ROCKY MOUNTAIN
g the BIRDS the BEES
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ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL VOLUME 31, NO. 5
1300 W. SWALLOW RD. FORT COLLINS CO, 80526
..sexual education page b4 and 5
friday jan. 23, 2004
“...EVERYTHING AS FAR AS YOU CAN SEE” FROM JOHN DENVER’S ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH
news
a2: New interim superintendent has plenty to do a3: Second year of ‘Live Large’ program not helping problem
center section b4-5: PSD’s proposed sex education programs analyzed
opinion a4: Students never seem to learn about the risks of drinking a5: Do new CCHE requirements better prepare students?
rocky sports a8: CSU picked water polo over women’s soccer a8: Wrestling team is unstoppable at mid-point of season
features b1: Fast food is as American as it gets in our society b2: Hawaiian native, Liufau, tells stories
entertainment b8: Board games? or bored games? b7: ‘LOTR’ fans compare the books to the movies
upcoming events Tues. Jan 27: Basketball double header vs. Poudre at 5:30PM Wed. Jan 28: College information night
Community still healing One year later, Miller’s murder still testing faith
Mother’s strength works to help others
by Erik Pinkston
Editor-in-Chief
One year ago, the disappearance and murder of Rocky graduate Lacy Miller changed Fort Collins forever. Miller’s abduction and murder left a mark on the community that will not be forgotten. “I will always miss her, and I think that is okay,” senior Caitlin Rutherford said. “She is supposed to be missed.” After Miller’s disappearance on Jan. 18, 2003, her friends and loved ones joined together to do whatever was Everything that possible to find her. happens in our The incredible efforts lives tests our of the community faith. I just rely showed how imporon my faith to tant one mother ’s get me daughter was. through “I didn’t realize she anything. touched so many -Wendy Cohen, peoples’ lives,” Lacy Miller’s mother Wendy Cohen, mother of Miller, said. For a long time, in mid-January of 2003, Cohen’s house was the headquarters for Miller’s friends doing everything they could to find her. Not knowing what had happened to her daughter was the worst of the experience for Cohen, who feels that she has “lived through the worst of it.” After being swept up in a whirlwind of police investigations and a media frenzy, the dust has settled, and for many the focus has now been shifted to overcoming the tragedy. “I’m trying to be positive,” Cohen said. “I always talk about her.” Being positive has provided Cohen with the strength she needs. “She’s in a great place,” Cohen said of her daughter. Over the past year, Cohen has repeatedly fallen back onto her faith to give her strength and determination. “Everything that happens in our lives tests our faith,” she said. “I just rely on my faith to get me through anything.” Others have been relying on their faith for strength, as well. Friend Rutherford, who has also had to deal with the death of a parent, felt that she was prepared to deal with Miller’s murder. “Because of losing my mom, I always thought I
by Debra Williams
Reporter
ERIK PINKSTON
KEEPING FAITH: Wendy Cohen, mother of former Rocky graduate Lacy Miller, has worked hard to pass new laws after her daughter was abducted and murdered by a man impersonating a police officer this time last year.
could deal with anything. I had gotten through it okay only because I had God with me the entire time, but I thought that meant I could get through anything,” Rutherford said. “When Lacy died, I realized I was wrong. The fact she died was terrible for me, but how she died made it even worse. I was angry and I turned away from God.” Her faith was challenged for an instant and she now had to focus on gaining it back. Jump to Faith, page a2
Wendy Cohen’s strength has become an inspiration to many. Her daughter, Lacy Miller, was pulled over, abducted, and slain by a man impersonating a police officer a year ago. Since then, Cohen has worked with state Representative Bob McCluskey to see that what happened to her daughter will never happen again. Colorado has strengthened the penalties for police impersonation, and Cohen hopes that, in time, owning police equip-ment, such as red and blue lights, will be illegal for non-officers. Cohen has many reasons for wanting these laws in place. “I think it would be a nice way to honor Lacy,” Cohen said. “I just really think it needs to happen so it will protect future situations and there is not so much of a danger. If it protects one girl or saves one life, it is worth it. If they had this law in place two weeks before Lacy died, they could have confiscated all of the stuff he had and asked questions later. “Bob McClusky initiated all the stuff that is going on with the bill,” Cohen said. “He came to Jump to Bill, page a2
Fri. Feb 6: School of choice deadline Sat. Feb 7: Winter dance at 8PM
Opinion Line of the Issue It seems year after year students are told about the consequences of drinking and driving, but still the same attitude of invincibility exists. See Staff Ed, page a4
More core classes required by CCHE by Erik Pinkston
Editor-in-Chief
The Colorado Commission on Higher Education is increasing the requirements for graduating high school students to get into state colleges. By changing the number of required core course loads -- subjects such as English, math, science and social studies -- for acceptance to an in-
state, four-year college, the CCHE is attempting to force college-bound high school students to be better prepared for the next level. Colorado ranks 35th in the nation for sending high school students to college who are ready for collegiate level course work, according to numerous reports used by the CCHE. While it is unlikely that
district graduation requirements will change, state colleges will require one more year of core English, math and science from students graduating in 2008. An additional year of math and two years of one foreign language will be required from students graduating in 2010. Rocky counselors have Jump to School page a2
JAKE RUBIN
LESS TIME FOR ART: New requirements for state colleges will impact the amount of elective classes students can take, like art.
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newsbriefs Boettcher finalists announced Finalists for the Boettcher Scholarship have been announced. Senior Joedy Hulings was aanounced as a finalist, while seniors Gregg Averill, Joey Gumina, Stephanie Rental, and Katie Weaver have been announced as semi finalists. -Megan Buettgenbach
Attention all poets and artists The Looking Glass, a student literary magazine will soon be accepting submissions from students. Students may submit original poetry, short stories, art, and photographs to Brent Hernbloom in room 415, or to any English teacher. -Mike Schneider
CCHE
friday jan. 23, 2004
School Board revamps policies by Tom Gillan
Reporter
What to do? This is a question that members of the Poudre School District Board of Education are asking after the forced resignation of Superintendent Don Unger. With elections just past, the new board has several tasks ahead of it. Among the current issues are the hiring of a new district superintendent, reforming the board to operate with district planning, and finding new ways to meet the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act without sacrificing the local educational values of the PSD system. As for the major issue of hiring a new superintendent, it has been given an official schedule, starting after the board’s Jan. 12 meeting, according to School Board President Ross Cunniff. “The position will be posted as
available in February. Applications are due by midMarch,” Cunniff said. “A list of semifinalists will be posted by the end of March. Finalists will be selected followed by finalist interviews occurring in midApril. The board will make its decision in early May.” The attitude of the board has changed dramatically after Unger’s removal. “I think that both the process leading up to Dr. Unger ’s resignation as well as the events which followed have made it clear that the board cannot operate with “’business as usual,’” Cunniff said. “We need to make sure that all of our decisions are made with appropriate public visibility.” Beyond the items on the board’s agenda for the year, it also must focus on internal affairs. “We need to do some amount of reform to the board itself,”
ERIK PINKSTON
ATTENTION PLEASE: Gary Bamford, interim superintendent, engages himself during the Jan.12, 2004 School Board meeting. One of the major issues for the board this year is the hiring of a new superintendent to replace former Superintendent Don Unger.
Cunniff said. Interim Superintendent Gary Bamford also has plans for the board. “My focus right now is working with the Board of Education and district administration to
accomplish the tasks which we need to accomplish before the end of this school year,” Bamford said. Overall, the board’s agenda and search for a new superintendent for 2004 will be trying.
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recommended a similar course load to the one recently passed by the CCHE for college-bond students, but those are merely recommendations. However, many classes in the core fields will not be considered acceptable by the new CCHE protocol. Popular classes such as journalism and environmental studies will not work as English or science core credit. The new requirements are causing concern among teachers whose classes will be impacted by them. “For many state high schools, this has the potential to be the death knell for some elective programs, including journalism,” Stephen Wahlfeldt, journalism teacher and Colorado High School Press Association President said. “To not include journalism courses as English credit toward these requirements is ridiculous, especially since one of the goals of the CCHE is to bolster students’ writing skills.”
Along with Wahlfeldt, others are also concerned about the effect the new policy will have on various programs. Counselor Joyce Caufman wrote a letter, which all six Rocky counselors signed, to the executive director of the CCHE expressing concern with the new requirements and asking for clarification on many connected issues, including the impact on school electives programs such as art and music. “(At least) with the block plan, we’re in better shape than other schools, because you can get 80 credits a year, instead of 60 credits like at other schools,” Caufman said. Still, the new changes could drastically affect participation levels in elective-driven departments like music and art. “It really changes what a comprehensive high school is all about,” counselor Gregg Knoll said. “There is a potential that it could affect our electives pretty significantly.”
Teachers of elective classes are concerned about the future of their programs if numbers dwindle because of the new requirements. “(Reaction) could be that obvious and that immediate,” art teacher Jay Dukart said. “I think it is unfortunate.” Dukart said the arts are overlooked in their significance to students’ lives and learning. The arts teach creative thinking in ways that cannot be taught in other classes. “A lot of companies and big industries are looking for creative people,” Dukart said. “Creative problem-solving is huge, especially in the real world.” The main problem with the new requirements, many feel, is that it forces uniformity in an education, Caufman said. “(The requirements are) trying to put all kids into the same mold,” she said. “Different kids need different opportunities.”
Faith
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“I ended up going through what people call the desert, a period of time when you can’t feel God,” she said. “I couldn’t even pray. I would open my mouth and nothing would come. It was absolutely the worst experience of my life.” The experience has been trying, but Rutherford’s faith has come full circle. After starting at a new church, she has been able to find her way back to God. Her faith has been challenged and now it remains stronger than
Bill
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it has ever been before, she said. “(The experience) makes me realize so much more that I need Him to live and get by. It challenged my faith, but only when I had faith was I able to get through,” Rutherford said. Cohen agrees that faith is incredibly important to deal with tragedy. She knows that faith is there when everything seems hopeless. “What’s the point of faith if it doesn’t work when it needs to,” Cohen said.
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Lacy’s funeral and decided it just isn’t right that there isn’t a law, or that the law isn’t strong enough.” “Last year I was the original sponsor for the bill,” McCluskey said. “They stiffened the penalties for police impersonations. This is a safety and trust issue. If people don’t know who is pulling them over, and don’t feel they can trust that person, they may not pull over.” Senior Lindsay Lucas is amazed by the vigor Cohen displayed after the death of her daughter. “Wendy Cohen is actually trying to make a difference for future victims,” Lucas said. “I think it is very amazing how she didn’t let her daughter’s death destroy her. She is
making her voice be heard; she is not just taking a stand back. I was surprised because I thought she might not want to talk about it, but she was stable and strong and her voice was powerful.” Not only is Cohen working with Colorado officials to pass laws, she is working on writing a book about the ordeal, and what has happened since the initial incident. “I’m writing down what all happened and what it’s like,” Cohen said. “It’s going to be all the miracles that have happened; a lot about God and how His hand has been on all of this. A lot of miracles have happened since that people didn’t read about in the paper.”
