ROCKY MOUNTAIN
highlighter
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL VOLUME 32, NO. 5
news
a2: Key Club sponsors a walk-athon. a3: New image blocking is a hassle for students.
center section b4-5: Read all about one student’s experience getting his wisdom teeth out.
opinion a4: The new drug policy is illogical.
1300 W. SWALLOW RD. FORT COLLINS CO, 80526
Student’s father covers tsunami
by Joy Murrieta
Reporter
As a journalist, Alan Dawson has covered just about every type of news story. From the Vietnam War, terrorism and other great upheavals to drug gangs and refugee movements, one could say Dawson had seen it all. All except one horrifying natural disaster—a tsunami. Senior Patrick Dawson
Depending on your job and position, you react by getting to the story itself or getting to the office because things are going to get very busy and hectic very quickly. -Alan Dawson, summary editor for the Bangkok Post and father of senior Patrick Dawson
moved to Colorado at age 16, after first living with his family in Thailand. His father, Alan, however, continues to live in Thailand, visiting his family in the U.S. every
three to four months. Unfortunately, Alan didn’t get to spend this Christmas with his family. It was Christmas afternoon (American time; Dec. 26 Thai time) when
a8: Three sport athletes becoming less popular. a6: Mark Brook named new head football coach.
features b1: Is the addition worth the time and money it cost PSD? b2: Knitwits is taking over.
entertainment b8: Which video games are too violent?
upcoming events
Fri. Jan. 21: Boys’ basketball vs. Legacy at 7 p.m. in the gym.
Opinion Line of the Issue The same punishment for having over-thecounter drugs and illegal drugs iis unfair. See Editorial . . .page a4
Jump to TSUNAMI, page a2
New tobacco tax means more money going up in smoke
b8: Schneider takes over The Looking Glass.
Fri. Feb. 4: School of choice deadline.
Alan had just received news that Thailand’s first tsunami had just hit the resort center of Phuket. As an editor of the Bangkok Post in Thailand, Alan knew he had to organize
coverage—and fast. “Depending on your job and position,” said Alan, “you react by getting to the story itself or getting to the office because things are going to get very busy and hectic very quickly.” The press deadline or the Bangkok Post is always 1 a.m., no matter what the circumstance. And “on a
Burning up Benjamins
rocky sports
Wed. Feb. 2: Curriculum Fair 78:30 p.m. on the Rocks.
friday jan. 21, 2005
“...EVERYTHING AS FAR AS YOU CAN SEE” FROM JOHN DENVER’S ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH
a5: Should parents allow their children to consume alcohol in their homes?
Mon. Jan 24: Mandatory assembly for juniors from 8-9 a.m.
Forget all the other teen rites of passage. Here’s one that is really a pain in the mouth: wisdom teeth extraction. pages b4-5
JOSHEPH KULOVANY
SEEING SMOKE: Pat Bell smokes a cigarette outside of school after 4th period on Friday, Jan 14. Within the past year, the price of a pack of cigarettes
has risen by 62 cents, yet the price change doesn’t seem to hamper the amount of students that smoke cigarettes.
survey Prices, addictions rise for teen smokers Unless problem says by Sheila Millage arises, police turn Reporter It’s an 10% addiction. I heads to teen smoking don’t know how by Cassie Fleming
Co-Editor-in-Chief
Senior Lacy Arthur knows that what she has been doing is illegal. “I know that I was breaking the law,” she said. “But it doesn’t bother me.” Arthur has been smoking cigarettes for five years. Currently, she is 18 years old and smoking is legal, but from the time she began at the age of 13 until her 18th birthday, Arthur was in violation of many laws. “If someone is under the age of 18, everything dealing with cigarettes is Jump to LAW, page a2
frontpage
special
of Rocky students smoke cigarettes
70% of those students began smoking at age 15 or younger
44% of students think that smoking under the age of 18 should be illegal 427 students surveyed
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), about one in every five high school seniors smoke cigarettes daily. Within the past month, the price of a pack of cigarettes has risen by 62 cents because of a recently passed new state tobacco tax. This price change seems to not affect too many people with the amount of people still smoking. Oddly enough, teens smoke the most heavily advertised cigarettes, proving that advertisement shows to
or why I started, but now it’s an addiction for me.
-Erin Callaghan, senior
be very influential among students. Ironically, advertisements associate smoking with many appetizing things. The first association is wealth, but wealthy people smoke less than the poor. The second is sophistication, but educated people
smoke less. Third is relaxation, though nicotine produces agitation. Finally, there’s romance. There are always beautiful women with much sex appeal pictured with cigarettes placed carefully in their mouths. Yet smoking is very unattractive to many. So what’s the reasoning behind it? Why start with all the false advertisements encourag-ing smoking, when everyone knows how hurtful it can be? “My life used to be so stressful,” said senior Randall Stone. “I was just Jump to SMOKE, page a2
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Matt Leeke Leeke Almighty
Internet pictures not front page news On a recent, rather slow news day, a few 6th graders appeared on the front page of the Coloradoan for accidentally accessing some very lewd images on the computers at their school. Were you expecting more? That’s it. That’s the reason these kids got their first 15 minutes in the limelight, they accidentally saw some things on the internet not recommended for their age group. What, are we gonna start putting kids on the front page for seeing R-rated movies? At what point did our Puritan roots take such a choking grasp on our newspapers to force a couple of kids to be thrown on center stage for seeing distasteful pictures? And furthermore, who the bloody heck cares? If you’ll allow me to assume the role of whistleblower, these kids are not unique. Kids have been seeing things they shouldn’t for a long, long time, long before the invention of the internet, and even before the invention of the 6th grade itself. This is really nothing to worry about. Yes, ideally these kinds of things would avoid young children’s eyes. But that’s just not realistic. I’ve never taken a poll, but I would bet at least four out of five grown males have had experiences similar to these kids’. These would be the same grown males that fight for the law in our courtrooms, the same grown males that graduated from Harvard with a medical degree, and the same grown males that run America’s corporate world. I hate to say it, but that’s more or less just part of growing up, a discreet rite of passage. Hardly worthy of front page news, definitely worthy of a news column. Matt Leeke is a junior and a reporter for the Highlighter.
Let your future fly
friday jan. 21, 2005
Walking helps world Key Club helps four needy charities with Walk the Rockies
The cost is $15 to walk for an hour on Mon., Jan. 31. Participants are welcome to walk from 6-7 p.m. or 8-9 p.m. The Walk-a-thon is named Walk The Rockies because the course will be through different sections of Rocky, or the “mountain ranges”. “Rocky is one of the most compassionate places I’ve ever worked,” Cox said. “It’s important that students play an active role and this is the perfect
opportunity for them to do so.” Several Key Club members have written letters and e-mails to people that they feel are well known people who can make a difference. Their biggest hope is to get Oprah Winfrey here. “We need people to see the positive in today’s youth. When you have an opportunity, you need to take it. E-mail Oprah,” Cox said. According to Cox, $1500 in prizes have been donated. Throughout the event, two prizes a minute will be raffled off, ranging from a $5 gift card to Quiznos, to a $50 gift card to Outback Steakhouse. Participants will get at least their money’s worth back, probably more. Walk the Rockies is cosponsored by EyeOpeners Kiwanis Club, Papa John’s Pizza, Papa Murphy’s Pizza and Whole Foods Market. “Just walk,” Cox said. “It’s definitely worthwhile. You have an opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life by walking for an hour. You can really make an impact.”
“Thai papers have no problem showing bodies, but we do,” said Dawson. Meanwhile, back home in the U.S., Patrick worried about his friends living in Thailand. His concern wasn’t so much for his father, because he knew how far inland Bangkok was—far from the shores where the tsunami hit. Many people in Thailand were luckily unaffected by its harm. How, then, did they react?
“Thais, more than any people I know…are both compassionate and riveted on responding to disasters,” states Dawson. Dawson describes how the people of Thailand are quick to help with the effects of the disaster in any way they can, no matter how effected they are. Additionally, Dawson describes the mood of Thais. “The mood throughout Thailand turned extremely
morose and depressed as the scope of this disaster became known.” Despite the horrifying and solemn effects of the tsunami in Thailand, the Bangkok Post tries to continue to still cover the “normal news.” “The story of the aftermath of the tsunami will be treated alongside all other stories,” said Dawson. “The further we get from the tsunami, the more it is just part of daily news.”
said. “But all he did was give me a warning.” Gammon said that officers will only issue tickets to kids if there has been complaints about their smoking. “When kids are smoking, other factors, like littering and cursing, come into play,” Gammon said. “If someone complains about these issues and the kids are smoking, I will write them a ticket.” Other than that, smoking tickets are not common. Gammon has issued 25 smoking tickets this year. “I write far more speeding tickets,” he added.
When issued a ticket, the minor will then appear in court where a judge will assess a $100 fine. Every smoking violation a minor receives from there, the fine will then double. “Regardless of age, being in possession or smoking cigarettes on school grounds is illegal and will result in a a one-
day suspension. “I don’t think that this is a fair law,” Weaver said. “You could have just one cigarette on you, and if you get caught, you’re punished.” But, if there are no complaints, then the police department doesn’t make smoking into a big deal, Gammon said.
by Natalie Grimm
Co-Editor-in-Chief
Walking can change the world. Well, maybe it can’t change the world but it can definitely help out four amazing charities that are out to help the world. “The purpose of the Walk-athon was to raise funds for the four charities and to get Key Club active in the Rocky community,” said Ginny Cox, Key Club sponsor. One of the four charities benefiting from the Walk-a-thon is Heifer Project International, which provides families food through heifers, or cows who have not yet given birth. The next is the Make A Wish Foundation. The foundation grants children with life threatening illnesses a wish. For example, if a child’s wish was to be a police officer, the foundation would make it happen, even if it was just for a day. The third group benefiting is Salud Family Health Clinic. Salud is a non-profit health clinic in Northern Colorado,
Tsunami
who will turn away no one in need of medical attention. Finally, the Walk-a-thon will be benefiting Kids Matter Project, started by senior Jessica Hellyer. Hellyer started the non-profit organization in 2000 making goodie bags for homeless kids and kids in foster homes. These amazing groups all welcome the school’s donations, however Key Club needs participants. The goal is to get 500 walkers, if not more.
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And “on a daily newspaper,” said Dawson, “the deadline is holy writ.” During the first two weeks after the tsunami had hit, the Bangkok Post was filled with photos of the aftermath, with at least one and sometimes two pages dedicated to the photos only. The paper did, however, run into a small obstacle when it came to photos: they had to decide whether or not to show bodies.
Law
CASSIE FLEMING
Signing Up: Key Club Sponsor Ginnny Cox helps junior Drew Engelbart sign up for the Walka-Thon on Tues. Jan 18. The Walk-a-thon will be held on Mon. Jan. 31 from 6-7 p.m. or 8-9 p.m.and is $15. The money made from the walk will benefit four different charities.
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illegal,” Student Resource Officer Scott Gammon said. “It is illegal to purchase cigarettes, to be in possession of cigarettes and to smoke them.” But junior Leon Weaver, who also smokes cigarettes, isn’t bothered by the fact that his habit is illegal. “If a cop is around, I will hide my cigarettes,” he said. “But other than that, I don’t care.” His lack of concern may have stemmed from the fact that the one time he was approached by an officer, the result was inconsequential. “I was smoking in Old Town when a cop came up to me,” he
Smoke
FROM PAGE A1
looking for a quick, easy escape.” As many students would
agree, smoking is seen as a stress reliever. But, a study from the APA shows that adolescent smokers report increasing levels of stress as they develop regular patterns of smoking. “It’s an addiction,” said senior Erin Callaghan. “I don’t know how or why I started, but now it’s just an addiction for me.” There are many reasons as to why students may begin to smoke. All including a source for a stress reliever, peer pressure and to just reach out and rebel. But there are no logical reasons to start. Why start something that has not been proven to help with anything. If in the long run it will only hurt you and will result to an addiction.
