Rocky Mountain Highlighter: 2011 March by Rocky Mountain Highlighter

Rocky Mountain

The science behind being a real ax man Features, B1

ighlighter

March 25, 2011

Where the crowds are Limelight, B8

Volume 38, No. 7

Everything as far as you can see -John Denver, Rocky Mountain High Rocky Mountain High School 1300 W. Swallow Rd. Fort Collins, Colo. 80526

Catastrophic Japan earthquake hits close to home by Ramsey Nicholas Editorial Editor

Separated families, a devastating tsunami, nuclear fallouts and a death toll standing at nearly 3,700 that is expected to continue rising—the Japan earthquake has affected the lives of millions, even here in small-town Fort Collins. Alumni Emilie Norman, who graduated at semester, and Justin Youngk, who graduated in 2010, are currently living in Kobe, Japan. Fortunately for them and their families, they remain safe and un-

► Norman

► Youngk

harmed from the devastation of the earthquake. “We were in Osaka when the earthquake hit, which is south of Miyagi and Sendai (where the epicenter was),” Norman said. “Even though

Newfound birth of world democracy by Ramsey Nicholas Editorial Editor

Democracy is defined by Merriam-Webster’s dictionary as a “government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation.” Currently taking place in the Middle Eastern region of the world, the ongoing egalitarian revolution continues to stir up controversy all over the globe. Beginning on Jan. 25, the protests started in Egyptian cities of Cairo and Alexandria. Through a series of protests, demontrations, rallies and labor strikes, the people violently demanded the immediate removal of long-time Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Jump to REVOLUTION , page A2

we weren’t really close to where the earthquake did the most damage, people down here still felt the earthquake, which is really uncommon. It would have to have been huge for people down here to feel it.” Norman, having lived nine years of her life in Japan, wanted the experience of going back to visit, travel, and explore a place where much of her childhood had taken place. Norman planned to visit Japan from March 1 through 24 with her boyfriend, Youngk. The couple is now headed for Singapore and Thailand

for a week and a half, not only to do some travelling, but to get away from the calamity for a while. “We haven’t personally seen any wreckage, but we were in a bar watching live footage of the earthquake as it was happening on Friday,” Norman said. “At one point, Justin was watching the TV and all of a sudden the newsroom they were reporting from started shaking. People started freaking out, the camera fell, and the TV went to standby. That was pretty scary to see happen live, and seeing things

progressively get worse through all of the aftermath has been scary as well.” Geographically, Japan is a fairly small country and when a monstrous disaster like this happens, it tends to affect the nation’s entirety. The entire east coast of the country was placed under tsunami alert, requiring the couple to remain locked up in the safety of their apartment. Norman’s mother, Judy, felt extremely stressed until she fi-

nally came into contact with her

Jump to JAPAN, page A3

Revolution Emerging from shadows Students personally relate to foreign revolution the streets of Egypt in protest. that runs deep with people While a revolution is a politiwho are in Egypt and people cal challenge, it also becomes who have family there, anan emotional one. other emotion is driving the “My first reaction to it people to persevere for their (the revolution) was happination’s well-being and integness,” said sophomore Mazen rity. Protestors are determined Abdelkarem, who was born to get what they want and to in Egypt and lived there for get their point across. six years. “I’m scared for my Many of the protestors are family, but it’s good that the people who have never experig Paintinck enced a revolution. However, revolution is going on.” the pa ality on While fear is an emotion pers after their first taste, they were S

by Fahey Zink Reporter

During January of this year, the start of a revolution took place in Egypt. The people of Egypt started an uprising against the Egyptian president, Hosni Mubarak, who had ruled for 30 years. On Feb. 11, he turned over all his power to the military, after tens of thousands of people took to

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hooked and spread the words of freedom to their friends using social media such as Facebook. While the protestors showed determination, they wouldn’t be where they are now without the help of the organizers of the protestors like Egyptian political leader Shadi Taha, who helped orgaJump to STUDENTS , page A2

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Revolution from page A1 “It’s energizing to me to see that the principles of democracy are coming to a new part of the world,” history teacher Charlie Ross said. “These countries will soon economically catch up to the United States. Not only will we become economic partners, but eventually even competitors.” The uprising has now become a political epidemic, spreading swiftly throughout the Middle East and Northern Africa, now present in countries including Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Bahrain, and others. It is visibly apparent that the societal togetherness and overwhelming craving for an established democratic government has sparked a rebellion for the removal of the tyrannical leaders in the region. “History is repeating itself,” Ross said. “As the United States was enlightened by forefathers, including John Locke and George Washington, these people have now become enlightened to principles and freedoms and they want more.” In the early days of America’s formation, encouraging and innovative words were spread to the public through the rapid growth of the printing press and Thomas Paine’s famous Common Sense. Today, an evident parallel can be seen through the use of social networks such as Facebook,

Students from page A1 anize the Police Day protest. The U.S.-educated Taha helped spread the word of the chaos going on in Egypt, eventually attracting the attention of the majority of the world. Despite the recent unrest in the Middle Eastern country, Abdelkarem said that, minus the violence connected to the revolution , Egypt is just like any other country with a different culture, lifestyles and rules. “It’s a good place to live in,” Abdelkarem said. “Everyone trusts you; it’s really religious, and it’s a good, clean place to live in.” While living in Egypt, Abdelkarem went to a private school where he learned Arabic, French and standard subjects as other students learn. If students where disrespectful, teachers were able to hit them with a ruler and make them stand in a corner. Girls had to wear hijabs as part of their school uniform and Abdelkarem didn’t have a male teacher until he came to America. He celebrates traditional Muslim holidays such as Ramadan where he fasts until the sun goes down as a way of “cleansing the body.” While Abdelkarem worries for his family who still live in Egypt, he is happy about the revolution and the changes going

News

March 25, 2011

Michael Robinson Chavez/ Los Angeles Times/MCT

Starting a revolution: Protestors gather in Tharir Square demanding President Hozni Mubarak’s removal from office. Chaos has enveloped Egypt in a wake of protests and violence against Mubarak’s regime.

Twitter and various modern blogging websites. In fact, the gradual overthrow of Mubarak was mainly done by the use of social networking sights, specifically Facebook. Using this website as a communication tool, the activists were able to creatively use their technology to call for a government that represented their hopes rather than their fears. “It’s almost as if we are rolling a boulder up a hill,” government teacher Tom List said. “I would love to have coffee with John Locke and

on there. “It’s about time for democracy,” Abdelkarem said. “It’s good to have change in the world and this shows that change can happen.” While Egypt has been taking center stage for its revolution, Libya is starting their own revolution and is on the brink of a full-out civil war. “The United States should be more involved in Libya,” said freshman Nada Elmikashfi, who was born in Sudan and knows people who live in Libya. “The President (of Libya) is crazy, and he’s killing everyone. I know two girls there, and I’m scared that something could happen.” Libya’s leader, Muammar Gaddafi, has ruled for 41 years and has rejected any reasoning and the idea of changing the way he rules, and blames the countrymen of Libya for the issues of terrorism, drugs and the protests. Since the beginning of protests there, his cruelty towards his people has worsened; Gaddafi has even dispatched tanks and fighter jets to shoot down protestors, leaving hundreds of his own citizens dead. Now with a U.N.-sanctioned no-fly zone over the country, forces loyal to the president and rebel troops are slugging it out on the ground for control of the country’s future.

ask what exactly he meant when he visualized human rights as unalienable. Social networks might be the tool that cannot be controlled by any government.” Not only has the revolt created civil-unrest throughout the Arabic region, but the rest of globe is also facing crucial results. Libya produces some of the worlds cheapest crude oil and also serves as about two percent of the global daily output of gasoline. Since the turmoil in Libya broke out, the price of crude oil has jumped nearly 20 percent from its original

Japan from page A1 daughter and husband. “My husband, Doug, owns a company in Japan, which gave us the privilege of living there,” Judy said. “He was supposed to be up on a business trip in Miyagi when the earthquake hit, but his flight was postponed at the last minute. It was a sigh of relief for the whole family.” As a magnitude 9.0 earthquake, this natural disaster may have even shortened the earth’s day length by 1.8 microseconds, according to NASA research scientist Richard Gross. In their entire time living there, the Normans had never seen an earthquake close to this size. Currently, there is only so much that the people throughout Japan and the globe can do to help the victims in Sendai and Miyagi who have had their homes destroyed. “Living there for so long, I came to know a lot of people there,” Judy said. “Lots of people did live through it, and I’m worried that it must be terrifying for them. It’s unbelievable to me to see Tokyo shut down.” Not only were the Norman family members affected, but her close friends also felt the ramifications of the disaster. Junior Sara Jones, who visited Japan for a month in 2008

price, creating an economic downfall for other continents with a less fortunate supply of oil. “Our involvement of with the Middle East is a two-fold: the Arab revolution will bring important changes to the price of oil,” retired CSU history professor Bill Griswold said. “The object would be to help Libya. We would be the democratic supporters rather than hoarders of oil.” Currently looking inside of the revolution, America has once again placed a hegemonic agenda on the uprising countries, pushing for a “New American Century” of domination. According to the organization’s website, the project for the New American Century is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to American leadership standing as good for America and for the world, and that such leadership requires military strength, diplomatic energy and commitment to moral principle. “Well, our future is going to be based somehow off of balancing the world’s freedom and human justice and keeping a reasonable price of gas in your tank,” Griswold said. “It is more important for the President to support business, power and people than social justice and human rights. Our decisions will be tough; you have to let your heart be there, but you still must be rational.”

with Norman, also remembers the moment she found out about the earthquake. “I was on my email account early in the morning on Thursday when I saw a little side note of a news report about it,” Jones said. “At first, I didn’t think it was real. But after going through the pictures my heart sank. Not only was I terrified for my best friend Emilie, but all of the people who lost their homes and families in just a few hours.” Aside from the mass destruction of the cities, the biggest problem that is now being faced is the crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in northern Japan. After multiple reactor explosions, radiation has been leaking from the plant. Affected parents, children and the elderly alike are all seeking reassurance that they have not been contaminated by radiation. “It makes me feel very grateful to live in Colorado where we don’t have these natural disasters,” Jones said. “I am so glad to still have my best friend safe. I pray for those in need and encourage others to pray for all the people who were affected by the catastrophe. I know that if I was in the situation that these millions of people in Japan are, it would be such a blessing to know that people around the world care and want to help.”

