Rocky Mountain Highlighter: 2012 May by Rocky Mountain Highlighter

Rocky Mountain High School May 18, 2012 Volume 39, No. 9

hiGhliGhter

the rocky mountain

Senior Taylor DeBord runs with the football followed closely by junior Megan Gillette in the Powder Puff football game on May 4. The seniors won the game with a score of 28-0. Conor Schrader

the

Side SHOW HIGH SCHOOL HIJINKS

At Zephyrhills High School in Florida, parents are in outrage after teacher Laurie Cutkomp used cone dog collars on students as a form of punishment. The collars are usually used to keep dogs from licking their wounds and according to students their teacher had only been joking. The decision by the school to fire her is now being reviewed by the school district.

CLEANING UP DIRTY DANCING In response to dirty dancing at Manitou Springs High School in Colorado, parent chaperones at their prom sprayed Lysol on the teens and called them derogatory names. The two female chaperones are facing allegations of “directing obscene language to another in a public place,” and if convicted, they could face fines of up to $750 and up to six months in jail.

QUOTE OF THE ISSUE “I feel like it was the vendor’s fault for having the vending machine broken. It’s like putting out a bunch of dog food with no restrictions on it and expecting dogs not to run up and eat it. We see free food; we’re going to go take it. We’re teenagers, and we’re hungry all the time.” - Junior Jake Haase about the vending machine

Photo Illustration by Cassa Niedringhaus and Conor Schrader

Question arises: Machinery or students to blame? by Cassa Niedringhaus Editor-In-Chief

Students were put to a moral test when the vending machine began to dispense “free” food. On April 25, the vending machine near the cafeteria was restocked early in the afternoon and then, due to a mechanical error, the digital screen on the machine read, “No Money Required.” Students who discovered this found that simply pushing buttons would cause the machine to dispense food. The error spread by word of mouth and a growing number of students continued to

take the food. Some students returned with backpacks to fill. Late in the day when the machine was nearly empty, the error was reported to administrators and security camera footage was used to identify the students. “I understand the temptation; it’s not like I don’t get it,” Dean of Students Jan Harrison said. “But, they knew it wasn’t really free. When you take things without paying for them, that’s stealing.” After students were identified, they were fined double the price of the food that was taken and parents

were called. “We don’t expect anybody to be perfect,” Harrison said. “We are an educational institution. Sometimes kids make mistakes here that would be super costly out in the real world. If you cheat at college, you get thrown out. There are strict responses. There are a lot of mistakes that high school students make that could have really serious consequences out in the real world that we definitely punish, but we also provide support with the intention that the kid actually learns from that mistake. This was just like that.” While administrators claimed the situation was clearly theft and

hoped to teach a lesson to the students involved in the situation, others felt that the mechanical error was at fault, not the students. Junior Ben Spoliansky, one of the students who took free food, felt it was unfair to punish students for the problem. “I think the faculty blew it out of proportion calling everyone down to the office and fining them,” Spoliansky said. “I totally respect them, and I’m not bad mouthing them, I just think with this situation they blew it out of proportion a little bit.” Added junior Jake Haase, who also took food from the machine, Jump to VEND, page 2

Supreme Court brings experience to school by Taylor Hitchings Reporter

Meleena O’Neill

Questioning the court: Seniors Jordan Becker (left) and Amelia Jilg participate in the question and answer session with the attorneys. Students and staff were able to witness a live Supreme Court hearing on May 1 and then ask questions afterwards.

On May 1, hundreds of students came face-toface with the Colorado Supreme Court. Every year, the state Supreme Court visits one school in Colorado on the national Law Day, May 1, to demonstrate the way the court system works as part of the Courts in the Community program. Preparation for the event began weeks in advance as the teachers attending the Oral Argument received training that covered “how it was going to happen, questions of law, how the Supreme Court works,” said Social Studies teacher Tom List, who attended one of the private training sessions with Justice Nancy E. Rice. “She was fascinating,” he said, noting that this was his favorite part of the entire event. “She’s so

intelligent.” Justice Rice was just one of seven Supreme Court judges who took part in the Oral Arguments. Others included: Chief Justice Michael L. Bender, Justice Gregory J. Hobbs Jr., Justice Nathan B. Coats, Justice Allison H. Eid, Justice Monica M. Márquez and Justice Brian D. Boatright. Local judges, including Judge Tom Lynch who played a key role in setting the event up, also attended. Prior to May 1, attending students were also given background information on the trials that were going to take place. “I got a brief that just outlined the cases and it said what laws would apply to it, what hapJump to COURT, page 2

2 May 18, 2012

Vend

from page 1 “I feel like it was the vendor’s fault for having the vending machine broken. It’s like putting out a bunch of dog food with no restrictions on it and expecting dogs not to run up and eat it. We see free food; we’re going to go take it. We’re teenagers, and we’re hungry all the time.” Dean of Students Russ Stapleton countered that while students were not responsible for the machine, they know that the food is not truly free. “There are no signs all around Safeway and King Soopers that say ‘Please don’t take,’” he said. “It doesn’t say you have to pay for your stuff when you’re in there. Everybody that goes in chooses to pay, usually.” He also said that students immediately report it if they lose money to the machine, so they should have the same duty to report an error that affects the school. An error like this also affects the owner of the machines. The machines are part of a small business and are not school owned. The machines are placed in the school and the school receives a percentage of the profits. These profits are placed in the Principal Discretionary Fund. As the title denotes, Principal Tom Lopez

Court from page 1

pened at the actual scene, and some other things,” junior Sammi Reed said. “I thought it was really helpful to give a background of what the justices knew, and the prosecutors knew, and it also gave you some legal terms that the lawyers would throw around.” The first case of appeal involved a car accident on an icy January morning. A man sued another man for damages sustained after a collision between the two vehicles, stating that the other driver was still responsible for the accident because he should have reasonably assumed the roads were dangerous and adjusted his driving accordingly. The second involved a possible breach of the Fourth Amendment when a police officer hid along the edge of a person’s private property, stating that there was no other safe location for him, and he saw what appeared to be a meth lab inside the house. With this information, the police entered the home and collected

the news rocky mountain hiGhliGhter SpringFest, Engage in Life success is allowed to use these funds at his discretion. His expenditures are on public record, and he said that most often the money from the fund is used to buy breakfast and lunch for student, staff and community meetings that take place at the school. “When we have staff meetings on late start mornings, I pay for a continental breakfast for our teachers,” Lopez said. “Why? Because I want them to have something special because oftentimes they can use a break. They can use a special thing happen for them. That’s what discretionary use of that money is.” Lopez said that he also uses the money to aid students that compete in nationals for FBLA, DECA, Debate/Forensics, and Scholastics, to donate to the Food Bank, to help families facing financial difficulties and to fund the Lobo Way Scholarship. He said he hopes students make better choices future situations. “I am disappointed in the students,” Lopez said. “Not one of those students saw that was a vulnerable issue and reported it and stopped it from happening. That is not the Lobo Way. Instead, those students chose to rip off, hoping they could get away with it. Character-wise, that’s not the character we are looking for.”

substantial evidence against the people inside. If the Supreme Court rules that it was not within the officer’s rights to enter onto the private property, any of this evidence must be discounted in the court. Despite the fact that these cases were argued in front of an audience, the students witnessed real appeals with genuine lawyers and Supreme Court judges. Each case was given about an hour of time, after which students were given the opportunity to ask the Prosecution, Defense, and Supreme Court questions. “I think my most favorite part was getting to ask the justices questions and hear their thoughts on how to become a lawyer or their thoughts on legal proceedings,” Reed said. “I just learned how the appeals process works in Colorado. There’s more to trials and legal things than what you see on TV.” Junior Nate Bethke enjoyed the cases themselves because they easily applied to his own interests and activities at school.