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news
friday jan. 21, 2005
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More filters placed on PSD computers Students find ‘back doors’ to get around image blockers
District officials block Internet image searches
by Valerie Hisam
Reporter
by Valerie Hisam
Reporter
“Access Denied. This site is Restricted from Viewing. . .” As students came back to school after break, they discovered that access to multiple image searches were restricted. Students are no longer able to view and access the thumbnail images that appear when searching for a picture due to recent events in Poudre School District. At Johnson Elementary on Dec. 15, a class of sixth graders accidentally accessed a pornographic site due to Google image-search, but the problem increased when they didn’t inform the teacher and kept viewing the site. As officials from the district and each school met two days later, it was determined that the filters, and Google, were not distinguishing between what was appropriate and inappropriate. “ Most of us [PSD members and tech specialists] used Google image search with the filter on,” said Judy MacDonald, PSD director of media and technology. “We had not realized the extent of the inappropriate material a student could access if the filter was intentionally or inadvertently changed to no filtering.” As PSD members debated what the best solution would be for the imagesearch problems, the board had to decide whether or not any image searches would be available to students. Both MacDonald and David Bonsett, the PSD information technology
Students come together in peace circles Peace circles. The idea is to bring students from varied backgrounds together to share experiences and also build a better sense of understanding about the community here at Rocky. Students who participate will have the opportunity to answer questions from a facilitator and hear how other people respond and feel about those issues. Essentially it will be a day of bonding for students. Peace circles will take place on Wed. Feb. 16, from 7:30 a.m. until 2:45 p.m., and the day will be a school excused absence. The group will be going to Peace With Christ Church. Anyone interested should talk to their counselor and sign up in student services. Students can then pick up a permission slip that will need to be returned by Feb. 8. -Brandon Cooksey
NATALIE GRIMM
KEEP OUT: Senior Zach Reusing works on a computer in the library. Students will now find it more difficult to access web images through any PSD computer.
director, agreed that there are plenty of other “student friendly” image searches available. Both know that students are still going to try to take the “back door” around the new image block, and doing so can result in minor suspension, from the use of computers at school, or out-of-school suspension. “There are many ways for students to get around the block, but they need to remember that in knowingly doing so, they are in direct violation with our district’s code of conduct,” said MacDonald and Bonsett. Already blocked by the district are personal e-mail accounts through the Internet, games, any information linked with drugs, sex and/or violence. PSD has now added images. When trying to access Google image search, the district has the same restriction message as if the site contained ‘adult thematic elements: “this site is restricted due to (for this case) being unfiltered.” Rocky’s media and technical
specialist Carol Peterson agreed that students can still get around the block, and that they are going to try to. But Peterson said that monitoring students online, at Rocky, or any high school, is hard. Peterson feels that Rocky’s students can be responsible enough to handle image searching on the Internet, and the students shouldn’t have to monitored 24/7. Rocky students are no longer able to image search on, not only Google, but Alta Vista and Yahoo image searches are also restricted. Peterson feels that the block is not necessarily affective for the high schools and junior highs, but as of now there is not a filter available to distinguish and allow for different filtering/blocking between elementary, junior and high schools. “The main purpose for the new block is protecting the students that don’t want to be exposed [to inappropriate images],” Peterson said. “But the block cannot be policed 100 percent of the time, and because of a couple of ‘bad apples,’ everyone pays for it.”
As the newly enforced district image block emerges, the schools student computer intellects begin to create “back doors” and a multitude of ways to regain the pictures. Many students agree that the new block on Google and other search engines’ image access has become a nuisance, and just makes life a bit more difficult for students needing computer images. “It’s just annoying,” said junior Brendan Long. “It is difficult without the image search to get images.” Students are no longer able to use Google to search for images because on Dec. 15 a group of Johnson students accessed a pornographic web-site while doing research. Officials took action two days later and put a new filter/block on image searches before schools were back in session after the break. As students came back from break, some are a bit discouraged to find that images were no longer available through search engines, while others, mainly computer enthusiasts, see it as a new undertaking. “Technological solutions to social problems are not going to solve the issues,” said senior Brian Cairns, whose fellow computer enthusiasts consider him the computer genius. Cairns feels that blocking these images is not going to stop students. Plus, most students do not access inappropriate images anyway; most pictures are used for school reports and projects. Having worked for the PSD Technological IT department
The biggest issue here is a matter of maturity. No matter what the district does, students are still going to do it. -Chris Sanders, senior
over the summer, Cairns saw how the filters work. Cairns said that the blocks were mainly applied to filter inappropriate, adult material, i.e. pornography, and extreme violence items that parents do not want their students looking at. Yet Cairns believes that the blocks have recently become too extreme and restrictive, and that most students are not going to access images here at school with the new block. “You can just use another proxy [web site] to do the image search for you,” said Long. “The filter only monitors what is on the original proxy, not what is being brought in by the search.” As students are finding the “back doors” into image accessing, PSD officials know that some students are going to get around the block. If students do, however, PSD officials remind students that they are technically violating the code of conduct, and can be suspended. If images are needed for an official class project, the district advises students to use the searches available through the district’s home page. “The biggest issue here is a matter of maturity. No matter what the district does, students are still going to do it [get around the block],” said senior Chris Sanders.
New Code of Conduct means new rules by Ian Bagley
Reporter
A lot of changes have been made to the Code of Conduct and many of them have been misunderstood. The Board of Education along with the School District Attorneys felt the previous Code of Conduct was too broad when defining school policies. Many of the changes are just revisions on major policies such as harassment, student dress, weapons and drug and alcohol use. These revisions were made to better clarify the school district’s standings on the issues. Human Resource Liaison Jim Gjerde had mixed feelings on policy JICH, concerning drug and alcohol use by students, and so did many others because of the confusing wording in which PSD chose to write the code of conduct. When speaking of over-thecounter drugs (prescription or nonprescription) the booklet refers to more powerful drugs as illegal over the counter drugs.
If taken at large or incorrect dosages, purposely or by accident, it can lead to a dangerous situation for the students. Possession of these drugs, such as Sudafed, Vicatin and other potentially dangerous drugs, will result in suspension. Now PSD has a new system for suspension. “Three strikes, you’re out!” For the possession, use and/ or being under the influence of alcohol or illegal over-thecounter drugs, and for possession of drug paraphernalia over a three year period, students who have three offenses will be expelled upon the third offense. For the first offense, students shall be suspended from school for five days or more, upon the principal’s discretion. For the student’s second offense, the student will be suspended for ten days. For more extreme drug offenses, selling or purchasing illegal over-the-counter or other illegal drugs, the first offense will result in ten day suspension. The second offense
will then result in an expulsion. All drug/alcohol offenses will also result in treatment and rehabilitation before a student returns to school. “In a school setting, prescription or nonprescription drugs must be dispensed by a nurse,” said Gjerde. The definition of harassment is quite long and strangely worded. So it is best for students to be mindful of their words and actions. “When I used to teach, I liked to tease some of my students,” said Gjerde. “I can’t teach like that today. You have to be really careful what you say and do.
[The code of conduct] really stresses jokes, whistling and gossip all of which can be considered sexual harassment.” The dress code revision is fairly simple. Apparently there was a previous problem with students wearing swimsuits to school. That is not allowed. Common sense covers most of the new revisions. Previously, folding knives, with blades less than three inches were permitted, but now Rocky has a zero tolerance policy for knives. Also, because of the new revisions, numchucks are no longer acceptable.
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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. Cassie Fleming/Co-Editor-in-Chief Natalie Grimm/Co-Editor-in-Chief
Emily Rubin/Advertising Mgr. Brandon Cooksey/Features Editor Trent Wahlfeldt/Sports Editor Kevin Izard/Entertainment Editor Josef Kulovany/Center/Art Editor Weston Ackerman/Reporter Steven Beck/Reporter Ian Bagley/Reporter Tom Fry/Reporter Valerie Hisam/Reporter Matt Leeke/Reporter Sheila Millage/Reporter Joy Murrieta/Reporter Steve Underwood/Reporter Britany Slavik/Adv. Representative Andrew Eggers/Contributor Mr. Steven Wahlfeldt/Adviser
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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. 21, 2005
opinion
New drug policy unfair, illogical hen a student at Rocky gets a headache, the only options are to suffer or go home. Forget taking aspirin to alleviate the problem. According to the new PSD Code of Conduct, it is now forbidden to be in possession of even innocent over-the-counter drugs. Furthermore, a student caught with a pain-relieving substance is liable to receive the same punishment as somebody caught with a bag of the potentially lifethreatening drug, ecstacy. Wait, what’s wrong with this picture? On the one end we see little kids with the flu being given pain relievers by their concerned mothers. On the other, we see teens getting cuffed on the The Issue: latest episode of Cops for shooting up The new heroine. Code of Apparently in this district, the two are one Conduct gives students the in the same. The reason for this? The district same is trying to reduce its liability and increase punishment its ability to bust kids with drugs. for possessing The reality of the matter is that the district over-thehas gone too far with this decision. It is the counter drugs responsibility of the school district to provide and illegal drugs. a comfortable learning environment for all of its students But how can one remain comfortable and focused when one is wreathing in pain from a headache? Gritting one’s teeth always helps. Soon there will be good kids with good grades leading otherwise legitimate lives sitting nervously in the principal’s office awaiting their punishment for having Advil in their locker. Our View: Soon there will be young women getting Possessing suspended for popping Midol. over-theThe reality of the matter is students are counter drugs going to continue to bring pain relievers to should not have a period school because it is virtually harmless, of because it can help them stay focused on suspension. their school work and because we all need relief at one time or another when we are in pain. Even teachers consume pain relievers, and many coaches will “go so far” as to encourage their athletes to use anti-inflamatories and pain relievers during the regular season to keep their bodies from breaking down. We won’t mention any names, but don’t take our word for it; ask any coach and see what their response is. If even teachers are bringing pain relievers to school, what does that say about the school district? Either teachers are wrongly breaking the rule or the rule itself needs breaking. For a student in possession of legitimate drugs like Advil to be given the same suspension period as a student illegally possessing harmful substances is simply unacceptable. We need to take a closer look at what is best for the students of Poudre School District.
W
What do you think... ...what is your reaction to the same suspension penalty for over-the-counter drugs and illegal drugs as part of the new Code of Conduct? Caffeine is a drug, too. Why don’t they put that in the Code of Conduct? Where do you draw the line? SCHNEIDER
-Schneider, teacher
The cooperation between us and them is only going to get worse when they take away their belief in our responsibility. PERKINS
-Kate Perkins, senior
It’s not that big of a deal; just don’t get caught. I mean, they don’t have Advilsniffing dogs.” CHAPMAN
-Benjamin Chapman, senior
I’ve actually had a student in my (junior high) class overdose on prescription drugs and die. KEYWORTH
-Terri Keyworth, teacher
Spread the love to anyone on Valentine’s Day Ah, Valentine’s Day. It pretty much seems like people either love it or they hate it. To me, it’s like this. Valentine’s Day was invented to celebrate love, right? Everyone has love in his or her life. I love, I am in love and I am loved. I love my siblings, parents and friends with all of my heart and would do anything for any of them. I am also in love, which is a little different. It’s obviously romantic as relationships with my family and friends are not (thank goodness). And I am also loved by all of these people.
