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Longhorn Roundup | February 2014
Cutest
Couples
Lily and Manuel
Ian and Carsyn
February 2015
Andie and Jenri
Carlos and Guadalupe
Volume 4
Issue 3
Hailey Swirbul skied in a world competition in Kazakhstan in late January. Photo: Aspen Times
BHS junior Swirbul climbs to top in Nordic skiing By J.D. Glenn
Hailey Swirbul is a junior at Basalt High School and a competitive Nordic ski racer. She is one of the best Nordic skiers for her age, and because of it, placed third in the under-20 division in a national race in Michigan, giving her the opportunity to represent America in the world junior championship in Kazakhstan. “It’s U-20, so I’m probably going to be one of the youngest ones in the competition since I’m 16,” she said before leaving for the competition halfway around the world. Kazakhstan is a former Soviet Republic bordered by Russia on the north and
China to its southeast. Hailey enjoys cross-country skiing because “it’s good exercise and I like being outside and being with my friends.” No matter how she does, Hailey, who placed second in the class 3A state cross-country running championship in the fall, thinks of this opportunity as a learning experience and as a chance to see how she can do against some of the world’s best athletes. In this sport, essential equipment is skis, poles and boots. After you have this equipment, you can go to a variety of areas around the valley
and ski for no cost. The thing that makes cross-country skiing (Nordic skiing) different from downhill skiing is that basically, “you go up the hills instead of down them,” as Hailey puts it. The skis don’t have fixed bindings and the user’s heels are dynamic. Skiers can basically make a walking motion to propel themselves forward. Some people just like getting out on a sunny day to get fresh air and exercise. However, if you decide to be more serious about cross-country skiing, there are competitive teams in the valley where you race other
skiers. So next time you want to go on a nice family outing or you are looking to spend a fun day in the sun and get some exercise, call some places like the Aspen Nordic Center/Golf Course (970-429-1949). Rentals and lessons are available there. Other spots are Spring Gulch in Carbondale, Ashcroft south of Aspen, Maroon Bells in Aspen, and the Rio Grande Trail in Basalt and elsewhere. Check the Internet for details about any fees and whether rental equipment is available.
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Longhorn Roundup | February 2014
SEEN & HEARD ACT Dates:
The next ACT college entrance exams will be on April 18 and June 13. For the April test, the registration deadline is March 13. The June test’s deadline will be May 8. Each of these tests will be $38 without the writing section and $54.50 including it.
Brooklyn Koski’s Observant:
Brooklyn Koski, a junior who last year was recognized for her book “The Weatherman,” entered the national contest “Take Ten” in which she wrote a play. Her play, “Observant,” is about a police officer complaining about no one noticing anything anymore while a crime is happening behind him. She has entered this contest since her freshman year, and this year. “Observant” was shown on Feb. 1-3 in the Aspen Black Box Theater.
Poster Announcement:
The Student Leadership of Basalt High School is working hard to make our school a clean and enjoyable environment. One of the projects that the Student Leadership has devised is the removal of unnecessary and outdated posters from cluttered walls and doors. Posters carrying announcements will from now on be confined to designated poster boards. The Basalt High School community can help make the school a cleaner environment by not taping posters to walls, lockers, or doors -- and instead posting them on the designated areas. Thank you for your help in making the Basalt High School a better place.
The Purple Podacst:
A group of students (Ashton Albright, Daniel Barnes, Simon Beymer, Logan Conley, Brooklyn Koski, and Joel Suárez) has put together a brand new podcast for the school. A new episode will be released every other week, covering subjects relevant specifically to the students in Basalt. Currently, it is available on SoundCloud.com and PurplePodcast.com. Hopefully future episodes will be released on other venues such as YouTube or iTunes. (Podcasts are usually audio only in the style of a talk show but the goal is potentially to have video too for the Purple Podcast.) The students are open to suggestions or questions regarding the podcast and can be reached at staff@purplepodcast. com.
Like Us on Facebook:
The Longhorn Roundup is on Facebook. Like us to receive updates about news around the Valley and our own newspaper. Check us out at www.facebook.com/basaltroundup or search Basalt Longhorn Roundup on Facebook.com.
BHS Presents Guys and Dolls:
On January 27 and 28, auditions for the new spring musical, “Guys and Dolls”, took place. “Guys and Dolls” is a musical about criminals and gamblers in the 1940s. It includes romance, gambling and hilarious 1940s New Yvork accents. Under the spotlight the cast of the BHS Spring Musical will make its debut in the upcoming months. The BHS Spring Musical is under way and the actors are ready to dazzle the audience with unforgettable musical about the swingin’ 1940’s!
November 2014, Volume 1, Issue 1 Co-Editors: Andrew Olson and Tyler Jackson
Staff Andrew Olson, andrewolson@rfschools.com Maria Esquivel, mariaesquivel@rfschools.com Maile Wood, mailewood@rfschools.com John Glen, johnglen@rfschools.com Tyler Jackson, tylerjackson@rfschools.com Griffen Jenkins, griffenjenkins@rfschools.com Benjamin Koski, benjaminkoski@rfschools.com William Orben, williamorben@rfschools.com A.J. Thompson, ajthompson434@comcast.net Raquel Vasquez, rachelvasquez40@gmail.com Mariemma Uguccioni, mariemmauguccioni1@gmail.com
Adviser Randy Essex, ressex@postindependent.com
Mission The Longhorn Roundup is committed to bring the BHS student body and administration newsworthy articles that will inform, educate, and entertain in a reliable and timely fashion while maintaining the districtwide core values and contributing to the overall pride of our school.
