), is in the best interest of students. The test is not required to graduate, does not affect teacher evaluations, does not affect teacher pay, does not affect school funding, and, I believe, is not an accurate representation of a student’s learning. The CMAS is designed where 80 percent of students will fail. However, schools that use Pearson’s textbook curriculum, or “teach to the test,” will score higher than schools that do not use it. It’s a great marketing idea for Pearson, but it gives students the short end of the stick. The money required to administer and grade these tests comes from public education funds. I believe money that is designed for my education should not go to line the pockets businessmen. I believe the money would be better spent raising the wages of teachers, or towards arts and physical education that are disappearing because of cuts to school budgets. The scores of standardized tests show up on our transcripts, but admissions directors at University of Colorado and Colorado State University have told me they do not use them in their admissions process. The test will not even matter by the time students get their results. The
CMAS Vista’s Stats
results are said to come back in October 2015, when the Class of 2015 has already graduated. The Colorado Department of Education has no policy written about opting-out, meaning they do not recognize opting-out as an option. This is where the rumors come about not being able to opt-out of the test. A parent refusal is a right all parents have, which is protected by the Supreme Court Ruling of Meyer v. Peirce, which states parents have ultimate control over their child’s education. If parents were to send a parent refusal, by means of e-mail, form, etc. to the principal and testing coordinator of the school that is clear that their student is not to be tested and is not to be pulled out of class on make-up days to be tested, the school legally cannot sit the student down in front of a test. If an administrator were to force a student out of class to take the CMAS test on the make-up days, they would be unlawfully denying a student an education. Standardized testing is something we are all familiar with. It is understandable that Colorado wants to test its students to get students on the same page, but I do not believe there is a series of bubbles I can fill in or any essay I can write that shows my ability as a student or my teachers’ ability to teach me. I believe my past is not something you can test.
22 percent
of seniors did not know
what CMAS stood for.
Mountain Vista had the
57.7 percent
who took
(292/506)
2
highest number ndof seniors
the CMAS in the state. 28
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of seniors took the CMAS test. (as of Nov. 18)
Source: VISTAj survey of 100 MVHS seniors
THE FACTS ABOUT THE TEST T
Tyler Kraft
he seniors of Mountain Vista High School thought they were done. They had survived eight years of standardized testing through the Colorado Student Assessment Program. Most had finished their testing with the ACT last spring. The State of Colorado had just one more test for the Class of 2015. This year was the first year that the Colorado Department of Education implemented the Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) test. The CMAS exams covered both social studies and science. Mountain Vista had students take the test Nov. 11-12. The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) said the tests will help to measure how prepared students are for college. “Too many students were leaving high school believing they were prepared for college, only to find that when they entered college, they were forced to take remediation courses that did not provide them with college credit,” Janet Asmus, the Chief Communications Officer from the CDE, said in an email. Legislation was passed in 2009 requiring new standards and assessments based on what is needed for students to be prepared for college and the workforce. Thus, the CMAS test was conceived. The test did not arrive without controversy. Students at Vista and across the state protested, some students optioned out of taking the test, choosing to stay home instead. It also appears that the students who are not taking the test may be hurting their school. “Participation could also impact a district’s accreditation rating which is considered by many colleges and universities when students apply for acceptance,” Asmus said. The CMAS test may not be abandoned anytime soon. “Performance on the assessments may be used as one way of meeting graduation requirements,” Asmus said.
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VISTaj in D.C.
12 VISTAj members took advantage of the opportunity to attend this years JEA/ NSPA Fall National High School Journalism Convention in Washington, D.C. from Nov. 6-9.
Senior Emy Pye was awarded a Superior in the National Write-Off Literary Magazine Photography category for her photo. “I heard they didn’t give out many superiors so that was really cool,” Pye said. Each student who competed in the Literary Magazine Photography category was given a prompt and then sent out into D.C. for two hours to take pictures of something related to the prompt. “You have to come back within two hours and give them an unedited picture straight from your SD card and they review it,” Pye said.
Other Awards: Gabe Rodriguez Excellent, YB Layout: Inside Pages Sara Hainsey Honorable Mention, Literary Magazine Poetry Katie Pickrell VISTAj poses in front of the Honorable Mention, Editorial Washington Monument and at the Writing Newseum. “The most fascinating element of Washington, D.C. to me Tori Soper & Kaitlin Zenoni is the blend of the city capturing the Honorable Mention, Social past and looking towards the future,” Media Reporting senior Kaitlin Zenoni said. To see Erica Tagliarino how VISTAj covered their week, visit VistaNow.org and click on the “VISTAj Honorable Mention, Graphic Design: Logo in D.C.” tab on the homepage. 30
Issue Two
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football
Photo by Taylor Zakhem
The Mountain Vista varsity football team finished the 2014 season with a record of 9-2 and a rank of 25th. Highlights of the season included beating ThunderRidge High School for the first time in school history and setting the school record for wins in a season.
Women’s Volleyball The Mountain Vista varsity volleyball team ended the 2014 season with a 12-13 record and a rank of 53rd in the state of Colorado. Highlights of the season included beating rival ThunderRidge, 3-1, and the addition of new head coach Mary Millman.
Men’s Soccer
The Mountain Vista men’s varsity soccer team ended the season with a record of 11-4-2 as well as a state ranking of 16th. High points of the season were the team’s 2-0 win over rival ThunderRidge and the continued teamwork throughout the season.
Junior Jonah Ulery dribbles around a defender during a playoff game against Broomfield.
as the final whistle blows The Mountain Vista varsity men’s varsity soccer team’s season comes to a close with a second round loss to Broomfield The Mountain Vista men’s soccer team’s season came to an end Oct. 29. The boys had a disappointing 2-0 loss against Broomfield High School in the second round of the 5A playoffs. The game started out strong and it was apparent this was going to be a tight game. Halftime came with both teams tied at 0-0. However, Broomfield seemed to come out at half with a different intensity than Vista. Broomfield received its first goal as an accidental own goal by Brandon Barich, senior. This changed the momentum of the game. It was obvious that Vista lost
hope after the goal. The boys energy seemed to decrease with every minute as the hopes of winning dwindled away. Vista did not give up, the Golden Eagles just seemed less hopeful. The players began to get snippy with each other leading to another Broomfield goal. The goal sealed the game for Broomfield. Vista had a few more chances to score with no avail. Broomfield tried to speed up the end of the game as Vista challenged. Vista finished the season with a 114-2 record and a ranking of 16th in the state according to Maxpreps.com. —Analysis by Kelsey Pharis and Taylor Zakhem
With Senior Varsity Basketball Player Ray Beresford What are you most excited about for this upcoming season? Ray Beresford: I’m really excited about our talent. We have a lot of talent and a lot of athleticism, but we will need to be able to play team-basketball if we want to be successful because athleticism only gets you so far. How much of an impact does the MV Unit have
on your games? RB: Without MV Unit we wouldn’t be able to get riled up. We wouldn’t be able to put the energy that we need in to winning games. They just give us a new level of energy that we don’t have by ourselves. You recently committed to Western State Colorado University with Brady Subart. How excited are you to keep
playing with him on the next level?
excited to see at the varsity level?
RB: I am very excited. Brady was the first person I met when I moved here and I instantly felt a connection with him. I am very excited to keep playing with him and I am very excited to play college ball.
RB: I am most excited to play against ThunderRidge. I think that is going to be a great game and I wasn’t able to play last year because I was sick, so I am really excited to play them. The person who I am most excited to see this year is Isaac Phillips. He is a sophomore, but is absolutely fast and has great ball handling.
Who are you most excited to play against and who are you most
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