Natalie Grimm Grimm and Bear It Although I most likely will be celebrating Valentine’s Day with my boyfriend, I will remember all of the people who I love and care for on Feb. 14. The day was made as a day of love, not as a day of romance. I think that’s why it bothers me so much when
people complain that they have no one to celebrate with. Celebrate with your mom, your dad or your best friend. For all I care, celebrate with your worst enemy. Just show a little love. Even if it means buying your dog a new bone. Make the best of the day, do something that you normally wouldn’t. I would hate to see someone moping around on Valentine’s Day just because they think they don’t have someone to share it with. It’s just another day after all. Yes there will be some couples who are overly affectionate just for the day,
but then again there are couples who are overly affectionate every day. And you’ll probably run into a lot of teddy bears and chocolates, but those aren’t things that can’t be ignored for one day. Go ahead, get a move on. There’s a card with your dad’s name on it, a box of chocolates your mom would die for and a cute pink dog you know your best friend would would love. What are you waiting for? Natalie Grimm is a senior and Co-Editor-in-Chief for the Highlighter.
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friday jan. 21, 2005
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Allowing children to drink at home is right, safe thing Parents who let their kids drink responsibly are doing the right thing. Even though the law explains that no one may purchase or consume alcoholic beverages under the age of 21 does not make the law set in stone. Why is the magic number for responsibility 21? Just because someone is of age does not mean that they have truly become responsible. So why deny someone who is responsible a drink if they want it? Also in a party setting there should be no reason that the parents of the child can supervise the consumption of alcohol as long as everyone’s parents of the children at the party are okay with their kids drinking. But with drinking underage there are responsibilities that go with that, such as having a designated driver for the night and making sure that no one over does it when drinking. These should be the responsibilities of the parents that are supervising and there should be a trust that is bestowed between both student and parent that would make sure that they are both on the same page. But just because the parents of the student may be okay with the fact that their child is drinking responsibly does not make it legal. This means that the drinking must occur inside the household and the student must not go out in public drunk. Nor should the student think that just because he/she can now drink they have the ability to get completely smashed. Instead, they must realize what privilege they have gotten and drink responsibly. Drinking is a great responsibility and, age aside, whomever is drinking alcohol should know the dire consequences. Just because someone gets permission from their parents, it is the responsibility of the student to make sure that they do drink responsibly and not carry it over the edge. -Kevin Izard
Supplying alcohol to minors puts parents in risky situation A basement, 20 of your closest friends, music, pool, beer and your parents. What doesn’t fit into this picture? Most likely the parental part. But now a days, more and more parents seem to be buying beer for their kids. To some, this may sound like a joke, but to others, their life has just been described. So why the heck would a responsible parent buy their kid and his friends beer? There could be a plethera of reasons. But most commonly because they feel that their child will get it anyway. While this may sound like an okay alternative to kids drinking, driving and partying, the parents are unknowingly putting themselves in a horrible position. According to the Colorado Peace Officer’s Handbook 2003/ 2004 Edition, if a minor, upon private property with the knowledge and consent of the owner of the property consumes alcohol with their parent or legal guardian present, it is legal. Meaning, if you and your parents go to a friend’s house and your drink with your parent’s and the owner of the house’s permission, it is legal. However, there’s a catch. If a police officer were to walk in, which would be very unlikely to happen, they could charge the parents and owner’s of the home with providing alcohol to minors and give the minor an MIP (minor in possession). The adults would then go to court and fight. Most likely, according to Student Resource Officer Scott Gammon, they would be given a fine or community service. The next situation would be if the parent/owner of the home let their child and other friends drink alcohol in their home. Unless all of those minors parents were there sitting in the room with them, the parents again would be charged with providing to minors, however, if they went to court, they would probably be given more of a punishment than a few hours of community service. Each and every child would also be given MIP’s. All the police would need is a complaint from a neighbor about a loud party next door and everyone there would be busted. With this much at risk, why would a parent put themselves and their kids in this position? It seems almost like a simple mistake, doesn’t it?
con side
pro side
Drinking at home brews controversy
--Natalie Grimm
Be thankful for our school’s safe environment A 16-year-old junior fatally stabs another 17-year-old junior during lunch. Could you see this happening here at our school? Most likely not, but the incident just described recently took place in Denver’s school district at Montbello High School. Not after school, not off school grounds, but right in the school cafeteria during the middle of lunch. The two individuals involved were said to have been in a conflict for some time, but nothing serious happened until their fight. During the fight, the victim had placed the suspect in a headlock when the suspect
Brandon Cooksey
Cookie Dough retaliated by stabbing the victim in the stomach. Witnesses said that the two individuals walked off and the victim then fell over on the floor. Now what was probably a major factor in this tragedy is
the atmosphere and environment that it took place in. What goes on, how people behave, and what is considered normal or acceptable is different and usually doesn’t change until something happens to make a change. It’s something that most people don’t consider, but even small factors such as school structure and flow can play a role. For comparison, our school is set up so that everything flows into or is built around the Commons. Administration, Athletics, the gym, the library, the courtyard, counseling and student services are all a few
steps away. With this type of setup, students that are involved in different activities still interact, whereas, if they were at opposite ends of the school, there would be little to even no interaction among students not involved in the same activities. There are also other factors too, such as hall duties for teachers. Something as simple as having authority figures in the hallway can be a huge precaution that makes for a more positive atmosphere. The effectiveness of this was demonstrated last year here at Rocky when an individual
brought a gun to school and was secured before he could do any harm to either himself or to anyone else in the building. It’s the small, little things such as this that go the distance in preparing and setting up a safe environment for us students. So the point that I am drawing towards is that I am grateful that here we have an upbeat, positive environment in which there are precautions taken by the administration so that tragic events never have to take place at Rocky. Brandon Cooksey is a senior and Features Editor for the Highlighter.
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friday jan. 21, 2005
Alum Brook named football coach by Steve Underwood
Reporter
New head football coach Mark Brook has one plan. His plan is for the players to buy into the team mentality to reach the ultimate goal. To win a state title. “It is key for the entire team, buying into the team,” said Brook. “Everybody needs to understand the importance of each role that they fill.” The Lobo football team went 6-4 last year, but this year expectations are even higher. They have everything going:
All successful teams I have been associated with have unity and one common goal. That is the key. -Mark Brook, newly named football coach
strength, quickness, and athletic ability, but they will have to use all of these to get better as a team to reach the ultimate goal. The goal will be lead by almost 30 returning seniors with
varsity experience. “Senior leadership is always huge,” said Brook. “The seniors need to set the tempo in practice and in the off season and set the tone for the young guys.”
The ’04 Lobos came off a disappointing loss against Northglenn High School that would have sent them to the playoffs. The Lobos’ first step to state is to win conference. “We have a really good chance of going to state,” said junior defensive end Dan Webb. “We need everyone lifting, and not worrying what ‘I’ can do, but what the ‘team’ can do.” Brook knows how far a team can go if they have a “team” mentality. He played for many successful teams such as University of Wyoming, Rein of
Fire in the NFL Europe and the San Diego Chargers. “All successful teams I have been associated with have unity and one common goal,” said Brook. “That is key.” The Lobos will be put to the test at the full contact camp at the Wyoming and at the Passing Jamboree Tournament at Rocky. “Like I said, the biggest thing is to have people buy into the team goal,” said Brook. “To achieve it, we need to be lifting, getting the job done in the class room and representing Rocky football, and we will do fine.”
Wrestling looking ahead Team ready for postseason despite their loss by Weston Ackerman
Reporter
MATT LEEKE
GET IT DONE: Girls’ basketball coach Terri Keyworth talks to her team on a Jan. 6 game against Collins. The Lobos lost that game in overtime.
Sophomores lead girls’ basketball into conference by Trent Wahlfeldt
Sports Editor
When the girls’ basketball team took a trip to the Nike Tournament of Champions in Chandler, Arizona, on Dec. 2022, they didn’t know what to expect. The girls finished 1-2 in the tournament with a win over Timpanogos, Utah and losing to El Cerrito, Cal. and Miramonte, Cal. Now, led by sophomores Jocelyn Zarling, Ari Curtis, and Alana Curtis the past is history and the future looks bright for the Lobos. Ari Curtis leads the team and ranks 39th in the state with 12.2 points per game. Zarling is a close second on the team averaging 9.6 points per game. “I think everyone is doing their role these last couple of games,” Zarling said. “I still have two more years after this season, and I’ll just want to play better and better each year. It will give me a huge challenge but I’m definitely up to it.”
Keyworth, who is set to deliver a baby in the near future, likes having sophomores. “Typically I forget that their only sophomores,” Keyworth said. Keyworth said that usually younger kids have a tough time stepping up into leadership roles. However, because Zarling plays the point guard position, she has been a vocal leader. “On the court I am pretty vocal and on the bench I really get into the game,” Zarling said. “I really look up to senior Price because she plays my position so when I have questions I ask her and she tells me what to do in certain situations.” The team started conference play well with a 40-36 win over Loveland High School . “I’m really confident in the kids,” Keyworth said. “I think we’re going to stay on track and we should be just fine.” The girls’ next home game is Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. against Monarch High School.
This year ’s wrestling team came into the season with a lot of expectations. The team went undefeated through last season and has only lost one dual this season, at Legacy High School. The surprise of the season so far, however, isn’t that the team got beat but that senior Dan Intlekofer, last year ’s state champion in the 140 pound weight class, got beat. “To tell you the truth, I should have (beat him bad), but I just didn’t wrestle smart,” Intlekofer said. “It came down to the last 10 seconds, and I took one wrong step, and he took advantage of it. But I’d definitely wrestle him again.” Intlekofer is excited about this year’s state post-season because he is healthy, unlike last year when he wrestled the state tournament with broken ribs and other various injuries. “I’m healthy this year,” Intlekofer said. “I really don’t have any injuries now except for a bad cold, but I’m hoping I get over that pretty quick.” Even with their first defeat in two years, they’re still looking pretty good, and are working to prepare for regionals February. “The season’s going good,” said senior Mike Norgard, who wrestles at 152 pounds. “We’re looking pretty tough right now.” Intlekofer said he won’t judge
Boys
FROM PAGE
HOW DO YOU LIKE THEM APPLES?: Above, Senior Jordan Garcia takes down his opponent during a home dual against Pouldre on Jan. 7. Left, senior Dan Intlekofer handles his opponent. The Lobos won the match 42-18. WESTON ACKERMAN
To tell you the truth, I should have (beat him bad), but I just didn’t wrestle smart. It came down to the last 10 seconds, and I took one wrong step, and he took advantage of it. But I’d definitely wrestle him again. -Dan Intlekofer, senior
how good or bad the season was until after the state tournament. “I just hope we can go out and prove that Taylors skills have evolved us,” said Intlekofer. “And our team is symbolic of a quiver of arrows.” Rocky goes into the homestretch of the regular season ranked seventh in the state by The Rocky Mountain News and with two wrestlers ranked at the top of their weight classes with junior Kyle O’Brien
ranked third at 103 pounds in Class 5A, and Intlekofer ranked first in the state at 145 pounds. The team has the second of their two home matches this season on Jan. 27 against Loveland High School. Loveland is currently ranked eighth by The Rocky Mountain News. Followed by regionals on Feb. 4 and 5 at Arapahoe High School and then state on Feb. 1012 at the Pepsi Center in Denver.
into the mix.” The Lobos, however, are making a negative into a positive by playing with a high powered offense, led by juniors Tyler House, Jared Houghton Trent Wahlfeldt and seniors Earl Holmes and Lindsey. The one thing they need to work on is their defense and rebounding. “We need to play as a team,” said Wahlfeldt. “Offensively, we are fine, but defensively we need to play better and if we do that, we will be pretty tough to beat.”
The Lobos play Legacy tonight at home and play two tough games next week against Horizon and Monarch. If the Lobos keep up what they are doing and work on the stuff they need to work on, they have a shot at winning a conference title. “We simply need to work to improve everyday,” said Beauprez. “We need to stay healthy and play together. We need to take one game at a time, and one play at a time.”