Letters to the Editor We welcome letters to the editor. Please email one of our co-editors, Andrew Olson at andrewolson@rfschools.com or Tyler Jackson at tylerjackson@rfschools.com
Advertising Please contact Griffen Jenkins at griffenjenkins@rfschools.com
Pennies for Patients will end on Febuary 20th
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Longhorn Roundup | February 2014
Former BHS students speak about college By Griffen Jenkins
Take as many AP classes as you can. That was a recurring theme during a panel discussion of Basalt High graduates who came back to the high school to talk about their college experience so far. Some of the graduates took many AP classes during high school and some didn’t take any — but everyone wished they had taken more. The panel kicked off Basalt High School’s new year with intriguing conversation and opinions on col-
lege. The school welcomed back 16 Basalt alumni to talk about their post-high school experiences and give advice to current students on how to succeed in high school as well as in college. The BHS alumni talked about things rangning from how their social lives changed, how their academic lives changed and how the transition was. Most of these graduates have gone from a small little school in a mountain town where the most kids you
College panel that spoke to freshman and sophmores Photo BYy: Griffen Jenkins
have in a class are 20-30 to a state university where you’ll have 200300 kids in a class. One thing that stuck out was the variety of colleges — everything from in-state and small or in-state and big to a school across the country on the East Coast. Among the observations and advice these were two points that were unanimously agreed upon: An essential to success in college is good note-taking. Suggestions from the college panel told BHS students
to learn how to take good notes earlier on in their education careers. Getting involved was important to most of these graduates. Some are playing sports in college and others are in clubs. Another helpful suggestion these alumni gave was to find study groups and use them to your advantage. Basalt High students can take these suggestions and tips, and hopefully use them to their advantage.
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Longhorn Roundup | February 2014
ENTERTAINMENT Valentine’s Day has passed and here are some of our favorite couples from around the school.
Ian Lumsden and Carson Knotts
Jenri Delgado and Andie Montes
Manuel Parada and Lily Orben
Carlos Culebros and Guadalupe Preciado
If you spent this day of love alone, we also have some pickup lines to help you get a date next year.
Need a hot date? Wow your crush with one of these sweet pick-up lines By Griffen Jenkins
>>You’re a nine out of 10 and I’m the one you need. >>Are you a ticket? Because you have fine written all over you. >>Are you religious? Because you’re the answer to all my prayers. >>I thought happiness started with an “H”; why does mine start with “U”? >>I seem to have lost my phone number, can I have yours?
>>I will stop loving you when an apple grows from a mango tree on the 30th of February. >>I’m not a photographer, but I can picture me and you together. >>Did you invent the airplane? Because you seem Wright for me. >>I ran into that wall mesmerized by your beauty. Can I have your name and number for insurance purposes?
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Longhorn Roundup | February 2014
GAMES Sudoku // Answers on Page 15
Valentines Word Search
CANDY LOVE
CUPID ROSE
HEART KISS VALENTINE
REACH NEW HEIGHTS WITH
m a e T k n a B e n i p l A s ’ Basalt 711 E. Valley Rd • 970.927.3653
CONGRATULATIONS SENIOR CLASS OF 2015!
137 Midland Avenue • 970.927.31
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Longhorn Roundup | February 2014
Basalt High provides support for pregnant students By Mariemma Uguccioni
While teen pregnancy occurs nationwide, efforts to prevent it and help pregnant girls varies from place to place. Colorado’s teen pregnancy rates have dropped dramatically, falling nearly 40 percent between 2009 and 2013. An anonymous donor provided $23 million for an initiative that provided money to 68 family clinics across the state, according to news reports. The initiative offered around 30,000 intrauterine devices and implants to young women at low or no cost. With fewer live births, there was a reduction in Medicaid benefits that resulted in a savings of $5.68 saved for every dollar spent on providing free contraception, according to the Denver Post. However, teen pregnancy rates remain high in Garfield County, which is home to many BHS students. Garfield has the third-highest teen pregnancy rate in the state with an average of 43 pregnancies a year. Garfield’s neighboring county, Pitkin, however. has an average rate of just six teen pregnancies per year. The two counties have dramatic socioeconomic differences, with Pitkin being wealthier on average. At Basalt High School, counselors take specific steps if a pregnant girl approaches them for advice. Basalt High’s counselors like to coach the student by practicing with her and guiding her through the process of telling her parents. This process may be to talk it out or write down what she might want to say to her parents. Basalt High School counselor Josh
Teen mom Haley feeds her infant, Andrew, at Yampah Valley High School. Photo: Glenwood Springs Post Independent
Mink talked about the process of how to help pregnant girls who approach him with concerns about their future. “If she’s a minor, I have to inform her parents,” Mink said. Counselors guide pregnant girls to options specific to their needs. Girls have the option to still take classes at the high school and then take time off before and after the birth. Counselors also refer some girls to a teen pregnancy program at Yampah High school in Glenwood Springs. Yampah High is designed to help kids get a diploma with programs specific to a range of needs, one of which is pregnancy. Students enrolled in the Yampah