A social connection for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and questioning youth ages 15-20 Meets every Wednesday 4PM at Lambda Community Center Call (970) 221-3247 or check out calendar of events at www.lambdacenter.org
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friday jan. 23, 2004
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Plans for new gym unveiled Addition project to break ground June 1 by Megan Buettgenbach
Reporter
Overcrowding is a major problem for the school. Just recently, the JV wrestling team had to move one of five mats into the small gym because they didn’t have enough space in the main gym, even for fans. But in approximately one year, that should be no problem because of plans for the addition of a new auxiliary gym. “It (the gym) will not be ready to use until a year from now,” Jim Gjerde, a member of the construction team, said. “Starting June (when construction begins), the east entry to the athletic area will not be able to be used as before.” The budget for the whole project is $1.9 million. The funds come from bond money that was approved and voted on by the Poudre School District community in November of 2000. So far, the preliminary plans include “a new auxiliary gym (regulation length), score board, bleachers, and a multipurpose room,” said Assistant Principal Mike Roberts, a member of the construction team. “There will also be an addition to the art area,” said Gjerde, “where the kilns will be moved to a room close to the outside.” While still in the preliminary phase of design, “the new gym will be in the northeast corner (of the school) next to the fitness area,” Roberts said. “The multipurpose room is planned to be on the east side of the building, east of the locker rooms.” The new gym has many possible uses. “Junior high basketball, C-team basketball, and volleyball are all able to
The new gym sounds great and everything, but I’m worried about parking. Why can’t the School Board build up? -Rachel Kane, sophomore
use this room,” Roberts said. “It gives us another space to have P.E. classes. It will also probably be rented out for weekend use.” In addition, the multi-purpose room is planned to be over 2000 square feet. “We will have mirrors on the walls for dance classes, overhead screens, movable chairs and tables, and it will be available for reservations for the entire school, not just P.E.,” Roberts said. But not all is fun and games. Along with additions to the school come concerns about the existing parking it will occupy. “The new gym sounds great and everything, but I’m worried about parking. Why can’t the School Board build up?” sophomore Rachel Kane said. “Parking will be decreased,” Gjerde said. “The city won’t let us make any more parking lots. We already have too many. About 35 to 40 spaces will be lost.” “I think the gym will benefit the school by the fact that kids will be able to participate in more activities here at school,” Kane said. Nonetheless, the new addition will be an interesting change for the school. “We are very excited to have this opportunity to improve on the P.E./ athletic space,” Roberts said. “It brings the school up to the standards of other high schools this size.”
PRELIMINARY PLANS: This is the proposed design for the new addition project. The preliminary design includes a new gym, a multi-purpose room, and an area for kilns for the art department (not pictured). Marks current school building wall
Living Large falls short of changing student habits by Mike Schneider
Reporter
Although 87 percent of students do not drink and drive, some people still wonder if the Living Large campaign has really helped decrease the number of drunk drivers. Since the Living Large campaign started in the spring of 2003, the percentage of students who do not drink and drive went from 84 percent to 87 percent. Headed up by Team Fort Collins, the campaign is only in its introductory stage but seems to be changing the minds of teens already.
“We can’t take full credit for that three percent change,” said Scoot Crandall, Executive Director of Team Fort Collins. “But we certainly think we can take some credit.” The first goal of the Living Large campaign was just to get the word out that 87 percent of students do not drink and drive. The longterm goal is to actually see a big change in the habits of students. “From our perspective at Team Fort Collins, we feel like it’s been real successful,” Crandall said. “Our first goal was just to get the word out (Living Large) as a positive phrase.”
The Living Large campaign is based on an idea of social norms, which means that if a person believes everyone at their high school is drinking, they will do it too. The goal of the campaign is to find out the truth and tell it to students, in hopes of changing their minds. “We (Team Fort Collins) feel that kids at Rocky have seen the posters and seen the banners and know that 87 percent of students don’t drink and drive,” Crandall said. Senior Nick Radishofski does not agree with how Team Fort Collins is getting the word out to
students. “It almost seems like propaganda the way they put it all over the school,” Radishofski said. According to Crandall, the campaign is committed to finding out the truth about how students live their lives and telling them that most students do not drink and drive. The next step for the campaign is to collect more data and also calculate how many students don’t ride with a person who has been drinking. While Crandall thinks of the campaign as effective, students have different opinions. Senior Heidi Peterson doesn’t think
that students pay much attention to the statistics at all. “A lot of people don’t take it seriously,” Peterson said. “They don’t really care. It’s just a percent.” Another point made against the Living Large campaign is that 13 percent is still a lot of people. If one looks at the statistic based on the population of the school, roughly 200 students still drink and drive. “I don’t think it’s something to be proud of,” Radishofski said. “That’s still a lot of kids that drink and drive.”
Science fiction dreams collide with planet reality, politics That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for Bush’s re-election campaign. In light of NASA’s recent victory, due to having the apparent ability to actually look like they know what they are doing, Bush has rekindled American dreams of the stars. The possibilities are endless. Basically, what Americans expect from the space program only depends on if they were a Star Wars fan or a Star Trek fan growing up. Since I was a little kid, I would dream of exploring the stars. I’d dash about wildly
Erik Pinkston Chipmunk Cheeks with a metal mixing bowl over my head, blasting all the little green guys and trying to act as cool as Harrison Ford. I used to read Star Wars fiction, and I drew pictures of X-wings in my math notebook. I would go home and watch
taped episodes of Star Trek. I have to admit, I was pretty geeky. Still to this day, I will pick up a Popular Science magazine to see the latest prediction of when the first flying cars will appear. I believe the current prediction is around 3203. Whether you would like to admit it or not, science fiction has been a part of almost everyone’s dreams, and the prospect of making it scientific fact is even more appealing. With all of the attention on Mars in the past number of months, and the rekindled
vows to set foot on the moon, I can’t help but be swept up in the fantasy of exploring the stars with a large hairy companion by my side. But I know it’ll never happen. Sure, we can give money to the space program. But that money will just be taken away for something more pressing. The space industry and NASA have had little to no guidance since the space race was won. Their equipment is out-dated, the astronauts are no longer the crème de la crème they once were to
Americans, but still we cling to this notion that we can go to the stars without putting forth the necessary effort. I really hate seeing dreams exploited by a politician who is trying to secure his job, while there are so many unemployed Americans. As for now, I am still going to get Popular Science to see when the next space plane will be availble to fly me from Seattle to Moscow in around 15 minutes. Erik Pinkston is a senior and the Editor-in-Chief of the Highlighter
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The Rocky Mountain Highlighter is published nine times during the school year by the newspaper staff of Rocky Mountain High School 1300 W. Swallow Rd. Ft. Collins, CO 80526. Contact Highlighter staff members at 416-7090 or (970) 416-7091 for advertising information. Also, the Highlighter Staff is in the Highlighter Room, Room 528, during 4th period. Erik Pinkston/Editor-in-Chief Courtney Mohr/Advertising Mgr. Melissa Tree/Advertising Mgr. Kyle Herman/Features Editor Steve Turney/Sports Editor Joey Murphey/Asst. Sports Editor Vanessa Falgout/News Editor Jake Rubin/Entertainment Editor Sarah Rupert/Art Editor Megan Buettgenbach/Reporter Matt Coulson/Reporter Tom Gillan/Reporter Natalie Grimm/Reporter Kelly Reingardt/Reporter Mike Schneider/Reporter Heather Stevens/Reporter Debra Williams/Reporter Mr. Stephen Wahlfeldt/Adviser
Colorado High School Newspaper Sweepstakes 2nd place - 2003 1st place - 2002 1st place - 2001 2nd place - 1996 1st place - 1992 2nd place - 1991 2nd place - 1990 1st place - 1987
National Scholastic Press Association National Critique All American, 5 Marks of Distinction - 2003 All American, 4 Marks of Distinction - 2002 All American, 5 Marks of Distinction - 2001 All American, 4 Marks of Distinction - 2000 All American, 4 Marks of Distinction - 1999
Columbia Scholastic Press Association National Critique Gold Medalist - 2003 Silver Crown - 2002 Gold Medalist - 2002 Gold Medalist - 2001 Gold Medalist - 2000 Gold Medalist - 1999
Highlighter Editorial Policy The Rocky Mountain Highlighter is a student news publication which strives to report school an community events with truth, accuracy, objectivity and clarity. The Highlighter will also comment on issues of interest to its readers. The purposes of this publication are to report the news to the Rocky Mountain High School community, to provide the school community with a public forum for thoughtful discussion and debate, and to provide students on the newspaper staff with practical journalism experience. Letters to the editor are welcome. They should be signed and a home phone number should be included. The writer’s name may be withheld upon request, provided that the editor agrees the reasons for withholding a name are valid and compelling. Try to limit letters to 300 words and place them in one of the “Letters to the Editor” boxes located in the Media Center and the Main Office or give them to a Highlighter staff member, Highlighter adviser Stephen Wahlfeldt, or drop them by the Highlighter room, Room 528, during 4th period. Columnists express their own views and not necessarily those of the Highlighter staff. No expression made by the students of the Rocky Mountain Highlighter shall be considered an expression of Board or Rocky Mountain High School policy. Furthermore, Poudre School District and its employees are immune from any civil or criminal action based on any expression made or published by the students. The Rocky Mountain Highlighter reserves the right to edit anything it publishes.
friday jan. 23, 2004
opinion
Teens still ignoring dangers of drinking T
he recent death of 2003 graduate Matt Simms has once again raised issues of drinking and driving. The same thing happend May 2001 when senior Tom Snover died at The Issue: Horsetooth The death of Reservoir the recent night before graduate Matt Simms graduation. He again raises also had been the issue of drinking and drinking. driving. After both incidents, issues arose about drinking and driving problems in high school, as well as across the state. Across the state of Colorado, incidents of drinking and Our View: driving have increased 14.52 percent in the Despite all past five years, the sixth largest increase in the deaths of young people the country, according to a report in the Fort from drinking Collins Coloradoan. and driving, Obviously students and adults are not teens fail to get the taking into account the risks that come with message. intoxicated behavior. It seems year after year students are told the consequences of drinking and driving, but still the same attitude of invincibility exists. A recent campaign, which started last year, called Live Large, has tried to encourage students not to drink and drive. Their slogan, “87 percent of students don’t drink and drive” tries to convince students that they would be cool and accepted if they choose not to drive while intoxicated. A focus on the positive aspect approach to the issue of student drinking and driving is refreshing, but unsuccessful. It is embarrassing that 13 percent of students drink and drive. Something needs to be done to address this problem. The current actions being taken are ineffective and a new plan needs to be formulated before Rocky, the community and the state loses the promise of another student to the destruction of drunk driving.
JAKE RUBIN
Why do you think... ...people continue to drink and drive despite tragic events such as the death of graduate Matt Simms? I actually think that people have taken a step back since Matt’s death. I think it takes a tragedy so close to home to make people make healthy decisions. -Joedy Hulings, senior
HULINGS
Because they’re idiots. -Jay Dukart, art teacher
DUKART
Because they think that it won’t happen to them and being drunk makes them think they’re more alert than they really are. -Shawna Anonson, junior
ANONSON
Abortion, nothing more than money-maker Abortion is about much more than children. For me, the pro-life position is not only an attempt to protect the rights of unborn children, it is about the countless women who have been and will be hurt by the procedure. Many abortionists fail to inform women of the effects that their abortion may have on their physical and mental health, according to Post-Abortion Review. According to a study published in the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, women who receive an abortion were 63 percent more likely to need and receive medical care within 90 days of
Debra Williams Freak on Parade the procedure than those who gave birth. Common defenses for abortion are the cases of rape and incest, and the effect of having a baby caused by such traumatizing incidents. The book Victims and Victors, written by Dr. David C. Reardon, features a survey of
192 women who became pregnant through sexual assault, some of which had abortions and some who carried the baby to term. Abortions in these cases caused much more emotional pain than carrying to term. Reardon describes the emotional pain abortions in such cases may cause. “Abortion increases the woman’s sense of isolation and shame by allowing others to pretend the problem doesn’t exist,” Reardon said. “By getting rid of the pregnancy, which is a reminder of the sexual assault, it allows other people to ignore the woman’s need for understanding and
honest exploration and resolution of what she has been through.” Abortion offices are not interested in “family planning,” they are companies interested in making money, and if people are not receiving abortions, they are not making money. The former president of Planned Parenthood, a known “family planning” center, was quoted saying, “Planned Parenthood will not be an organization that promotes chastity.” Is abortion about women’s rights, or just making money? Debra Williams is a senior reporter for the Highlighter.