Tessting the Waters

Tess Halac

First Amendment first priority

“Speech is powerful. It can stir people to action, move them to tears of both joy and sorrow, and–as it did here–inflict great pain.” Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. recently wrote these compelling words for the majority regarding the Snyder v. Phelps case, in which a father of a fallen marine sued the infamous Westboro Baptist Church for their open picketing of soldiers’ funerals, citing it as intentional infliction of emotional distress. In an 8-1 decision, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the church, stating that it was their duty to protect even the most hurtful speech in order to ultimately protect the First Amendment, the freedom of speech. It is Westboro’s belief that because this country accepts homosexuality, the U.S. is condemned to hell. Therefore they believe it is their duty to warn the rest of the American population of their coming fate. Signs reading “Thank God for Dead Soldiers” and “America is Doomed” are only some of the messages inscribed on their posters. It appeared that after news broke surrounding Westboro being sued, the opportunity finally had arisen for the U.S. to permanently shut down the church that has so tarnished America’s religious institutions. However, it soon became apparent that, to many people’s dismay, this was not the case. Following the Court’s decision, an influx of complaints and protests from various Americans have since appeared, scathingly criticizing the Court for allowing the Westboro Baptist Church to continue spreading their hateful messages. I, of course, am in complete agreement that the church’s practices are revolting and frankly, stupid. From my research of the institution, I can infer that the evidence behind their preaching is strictly line-byline; it conveniently ignores the majority of the text that defies their beliefs. Westboro’s ineptitude is also apparent in their continued professing of God’s hate for America. The irony is rampant—the church focuses on biting criticisms of America, yet it is only in this country that they are free to profess these controversial opinions without being persecuted in some manner. Though I adamantly believe Westboro’s work is disgusting and irrational, I also believe that allowing it to continue its protesting is crucial to the integrity of America. My only reason? Freedom of speech. As a journalist, I take this right especially seriously, and hold it above all other rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Writing for my newspaper, I believe that any topic can and should be broached, and public opinion should work similarly. Many view the church’s funeral protesting as fighting words, and thus should be illegal. However, the issue of homosexuality, the very catalyst for Westboro’s demonstrations, is of utmost pertinence to our generation. Topics like this will prove to define us, much like the Civil Rights Movement defined the 1960s; heated debates will continue surrounding gay rights for some time, but eventually society will largely accept it like it has to other minorities. In the meantime, it’s important for people to see both sides of the argument and witness such animosity in order to formulate their own opinion. Simply shutting down a church’s protest schedule is not eradicating a problem, but perpetuating it. Just because a group has an extremist view upon a subject doesn’t mean we can automatically disallow them from expressing their ideas. By doing so, a vicious cycle would likely ensue: the government could literally nit-pick which opinions they approve of, and which ones they don’t. Speech on public issues is perhaps the most precious aspect of the First Amendment; denying one group this freedom could lead to full-on censoring—a word that is actually painful to my ears. Plain and simple, the Westboro Baptist Church is wrong in every aspect of their being. But restricting a group’s guaranteed constitutional rights is more than wrong, it is a crime. Tess Halac is a senior and the Editor-inChief of the RM Highlighter.

News

March 25, 2011

Rocky Mountain Highlighter

Teacher takes one for math team

“”

Pfeifer knocked out, injured while making save for Math Magic by Geneva Mueller Reporter

Broken nose and eye socket, knocked out teeth and stitched in three areas of the face. This is what happened to math teacher Todd Pfeifer at a Feb. 27 indoor soccer game. Pfeifer and the “Math Magic” soccer team have been participating in the recreational soccer league for the past five years. Pfeifer was playing goalie when the accident occurred. “I can’t remember anything leading up to the incident and about 15 to 20 minutes after,” Pfeifer said. “It’s amazing how the mind blocks out those traumatic events sometimes. The first thing I do remember is lying on the turn, not knowing where I was, and an EMT talking to me. The only thing I could remember was mine and my wife’s name.” Some students were on the field when the accident occurred. Senior Andrew Fenn was playing

and fills in the blanks of Pfeifer’s memory. “Basically the other team kicked the ball over our defense and the ball was bouncing at about knee level,” Fenn said. “Pfeifer dove head first to stop the ball and the ball was in front of his face. A player from the opposing team tried to kick the ball as Pfeifer pushed the ball away. His foot connected with the right side of Pfeifer’s face.” Pfeifer was unconscious for two minutes and is still recovering from his injuries. Pfeifer missed the rest of the 3rd term and just recently returned on March 21 coming out of spring break. It is particularly difficult for Pfeifer to stay away from school because of the dedication that he shows towards his students. “I miss my students more than anything,” Pfeifer said. “I get all of my energy and drive from my students; not seeing them and teaching them has been the hardest part in my road to recovery.”

Fenn and the rest of the team have not played since the injury; however, they intend to continue in the league. “We haven’t played since he got hurt so it’s going to be a little weird,” Fenn said. “He got the team together, but I wouldn’t say that we’re scared. Getting hurt is just part of the game sometimes.” Pfeifer has been at home for the past three weeks recovering. “My nose is slightly broken, but still pretty much straight, so we are going to leave that alone,” Pfeifer said. “I did suffer a class three concussion and need to avoid any type of activity for at least several months where I could take a hit to the head. I consider myself extremely lucky about the injuries I sustained considering the severity of the blow to my head.” The Math Magic team intends to continue playing on without the creator of their team. Pfeifer said that he will certainly return to soccer once he has made a complete

Halac named Journalist of the Year Editor-in-Chief tops in state of Colorado by Regan Miller Reporter

After putting all of her effort into working behind the scenes for the Rocky Mountain Highlighter as a center section editor for the 2009-2010 school year, and editor-and-chief for 20102011, senior Tess Halac has finally won the recognition: Halac was selected as the recipient of the Dorothy Greer ScholRocky Dorothy Greer arship, an award given Scholarship to the top winners high school Tess Halac, 2011 journalist in Valerie Hisam, 2006 Marisa Beahm, 2003 the state of Jessie Shay, 2001 Colorado. J.J. Babb, 1999 “It’s Laurie Lattimore, 1988 (Source: CHSPAonline) obviously a huge honor winning this award; it hasn’t sunk in yet,” Halac said. “I started crying when I saw the e-mail. There’s no way to describe how it feels when you’re recognized as the top person in the state for something you’re so passionate about. It just makes me giddy.” The Colorado High School Press Association awards the scholarship in Dorothy Greer’s name, who was the co-founder of CHSPA in 1970. The Dorothy Greer Scholarship recognizes any Colorado high school senior who has worked at least a year on productions; the senior must be involved with newspaper, magazine or broadcasting for at least a year. It is awarded to the senior who displays exceptional journalistic abilities. Not only has Halac worked on some phenomenal pieces in journalism, she also is involved with both the school volleyball team and a competitive club team. She also challenges herself with several Advance Placement classes and as Key Club President.

Todd Pfeifer, math teacher

Courtesy of Todd Pfeifer

Black and blue: Math teacher Todd Pfeifer shows off his battle wounds. Pfeifer was recently injured in a soccer game he played with his math students.

recovery; however, for the time being, Pfeifer is recovering which leaves him with a lot of time to think about recent occurrences. “An accident like that always puts things back into perspective really quickly,” Pfeifer said. “I

An accident like that always puts things back into perspective really quickly. It made me appreciate the gifts that have been given to me and cherish those in my life the way that they should be.

almost lost use of my right eye; it made me appreciate the gifts that have been given to me and cherish those in my life the way that they should be. It’s easy in life to get complacent and take things for granted.”

ENGAGE in Life shatters fundraising goal Rocky raised a total of $37,551.76 during the school’s ENGAGE in Life week and throughout the month. The main part of the fundraiser took place from Feb. 7-11, in which a committee comprised of Peers, Student Council members and Key Club officers sold rings, bracelets and T-Shirts. The grand finale of the week was the car bash and the Rocky-Collins basketball game. All of the money will go to the Poudre Valley Cancer Hospital. Rocky’s original goal was to raise $3,000. With matching donations from the hospital and Dennis and Noreen Houska, of Houska Automo-

tive, this $3,000 would become $12,000. However, students went above and beyond in their goal; combined with the Houska’s donations, Rocky was able to raise $18,775.88. Not only was the sheer amount of money raised momentous, Rocky has sparked a movement in Fort Collins to raise money for the cancer center. Fossil Ridge has recently begun a change drive and fundraiser for the center due to Rocky’s immense success. “It’s proof that high school kids and small things can make a difference,” senior Peer Molly Mogorit said. -Mary Willson

Forensics excels at Regional competition

Fahey Zink

Cake and frosting: Senior Tess Halac cuts a celebratory cake after winning the Colorado High School Press Association Dorothy Greer Scholarship. The award recognizes the top high school journalist in Colorado. Halac, whose cake-cutting efforts resulting in dipping her coat sleeve in frosting, will now compete with other state high school journalist of the year winners for national recognition and additional scholarship money.

“On top of Highlighter and her other classes, she put in collegiate-level work,” Halac’s AP Government teacher Tom List said. “I also got to see her on the (volleyball) court. It’s a completely different skill set, but she still had the same attitude about it. I’m proud of her; she deserves her award.” Along with Halac, there have been five other students from Rocky who have won the scholarship in previous years. This award displays excellence in journalistic writing, which has been running through Rocky’s roots since 1975—when the award was first given to a Rocky student. “Well, you know I don’t know if it’s a tradition that there are fine journalists at Rocky but Tess is certainly worthy of this particular honor,” Highlighter adviser

Stephen Wahlfeldt said. “Really from day one in Journalism I, she (Tess) has stood out. She just seemed to grasp the concepts of storytelling, what a good story is, what constitutes a good story, to gather the right sources, and put them all together.” Halac won the award by submitting a variety of her work to the Dorothy Greer Scholarship Committee. While she submitted her work to the committee, she had little thought of actually winning the award. “I asked Mr. Wahlfeldt for a letter of recommendation and he half-jokingly said he’d only write it if I applied for the Dorothy Greer Scholarship,” Halac said. “I finally applied and it just fell into place. I didn’t really worry about it. It came as a pleasant surprise.”

The Speech and Debate team participated in the Regional Competition where they qualified 15 people for the State competition and there were four In Regional Champions. Congratulations to the State qualifiers: Emily Hatch, Nicole Ela, Will Kelly, Andrew Harrison, Emma Jobson, Ryan Kane, Kelli Lynch, Nicki Duggan, Maddi Lynch, Thomas Newman, Sammi Reed,

Brief

Emily Carlson, Brian Lamb, Kelly Pollard and Jovan Rivera-Lovato. Nicki Duggan and Maddi Lynch were undefeated in the Public Forum Debate and were Regional Champions. Emily Hatch, Kelly Pollard and Jovan Rivera-Pollard were also Regional Champions. The State competition will take place on March 18-19 at Fort Collins High School. -Geneva Mueller

DECA members advance to nationals The DECA team sent 19 members to the state competition on Tuesday, March 1. Out of those members, Ryan McCrary and Landon Shimpa qualified for the National competition, which will take place between April 30 and May 4 in Orlando,

1051 W. Horsetooth Rd., Fort Collins, CO (Corner of Shields/Horsetooth)

Florida. McCrary qualified in the Sports and Entertainment Marketing category while Shimpa qualified in Business Services Marketing. Schofield qualified in Quick Serve Restaurant Management category. -Geneva Mueller

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March 25, 2011

Rocky Mountain Highlighter

Never stop learning

“In response to statements made by both John Booth and Senator Frank…” Oh. My. God. Standing in front of the podium in the Old Supreme Court Chambers in Colorado’s state Capitol building, I couldn’t remember our Senator’s last name. Surrounded by 45 of Colorado’s most respected and knowledgeable student journalists, various advisers of highly recognized school newspapers, and Senator Bob Schaffer, (who happened to be standing directly in front of me), I had frozen. Known for my crazy disposition and carefree persona, I would never have expected to attend an admirable event such as the Capitol Hill Press Conference in Denver, Colorado. As greater responsibility and higher expectations were beginning to fall on my shoulders, this event was a critical test to prove not only to my adviser, but to myself that I could be a strong representative of my school and my paper. I remember riding in the backseat of Mimi and Wahlfeldt’s car on the way to Denver saying, “Waff, you better cover your ears when I stand up to speak because I’ll probably say something really dumb.” And of course, one way or another, I found a way of screwing up. Standing in complete silence as everyone around me waited in confusion for me to say something; anything, I finally blurted out, “McNerdy.” Schaffer corrected me with the accurate name— McNulty, as well as had a good, hard laugh at my mispronunciation of his political rival. It was one of the most embarrassing moments of my life, and one that I will remember and retell to my children for the rest of my life. However, it is not a mistake that I regret making. A few days following the assembly, after contacting Schaffer through an e-mail, I received a message from him notifying me that my contact information had been forwarded to his internship coordinator. I look forward to a hopeful chance of involvement in the Senate this summer. I guess all I’m trying to say here is that even good things can come out of awkward situations like the one that I put myself in. The only way you can really turn it around, is if you learn to laugh at the little things in life. Rather than becoming upset and displaying an apparent look of unease on my face, I was able to smile and laugh it off, giving myself a more confident and uplifting presence. I think that people are simply too afraid of trying or doing something outside of their comfort zone for fear that they will fail or disappoint. What people need to realize is that it’s okay to make mistakes. “The minute you stop making mistakes is the minute you stop learning,” preaches a famous quote from Martin Luther King Jr. I don’t know about you, but I highly value my daily intake of knowledge and plan to partake in as many new, enlightening, and perhaps even risk-taking situations as I can. As high school students, it is becoming less and less acceptable for us to screw up. Now is the time to let go, get out there, and do what you want to do. Make your big mistakes now, because making them as an adult will be much more detrimental to your quality of life. We need to focus less on what people think and expect of us, and look closer upon the goals and ambitions that we have for ourselves. Otherwise, we’ll never truly know how to live.