Teen Pregnancy Program get assistance with their babies with two fully equipped licensed nurseries for infants up to age 1 or toddlers up to 3. On average, 20 girls enroll in the Yampah pregnancy program. Basalt High counselors use Yampah High as a guide for pregnant girls who seek help or advice at BHS. Principal David Schmid explained the school’s attitude toward a girl who is pregnant at Basalt High. “We know that that person needs extra help and support because they’ve got a lot going on in their lives, and I feel like their are no judgments made towards that person, and that’s what makes Basalt a
special community,” he said. Basalt student Rosa Arias is going through her senior year pregnant. “My baby is due soon, so I will be out for three weeks,” she said, “but then I will come back to graduate high school.” When Rosa was asked about support she got from the school she said, “I felt as if I got a lot of support from other students as well as the faculty here at Basalt High School.” In the past, with support from the administration, teachers and counselors, teen mothers at BHS have not only graduated, but done so with honors, winning scholarships and going on to college. The policies at BHS have provided
Seniors face deadlines, choices, opportunities By Will Orben
We are approaching the end of the school year and soon enough we will be saying goodbye to the class of 2015 as they move on to have their own adventures in their life outside of high school. Before this happens, though, the seniors will have a few important dates to look forward to and a few more tips for college. If you haven’t already, be sure to attend the final free college essay, application and scholarship assistance meeting on Feb. 18. There will also be a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) meeting for college in Colorado on Feb. 25. Both meetings will be held at BHS
from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. FAFSA will help parents sign their child up for financial aid with colleges. Scholarship deadlines are looming or have already passed, so take advantage of these opportunities. College counselor Liz Penzel shed some light on what to do this final semester. “For seniors who have already gotten into college really need to keep their grades up and not change too many things,” she advised. “Seniors who want to drop classes now that they’ve gotten into a college need to check in with the college to make sure it’s all right. Colleges can re-
scind acceptance letters if they think the student they are accepted is not the same person they admitted.” Keep on track and finish this last semester strong. Penzel is available to talk about college throughout the day, but you will have to make an appointment outside of her office, which is right next to the school library. Seniors who haven’t been accepted into college or haven’t applied still have a shot. Many colleges in and outside of Colorado are accepting applications still and will be during the spring. “It’s not too late, there are still options out there,” Penzel said.
Going to college will give students more opportunities for jobs that interest them. And of course most college graduates make more money than high school graduates. Although not every senior will go to college or even graduate, Principal David Schmid says that the goal for Basalt High School is to make students “college ready.” He’s aware not every student will go to college right after high school, but if they choose to go later, they can. Students who further their education will have a better knowledge of the real world before they are forced into being self-sufficient.
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Longhorn Roundup | February 2014
COMMUNITY NEWS
News from outside the school Andrew Olson
Recently, the town of Basalt has been booming with activity. From the removal of the trailer park along Two Rivers Road to the cleaning out of Clark’s Market, the town is undergoing change left and right. But what is to come for growing Basalt? Mayor Jacque Whitsitt in an interview with the Roundup that the town has much to do, ranging from improving pedestrian safety to fostering an inclusive culture. Whitsitt believes the start of addressing safety is to identify the issues and collectively work to fund and create the solution. One idea on the table is a pedestrian underpass connecting the Basalt Park and Ride to the bus stop on the other side of the highway. “The pedestrian underpass will be a friendly path for pedestrians, bicyclists, and moms with strollers to get back and forth between our town pieces,” said Whitsitt. Although the plan for a Clark’s Market recreation center is off the
The idea of a smaller rec center than was proposed at Crown Mountain has been tossed around. table for now, proposals for recreational facilities around Basalt have recently arisen. “The idea of a smaller rec center than was proposed at Crown Mountain has been tossed around,” said Whitsitt. Also plans to cover the Basalt pool at Arbaney Park and covering the Crown Mountain tennis courts have come up. As far as the Lion’s Park and Clark’s Market property goes, it’s
still in the concept phase. A citizen committee, says Whitsitt, will put through a recommendation for what to do with the property to the town council next month. “One goal is to keep a large percentage of the parcel as active, open space with an expansive view corridor from downtown,” Whitsitt said. She says that it would be great to have a view of recreational activities going on in the area to open up the downtown. For young people coming to the valley after college or with their families, things are looking up. With new affordable housing being developed, Whitsitt says it will “help generate younger singles and families in the core.” She hopes that someone will be able to transform the Clark’s Market property into a dense housing and entertainment area. Basalt is quite a diverse community. To better include Latinos and others, Whitsitt thinks we need more Latinos in positions of authority,
such as teachers and business owners, to help the population become more of a part of the community. As wild as everything may seem that’s going on in the Basalt community, if citizens come together we can make incomplete projects a reality.