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op/ed
friday jan. 23, 2004
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New plan forces students to be better prepared for college
CCHE requirements will seriously impact elective classes in school
After 13 years of schooling, it can be assumed that students have gained plenty of knowledge to carry them forth towards pursuing a path in higher education. According to the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE), this assumption has proven to be false. The CCHE has determined that too many Colorado students are forced into taking more and more remedial course upon entering their first year of college. The source of this lack of preparation in the opinion of the committee: high school. In response to this escalating problem, CCHE has devised a proposal that will alter schedules for all high school graduates, starting with the class of 2008, planning to attend public colleges in Colorado after graduation. Current district graduation requirements of 4 years of English, 3 years of math, 3 years of science, and 3 years of social studies will remain the same, but the acceptance requirements for admission into college will be changed. The new requirements will not grant core credits for certain electives, such as students who take journalism courses, which will no longer receive English credits. High school students need to branch off from the comfort-zone and challenge VANESSA F ALGOUT themselves, especially if they are college-bound. The need to adapt a more rigorous schedule does not necessarily need to take the most difficult classes available, but to at least stick to a core curriculum rather than taking less demanding alternative classes. Besides, this challenge will also direct students to consider the reality of going to college, which means taking part in a rigorous schedule. Coming into college fully prepared for a challenging schedule will not only eliminate the possibility of taking remedial classes but will also shorten the time until graduation because remedial classes extract from the classes needed for students to complete their degree. - Vanessa Falgout
It has been proven that students who participate in the fine arts perform better in math and science. Also what kid doesn’t need some fresh air and exercise every now and then? The Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE) has developed a plan that will make high school students take more core academic classes in order to get into a state colleges. The purpose of this is to better prepare students for college classes and decrease the amount of remedial classes students will have to take their freshman year of college. This will take effect for next year’s 9th grade class. This proposal will eventually hurt elective classes such as the arts and P.E. because there will be even less room in student schedules to take them. The new guidelines would require students to take four English classes, four math classes (or Algebra I and higher), three social science classes, and three science classes. If students don’t enjoy their classes, they are less likely to do their best or even show up to class. It’s hard to be excited for classes if a student doesn’t like them and this will make students dread school more than they already do. More required classes would also add unwanted stress on students, as well, because then they will have more classes that depend on whether they graduate or not. One of the only ways this could possibly work would be for schools to start making students take final exams to prove they know these things before they graduate. And even then you cannot guarantee that the students will do well on these exams because some people are just not good test takers. -Sarah Rupert
Lunch too short to provide help Dear Editor: I would like to make a statement about having longer lunches. I know this is a repeated subject but it most definitely needs to be reconsidered and rethought out. I believe the biggest issue about this problem is the
excessive amount of car accidents, which is connected to speeding tickets. The reason why students get speeding tickets and into car accidents are because we don’t have enough time and we’re rushed. Yes, it may be because we are all teenage drivers, most just getting their license, but don’t you think we would all be more cautious if we had more time? I know the administrators are
readerinput all about the education. Well, I for one come in at lunch to get a lot of help from my teachers. Do they expect us to stand in a line that takes up almost half the lunch period, if not more, just to get food and still get lots of help? I don’t get much of the help I need taken care of because the commons is so packed. To add
to that, it’s amazing how many students actually go to the library during lunch to get work done. I started to study and review for a test I had during thrid period and I barely had enough time to read over all my notes. Considering the fact it takes 10 minutes to get out of class and the parking lot and 15 minutes to drive to and from the restaurant, that literally only leaves 10 minutes to eat. How
con side
pro side
State schools’ acceptance standards raised
healthy is that? I would like to see one of the administrator’s park where we park, go to fast food restaurant and then tell their student body that there is enough time. I just think they need to put themselves in our shoes and consider changing the lunch period to at least an hour. It would be amazing to see how well it would help everyone. -Cassie Strid, junior
School is leading cause of inspirational disorders Test scores reflect it, teachers respect it, and parents expect it. On average, students at Rocky are participating in more clubs, more AP classes and more athletics then ever before. The academic aptitude and extracurricular participation, however, comes with a price. With only 24 hours in each day, something has to be sacrificed and all too often, time with family and friends are the first to go. Returning from break, it’s easy to feel enthusiastic about new scholastic challenges and be ready to embark on a new semester. After the push of finals, many
Lisa Dratch
Guest Column students utilize the time off to replenish their inner reserves of energy. All my friends have different ways that they recharge. Whether driving around in a pickup truck, watching movies, staying out late or sleeping in, everyone around me seems to
do something to regenerate. Which brings me to something that I’ve had to ask myself: why won’t my battery recharge? The point at which I am taking classes only for credits and participating in clubs only to be noticed by colleges, is that at which I may become all brains and no heart. No longer touched by simple pleasures of youth and jaded by expectations, I recognize these characteristics in those around me as well. Do we love our work? Do we strive for deeper understanding? Here at Rocky, I wonder if I am being pushed through an academic system full of stress,
only to spend the rest of my life in a 9 to 5 job where the same expectations and circumstances apply. How much knowledge am I absorbing? Our classes are very focused for the most part: how to pass the AP test; how to get an A in the class; however, I wonder if I will remember and use all that I’ve learned. I may not remember what was on the test I took last week, but I know I got an A. The problem is not caused by a specific class or teacher, nor is it the plight of a single student. The pressure to be the kid who can pass the AP chemistry test and place at her swim meet all in the same
weekend is rather a generation issue. We grow up with the mindset that we are in constant competition with the rest of the world to be the best and brightest, only to find that there will always be someone who is faster, smarter or prettier. Our older brothers and sisters had eating disorders; we have inspirational disorders. All is not lost, though. The first step, I am told, is admitting that you have a problem. Take a class because you’re interested in the subject matter. Join a club because you have passion for its cause. Choose your own path. Lisa Dratch is junior.
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Boys’ look to get back on track ‘Get ‘er done’ new mindset of Menefee, team by Joey Murphey
Asst. Sports Editor
Starting 4-0 has finally caught up with the boys’ basketball team; they’ll look to get back on the winning side of things this week as conference play begins. The Lobos started undefeated in their first four games, including being tournament champs at the Collins Classic with wins over Eaglecrest and Fort Collins high schools. Since then, the team has fallen to a 5-5 overall record, and a 0-1 in conference play with a loss Tuesday night to Collins, 52-48. “We started really good and we are playing pretty well,” head coach Jamie Menefee said. “We went through a stretch where we were playing great. We lost a couple of tough games right before Christmas and lost a little of that momentum and haven’t recaptured that
MEGAN BUETTGENBACH
FEED ME THE ROCK: Junior Jared Lindsey (above) moves around a defender to get the ball in a loss to Monarch High School. Senior Steve Goodell (right) fights for the ball among many Monarch defenders. The Lobos have been inconsistent this season, and head into weekend play with a 5-5 overall record.
See them at home Tonight: vs. Longmont, 7 p.m. Jan 30: vs. Thompson Valley, 7 p.m. Feb. 12: vs Poudre, 7 p.m. Feb. 20: vs. Loveland, 7 p.m.
intensity, toughness, and consistency.” According to Menefee, there’s still room for improvement. The intangibles, toughness, and effort have been really great all season long. The team must become more consistent offensively, but their team defense has been solid for the most part all season. “We’ve got to practice hard and have the heart and the courage to win,” junior Earl Holmes said. “We’re trying to
come out positive and make everything all right and accomplish our No. 1 goal -- and that’s to get better.” The team is keeping their goals simple and focusing on now rather than long term. Their main short term goal is to start their season with a record of 2-0. Senior Steve Goodell has been a good leader of the team so far with his work ethic. Junior Jared Lindsey is close to the top five in state for rebounding with nearly 12 boards per game. Menefee believes everyone is contributing in their own way as well. “I feel that we have the ability to take this conference,” Holmes said. “We can be the best team in the conference or we can be the worst team. Hopefully, it comes out that we are the best team.”
Schwab heading to Fossil Ridge to build baseball program by Steve Turney
Sports Editor
Fossil Ridge High School has found their inaugural baseball coach for the 2005 season, current Rocky varsity pitching coach Glen Schwab. Schwab has an extensive and impressive history in baseball. He is entering his ninth year at Rocky, and his resume includes playing at the University of Denver, being an assistant at CU, DU, and CSU before
becoming a head coach at CSU. Though Schwab is ready for a change, he hasn’t forgotten about Rocky. “I’ve had SCHWAB nothing but great experiences being involved in the Rocky baseball program,” Schwab said. “All the players and coaches through the years have
been awesome and it will be tough leaving.” At the end of the 2002-03 school year, Wayne Moddelmog stepped down as Rocky’s varsity head coach and was replaced by Scott Bullock. Schwab also applied for head coaching job, but ensures that there are no hard feelings about the decision in selecting Bullock. “Coach Bullock is not only a good coach, but a friend and a great person. He will do a fine
job at Rocky,” Schwab said. Schwab is on Rocky’s staff through this school year and is excited for the upcoming season. “I truly believe that this year’s Rocky team has a chance to do some special things,” Schwab said. “All the players and coaches just need to continue to work hard.” Bullock is excited that Schwab is staying on staff, but knows that it will hurt to see him leave.
“I think he’s ready to get back into head coaching,” Bullock said. “It’s going to hurt us, but I’m excited for him.” Schwab is also excited about his new challenge. “Starting everything from scratch and molding the program with your philosophies and beliefs is intriguing,” Schwab said. “But with that comes some growing pains, and people (including myself) will have to be patient.”
Entertainment sports: Real sports or not? by Matt Coulson
Reporter
Hot Sauce grabs the rebound, heads up the court, fakes a nolook pass jumps and does a front flip; three-sixty twist and slams it home with authority. What an amazing athlete. What athletic ability. Who knew you could do that off a trampoline! Yes, a trampoline. That is the main element of a new form of basketball called Slamball. Exfootball and wanna-be basketball players have taken over television airways, jumping off tramps and doing unimaginable dunks while wearing funny shaped padded football helmets and shoulder pads so they can collide with each other in mid-air. Besides Slamball, another form of basketball is raising its head and is continuing to blur the line between sports and entertainment, AND1 Streetball. AND1 has spawned a multi-million dollar video game, DVDs, and one-on-one matchups that have one objective: to utterly humiliate your opponent. This game consists of breath-taking ball dribbling skills and the need to make the crowd “ooh” and “ahh” with slam dunks galore. These hybrids of both “traditional” hardwood basketball and “playground” basketball have developed into
I’d rather play street ball. It is less structured and you can be more creative. Everyone wants to be a streetballer. Streetball is some people’s life. It’s not just playing once a month. -Jared Aldern, junior
spectacles of fancy dribbling, amazing ally oops, and plenty of ankle breakers. But the main question in the minds of many basketball fans, coaches, and players is: Are these new, more entertaining basketball games really sports? Do trampoline stunts, faking an opposing player out by traveling, having virtually no defense and less passing still qualify these games as legitimate sports? Rocky Mountain golf coach and former football coach Charlie Ross doesn’t think so. “Take it with a grain of salt. It’s not real basketball. They’re breaking the rules,” Ross said. Despite the obvious lack of rules, Slamball and AND1 still demand a high level of athletic ability out of the players. So why is it still not a sport? Is it the absence of team unity or lack of credibility? Or is it something else? According to Ross, he said it’s the element at the core of sports: “Discipline, the games have a lack of discipline,” Ross said. On the other hand, many others would agree that AND1
and Slamball are sports because they are actually harder to play then regulation basketball and are making basketball fun to watch again. “I’d rather play street ball. It is less structured and you can be more creative,” junior and former Rocky basketball player Jared Aldern said. “Everyone wants to be a streetballer. Streetball is some people’s life. It’s not just playing once a month.” Having such dedication to these games have people agreeing with Aldern. If a person puts his or her heart and soul into something they love and it is also athletically challenging, than doesn’t that make it a sport? So it appears the question has yet to be answered. Are AND1 and Slamball really sports? Does loving the game your playing, expressing your creativity while you play, and making the game fun and exciting make it a sport? Junior Zach Taylor thinks it’s simple. “There is a hoop, a ball, and I sweat. That is a sport in my mind,” he said.