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usually just focus on what I can control.” The teams in the conference are Loveland, Northglenn, Legacy, Monarch, Horizon, Thornton, Collins, Poudre and of course Rocky. There are some strong teams in the conference such as Poudre, Legacy, Monarch and Rocky is up there, too. “Monarch, Legacy and the Impalas from Poudre will be pretty tough to beat,” said Lindsey. “But maybe there will be a Cinderella story thrown
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Athletes make family sacrifices by Weston Ackerman
Reporter
As an athlete in high school, most season-time must be devoted to that sport. Now think about having three seasons consecutively. One after the other, no lag time. The three-sport athlete is a dying breed, although there are still a couple at Rocky. Two of those are Jared and Jacob Houghton. The twin brothers play football, basketball and
I think them playing three sports is good for them. It keeps them from getting burned out because when they get tired of a certain sport, they just go straight to another. -Tamara Houghton, mother of Jacob and Jared
lacrosse. Participating in three sports doesn’t just affect the athlete, it also changes their family life, as well. They spend less time at home and more time at practice.
“It definitely puts a strain on everything,” said Jacob Houghton. “You have to plan vacations around practices and stuff.” Jared and Jacob’s mother,
Tamara Houghton, thinks that playing three sports is good for the boys. “I think them playing three sports is good for them,” said Tamara. “It keeps them from getting burned out because when they get tired of a certain sport, they just go straight to another.” The brothers’ sisters, Emma and Faith also notice the ample amount of time the twins spend playing games.
FROM PAGE
Athlete
“Especially the balance during the summer. If they aren’t ready to come out for the next sport they might be mentally fatigued and that might effect their performance. The trend towards getting scholarships is you should only play one sport, but I disagree with that.” Junior Dan Webb plays football and track; he also deals with the difficulties of playing multiple sports. He says some of the biggest setbacks are not being able to have a job, not being able to hang out with friends, balancing family with
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sports and mixing school with athletics. “By the time you get home with your sport they (family) are done eating,” Webb said. Because Webb plays two sports, they want him to work out differently for each one. “I’m trying to lift as much as possible,” Webb said. “Other sports want to tone it down a little.” But there are positives, and they far outweigh the negatives. “The best female athletes that have come out of Rocky in the past 13 years have all been multi-sport athletes,” Keyworth
FROM PAGE
Decline
GASP: Above, senior Ashley Fredrickson takes a breath during a meet on Jan. 11. at Mulberry Pool. The girls placed third in the meet competing against Collins and Monarch high schools. Left, two Lobos’ swimmers exchange during a relay. JOSEF K ULOVANY
Swimming finds positives in season by Weston Ackerman
Reporter
Despite a disappointing 1-8 record, this year’s girls’ swim team is still considering the season a success if only because of the improvement. Luckily for the swim team, however, record doesn’t carry as much weight as it would in say, football. Swimming is all about personal bests not team scores. “The season is going really good,” said senior Ava Carey. “We don’t focus on our record as much as improving personal times.” So far, senior Kelly Trimble is the only individual to qualify for state, she qualified in the 100 backstroke, but the 400 freestyle (Carey,Trimble, Roxanne Boling, and Edi Hulings) relay also qualified. The 200 medley relay is close, and Carey said she is close to qualifying in several events. “Right now our goals are to qualify as many relays for state as we can,” said Trimble. “And everyone is trying to make sure they get their best times at conference.”
We don’t focus on our record as much as improving personal times. -Ava Carey, senior
The team has a lot of seniors this year but has also had help from underclassmen, including sophomores Hulings and Melanie Mackes, and junior Boling, which should give the program a lot of hope for the coming years. There is still one more meet on Jan. 25 against Loveland, Horizon and Thornton high schools. After that they have the conference meet on Feb. 4 and 5 in Loveland, followed by state on Feb. 11 and 12 at Edora Pool Ice Center. “I think our goals for conference are to get personal best times,” said Carey. “Last year we got about 98 percent best times. I think we need to do that again. I’m so close in a couple of events I really want to qualify for state in those because I have in the past.”
just the unwillingness of young athletes to give up valuable free time to multiple sports all lead to the decline of the three-sport athlete. “Everyone is trying to be specialized these days,” said Widmier, who currently is an assistant football coach and led the girls’ track team to a state title in 2002 as the head coach. “There’s a lot of pressure on student-athletes to get college scholarships so they focus on one sport.” At Rocky, there are only four students who compete in three different varsity sports, two girls and two boys. “ It takes a wide variety of skills and athleticism to be able to compete in three sports and compete against others who commit to only one sport,” said junior Steph Hejde. Hejde played volleyball this fall and is currently on the girls’ basketball team. She competed in track last spring but plans on playing either tennis or soccer this spring. “It takes hard work, commitment, time, dedication and energy,” Hejde said. Junior Maree Stevens is the other female three-sporter. She worries that splitting time between playing volleyball, basketball and soccer will leave her at a competitive disadvantage compared to those who concentrate on one or two sports. “ I’m always rusty going into sports,” Stevens said. “Other kids get the open gyms all fall, so I feel a little behind.” One of the greatest challenges for three-sport athletes is time management. Expecting no time off from practicing and playing and then being able to keep up with classroom demands leaves athletes with little time to spend
“For them (Emma and Faith), it’s not so much wishing they were home more,” said Tamara. “But ‘do we have to go to another game?’” Houghtons also realize the sacrifices their family makes to go to their games and cope with their busy schedules. “I’m grateful for what they do for us,” said Jacob. “I know we should go to more of my sisters’ events, and support them in their endeavors.”
said. “I would prefer if they would play two to three sports. I think it helps them conditioning wise. It teaches competition and versatility.” Both Webb and Jacob Houghton have thought about quitting their respected sports but say that the reward is far greater. “You get to meet new people,” Webb said. “If you like them both, why not? That’s how I think about it.” “It’s hard to drop one,” Jacob Houghton said. “I like them all. I learn a lot of life skills and I make a lot of friends.”
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It takes a wide variety of skills and athleticism to be able to compete against others who commit to only one sport. -Steph Hejde, junior
with family and friends. “You have to balance your social, academic and athletic lives,” said junior Jared Houghton, who along with his twin brother, Jacob, plays football, basketball and lacrosse. Some people tend to think that today’s teen society is becoming less and less mature as the years progress. Some even go as far as to think that teens are not able to handle the stress of three sports and a full academic schedule. “ I don’t think it has to do with maturity. It is the growing stress
of performing and excelling at one sport,” said Jared Houghton. Due to Rocky competing in 5A, the large-school division, the school has stiff competition in the state in every sport. Players need to prepare throughout the off-season in a particular sport – lifting weights, going to sports camps, participating in summer leagues, attending open workouts — to be able to compete. When athletes are playing three sports, they are not able to participate in these specific off-season programs and therefore are impacting those teams by not allowing the attainment of full potential for the team or the individual. “I love the competitors. I love kids that want to compete,” Widmier said. “If you want to play three sports, I support that. But you can’t compete in 5A without an off-season.”
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rockysports
Sports Editor: Trent Wahlfeldt
Steve Underwood
Friday, January 21, 2005
Three-sport athlete dying breed
Serving Up Pancakes
Smailes went above and beyond as coach Former head football coach Tom Smailes was not only a great coach, but he also got the job done outside the gridiron. Smailes announced his retirement at the end of the 2004 season. Mark Brook took over the job, who I must say is no slouch and will get the job done just fine. But Smailes brought a great personality everyday to practice and at every game along with team morale. When the going got tough, he was there to bring people up. His one liners were the best. One that stands out the best was: “Hey Underwood, what does LA stand for --lard a**!” Smailes also had so much respect for his staff. He would have done anything for those guys. Smailes also would have done anything for his players. If there was a problem you could go talk to him. His recruiting skills were the best. He would spend hours upon hours helping kids with recruiting if they needed it. If there was an average player who wanted to play, he would find a place for him. I know this because he did so with my brother. He also took grades very seriously, which says a lot. I would imagine if there were a school-related issue and a football issue, he would take priority to school. How often do you see an AP English teacher and English department leader being the head coach of a football team for nine years? Certain, you don’t see many. He was always open to other stuff, as well. He would always buy the football team tickets to the fall musical, and there would be a number of players at the play, because of him. One of the main reasons he retired was because of his family. That just finishes it for me. Stopping something you love for your family is just awesome. Like I said, Smailes was a great coach and handled every thing off the field great. I can honestly say he is one of my many role models. Thanks coach. Steve Underwood is a junior and a sports writer for the Highlighter.
by Andrew Eggers
Contributor
Sports Multiplicity Multiplicity Multiplicity
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION TRENT WAHLFELDT
Multi-sports require dedication by Trent Wahlfeldt
Sports Editor
Being an athlete requires a lot of time and dedication; being a multiple sport athlete requires even more. Few people have tried to complete this task because of the difficulty it takes. Junior twins Jacob and Jared Houghton have gone through the stress, worry, burden and above all worthiness of playing three
Social excitement goes out the window. -Jacob Houtghton, junior
sports. “Social excitement goes out the window,” Jacob Houghton said. “You have to concentrate on school so you can play but you also have to concentrate
about sports.” Basketball coach and teacher Terri Keyworth played volleyball, basketball and soccer during her high school years. However, as a coach, she sees the some of the negatives towards playing more than one sport. “It’s more difficult (than the past),” Keyworth said. Jump to Athlete, page a7
As time has moved on and constricted, a once prosperous and numerous group of elite boys and girls has started to dwindle and die off. This all but extinct group of athletes consists of competitors who compete at the varsity level in three different school sports. Twenty years ago, these t h re e - s p o r t athletes filled the halls of the school. Now, there are only a handful. “It was a once in a lifetime chance and I took advantage of it,” Rocky alum (Class of 1989) and math teacher Derek Widmier said, who played football, basketball and ran track while in high school. “I knew I couldn’t do it professionally, so I capitalized on the opportunity in high school.” Today the opportunities for athletes to play three sports has all but ended. Time demands from coaches to concentrate and specialize in one sport, the pressure to be noticed in a sport for the potential benefits of college athletic scholarship and
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Jump to Decline, page a7
Boys’ basketball rebounds from slow start by Steve Underwood
Reporter
The Lobo basketball team is going through a test as they begin conference play in a conference with new teams. “There are better teams than the previous ◆The Lobos won six straight games conference,” said going into Tuesday’s league contest at senior forward/ Northlgenn. The streak started with a center Jared 73-71 victory over Highlands Ranch High School on Dec. 21 Lindsey. “We are going to have to ◆Junior forward Tyler House earned honors in the Lee pull some all-tournament Rosa tournament as Rocky won three wockets from our of four games and placed 3r’d. pockets.” to Tuesday’s Northglenn game, Not only are ◆Prior the Lobos scored in the 80s in two the Lobos in a straight games. new conference, ◆Tonight’s 7 p.m. home league game but they only against Legacy High School marks play each team in the return of former Rocky assistant Poudre head coach Jim Noonan, their conference and now the head coach for the Lightning. once. Last year they played each team twice. “This is not my preference,” said head coach Brad Beauprez. “But it’s difficult to do anything otherwise when we aren’t allowed to play more games and we have nine conference games. I
hoopfacts
Jump to Basketball, page a7
VALERIE HISAM
FLYIN’ THROUGH: Senior Earl Holmes (2) looks to pass after penetrating through Lovleand High School’s defense. The Lobos won the contest 84-53 and play at home tonight against Legacy at 7 p.m.