On Friday May 4, Rocky found itself in the midst of spring. Throughout the entire week up to the fourth, the “Saving Change to Create Change” drive for Engage in Life strove to raise money to fund the building of a cancer treatment center. At the end of the week Rocky, was able to raise an impressive $11,064 to benefit the center. in The festivities included the Engage in Life assembly and Lobolympics, where all the rief classes and the staff competed for school wide supremacy, with the staff team ultimately coming out on top. After school, Spring Fest began with tie-dye, free hot dogs, music and a pie in the face event. After the Fest, powder puff teams competed, with the Freshman winning the first game and the Seniors winning the final game. - Isaac Effner

DECA represented in national competition Six students competed in the DECA nationals in Salt Lake City, Utah, this year. They were: Caleb Sexton in Accounting Applications; Sierra Pandy in Principles of Finance; Ryan McCrary and Ryan Nugent in Sports and Entertainment Team; Kaitlyn Nagel in State Officer; and Kayla Thiebaut in Leadership Development Academy. - Taylor Hitchings

RM Highlighter receives multiple awards in state competition This year, The Rocky Mountain Highlighter won multiple Journalism Excellence Awards from the Colorado High School Press Association. Cassa Niedringhaus won honorable mention for General Column Writing and 3rd place for News Feature Writing; Reanna Nelson won 1st place for Editorial Cartoon; Cassa Niedringhaus, Cam Chorpenning and Michelle Kennedy won honorable mention for Alternative Coverage; Cassa Niedringhaus, Jeanelle France and Christine Gravelle won honorable mention for Lifestyle Coverage; Lauren Binder, Cassa Niedringhaus and Isaac Effner won honorable mention for In-Depth News Writing; Lauren Binder and Ed Kennedy won 2nd place for Environmental Portrait; and Lauren Binder won 2nd place for Sports Feature Writing. -Taylor Hitchings

“As a member of the debate team at Rocky, I took note of the arguments being made and the cross examination by the justices,” he said. Once the formal trial and question-and-answer sessions were finished, a few select students stayed behind to eat lunch with the Justices. Many of them, like Bethke, used this opportunity to learn more. “From eating lunch with Chief Justice Bender, I learned that the only privilege associated with Chief Justice was appointing other justices to write opinions after the case,” Bethke said. “Otherwise, the Chief Justice didn’t have many perks. That was the big thing I learned.” Added List, who was able to sit-in on the lunch, “The lunch with the justices was awesome. To watch the justices engage the students and vice versa, that was awesome. It was a fun, interesting, awesome, once-in-a-lifetime experience. We are so lucky that they picked Rocky Mountain High School.”

Senior Calendar Graduation Countdown:

May 21: ●Senior Final Exams May 22: ●Senior Final Exams May 23: ●Last day of classes for seniors ●Seniors check out of classes ●7:30 a.m.: Scholarship Breakfast for seniors and their parents May 24: ●8:10 a.m.: Convocation practice in gym (attendance required) ●9:10 a.m.: Awards Convocation ●11:30-12:30: Checkout sheets due to Media Center ●12:30 p.m.: Senior Picnic ●7 p.m.: Baccalaureate (RMHS) May 25: ●9:45-11:45: Commencement Practice at CSU Moby Arena (Attendance required) May 26: ●1 p.m.: Commencement Ceremony (Doors open at 12 p.m.)

May 18, 2012

editorial 3

the rocky mountain hiGhliGhter

hiGhliGhter

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./ Fort Collins, CO 80526. Contact Rocky Mountain Highlighter staff members at 970-4887090 or 970-488-7091 for advertising information. Also the Rocky Mountain Highlighter staff is in Room 528, during 4th period.

the rocky mountain

Editor-in-Chief Cassa Niedringhaus Advertising Manager Ben Bigler Editorial Editor Isaac Effner Sports Editor Lauren Binder Features Editor Christine Gravelle Center In-Depth Editor Fahey Zink Limelight Editor Cam Chorpenning Staff Alex Creighton Taylor Hitchings Ed Kennedy Michelle Kennedy Regan Miller Meleena O’Neill Cammie Palomino Grant Rotman Conor Schrader Artists Amanda Kriss Reanna Nelson Adviser Stephen Wahlfeldt

RM Highlighter editorial policy

The Rocky Mountain Highlighter is a student news publication which strives to report school and community events with truth, accuracy, objectivity, and clarity. The RM 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. In order to make the RM Highlighter as professional a publication as possible, important legal and ethical guidelines will be followed. Senate Bill 90-99, enacted by the Colorado General Assembly during the 1990 legislative session, declares that “students of the public schools shall have the right to exercise freedom of speech and the press.” (Colo. Rev. Stat. Sec. 22-1-120) We, the staff of the RM Highlighter, are prohibited by law from publishing certain materials. We will respect these laws. No material which is libelous, encourages illegal acts, or causes material and substantial disruption to school activities will be published. Expressions which are obscene will not be printed. Profanity will not be printed unless it is considered absolutely necessary by the RM Highlighter editorial board to express the views of the writer or quoted person. Expression which is false “as to any person who is not a public figure or involved in a matter of public concern” will not be printed. “Expressions which are in violation of lawful school regulations designed to control gangs” will not be printed. In the event of a potential controversial item, the editorial board —consisting of all the editors, the advertising manager, and the adviser —will meet to discuss the merits of the item and then decide whether or not to print the item. Coverage of deaths which occur within the Rocky community will be carefully considered by the editorial board. Natural or accidental deaths will be reported for clarifications of death and will contain a memorial. Except in extreme circumstances, suicides will not be covered to reduce glorification of such acts. In general, the RM Highlighter observes the guidelines presented in the “Code of Ethics” of the Society of Professional Journalists. The RM Highlighter will not allow source review prior to publication, unless there is a clarification issue. Source anonymity will be granted only after careful consideration by the editor, with the editor reserving the right to make the final decision. Staff editorials shall be presented logically and will represent the views of the majority of the staff. Editorial criticism, of either individuals or groups, will be based on fact and will be constructive. Guest editorial space, the “Open Forum,” is available to anyone in the Rocky community, including students, parents, faculty, and administrators. Anyone interested in writing in the “Open Forum” should contact the editor-in-chief or the adviser, Stephen Wahlfeldt. 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 the editor agrees that 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 RM Highlighter staff member, RM Highlighter adviser Stephen Wahlfeldt, or drop them by the RM Highlighter room, Room 528, during 4th period. Letters may also be mailed to the Rocky Mountain Highlighter, Rocky Mountain High School, 1300 W. Swallow Rd., Fort Collins, CO 80526. To talk with anyone on the RM Highlighter staff, phone (970) 488-7090. Columnists express their own views and not necessarily those of the RM Highlighter staff. No expression made by students of the Rocky Mountain Highlighter shall be considered an expression of school 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. All advertisement is welcome. To place an ad, contact RM Highlighter advertising managers at (970) 488-7091. The RM Highlighter, however, reserves the right to refuse advertising which the staff considers inappropriate for our audience. The RM Highlighter is a member of the ASNE/ MCT Campus High School Newspaper Service, and some material is courtesy of that service. The Rocky Mountain Highlighter reserves the right to edit anything it publishes.

National Scholastic Press Association National Critique -

All-American, 4 Marks of Distinction-2011; Pacemaker Winner-2010; All-American, 4 Marks of Distinction-2010; Pacemaker Finalist-2009; All-American, 4 Mark of Distinction-2009; All-American Hall of Fame Induction-2008; All-American, 5 Marks of Distinction-2008; Pacemaker Finalist-2007; All-American, 4 Marks of Distinction-2007; Pacemaker Winner-2006; All-American, 5 Marks of Distinction-2006; All-American, 4 Marks of Distinction-2005; All-American, 4 Marks of Distinction-2004; 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.

Gold Medalist-2011; Gold Medalist-2010; Silver Crown-2009; Gold Medalist-2009; Silver Medalist-2008; Gold Medalist- 2007; Gold Medalist-2006; Gold Medalist-2005; Silver Crown-2005; Gold Medalist-2004; Silver Crown-2004; Gold Medalist-2003; Silver Crown-2003; Gold Medalist-2002; Gold Medalist-2001; Gold Medalist-2000; Gold Medalist-1999.

CHSPA Newspaper Sweepstakes All-Colorado-2011; 1st-2010; 1st-2009; 1st-2008; 1st-2007; 2nd-2006; 1st-2005; 2nd-2004; 2nd-2003; 1st-2002; 1st-2001; 2nd-1996; 1st-1992; 2nd-1991; 2nd-1990; 1st-1987.