Queen of Egypt

Ramsey Nicholas

Reanna Nelson

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell: Dire dilemma

M Staff Editorial ► Repeal

of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell needs followthrough.

en and women who serve in the U.S. military come from hundreds of different races, cultures and sexual orientations, but will always have one thing in common— they are American. Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) is the term that can be broken up into two, definable pieces. “Don’t Ask” mandates that military officials will under no circumstance require or even ask members to uncover their sexual orientation. “Don’t Tell” implies that members could be discharged for admitting to be homosexual or verbally confessing an indication of participation in homosexual activities. The repeal for the policy, that was passed in 2010, continues to sit unnoticed. The President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who have the power of put-

The Rocky Mountain Highlighter is published nine times during the school year by the newspaper staff of Rocky Mountain High School/ 1300 W. Swallow Rd./Fort Collins, CO 80526. Contact Rocky Mountain Highlighter staff members at 970-488-7090 or 970-488-7091 for advertising information. Also the Rocky Mountain Highlighter staff is in Room 528, during 4th period. Editor-in-Chief Tess Halac

Features Editor Cassa Niedringhaus

Editorial Editor Ramsey Nicholas

Center In-Depth Editor Mary Willson

Sports Editor Calvin Jouard

National Scholastic Press Association National Critique

Limelight Editor Chloe Evans

Rocky Mountain

Staff Charlie Anderson John Califf Ryan McCrary Trevor Merrill Regan Miller Geneva Mueller Ryan Nelson Fahey Zink

ting the repeal into action, are dangling it loosely over a cliff, undecided on whether it will negatively afflict militant readiness or not. Until this decision is made, DADT will unofficially continue to remain in place. Section One of the United States 14th Amendment not only defines citizenship, but it also protects a person’s civil rights from being rejected by any state. Introduced in 1993 by President Clinton, the DADT campaign promised to compromise with the previous policy of absolute rejection of homosexuals in the U.S. military. As a pro-civil rights staff, we stand together in agreement that sexual preference cannot be an excuse to condemn a human being from helping to better their country by serving in a branch of their country’s military. That being said, we feel frustrated

ighlighter Artists Loren DeWeese Reanna Nelson Mark Steininger

Adviser Stephen Wahlfeldt

with this heavy burden of unresolved affairs that are continuing to worsen. In fact, it even shows relevance to our school system. Here at Rocky, we have people of all different races, genders and ages. Diversity is everywhere and we are all individuals who have our own personal choices to make for ourselves, while still remaining equal. Stigma, slang and bigotry should never be put in the way of personal choice. Ultimately, a decision to stand out as an individual, especially when helping to contribute to society, should be looked at as an aid to society rather than a problem. In our day and age we hear terms used on a daily basis that frown upon lifestyle choices, and we see the lack of follow-through on the repeal of DADT just as unappealing as these unfair terms and criticisms.

RM Highlighter editorial policy

The Rocky Mountain Highlighter is a student news publication which strives to report school and community events with truth, accuracy, objectivity, and clarity. The RM Highlighter will also comment on issues of interest to its readers. The purposes of this publication are to report the news to the Rocky Mountain High School community, to provide the school community with a public forum for thoughtful discussion and debate, and to provide students on the newspaper staff with practical journalism experience. In order to make the RM Highlighter as professional a publication as possible, important legal and ethical guidelines will be followed. Senate Bill 90-99, enacted by the Colorado General Assembly during the 1990 legislative session, declares that “students of the public schools shall have the right to exercise freedom of speech and the press.” (Colo. Rev. Stat. Sec. 22-1-120) We, the staff of the RM Highlighter, are prohibited by law from publishing certain materials. We will respect these laws. No material which is libelous, encourages illegal acts, or causes material and substantial disruption to school activities will be published. Expressions which are obscene will not be printed. Profanity will not be printed unless it is considered absolutely necessary by the RM Highlighter editorial board to express the views of the writer or quoted person. Expression which is false “as to any person who is not a public figure or involved in a matter of public concern” will not be printed. “Expressions which are in violation of lawful school regulations designed to control gangs” will not be printed. In the event of a potential controversial item, the editorial board —consisting of all the editors, the advertising manager, and the adviser —will meet to discuss the merits of the item and then decide whether or not to print the item. Coverage of deaths which occur within the Rocky community will be carefully considered by the editorial board. Natural or accidental deaths will be reported for clarifications of death and will contain a memorial. Except in extreme circumstances, suicides will not be covered to reduce glorification of such acts. In general, the RM Highlighter observes the guidelines presented in the “Code of Ethics” of the Society of Pro-

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Ramsey Nicholas is a junior and Editorial editor for the RM Highlighter. fessional Journalists. The RM Highlighter will not allow source review prior to publication, unless there is a clarification issue. Source anonymity will be granted only after careful consideration by the editor, with the editor reserving the right to make the final decision. Staff editorials shall be presented logically and will represent the views of the majority of the staff. Editorial criticism, of either individuals or groups, will be based on fact and will be constructive. Guest editorial space, the “Open Forum,” is available to anyone in the Rocky community, including students, parents, faculty, and administrators. Anyone interested in writing in the “Open Forum” should contact the editor-in-chief or the adviser, Stephen Wahlfeldt. Letters to the editor are welcome. They should be signed, and a home phone number should be included. The writer’s name may be withheld upon request, provided the editor agrees that the reasons for withholding a name are valid and compelling. Try to limit letters to 300 words and place them in one of the “Letters to the Editor” boxes, located in the Media Center and the Main Office, or give them to a RM Highlighter staff member, RM Highlighter adviser Stephen Wahlfeldt, or drop them by the RM Highlighter room, Room 528, during 4th period. Letters may also be mailed to the Rocky Mountain Highlighter, Rocky Mountain High School, 1300 W. Swallow Rd., Fort Collins, CO 80526. To talk with anyone on the RM Highlighter staff, phone (970) 488-7090. Columnists express their own views and not necessarily those of the RM Highlighter staff. No expression made by students of the Rocky Mountain Highlighter shall be considered an expression of school board or Rocky Mountain High School policy. Furthermore, Poudre School District and its employees are immune from any civil or criminal action based on any expression made or published by the students. All advertisement is welcome. To place an ad, contact RM Highlighter advertising managers at (970) 488-7091. The RM Highlighter, however, reserves the right to refuse advertising which the staff considers inappropriate for our audience. The RM Highlighter is a member of the ASNE/MCT Campus High School Newspaper Service, and some material is courtesy of that service. The Rocky Mountain Highlighter reserves the right to edit anything it publishes. CHSPA Newspaper Sweepstakes

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Editorial

Photo Poll

Should students with medical marijuana prescriptions be allowed to use in school?

Aj Prescott, senior

“As long as they aren’t sharing it with friends, then yes, of course.”

Julia Arthur, freshman

“No, marijuana is still a drug and should not be used in school.”

Lucas CostanzaChavez, sophomore “If it is medically prescribed and they need it, then yes.”

Jennifer Adams, English teacher

“If it is a medication, it should be allowed, but only if it is handled in the nurse’s office.”

Conor Mclean, sophomore

“No, I see it as an excuse to use it at school.”

Emma Jobson, senior

March 25, 2011

Rocky Mountain Highlighter

Mary Jane–expelled from school

Schools should permit med pot

Colorado Law states that it is illegal for a student to possess, or be under the influence of marijuana on school property, even if it is legally possessed through a prescription or a medical marijuana license; however, I believe there should be no such law against that. Recently, a student in Colorado Springs was told he is not allowed to come to school when taking his prescription which includes THC lozenges. These help prevent seizures caused by a neurological imbalance. No

Pro Con

alternative form of medication has been found for this form of seizure. Personally seeing a seizure take a life, I do not think it is morally right for the school to act in such a manner towards this student. I understand that illegally consuming or possessing marijuana on school grounds should not be allowed since it is a law like any other and should be obeyed. Nevertheless, a student should not be hindered from learning simply because they possess something in a legal manner that keeps them healthy. I am not saying it should be available to any student or staff member. Whomever is possessing and consuming should be

closely monitored and those doing so in a legal manner should not be punished. I view this as no different than anyone else with a physical or mental handicap. For example, if someone is physically handicapped, they are allowed to use a wheelchair to still be capable of partaking in day to day activities. I think it would be safe to say that almost everyone, myself included, would agree that it would be extremely wrong to disallow students from using wheelchairs, or other various items to compensate for their handicap. Many people with medical marijuana licenses need their form of medicine to be able to partake in day to day

activities. Unlike a wheelchair, marijuana is not allowed to compensate for handicaps placed on people. Whether it is a temporary handicap such as an injured back, or a permanent handicap, such as the student with the neurological imbalance in Colorado Springs, it should be allowed as any other form of medicine. To be morally correct, this law against possessing or being under the influence of marijuana should legally be lifted. It is not right for students, along with faculty to be banned from this form of medication for their circumstances, even when there may be not alternative medication available.

Trevor Merrill

 Bud in school unrealistic

There has recently been controversy at Harrison School District 2 in Colorado Springs regarding a student’s use of medical marijuana. He suffers from a rare neurological disorder that causes seizures and takes pills that contain delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, a main component in marijuana, to control them. He switched to a school near his home so that he could walk home and take his pills since he is not allowed to take the pills at school. Harrison School District 2, the school district in which he attends, has been the target of criticism. This criticism is unfounded because the school is simply following state law. The district should not be the subject of controversy for following a law. The law does not allow any medical marijuana on school campus so, until

Reanna Nelson

that law is changed, it is unfair to hold the district at fault. While it is understandable that the student should be allowed his medication, the district is not the one to blame. Even if the law gets changed, the district would have to exercise caution in allowing medical marijuana. They would need to monitor intake and restrict use so that students could not share their medical marijuana with their classmates. Additionally, if the district were to allow one student to use medical

marijuana, then other students would be able to make a case to use it. Anyone with a license for the use of medical marijuana should not be allowed to use it in school; the law would need to restrict use of medical marijuana in school to a case-by-case basis. It would be unrealistic to allow students to smoke marijuana on campus. However, before the law is changed, more research should be conducted. Medical marijuana and the side effects it causes need to be fully understood. While the FDA has

approved the use of the THC pill, they have not yet cleared the use of smoked, medicinal marijuana. Lawmakers would need to consider all forms of medical marijuana before changing the law to allow it in schools. The district is just following the law and being accountable, as they should be. Until complete research is conducted, the law is changed and new rules are made to control use effectively, medical marijuana in schools is unrealistic. Cassa Niedringhaus

Making memories from high school experiences

Dear readers, This will be may last issue with the Rocky Mountain Highlighter. I am going to try to make this short and sweet, so bear with me. I have never thought in a million years that my writing would ever be published; the whole experience to me is almost incomprehensible. To be able to write to my fellow peers that I maybe haven’t met or seen before is one of the most unique opportunities that I have

Rough Draft John Califf been given as a high school student. To have various people read what I spent countless hours writing for my student body is something that I

Letter to the Editor: Colorado budget cuts

“Yes, if it is legitimately prescribed by a doctor and admitted by a nurse.”