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No. 8-ranked girls set for conference by Steve Turney
Sports Editor
The 2003-04 girls’ basketball season has seemed to be somewhat of a roller coaster ride so far this season, ranging from losing to sub-par teams to knocking off state championship contenders. “We lost to Wheat Ridge who wasn’t a great team,” head coach Terri Keyworth said of her team and their games so far. “And then we beat No. 2 in state, Heritage. So we’ve played a little bit up and down. We’ve been a little bit sporadic, I think, because we aren’t very big, and we really have to play our best game to win.” The Lobos enter the rest of conference play with a 6-4 (0-1 conf.) overall record, which isn’t where they expected to be, but it’s not something they dwell on. A disadvantage the Lobos have faced this year is their lack of height. But Keyworth thinks the team has responded well and knows the team has other intangibles that make up for it. “I think it’s a disadvantage always, but we are so athletic,” Keyworth said. “We have kids
We need to play better defense, and if we grew, that might help a little bit too. - Ashleigh Morton, senior
who can jump and kids who can hustle up and down. Rebounding hasn’t been a big concern, but sometimes it’s tough getting scoring opportunities for us because we’re so small.” However, sometimes it’s okay to be a small team when you have a four-year starter and team leader like Sara Hunter on your side. Hunter is 10th in the state in scoring average at 18.7 points per game and is also shooting a red-hot 88.5 percent from the free throw line. Not to mention being fifth in the state in 3-point field goals made, with 29 in 9 games so far this season. The Lobos are currently the 8th best team in state at this point in the season ranked by the Denver Post. Senior Ashleigh Morton knows that the team must
improve and play well in order to keep that spot, and potentially move up in the standings. “We need to do well,” Morton said. “We need to come out and do well against Collins and the rest of the conference.” Another team leader is Courtney Mohr. Mohr hasn’t played to her potential yet this year, but is averaging a solid 8.9 points per game, and is a presence in the paint for the Lobos at 6-foot. “Courtney is playing very well for us,” Keyworth said. “Defensively she’s doing a good job, and offensively she’s struggling with her shot a little. But we really need to hit the 10footer right now; that’s the shot that we’re missing.” Heading into conference play, the team knows that the title is up for grabs. It’s just a matter of seeing who wants it the most. Collins will be the toughest games of the year for the Lobos because of their height and just being a good team overall. “We need to play better defense,” Morton said. “And if we grew, that might help a little bit too.”
HEATHER STEVENS
GO AHEAD, MAKE A MOVE: Junior Darci Rossiter defends a Columbine High School player during a 46-33 win at home for the Lobos. The team is heading into conference with a solid 6-3 pre-conference record, and plays at Longmont High School tonight at 7 p.m. coming off their conference opener loss to Fort Collins.
Swimming all the way to state
by Joey Murphey
Asst. Sports Editor
RACHEL T ENNEY
JUST KEEP BREATHING: Senior Joedy Hulings swims at a meet earlier in the year. The team is off to a good start and has already qualified several swimmers for the state competiton in February.
Going with the flow. Girls’ swimming is in midseason, and the team is starting to hit its stride and is looking to start winning meets rather than just getting personal best times. “We have had a really consistent season,” head coach Katie Engelhardt said. “We have a large class of freshmen that are learning what high school swimming is all about. It shows the depth that we are going to have in years to come, and it’s very exciting.” The team has maintained a lot of quality swimmers from last
The rest of the season will show the rest of our conference what we will have in the four years. They’re going to know that we are a team to content with. -Katie Engelhardt, girls’ swimming coach
season. They lost only one key senior. The young team has an abundance of potential and there are many swimmers that have stepped up to fill that spot. “We haven’t really been winning meets but we have been getting lots of best times,” senior Joedy Hulings said. “We keep on improving.” According to Hulings, to do
well, the team must continue working on their consistency and meet their goal of each swimmer getting a 100 percent personal best at conference. The team has beat Longmont and Northglenn high schools and did extremely well at the conference relay meet, which qualified them for state. The team’s next meet is Jan. 27
at Greeley at 4 p.m. Two days later they will be over at Mountain View for another meet. But the big meet of the year that the team is looking forward to is the state meet. State will be held at EPIC on Feb.13-14. But the team still wants to finish the rest of the season and conference strong, especially against good teams. “The rest of the season will show the rest of our conference what we will have in the next four years,” Engelhardt said. “They’re going to know that we are going to be a team to contend with.”
Turney
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that reflect positively on our school. More importantly, there are more than a dozen banners that read “CHSAA Sportsmanship Award.” This award is given to schools that expand their sportsmanship activities into broader areas. It’s given to schools that have respect for opposing teams and officials, as well as respect for their school. They must not care about those important things at Columbine. Interestingly enough, Rocky has received this award every year since it’s conception in 1992. Coming as no surprise to me, Columbine has received this award only once. Being a student-athlete at Rocky, and also having visited Columbine for an athletic event, I know now that I have experienced both ends of the sportsmanship spectrum. Rocky being at the high end of the spectrum because we as a community encompass many
qualities that have enabled us to be one of the top academic and athletic programs in the state. Then we have Columbine, being one level below the lowest end of the spectrum because of their utter disrespect and blunt hatred for anyone other than themselves. It is sad that my one experience at Columbine had to be such a bad one that has tainted my perspective on the school in such a negative, but they acted in such a disrespectful way as fans and as people that I have no reason to believe that they act any differently at any other time. I’m proud to be a Lobo and a future alumnus of such a great institution as Rocky Mountain. But as far as I’m concerned, I hope that I am never associated with Columbine in any way ever again, and all of my sympathy and respect for Columbine is now extinct. Steve Turney is a senior and the Sports Editor for the Highlighter.
Varsity basketball and baseball player Steve Turney and varsity volleyball and basketball player Sara Hunter
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Sports Editor: Steve Turney
Steve Turney Fistfight in a Phonebooth
Friday, January 23, 2004
Question:
Columbine: Wrestlers’ Classless attitudes community show unity,
The varsity boys’ basketball team and I recently suffered a tough 6059 loss at Columbine High School a couple weeks ago, a loss that I will probably remember forever. I probably won’t remember how many points I scored, or the reaction of my teammates and I after the game, but I will remember the inappropriate, rude, and disgusting display of sportsmanship by the Columbine fans during the game. As an athlete, you expect that when you play a game on the road, you will face some sort of criticism from opposing fans. But when my teammate, and good friend of mine, Jared Houghton, went to the free throw line late in the game, only to hear the Columbine fans yell in unison “Jared Sucks,” I realized that I would never in a million years want to set foot in Columbine again. The loss was hard to swallow like any other, but my attitude after the game was not anger for losing a close game but of my resentment for the Columbine fans. But the fans disrespect for my school and I didn’t stop after I left the gym. As I was with members of my family near the entrance of the school, three young ladies from Columbine walked by me and said, “Good game. Nice loss. Come back and bring your friends.” In my opinion, I think that a school like Columbine, which suffered a tragedy nearly five years ago, might have learned the meaning of the word respect by now. But they haven’t learned what respect is, or sportsmanship, or compassion, or character. Apparently, the student body at Columbine used the tragedy as a mask and hid behind the phrase, “We Are Columbine.” But the true meaning of the phrase was most likely, “We Are Arrogant.” When I walk into Rocky’s gymnasium, I see a lot of banners representing Rocky teams from past years being state champions, conference champions, and many things Jump to Turney, page a7
Best Rocky team ever?
leadership by Matt Coulson
Reporter
Will they win state? Are they the best team Rocky has every produced? Can they go undefeated? All legitimate questions this season for the wrestling team because ultimately, all the answers could be yes. “We want the same thing,” senior Brad Reingardt said. “We want the state championship.” The Lobos are 13-0 in dual matches this season and are looking stronger than ever. Their record includes dominating victories over Chatfield (68-9), Eaglecrest (5418), Douglas (63-6), Arapahoe (45-18), and Lincoln (60-23). Impressive even without mentioning two shutouts against Horizon (81-0) and Silver Creek (75-0) high schools. While shutouts are rare in any competitive sport, they are virtually unheard of in wrestling. “It was good to get those shutouts early, but there are more things to be accomplished,” head coach Ken Taylor said. With their minds focused , the team is giving their all. “Every person has got to contribute. We cannot have any weak links,” Taylor said. Rocky appears to have forged a solid lineup, with five
KELLY REINGARDT
IF YOU CAN READ THE CEILING, YOU’RE PINNED: Sophomore Kyle Obrien, main photo, wrestles and pins his man to the mat during the 103pound weight class match while the referee watches closely against Collins on Jan. 8, Rocky won the match and remains undefeated in dual matches this year. Sophomore Travis Bundy, left top, works against his opponent during the Rocky vs. Collins match, The Lobos have shutout two other schools in dual meets this year in Silver Creek and Horizon. Bundy, left center, puts his opponent in a hold during the Collins match earlier during the season, Bundy wrestles in the 189-pound weight class and has had a strong year so far. Freshman Devin Roybal, left bottom, wrestles against a Collins opponent and tries to find a way out of a hold as spectators watch during the 112-pound duel. The Lobos could possibly be the best team ever to pass through Rocky, they are undefeated as of now and have already shutout two of their foes, which is an unheard of accomplishment, but the team knows that their season won’t be complete without a state championship.
returning state wrestlers including Reingardt, who has a 11-0 record this season. Joining Reingardt are seniors Richard Smith, Matt Fechser,and Dan Martin. Junior Dan Intlekofer and sophomore Neal Brinkerhoff. Junior varsity is carrying their weight also with a strong core of talented wrestlers. “It doesn’t matter if you are JV or varsity, everyone worries about their own match and just goes out there and wrestles,” junior Robert Eichlin said. With such winning attitudes and great talent, it’s easy to claim that this team is the best Rocky has had in years. “Our teams for the last couple of years have been young and inexperienced. But this team has the experience and a good set of leaders,” Taylor said. When asked what will get this team to state and end with the best all-time record, Reingardt had one definite answer: “Killer instinct. We will never quit.”