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Longhorn Roundup | February 2014
Es Basalt High School dos escuelas? Por: Raquel Vasquez, Anders Brucker, y J.D. Glenn Jake Schiesser y Manuel Parada han sido amigos desde del octavo grado. Ambos son jóvenes en Basalt High School, en el grado del 11 °. Se trata de dos amigos que comparten intereses como el esquiar y hacer tamales en casa de Manuel con su abuela, Rosa Parada. “Nunca se me ha cruzado en mi mente de la diferencia étnicas entre nosotros,” dijo Jake. En una escuela que es de 55 a 60 por ciento Latina, ellos son la excepción. Mayormente, los estudiantes Anglos se asocian con otros Anglos y Latinos con los Latinos. “Nosotros nos llevamos bien y tenemos intereses comunes,” Manuel dijo,”Nosotros estamos conscientes de la división entre estudiantes Anglos y Latinos, que a veces miramos cuando vamos por los pasillos.” “Muchas personas le gusta juntarse con su mismo grupo étnico y no se abren a los demás,” dijo Jake, “yo ni siquiera miró a Manuel como un Mexicano, yo lo miro como mi amigo.” Aunque muchas personas no estan concientes del problema de segregación, el problema sigue ahí, y se aparece por toda la escuela. Un ejemplo donde esto sucede es la línea para lonche, la mayoría son Latinos. Los niños Anglos comen en la escuela, o van con otros estudiantes fuera de la escuela para comer. Otro ejemplo donde se mira esa división sería las clases normales académicas. La mayoría del tiempo verás grupos de estudiantes de la misma raza caminar fuera de clase, conducidos a ser parte de la colonia por las clases que se encuentran. Debido a que algunos estudiantes Hispanos están aprendiendo Inglés, ellos no toman las mismas clases que los estudiantes que hablan Inglés, con el tiempo , los estudiantes comienzan a hacerse amigo de las personas que están con ellos la mayoría del tiempo. “Yo he visto varios casos diferentes en los que he visto la segregación en la escuela , ambos causados por la gente sin querer segregarse a sí mismos y en otra ocasión porque la gente trata de separar de los demás.” Tim McNulty, un profesor de las clases de Aprendizaje del Idioma de Inglés, declaró, “La segregación ocurre porque la gente es ignorante acerca de otras personas que pueden ser igual”. Incluyendo niños que han venido a esta escuela en los últimos dos años. A veces, sin darse cuenta, los niños Latinos accidentalmente crean una barrera a causa de su idioma, o en
Latino students stand in the line wating to recieve lunch.
Photo By: Will Orben
otros casos porque lo hacen para sentirse cómodos. “A veces esto ocurre porque algunos niños no saben hablar el Español y porque los que hablan en Español no hablan en Inglés por eso no pueden tener una conversación entre ellos mismos.”, dijo McNulty. “Otras veces es porque la clase está siendo dominado por un grupo que hace que los estudiantes sean segregados. Incluso he visto esto entre Salvadoreños, Mexicanos, los niños de Honduras, y de Guatemala, sólo por su manera de hablar, parece como si se separan el uno del otro.” La hostilidad abierta entre las razas en la escuela es raro, ya que es la conciencia cultural. Pocos estudiantes Anglos hablan más rudimentario el Español, a pesar de ser el lenguaje común en la escuela, la comunidad, en Colorado en su conjunto, y cada vez más, a través de los Estados Unidos. Pocos estudiantes Anglos son conscientes de los problemas de inmigración o incluso las razones que muchos Latinos se trasladen a los Estados Unidos. En el otro lado de la moneda, los estudiantes Latinos perciben a los estudiantes Anglos como niños que son muy negativos si no saben hablar el Español. Niños Latinos piensan que los niños Anglos que saben hablar el Español son mucho más amable y que se pueden llevar bien con ellos. McNulty dijo que aunque habia segregación; cultural, racial, o el idioma, no debe ser una excusa
para que los grupos culturales sean distintos. David Schmid, nuestro director, sabe lo que se siente estar en una escuela diversa, y a él le gustaría ver más estudiantes como Jake y Manuel. Él ve la diversidad de BHS como uno de los mayores activos potenciales de la escuela. Schmid dijo, “los niños culturalmente, Latinos y Caucásicos son diferentes, pero nuestra escuela es un lugar único, un lugar donde miro esta diversidad, por ejemplo el equipo de Fútbol de los muchachos, el equipo es un ejemplo de esa singularidad. Nosotros debemos darnos cuenta que no importa quién eres, qué raza eres, o la cultura de que vienes, todos debemos poner nuestra diferencia a distancia para que nuestra escuela sea un lugar mejor. Me siento honrado de estar en esta escuela a causa de tanta diversidad.” Schmid fue a una escuela secundaria diversa en Denver y jugó al baloncesto, que según dijo le dio la oportunidad de conocer a muchos Afro-Americanos y aprendió a comprender sus sentimientos, a mediados de 1960 y fue cuando Los Estados Unidos comenzaba a venir a los apretones con los Derechos Civiles. Le habían dado la opción de ir a una escuela para Blancos, pero decidió quedarse en su escuela porque quería experimentar la diversidad . En la universidad que fue habian dos dormitorios y un baño entre ellos. Su compañero de cuarto era Blanco y sus vecinos eran AfroAmericanos.