Dear Editor, Lately it has been brought to my attention that budget cuts to Colorado are being proposed at $375 million. Adding this to last year’s cut of $260 million will

mean $635 million in cuts for two years according to the Colorado Education Association. I do not pretend to fully understand all of the intricacies of Colorado’s economic situation. I do understand the urgency of the multiple economic issues that face the

wouldn’t change for the world. In life, we sometimes have no control over our future. Sometimes our choices in life bring us to do the things that we want to do- not only to prove something to ourselves, but to fulfill our life-long dreams and purposes. I am glad that I was given this time to write to all of you and hopefully it has enlightened you in some way or another. Life is unexpected and can bring you experiences, objectives, and

aspirations that you never imagined, no matter what the odds are. Sometimes, things just fit into place on their own. If you are willing to live a life with open hands and eager eyes, good things are bound to fall into your lap even when you least expect it. My name is John Califf, and I’m keeping it short and sweet. As always and until next time, shine on.

centennial state. Cuts are indeed necessary to properly manage this crisis. However, such a huge cut to public schools seems reckless in the long run. Without as much education as possible to the young students, a buffer must be created to stop huge problems

in the future. In my opinion, Governor John Hickenlooper is only thinking about the most immediate problems rather than thinking about what his cuts could potentially result in. Isaac Effner, sophomore

John Califf is a senior and reporter of the RM Highlighter.

Rocky Mountain Highlighter

Wrestling LoboWraps ►HOW THEY FINISHED: 14-1 dual match record, Diego Felix placed 3rd at state. ►HIGHS: Undefeated against city teams, and shutting out Collins and Fossil. ►LOWS: Overall poor performance at Conference tournament. ►QUOTE ME: “We definitely grew into a bigger better family and it showed in our wrestilng.” -Senior Jay Seefeld ►MVP(S): Diego Felix, Jay Seefeld, Derick Padilla

sports

March 25, 2011

Two year varsity player Cromwell leads young girls’ tennis team by Calvin Jouard Sports Editor

There’s no getting around it. The girls’ tennis team will be missing some firepower this season. With the departure of nine varsity players, including Kristen Leinhart and Callie Cromwell, the Lobos will be looking to fill the No. 2 and No. 3 singles spots, among others. But a constant remains coming into this season, a constant that has been in place the last two years--junior Cara Cromwell Cromwell has been in the No. 1 singles spot since her freshman year in 2009. She even qualified for state that same year, but lost in the first round. To be able to play at the varsity level as a freshman is an accomplishment in itself, let alone the No. 1 spot. An accomplishment like this doesn’t come without experience. “I’ve hit a lot of tennis balls,” Cromwell said. “I workout five days a week and I’ve played in a lot of tournaments.” Cromwell started playing ten-

Boys’ Basketball LoboWraps ►HOW THEY FINISHED: 4-12 in league play, 9-15 overall. Lost to Gateway in the first round, 58-36. ►HIGHS: A hot 7-2 start, scoring 95 against Loveland and 99 against Greeley West, beating Poudre after losing earlier in the season. ►LOWS: Losing to Fossil 80-43. ►QUOTE ME: “It was a good building year with a new coach and we were trying to figure out how he likes to play. I think we can learn a lot from this year and have a good season next year.” -Junior Ethan Karp ►MVP(S): Michael Hoppal, Ty Traufield

Girls’ Tennis Preview

Trevor Merrill

Hitting the sweet spot: Junior Cara Cromwell practices after school in preparation for the upcoming season. Cromwell will play a the No. 1 singles spot for the third consecutive year.

Hockey Preview ►KEY RETURNERS: Colin Henry, Jeff Amidon, Luke Petrun, Michael Kushnak ►IMPORTANT PERSONNEL LOSSES: Dante Conti, Hunter Richmond, Conner Drake ►FINISH LAST YEAR:

Top 4 finish, lost in the semifinals. ►KEY GAMES: All rival games ►OUTLOOK: “We have a good young team with good talent. We should do pretty well.” -Junior Brian Newsom

►KEY RETURNERS: Cara Cromwell at No. 1 singles, Nicole Leinhart at No. 2 singles ►IMPORTANT PERSONNEL LOSSES: Kristen Leinhart, Callie Cromwell ►FINISH LAST YEAR: Cromwell did not qualify for

Behind the quick and precise footwork of their college bound athletes, the girls’ soccer team looks to take on another season. Losing in the semifinals of last year’s state playoff tournament, they look to returners Alyssa Cathey, Nikki Mayer, Jami Vaughn and Karley Beddoe to lead the team to another successful season. While the star studded team looks to contend for a state title, they will thrive on their good relationships and cooperation. “We are by far the closest we’ve ever been,” Cathey said. “It has been really fun so far.” “All of us girls are very close all the time,” Vaughn added. “If your close off the field, then you will be close on the field.” The team will need more than just collaboration on and off the field. They will need goal tending and of course, goals. The team will really utilize their leaders and collegiate caliber players.

►KEY RETURNERS: Meghan Loury, Emma Sunness ►IMPORTANT PERSONNEL LOSSES: None from Rocky ►FINISH LAST YEAR: 12-4 overall, didn’t make

Soccer Preview ►KEY RETURNERS: Karley Beddoe, Nikki Mayer, Alyssa Cathey, Jami Vaughn ►IMPORTANT PERSONNEL LOSSES: Brittany Lott, Emma Auld ►FINISH LAST YEAR: 9-2 in conference, 145-0 overall, lost in state semifinals. ►KEY GAMES: Intercity games, Fairview ►OUTLOOK: “We have a lot of potential to be the best team in the state. We just have to set our mind to it and get there.” -Senior Karley Beddoe.

Beddoe has signed to play next year at a strong program at Aurora University in Aurora, Illinois. Vaughn and Cathey are bound for Division I athletics as well. Vaughn has signed

Ryan Nelson

Going for the goal: Forward Alyssa Cathey dribbles while being pressured by defender Nikki Mayer. Both will play key roles for the team in the in the upcoming season.

to play at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas next year. At the same signing, Cathey signed to her respective school, Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. “It’s a relief to have finally

state, Leinhart got 2nd in Conference. ►KEY MATCHES: PoudreApril 12, Fossil- April 14. ►OUTLOOK: “Losing most of our varsity team will set us back, but I know we can come together as a team and have a great season.” -Junior Nicole Leinhart

Girls’ Lacrosse Preview

Potent lineup promotes promising prospects for girls’ soccer by Ryan Nelson Reporter

nis at the age of six, and competitively when she was ten. Also, she competed on a United States Tennis Association (USTA) team in Oregon, and has participated in regional play on three separate occasions in El Paso, Texas. In addition to this tournament experience at a young age, Cromwell utilizes her summers to train and perfect her game as well. “Cara has done very well at the No. 1 singles spot her first two years, but she still has unfinished business,” Head coach Gordon Cromwell said. This past season Cara lost only two matches, and earned a 2nd place finish at conference and 3rd at regionals. She did not qualify for state. But the new season brings new prospects for Cara. “She has dedicated herself to a fitness regimen that should make a difference in her performance this year,” Gordon said. “She has all the shots and ability she just needs to raise her fitness level and I think she can make a nice run towards a state playoff berth. The harder she works the farther she will go.”

signed,” Vaughn said. “I am really looking forward to the next couple years.” “It will be different,” Cathey said. “It’ll be a fresh start and a new beginning. It will be fun.”

playoffs. ►KEY GAMES: St. Mary’s Academy-April 18, Cherry Creek- April 22. ►OUTLOOK: “Looks pretty good with the return of our top scorer.” -Junior Meghan Loury

Boys’ Swimming/ Diving Preview ►KEY RETURNERS: Swimming-Zack Gertig, Carl Marvin. DivingEric McMillin, Colton Hankins ►IMPORTANT PERSONNEL LOSSES: Nick Markley (swimming) ►FINISH LAST YEAR: Tied for 32nd at Class 5A state championships. ►KEY MEETS: Coaches Invite-April 2, Greeley InvitationalApril 8. ►OUTLOOK: “I think we can do better than last year. Even though we lost Nick, we gained a lot of young talent.” -Junior Ryan Brauch

sports

5-Peat from page A8

Ryan McCrary

Winding up: Senior Jess Amedee prepares to unleash a pitch during an early morning preseason practice. Amedee is expected to make big contributions on the mound and at the plate this year.

Pitchers from page A8

most accomplished baseball players the city has ever seen. “We lost Marco, our star pitcher,” said Eric Ferguson, a senior pitcher and outfielder. “But this year, instead of just one really solid pitcher we have four not quite as talented but solid guys.” Seniors Ferguson, Jess Amedee and Chris Bonk look to fill the void left by Gonzalez’s departure, and all three could be potential starting pitchers. “Being the returning seniors that were on the team last year, it’s definitely going to put the weight on our soldiers,” Amedee said. “It’s up to us now,” added Ferguson. “We have to have a lot of guys step up. We’re really the core of our team.” With the loss of Gonzalez, the team will look to others to help contribute, instead of just handing it to the player on the mound. “We had great pitching anyway but if we needed to we could rely on our hitting,” Ferguson said. “This year we just need to play great defense in addition to pitching well.” “I think more defense and not losing focus is going to be our main point,” Amedee added. “I don’t have doubt in my mind that our pitching isn’t going to come through. I think we’re all working hard, all attacking the strike zone. We just have to be in the game at all times and not lose focus in the later innings.” Gonzalez’s dominance will be hard to replicate this season. But not that hard, according to Amedee. “I think we have more hard throwers than last year,” Amedee said. “We’ve got four or five guys that throw over 85 so that’s pretty good. We’ll definitely win a lot of games with pitching this year.” And there are the numbers to back up Amedee’s claim. The three returning pitchers from last year combined for a 6-0 record, and two of those wins were courtesy of Bonk in playoff games. Amedee was also named a preseason All-American, and has committed to the University of Northern Colorado along with Ferguson to play baseball. And it’s not as if these pitchers aren’t ready for their increased roles. “We’re going to be in a lot tighter games this year,” Bonk said. “So late in the game it’s going to come down to the pitching to hold the lead.” From playing on a fall team to summer league and early morning practices during winter months, the players have essentially been practicing since their freshman year. “Baseball season never really ends for us,” Amedee said. “I don’t think I’ve had a break since freshman year. It’s year round.” With the unprecedented five-peat in mind, Amedee knows what it takes; he’s been on two state championship teams already. “(Winning state) is always our biggest goal,” Amedee said. “But even if we don’t win state, playing as a team and going down and competing everyday will be out biggest thing.”