CSU adds women’s water polo, controversy by Joey Murphey
Asst. Sports Editor
And the winner is: water polo? After several months of analysis by the athletic department staff at Colorado State University, the new women’s sport chosen is water polo. The decision was made based upon the best fit for the university and six criteria. The six criteria were as follows: (1) availability of facilities, (2) impact on support functions of the department, (3) financial impact on the athletic department’s budget, (4) potential to be competitive, (5) impact on gender equity responsibilities, and (6)
compliance with the NCAA mandate. “Based upon our analysis, water polo fit these criterion best,” said CSU Athletic Director Mark Driscoll. According to Driscoll, CSU has a rich and successful history in aquatic sports and swimming coach, John Mattos, has a remarkable record in his over 20 years as head coach. Mattos was one who expressed his desire to add water polo to CSU. Even though this sports seems to be a perfect fit, there has been commotion on why women’s soccer wasn’t the sport chosen. The Arsenal Executive Committee (AEC) has started a
petition drive that will be presented to the Board of Governors of the CSU system. The AEC believes the soccer community could have done better in supporting women’s varsity soccer at CSU. A main factor of not choosing soccer as the new sports was the fact that CSU doesn’t have a soccer facility. The university would have to find land, build both a practice and game facility, and also find locker rooms according to Driscoll. Water polo seemed right because CSU has more than sufficient locker and practice facilities to support that program. CSU has no additional space anywhere on campus to house a soccer
program. However, this does not seem to be a problem to the Fort Collins Soccer Club (FCSC). “The fact is that FCSC representatives met with the CSU athletic department and we were supportive, offering to work with them to help with fields, coaching, and exploring financial support,” Club Executive Director Al Minatta said. A newsletter stated that soccer is the fastest growing participatory sport in the country and the world. Over 33,000 young women participated in soccer in Colorado in 2003; 1,700 of the 33,000 played in Fort Collins.
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Features Editor: Kyle Herman
Friday, January 23, 2004
Vanessa Falgout
I Can’t Get My Hair Color Right
Bumpers help reveal inner superheroes Swerving in and out of traffic at a ridiculous speed, the do-gooders of the road rush off to save the world. Bleeding hearts are what I call them. They cut off 18-wheelers and countless numbers of mini-vans full of weary parents and giddy tykes, yet I feel comforted by the fact that I can share the road with such people of valor. They are not rushing around for anything in particular; they are doing it to save the world from tragedy. How are these good citizens identified? By their socially or environmentally conscious bumper stickers, of course. One of my favorite stickers happens to be “Free Tibet.” These stickers are everywhere, and cannot be missed during any trip down the highway. If I happen to notice a car is clad in one of these while journeying down the road, I cannot help but immediately yield to its almighty power. By simply placing this mark upon the bumper of a car, a citizen can display his or her inner superhero. No one in their right mind would pursue such a battle, but these bleeding hearts have found some ingenious method that avoids direct action, yet it brings Tibet one step closer, after 55 years of struggling, to its freedom from the Chinese occupation and oppression. Jump to Falgout, page b3
AMERICANA This series of articles is on Americana, aspects of our culture which are truly American. The series will continue in the March issue featuring Classic Cars.
Fun Facts about McDonald’s ◆ The Golden Arches
have replaced the Crucifix as the worlds most recognizable symbol. ◆ A new McDonald’s opens every 3 hours. ◆ Subway surpassed McDonald’s as having the most stores in the United States. ◆ The first fast food
resturaunt was a McDonald’s which opened in 1955.
GRAPHIC BY JAKE RUBIN
Lookin’ for the quick fix by Kyle Herman
Features Editor
Healthier fast food is here by Erik Pinkston
Hold the pickles, hold the lettuce, special orders don’t upset us…and neither does eating fast food. It’s an American pastime, as American as baseball. Americans thrive on fast food, and unlike many other societies, Americans can afford it. As a matter of fact, according to www.mcspotlight.org, McDonald’s serves 35 million burgers everyday. Not only can Americans afford it, many people believe that they need it, almost as if it has become a religion. Mcspotlight.org also says that McDonald’s is so popular that the Golden Arches has replaced the Crucifix as the world’s most recognizable symbol. Senior Todd Tarantola believes that fast food has earned its popularity.
Editor-in-Chief
It’s quick. It’s convenient. It’s just around every corner. Since 1955, when a small restaurant by the name of McDonald’s opened up in Des Plains, Illinois, the restaurant industry has never been the same. Offering speed and convenience, while sacrificing quality, the fast food industry has quickly become a staple of the American economy. Spanning six continents and feeding over 2 billion people a year fast food restaurants have clogged arteries the world over. “As long as the food is good, Jump to Healthy, page b3
Jump to Food page b3
Valentine’s Day: Rude awakening by Kyle Herman
Features Editor
In the past, Valentine’s Day has always been a happy time where people celebrate their love for one another and riddle each other with kisses. Unfortunately, for some people, the past is no longer here. Brad Boda, counselor, has many problems with Valentine’s Day and what it represents. “Valentine’s Day is just another day,” Boda said. “Anyone with a date still loves their significant other, and those of us without a date get it rubbed in our noses.” Boda is not the only person who has a problem with Valentine’s Day. “I hate it because my boyfriend
bought me a box of I’d say I’m a pretty handsome man. chocolate’s I’m not Ben Affleck, but I think I the day after could give Matt Damon a run for Va l e n t i n e ’ s his money. Day half-off,” -Brad Boda, Counselor said senior A l i s o n Bennett. “He ate all of them, and down time after Christmas, the then he bought me some Tic- stores need a boost,” said Creegan. Tacs.” Creegan does agree that With all the negative views about Valentine’s Day, science Valentine’s Day has lost some teacher Tom Creegan says that meaning. “It’s become an obligation,” day does have a purpose. After Christmas, the economy Creegan said. “It’s so experiences a drop for about two commercialized; it’s no longer a months. According to Creegan, celebration of love because it’s so this is the real purpose for artificial.” The single Boda has other Valentine’s Day. “It is an enormous boost in complaints about Valentine’s Day sales, especially right after the as well.
“I seem to have a very hard time with Valentine’s Day,” Boda said. “I’d say I’m a pretty handsome man. I’m not Ben Affleck, but I think I could give Matt Damon a run for his money. I suppose the women are afraid of my mind. They must feel threatened by my amazing intelligence, but I don’t know why I can’t seem to get a date.” Boda rationalizes his failure for getting a date with, “It’s not like I need a date, I can live with being a bachelor, strolling the city, looking for a good time,” said Boda. Boda’s distaste for Valentine’s Day has come from years of dating failure. Jump to Valantines page b3
WHAT A HUNK: Brad Boda, counselor, poses for a picture taken in his senior year in high school. He renamed Valentine’s Day to Black Friday last year.
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Dancer gaining professional experience by Mike Schneider
Reporter
studentfeature
J u n i o r E l i B e c k - G i ff o rd girls, you can’t forget the spends his days “cuttin’ a girls.” rug” and hopes to cut it in the Currently, Beck-Gifford is real world by pursuing his dancing for Artistic Fusion in d re a m s o f b e c o m i n g a Westminster. He competes professional hip-hop dancer. f o r t h e s e n i o r c o m p a n y, B e c k - G i ff o rd h a s b e e n meaning that he is required to involved in dance since his participate in Hip-Hop, Tap, elementary years. In 5th Balet and Jazz classes and grade he had the opportunity competitions. to take a course in hip-hop Beck-Gifford professional dancing. B e c k - G i ff o rd resume is starting to build up however d i d n o t as he teaches exactly volunteer to beginning hipI have a enroll. hop at Westin passion for it “My friends mom Arts Academy (dancing). And was teaching a to girls, ages the girls you class,” said Beck10 to 13. He can’t forget the also assists his Gifford. “She made girls. me take it.” f r i e n d , To n y After a little more -Eli Beck-Gifford, dancer Te s t a , in dancing, Beckteaching an Gifford decided to take a advanced hip-hop class, as year off to dedicate more of well. Hopefully, he will be his time to soccer. Upon a b l e t o u s e h i s w o r k returning to dance classes, he e x p e r i e n c e t o b e c o m e a acquired quite a passion for professional. hip-hop and other forms of “He knows how to work dance. with the kids,” senior Alison Dancing is a big part of his Adkins said. “He explains life and something that he things very well to them.” keeps doing day in and day B e c k - G i ff o r d a n d h i s out. brother, Sean Beck-Gifford, “I have a passion for it,” are both involved in dance Beck-Gifford said. “And the and have danced together in
Greg Averill is a varsity wrestler. He broke his jaw in a match that has caused him to miss the rest of the season.
MELISSA TREE
CUTTIN’ A RUG: Junior Eli Beck-Gifford preforms a move during a practice session. Beck-Gifford has been performing since he was in 5th grade.
competitions before. Eli looks up to his brother and hopes to dance in LA just like his brother. “I would love to go to LA and get some professional work,” Beck-Gifford said. “I’m steering towards a backup dancer which could s t e e r t o w a rd s a j o b a s a choreographer.” However, the biggest role model for Beck-Gifford is Testa. “He is the sickest (best) dancer I know,” he said. Testa is also a senior dancer
at Artistic Fusion and is nationally recognized. He has won such awards as Urban Jamm’s National Dancer of the Year in 2001, National Teen Mr. Showbiz, a n d N a t i o n a l Te e n M r. Starpower. With constant support from friends, Beck-Gifford knows that he is good enough to make dancing a career. “Eli’s a great dancer and he’s very supportive of other dancers,” Adkins said. “He’s going to be a dancer and he’s on the right track.”
‘Once Upon a Time’ captures students attention by Erik Pinkston
Editor-in-Chief
For the past five years, social studies teacher Satini Liufau has been integrating stories of his youth into the classes that he teaches. “I like how he brings where he’s from into geography,” junior B e c c a Bauer said. T h e Hawaiian native incorporates his experiences into his class, “making history or geography interesting.” Liufau admits that history and geography have a bad reputation for being boring classes. He would like to do what he can to change this image. “My goal is when I hear kids in the hall that they don’t say ‘Oh, I have U.S history’ or ‘Oh, I have geography,’ but that they say ‘I’ve
teacher feature
STEVE TURNEY
FUNNY MAN: Social studies teacher Satini Liufau uses a personal approach to his teaching style. This approach allows students to open up in class more often.
got Liufau,’ ” he said. Many of his students appreciate Liufau’s approach. “He’s just a funny guy,” Bauer said. “I like listening to his life stories.”
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Q & A: Greg Averill
Junior Eli Beck-Gifford also enjoyed Liufau’s class. “He told lots of stories and somehow they always related to something in history,” BeckGifford said. “He’s awesome. He’s one of the funniest teachers I ever had.” Well liked for his sense of humor and well respected as a teacher, Liufau’s personal approach has always felt natural to him.
“In our culture it’s all about separating work from personal life,” Liufau said. In his experience students have been more connected if they viewed Liufau as a person. “It felt like the kids were more responsive if they knew who I was,” Liufau said. “At this point (my stories) have got a life of their own.” Students agree that being able to relate to the personal side of a teacher makes connecting to the subject matter of the class easier. “It let’s you know who he is. It makes you more comfortable with him,” Bauer said. “If you’re listening to someone who has no connection with you it’s pretty boring.” “(The stories) are a lot funnier now than they were when they happened,” Liufau said. “Life is funny.” Although his stories are entertaining, Liufau’s approach to teaching has never been about entertaining. “It’s always been about getting (students) to believe in themselves,” Liufau said. “It’s never been about content.”
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Q: What happened to your jaw? A: The orthodontist said my jaw didn’t go with the rest of my face and that if I didn’t fix it, I wouldn’t be able to chew or eat or keep any of my teeth by the time I’m 40. There are 10 rubber bands holding my mouth shut. Q: How long did the surgery take? A: It was a 5-hour surgery. They broke my lower jaw in two places and moved it forward and then spliced it back together. And then they did the same thing to my upper jaw. That created spaces, so they took bone from my skull and filled in the gaps. Q: How is this affecting your wrestling? A: That’s the worst part of the entire thing. It took me out of wrestling season in my senior year. Q: What are you able to eat with your current set up? A: Anything that doesn’t have to be chewed. If I have to chew it, I can’t eat it. Q: When do you get the rubber bands off? A: The surgery was Dec. 19, and I can take them off eight weeks from that, so I would be Feb. 19. Q: Will you be able to eat solid food right when you get the rubber bands off? A: Soft ones yeah, probably. Disclaimer: I would like to add that I was on painkillers during this interview.