“Ellos fueron tratados muy mal”, recordó Schmid. “ Mientras estuve allí, fue cuando(líder de los Derechos Civiles) Martin Luther King recibió un disparo(en 1968) y un montón de gente se decían entre ellos, ‘Oh, ¿cuál es el problema?’, Pero sentí como si yo fui el único de todo ese dormitorio que lo entendió. Me sentí como si supiera cómo se sentían estas personas, pero no me habia dado cuenta de esto si yo no hubiera ido a una escuela en la que me enseñó a entender lo que significaban el Racismo y la Diversidad. Incluso fui a través de esa experiencia cuando sucedió, y me hizo comprender el significado de la muerte de Martin Luther King para estos dos Afro-Americanos y para el mundo”, dijo Schmid. También Jamie Hozack , nuestro subdirector, dijo que la diversidad en nuestra escuela es un punto fuerte. “Lo que estábamos hablando en la clase de estudiantes que hablan Español, fue que era ser un Americano, y a veces los estudiantes pintaban un cuadro de lo que se vería ser un Estadounidense,” comentó Hozack, “Particularmente en Los Estados Unidos, en Basalt, y incluso en nuestra escuela es un lugar donde una gran cantidad de personas con diferentes opiniones, que se miran de manera distintas, y que hablan de manera diferente, se unen para trabajar y eso es una fuerza en nuestro país y en la comunidad.” Basalt High School tiene algunos (Continúa en la página 10)
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Longhorn Roundup | February 2014
Is Basalt High two separate schools? By Raquel Vasquez, Anders Brucker and J.D. Glenn
Jake Schiesser and Manuel Parada have been best friends since eighth grade. Both of them are juniors at Basalt High School. They are two buddies who share interests such as skiing and making Tamales at Manuel’s house with his grandmother, Rosa Parada. “It’s never even come across my mind the different ethnicity between us” said Jake. In a school that’s 55 to 60 percent Latino, they are exceptions. For the most part, Anglo students associate with other Anglos, and Latinos with Latinos. “We just get along really well and have common interests.” Manuel said. “We are well aware of the Anglo-Latino split and see it every day in the hallways.” “Many people like to hang with Caucasian student sit at a lunch table without any Latinos their ethnic group and don’t open Photo By: Will Orben up to the others,” said Jake. “I don’t and other times because Span- you are, or what culture you come even see Manuel as a Mexican, I ish speakers don’t speak English from, we all should put our differsee him as a friend.” and they can’t have a conversation ence away to make our school a Although people aren’t particu- with them,” McNulty said. “Other better place. I’m honored to be at larly fond of the segregation in our times it’s because the class is being this school because of so much dischool, it still happens, and is ap- dominated by a group that makes versity,” he said. parent throughout the building. It students segregate in a class. I have Schmid went to a diverse high is almost as if Basalt High is two even seen this between Salvador- school in Denver and played basschools. ian, Mexican, Honduran, and kids ketball, which he said gave him the One example is the lunch line, from Guatemala, just because the opportunity to know many Africanit is almost all Latino kids with a way they speak it seems as if they Americans and understand their few exceptions. Anglo kids eat in segregate from each other.” feelings in the mid-1960s as Amerschool, or go with other students off Overt hostility between races in the ica began coming to grips with campus to eat. school is rare, as is cultural aware- civil rights. He had been given the The division even carries into class- ness. Few Anglo students speak choice to go to an all-white school, es. more than rudimentary Spanish, de- but decided to stay in his school beMost of the time, you’ll see flocks spite the language being common in cause he wanted to experience the of students of the same race walk- the school, the community, in Colo- diversity. ing out of class, with student colo- rado as a whole and, increasingly, In college, two dorm rooms shared nies created by the classes they’re across the United States. a bathroom that was between them. in. Since some Hispanic students Few Anglo students are aware of His roommate was white and their are just learning English, they don’t immigration issues or even the neighbors were African-Ameritake the same classes that the Eng- reasons many Latinos move to the cans. lish-speaking students take. United States. “They were being treated really “I’ve seen several different cases On the other side of the coin, La- bad,” he recalled. “While I was where I’ve seen segregation in our tino students perceive many Anglos there, that was when (civil rights school, both caused by people un- as kids who are very negative. La- leader) Martin Luther King was shot willingly segregating themselves tino kids think that Anglo kids who (in 1968) and a lot of people were and people trying to segregate do know how to speak Spanish are like, ‘Oh, what’s the big deal?’ but themselves from others,” said Tim much more kind and they can get I felt like I was the only one from McNulty, an English Language along with them. that whole dorm who got it. I felt Learning teacher. “Segregation McNulty said culture, race and lan- like I knew how these people felt, happens because people are unedu- guage should not be an excuse to but I wouldn’t have realized that cated about other people that may make separate cultural groups. if I hadn’t gone to a school where be alike.” Principal David Schmid knows it showed me to understand what Basalt High’s large Latino popula- what it is like to be in a diverse racism and diversity meant. I even tion includes many students who school, and he would like to see went through that experience when have started at the school in the past more students like Jake and Manu- it happened, which made me comtwo years. Sometimes without real- el. He sees BHS’s diversity as one prehend what the death of Martin izing it, Latino kids create a barrier of the school’s greatest potential as- Luther King meant to these two Afbecause of the of their language, or sets. rican-Americans and what it meant in other cases because they do it to “Culturally, Latino and caucasian to the world,” Schmid said. feel comfortable. kids are different, but our school is Vice Principal Jamie Hozack agreed “Sometimes this happens because a very unique place ... You see that that diversity is a strength for the some kids don’t speak Spanish no matter who you are, what race school.
“We were talking with the Spanish for Spanish Speakers class about what it was to be an American and sometimes people paint a picture of what an American would look like,” Hozack said. “America in particular, in Basalt, even in our school, is a place where a lot of people with different opinions, who look differently and speak differently all come together to work, and that’s a strength in our country and community.” Basalt High School has some programs and systems that help build more mixing and a more diverse community. It plans a class for kids who have come to the country in the past couple of years. “One thing (that helps build diversity is) teachers who do a good job with pushing everybody,” Hozack said. “It is very challenging because of the ... diversity in skill sets that students have, characters in school and their home lives, there are so many variables that have nothing to do with race or language. Teachers push everybody because they have high expectations for everybody. We also have a strong welcoming student procedure that help many kids feel part of our school,” Hozack said. Can we do more? McNulty, Hozack, Schmid and many teachers do believe we can. Basalt High has two parent committees that had been made up of separate Anglo and Latino groups. The two committees had their own meetings on separate times (Continued on page 10)
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Longhorn Roundup | February 2014
Es Basalt High School dos escuelas?