Columbia Scholastic Press Association National Critique

Vending vengeance

Making the Grade

y high school, people should know that stealing is wrong, but apparently that doesn’t stop some students from doing so. This seems to be the case with the recent test of ethics and morals during a malfunction in one of the school’s vending machines. The machine Staff had a mechanical Editorial error and was giving out its mer► Students who chandise without stole from asking for money. vending As the day promachines gressed, more and should have used more students got better word of the unjudgement restricted goods and quickly seized what they could. From pockets to backpacks, vending machine bandits plundered the snacks without saying a word to authorities. Until late fourth period, school officials were unaware of the looting. While it wasn’t the students’ fault for the machine’s error, it was their fault in taking the food. If the setting were any different, would the circumstances be as well? Certainly taking advantage

Letter to the editor: School is not done yet

A- Engage in Life:

Starting off with the Change Drive, Rocky raised a grand total of $11,064. And good job to the freshman and senior PowderPuff teams winning their games.

A- Soccer Victory:

Our Lady Bo’s beat the undefeated Sabercats when they tried to extend their reign in soccer.

Reanna Nelson

of a vending machine at a ballpark or amusement park would be handled differently. Taking from the vending machine at Rocky directly took away from funds of the school as the budget gets a cut from sales. It wouldn’t have been right to inflict a harsher punishment for something the students didn’t initially cause. However, their actions were detrimental to the school and the administration was justified in fining the students because they failed to do the morally correct action. If we want to be treated like mature adults, we must act like mature

Dear Editor, With the end of the school ear fast approaching, many people have taken to a state of complete apathy toward the work of these last few weeks (myself included). I, personally, have a massive research paper due that I have largely

adults. The food that each student took may have been inexpensive, but it added up to be a substantial loss of money for the vending company and Rocky. Why would the company want to continue their business in a place where their machines are in danger of being victimized by teenage delinquency and theft? We have been lucky to have cheap and accessible food through the years and it’s not a service that we would like to see taken away. Abuse of that service reflects poorly on the school. It’s a privilege and should be regarded as one, and not a box full of loot to be plundered.

blown off. As a matter of fact, I write this letter while I am supposed to be working on it. However, i would like to provide some words of encouragement. From one slacker to the rest. There is a reason why school ends in a few weeks as opposed

to a few weeks ago; we still have things to do. There is still work to be done and concepts to learn. We’re not done yet, but we’re so close we can taste it and that’s what’s killing us. So let’s buckle down and pull through together, and then we can celebrate after we

A- Supreme Court:

Hosting the Supreme Court was a unique learning experience for students and staff.

B- Lobo Olympics:

Lobo Olympics brought the school together as everyone gathered to watch the three events.

F- Losing teachers:

We’re losing some amazing teachers. Thanks for all you do and we’ll miss you in the year to come. meet the light at the end of this tortuous tunnel. And so, in the words of the British government back in World War 2, which the hipsters have now appropriated, “keep calm and carry on.” We got dis. Tyler Wood, Junior

School starts, stops at the bus stop It started with a bus. Many of us began school riding a bus. We were 5 and 6 years old and we were most anxious about saying goodbye to our parents and getting the best toys at recess. We rode the bus to junior high and then to high school. The first day on the high school bus, we were 14 and 15 years old and our biggest worries involved making friends and finding our classes. Now as seniors, we are on the cusp of enormous life changes. We are worrying about moving

In the Haus Cassa Niedringhaus out, paying bills and attending college. While the changes we are about to face appear daunting, it is important to remember how much we have grown in just a few, short years. Throughout our high school

careers, we have passed college-level classes, joined clubs, organized fund raisers, orchestrated assemblies, excelled at sports and won awards. We have raised thousands of dollars for charity, thousands of pairs of shoes and made thousands of memories to take with us as we continue on in life. No longer are we the scared sophomores who entered this school. The other day, my car was in the shop, and I had to again ride the bus to school. I was reminded of how much I have grown since that first day on the bus. At the end of the summer, I will be moving to

another state. I will be studying in college. I know the career I want to pursue. As hard as it will be to say goodbye to all that I love about this school, the RM Highlighter, Peers, Key Club and all the wonderful people, I will take the lessons I have learned from each of these with me. I am excited for the next phase in my life. Riding the bus again reminded me how much I have grown. It ended with a bus. Cassa Niedringhaus is a senior and is the Editor-in-Chief for the RM Highlighter.

May 18, 2012

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Race to the Finish Junior Jacob Haase (middle left) races in the 100 meter dash in the finals heat at Conference on May 11. Haase had tough competition, racing against Collins state record-holder runner Ray Bozmans (far right), but took fourth place. Lauren Binder

Umpire State of mind

Serious business: Freshman Cameron Erickson poses in his umpire uniform that he will be wearing for the summer. Erickson and four other student (far right) will be taking up this umpiring job for this summer.

►Ben Blumhardt

►Hunter Pixley

►Daniel Dideriksen

►Lucas Gebhart

Alex Creighton

Umpiring creates opportunity for young teens, freshmen take advantage by Conor Schrader Reporter

As a judge of an American pastime, there’s a lot of responsibility that comes with being an umpire. That doesn’t stop Rocky students from umpiring baseball games in the summer. Some freshmen boys are taking classes through the Northern Colorado Sports Officials organization to umpire games for Colorado youth baseball. The job opportunity is one of the few available to 14-year-olds, making it a top choice in summer jobs. Umpires trained through the NCSO organization will officiate games for the Fort Collins Baseball Club, Windsor Competitive Baseball, Loveland Baseball Association and The Greeley/Evans Youth League. The position is available to umpires 14 years of age or older. The pay is not that bad, either—$30 to $50 an

hour. “It’s really good money for a summer job,” said freshmen Ben Blumhardt, who is in his second summer of umpiring through the NCSO. Senior Colton Hankins has umpired in previous summers and agrees the pay is one of the most appealing aspects of becoming an ump. “For the hours you put into it, the pay is great,” Hankins said. “It’s outdoors, you get to watch a great game, and it’s available for young kids.” “It was the thought of a 14-year-old being the authority over adults,” Hankins said. “You’re in control of that game.” Blumhardt said his father sparked his interest, but he’s attracting the attention of other freshmen to the job offer. “(Blumhardt) wanted someone to do it with, so I jumped in with him,” freshmen Cameron Erickson

Baseball finishes up-and-down season by Cammie Palomino Reporter

This season, the baseball team has had an insane journey. From winning against Chaparral in Coors Field in the season opener to losing to that same team, 3-0, in a season-ending district game; from uncharacteristically struggling in Arizona-trip games to shutting out rival Collins and thrashing league champ Poudre; and from losing by one run against Fossil to defeating all the teams which finished above them in the Front Range League standings, the Lobos’ season has had its ups and downs. “It was a roller coaster,” said sophomore pitcher Carl Stajduhar of the 12-8 season. “It started out well. Then, we went to Arizona and got beat up. When we came back, I do not think we had the confidence that we had after the (opening) Chaparral game.” Stajduhar had a huge year both on the mound

It’s outdoors, you get to watch a great game, and it’s available for young kids.

“

Colton Hankins, senior

”

said. “I’ve had an interest in some sort of reffing or umping, so I took an interest in the job.” Umpires-to-be are required to fill out an online application at NCSO’s website, pay dues of $65 and attend training before the beginning of the season,

Boys’ Baseball Record: 12-8 regular season, 0-1 in the district playoffs. Stars: Senior Nick Komar, 5 HR; Carl Stajduhar, 43 innings pitched, 54 Ks. Ahead: Next season. Working On: Getting better defensively over summer. Talk: “Poudre came in thinking that they were the best they were undefeated and we ended up beating them. That shows that we are a good enough team to win pretty much any game that we want.” - junior Marcus Bean

and at the plate. He finished with a 1.95 ERA and team-leading 43 innings pitched and 54 strikeouts. He also finished with a .310 batting average. Others who played a big role included seniors Matt Allen (0.44 ERA) and Nick Komar (.407 batting average). The efforts of the team have given them some amazing wins. Junior Marcus Bean said that the Jump to BASE page 5

Lauren Binder

Touching base: Senior Nick Komar (above) slides into third base to steal it at the game against Fossil on May 1. Sophomore Carl Stajduhar (right) makes a pitch in the same game. The Lobos ended the season at 12-8, including a 7-4 league record which was good for a tie for fourth place.