A group of kids play four years, and then they move on. Building a dynasty requires a team to take who and what it is given and turn it in to something greater than the individual parts. And for the last four years the baseball team has been able to do that. “We are working hard, staying late, outworking every other team in the state,” said senior outfielder Kyle Westhuis. Senior catcher Tyler Wiens also felt that the extra work the team did helped keep them ahead over the off season. “For the catchers we catch bullpens, hit batting practice, and lift.

March 25, 2011 Everyone works hard every day. We do more work than other teams, and that gives us a big advantage.” Senior outfielder Kelsey Cook also recognizes the importance of offseason workouts. “We have only had four nonholiday weeks off since last spring. We are really dedicated to winning in this program.” Bullock also feels that the offseason is key in a team’s development. “It (the off-season workouts) is more important than any in the last eight years. This team needs to get more physical. We are all hoping that the effort pays off. I am really proud of the commitment to the program that these kids have, it’s tremendous.”

Rocky Mountain Highlighter

As both Bullock and the players have said, losing 12 seniors is huge, but Bullock says that a lack of leadership won’t be a problem on this year’s team. “I am looking for leadership and production from seniors. They have been waiting their turn, and the expectation now that they have it is that they take advantage of their opportunity.” This year the team will have seven seniors on the team, five of them with varsity experience. That leaves a lot of room for underclassmen to step up. “We don’t have a lot of experience. New people are going to have to step up and be leaders on the team,” Wiens said.

Cook echoed his teammate’s statement. “Losing the seniors is a huge factor and has a big impact on the outlook of the season. We only have one returning starter, but we have players ready to step up.” But, is a five-peat possible, despite all the graduates? “I think our chances are really good this year,” Westhuis said. “There’s a lot of talent, everyone is getting stronger and improving.” Wiens also said that the team had a pretty good shot. “We are going to have to pitch and field well, and get some timely hitting. If all that happens, we have a pretty good chance of repeating.”

Track team captains looking to build off of last year’s success by Ryan Nelson Reporter

Going, going, gone: Junior Ethan Karp participates in the discus event at a meet last year. Karp, a team captain, looks to improve all of his personal records this year, in discus, high jump, and shot put.

Highlighter archive

After a strong finish in last year’s conference, the track team hopes to make this year another successful season. The team appears to have good, young talent and hopes to capitalize with veteran leaders and team captains Gabby Smith, Brad Burback, Shayla Peel, Valentina Pauna, Lyndsay and Lauren Provencio and junior Ethan Karp. Smith, who runs in the 200 meter hurdle, 200 meter sprint and the 4x200 meter relay events is a probable contender at state. Burback, narrowly missing state with his relay team last year, looks to make this season a stronger one. He will run in the 100 meter and 4x100 meter events as well as the 200 meter and 4x200 meter events. Pauna, one of up to four varsity woman pole vaulters, has been a captain for the past couple years and has high expectations for the current

track season. “I think the coaches are looking for me to help lead with the young team,” Pauna said. “They are really wanting me to step up.” Moreover, Pauna will have great opportunities to help out her team this year. “My coaches are wanting me to go to state again this year,” Pauna said. “I also want to contribute a lot of first place points to the team total.” Karp will participate in the high jump, discus and the shot put, and hopes to set new personal records and contend for state in all of his field events. “Being the only men’s high jumper, myself and my coaches are expecting me to lead in my other events,” Karp said. “I will also have to carry over some big points to the team total since we can only place one person.” “I look forward to seeing a lot more athletes at state,” Pauna added.

Boys: 4th in FRL, 23rd at state. Girls: 3rd in FRL, 27th at state. ►KEY MEETS: St. Vrain Meet, Nike Invitational

►OUTLOOK: “I’m excited. I think there is a lot of good talent. We have a chance to be good.” -Senior Brad Burback

play, 10-7 overall, lost to Arapahoe in quarterfinals ►KEY GAMES: Kent Denver, Cherry Creek ►OUTLOOK: “We should

be pretty good this year. We have a lot of college bound players.” -Senior Ethan Kitchell

Track Preview ►KEY RETURNERS: Valentina Pauna (pole vault), Ethan Karp (discus, high jump, shot put) Shayla Peel (800 m)

►IMPORTANT PERSONNEL LOSSES: Graham Gilaland (triple jump) ►FINISH LAST YEAR:

Boys’ Lacrosse Preview ►KEY RETURNERS: Ethan Kitchell, Alex Creech, Cole Bradley, Tim Kelley. ►IMPORTANT

PERSONNEL LOSSES: Bret Newman (Collins), John Moore (Fossil) ►FINISH LAST YEAR: Undefeated in conference

Girls’ Basketball LoboWraps ►HOW THEY FINISHED: 6-10 in league play, 11-14 overall. Beat Smoky Hill in the first round, then lost to Highlands Ranch 65-43. ►HIGHS: 2-0 against Fossil and Poudre. ►LOWS: Losing to Collins

twice. ►QUOTE ME: “It had its ups and downs. But we ended our season in a fair match against one of the best teams in the state.” -Senior Erika Musante ►MVP: Kara Spotton

Rocky Mountain Highlighter

ports

March 25, 2011

’06-’07

Makings of a dynasty: Marco Gonzalez pitches during the Lobos’ first state championship (left). The team celebrates a run in a game leading up to the 2007-2008 state game (right).

Highlighter archive

The Full Nelson

’07-’08

Ryan Nelson

Highlighter archive

The Strive For

’10-’11? ’08-’09

Highlighter archive

Champs: (From left) John Schraeder, Bryan Peters, Marco Gonzalez, J.T. Leidholdt and Chris Bonk pose and hold the state trophy during the ’08-’09 celebration (left). The team dog piles after their most recent state championship victory (right).

’09-’10

Highlighter archive

Baseball team coping with losses Pitching performances to play key part in team’s shot at 5-peat as it prepares for new season by Ryan McCrary Reporter

One Colorado Player of the Year, three All-Colorado and All5A players, four Sports All-5A class Honorable mention, five college signees and 12 seniors. All gone. “Anytime you lose 12 seniors, eight starters, and two out

Special

of your three starting pitchers, it’s going to make a difference,” head baseball coach Scott Bullock said. “Experience is going to be lacking, but that is what high school sports are all about. You can’t sign long-term deals. The team is going to be new and exciting; people are going to have the chance to step up.” Jump to 5-PEAT, page A7

by Calvin Jouard Sports Editor

It’s no secret. Solid pitching makes for solid wins. The baseball team is no exception. Pitching has played an integral part in each of the team’s four state championship runs, with contributions coming from Bryan Peters, Pierce Trumper

and Nick McLimans to name a few. Then there was the pitcher who pitched in and won each of the teams’ four state championship games and maintained an ERA of 2.15 last year in his senior season--Marco Gonzalez. And with his departure, the Lobos lost arguably one of the Jump to PITCHERS, page A7

The humbling experience “There is no better humbling experience than getting your butt kicked.”-Mike Tyson Winning four consecutive state titles can bring great levels of confidence to anyone, and deservingly so. And to keep the team focused on another title, Coach Bullock brings the team to Arizona every year to play some spring games. Teams like the ones in Arizona often have more field time, and they know one another’s playing styles. They practice together on an actual baseball diamond all year and more times than not they have been playing together for years. And while many of our baseball players have been playing together for multiple seasons, they just don’t have the advantage that Arizona teams possess. When the preseason begins, the team may need a little “bringing down to earth” after coming off yet another state championship. The boys feel good looking back on the past season and the outlook for the future is great. But, how do you keep a great team like this one in check? You can tell the team they will have to work hard to get that fifth title or you can bring them to play against these teams that play with each other year round. Due to Bullock’s great connections in Arizona, he has been able to get his team down there to play in some high profile tournaments against some of the nation’s best high school teams. And while our baseball program is arguably the best in Colorado, the amount of on the field experience just doesn’t compare. In Arizona last year the baseball teams winning percentage was .600, losing only two games to teams from Arizona and California. On the flip side, when the boys came back to Colorado, they were undefeated, taking their fourth consecutive state title. However, anyone who has seen our team play and has seen the team off the diamond would say that what our team lacks in the amount of time on the field, they make up for in camaraderie. They are a team everywhere they go and always watch out for one another. Teams who work well together off the field often work well together on the field. This baseball team has a great amount of care for one another and in the past four years that has really shown in the play style and devotion to the game. The team doesn’t have to spend time building on their care for one another and their care for the game. By the time they arrive to Arizona they are all ready to take the field together Ryan Nelson was a senior tight end on the football team and is a reporter for the RM Highlighter.

eatures

March 25, 2011

The Will to Wonder

Natural Beauty

Comfort in the little things

Mary Willson is a senior and Center In-Depth editor for the RM Highlighter.

Rocky Mountain Highlighter

Graphic illustration by Cassa Niedringhaus and Geneva Mueller

Mary Willson

Comfort is defined through oneself. A warm car heated up by the sun on a windy day, a worn-in chair in the living room, a song that relives a perfect day, a necklace that is never taken off. I have a few, including the Rio’s queso, the couch in my living room that my sister and I share at family dinner, any of my best friends’ cars with music blasting, the sound of shoes slapping against concrete, the ugly yellow walls of the pool I lifeguard at and most relevantly, the Drake Starbucks. The Starbucks, a two minute drive, five minute walk from school has become much more than a normal source for caffeine for me. It has turned into an escape. My escape from stress, my escape from high school and an escape I have made my own. Almost all my essays for my AP Comp. class were written with my I-pod humming a tune from Slightly Stoopid or O.A.R. while sipping a white mocha. Almost all the articles and columns you read from me were thought up next to the large La Machina del Caffe Crema poster in the back corner. And almost all the studying (or lack thereof) for tests is done in the comfort of one of six oversized chairs scattered around. Today, as I stood in front of the barista I have come to know, with my bag holding my computer in hopes to write this column, a daunting thought hit me. Now this thought is not a new one. It wasn’t a realization; it didn’t just spring up, for it’s been a thought consuming my thoughts and emotions for the last few months as I grow closer everyday to graduation. I will be completely closing one chapter of my life and opening a fresh one in Flagstaff Arizona, 800+ miles away. As I stood there like I do so often, looking down at the dueling tip jars, I had the thought that in six months I will not be able to go to my escape. One of my comforts that has defined my recent years will no longer be a defining comfort of mine. This thought is one in which bubbles up in the minds of most seniors as May 21 creeps closer and closer, as graduation parties are planned and as residency surveys are filled out. The little parts of our lives that have been so prevalent over the last four years will change just like the big parts. For many and most of us, location, living situation, peers, acquaintances, activities and daily routines will change. That has been a given since we put on that construction paper cap signifying we graduated Kindergarten. The tiny things that make each one of us feel at ease and content have the potential to change. The laughs we will hear, the color of our room, the street signs we will see, the teachers we learn from all have the potential to change. My Starbucks will no longer by my Starbucks. This thought, to put it simply, is saddening. To put it not so simply, it is wonderful and exciting. It is never easy to let go, especially to everything at once. Yet what I must keep reminding myself of is that if I never let go, I never make room for new comforts. In Flagstaff there very well could be a little local coffee shop waiting for someone to adopt it as their studying space, waiting for someone, who, like me needs a little bit of comforting.