- viene de la página 8 programas y sistemas(como Gay/Straight Alliance) que ayudan a construir una mezcla y una comunidad más diversa. También se planea una clase para los niños que han llegado al país en los últimos dos años. “Una de las cosas (que ayuda a construir la diversidad es los) maestros que hacen un buen trabajo con empujar a los estudiantes a tratar mejor,” dijo Hozack. “Es muy difícil debido a la ...diversidad entre los conjuntos de habilidades que los estudiantes tienen, los personajes de la escuela, y su vidas en casa. Hay tantos puntos que no tienen nada que ver con la raza o el idioma. Los maestros empujan a todo el mundo porque tienen altas expectativas para todos. También tenemos una forma
fuerte para recibir a los estudiantes nuevos, que ayuda a muchos niños que se sienta como parte de nuestra escuela “,dijo Hozack. ¿Podemos hacer más? Tim McNulty, Jamie Hozack, David Schmid, e incluso muchos maestros si creen que podamos. Basalt High tiene comités de rendición de cuentas, que incluye padres de niños Latinos y Caucásicos. Los dos grupos tenían su propia reunión en sus propios horarios y días. “Justo antes de Navidad nos decidimos cenar juntos y tuvimos padres Latinos y Blancos sentados juntos, cenando juntos, hablando juntos, y teniendo una buena conversación,” dijo Schmid. “Lo que descubrieron fue que ambos querían lo mismo
para sus hijos. Ellos querían que sus hijos tuvieran éxito y que estuvieran seguro, y se preguntaron, ‘¿por qué no los reunimos juntos?’ Ahora todos se reúnen y tienen una buena conversación porque están trabajando juntos como un grupo grande.” Podemos crear una comunidad segura y ayudar a nuestro problema que se desintegran mediante la creación de grupos para ayudar a este problema, al igual que las Latinas Arriba, el Programa de Educación de Responsabilidad Personal, y tantos más que se pueden ser agregados a la lista. La segregación no sólo ocurren entre la raza, la cultura o el idioma — también puede ser entre personas con diferentes grupos de edad, la preferencia sexual, identidad de género o
bestimiento también. “Los adolescentes y muchas personas,” dijo Hozack,”todavía están aprendiendo lo que es apropiado decir. En general tenemos una escuela segura, pero en algunos casos algunos estudiantes necesitan sentirse aún más seguros aquí. Puede ser la forma en que los estudiantes estan creciendo y desarrollando a través de su vida adolescente y es difícil si hablas un idioma diferente, pero estos no son los unico puntos que te hacen sentir diferente. Sólo tenemos que reconocer que todos tenemos que estar aseguros sin importar el idioma, la raza, la edad, o el país de que venimos, todos somos una comunidad.”
Jake Schiesser (right) and Manuel Parada (left) have been best friends forever despite racial differences. Photo By: Will Orben
Is Basalt High two separate schools? - continued from page 9 and days. “Right before Christmas we decided to have dinner together and we had Latino and white parents sitting together, eating dinner together, talking together and having a really good conversation,” Schmid said. “What they discovered was they both want the same thing for their kids. They wanted their kids to be successful and to
be safe, so they said, ‘Why don’t we just be together?’ Now they all meet together and have great conversations because they are working together as one big group.” We can create a safe community and help integrate by creating groups such as Latinas Arriba, Personal Responsibility Education Program and others that help students feel that they are a part of the community.
Segregation does not only happen between race, culture or language — it can be between people of different age groups, styles of dress or sexual orientation, as well. “Teenagers and many people are still learning what’s appropriate to say,” Hozack said. “In general, we have a safe school, but in some cases some students need to feel safe here. It can be how you’re growing
up and developing through your teenage life and it’s hard if you speak a different language, but those aren’t the only variables that make you feel different. We just have to recognize we all have to be safe no matter what language, race, age, or country we come from, we all are a community.”
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Longhorn Roundup | February 2014
SPORTS
Photos by Jim Ryan
It’s not the hype, it’s the hoop! Let’s go Longhorns, let’s go! At left here, is Michael Glen trying to score a layup for the Basalt Longhorn boys. The Varsity boys team’s record at the end of January was 2-8
overall. Their league record was 07. Keep working for wins, boys! At right, Carsyn Knotts trying to score for the Lady Longhorns. The Lady Longhorns have been work-
ing very hard to give their best effort at all of the games. These ladies got their first wins against Aspen in a 45-36 game. At the end of January, the Varsity girls team’s record
Basalt wrestlers get ready to rumble
was 1-9. Let’s keep fighting Lady Longhorns! Varsity and JV have nine games left. After those games comes Regional Tournaments and the State Championships.