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the rocky mountain hiGhliGhter

Senior Pullout 2012

May 18, 2012

Senior 1

2012

this is it

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Congratulations Class Of 2012

Senior 2

the Senior Pullout 2012 rocky mountain hi hli hter

May 18, 2012

Where will you be when the world ends? Where graduating seniors will be after Rocky: Seattle Hallie University Tredw ay

Univ e Anna rsity of O belle r Prazn egon ik Lewis Jacqu and Clar k eline Aben droth Portla -Smit h Kali G nd State Univ lenn ersity

University of Wyomin g Kay Lebe Alexander Jo da Brittany Ste hnson Katherine R vens osecrance Brooke Ben La nd on Shimpa ig Bronson R ni M ak en na ing Mul Caitlin Har Meghan O cahy vey ’Nei Cole Bradl Ryan Brauc l ey h Colton Han S am an th kins a Morrison Ethan Karp Seth Marlo w Emily Schul Stevin Ove th rh Emily Zach eiss Xiaotian G olser man ao Jordan Ric hard Laramie C ou Ann Pushe nty Communty Col lege ck

Westmin ste Kyle Wra r College y

Best place for lunch:

New York University Jeanelle France

University of Nebraska Jenny Schomberger Hastings College Megan Avery

Hampshire College Kayla Leathers

Olivet Nazarene University Mary Wilson

iversity Stevenson Un s es nn Su a m Em

Other John Brown University Sarah Linder

University of Mississippi Jill Caradec

Future Rams Alex Nuckols Alexa Lyons Alexis Parsons Alyssa Zimmerman Anthony Frucci Austin Walter Avery Buser Bayley Warren Brandon Osterberg Braden Seward Brian Newsom Brynna Hasvold Chaney Van Garderen Charlie Anderson Christopher McDonald Corey Dahlgren Connor Runyan Cooper Scott Danielle Hailey Dominique Ramirez

Elizabeth Bergersen Emelia Christensen Emily Guyor Eric Bell Evan Mackes Fahey Zink Geoffrey Freymuth Hannah Stice Ian Chubb Isaac Morley Jared Collins Jake Kechter Jennifer Brumit Jessica Teal John Landau John Zawacki Keegan Pope Keera Brown Keith Christian Kelly Kollasch Lee Waterman Linzy Friendt Lindsey Weaver Luke Petrun

Future Buffs Aaron Beckmann Aaron Carpenter Ari Nevo Conor Schrader Delaney Bacon Erik Tharp Hannah Sexson Heidi Roeber Hudson Bloom Jacklynn Sanchez Jason Bass

Jesse Janzen Jordan Becker Kaitlyn Swearingen Kristen Babbs Libby Looft Meghan Loury Megan Massey Taylor DeBord T.J.Wessel Samantha Kraiger Zachary Duckworth

Makenzie Doty Maximilian Flynn Matt Buchanan Matthew Hardman Matthew McHugh Megan Golliher Michael Conley Mitchell Moffet Nicole Leinhart Pedro Tomasel Peter Cook Reanna Nelson Richard Pixley Ryan Beverly Ryan Fergen Samantha Hall Samantha King Sarah Dideriksen Sean Wright Shane Clark Tanna Morin Trevor Skaar Vincent Saracino Zach Peterson

University of Evansville Christine Gravelle

University of Missouri Cassa Niedringhaus

University of Oklahoma Community College Chad Lorimor

University of Alabama Ryan McCrary

Louisiana State University Lydia Swartz Tulane University Rachel Kelley

Florida International University Shelby Bowden Flagler College Amelia Morgan

Aiden Campbell Alanah Lang Allyssa Adams Benjamin Sinor Brittney Isaacs Colby Thomas- Mission Danielle Crosson- Mission Harley Thomas Jake Renn- Mission Jami Smith Jessie Samuelson Joshua Ramos Kurtis Benedict Leo Bender Randall McConnell- Travel Raymond Chavez

In-State Military Marines Garret Giese Jonathan Temple John Landau Zachary Flowers

Air Force Aubree Carroll Hannah Stice Joshua Armstrong

Army Matthew Newman Dylan Crawford

FRCC Aiden Davis Alex Obenchain Alexis Kinney Alyssa Richards Ariel Rosales-Bass Brandon Helm-Brown Benjamin Rhoads BreAnne Lanteri Cayla Jager Cecelia Butler

Christina Bartlett Courtney Urban Dana Cline Dylan Crawford Elijah Eccher Hannah Adrian Hannah Armfield Hector Carbajal Hunter Harris James Hickey

UNC Greeley Amber Winger Ariel Rosales-Bass Austin Leschak Austin Lorimor Brooke Macchietto Bryce Wilson Danielle Schmidt Emily Jacomet Emarie Neal Hannah Meek Jonathan McHugh Kayla Troutman Laura Hufnagel Mariah Henkel Maggie DeMott Sally Murphy Sven Swanson Talee Reece Victoria Self

James Szekely James Taylor Jasmine Winters Jennifer Ervin Jordan Lewis Joshua Armstrong Kaley Smylie Kate McFarland Kiefer Maizland Kimberly Bommarito

Colorado Mesa University, Grand Junction Aanya Quillen Abby Ney Braden Stalnaker Brian Crim Erika Bayes Lauren Smailes Lucas Lovell School of Mines, Golden Luke Neff William Kelly Aims Community College, Denver Jasmine Moreno University of Colorado,

Lucas Harrison Marcus Castaneda Melody Fels Michaela Smith Ryan Grady Sarah Duke Seth Haldeman Shawna Williams Tessa Gress Tyler Chubb

Cafe Mexicali Best perk of being a senior:

Being done with school early

Moody Bible Institute Christopher Rithner Kennedi Conradson

Grinnell College Taylor Wright

Oklahoma Baptist Kevin Fraaken

Eastern A Nick Ko rizona College mar

Northeastern Kelli Lynch Brennan O’Grady Boston College Dani Xiong

Iowa State University Marcus Hately

University of Kansas Kendra Ellenwood

University of Ne Lindsey Guice w Mexico

Culinary Institute of America Shaina Sutton

University of Michigan Sandra Zupanski

University of Iowa Hannah Clark

Garden City Community College Marcus McKinney Trevor Bell

Arizona S Danika M tate University c Jaden B Intire art Kimberly elme Eatinger

Of rocky

Re b e c c a B l a c k

St. Olaf College Emma Shrum

Brigham Y Victoria R oung University o Beth Spe ckwood ncer

lley s Va gele n A Los ege rson l Col g Watte ity u Do vers Uni n a pm Cha Bigler ity vers Ben Uni y r dbu rphy Woo ael Mu ist apt Mich ia B n r ifo y Cal versit yer i Un ther D Hea

The best and the worst Worst High School Fad:

Univers it Rennie y of Montan a Winkelm an Montan a State Univers Bridget ity Baker

Brigha m Meleen Young Univ a O’Ne ersity ill Boise S Rebec tate ca Para tore

Senior 3

Colorado Springs Celeste Blehm Kim Catlett Matthew Butler

Colorado Mountain College, Steamboat Callie Morgan Lindsay McIlroy

Fort Lewis, Durango Angel Plunkett Megan McDaniel

Lincoln Tech, Denver Sean Porter Zachary Flowers

University of Denver Calvin Jouard Jasper Schmich-Kinney Jessica Davidson Rylee Johnston Senaiet Abebe

Colorado College Abigail Edwards Michael Kauzmann

University of Colorado, Denver Brian Funke Jason Tran Michaela Torrez

Metro State Cara Cromwell Jeffrey Elledge Augstes Escofficer School of Culinary Art Casey Pape

International Heloisa Adegas- UNB Brasilia, Brazil James Kasetarapanya- Mahidol University International College, Thailand

Best way to spend your off period:

Hanging out with friends

Worst thing to see in the hallway:

Excessive PDA Best school activity:

Attending sporting events Worst movie in the past four years:

Twilight

Worst excuse to get out of homework:

Senioritis Best Class:

Adventure PE *Results are from the Google Document and senior survey. Page by Fahey Zink Survey organization by Cassa Niedringhaus and Fahey Zink

Senior 2

the Senior Pullout 2012 rocky mountain hi hli hter

May 18, 2012

Where will you be when the world ends? Where graduating seniors will be after Rocky: Seattle Hallie University Tredw ay

Univ e Anna rsity of O belle r Prazn egon ik Lewis Jacqu and Clar k eline Aben droth Portla -Smit h Kali G nd State Univ lenn ersity

Westmin ste Kyle Wra r College y

Best place for lunch:

New York University Jeanelle France

University of Nebraska Jenny Schomberger Hastings College Megan Avery

Hampshire College Kayla Leathers

Olivet Nazarene University Mary Wilson

iversity Stevenson Un s es nn Su a m Em

Other John Brown University Sarah Linder

University of Mississippi Jill Caradec

Future Buffs Aaron Beckmann Aaron Carpenter Ari Nevo Conor Schrader Delaney Bacon Erik Tharp Hannah Sexson Heidi Roeber Hudson Bloom Jacklynn Sanchez Jason Bass

Jesse Janzen Jordan Becker Kaitlyn Swearingen Kristen Babbs Libby Looft Meghan Loury Megan Massey Taylor DeBord T.J.Wessel Samantha Kraiger Zachary Duckworth

University of Evansville Christine Gravelle

University of Missouri Cassa Niedringhaus

University of Oklahoma Community College Chad Lorimor

University of Alabama Ryan McCrary

Louisiana State University Lydia Swartz Tulane University Rachel Kelley

Florida International University Shelby Bowden Flagler College Amelia Morgan

In-State Military Marines Garret Giese Jonathan Temple John Landau Zachary Flowers

Air Force Aubree Carroll Hannah Stice Joshua Armstrong

Army Matthew Newman Dylan Crawford

FRCC Aiden Davis Alex Obenchain Alexis Kinney Alyssa Richards Ariel Rosales-Bass Brandon Helm-Brown Benjamin Rhoads BreAnne Lanteri Cayla Jager Cecelia Butler

Christina Bartlett Courtney Urban Dana Cline Dylan Crawford Elijah Eccher Hannah Adrian Hannah Armfield Hector Carbajal Hunter Harris James Hickey

James Szekely James Taylor Jasmine Winters Jennifer Ervin Jordan Lewis Joshua Armstrong Kaley Smylie Kate McFarland Kiefer Maizland Kimberly Bommarito

Lucas Harrison Marcus Castaneda Melody Fels Michaela Smith Ryan Grady Sarah Duke Seth Haldeman Shawna Williams Tessa Gress Tyler Chubb

Cafe Mexicali Best perk of being a senior:

Being done with school early

Moody Bible Institute Christopher Rithner Kennedi Conradson

Grinnell College Taylor Wright

Oklahoma Baptist Kevin Fraaken

Eastern A Nick Ko rizona College mar

Northeastern Kelli Lynch Brennan O’Grady Boston College Dani Xiong

Iowa State University Marcus Hately

University of Kansas Kendra Ellenwood

University of Ne Lindsey Guice w Mexico

Culinary Institute of America Shaina Sutton

University of Michigan Sandra Zupanski

University of Iowa Hannah Clark

Garden City Community College Marcus McKinney Trevor Bell

Arizona S Danika M tate University c Jaden B Intire art Kimberly elme Eatinger

Of rocky

Re b e c c a B l a c k

St. Olaf College Emma Shrum

Brigham Y Victoria R oung University o Beth Spe ckwood ncer

lley s Va gele n A Los ege rson l Col g Watte ity u Do vers Uni n a pm Cha Bigler ity vers Ben Uni y r dbu rphy Woo ael Mu ist apt Mich ia B n r ifo y Cal versit yer i Un ther D Hea

The best and the worst Worst High School Fad:

Univers it Rennie y of Montan a Winkelm an Montan a State Univers Bridget ity Baker

Brigha m Meleen Young Univ a O’Ne ersity ill Boise S Rebec tate ca Para tore

Senior 3

Colorado Springs Celeste Blehm Kim Catlett Matthew Butler

Colorado Mountain College, Steamboat Callie Morgan Lindsay McIlroy

Fort Lewis, Durango Angel Plunkett Megan McDaniel

Lincoln Tech, Denver Sean Porter Zachary Flowers

University of Denver Calvin Jouard Jasper Schmich-Kinney Jessica Davidson Rylee Johnston Senaiet Abebe

Colorado College Abigail Edwards Michael Kauzmann

University of Colorado, Denver Brian Funke Jason Tran Michaela Torrez

Metro State Cara Cromwell Jeffrey Elledge Augstes Escofficer School of Culinary Art Casey Pape

International Heloisa Adegas- UNB Brasilia, Brazil James Kasetarapanya- Mahidol University International College, Thailand

Best way to spend your off period:

Hanging out with friends

Worst thing to see in the hallway:

Excessive PDA Best school activity:

Attending sporting events Worst movie in the past four years:

Twilight

Worst excuse to get out of homework:

Senioritis Best Class:

Adventure PE *Results are from the Google Document and senior survey. Page by Fahey Zink Survey organization by Cassa Niedringhaus and Fahey Zink

Senior Pullout 2012

the rocky mountain hiGhliGhter

May 18, 2012

e m i t f o d n e e h t g n i Fac

Senior 4

1993

• History begins. We are born. • The World Wide Web goes public. • The Colorado Rockies join Major League Baseball.

1994

• The signing of the Krelim Accords leads to a thawing of the Cold War. America and Russia no longer point their nuclear missiles at each other’s countries • OJ Simpson is arrested for the murder of his wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her male companion Ronald Goldman. • Forrest Gump is released.

1995

• Yahoo! is founded. • 168 people are murdered by domestic terrorists in Oklahoma City when a bomb destroys a significant portion of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. • eBay is founded.

1996

1998

1997

• The Unabomber mystery is finally solved after Theodore Kaczynski, a former university professor, is arrested by the FBI. • The Colorado Avalanche, recently moved from Quebec City to Denver, win the Stanley Cup against the Florida Panthers. • Tiger Woods is selected as PGA Rookie of the Year.

• President Bill Clinton is accused of a sex scandal with a White House intern that will eventually cause him to testify in court over the relationship. • Google is founded in California. • The Denver Broncos win against the Green Bay Packers in the Super Bowl XXXII. • Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone comes to the U.S.

• Dolly the sheep is introduced to the world as the first fully-cloned complex organism. • Diana Spencer, Princess of Wales, and her boyfriend, Dodi Al-Fayed, is killed in a car accident while fleeing paparazzi in Paris. • Titanic is released.

2000

• Hillary Rodham Clinton wins a seat for the United States Senate from New York. • Wary investors bring stock plunge; beginning of the end of the Internet stock boom. • The International Space Station is launched.

2001

• Verification of the Electoral College vote confirms George W. Bush as the winner of the of the 2000 United States Presidential election • Al-Qaeda terrorists hijack U.S. airliners on Sept. 1 and crash them into the Pentagon and the World Trade Center in New York City, causing nearly 3,000 deaths. In response to the tragedy of September 11, the United States military declares a War on Terrorism.

1999

• The Columbine High School massacre takes place. • The 6 billionth person populating the Earth is born. • World panic about the Y2K bug reaches the height of its intensity. • Spongebob begins.

2004

2003 2002

• NATO invites additional members of the former Soviet bloc to join its membership. • The movie Spider-Man grosses $406 million. In all, Americans spent $9.3 billion on movie tickets this year.

• The Space Shuttle Columbia explodes upon reentry over Texas. All seven astronauts inside are killed. • Saddam Hussein, former leader of Iraq, is captured in a small bunker in Tikrit by the U.S. 4th Infantry Division. • The Hubble telescope has detected the oldest known planet. Nicknamed Methuselah after the aged biblical patriarch, the planet is an astonishing 12.7 billion years old.

2007

• The first female speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Representative Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco, California, is sworn into office. • The fifty star flag of the United States of America becomes the longest flying flag in history after flying over fortyseven years.