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features
friday jan. 23, 2004
page
Wall talkers represent school well by Mike Schneider
Reporter
As the forensics team gears up to take on some stiff competition, they have no worries about whether they will do well or not. With such big success this season, one might wonder what their secret is. According to forensics vice president Matt Stermer, it’s primarily their coach, Paul DeMaret. “We have one of the best coaches in the district,” Stermer said. Sophomore Megan McLean agrees and has a strong opinion on why he is one of the best. “He tells you the truth,” she said. “He doesn’t sugarcoat anything.” However, DeMaret gives all of the credit to the students. He believes that the experienced senior class is the team’s powerhouse. Ever since DeMaret came on board as debate coach in 1999, the numbers of state and national qualifiers has increased every year. In his first year he sent eight to state and two to nationals. Last year he sent 14 to state and four to nationals. “I never imagined we would
Healthy
-Paul DeMaret, forensics coach
turn into one of the dominant programs in the state,” DeMaret said. “We’ve become a program that other teams respect. It’s the commitment the upperclassman have to working with novices.” So far, the forensics team has taken three first place titles and two second place titles in competition. According to DeMaret, the number of individual awards this year is more than he can count. As a result of the constant practice, the forensics team is now even with another powerhouse at Rocky, the debate team. “We practice non-stop,” senior Katie Lambert said. “Debate is consistently good and now we are climbing up there.” Compared to other teams in the state, Rocky is finally getting more and more recognition for having such a strong program. “We had the third most state
qualifiers last year,” DeMaret said. “So we’re starting to get up there.” At the end of the month, the Congress National Qualifiers tournament will take place. Everyone is expected to do well but some sure bets are senior Tyler Will and Senior Kevin Das. “Tyler will has a really good chance to qualify,” DeMaret said. “He was first alternate last year.” Stermer has a lot of confidence as he gets ready to face some of the best and brightest at the competition in Steamboat Springs. “I’m preparing for National Quals in Steamboat where I hope to dominate,” Stermer said. With such a strong year, the forensics team can only imagine the outcome. “The seniors are eager to teach the novices,” DeMaret said. “Everyone has a good shot.”
offers the most low-fat options for their costumers. Salads and healthy alternatives are become common place on fast food menus. Also, company websites have been reformatted to include easy access to nutritional information. For one corporation, a man by the name of Jared changed business forever. “The whole Jared thing for Subway helped them out a lot,” Bertea said. Riding the wave of being a healthy alternative, Subway has changed the way fast food is run. Subway has reported one of the fastest growth rates in the fast food industry, and has recently surpassed industry giant McDonald’s in number
of restaurants in the United States. Now offering wraps to please customers with a lowcarb diet, Subway is the riding front and center in the race to be the healthiest fast food chain. Offering different bread choices, and allowing limitless customizable options, Subway has continued to offer fast service that is expected of them. “Being fast and having variety is always nice,” Bertea said. “I’ve always been a fan of the sandwich.” Others agree. “Sometimes it just tastes better then the gross stuff,” senior Dani Cohen said. “Sometimes it just feels better in your stomach.”
for under five bucks,” he said. Ryan Folse, a junior, agrees that fast food is convenient, but he believes that Americans need to get over their obsession with fast food. “Every American eats fast food at least once a week,” said Folse. “People don’t realize that they are pretty much eating cow lard and ketchup. Fast food is sadly becoming a part of everyday life in American Culture, causing America to be the fattest country in the world.” Folse says that another r eason that fast food is so popular is because people are always on the go, and many times people don’t have time for anything else. “There is no real alternative when you’re in a hurry,” said Folse. “Especially at school, when you either stay here and eat really expensive food, or go out and drive through Burger
King or something. It’s not like students have time to make themselves a salad or something.” Folse also thinks that many people cannot get over their obsession with eating, and eating in a hurry. “America has an eating disorder, we are obese and realize it, but we continue to eat fast food,” Folse said. “We do it because we are hungry now, because we don’t like to interact with anybody, and we are cheap.” Even though many people seem to think that fast food is unhealthy, fast food restaurants are getting more and more popular. McSpotlight.com says that a new McDonald’s opens every 3 hours. Because of this, Tarantola’s closing words seem to ring true meaning. “It’s the American way,” he said.
FROM P AGE B1
“It’s so popular because it’s so convenient and cheap,” said Tarantola. “When people need a quick fix, they get fast food because we are too busy to sit around and wait.” Fast food has almost become a religion. McDonald’s was the very first fast food restaurant (opened in 1955), and it was so popular that eventually it became a chain restaurant, with affordable, great tasting food. After McDonald’s, Burger King (1958) and Wendy’s (1964) became popular. Then Taco Bell, the first Mexican fast food restaurant, was established. More recently, Good Times, and In-and-Out have became very popular, and the main reason, according to Tarantola, is mainly because it’s cheap and easy. “It’s just so nice to be able to go out to dinner, spend five minutes eating, getting home completely full, and do that all
JAKE RUBIN
TALKING TO THE WALL: Forensics participants Katie Lambert and Jonathan Fanning practice their pieces by talking to the wall. The forensics team meets every Wednesday after school and during fourth period everyday.
Valentines
FROM PAGE B1
it doesn’t matter if it’s healthy,” senior Scott Bertea said. Some people are starting to disagree with Bertea’s feelings. People now demand low-fat alternatives to the quick food they crave. Low-fat diets, low calorie diets, Atkins, South Beach, and resurgence in vegetarianism have all demanded fast food restaurants to respond to the growing desires of their consumers. “Personally, I don’t think fast food is satisfying,” senior Anna Ivanova said. Responding to the demands of the public has created a marketing gem for the numerous corporations. Competition has now erupted over which fast food restaurant
Food
I never imagined we would turn into one of the dominant programs in the state. We’ve become a program that other teams respect.
“Last year was especially tough because I just couldn’t get a date,” he said. “It was a tough time for everybody, but I think I handled it well.” Counseling Secretary Leah Kapral describes last year ’s Valentine’s Day, which was on a Friday. “All I can picture is the chaos that was occurring in the Peer Room as the Peer Counselors begged Mr. Boda to go out with their moms,” Kapral said. “He got very discouraged as they laughed hysterically
FROM PAGE B1
while turning down his offer. He proceeded to turn out all the lights and hide with his head down on his desk for the rest of the day. Since then, the new official name for Valentine’s Day is Black Friday.” Although Boda has had consistent failure on Valentine’s Day, for people who have dates this year, Creegan has a word of advice. “You don’t want to forget it,” he said. “You’ll pay for it for years.”
Falgout
FROM PAGE B1
Like most people, if a car cuts in front of me, I naturally become enraged, but if that offending car happens to bear the classic “Eracism” and “Save the Whales” sticker combination, I repress my anger and put a smile on my face. How can I be angry at such a compassionate individual, for it is obvious that this person is racing off to erase some case of racism, or be seabound in hopes of saving one
more precious whale. Without a doubt, these individuals are the bravest souls to ever drive upon this beautiful planet. Each day they risk their lives battling the harsh elements of the roads just to defend their causes. Some day all the world’s problems will be made into a bumper sticker and the human race shall forever live in peace. Vanessa Falgout is a senior and the News Editor of the Highliter
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friday jan. 23, 2004
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friday jan. 23, 2004
b5
page
Teaching the BIRDS and the BEES
32%
of students believe that without sex education at school, sexual activity among teens, STDs, and teen pregnancy, would increase.
District debates controversial sex education programs by Kelly Reingardt
Reporter
When most students think of school they think of the endless amount of homework that comes with academics. Yet the debate between parents and school board members has little to do with academics. Lately, the school board has been debating which sex education program will be taught. The two options are “Sex Can Wait” and “Reducing the Risk.” “Sex Can Wait” is an abstinence only program. This program will teach abstinence as the best choice for young people. It also includes activities that will focus on students respecting themselves and making wise decisions. “Reducing the Risk” teaches the use of contraceptives. This program is endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Students learn that abstinence and the use of contraceptives are the only ways to avoid pregnancy and sexually
transmitted diseases. “I would choose ‘Reducing the Risk,’” junior Megan Braun said. “People are more likely to practice safe sex rather than abstinence.” Although the Poudre School District teaches sexual education, kids can choose to opt out of the program. Many parents believe that schools should stick to academics, and leave sexual education to the parents. “By continuing to opt my kids out of PSD sex ed programs, my message to the district is clear,” David Wheat, a reporter for the Coloradoan, said. “You stick to academics, and I’ll be the parent.” With parents opting to keep their children out of sexual education programs, many start to wonder if the schools are going too far when they teach what used to be a parent’s job. Many students are willing to learn sexed in school. Many find it a good way to
limit the amount of misinformation. “I don’t think schools are going too far,” junior Melyssa Parry said. “It is good to know the facts.” Parents who keep their children out of programs usually talk to them about sex, but there are parents who don’t. Many never hear about sex from their parents. This brings up the issue of teaching sexual education in school. “I think that schools should teach it,’ Braun said. “It’s an issue with students so you might as well cover it.” Right now the school district teaches an abstinence-based program, which includes a unit on contraception. The school board is going to make a decision in the near future.
GRAPHICS BY: JAKE RUBIN AND VANESSA FALGOUT
Health teachers seek balance between district’s proposed sex education curricula by Megan Buettgenbach
Reporter
When the word “sex” is said in the hall, it usually has the power to turn a number of heads. But when “sex education” is uttered, it gets a different reaction, usually one of skeptic laughter, eye rolls, or just plain indifference. Currently, the Poudre School District is having a different kind of reaction. It’s about the current debate between two different sex ed programs: “Sex Can Wait,” an abstinence based curriculum, and “Reducing the Risk,” which is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Whichever program is approved, it will be up to the school’s health teachers to implement the new curriculum. According to health teacher Terri Keyworth, the school “currently teaches an abstinence, contraception, and sexual transmitted infections program.”
PSD has said that no matter which program it chooses, the curriculum will be amended a bit to include the other side. “We present making healthy choices and postponing sexual behavior,” health teacher Jo Lacricchio said. “We also educate students for risks, STDs, and pregnancy.” Mike Dyer, also a health teacher, believes that “sex ed is something that should be taught at home, but realistically, that usually doesn’t happen.” “Where else are they going to get this information after high school?”Lacricchio said. “Students need to be educated and they need this information sometime in life. No matter which program (is chosen), there will always be controversy.” “I really think it’s important to teach both, instead of one or the other,” Keyworth said. “We have kids in different places, and we need to meet them on
that.” The district is currently considering teaching both proposed curricula, one right after the other. “Sex Can Wait” is a five-week program while “Reducing the Risk” is a three-week program; both together they would take about eight weeks. In the school’s block system, a one-term health class lasts about nine weeks, which leaves little time for other subjects, and consequently leaves other health class topics untouched. “It takes too long to teach the curriculum,” Dyer said. “There’s more important information we need to get across.” The teachers agree that there has to be some kind of compromise between both curricula to meet the needs of students. “I’m sure whichever we pick will be in the best interest of students,” Lacricchio said. “We’re trying to get kids to make their own good decisions based on facts.”