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Features Editor: Brandon Cooksey
Cassie Fleming
Friday, January 21, 2005
It’s ours now
Coughing up Flem
Trains and names make problems for seniors Before I was born, my parents sat down and watched a movie. The movie they watched was called: The Dollmaker. Now, in this movie there is a cute, sweet little girl named Cassie Marie. Well, right away my parents fell in love with this little girl, and, they fell in love with the name. And that is how I received my name. But there is another side to this story. A rather gruesome side to this story. This cute, sweet little girl, Cassie Marie, was brutally ran over by a train. No, I don’t mean that she was playing on the tracks and was whisked away just in time by Lassie, or some young man with enormous muscles. Oh no, this Cassie Marie was not that lucky. She wasn’t saved. She was hit. She was hit straight on by the extremely fast moving train. I am talking about blood and guts everywhere. I am talking about no recovery for Cassie Marie. So, unfortunately enough, my parents named their first and only daughter after a horribly mangled 6-year-old corpse. But things would be different if that was just what my parents did. If they named all of their children after dead movie characters. Maybe then I would be a little less bitter about this whole situation. Maybe. But, no. It seems as if they simply had something against me, and me only. You see, because, they named my brother Joshua. Joshua, because it was a name that sounded presidential. Because it was a name from the Bible, they said. So, yes, I am bitter about this, very bitter. You would be too if you were named after a vulture’s dinner while your brother was named after someone that might have been Jesus’ wing-man. And us seniors have the exact same problem that I do, regarding our names. In our last year of high school, we are called seniors. And as a senior, a lot of Jump to FLEM page b2
FINISHING TOUCHES: Poudre School District’s Larry Meyer (left) works on hooking up the touch pad entry system at the new northeast entry, part of the $1.8 million addition. The addition, which was officially finished and turned over to the school on Jan. 7, includes a multi-purpose room (above), a fullsize gym with bleachers (below middle) and a kiln room (bottom) plus new P.E. offices, meeting rooms and coaches/officials locker rooms.
Construction project completed; facilities, turned over to students by Trent Wahlfeldt and Steve Underwood
Sports Editor/Reporter
The $1.8 million addition to the school helps students, faculty and athletes in many ways. The addition consists of a new gymnasium for use by physical education students and athletes, a new art room where kilns are to be stored for pottery, a multi-purpose room for use by dance classes, physical education classes, and several other purposes. Also, locker rooms for officials of sporting events, a meeting room for use by faculty and numerous storage rooms for both athletics and physical education.
additionstats ◆Total cost of addition: $1.8 million ◆Total square footage of addition: 15,125 sq. ft. ◆Time consumed: June 1Jan. 24, (Jan 10 for gym) ◆Number of senior parking spots taken: 10
“It gets us to where we don’t have to share classes,” Physical Education teacher Mike Dyer said. “Before I would have to lecture in the Jump to FINISH, page b2 PHOTOS BY J OY MURRIETA
Valentine’s Day means extra work for senior by Ian Bagley
Reporter
NATALIE GRIMM
BUSY FLORIST: Senior Katie Atwood arranges flowers for her work, Audra Rose. Around Valentine’s Day business picks up making it a hectic time for any and all florists. But businesses welcome the flow of customers and extra business.
Valentine’s Day is a time for romance, love and spending lots of money on that special somebody. The legend of St. Valentine goes back to about 270 A.D. when Emperor Claudius II, of the Roman empire, decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families. Despite the decree, the priest Valentine continued to conduct marriages for young lovers in secret. Valentine’s actions were discovered and
Claudius sentenced Valentine to death. After his martyrdom, Valentine was declared a saint by the Catholic Church. Today cards, flowers, candy, jewelry and other gifts are given to the ones we love in honor of Valentine’s sacrifice. Many despise this so called “holiday” for two main reasons; having no ‘Valentine’ to spend the day with or having no money to spend for your ‘Valentine’. But for senior Katie Atwood Jump to VALENTINE’S page b3
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friday jan. 21, 2005
Knitting it with others Knitwit club returns to old ways
FOCUSED: (Left) A couple of Knitwit members, Caitlin Schall and Kristin Bjorlo, are hard at work and absorbed with their creations. (Below) San Juan Office Personnel Kathleen Robinson demonstrates to Social Studies teacher Tom List how a project comes together. Knitwits make everything from scarves to sweaters.
by Tom Fry
Reporter
In an age when emphasis is put on progress, there is very little space for the preservation of “old ways.” That may be why many students found it strange when in October the school’s then newest club was announced: The Knitting Club; however, in spite of all skepticism the Knitwits, as they call themselves, have carved themselves a very sizeable niche in the club community. “We have anywhere from 15 to 25 students and/or teachers here at any given meeting,” said Judy Lily, club sponsor. But how? How could a club dedicated to what many students regard as a dead art become so popular? “I think that the students like having a hobby that provides you with a finished product,” Lily said. ”It’s also a great way to meet and get to know people.” Knitting is also easy to pick up. Even this humble reporter, with the help of the group’s founder, Emily Stirn, was able to make a few, very inadequate stitches. Mastery for most newcomers may be a few
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I am going to have every student make one article to be donated to a good cause. I think it’s important to give back to the community. -Judy Lilly, teacher and Knitwit club sponsor
decades down the road, but being able to learn the basics so quickly and easily is exceedingly appealing. In fact, according to Lily, about twothirds of the club’s members are newcomers. “My grandma taught me how to knit over the break, and I liked it,” said junior Ian Hawes, who was attending his first Knitwits meeting. “I think it’s cool to be able to knit stuff. You could make a scarf for your girlfriend, or something.” The scarf, with its currently high fashion appeal, is the obvious project of choice for many club members, but the projects undertaken by more advanced members of the group are fairly diverse. Some have knitted hats, mittens, socks and even sweaters. This semester, Lily is attempting to promote an attitude of service for the club.
“I am going to have every student make one article to be donated to a good cause,” says Lily. “I think it’s important to give back to the community.” Knitting aside, it seems that many students are attracted to this club by the promise of a respite from the daily grind. The soothing quality that Lily’s room takes on every Friday at lunch is tangible, and upon entering one can’t help but feel pleasantly detached from all things stressful. Students and teachers alike can knit and talk… or just knit… or just talk. For the Knitwits, there are no events, competition, or prestige. Only people. PHOTOS BY T OM F RY
FROM PAGE B1
Flem
things are expected of us. So many things, in fact, that we may start to feel like vulture meat. On one hand, people will tell us to work hard. Be responsible, you’re practically an adult, they will say. And on the other hand,we are told to party hard, don’t go to class, live your last year to the fullest. Obviously, these are two completely different sets of expectations to live up to. And,
quite honestly, it can be stressful and confusing to try and fulfill them both. But let’s just take a step back and look at how ridiculous this whole scenario is. Sure, my name is Cassie Marie, but I haven’t been brutally hit and killed by a train. In fact, overall, I have had pretty good luck with large moving objects. And for another example. My brother isn’t the president, and in my opinion, the chances
of him becoming one don’t look too good. And he certainly isn’t anything the Bible would be too proud of. So, why should us seniors have to live up to this name that we are given? Well, we shouldn’t. I am ending this right now. Stop doing what everyone wants you to do. If you want to finish out the year with a full set of classes and a full work scheldule, more power to you.
And if you want to finish out the year in a drug-induced haze, then, well fair enough. But just make sure that you do it on your own terms. Do the drugs because you want to, and not because someone says that it is the only way to finish out your last year. And on a side note, if a train
does end up pummeling me to an untimely death and if my brother is elected president by a priest, than forget everything I have just said and conform completely to everything that a senior is supposed to be. Cassie Fleming is a senior and Co-Editor-in-Chief for the Highlighter.
FROM PAGE B1
Finish
hall. They (students) would have to sit and try to figure out how to take notes, it just relieves pressure.” Students are also pleased with the new addition. “It frees up a lot more space for sports activities,” junior Jon Adkins said. “It’s extremely nice, I like it a lot.” Assistant Principal Mike Roberts is also very pleased with the way the new addition turned out. He explained that it met all the needs that were expected. “I can’t imagine the students not just really loving it,” Roberts said. Despite the positive outcome, there were some bumps in the road. Roberts said that the price of steel doubled after the design was made. He said the roof is made of steel, therefore the initial price went up. The new hallways are getting security cameras installed. Students are expected to treat the new addition with the same respect they treat the rest of the school. “Getting everybody to embody the spirit that this is
All other high schools have had something new up to this point except Rocky Mountain. It’s just exciting as a department that we get to utilize something new. -Mike Dyer, P.E. teacher
part of our community,” Dyer said is important to keeping the addition a nice facility.” Dyer also explained that other keys to success are keeping it clean, no hockey played in the new gymnasium because it’s rough on the floor and general care. As far as athletic competitions, Roberts said the l ‘C’ and ‘D’ teams will be practicing and competing in the new gymnasium. “All other high schools have had something new up to this point except Rocky Mountain,” Dyer said. “It’s just exciting as a department that we get to utilize something new.”
friday jan. 21, 2005
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features
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Gleaming intelligence Switzer on both ends of education
Q & A: CHAD SPENCER, EL POMAR
by Brandon Cooksey
Features Editor
If you see him around Rocky you might see the gleam from the top of his head, but if you look closer you’ll see that his brain shines just as bright. Who is this man of intellect? None other than math department teacher Matt S w i t z e r. Switzer is c u r re n t l y working towards a master ’s degree in philosophy of religion. It is a 62 credit hour master’s degree and he is about half way through it. To finish his master’s he won’t be writing a thesis either; he will be taking a comp, a six hour long written test. Once Switzer finally finishes his master’s, he plans to start on a doctorate degree, but there might be some setbacks. “To start on my Ph.D. I might have to get a second master’s degree,” Switzer said, “It is a long term plan.”
COMMITTEE CHAIR
teacher
feature
BRANDON COOKSEY
EDUCATING: When he’s not busy learning elsewhere, Switzer is here at Rocky teaching multiple math classes, which all students surely thank him for.
When he finally gets there, Switzer plans to either focus on epistemology or metaphysics for his Ph.D. He hasn’t decided which one yet but knows he won’t be getting a Ph.D. in philosophy of religion as it is looked down upon. Oh, and as a minor side note Switzer is also
currently working towards a masters in math at UNC, yes, two master’s at once. “At the earliest I’ll finish in about seven years,” Switzer said, “But it could be closer to 10, as this master’s (psychology) alone could be three or four more years.”
If his education ever comes to an end, Switzer doesn’t plan to just let it go to waste, in fact he has big ideas in sight for his future. He mentioned that he might eventually use his extensive education to help him to teach philosophy at the collge level.
Unusual musical talents Seniors make up bagpipe combo by Steven D. Beck
Reporter
High school musicians are in abundance, especially at Rocky, playing instruments ranging from brass to woodwinds to percussion. But for seniors Bryan Pederson and Nathan Whittcomb, a much more obscure instrument has caught both of them by creative storm. Bagpipes. Whether it’s an influential band, or spawned from an interest in Scottish History, both Pederson and Whittcomb have become greatly interested in playing bagpipes. “I decided to play them because nobody else does,” said Pederson. “That’s just my personality – to do what nobody else does. I picked them up fast because I already learned how to read music, and my breath
student
feature
STEVE BECK
BAGPIPES?: Both Brian Pederson and Nathan Whittcomb seem to enjoy the bagpipes, at least enough to warrant wearing these outfits.
support was already intact from playing the sax.” Much like Pederson, Whittcomb played saxophone in the years before he took up the bagpipes. The transition between the two only slightly differs.
Valentine’s not having a boyfriend isn’t the only reason Valentine’s isn’t exactly her favorite holiday. Atwood has been working at the flower shop, Audra Rose, for two and half years, enough time to give Valentine’s Day new meaning: chaos. “I usually work 12 hours a week,” said Atwood. “But I
On the bagpipes, there are only nine different notes, from A – G, that can be played, no accidentals. The drones, made up of two tenors and one bass, are tuned to an A, and all of the action happens between the chanter and the breath being
Q: What are your responsibilities? A: I coordinate the student surveys and the Quarter Mile of Change, but everyone works together in El Pomar, I just oversee it all. Q: Where do you get your money from for El Pomar? A: A lot of the money comes from the students at Rocky, while the rest comes from EPYCS. Q: Who do you fund with your money? A: El Pomar gives grants to non-profit organizations in Larimer County- this year the grants are going to Arts and Culture, Environment, and Educational organizations. But we also give to Rocky clubs, such as NHS. Q: How many members do you have, and when do you meet? A: We meet Monday and Thursday at lunch when StuCo meets.(he dodged other question) Q: When do you give out the funding? A: We will announce our decisions in March [as to who will receive funding] and send the checks to them at the same time.