By Maile Wood
Olmer Marquez wins first place at a tournament at Eagle Valley. Olmer topped Eagle Valley and North Park to get first. He won the 220-pound title. Basalt has six meets left. These meets consist of duals, tournaments, regionals and state wrestling. As of now, the team’s record is 2-5 in duals. For the wrestling team, the season has been tough. Five wrestlers have left the team, which leaves 14 wrestlers, as of the end of January. The team has sustained three major injuries, including Marquez’s sprained knee. Henry Vargas sustained a concussion. Cristian Joya had a dislocated elbow, which could have ended the season for him. Marquez and Vargas are expected to return once symptoms are gone. Coach Ryan Bradley says for the rest of the season, “I think the most important thing for our wrestlers is to continue to try and work new moves. We hope to peak at the Regional tournament in middle of February and qualify several wrestlers for the state tournament. Junior Olmer Marquez has a good chance of placing if he is healthy and wrestling well.”
Olmer Marquez reciving first place at a wresling meet Photo by Ryan Bradley
Good luck to all Basalt Wrestlers!
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Longhorn Roundup | February 2014
STUDENT CONTRIBUTIONS
Drawn By: Amanda McComb
Longhorn Roundup | February 2014
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Security measures at the X Games
Dear Editor, You reported that there were over 20 arrests at the Winter X Games this year, 2015, compared to the 10 last year. This obviously is a concerning issue that needs to be addressed. The fact that none of the crimes were ones of violence is definitely a positive thing. However, the amount of drug and alcohol possession by minors were off the charts. The number of people that attended the X Games and the concerts was definately an increase from previous years.In fact, Joe DiSalvo, one of the sheriffs said, “We had more people at the venue, for a longer amount of time, than we ever have.” This definitely contributed to the number of arrests that were made. Another reason there were so many arrests was, instead of the four officers that were sent to monitor things like drug and alcohol possessions last year, there were seven this year, so more eyes were watching for activity like this. Also, the fact that they decided to sell alcohol at the event was a major contributor. It was much easier to access for many people. I believe in order to prevent so many arrests, the process of checking people and what they are bringing into the games should be more thorough. There are countless ways to do so without invading people’s privacy. For example, you should have to empty everything out of your pockets. The pat down procedure could also be more efficient. If you have multiple layers on, as most people do at the X Games, you should have to take them off. I think this would work for most people because they think that if they hide alcohol or drugs underneath their layers they won’t notice because it is covered. If you made this new procedure public knowledge before the X Games, it would serve as a prevention tactic. A lot of people would be so nervous that they would be caught and wouldn’t want to risk it, especially if they were minors and could get in trouble with the law. Because of this, the officers that are assigned to work the games would not have to worry about it when it comes to looking for kids in possession of drugs and alcohol. You also would not have to hire so many officers to watch these kind of things. Therefore, I think you should reconsider the process in which you admit people into the X Games in order to prevent arrests, make it a safer environment and even save hundreds of dollars. Ashley Guillotte Basalt
Uses for the beetle-killed trees
Dear Editor, As a teenager growing up in the mountains of Colorado and seeing all of those dead, brown trees throughout the mountains on my way to sports games, I’ve always wondered what the forest service does with the trees. I recently spotted a headline in the Aspen Times that said, “Innovators use beetle-killed wood in unique ways.” That automatically caught my attention. Growing up having the Aspen-Snowmass ski area practically in my backyard is a life that many people travel miles to experience. I never really thought about what skis could be made out of until I read this article. A local guy, Matt Cudmore, who owns the company “Meier Skis,” in Glenwood Springs, uses those beetle-killed trees to create the two thin blades that we use to shred the powder on a blue-bird Saturday here in the valley. He uses a clear topcoat to show off the wood’s particularly blue stain, which occurs because of the fungus carried by the beetles. Another Coloradan, Trent Jones, of Steamboat Springs uses the dead wood to help prevent erosion. Usually, agricultural straw is used to ‘prevent erosion’, but this beetle-killed wood doesn’t spread protruding seeds over the land like that straw does. Over 3 million acres of deceased trees have enticed locals to harvest the timber so the forest service can decrease the amount of fallen trees and wildfires. More than 120 businesses in Colorado use products that are made of beetle-killed wood. Obviously, I think this idea of reusing the expired wood is a great idea and it’s catching on throughout the state and contains nothing but benefits for the local companies! Would you rather look at a dead brown forest or be able to buy skis and beautiful pieces of woodworking art? REUSE : PRODUCTS as REDUCE : LESS POLLUTION. Clearly, reusing the wood from the dead trees is more beneficial and can create more things to bring in income for workers. Think about the environment and the Colorado mountains; you want to support the town you live in while doing the things you love. Kaity Johnson Basalt, CO
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Longhorn Roundup | February 2014
COMMENTARY
Internet: Taking up too much of our lives? By Maria Esquivel
How many times a day do you check your phone? According to the Locket app, the average is around 110 times a day. This number should be smaller. It’s called Internet and computer addiction. And though it may not be as prominent in our valley, it is still here and it’s affecting more and more young people as it progresses. The symptoms usually start when the use of your phone or computer begins to interfere with daily life. When you’d rather be on the Internet than with family or friends and you’re irritable and moody when separated. When you’re beginning to get behind on school work
because you’re too busy with the Internet. Some physical symptoms also include repetitive stress injury, which is constant numbness or pain in your hands and wrists. Other symptoms also include dry eyes or strained vision, constant back or neck aches, sleep disturbances, or even dramatic weight changes. People, especially young adults and teens, tend to go to the Internet to relieve stress and escape from their real-life situations according to Dr. Kimberley Young, internet addiction expert. Others go to the Internet to distract from troubles in their lives, such as depression, anxiety and even addictions.