2008

• Michael Phelps wins his 8th Gold Medal of the Beijing Summer Olympic Games. • Barack Obama wins a landslide margin in the Electoral College in the election for the 44th President of the USA, making him the first African-American president in the history of the United States of America.

2010 2009

• Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger III, is hailed as the “Hero of the Hudson” for successfully landing US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River.

• A British Petroleum deep water oil rig explodes in the Gulf of Mexico, causing the largest oil spill in the history of the United States. The incident killed eleven workers and devastated the surrounding environment. • WikiLeaks releases hundreds of thousands of internal documents and State Department cables.

2006

• The one billionth song is downloaded from Apple iTunes. • The population of the United States reaches the milestone of 300 million.

2011

• Osama Bin Laden is killed during a raid by U.S. Navy Seals at his hideout location in Pakistan. • The final shuttle flight lands at the Kennedy Space Center, signifying the end of the NASA shuttle space program. • Occupy Wall Street protests begin in New York City and sweep the country. • The war in Iraq is declared over.

• Mars rover MER-B (Opportunity) confirms to NASA that the area of their landing was once covered in water. • The ground-breaking ceremony for the Freedom Tower at Ground Zerooccurs in New York City. • The southeast Asian tsunami occurs following a 9.3 Richter scale earthquake in the Indian Ocean. Nearly 300,000 people die from Sri Lanka to Indonesia.

2005

• The identity of Deep Throat, the contact for reporters Woodward and Bernstein in the uncovering of the Watergate scandal, is revealed. • American cyclist Lance Armstrong wins his record 7th straight Tour de France. • In the first Space Shuttle flight since the tragedy of 2003, Discovery goes into orbit on a mission that returns to earth safely on August 9. • Hurricane Katrina strikes the Gulf Coast. Over 1,300 people perish from Alabama to Louisiana.

2012

• KONY 2012 rallies millions of people around the world to help stop Joseph Kony, a warlord in Africa. • The seniors of Rocky Mountain High School graduate. • THE WORLD ENDS.

the sports rocky mountain hiGhliGhter

May 18, 2012

Leap of faith

Track team looks promising for state with young talent by Lauren Binder Sports Editor

In track, athletes may have to compete individually, but it is all about the team. This year the track team has been able to hold their own against other tough teams such as Collins and Fossil, and they are consistently receiving team placements in the top five. “I think that the team is better than last year,” senior Bryce Wilson said. “We have more state qualifiers and we are placing better at our meets. Also, we have higher state rankings than we had last year. It (the season) definitely could have gone better, but I think that everyone worked really hard and tried their best.” Wilson has been a one of the major contributors to the success of the team this year, along with senior Ethan Karp, thrower and jumper, senior Austin Walter, pole-vaulter, and junior Kelsey

Track & Field Record: Consistently placing in the top 5 at every meet. Stars: Bryce Wilson, Ethan Karp, Caryl Lester. Ahead: State starting yesterday through this Saturday. Working On: Concentrating on state. Talk: “This year’s team is really good, but I’m excited for next year because we have a young and talented team for next year.” - junior Jake Haase

Alexander, long distance runner. In the city meet on April 17, Alexander was able to beat her personal best time and earn first in the 3200 meter (the two mile) with a time of 11:46:32, and Karp also took first in high jump with a clearing of six-feet-two. This year was also a stand out for young talents, such as freshman Carly Lester who is nearly placing top ten in 100 hurdles every meet and sophomore Kelcey Bedard, who consistently places in the discus throw. Wilson, who beat a personal throwing best in discus of over 150 feet early this year

Boys’ Swimming & Diving Record: Won one meet this season. Stars: Mitch Moffet, Jack McCoy, Colten Prosser. Ahead: State today and tomorrow at EPIC. Working On: More support. Talk: “It was fun. We are more like a brotherhood instead of a team.” - sophomore Dryden Alberts

Girls’ Soccer

Lauren Binder

Jumping to new heights: Junior Riley Neal attempts to jump over the bar in high jump at the finals round of the Conference meet Friday, May 11. This is only one of the events that Neal competes in; he also throws the discus.

is impressed with some of the freshman talent that have come out to compete this season. “Max McDonald threw over 50 feet, which is very uncommon for a freshman to throw,” Wilson said. Though track has had a good

year, it has not been easy. Junior Noelle Taulbee, a new member to the track team as a pole-vaulter, doesn’t take track lightly. “In track, it is your choice on how well you do and how hard you push yourself,” Taulbee said.

Record: 9-4-2 Regular season, 1-1 in state playoffs. Stars: Seniors Hannah Clark, Lindsey Guice, Megan Avery. Ahead: Next season. Working On: Staying composed; working for each other. Talk: “Our team is a big mix of girls from different club teams and different ages. It was a great way to meet people.” - senior Libby Looft

Girls’ Golf Stars: Anna Summers. Ahead: Next season. Working On: Everyone getting scores below 100. Talk: “The season went great. Overall we one of the best seasons that we have ever had. It felt like more like a family.” - junior Connie Davis

Girls’ soccer ends its season, graduating with positive memories The girls’ varsity soccer team has redefined teamwork in their determination to remain a dominant team during the 2011-12 season. The girls recently toppled the No. 1 team in their league, cross town rival Fossil, which undefeated up until then. From an outside perspective, their strongest asset is the sisterhood relationship they share on and off the field.

“We all know how to goof around, but when game time comes, we get down to business.” senior Megan Avery said. Each player contributes their own distinct personality to the lineup as much as they apply their formed skills to the game. “Every year we hit a road block in the middle of the season,” senior Libby Looft said. “This season, teamwork is more important than personal skills.” Avery and Looft both emphasized the closeness of their team.

which started in April and goes until August. The organization is willing to work around baseball players’ schedules who also want to umpire over the summer. Sign-ups are closed for the 2012 season, but it’s an annual position. Blumhardt added that one of the most difficult things to overcome is the criticism from

parents and coaches, who can get out of control. “You get ripped on a lot at first, but you have to get over your nerves,” Blumhardt said. “It’s pretty easy after that. You have to be able to take crap and know you’re right. You have to be confident.” Added Erickson, “You need honesty. You also need respect for the game and to know the rules.”

by Grant Rotman Reporter

Umps from page 4

Boys’ lacrosse team plans to pick up where they left off next season by Conor Schrader Reporter

The Fort Collins Vipers are finishing up another successful season after finding their much needed tempo. The Vipers ended their season 12 and 6, overcoming the difficulties of a new coaching staff and a graduated 18 seniors. “We played our best games towards the end of the season,” senior Calvin Jouard said. “Offense really developed itself to the point where we could compete with the best defense in the state.” Jouard also acknowledged their strengthened defense, which performed especially well in their loss to Rocky Canyon. As a senior, Jouard will not be continuing with the Vipers for the 2012-2013 season, but he believes the team is in good hands. “The team has a good chance at competing at a high level next year,” Jouard said. “(We are)

Boys’ Lacrosse Record: 12-6 regular season. Stars: Cole Bradley, Jules Richards, Anthony Frucci. Ahead: Due to a playoff loss, season is over. Working On: Getting ready for the next season. Talk: “We had many strong juniors this year, we have many players that will step up and take the leadership roles.” -junior Julian Richards

definitely in good hands with our great coaching staff.” Jouard says juniors Julian Richard and Will Laybourn will help lead the Vipers in the following year. “We had many strong juniors (this year),” Richard said. “We have many players that will step up and take the leadership roles.” Looking back at the closing of his senior year, Jouard believes lacrosse had a positive impact on his high school experience. “It’s just fun to meet new guys and compete. I know I’ll miss it every day,” Jouard said.

Avery described it as one big family. “Our team is a big mix of girls from different club teams and different ages,” Looft said. “It was a great way to meet new people and get involved.” Avery, who has been playing soccer for 13 years, and Looft, who has been playing 14 years, are both in their third year of girls’ varsity. Avery is set to play next year at Nebraska Hastings College. “I’m excited to be in a new

environment and on a new team,” Avery said. Looft has no plan to continue playing soccer at a competitive level. She may play intramural soccer at University of Colorado, which she plans to attend next year. Looft also hopes to coach soccer someday. It was another good season for the girls’ soccer team and a solid end to the high school career of the eight seniors that played on varsity. There are high hopes for the next season.