The birds, the bees, bananas, & ‘the talk’ by Natalie Grimm
Reporter
Everyone knows “the talk.” Many know it as the conversation between a parent and a pubescent teenager about the sensitive subject, known as sex. For junior Frankie Tenuta, his safe sex talk, or rather demonstration, included a banana, a condom, and a drunken uncle. Tenuta’s uncle, like many other adults, wanted to emphasize safe sex after his nephew was already given the “where babies come from” chat. “He just told me, ‘I don’t want to become a great uncle at the age of 45,’” Tenuta said. Tenuta’s uncle continued on with chances of pregnancy and warnings about STDs. He even took it one step further and brought the banana and the condom into play. Luckily, Tenuta took it lightheartedly. “It was one of those situations where all you can do is laugh,” he said. Junior Eddie Harris’ situation was not quite as usual. Harris’ father had been trying to give him a follow up to the birds and the bees talk for quite some time. This time, the talk, like Tenuta’s, was to be focused on safe sex.
While Christmas shopping this past year, Harris was finally caught while driving the car. He was forced to listen to his dad be “real scientific about it [sex].” Instead of listening to the talk, which in reality was triggered by his mom, Harris tried to tune his old man out, literally. “I kept trying to turn up the radio real loud,” Harris said. While not all experiences may be as humorous as these gentlemen’s, most parents would agree, it has to be done. Teacher and coach Tom Smailes knows that for sure. Smailes, who recently talked to his son about sex, admits that it wasn’t easy to talk about and it really took some pre-paration. “I thought I had the flu prior to talking to him,” Smailes said. But he did what he had to do to prepare his son for an upcoming sex education class. The birds and the bees: Everyone’s got to learn it sometime, be it through the Discovery Channel, an intoxicated family member, or a long, excruciating car ride with dad.
*Survey results configured from 221 students
b4
center section
page
friday jan. 23, 2004
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friday jan. 23, 2004
b5
page
Teaching the BIRDS and the BEES
32%
of students believe that without sex education at school, sexual activity among teens, STDs, and teen pregnancy, would increase.
District debates controversial sex education programs by Kelly Reingardt
Reporter
When most students think of school they think of the endless amount of homework that comes with academics. Yet the debate between parents and school board members has little to do with academics. Lately, the school board has been debating which sex education program will be taught. The two options are “Sex Can Wait” and “Reducing the Risk.” “Sex Can Wait” is an abstinence only program. This program will teach abstinence as the best choice for young people. It also includes activities that will focus on students respecting themselves and making wise decisions. “Reducing the Risk” teaches the use of contraceptives. This program is endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Students learn that abstinence and the use of contraceptives are the only ways to avoid pregnancy and sexually
transmitted diseases. “I would choose ‘Reducing the Risk,’” junior Megan Braun said. “People are more likely to practice safe sex rather than abstinence.” Although the Poudre School District teaches sexual education, kids can choose to opt out of the program. Many parents believe that schools should stick to academics, and leave sexual education to the parents. “By continuing to opt my kids out of PSD sex ed programs, my message to the district is clear,” David Wheat, a reporter for the Coloradoan, said. “You stick to academics, and I’ll be the parent.” With parents opting to keep their children out of sexual education programs, many start to wonder if the schools are going too far when they teach what used to be a parent’s job. Many students are willing to learn sexed in school. Many find it a good way to
limit the amount of misinformation. “I don’t think schools are going too far,” junior Melyssa Parry said. “It is good to know the facts.” Parents who keep their children out of programs usually talk to them about sex, but there are parents who don’t. Many never hear about sex from their parents. This brings up the issue of teaching sexual education in school. “I think that schools should teach it,’ Braun said. “It’s an issue with students so you might as well cover it.” Right now the school district teaches an abstinence-based program, which includes a unit on contraception. The school board is going to make a decision in the near future.
GRAPHICS BY: JAKE RUBIN AND VANESSA FALGOUT
Health teachers seek balance between district’s proposed sex education curricula by Megan Buettgenbach
Reporter
When the word “sex” is said in the hall, it usually has the power to turn a number of heads. But when “sex education” is uttered, it gets a different reaction, usually one of skeptic laughter, eye rolls, or just plain indifference. Currently, the Poudre School District is having a different kind of reaction. It’s about the current debate between two different sex ed programs: “Sex Can Wait,” an abstinence based curriculum, and “Reducing the Risk,” which is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Whichever program is approved, it will be up to the school’s health teachers to implement the new curriculum. According to health teacher Terri Keyworth, the school “currently teaches an abstinence, contraception, and sexual transmitted infections program.”
PSD has said that no matter which program it chooses, the curriculum will be amended a bit to include the other side. “We present making healthy choices and postponing sexual behavior,” health teacher Jo Lacricchio said. “We also educate students for risks, STDs, and pregnancy.” Mike Dyer, also a health teacher, believes that “sex ed is something that should be taught at home, but realistically, that usually doesn’t happen.” “Where else are they going to get this information after high school?”Lacricchio said. “Students need to be educated and they need this information sometime in life. No matter which program (is chosen), there will always be controversy.” “I really think it’s important to teach both, instead of one or the other,” Keyworth said. “We have kids in different places, and we need to meet them on
that.” The district is currently considering teaching both proposed curricula, one right after the other. “Sex Can Wait” is a five-week program while “Reducing the Risk” is a three-week program; both together they would take about eight weeks. In the school’s block system, a one-term health class lasts about nine weeks, which leaves little time for other subjects, and consequently leaves other health class topics untouched. “It takes too long to teach the curriculum,” Dyer said. “There’s more important information we need to get across.” The teachers agree that there has to be some kind of compromise between both curricula to meet the needs of students. “I’m sure whichever we pick will be in the best interest of students,” Lacricchio said. “We’re trying to get kids to make their own good decisions based on facts.”
The birds, the bees, bananas, & ‘the talk’ by Natalie Grimm
Reporter
Everyone knows “the talk.” Many know it as the conversation between a parent and a pubescent teenager about the sensitive subject, known as sex. For junior Frankie Tenuta, his safe sex talk, or rather demonstration, included a banana, a condom, and a drunken uncle. Tenuta’s uncle, like many other adults, wanted to emphasize safe sex after his nephew was already given the “where babies come from” chat. “He just told me, ‘I don’t want to become a great uncle at the age of 45,’” Tenuta said. Tenuta’s uncle continued on with chances of pregnancy and warnings about STDs. He even took it one step further and brought the banana and the condom into play. Luckily, Tenuta took it lightheartedly. “It was one of those situations where all you can do is laugh,” he said. Junior Eddie Harris’ situation was not quite as usual. Harris’ father had been trying to give him a follow up to the birds and the bees talk for quite some time. This time, the talk, like Tenuta’s, was to be focused on safe sex.
While Christmas shopping this past year, Harris was finally caught while driving the car. He was forced to listen to his dad be “real scientific about it [sex].” Instead of listening to the talk, which in reality was triggered by his mom, Harris tried to tune his old man out, literally. “I kept trying to turn up the radio real loud,” Harris said. While not all experiences may be as humorous as these gentlemen’s, most parents would agree, it has to be done. Teacher and coach Tom Smailes knows that for sure. Smailes, who recently talked to his son about sex, admits that it wasn’t easy to talk about and it really took some pre-paration. “I thought I had the flu prior to talking to him,” Smailes said. But he did what he had to do to prepare his son for an upcoming sex education class. The birds and the bees: Everyone’s got to learn it sometime, be it through the Discovery Channel, an intoxicated family member, or a long, excruciating car ride with dad.
*Survey results configured from 221 students
b6 entertainment Commercials ‘ad’ to Super Bowl
friday jan. 23, 2004
page
by Heather Stevens
Reporter
Each year, the Super Bowl attracts hundreds of millions of viewers. While most of these viewers are football fans, many watch to see the famous commercials rather than the game itself. “The commercials are usually more exciting than the football game,” math teacher Todd Pfeifer said. “There’s more action in the commercials than the game.” These commercials have become their own Super Bowl, as more and more viewers look forward to seeing new ones to add to their list of favorites. “They are hysterical. It’s the first time you see them and it makes watching the Super Bowl worthwhile,” PaCE director Ann Scott said. “Since the Broncos aren’t playing this year, you have to watch it for some reason.” Advertising firms spend
“Afro Man”
“At School”
superbowl Super Bowl XXXVIII When: Sunday, Feb. 1 Kickoff: 4:20 p.m. Where: Dallas, TX or CBS, Ch. 4
millions each year to ensure viewers like Scott are attracted to the ads. The cost per 30-second spot this year is approximately $2.2 million according to Nielsen Media Research. The No. 1 advertiser of last year, Budweiser, had 300 seconds of exposure, costing them about $22 million. “It’s been very expensive for a long time,” business teacher Barb Slattenow said. “If you want your product out there, you have to pay for it.” Companies pay these large figures in hopes that their
comicsection
commercial will be the one people talk about next day. ESPN Magazine conducted a poll of the most memorable commercials stating that the No. 1 was Apple’s “1984” commercial. Also included in this list were the Budweiser frogs, Pepsi’s “Diner” ad, and the 1999 “When I Grow Up” ad by Monster.com. “I liked the Budweiser frogs,” junior Caitlin Long said. “They are hilarious when they go Bud…weis…er!” For those who can’t remember their favorite commercials, CBS will be airing a show called Super Bowl’s Greatest Commercials on Saturday, Jan. 31 as a reminder. Nonetheless, Super Bowl commercials remain the only commercials people admire. “The Super Bowl commercials are the only good ones,” sophomore Kevin Pessetto said. “It’s the only time I could watch just the commercials.”
by Courtney Mohr
by Randall Stone
JAKE RUBIN
A PLACE FOR HIBERNATION: The dining area inside of the new Bear Rock Cafè has a h o m e y environment. The restaurant also has tasty sandwiches.
Bear ‘rocks’ all competition by Kyle Herman
Features Editor
The booming population of Fort Collins has prompted many restaurants to open here, including the Bear Rock Café. The new café has not gained enough momentum to become popular yet, but with its huge assortment of sandwiches, it is bound to become one of the most popular restaurants in town. Primarily, the Bear Rock Café focuses on creating satisfying and delicious sandwiches. One of their most popular sandwiches is the Bear Cristo ($5.75). It comes with honey ham, bacon, Swiss cheese, mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, and honey mustard on a “bear rock” roll. This mixture is just one of the delicious choices on their huge menu. Others include the Giant Panda Wrap or the Rising Sunflower. Along with their sandwiches, they have a variety of desserts,
foodreview such as their home-style apple pie, or the Mississippi fudge pie. They also have many different salads, including a Caesar, with or without chicken, and a house salad. Another bonus is their space. They have a huge dining area, with multiple tables and a giant fire pit in the front, which creates a homey environment. They also have dining areas that have couches and sofas for anyone who wants to study for a big test. The only disappointment of Bear Rock Café is their expensive prices. However, for their large sandwiches, it’s a price well spent. Bear Rock Café will likely be a huge success. With their variety of sandwiches and salads, along with their spacious dining area, Bear Rock Café is undoubtedly a great place to go for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. A-
topten This month’s topic: Ways to teach kids about sex...the Highlighter way: 10. Turn on Discovery Channel. 9. Subscribe to HBO, Cinemax or Showtime and the kids will figure it out soon enough. 8. Buy an issue of Playboy, Penthouse, or Hustler. 7. Stretch Armstrong and life-size Barbie. 6. Leave the parent’s door open at night. 5. Field trip to the Adult Book Ranch. 4. Watch hip-hop videos. 3. Send the kids to Neverland Ranch and talk to Uncle Michael. 2. The creepy lady from the Sunday Night Sex Show on Oxygen. 1. Illustrate with a hot dog and a taco. Compiled by Jake Rubin and Steve Turney
Where is it written that the intelligent choice canít also be the one that feels right to you? Your future should be yours to determine, regardless of whether you wish to pursue a brilliant career, a life well lived, or both. At Colorado State University, we provide world-class teaching and research in a welcoming environment where you have the freedom to follow your own path, without compromises. Where will your path lead you? Call 970-491-6909 or visit us at www.2goplaces.colostate.edu.