But there’s actually a lot of other, much healthier ways people could deal with these situations instead of just going to lose themselves in the virtual world. According to helpguide.org’s article “Internet and Computer Addiction,” therapy and counseling can be a huge help in curbing your addictions to the Internet or computer through step-by-step programs. Seeking counseling for anxiety, depression or other situations can also help you to control your Internet use. You also can help a friend who’s addicted to the internet. You can encourage the person to try other, non-Internet-related activities such
as sports, art or other hobbies. It’s also important to be the role model in the relationship, to not only help them manage their addiction, but manage your own Internet use as well. So you might actually talk to the person and make eye contact rather than texting. It would be good for both of you.
READ MORE http://www.helpguide. org/articles/addiction/internet-and-computer-addiction.htm
Internet Addiction — The Effects on Humankind
Dwawn By Ben Koski and Willl Orben
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Longhorn Roundup | February 2014
Cherish your loved ones — now A.J. Thompson
The pristine white of the hospital floors and walls is nauseating. Everything is plastic. Even the air feels laminated and crystal white. It really leaves no wandering room for any thoughts other than those focused on what’s in one of the rooms lining the halls. There are many people in these rooms, in hospital beds. All of the people in these rooms have at least one person who cares for them, whether they’re in that room with them or not. And unfortunately, on a cold December night, one of these people happened to be my grandfather. Many people are here, shedding tears, praying, expecting the worst. Something that contrasts with the pure white painted evenly on these walls to the point it’s almost offensive. The room we’re going to is one of the many where other people just like us have come in and out. In hindsight, our situation is small compared to the grand scheme of all the people and situations in all of the numerous stories of the hospital, but now this one room is our whole world. It rattles the Earth to the core and warps the walls around us. The ground beneath our feet feels shallow and brittle as we trudge our way through the intoxicating white to his room. We’ve arrived. The room on the corner left. I take sluggish somber steps in. It’s like there’s ammonia gas in the room because it’s painful just to stand there. Close your eyes and you can feel waves hitting you, knocking you back into reality. But
Sudoku Answers
By Ben Koski // Puzzle on page 5
when you open your eyes, the only thing you can hear is the whizzing of the machines. The noise doesn’t change. A consistent in and out. The only thing breaking the silences in between the sounds is the whispered “hellos” from sunkeneyed family members. It doesn’t seem real. Looking at his face, I can’t help but think of the old times. It’s an awful cliche, but it’s something I can’t help doing. The saturated green of the tee-ball field flashes in my mind. The house in Mesquite, Nevada, where we would go for countless spring breaks. The dense smell of the basement where we listened to records for hours on end. These thoughts make me want to pull him out of that bed and drag him back to the house so we could sit for a cup of coffee. I’d tell him about my small-town adventures and he’d reply with a wise comment and a warm chuckle. He’d ask me if I’m still hungry, and I’d reply with a hesitant “no,” knowing he would tell me I need to gain some more weight. Even though I always knew it was coming, it didn’t ever make me any less happy to hear it. Then there he is. Laying on the hospital bed almost lifelessly. I get a strong gut feeling. He shouldn’t be here. He should be walking the dogs and cooking. Fixing up the house and falling asleep to Rockies games. Cursing like a sailor and giving advice out like it was candy. Advice I could only pray to God I’d hear again. Advice that used to make me feel awkward and mis-
placed — but now I would trade anything in the world to hear one more sentence of wisdom. That’s why hearing that there was nothing they could do was earthshattering. It took the polished surface of the window from which I was viewing life and threw a rock through it. From the time I heard the news to the time the sun set, I was the emotional equivalent of a water slide. Then the sun came up the next day and it was time. Grandpa held on with joy for about 15 years beyond his life expectancy after his first heart attack. This was the second, and everybody pretty much knew it was his time. From the time we arrived at the hospital that day to around 2, surprisingly was far less grim than the past two days. We shared endless stories, laughed, bonded and gave thanks to the man there before us who worked tirelessly his entire life to ensure his children the opportunity for a better life. And I think that’s what he would have wanted us to do, gathered around him on his last day on Earth. Then all at once, at approximately 2:40 that afternoon, the wheezing stopped. The pumping came to a standstill. The machines went dark, and “the drip” stopped dripping. The room was still. After all this time, it was almost a relief. The pure anxiety of the past days had exhausted us and beat us to a pulp. My beloved grandpa was finally at peace and the family got closure. Closing my swollen eyes I see the tee-ball field again. I can hear his laugh and see his smile. I can
almost feel him there, right next to me again. This may come as a surprise to the reader, but the point of this mopey, sad story wasn’t to just tell a story but more to share advice I learned through this extremely difficult point in my life. If seeing my grandfather in that hospital bed had taught me anything I can pass on, it’s to appreciate what you have before it’s gone. We aren’t invincible and nothing lasts forever. Sooner or later everyone will learn that the hard way. Hug your parents and call your grandparents. It seems like a waste of time now, but I can assure you when they’re gone, you’d trade anything in the world to just have one more call with them. I know I would. When you start living with appreciation for those around you is when you begin living happily. And before you have to learn that valuable lesson the hard way, take my advice and try to live it today, because you never know how much longer things will last the way they are.
“I crossed the ocean for a heart of gold” - Neil Young In loving memory of Richard Thompson
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Longhorn Roundup | February 2014