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Rocky scored 16 runs while giving up 6. “The best part of the season was beating Collins,” Stajduhar said. “We had been down a little bit, struggling, and then we get to the Collins game, and we are together, a team.” This year, though, was tough, considering team members still remember the Lobos’ four straight state titles from 2007-2010 and the strong state run a year ago to the final eight teams.

Base

the Lobos’ defense and pitching was especially strong in those victories. “Our defense and pitching has always given us a chance to win,” Bean said. Added Stajduhar. “I think we have one of the best pitching staffs in state.” Two of the big wins this past season were against Collins and Poudre. Between those two games,

Alex Creighton

Just kickin’ it: Junior Jamie Stroup kicks the ball away from a Mountain Range opponent. The girls just lost their second-round state playoff game against Collins on Saturday.

However, the seniors will take what they have learned and apply it to their college experience. “I’ll miss the group of guys,” Bean said. “I have learned how to be a tough, competing, hard-working baseball player. (The season) has been up and down, so when it is hard, you hustle and you still need to have the same attitude you have when it is up. I learned that from the coaches and hopefully the younger guys will learn that from them too.”

May 18, 2012

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the rocky mountain hiGhliGhter

Ready, Set, Eat! Junior Jacob Haase, counselor Chrystal Kelly and senior Austin Walter dig into their pies during the Lobolympics competition on May 4. The staff triumphed over the freshman, sophomore, junior and senior classes. Cam Chorpenning

Summer Calendar 2012

Concerts

May 18: Tech N9ne–Fillmore Auditorium May 23: The Civil WarsOgden Theater May 28: LMFAO–Red Rocks Amphitheater May 28: Of Monsters and Men– Ogden Theater May 31: Bon Iver and Feist–Red Rocks Amphitheater June 16: Vans Warped Tour– Sports Authority Field July 3: Foster the People–Red Rocks Amphitheater July 25: Florence and the Machine–Red Rocks Amphitheater August 8: Jack White–Red Rocks Amphitheater

Florence Henderson ▲

Jim Rassol/Sun Sentinel/MCT

CD Releases May 22: Born and Raised–John Mayer May 22: RAM - Paul McCartney June 12: Looking for Myself–Usher June 26: Believe–Justin Bieber June 26: Living Things–Linkin Park June 26: Overexposed–Maroon 5 July 2: Untitled–50 Cent

Film Releases May 18: Battleship May 18: What to Expect When You’re Expecting May 25: Men in Black 3 June 1: Snow White and the Huntsman June 15: That’s My Boy June 22: Brave June 29: G.I. Joe: Retaliation July 5: Katy Perry: Part of Me July 6: The Amazing Spider-Man July 6: Savages July 13: Ice Age: Continental Drift 3D July 20: The Dark Knight Rises July 27: Step Up Revolution August 3: Total Recall August 3: Bourne Legacy August 17: The Expendables 2 ◄ Christian Bale as Batman in The Dark Knight Rises Ron Philips/Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures/MCT

Alvarez seizes opportunity, takes on role in indie zombie film by Taylor Hitchings Reporter

For some students, the after-school hours are filled with zombies because of television shows and movies like The Walking Dead, Zombieland and Shaun of the Dead to name a few. Junior Zach Alvarez is no exception, though there’s one crucial detail that sets him apart from his peers. For him, the zombies aren’t on a television screen. Alvarez, whose acting experience is limited to this year’s spring musical, Winter One-Acts and video announcements, is playing the character of Joey in Genesis, an independent zombie film directed by Michael F. McCarthy that will be shot in Greeley. “My dad told me there was a newspaper ad for being an extra zombie in this movie, and I was interested in it,” Alvarez said. “So I started emailing a friend of mine, Ian Maday. He’s helping out with the movie, and he said he could talk to the director about it.” Maday, who graduated with the class of 2011, said he and Alvarez “go way back.” “I knew [Zach] in high school, and we used to talk about making films throughout high school and always had a lot of fun with it,” Maday said. “I played a large role in getting him on board with Genesis. We got a new cast, and I recommended him. Sure enough, there he is.” While Alvarez first auditioned for the role of an extra zombie,

the movie was delayed. This proved to be a blessing, because he was then given the chance to audition for a slightly larger role. From there, he began to browse the character descriptions on the film’s website. Alvarez tried out for a character named Tommy, before finally being cast as Joey. “They decided Joey was the best character for me,” he said. “And I agree with them. He has more of the traits that I actually have in real life.” Because he signed confidentiality agreements, Alvarez can’t say exactly what those traits are. In fact, the only information he was allowed to share can be summed up in one simple sentence: “It’s a zombie movie.” “[Confidentiality] is very normal in the film industry,” said Maday, who serves as Senior Production Assistant on the film. “Part of it could be to have expectations we can’t fulfill or funding issues…If the script gets out, you know, people know the ending. The film won’t be as popular. We just like to play it safe and let it be a surprise for everyone.” Still, students shouldn’t be deterred by the secrecy. “I can honestly say that I’ve seen a ton of zombie films, and this is unlike something I’ve ever seen before, and I think people are going to find it fascinating,” Maday said. For more information on Genesis, like its Facebook page or visit its website, www.zombies2012.com.

Auspicious actor: Junior Zach Alvarez looks over a script for the upcoming film Genesis. Alvarez plays the character Joey in the film, an independent zombie movie.

Courtesy of Zombies 2012 LLC

the features rocky mountain hiGhliGhter

May 18, 2012

Wells retires after seven years at school by Meleena O’Neill Reporter

A very accomplished Lobo is leaving the den this year. Orchestra director Beth Wells, after 27 years of teaching retirement with the last seven eature of them being here, is retiring. “I’m retiring because I think it’s time to have a new kind of life,” Wells said. “I’m just past 50 and I did some investing so I can retire early. My husband is already retired. It’s kind of a good time, change my life a little, I’ve been doing this a long time.” She doesn’t have her future planned out to the tee, so she’s hoping something will find her. She doesn’t want to feel too lost with her students.

“They changed my life,” Wells said. “My last seven years have been totally changed for the positive. I love them all and I’m going to miss them.” Wells has a soft spot in her heart for Rocky as she graduated from here in 1977. She returned in 2005 to replace her orchestra teacher, Jim McNeal, who was retiring. “I’ve been to some other schools in the last couple of years and our kids are so respectful and so nice,” Wells said. “I think when they first get here as underclassmen they are a little bit rowdy and they don’t know our lobo way. But at the end of sophomore year I notice that things start to settle down and they feel proud about being here. That’s what I really like. I really like that we can model some people into really good

citizens when they get here. I think Rocky is outstanding in that way.” The last seven years have also left an impact on the school, and more importantly, on her students. “She’s definitely leaving some pretty big shoes to fill for whoever the next person is,” junior violinist Alex Viert said. “She’s just leaving a legacy of hardworking students and a strong orchestra that’s for sure.” Wells will be missed by staff and students and will be missed in the pack. “She treats her students with dignity and respect like their adults,” senior cellist Sally Murphy said. “I think that’s what stands her out from other teachers I have is that she doesn’t treat us like kids.”