Section B

Media sets unrealistic expectations by Cassa Niedringhaus Features Editor

good idea,” Darling said about the Redefining Beautiful club. “I’ve been wanting to implement it in our school for a while.” Darling and junior Lydia Swartz started a group on Facebook to spread the word about No Makeup Mondays to Rocky girls. In addition to the online promotion, Darling has designed and is selling t-shirts that state “No Makeup Mondays, One Girl At A Time, Let’s Redefine Beautiful.” “I think that often we get

Teenagers today are inundated with information from the media that tells them how to look, how to dress, what to weigh and how to behave. Often, images and messages in the media can be misleading and cause harm to children, teens and adults alike. Sources of media and entertainment put extra pressure on girls to look and act a certain way. According to Denise D. Witmer, author of several parenting books, average sized women weigh 23 percent more than average sized models. “I do think that there is a pressure on girls to look a certain way,” said Media Analysis teacher Monica Kauffman. “I think that the views of media affect how girls see themselves. I have had numerous girls tell me that they feel they need to look a certain way to be accepted and to fit in; that is coming from Rocky students.” According to Teen Health and the Media, a website with information about the effects of media on teenagers, 78 percent of 17-year-old girls are unhappy with the way their

Jump to MONDAY, page B2

Jump to MEDIA, page B2

No makeup Mondays inspire confidence by Chloe Evans Limelight Editor

In high school a girl’s beauty is typically defined by the makeup and clothes she wears. However, many girls are Features starting to challenge these superficial expectations by putting their makeup down for one day a week and embracing their natural beauty. Coined as “No Makeup Mondays,” students and staff alike are encouraged to ignore their concealer, mascara, eyeliner and other products and bare

Special

all.

Leader of this movement, senior Kasey Darling, got the idea from the girls of Colleyville Heritage High School in Colleyville, Texas who started the club Redefining Beautiful. The students from Texas got their club idea from Operation Beautiful, an organization that works to end negative self-talk and promote natural beauty. The organization has been featured on the Oprah Winfrey Network and on The Today Show. “I saw their story on the news and thought it was a

Teacher trains, competes, travels for timbersports by Ramsey Nicholas Editorial Editor

Science teacher Adrian Flygt brings laughter and smiles to the field of educaTeacher tion, as well as the traditional sport and hobby, timbersports. Timbersports are a sequence of competitions in which athletes participate in wood-chopping disciplines, similar to those of a lumberjack. The most well-known timbersports organization, Stihl, is a Timbersports Series that brings

Feature

Ramsey Nicholas

Dedication: Science teacher Adrian Flygt practices his chopping technique on a log with an ax. Flygt is dedicated both to his sport, timbersports, in which he competes nationally and internationally, and to his teaching as he works to bring humor and cheer to the classroom.

together the world’s best athletes of their divisions to compete in this prestigious competition. At each specific contest, six disciplines or events must be completed by each participant. These disciplines include the hot saw, the stock saw, the underhand chop, the standing block, the springboard, and the single buck. Flygt made effort to describe one of the six disciplines, the hot saw. “It’s like holding a galloping Jump to FLYGT, page B2

Rocky Mountain Highlighter

Features

March 25, 2011

Overcoming prejudice

Early morning seminary: Senior Kadie Kovach works with her cousin Tanner Kahl to sift through records and trace family lines. One pillar of the Mormon faith is to redeem the dead.

Student appreciates faith, learns to ignore hateful words against it by Tess Halac Editor-in-Chief

No swearing, no caffeine, and no dating before the age of 16. To many high schoolers, these rules could be seen as an alternate form of torture. For senior Kadie Kovach, it’s a way of life; all are condemnations found within the Strength of Youth Standards for Mormon adolescents. Many would argue that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is one of the most rule-ridden denominations found within the Christian faith. Surprisingly, these strict rules aren’t much of an ordeal for Kovach. “These standards that are set help keep you grounded,” Kovach said. “They are words of wisdom—they help me to stay away from the drug scene. Especially with high school there is so much going on with you figuring out who you want to be and who you are. Having a testimony to rely on is so incredible and comforting.” Part of the reason she may not struggle with the codes as much as others is the fact that the Mormon religion runs thick in her blood—nearly all of Kovach’s family and ancestors are practicing Latter-day Saints. Another significant factor may be Kovach’s own steadfast commitment to her faith. In addition to the standards Kovach must follow, she also attends seminary everyday during the weekday for 45 minutes. To those who scoff at the seemingly miniscule time commitment, think again—seminary begins promptly at 6 a.m. each morning. “She (Kovach) comes in every morning and participates enthusiasti-

Flygt

from page B1

cally and asks thoughtful questions,” seminary teacher Terry Lister said. “She’s a good kid.” Kovach also competed on the school’s swim team, which often took place in the morning before school as well. During the season, she would alternate between swim practices and seminary, and would make up the material she missed in seminary later. Add National Honor Society, a generous load of Advanced Placement classes and heavy involvement in Student Council as the senior class secretary, and it’s overwhelmingly clear that Kovach is an involved teen. “Balancing my activities has always been difficult for me, but it’s definitely a way to help you grow up,” Kovach said. “Balancing church, AP class, school and StuCo is hard at times. A planner is key. It’s a fine line.” While Kovach has sometimes experienced difficulties in commitment to her variety of activities, Lister maintains that she has succeeded in keeping her faith strong throughout high school, arguably some of the most testing years of one’s faith. “It (faith) helps kids navigate high school while making good decisions and keeping clear minded,” Lister said. “It helps them to not be dragged into things that would damage them physically of even spiritually. Even with swimming, Kadie was able to do all this. She even spoke to youth and parents, about 400-plus people and articulated her testimony and the experiences she gathered.” Though scheduling and free time are often a struggle, Kovach also talked

class CSU had to offer, where we both had a lot of laughs, but also horse,” Flygt said. “Using a snowcame back to timbersports leaner, mobile engine, this chainsaw weighs meaner, and excited to train and 65 pounds and can reach up to 85compete and dominate the spring 90 horsepower.” competitions.” Using machines as sharp and Flygt and Malone, who travelled powerful as this, most lumberjacks, together competitively several times, including Flygt, are bound to receive ran into multiple situations of man an injury at one point or another. versus nature. “My worst injury was when I According to Flygt, almost all stepped on a rusty, crosscompetitions are over 1,000 miles cut saw and ended up with away and more time is spent in a Tetanus shot and six a tent than at the actual venue. stitches in my foot,” Flygt After travelling through Donor said. “As my foot was painPass in a white-out blizzard and fully being stitched up, the blowing a trailer tire in a Cabela’s lady didn’t numb my foot corparking lot in the middle of rectly and I broke the machine Wyoming, he not only has had from squeezing it so hard.” the opportunity to meet a wide This brawny lumberjack variety of new people, but also travels all over the country inhas learned new life skills and ways cluding states such as Montana, to adjust to threatening situations Oregon, and Georgia to comin nature. pete in the Stihl championships. Mainly known for his sense Currently ranked as 10th in of humor incorporated into his region, Flygt now falls into his teaching, Flygt brings a the top 50 lumberjacks in the blatantly cheerful atmosphere to country, opening him up to whatever class he happens to be opportunities to compete at ►Adrian teaching or assisting. a global level against countries “He has a really good sense of Flygt such as New Zealand, Germany, humor while still getting things and Australia. done,” agree juniors Beau Schimmel Fellow athlete and travelling and Mike Conley, both students of partner, Killian Malone, described Flygt. “He really makes the class fun her experience working with teamand he showed us tons of videos of mate, Flygt. his lumberjack competitions.” “We spent the winter of 2007Flygt not only excels in his sport, 2008 working out in the gym at but he manages to show an aboveCSU,” Malone said. “Now you average demonstration of responsibilmight look at Adrian and think, ity, dedication and a good attitude. ‘Oh, you probably did a lot of lifting “To whom much is given, much and protein shake drinking,’ but is expected,” Flygt said. “I have a lot nothing could be farther from the of responsibilities to balance out in truth. In actuality, I dragged Adrian both school and timbersports. A lot to just about every core conditionof people have invested a lot of time ing, jump rope, and step-aerobics in me and I want to give that back.”

about another, more chilling type of barrier—people who ridicule her for her faith. “I’ve been asked if I believe God is a rock,” Kovach said. “I’ve been asked ‘how many moms do you have?’ People will curse at me, telling me to go back to Utah. People have literally hated me because of my religion.” Though the ignorance and lack of understanding in such people is glaringly obvious, Kovach said it didn’t lessen the blow of their hateful message. However, since her first experience, she has learned to cope with the mockery. “I was just really shocked with my first encounter with it (ridicule),” Kovach said. “Now I can brush it off, turn the other cheek, whatever. I can say ‘this is who I am, this is what I believe, and if you don’t like me for it, oh well.’” According to Kovach’s friends, this immediate judgment of her couldn’t be more inaccurate, and defies the stereotype of a bible-thumping, isolated religious person. “Kadie’s a good person, nice and welcoming,” said junior Cameron Clements, who attends seminary with her every morning. “She is willing to talk about her faith openly.” Added junior and junior class treasurer Kali Glenn, “Kadie Kovach is an outstanding person and leader. She does everything with a smile no matter what her mood is, and is willing to do anything, even if it isn’t fun. She’s doesn’t let anything bring her down.” Kovach herself maintains that devout people of faith aren’t necessarily

Monday from page B1

lost in thinking that we are only pretty with makeup on,” Darling said. “In high school it’s a cool statement to make that as girls we can be ourselves in school.” In addition to students being involved, female staff members have also stepped up and made the scary step towards accepting their natural beauty. “I like the whole idea of (the campaign),” language arts teacher Laura Druse said. “It’s our inner beauty, not our outer beauty that’s important, and I think we need to try to help girls realize that.” The support and involvement of teachers is encouraging to the students

Media from page B1

body looks. “We are constantly surrounded by media and when most of it portrays beautiful women with the ‘perfect’ body it’s hard not to compare yourself to them and wish that you were something you are not,” said senior Lizzy Kinney who took Media Analysis. Senior Hayley Bancroft also took Media Analysis and said she believes that the key to combating misleading information in the media is to be aware. “Media is everywhere,” Bancroft said. “People don’t realize how much there is and how it influences people and how they act. Media Analysis made me so aware of everything like how we dress and how we act compared to how people dress and act on television. ” Kauffman said that some people engage in name-calling when girls do not meet the expectations set by the

Tess Halac

all the same. “Not everyone is like Jamie from A Walk to Remember,” Kovach said. “Religion has the wrong stereotype—it’s an individual basis.” Still, struggles of misconception and mockery towards her religion can be particularly painful. However, the constant problem of rushed judgment may be somewhat alleviated next year; Kovach has recently been accepted to Brigham Young University-Provo, and will attend there in the fall of 2011. There she will be able to continue and further her faith in the company of

like-minded people. “BYU is accredited in many academic fields and you almost have to minor in religion the way it’s set up,” Lister said. “It is a good opportunity for when she’s out and not around as many people with the same faith.” Added Kovach, “I wanted to be away from the party scene and be with people with like standards. To a lot of people, the perspective I gather is that it (Mormonism) is dumb, it has lots of rules. But in following this, it makes you free, free from addiction. You still get to choose. It’s protecting you.”