Academy Gaming Center
FROM PAGE B1
work 12 hours a day on Valentine’s, sometimes working ‘til midnight or one o’clock the night before, then returning to work at nine the next morning. I don’t even go to school on Valentine’s.” There are about 25,000 florists nation wide, pulling in over $425 million on Valentine’s Day.
blown into the bag. Pederson started taking lessons about two and a half years ago and is currently being taught by Jim Ling of Our Saviors Lutheran. While still playing in Winds, still keeping a social life and doing homework amidst his music, Pederson can still find the time to share his unusual musical talents with others. “I just kind of do solo stuff,” said Pederson. “I’ve been doing weddings and funerals mostly.” Whittcomb, on the other hand, has been fairly involved with the Fort Collins Pipe Band. Although he has not been performing with them quite yet, he has been taking lessons from Dan Lowell, and plans on auditioning for them sometime around March or April, in hopes of joining them. When asked about his future involving the bagpipes, Whittcomb is said that he is looking to continue playing the bagpipes and has also looked at possibly attending the Savanna College of Art and Design in Georgia, or Vancouver Film School in Canada.
Q: What is El Pomar? A: Basically, we are part of the El Pomar Youth and Community Service Foundation (EPYCS) that will give $7,500 to Rocky if we give them $500, which is made from the Quarter Mile of Change.
“Working at a flower shop doesn’t ruin Valentine’s Day,” said Atwood. “I’ve never had a boyfriend so it doesn’t matter.” Other high-traffic flowergetting dates are: Christmas, Mother’s Day and Prom. All of which have required long hours of flower trimming, arranging and of course smelling.
622 S. College Ave. Fort Collins 221 – 4263 30 Fast Gaming Computers
After School Specials $5 for two hours! $10 for four hours! Good 2pm – 6pm, Mon. thru Fri. except holidays Good Anytime: Half-day passes (6 hours) for $15
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friday jan. 21, 2005
Wisdom teeth: What the docs say by Cassie Fleming
Co-editor in Chief
At 18-years-old, one can graduate from high school, purchase cigarettes and lottery tickets, and join the military. At around the around the age of 18 one’s wisdom teeth usually emerge, also. “They have the nickname ‘wisdom t e e t h ’ Boys don’t say because it is much, at all. believed And girls that at 18actually talk a years-old, lot. I think that after you it is because h a v e they are more graduated nervous. from high -Robert T. Harrison, school, you oral surgeon h a v e acquired all of your wisdom,” said James B. Troxell, a University of NebraskaLincoln Dental School graduate. Troxell has been an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in Fort Collins for the past 24 years and believes that around the age of 18 is the best time to remove wisdom teeth. Don Biggs, an oral surgeon in Fort Collins since 1971, has a broader range of when he believes wisdom teeth should be pulled. “My personal opinion is that between the ages of 15 and 25 one should have their wisdom teeth removed,” said Biggs. Biggs also added that every year he pulls thousands of wisdom teeth. This makes it apparent that wisdom teeth removal is very common. “I compare it to getting your tonsils out,” Biggs said. “It happens a lot, and it is an altogether minor surgery.”
This surgery is very predictable, and the recovery is even more predictable. There are no serious problems associated with it and the procedure is extremely calculated, both doctors said. “I would say that this is the most successful surgery in the world,” Biggs said. Even though all doctors say that this is one of the most painless and problem-free operations, they all agree that patients, especially teenagers, are nervous upon entering the waiting room. “This is usually a student’s first operation,” Troxell said. “And, like a first with everything, they are a little apprehensive.” Robert T. Harrison, who studied dentistry at Marquette University, says that this apprehension has different effects on boys and girls. “Boys don’t say much, at all,” he said. “And girls actually talk a lot. I think that it is because they are more nervous.” Despite their anxiety, all doctors reported that teenagers are all very good patients. “They are all cooperative,” Harrison said. “They tolerate the whole procedure very well,” Troxell said. The procedure that Troxell is referring to begins with an evaluation. The surgeon asks about the patient’s medical history and gives an overall explanation of the operation. On the operation day, patients are asked not to eat after 10 p.m. the previous day. When they arrive at the office, they
are given relaxation medication. If a student is getting their wisdom teeth out by Biggs than anesthesia is required for the procedure. “I make sure that all my patients are sound asleep,” he said. After being given the anesthesia, the actual operation takes around one hour. The doctors explained that to extract the tooth, they must first break the tooth apart into a few small pieces. “It’s hard to get a whole tooth out,” Troxell said. “But once we break the tooth up, then it is very easy to take out the pieces.” While the procedure is rather clean cut, the reasons for removing wisdom teeth are somewhat more complicated. Troxell explained that there are many reasons why wisdom teeth need to be extracted. “Over time, our jaws have gotten smaller and smaller, but we still have the same number of teeth,” Troxell said. “It’s simply an evolutionary thing.” As our mouths are more c ro w d e d , m a n y problems arise when the wisdom t e e t h attempt to emerge. “Because there is not enough room in the mouth for the wisdom teeth to grow into, the tooth becomes impacted,” Troxell said. “ An impacted tooth then causes many problems.”
A n impacted tooth, a tooth that is s t u c k beneath the surface of the gums, m o s t commonly c a u s e s JOSEF KULOVANY infection in CLEARING DEBRIS: Senior Kristi Swigart shows how to blast food out of the back of the cavity created in her gums by wisdom teeth extraction. the mouth. It can also cause damage to the adjacent teeth, form a cyst below the gum, or cause dental arch crowding, according to Troxell. With these problems in mind, dentists insist that removing one’s wisdom Of students have had their teeth before the age of 25 wisdom teeth removed is essential. Once adulthood is met, and the teeth’s roots have grown longer, the operation is no longer simple and the teeth are difficult to remove. Troxell recommended that, if needed, all Of students who had their teenagers should have wisdom teeth removed were their wisdom teeth 16 when the procedure removed before they occured begin college.
17%
30%
Center Editor
There are many things that can define the average teenager: clothing, zits, first car, first accident, first love, first kiss. The list can go on and on. And after all these new things have been experienced, a certain knowledge of the way things are can be ascertained. Then something terrible happens. It’s a routine dentist appointment. A teenage boy sits in his chair relaxed, composed, a set of gleaming braces filling his mouth. The dentist walks out with x-ray in hand.
“Looks like they’re gonna have to come out.” A frog jumps out of the boy’s, scratch that, man’s mouth as he is overwhelmed briefly with fear. Before this feeling of utter dread can escape from his insides to his facial expressions, the boy lassos it, allowing it to supress before he makes his response. “OK.” One of the last big hurdles in a teenager ’s existence is the extraction of his/her wisdom teeth. Call it a rite of passage, if you will, but the bottom line is unless you are very lucky chances are your wisdom teeth are going to have to come out before you leave high school.
“The dentist said my teeth were growing sideways,” said senior Chris Spotton. “I have to get mine out as soon as possible.” The problems associated with keeping your wisdom teeth are far and wide, and many doctors, especially oral surgeons, think it advisable to remove them. “I kept getting really bad headaches,” said senior Jennifer Johnson. “My cheeks hurt, and the my teeth were cutting through my gums. I had to chew on gummy bears to make them feel better.” Johnson, like many teenagers, had no other choice but to have her
wisdom teeth surgically removed. She had let it go on too long, and in the summer of 2004, while she was on vacation in Wyoming, it was decided that she needed to have them removed right away. “They didn’t knock me out,” said Johnson. “They put a shot on the roof of my mouth. The shot was the worst part.” Since the doctors were so kind as to leave her awake for the procedure, Johnson was able to recollect what happened. “It felt like pressure,” said Johnson. “They stuck a tool up there and sucked out (the teeth) like a corksrew taking out a wine bottle. I saw what
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One person’s brush with death... er, with wisdom teeth extraction by Steve Underwood
Reporter
I am 6-foot-3, 270 pounds; I have started as offensive guard on the football team for two years. Some say I am a tough guy. But when I went into the office of Dr. Ron Biggs to get my wisdom teeth removed on Dec. 28, I was sure glad to have my mommy there, because I was scared. I remember I woke up and took a shower, wondering if it would be the last time I ever took a shower. Or if this would be the last time in my house or riding in the car. I was freaking out! The car ride over there to Dr. Lane by the hospital was the longest car ride of my life. When I got there it
I remember I woke up and took a shower wondering if it would be the last time I ever took a shower. Or if this would be the last time in my house or riding in the car. I was freaking out! -Steve Underwood, junior and recent wisdom teeth extraction survivor
wasn’t long until they called my name. When I heard “Stephen Underwood,” it was like the grim reaper was standing in front of me just calling my name. I was out at 8:03 a.m. I woke up at 8:43 a.m.
I was thinking when I woke up it would be miserable. I was wrong. I felt amazingly great. I don’t remember much, but my parents and friends tell me I was saying some goofy stuff. Like, “Dr. Biggs baby, you’re a beast, you’re a beast baby!” or “I’m hungry mom, get me some coconut cream pie, please.” For the people who know me that last one will be funny.
The day went on. I was dozing on and off, and the first thing I remember was my friends Brian Eggers and Essay Lindsey coming to visit me. I was still very drugged up and feeling good. I was still saying stuff like, “I’m playing the piano baby, life is great.” That whole day was cool... until the drugs wore off. At about 9:00 p.m. the rest of my boys came to visit me, and I felt like crap. I sure was glad when they left (sorry guys!). The next few days also sucked, but looking back I am glad they are over and done with. I got through it, and I am still alive. I have a new outlook on life now. Thanks mom.
JOSEF KULOVANY
82% Of students did not have any major complications after their wisdom teeth were removed JOSEF KULOVANY
Tales of wisdom teeth extraction by Josef Kulovany
center section
friday jan. 21, 2005
looked like a tooth with roots on the end of it.” The procedure, lasting what she described as 15 minutes, was no major thing for her and she was at the amusement park the next day. “I heard it doesn’t hurt when you have it done until the next day,” said Spotton. Although the experience is different for everybody, there are some procedures that patients have to follow. “I could not eat 12 hours before the surgery,” said Johnson. “After the surgery, I had to keep gauze up there and had to change it out. I had to clean it out with a syringe.”
EXTRACTING WISDOM... TEETH, THAT IS
5.6 Amount of pain on a scale of 110 students reported feeling as a result of having their wisdom teeth extracted.
90% Of students think their wisdom teeth need/ed to be removed
67% Of students were afraid going into the procedure JOSEF KULOVANY
*351 students surveyed
CLEANING: Senior Kristi Swigart demonstrates how she cleans the incision where weeks earlier her wisdom teeth were removed
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friday jan. 21, 2005
Wisdom teeth: What the docs say by Cassie Fleming
Co-editor in Chief
At 18-years-old, one can graduate from high school, purchase cigarettes and lottery tickets, and join the military. At around the around the age of 18 one’s wisdom teeth usually emerge, also. “They have the nickname ‘wisdom t e e t h ’ Boys don’t say because it is much, at all. believed And girls that at 18actually talk a years-old, lot. I think that after you it is because h a v e they are more graduated nervous. from high -Robert T. Harrison, school, you oral surgeon h a v e acquired all of your wisdom,” said James B. Troxell, a University of NebraskaLincoln Dental School graduate. Troxell has been an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in Fort Collins for the past 24 years and believes that around the age of 18 is the best time to remove wisdom teeth. Don Biggs, an oral surgeon in Fort Collins since 1971, has a broader range of when he believes wisdom teeth should be pulled. “My personal opinion is that between the ages of 15 and 25 one should have their wisdom teeth removed,” said Biggs. Biggs also added that every year he pulls thousands of wisdom teeth. This makes it apparent that wisdom teeth removal is very common. “I compare it to getting your tonsils out,” Biggs said. “It happens a lot, and it is an altogether minor surgery.”