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entertainment
friday jan. 23, 2004
page
Rings fans find Fellowship in novels THE RETURN OF THE CREW: Director Peter Jackson and actor Viggo Mortensen reference the Rings novels on set. While fans agree that the movies stayed close to the books, avid Rings readers believe that the novels include details that the movies lack. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the original release of the The Fellowship of the Ring.
by Vanessa Falgout
News Editor
Furry feet, pointed ears, and perilous rings of power are all the rage these days. Fifty years since the original release of the first Lord of the Rings novel, The Fellowship of the Ring, J.R.R Tolkien’s popular fantasy series has regained a new bought of popularity and has also attracted a new following after its recent adaptation to film by director Peter Jackson. Lauren Garabrandt, a junior, is one of many people who have fallen for the allure of the Lord of the Rings films without previously reading the books. “I’m really interested in fantasy, so that is what attracted me to watch the first movie,” Garabrandt said. “All of the films are very entertaining and the fact that I can sit still and watch them for three hours is surprising, since I can hardly sit still at all.” After seeing each movie, Garabrandt has become curious about the novels, but is not sure as to whether she will actually
COURTESY OF NEW LINE CINEMA
read them. “The movies have created an interest for me to read the books, but I just don’t have time to read them. I barely have time to do my homework,” Garabrandt said. On the other hand, junior Vincent Cleveland has not only seen the Lord of the Rings movies, but has also read the books. “The stories are exciting and
Games
they flow rather well,” Cleveland said. As for the movies, Cleveland was impressed by the imagery, but disappointed with their dramatic value. “The movies were good and they were filled with lots of eyecandy, but in the end, the films don’t leave you to think about the moral values presented in
FROM PAGE B8
one time with my grandparents. I said it was a term in rugby.” According to Toys ’R’ Us manager Mary Preston, the two groups of games are equal in sales. “The traditional games are traditional for a reason. People are still playing them,” Preston said. “The new ones are different and interesting.”
Junior Justin Gossard sees these games as something important enough to cheat his grandparents over. “I think the newer ones are more fun for a party atmosphere, but the old ones are just cool,” Gossard said. “I like to steal from the bank in Monopoly. I made up the word ‘whimptle’ in Scrabble
Rubin
by Vanessa Falgout
the books,” Cleveland said. As for fans like Garabrandt, who have not yet read the novels, Cleveland believes that reading them should be considered. “Reading the books really adds to the story,” Cleveland said. “Besides, most people get mad when the movies cut off at the end, and those who have read the
The fact that I can sit still and watch them for three hours is surprising, since I can hardly sit still at all. -Lauren Garabrandt, junior
novels already know where the next film will pick up at.” Senior Dan Pahlau, who has read all three novels, along with The Hobbit, agrees with Cleveland that movie fans should read the novels. “I became interested in the movies because the books rocked,” Pahlau said. “There is a need to read the novels because the gaps that people see in the films are all filled in by the books.” In fact, Pahlau has become so enraptured with the Lord of the Rings phenomenon, he already knows which character he would be if given the opportunity. “If I could be any of the characters, I would be Legolas,” Pahlau said. “I like playing with knives and shooting stuff, plus I’d live to be 3,000 years old.”
quicktakes
News Editor
FROM PAGE B8
Naturally, these artists don’t have to actually die (although would anyone really miss Hillary Duff or Kelly Osborne’s CDs?); instead, the record execs will arrange a new identity for them. After all, like Elvis Presley, Kurt Cobain, and Notorious BIG, among others, we will have to keep them alive not only to continue creating “new, unreleased” songs, but also to uphold their image with the alleged sightings found in the
supermarket tabloids. If a dead celebrity like Tupac can start his own clothing line, which will surely give J.Lo a run for her money, then I say we need more dead multimedia entrepreneurs. My service will not only help the collapsing music industry, but will also bring more fame and fortune to those who need it most: dead celebrities. Jake Rubin is a senior and Entertainment Editor for the Highlighter
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BIG FISH
COLD MOUNTAIN
LOTR: RETURN OF THE KING
Big Fish , despite being based off a novel, is one of the most creative films of 2003. Director Tim Burton once again manages to entertain and stimulate the minds of his audience through film. Straying from the typical Hollywood portrayal of a son reconciling and understanding his father through ho-hum memories, the audience, along with William Bloom (Billy Crudup), must determine what is real about the eccentric tales his father, Edward Bloom (Albert Finney), tells about his past. From traveling with a giant named Karl to working for a circus ringmaster (Danny DeVito), who is also a werewolf, the movie’s content is truly odd, innovative, and engaging. Big Fish has a big chance to reel in the prize of Best Picture at the Oscars. Rating: A-
There is a trend for this year ’s Best Picture nominees: Each film is adapted from a novel. Cold Mountain, which is based on Charles Frazier’s novel of the same title, chronicles the final days of the Civil War. Despite its star-studded cast (Jude Law, Nicole Kidman, and Renèe Zellweger), the movie is highly melodramatic and uninspiring. Overall, the film loses its appeal as a result of being too choreographed and unrealistic. However, Zellweger’s performance as a backwoods, country girl is highly refreshing and entertaining compared to Kidman’s unimpressive performance as the film’s lead female role. It would be the disappointment of the year for Hollywood if Cold Mountain won Best Picture, but due to the A-list actors, it would not be a surprise. Rating: C+
Return of the King, the last installment of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, proves to be a glorious conclusion that is equally, if not more, magical than the previous two films. This movie impressively portrays the alluring mysticism of the novels and has the power to captivate just about every age group and gender. Director Peter Jackson took on an arduous task of interpreting one of the greatest fantasy epics of all time into three films, but succeeded through the end; a tremendous achievement. As for the film’s Oscar nomination for Best Picture, the chances of winning the award seem slim, despite its popularity and high entertainment value. Nonetheless, this film, along with its previous counterparts, will go down in history as one of the greatest trilogies of all time. Rating: A-
b8 entertainment
page
Entertainment Editor: Jake Rubin
Jake Rubin
Friday, January 23, 2004
buythese!
Teens rediscover board games
These board games are popular among high schoolers.
♦Battle of the Sexes $24.99
by Jake Rubin
Entertainment Editor
Jew Stew
I hear dead people I have devised an ingenious and meticulously calculated scheme for my latest get-rich-quick scam. No, sadly you won’t be seeing me on late-night infomercials selling juice machines or vibrating gizmos that miraculously give you abs. Rather, I will be selling my services exclusively to record labels who, if you know anything about the industry, desperately need my help. This service I will provide them with will ensure the labels (and hopefully myself) millions of dollars each year. My plan? Kill a few musicians from each label. Let me explain. If you look back at the past couple of years you may notice that many of the artists topping the charts all happen to have one of two things in common: either they are accused pedophiles (Michael Jackson, R. Kelly) or they rest six feet underground. My idea focuses specifically on the deceased. The Billboard charts confirm that dead artists have been selling more albums than many artists could ever amount to. Just look at Tupac who released yet another album last year as well as a movie, only to be scheduled to put out another album and a clothing line this year. Or how about Elvis who dropped two CDs in the past two years and has over $70 million to his estate? As the numbers have illustrated, death seems to be one of the best things to happen to some artists (next to having the occasional momentary marriages). Instead of honoring and respecting the artist, my buddies at the record labels have discovered the art of exploitation. This is where I come in and work my magic. My job will be simply to analyze sales and determine which artists would increase profits after a highly publicized death. At this point the label takes over and is free to exploit that singer’s music and life as freely as they like, reaping the benefits which shall be passed along to me, of course. Jump to Rubin, page b7
On board game boxes a label can be found that typically reads, “ages six to adult.” Although included in this age range, many people have been reluctant to play board games during their teenage years. However, in the past few years, board games have seen a revival in their teenage audience. “I think we have rediscovered them,” junior Keri Tremblay said. “It’s a thing we did as kids and are doing again.” Retail game sellers believe the source leading to the rise of board games is parents attempting to distract their children from TV and videogames. “I see a lot of family interest in board games,” said Clair Mondragon, an employee at It’s Your Move. “They want to move kids away from the computer and video games.” Although games try to provide a substitute for television, many are incorporating the elements of technology or pop culture within the games. For this reason, new releases such as Trivial Pursuit DVD Pop Culture and Scene It The DVD Game have been amongst the top sellers of the holiday season for families. “Most board games bring families t o g e t h e r, ” sophomore Jami Koepp said. “I know a lot of families that do board game nights.” Due to the decline in family interaction, students think board games have the power to gather families–even if it takes a snow day. by Debra Williams “We do it a lot if we’re snowed in or it’s a Reporter gloomy, rainy day and we’re not going out,” With many new games, senior Tanner Roth said. such as Cranium, Taboo, It’s during these times that the value and Outburst, one might provided by board games shine through. ask how these new board “What’s great about board games is the games measure up to human interaction,” Mondragon said. “It is traditional games such as so mentally stimulating and socially Monopoly or Clue. engaging.” There are many differing Mondragon predicts that games will not opinions as to the best likely ever become completely ignored games. Sophomore Katie because they bring people together and Collins prefers the newer adapt to pop culture. games because of the group “For people that want to get together and atmosphere they offer. do more than watch movies, there will “New games are better always be board games.”
♦ Beyond Balderdash $24.99
♦Cranium $29.99
♦ Trivial Pursuit DVD
Pop Culture $39.99
JAKE RUBIN
New games conquer traditional You can be stupid and untalented and still win Pretty Pretty Princess -Maddie Davis, junior
because there are new ideas and they are really fun to play,” Collins said. “Taboo is my favorite.” Other students, such as junior Maddie Davis, would rather play the
classics any day. She feels that playing the games from her youth help her get in touch with her inner child. “My favorite board games are Pretty Pretty Princess and Candyland,” Davis said. “My friends and I get together and play Pretty Pretty Princess all the time. You can be stupid and untalented and still win Pretty Pretty Princess.” Jump to Games page b7
Student artists paint towards their future by Tom Gillan
Reporter
With images of Picasso and Van Gogh in their heads, Rocky artists have a lot to look forward to. Many students have a profound interest in the arts. Those who excel at this often look forward to a career involving arts. Numerous art students have high hopes of one day having a career in art. Students have a good start with several art classes that are offered here at school. Included are 2-D and 3-D Design, Drawing and Advanced Drawing, Pottery and Advanced Pottery, and AP Studio Art. Senior Katie Mill has participated in many of the classes offered. Mill, who has
BEST IN SHOW: Parents and community members observe creations of AP Studio Art students. Many of the students enrolled in the class hope to have a professional career in the arts.
been interested in art since the eight grade, aspires to someday be in front of another group of young artists. “I have an idea and I go with it,” Mill said. Mill has been featured in the AP Studio Art Show and several school-operated shows at the
COURTNEY MOHR
Foothills Mall. Some students have already started pursuing careers in art. Junior Lacey Arthur currently submits drawings for Joker ’s Wild tattoo shop and hopes to someday become a tattoo artist herself. “We’re being entered in a
state tattoo competition,” Arthur said. “I think it (being a tattoo artist) would be really fun.” Junior Hope Cramer likes to express her interest in art through her imagination. Cramer ’s work has been featured in her dentist’s office. “People are fun to paint,” Cramer said. “I want to sit downtown and paint like those crazy old guys.” Even younger, sophomore Mario Tozzi is also interested in an art career. This goal seems more attainable after some of his work has been featured in the district superintendent’s office and several of his friend’s houses. “My career will pertain to art, to a certain degree,” Tozzi said.