participating. To them it symbolizes that everybody can get involved, and Darling encourages the underclassmen girls to get involved also. “I’m really proud of all the people that have been involved with the campaign,” Darling said. “It’s not just a senior thing; I want all of the girls in the school to get involved.” Though the campaign has received mostly positive feedback, there have been some negative remarks from male students. “It’s funny when the guys make fun of it,” Darling said. “It just shows that girls are more comfortable with being themselves than boys are with accepting it.” Swartz, however, points out the double standard that exists with ap-

pearances among boys and girls. “If we made the guys do something every single day (like how girls wear makeup), we could see what happens when we strip that away from them,” Swartz said. However, Darling and Swartz understand that going from a fully made up face, to no makeup at all is a scary thing to do. They encourage girls to get involved and undertake the cause one step at a time, whether that means less mascara or no eyeliner for a day. “It’s scary at first, but when you walk down the halls and see other girls without makeup on, you feel an amazing connection,” Swartz said. “You get to take off the mask and be yourself.”

media. She organizes activities that help her classes to understand the impact of name-calling. “I ask the boys in the class to put themselves 20 years down the road when their daughter comes home from school and says ‘Daddy, somebody called me…’ and it’s one of those terms,” Kauffman said. “I ask them ‘How do you feel about it then?’ And the room just gets so quiet. I think that has the biggest impact. I tell them every girl who you make fun of or you call a name who doesn’t live up to these expectations that have been set out for women is somebody else’s sister, somebody else’s daughter, somebody else’s little girl. And that’s what makes them realize.” Senior Tara Kengott took Media Analysis and said that the activities that address inappropriate terms against girls are beneficial to help halt vicious name-calling. “(I liked) putting all the slurred terms on the board and discussing how it made us feel because it enlightened all the guys in that class that throw around those words freely,” Kengott said. “And, it revealed how the words subconsciously demean us girls.” An especially emphasized point in Media Analysis is being aware. Kauffman hopes to let her students know that awareness is paramount for teenagers and adults alike. “I don’t want people to think that media is a bad thing,” Kauffman said. “I want them to be aware of the techniques that media is using to get

them to buy things or to do a certain thing. But I also want them to be aware that just because the media says that there is a certain way somebody should look it’s not necessarily the only way somebody should look. We talk about a lot of awareness. It doesn’t mean it (the media) is necessarily a bad thing, if you know that you shouldn’t fool yourself into thinking that that’s the ideal body. It’s not.” As the class participates in the activities and discussions, they begin to recognize that the ideals the media dictates are unrealistic. “Every term that I have taught it (Media Analysis), people come to the realization that the expectations that we are asked to live up to contradict themselves, that there is no way that they can have all of it,” Kauffman said. “Because a lot of it is, ‘Oh, you are supposed to be toned, but not muscular. And you’re supposed to have babies but be fit at the same time. ’ There are so many double standards for women.” Both Bancroft and Kengott said that awareness is vital to deal with media sources. They both enjoyed the class and the lessons it provided about both the media and themselves. “It’s the most inspiring class I’ve ever had and has taught me to love me for me, and overall just be confident,” Kengott said. Added Bancroft, “Media analysis made me so aware of everything, like how we dress and how we act versus how people dress and act on television. It was such a good class, I loved it.”

Features

Poncelow helps all by Cassa Niedringhaus Features Editor

Media Center staff member Cassie Poncelow’s magnetic personality draws in people from all over the school. When teaching students about the Media Center, she often sings and dances to make her lessons more fun. Staff “Cassie is a barrel of fun,” said another Media Center staff member Nikol Neff. “There is never a dull moment with her. She makes the day exciting. People come running in all day to see her.” Whether it’s a student or a staff member, Poncelow works hard to do anything possible for them. She helps other departments get grants and listens to anyone who wants to talk to her. “People are constantly coming in,” Neff said. “Whether they are crying or celebrating, both students and staff members come to her.” Poncelow’s warm and inviting personality has driven her to go back to get her Master’s Degree with a focus on counseling and will graduate from CSU in May. “The counseling staff at Rocky are incredible mentors,” Poncelow said. “They have been giving great advice and I am

Feature

grateful to them. I would love to work with them if the opportunity ever presented itself.” In addition to the mentoring that the counseling staff provides, Poncelow is gaining hands-on experience at Lincoln Middle School as a counseling intern. She will go two days a week, all school year. She said that she is ready for something new and eager to begin a new phase of her life. Even within her current job, Poncelow strives to always learn something new. “I love learning and I love education,” Poncelow said. “I hope to be a lifelong learner and model it for students at Rocky that it’s not just about high school and college; there is plenty out there to learn.” A Rocky graduate herself, Poncelow is able to have extra insight into her job. When she began working, she already had personal connections with some of her former teachers and knew the “ins and outs” of the school. “Graduating from Rocky and then working here really helps the tone,” Media Center staff member Aaron Anderson said. “It’s like re-nesting. Cassie exemplifies that. She brings kids up to head out into the world on a solid foot.”

March 25, 2011

This is the night when people must expect the unexpected. People have a vague idea of what might happen since The Secret Garden is this year’s theme for prom, but nobody knows all the surprises it holds. “I think that every single area will be a surprise,” prom committee leader and psychology teacher Ginny Cox said. “It will be a whimsical secret garden.” The original idea started from prom committee brainstorming themes, and then showed up on the ballot sent out to all the seniors. The majority chose The Secret Garden over the over choices, Above the Clouds or A Night in the City, to be the theme of prom. “There are a lot of really cool things we could do,” said junior class president and head of prom committee Jessica Davidson. ”When we were told the idea, the committee just started buzzing with ideas. It’s very classy, and really fun. It’s a classic theme and we’re giving it a unique modern twist.” This memorable night will

be held at the Drake Center on April 15. The room will be filled with intense greens, blues, silvers and purples and will be covered in vines and colorful flowers. “People need to be ready to look at a location they haven’t seen before because we’re playing it off in a unique way,” Davidson said. “We have an extremely creative committee.” There will be many surprises and embellishments. Similar to real gardens, there will be arches all around the room; however, the big architectural enhancement will be a gazebo structure. Even though the room will be covered with different decorations, the real surprises are in the little details, according to junior and prom committee member Brennan O’Grady. “There’s going to be details everywhere,” O’Grady said. “It will be really cool and really legit. It’s like escaping into a different world.” The decorations will not only enhance and illuminate the room, but will affect the atmosphere and feel of the room as well. “There’s going to be all these

No double-booking same prom dress!

Rocky Mountain Highlighter

Going above and beyond: Media Center staff member Cassie Poncelow teaches math teacher Laura Hogan how to use Prezi, a type of presentation software. Poncelow often helps her fellow staff members learn how to use new technology and write grants.

Chloe Evans

that students and staff members Poncelow enjoys working have for her. in the Media Center because “It’s not just one thing that I she gets to see a lot of different like about students her,” senior and staff Gabby de People are members as la Torre they come constantly said. “I through. coming in. love how “I think Whether they Cass is remy favorite ally honest part (of my are crying or Nikol Neff, celebrating, both and really job) is the Media Center easy to talk personal staff member students and to because connecstaff members she has tions I have the best made with come to her. intentions. students She’s just that last real. She’s comfortable with who a long time,” Poncelow said. “I love when students come back to she is.” Added senior Jami Vaughn, visit and we have that personal “She really would be a good connection.” counselor. She gets to know the Poncelow’s positive attitude student. She’s really understandand personal connections are ing and easy to talk to.” reflected in the words of praise

“”

Big surprises planned for prom by Regan Miller Reporter

vines everywhere and all these greens with colored flowers everywhere to pull you in,” junior and member of prom committee Talee Reece said. “You’re going to get the feeling that everything is going to be okay. We’re trying to embrace the feeling that you’re in a secret place, that you’re enclosed.” The committee is emphasizing The Secret Garden by keeping it quiet. There will be many surprises in the Drake Center; this will be a night where the unexpected should be expected.

Her personality and outgoing nature will help her when she becomes a counselor. Counselor Pam Kilness said that Poncelow is also creative, good at collaborating thoughtful. “She would be a really good counselor,” Kilness said. “She is creative and connects with people. She is also really conscientious about telling people why they’re doing a good job. I appreciate all the fun, creative energy that Cassie brings to Rocky.” Student Services staff member Leah Kapral said that Poncelow reaches above and beyond her current duties to help fellow staff members, purely because she enjoys helping. “She brings that fresh outlook to Rocky with her attitude; she is always positive,” Kapral said. “She is a good asset to Rocky, that’s for sure.”

Regan Miller

Planning surprises: Junior class president and head of prom committee Jessica Davidson leads a discussion with junior Ryan McCrary (center) and Lauren Smailes (right) and other members of the prom committee. This year’s theme will be The Secret Garden.

March 25, 2011

Rocky Mountain Highlighter

enter in-depth

With popularity of E-Books and declining reading habits,jd the future of literature is changing rapidly B o o k s t o re c l o s e s , E - b o o k s i n c re a s e sh37 De c re a s i n g re a d i n g ha b i t s decreases sch o o l skills by Mary Willson Center In-Depth Editor

Walking into a bookstore, smelling the subtle scent of millions of pages yearning to be opened and explored is one of the many simple pleasures in life. Although this is now easy to come across, this mere simple pleasure may be becoming less and less accessible due to the gradual transition from physical books to online books (e-books). On Feb. 16, Borders Group Inc. filed for bankruptcy, forcing them to close 200 out of their 612 stores nationwide. Of these are local Greeley and Boulder stores, according to an official press release by Borders. Although it seems like Fort Collins is safe with Barnes and Noble, many local book stores and three successful public libraries, it brings out the question regarding the future of bookstores, an unfortunate, yet honest concern as e-books on Nooks and Kindles are increasing. Junior Jessica Davidson is an avid reader. Although when she goes to jump into another world through a book, she picks up a Kindle instead. “There’s something about reading, it’s a good thing to carry you away from your day to day,” Davidson said. “It broadens knowledge about a variety of things.” Davidson made the switch to a Kindle over winter break for the sole reasons of saving money and convenience. “If there was a more convenient way for me to go to Barnes and

Noble and buy a book for cheaper, I totally would.” In 2010, the number of e-readers nearly doubled. E-book sales (Nook, Kindle, Online, Ipad, etc.) now make up 90.3% of total book sales according to readwriteweb.com. There are very solid reasons readers pick up e-books, yet also very solid reasons for picking up the physical book. With an e-book, the reader has the ability to highlight

wants to keep their hands on physical books. The general feel of holding a book and hearing a page being flipped, the pretty packaging, ability to share and keep, and finally the charm of second-hand books. Both options create a sense of pleasure for the readers, and although it is a fact that e-books are blowing other books out of the water statistically speaking, it is safe to say there will always be a popu-

think it’s a bad thing, even though were going out of the physical version, were still going towards reading,” librarian Nikol Neff said. “It promotes health, stimulates your brain. It puts your mind in contact with things you wouldn’t normally.” As for the readership on the school level, Rocky is doing well as the library is constantly filled with students. Whether students are working on a project for history, humanities, or English class, doing homework, surfing the web, browsing the shelves, or checking out books, students are constantly in contact with the library, which is a unique thing for a high school. “We do alot more interaction concerning reading than other schools,” Neff said. “I think we try to promote it a lot. I have a child at Collins and she’s never set foot in the library.” 349 students surveyed Neff thinks the library will be checklation of readers yearning for the ing out e-books within the next physical books. Adding to this, there three years. Students will be able are certain books that will keep the to log onto the libraries online site, physical books their only option for digitally download books without readers; an example of this is the needing to ever set foot in the physiHarry Potter series. cal library. In addition, no matter how the Although this transition from the population is reading, the rising literal shelves of books into a world number of e-books signifies the where books are circling all around wonderful news that Americans are us in the world of the knowledge taking time to read. cloud, it is a fact that no matter the (Concerning e-books) “I don’t style, reading will always be in style.