This surgery is very predictable, and the recovery is even more predictable. There are no serious problems associated with it and the procedure is extremely calculated, both doctors said. “I would say that this is the most successful surgery in the world,” Biggs said. Even though all doctors say that this is one of the most painless and problem-free operations, they all agree that patients, especially teenagers, are nervous upon entering the waiting room. “This is usually a student’s first operation,” Troxell said. “And, like a first with everything, they are a little apprehensive.” Robert T. Harrison, who studied dentistry at Marquette University, says that this apprehension has different effects on boys and girls. “Boys don’t say much, at all,” he said. “And girls actually talk a lot. I think that it is because they are more nervous.” Despite their anxiety, all doctors reported that teenagers are all very good patients. “They are all cooperative,” Harrison said. “They tolerate the whole procedure very well,” Troxell said. The procedure that Troxell is referring to begins with an evaluation. The surgeon asks about the patient’s medical history and gives an overall explanation of the operation. On the operation day, patients are asked not to eat after 10 p.m. the previous day. When they arrive at the office, they
are given relaxation medication. If a student is getting their wisdom teeth out by Biggs than anesthesia is required for the procedure. “I make sure that all my patients are sound asleep,” he said. After being given the anesthesia, the actual operation takes around one hour. The doctors explained that to extract the tooth, they must first break the tooth apart into a few small pieces. “It’s hard to get a whole tooth out,” Troxell said. “But once we break the tooth up, then it is very easy to take out the pieces.” While the procedure is rather clean cut, the reasons for removing wisdom teeth are somewhat more complicated. Troxell explained that there are many reasons why wisdom teeth need to be extracted. “Over time, our jaws have gotten smaller and smaller, but we still have the same number of teeth,” Troxell said. “It’s simply an evolutionary thing.” As our mouths are more c ro w d e d , m a n y problems arise when the wisdom t e e t h attempt to emerge. “Because there is not enough room in the mouth for the wisdom teeth to grow into, the tooth becomes impacted,” Troxell said. “ An impacted tooth then causes many problems.”
A n impacted tooth, a tooth that is s t u c k beneath the surface of the gums, m o s t commonly c a u s e s JOSEF KULOVANY infection in CLEARING DEBRIS: Senior Kristi Swigart shows how to blast food out of the back of the cavity created in her gums by wisdom teeth extraction. the mouth. It can also cause damage to the adjacent teeth, form a cyst below the gum, or cause dental arch crowding, according to Troxell. With these problems in mind, dentists insist that removing one’s wisdom Of students have had their teeth before the age of 25 wisdom teeth removed is essential. Once adulthood is met, and the teeth’s roots have grown longer, the operation is no longer simple and the teeth are difficult to remove. Troxell recommended that, if needed, all Of students who had their teenagers should have wisdom teeth removed were their wisdom teeth 16 when the procedure removed before they occured begin college.
17%
30%
Center Editor
There are many things that can define the average teenager: clothing, zits, first car, first accident, first love, first kiss. The list can go on and on. And after all these new things have been experienced, a certain knowledge of the way things are can be ascertained. Then something terrible happens. It’s a routine dentist appointment. A teenage boy sits in his chair relaxed, composed, a set of gleaming braces filling his mouth. The dentist walks out with x-ray in hand.
“Looks like they’re gonna have to come out.” A frog jumps out of the boy’s, scratch that, man’s mouth as he is overwhelmed briefly with fear. Before this feeling of utter dread can escape from his insides to his facial expressions, the boy lassos it, allowing it to supress before he makes his response. “OK.” One of the last big hurdles in a teenager ’s existence is the extraction of his/her wisdom teeth. Call it a rite of passage, if you will, but the bottom line is unless you are very lucky chances are your wisdom teeth are going to have to come out before you leave high school.
“The dentist said my teeth were growing sideways,” said senior Chris Spotton. “I have to get mine out as soon as possible.” The problems associated with keeping your wisdom teeth are far and wide, and many doctors, especially oral surgeons, think it advisable to remove them. “I kept getting really bad headaches,” said senior Jennifer Johnson. “My cheeks hurt, and the my teeth were cutting through my gums. I had to chew on gummy bears to make them feel better.” Johnson, like many teenagers, had no other choice but to have her
wisdom teeth surgically removed. She had let it go on too long, and in the summer of 2004, while she was on vacation in Wyoming, it was decided that she needed to have them removed right away. “They didn’t knock me out,” said Johnson. “They put a shot on the roof of my mouth. The shot was the worst part.” Since the doctors were so kind as to leave her awake for the procedure, Johnson was able to recollect what happened. “It felt like pressure,” said Johnson. “They stuck a tool up there and sucked out (the teeth) like a corksrew taking out a wine bottle. I saw what
b5
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One person’s brush with death... er, with wisdom teeth extraction by Steve Underwood
Reporter
I am 6-foot-3, 270 pounds; I have started as offensive guard on the football team for two years. Some say I am a tough guy. But when I went into the office of Dr. Ron Biggs to get my wisdom teeth removed on Dec. 28, I was sure glad to have my mommy there, because I was scared. I remember I woke up and took a shower, wondering if it would be the last time I ever took a shower. Or if this would be the last time in my house or riding in the car. I was freaking out! The car ride over there to Dr. Lane by the hospital was the longest car ride of my life. When I got there it
I remember I woke up and took a shower wondering if it would be the last time I ever took a shower. Or if this would be the last time in my house or riding in the car. I was freaking out! -Steve Underwood, junior and recent wisdom teeth extraction survivor
wasn’t long until they called my name. When I heard “Stephen Underwood,” it was like the grim reaper was standing in front of me just calling my name. I was out at 8:03 a.m. I woke up at 8:43 a.m.
I was thinking when I woke up it would be miserable. I was wrong. I felt amazingly great. I don’t remember much, but my parents and friends tell me I was saying some goofy stuff. Like, “Dr. Biggs baby, you’re a beast, you’re a beast baby!” or “I’m hungry mom, get me some coconut cream pie, please.” For the people who know me that last one will be funny.
The day went on. I was dozing on and off, and the first thing I remember was my friends Brian Eggers and Essay Lindsey coming to visit me. I was still very drugged up and feeling good. I was still saying stuff like, “I’m playing the piano baby, life is great.” That whole day was cool... until the drugs wore off. At about 9:00 p.m. the rest of my boys came to visit me, and I felt like crap. I sure was glad when they left (sorry guys!). The next few days also sucked, but looking back I am glad they are over and done with. I got through it, and I am still alive. I have a new outlook on life now. Thanks mom.
JOSEF KULOVANY
82% Of students did not have any major complications after their wisdom teeth were removed JOSEF KULOVANY
Tales of wisdom teeth extraction by Josef Kulovany
center section
friday jan. 21, 2005
looked like a tooth with roots on the end of it.” The procedure, lasting what she described as 15 minutes, was no major thing for her and she was at the amusement park the next day. “I heard it doesn’t hurt when you have it done until the next day,” said Spotton. Although the experience is different for everybody, there are some procedures that patients have to follow. “I could not eat 12 hours before the surgery,” said Johnson. “After the surgery, I had to keep gauze up there and had to change it out. I had to clean it out with a syringe.”
EXTRACTING WISDOM... TEETH, THAT IS
5.6 Amount of pain on a scale of 110 students reported feeling as a result of having their wisdom teeth extracted.
90% Of students think their wisdom teeth need/ed to be removed
67% Of students were afraid going into the procedure JOSEF KULOVANY
*351 students surveyed
CLEANING: Senior Kristi Swigart demonstrates how she cleans the incision where weeks earlier her wisdom teeth were removed
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friday jan. 21. 2005
White Noise contacts people’s fears \
A paranormal thriller using technology by Natalie Grimm
Co-Editor-in-Chief
What lengths would you go to if the love of your life suddenly disappeared? When best selling author Anna Rivers’ (played by Chandra West) car is found abandoned on the side of the road and she is nowhere to be found, her husband, Jonathan tries to go on, living his life as normally as possible. When her body turns up several weeks after her disappearance, a man who believes that Anna is trying to contact him through Electronic Voice Phenomenon (EVP) contacts Jonathan. Jonathan doesn’t believe the
movie
review
COURTESEY OF U NIVERSAL S TUDIOS
COMMING OVER THE STATIC: Jonathan Rivers (Michael Keaton) experiments with E.V.P. or electronic voice phenomenon, to contact his deceased wife in the paranormal thriller White Noise.
More information on White Noise Rated: PG-13 for violence, disturbing images and language. Where: Playing at Cinemark Theaters man and basically thinks that he’s nuts until he starts getting calls from his wife’s cell phone, which he has in a drawer and hasn’t been turned on since her disappearance. Wondering how this could be, Jonathan contacts the man who he believes may be of great help to him. After hearing Anna’s voice, Jonathan becomes more and more obsessed with having contact with her.
Jonathan continues practicing EVP, mainly hoping to physically see her on one of the many televisions he has set up in his new home. White Noise is an intense movie based on something that is real, but that most people don’t know much about, making the movie unique and a must see. However, movie viewers should be warned that the noise in the movie from the televisions and radios can become irritating and should have been minimized to please the audience. Despite the loud, white noise, White Noise is a must see for anyone who likes a mind blowing experience. Rating: B-
Jamie Cullum hits good note with new DVD by Tom Fry
Reporter
In most cases, there’s no substitute for a live musical performance. The raw energy generated by a concert setting is very difficult to replicate for both performers and spectators. This is especially true in popular music because of the genre’s emphasis on the performance itself instead of solely on the music. Still, every once in a long while, an exceptional film surfaces that perfectly recaptures the essence of a quality live performance. Jamie Cullum’s new concert DVD, Live at Blenheim Palace is one of these exceptions. Taking the stage at one of the most famous and most picturesque venues in England, Cullum unleashes a torrent of rip-roaring, pianopounding, pop-jazz fury on his audience and the viewer, scarcely leaving either party
dvdreview Jamie Cullum: Live at Blenheim Palace $11.98 Jazz/Pop Purchasable at Amazon.com
time to breathe. From the opening chord of his infectiously jazzy cover of “I Get a Kick out of You,” to his tastefully sentimental closer, “But For Now,” Cullum and his extremely diverse backing band seem to maintain an astonishing level of excellence, all the while keeping a very down-to-earth connection with their audience. The diverse musical fare that Cullum presents during this
COURTESY OF U NIVERSAL M USIC & JAZZ
ON KEY: Jamie Cullum (right) and Katie Melua took Dido’s place on center stage. They preformed their version of The Cure’s Love Cats.
concert presents one of his most appealing features: his accessibility. Covering classics like “Singing in the Rain” as well as Jimi Hendrix’s “Wind Cries Mary,” he shows that he is completely unafraid to genre-hop. Always adding his own jazz flair to his covers, Cullum succeeds at making
Violence
each song his own—even those written by others. His original compositions display his amazing musical maturity, and are unconditionally catchy. Cullum’s skill as an entertainer takes his already excellent music to another level. The reckless abandon with which he attacks his
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www.belamisalon.com
Mortal Kombat: Decpetion is another pretty ugly game, due to its variety of finishing moves, which range from getting their organs ripped out to getting impaled by a giant metal spike. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater may be a great action game for an older audience, but it’s extremely realistic killing
methods and military tactics make it a bit too “sophisticated” for a young crowd. Ghost Recon 2 is another ultra-realistic military type game that might teach lessons some ages shouldn’t be exposed to. Featuring a variety of stealth killing and shooting tactics, this is best left for kids over 13.
music—and his piano, which he pounds, stomps and dances on top of when simple playing does not suffice—is startlingly pleasing. Cullum’s vocals, some of the most distinct in new popular music, form a perfect complement for his driving instrumental arrangements. The only truly frustrating part of this DVD is the fact that it is the only way anyone in the U.S. will be able to see Jamie Cullum perform for quite some time. Despite his phenomenal success in Great Britain, Cullum remains a somewhat unknown artist here in the states. In the end, however, this only strengthens the argument for purchasing this exceptional recording. Live at Blenheim Palace is a must-have. It’s not just the next best thing, it’s as close as you’re gonna get. Rating: A
topten This Month: Top 10: Movies of 2004 10. Garden State 9. Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind 8. Team America 7. Bourne Supremacy 6. Anchorman 5. National Treasure 4. Starsky and Hutch 3. The Note book 2. Napoleon Dynamite 1. Little Black Book (Courtesy of Pan) Compiled by Kevin Izard and Steve Underwood
friday jan. 21 2005
entertainment
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Poker: New teenage pastime by Brandon Cooksey
Features Editor
BRANDON COOKSEY
DON’T LOOK: Seniors Taylor Maul (right) and Patrick Terry (left) ante-up in a student run poker game. A trend that seems to be growing in highschools.