Hawaii from page 8 math teacher, was in the room, helping her with math homework when she received the news. “I almost started crying I was so thrilled for her,” Chaffee said. “When I heard the whole story I was most moved by her ability to dream and accomplish something that most of us would have thought had about a one in a million chance of happening. The odds never fazed her; she pursued her dream to the fullest, putting in considerable hours to apply for this aid. She has inspired me, and I hope others, that anything is possible with hard work!” In addition to the financial aid, Jessie was also awarded another scholarship decreasing the tuition down to a few thousand dollars. After some discussion, Jessie’s parents agreed to allow her to enroll in HPA. Attending and applying to this school provides a very valuable opportunity to Jessie in terms of preparing for college and deciding on her career path as well. “I think the main thing is that it’s

going to give her a chance to pursue her passion which is marine biology,” Jessie’s father, Steve Gravelle, said. “She is going to have an opportunity to work with some marine biologists from the University of Hawaii and get some real first-hand experience that will tell her if that is really what she wants to do as far as studying in college, or even moving on with it as a career.” Jessie added, “They have a club [called turtle tagging] where they organize these trips to go out to the beach where you work with marine biologists and government scientists and you gather information on the turtles and the environment. I have loved sea turtles since 4th grade I finally will be able to walk down the

beach and see them instead of seeing them based off a memory.” Chaffee says that Jessie is a model student and she expresses her hopes that she will be prosperous in her Hawaiian adventures. “Of course living in Hawaii is a dream most of us have,” Chaffee said. “But I also know Jessie will take this ‘assignment’ seriously and give 100 percent of her effort to be successful at the academy. I think the biggest thing she is getting from this experience is knowing that anything is possible and we can achieve our dreams through commitment and hard work.” However, with HPA being so far away, both Jessie and her family agree that they are going to miss each other. They had all thought that they

Meleena O’Neill

Finishing this year: Teacher Beth Wells directs one of her classes. Wells has worked at Rocky for seven years and graduated from the school in 1977.

were going to have another few years to spend together before she went off to college and with Jessie’s older sister Christine going to college, the Gravelle parents are going to be empty nesters. “I’m really excited about her going to the school,” Robin Gravelle, Jessie’s mother, said. “I know that I am going to miss her horribly, but I just know that she is getting a once in a lifetime opportunity and it’s what’s best for her. But it’s hard for me and her dad. I think that it will be really hard to be away from her.” Even though this will be a different experience for Jessie and her family, they are all excited for her to have this opportunity and to see all of the hard work she put into it be rewarded. “We are all so proud of how much work she put into this,” Steve said. “I mean, she started this journey back in September which is when she first found that article. For six months she just focused intensely on that goal and we are just so proud in her knowing what she wants to do and working so hard to get it.”

Kuwait from page 8 going to miss him, but it’s good that he’s pursuing what he wants to do,” junior Nate Bethke said. Gainley and Bethke both hold the opinion that part of what makes Berg so special and such a talented teacher and coach is his ability to connect with students and teach them lessons that go beyond the walls of the classroom and even the school. “He pushes kids,” Gainley said. “I don’t mean makes them work hard, he does that too, but he makes them think about what decisions they’re making, and they learn in class about how the rest of the world lives, and alternative lifestyles to what we have here in the United States, and the kids learn about that kind of stuff and then he doesn’t just let them leave the classroom ‘ok, I learned it, I regurgitated it, I got an A in the class’ you’ll see him around the school holding kids accountable for things they said, ‘maybe I should eat less meat, maybe I should care more about picking up trash.’”

Teachers say farewell to building, community Timothy Jon Tharaldson ►Timothy

Tharaldson

Staff leaving from the 2011-2012 school year ►Blair BergSocial Studies ►Timothy TharaldsonPerforming Arts ►Todd PfeiferMathmatics ►Beth WellsPerforming Arts ►Geri CoccoWorld Languages ►Robin GravelleWorld Languages

Teaching Subject: Choir, Music Theory, Musical Theater, Extremely part-time baseball coach, Life, and general silliness. Why are you leaving?: My wife started a new job in Beltsville, Maryland this past October and I am going to be joining her out there in June. Where are you going?: My new house is Bowie, Maryland, just outside of Washington D.C. What will you miss about Rocky?: I will miss the students, first and foremost. My friends on staff that have become a big part of making me a better teacher. Baseball games. My third period walkabouts. And all that comes with being a Lobo.

Todd Pfeifer ►Todd Pfiefer

Compiled by Christine Gravelle

Teaching Subject: Mathematics (AP Calculus AB, BC, and Calculus 3) Why are you leaving?: Exploring opportunities for growth and to help develop new mathematics programs. Where are you going?: Fossil Ridge High School What will you miss about Rocky?: My amazing mathematics department and all of the incredible students at Rocky. I’ve been blessed beyond compare…

May 18, 2012

features 8 the rocky mountain hiGhliGhter

The Gravel Road

Christine Gravelle

Farewell column There are several moments in one’s life that almost every person can remember forever. As graduation nears, I find myself thinking about my childhood and everything that has lead to this moment of my life: Graduation. Dancing around with my sister, tea parties with my mom, the Indy 500 with my dad, my first day of junior high and roaming the halls of Rocky my sophomore year are just a few of the things that have gotten me to the point that I am today. I am thankful for everything that has happened this year and I am proud to say that I am graduating a lobo, and that I’m part of the pack. My Peer family has made this year so wonderful and I am so thankful for all of you. To the Highlighter staff, thank you for all of the laughs and an amazing experience, and to all of the staff at Rocky, thank you for helping me get to the point that I am today. You have been my teachers and mentors, not only with school, but with my life. When they say that these are some of the best years of your life, after this year I can say that it’s true. I have met some of the most amazing people, and I know that the memories I have made will last a life time. As we walk together as one, we will finally be united as a class. We will congratulate those we don’t know and celebrate as a class. Congrats everyone and I wish you all the best in the future. “Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget.” -Anonymous Christine Gravelle is a senior and Features Editor for the RM Highlighter.

Courtyard friends As seniors wrap up the year and leave the building, a new duck family is settling in the courtyard. There are five ducklings that spend the day following their mama and swimming in the pond. Cassa Niedringhaus

Teacher travels, helps students across globe by Cam Chorpenning Limelight Editor

Teachers often fade in and out of students’ lives, and some are forgotten once they’re gone. Though social studies teacher and assistant volleyball coach Blair Berg will be leaving to teach in Kuwait next year, he will most certainly not be forgotten. “I am very excited. I love the chance to experience something new while still being able to teach,”

Berg said. “It is the best of both worlds.” Berg has lived all around the globe throughout his life and decided to apply for multiple teaching jobs overseas before choosing to take a position in Kuwait City teaching American students whose parents are working in the oil industry or the military. “I think it’s absolutely, 100 percent the right decision for Mr. Berg,” science teacher and volleyball

coach Glenn Gainley said. “I’ve been fortunate enough to be a confidant of his as he’s been thinking through this whole process, and so I knew he was thinking about it and I knew his reasons for considering staying, what his reasons were for going, and I think for Mr. Berg this is a dream come true, a once-in-alifetime opportunity, and he has to do it.” “I think that, of course Rocky’s

Jump to KUWAIT, page 7

Alex Creighton

New horizons: Above, Blair Berg teaches his class. He will leave for Kuwait this summer.

Student leaves the pack, says aloha to Hawaii by Michelle Kennedy Reporter

While some lucky students may get to say “aloha” to Hawaii for a vacation this summer, sophomore Jessie Gravelle has been given an amazing opportunity to study there next year. Through her studies, Gravelle features plans to follow her dreams of being pecial a marine biologist by attending a boarding school called Hawaii Preparatory Academy, HPA, in Kamuela, Hawaii. Gravelle first found out about the school in an old American Girl magazine while she and her older sister, Christine Gravelle, had been cleaning out their living room. One of the stories included a young girl that was attending HPA and participated in a special program focusing on sea turtles, Jessie’s favorite animal. “It was mainly about this girl that went to a boarding school in Hawaii where you can work with government scientists and sea turtles,” Gravelle said. “I did a little research and found out that the school was HPA. I was looking through their information and was like ‘it’s a boarding school; I might be able to go there!’” However, in order to get accepted into the school, Jessie had to go through a long process that took almost 6 months. Although with $42,000 tuition, even after getting accepted, attending the school was not a certainty. Luckily for Jessie, she applied for financial aid and recently received news that she was awarded $30,000. Susan Chaffee, Jessie’s

Jump to HAWAII, page 7

Student prepares for new school, culture in Bangkok

►Jessie Gravelle

Christine Gravelle

Another student, sophomore Ananda Wimberger, will be going to Bangkok Thailand for her junior year and will attend the Bangkok International School, one of the top international schools in the world. Their family is moving to Thailand because her mother got a job at the Foreign Service . Every two

years her mother goes to a different American embassy in a foreign country. “I’ve always really wanted to go to Thailand,” Wimberger said. “I think that it’s a beautiful country and I hear the Thai people are incredibly welcoming, exciting and just really fun, laid back people.” She will be spending one year in Thailand and will then return to finish off her senior year in the US. -Michelle Kennedy