It’s on television, in magazines, and in houses all across America; what is it? The latest craze: poker. More specifically Texas Hold’em has become popular recently. What is deemed to be the fastest paced variant of poker, has quickly taken the nation by storm. Poker now airs multiple times every week and even ESPN played and replays the World Series of Poker relatively often. So how is it that poker has come to such heights, virtually out of now where? “It’s just another thing to do,” said senior Travis Janke. “I don’t go to try and win money, I go
for the fun.” Which brings up another point, the social aspect of poker. While sitting there for a couple of hours you are bound to initiate some sort of conversation. This appeals to some people as they can have fun in multiple ways. Another aspect of the game that appeals to most people is the luck factor; anyone can win at anytime, which has been proven even on T.V. where amateurs have outlasted pros in the top tournaments. “I’m the unluckiest guy, ever,” senior Derek LaBahn said. “Don’t start playing unless you have good luck.” Here at Rocky, poker has caught on as well and junior
Willy Rice is even trying to get a poker club started. “We would call it the Card Club, to not offend anyone,” Rice said. “They have a bridge Club, so I don’t see why would can’t have a poker club.” Rice mentioned that while he is still searching for a sponsor, his club would meet during lunch and be open to other card games too. “We would be open to almost anything as far as card games,” Rice said. “As long as there are people interested.” So whether your in it to try in win money, just playing for fun, or it’s become a hobby; poker can be fun for anyone and is worth giving a try if you’ve never played.
Grillers cooks up many unique dishes sure to please foodreview
by Brandon Cooksey
Features Editor
Taste Beyond Borders. That’s slogan for Griller ’s, a self-proclaimed ‘Global Café’ located at 706 S. College Ave, and it couldn’t be more true. They offer a wide variety of foods, with origins all over the world. Everything from fajitas, shish kabob, and Paninis (grilled sandwiches on Cibatta bread) to Philly cheese steaks and burgers. Upon the arrival of your food, which includes your choice of fries, rice, or potato chips, you will dig into an entrée with amazing flavors that are brought about by the use of multiple types of onions,
Dance
peppers, tomatoes and other ingredients and spices. You are able to order something to fulfill any type of urge for food with the variety of Griller ’s menu. Something spicy, mild, American, Mexican, or oriental, it’s all in one place and it’s all delicious. Griller ’s opened up near to CSU about five months ago and has been a hit ever since. When you arrive you will walk into a southwestern theme design, which is part of a nice, neat and clean environment. They have plenty of available seating or you can
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what this type of craze will keep on happening, and others will find that trying to stop this action from happening will only drive their relationships and credibility for each other away. Now on the other hand, the students should have respected the plea of Bennett to stop, but I bet these were not the only students bumping and grinding, too. And how is a threat like canceling prom going to help anything? Even if their prom does happen, you know there will be some freaking going on. Like I said, that has just been what our generation has seen as the way to dance to this modern music. The grades are a whole other thing.
Glass
With the different lives that kids lead these days, it is hard to base any correlation on their grades with their dances. Heck, dances might even help the student’s attitudes about school, and give them something to look forward to. It may be more harmful to stop the dances because it obviously does not help the students relationship with the administration any. My message to you is to just be conscious of your actions on the dance floor and know that you might be offending someone. I do not think that this is much of a problem here, but I’m sure we all still want to keep our prom in tack for the end of the year.
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Local non-profit organizations that Schneider hopes will contribute to the effort are Arts Alive and the Fort Collins Museum of Contemporary Art. A Looking Glass Launch Party is scheduled to take place in mid-May that will include the readings and performances of those whose pieces were chosen for publication. “Starry Night is going to host the Launch Party and that will
be the initial distribution of the magazine,” said Schneider. “After that launch, it will be sold at school as well.” Schneider also ended by saying that the goal is to acquire the same anticipation as the yearbook does, and to be something that everyone wants to be a part of. “I hope to gain the credibility, reputation, and excitement that the yearbook carries every year,” said Schneider.
get your food to go. When you actually order your food you walk up to a counter from which you can see the cook prepare your dish in the back. Griller’s is also connected to another establishment through a hallway, which provides opportunity for visiting with people who might want to enjoy themselves elsewhere. Griller ’s has an excellent staff which is courteous, upbeat and about as helpful as anyone can be. This helps to add to an excellent experience that you can enjoy at a relatively low cost. Griller’s is a unique restaurant that is worth checking out for a good meal.
BRANDON COOKSEY
GET GRILLED: For a great meal and good prices Grillers is the place to go. A self proclaimed “Global Cafe” makes for a wide variety of foods and tastes.
Effects
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According to Mavav.org, hardcore gaming not only leads to video game addiction and abrupt lifestyle changes, but to crime and felony as well, by downloading illegal or warez games off the Internet. “No, I don’t think that it leads to violence, but I think it makes them socially unaware and unbent,” said Trainor on the subject. “I think for too many kids video games become their world.” This is no new news to
safeyouth.org were they try to raise awareness on video game violence. According the site the average student spends 53 minutes playing video games per night. That means that the average student will be exposed to a continuous stream of violence for about an hour per day which can over time start to alter the way the child takes in common everyday situations. “Yeah, I think that kids aren’t
affected so much directly by video games but indirectly,” said Trainor, commenting on kids being overly exposed to video games. Some people have even gone as far as to say that video games had some hand in the Columbine shooting. This obviously can become quite an issue if kids do not start to see that there is a world outside of video games. As long as they are played in moderation, then less people would worry about
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Friday, January 21, 2005
Entertainment Editor: Kevin Izard
Steven Beck
Beck ‘n’ Call
Dancing the night away Dancing has always been characteristic of its time. Things like the jitterbug, the twist, and the robot have created fresh and interesting ways of expressing the feelings one may get from listening to their favorite song. In our generation, more kids, students, and what have you, have been brought up not only around music like rap and hip-hop, but MTV as well. This medium of media allows people to hear as well as see how others react to the music; in essence, what is “cool” or “what’s in.” The actions in these videos have obviously fostered themselves into our school dances and it is not uncommon, as you all probably know, to see someone at the dance bumping and grinding on someone else. Offending This action, being dubbed the name “freak dancing”, has caused an uproar in the west though. At Lemoore High School this year, the principal Jim Bennett has canceled all school dances for the rest of the year due to freak dancing that took place at their last dance. Prom may even be canceled unless the students follow two guidelines: 1. No freaking and 2. That administrators will not get involved in making sure rule 1 doesn’t happen, claims the associated press. When Bennett had witnessed students freaking at this particular dance, he apparently went up to them and told them to cut it out, and ignoring him, they continued to do what they were doing. Now they may be left without any dances for the rest of the year. Lemoore High Schools administration has also related the student’s decrease in grades to this matter. There has been more talk and controversy over the cancellation of the dances than there has about the students failure in school! There are a couple of things that get me about this whole thing. For one, lets face it “freak” dancing is our generations “twist” if you will that, just like the twist in it’s day, is seen by others to be a rebellious act. No matter Jump to DANCE, page b7
Video game violence by Matt Leeke
Reporter
If you’re shopping for a little brother and want to know which video games to avoid, then listen up, and arm yourself with knowledge. Here’s a short list of the games that put a lot of emphasis on things that might make you blush in front of your parents. The first thing to avoid is anything with a Rockstar label. Rockstar, a gaming company based in California, is best known for its work on the critically acclaimed Grand Theft Auto series. While these games feature excellent and deep gameplay, there are enough uses of profanity, drug references, sexual references, and shooting/killing to sink a battleship. Rockstar also produced Manhunt, a game widely considered to be among the most gruesome of all time. Doom was controversial when it first came out almost a decade ago, and 10 years later, the newest installment, Doom 3, is one of the most graphically intense games ever made. Blood is more commonplace than ever before, and it’s now in super hires. “Yea, that’s gonna be one of the more gruesome games that comes out,” said Justin Schroader, manager at Game Force, a used video game shop near the Wal-Mart on Mason St. Jump to VIOLENCE, page b6
entertainment
special
KEVIN IZARD
Evidence proves violent games have drastic effects by Kevin Izard
Entertainment
Deplorable violence, a word commonly used when describing video games, but what type of long term effects do these “M” rated games actually have on the players minds. “I think so often the imagination is lost,” said Tech Teacher Brian Trainor. “They just aren’t very creative anymore.”
statssay of children have a game 74% video system.
I think for too many kids video games become their world... -Brain Trainor, tech teacher
But the loss of the imagination is not the only long term effect of playing video games for a prolonged period of time. Jump to EFFECTS, page b7
53
is the average amount of minutes a student spends on video games daily.
Courtesy of safeyouth.org
Looking Glass draws positive outlook New leadership of literary magazine hopes to increase publication’s reach, interest by Steven Beck
Reporter
“The vision that these kids have will exceed the original $1000 budget by one and a half times,” said Evan P. Schneider. With the beginning of a new semester here, The Looking Glass has its sights set on creative contributions to be published in it. But this year, a change is in the works for this document that will surpass those in years past. The Looking Glass has given students the opportunity of sharing their literary creativity through a magazine. Now, under the mastermind of Schneider, The Looking Glass staff has taken a more challenging approach to its publication this year. “Based on a $1000 budget from the Language Arts department, which is allocated through the school, The Looking Glass is able to produce 300 – 400 copies, at Kinko’s, of a mediocre magazine,” said Schneider.
IAN BAGLEY
ATISTIC LOOKING: Teacher Evan P. Schneider puts up art work from Alice In Wonder Land. Schneider teaches the looking glass, a literary magazine.
In hopes of turning out a more credible magazine, members of The Looking Glass have decided to try gaining more money through donations to support the upcoming publication. “With the money we will raise from community donations, I believe The Looking Glass will win national recognition,” said
Schneider. Poudre High School’s Kaleidoscope, an equivalent to The Looking Glass, has been revered in past years and has been showered with awards. Attention like this is spawned from a well-developed and professional document, and more under developed
publications gain the acceptance of their efforts. In hopes of creating a beneficial facelift for the magazine, Schneider and the crew have been attempting to make contacts locally and nationwide. “We’re contacting influential individuals and businesses dedicated to the arts in order to raise enough money to make our vision tangible,” said Schneider. The new addition of the CD, which will contain Rocky students only, has brought more diversity to The Looking Glass. “To be able to make the CD possible, we’re contacting recording companies and those in the music industry to help the budding musicians of Rocky,” said Schneider. When asked about particular music gurus he has attempted to contact, Schneider refused to comment until they have contributed. Jump to GLASS, page b7