64% of students think that it is ex-

tremely important to keep up with current events. of students pick up a newspaper regularly.

22%

with the touch of their finger, take notes without reaching for a pen, look up words right from their product, connect to Facebook or Twitter to post quotes, search words from an online dictionary, along with having access to discounted new books and free classic books. Finally, of course the popular fact that it is small and extremely portable. In juxtaposition, there are very solid reasons why this generation

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by Geneva Mueller Reporter

“Meet in commons.” As unrealistic as it may seem, this three word text message may be the longest bit of literature that some students read in an entire day. The present generation is one of extreme technological revolutions— advancements including hi-tech cells phones, electronic books and unbounded Wi-Fi access. All of these things together contribute a common and current problem—young people are reading less and less. With the accessibility that young people have to internet, books are slowly being replaced. English teacher Jim Glenn teaches two sections of tenth grade English and one section of Pre-AP eleventh grade English and witnesses the issue of decreased reading within his classes. Glenn believes that much of the problem is laziness, but also the recent advances in access to technology. “I see that students are becoming more and more disinterested in print texts,” Glenn said. “Reading, as opposed to watching material, lessens the value of primary texts. I think it is partially technology and part laziness within the student.” A child’s brain forms twice as many synapses (connections) as the child will eventually need. If these synapses are used repeatedly in a child’s day-to-day life, they are reinforced. If they are not used repeatedly, they are eliminated. In this way, experience places a crucial role in the “wiring” of a child’s brain. Activity levels drop naturally during adolescence when the brain “prunes” unused connections.

Technology, of course, is not all bad. Recent advancements have been extremely useful in many ways. However, many things have proved detrimental to the learning of students. Studies have shown that early stages of life, being read to is the most effective way for the brain to make connections. Additionally, the brain of a child forms twice as many synapses as an adult actually uses—reading activates the synapses which reinforces them and strengthens the brain’s overall capacity. Therefore, reading is extremely important in regards to development. However, with online databases and news sources available online, many people find print texts outdated and useless. English teacher J.D. Williams teaches one section of eleventh grade English and two sections of Modern Literary Perspectives. Williams believes that the present problems of slowly degrading reading trends are more about the laziness of the students than the actual abilities that they possess. “The abilities of the students seem to have been pretty stable,” Williams said. “But I think there is a lot more push back from students to read and write. Eventually, students will show their abilities, but there is certainly a lot more

push back.” Students are going to continue in this downward trend unless they start to find as much enjoyment in reading as they do in the activities that they are replacing it with. “People say ‘well, I’m not a great reader’ and then I ask how much they read,” Williams said. “The response is usually ‘well, never’. Reading is about exercising the brain, and that is something that I see less and less of every year.” It is understandable that many stu-

30% of have only

constant influx of technology in today’s generation. “There are definitely more exciting options, cool technological things—we live in the text message culture,” Williams said. “But the problem is that because of this, brains aren’t prepared to focus. Brains need to relax, but the relaxation has begun to overtake the development.” Illiterate is a harsh word to describe this generation; however, Glenn has a different word that he teaches his student in hopes that they will not become it. “Alliterate basically means that people have the ability to read, but choose not to,” Glenn said. “We could have a generation of kids who just don’t have the skills that they need. They could enter into the real world without the ability to analyze or process information.” Society could possibly transforming into an alliterate generation which would certainly have serious ramifications—many of which are already being seen in the classroom. “The difference between the information and the understanding of it is vast. It is a combination of the technology and the laziness,” Glenn said. “It’s not like back in the day every kid read a lot. But the laziness combined with the technology of today is almost enticing students to give in [to the use of technology]. There is a lot of apathy,

students read one of the books required for an English class. dents do not relish the idea of reading for pleasure—brain breaks are healthy. But the important part is what they are replacing it with. Studies have shown that when a television is on, people talk less which decreases the amount of synapses that the brain must produce. If young children are around a lot of television, less talking will be conducted and their language acquisition rate will slow down severely. Watching television puts the brain in “neutral,” a state where no thinking is required, and therefore it is not growing. However, it is often times difficult to escape the

and the technology gives the means for students to give in. They no longer understand the value of the process.” According to studies conducted by the Franklin Institute, reading habits before age eighteen are a great predictor of later life cognitive functions. It is said to build up the cognitive reserve which will help once the brain starts to age. Anything that provokes thoughts actually increases the amount of interconnections within the brain. Williams seems to be very concerned about the effects that the decline in reading will have on students after high school. “Of course not reading affects more than just that within itself,” Williams said. “It affects the ability to analyze and problem solve. These things are becoming less practiced. The reading ability will slowly decrease where the overall writing level decreases significantly. The split between people who read and people who don’t is obvious.” Glenn offers a possible outcome of this generation if the downward reading trends persist. “At the end of Fahrenheit 451, society has basically become this vanilla place where everything is shortened and synthetic,” Glenn said. “This very well could be where this generation is headed with the dependence on technology for information paired with the apathy that is so present.”

25% of students haven’t read a book all year.

March 25, 2011

Rocky Mountain Highlighter

enter in-depth

64% of students think that it is ex-

tremely important to keep up with current events. of students pick up a newspaper regularly.

22%

by Geneva Mueller Reporter

30% of have only

25% of students haven’t read a book all year.

Limelight Games and entertainment Top Ten

Rocky Mountain Highlighter

March 25, 2011

Worst Ways To Spend Spring Break

10. Attracting venereal diseases on the Mexican coast. 9. Being kidnapped in Europe and realizing that Liam Neeson is not your father. 8. Applying to be a Teen Mom cast member. 7. The Oxygen Channel takes over the formerlyhosted MTV Spring Break. 6. Sipping tiger blood and winning with Charlie Sheen. Heck,

doing anything with Charlie Sheen. 5. Syphilis. 4. Girls Gone Wild Spring Break Edition is cancelled. Aw shucks. 3. While visiting family in New Jersey, you sprain an ankle after tripping over Snooki, the state Oompa Loompa. 2. Black bear attacks. 1.Calculating how many gallons of coffee Kasey Darling will drink in the next year.

by Ryan Nelson, Calvin Jouard and Charlie Anderson

Aliens return in predictable Battle: LA Surprises few in new sci-fi film by Fahey Zink Reporter

Aliens have invaded the movie screens once again and if someone is looking for a high action movie, they’re in luck with Battle: Los Angeles, or better known as Battle: LA. Movie The opening credits start out with a preview of the invasion and what’s about to come for the next hour and 57 minutes. While that small preview lasts about a minute, it only takes about five more minutes for the actual invasion to start. Meteor showers hit the coasts of highly populated cities across the world. They end up containing alien troops out to exterminate the human race.

Review

Here, the main combat troop is introduced with Aaron Eckhart playing Staff Sgt. Michael Nantz. After that, the rest of the movie is action scenes and one lined emotion moments that get old after awhile. The plot of the movie is just like any other basic alien movie. No twists and no surprises, making it way too predictable. Audiences would think that because Battle: LA is a movie about aliens, there would be some good special effects. However, the lack of special affects is what ultimately killed the movie, especially when it comes to the aliens. The aliens seem to be created off of an 8 year old’s idea of what aliens would actually look like; huge heads, long and skinny, green and overall looked more

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Only minutes away from Rocky!

Oh no, aliens again: Aaron Eckhart plays Staff Sgt. Michael Nantz in the new sci-fi movie Battle: Los Angeles. Nantz leads his troops against an invasion of aliens, who come to Earth in a meteor shower.

Richard Cartwright/Courtesy Columbia PIctures/MCT

funny than scary. Whoever came up with what the aliens looked liked could have been a lot more creative with their ideas. The battle scenes in the movie had entertaining parts, but were soon ruined by the shaky camera method used to film the movie. While it does make it seem more realistic and gives one the idea that the person who was filming

this was on the front lines as well, it completely takes away from the scene that is going on. With the camera shaking, all that is seen is just glimpses of explosions and the actual battle going on, which starts to get annoying. The screenwriters of this movie didn’t do much of anything. Dialog consists of a bunch of screaming between the

characters. The only major dialog going on during scenes are these big emotion speeches that start to get old quickly. The screenwriters don’t give a lot of background of why the aliens invade. It’s mentioned a couple of times that they’re using the water to fuel themselves, but it is never said if that is the reason why they came to Earth in the first place or if they are there for another reason. While the movie has its fair share of mistakes, there are some good points to it. Eckhart does an amazing job playing Sgt. Nantz and fits perfectly as an action hero. Even though audiences don’t know much about Eckhart’s combat members, they all do a decent job playing the roles of Marines, as well. While the shaky camera does take away from the action scenes, the parts that are clear are pretty good, especially during the climax of the movie. Battle: LA will deliver if someone is in the mood for an action movie, but it won’t deliver for any other reason. While the good points of the movie shine through, the horrible special effects, writing and plot take the movie down to just another mediocre alien movie.

Grade: C

Limelight

March 25, 2011

Boulder’s sub shop Snarf offers customer favorites by Charlie Anderson Reporter

Examine the growth of the word “snarf.” The word, first coined in the 1980s animated television series, Thundercats, has become well-known in the Boulder area and Denver suburbs. This increase in familiarity of the word may either be due to an unexpected rise in a Thundercats street following or an expansion of the sandwichsub shop, Snarf ’s. Most attest to the latter, but you never know. In 1996, Snarf ’s Sub Shop opened its first location on Pearl Street in Boulder. In the past 15 years, six locations have been added to the Colorado sandwich scene, alongside store openings in Chicago and Saint Louis. On Feb. 14, the sub-shop arena of Fort Collins was expanded as Snarf ’s snagged its seventh Colorado location at 700 S. College Ave. The foundation of the menu, of course, consists of a variety of toasted and specialty subs, but also includes soup, salad, snarflettes (cheap snacks to satisfy), malts, and milk shakes. The sandwiches, ordered on the fiveinch “Novice,” the seven-inch “Snarf ’s,” or the twelve-inch “Pro,” are highlighted by the customer- favorite Italian toasted sub and the savory smoked brisket specialty sub. The Italian,

Food Review

Charlie Anderson

Snarf down some grub: To the left, junior Ryan Beverly tries out a tasty sub at the new sandwich restaurant, Snarf. The restaurant was started in Boulder.

wrapped simply in white butcher paper, was stacked expertly between pieces of toasted white bread, with Salami, Pepperoni, Capicola, Mortidalla, and Provolone falling abundantly out of the ends. The charismatic staff and music accentuate the restaurant’s laid-back atmosphere. The location itself, formerly that of Starbucks, is a comfortable room with colorful walls. The new Snarf ’s sits diagonal to Chipotle, next to a tattoo parlor, and directly across the street from a soon-to-be rival, Cheba Hut. “I hear Cheba has already declared war on us,” said Snarf ’s employee Miranda Griffith. “But I don’t know. I think we’re just different than Cheba; they seem to focus on chicken-based

sandwiches while we like our deli meats and hot peppers.” According to Griffith, Snarf ’s already has a substantial fanbase, situated mainly in Boulder. “People have been coming down from Boulder to show some support. Hopefully Fort Collins likes us, because we’re actually planning on another location here in town,” said Griffith. With an expansionistic mind set, Snarf ’s Subs seems to have the initiative to take over Colorado. Of course, only the future will tell if the shop will be able to compete alongside or against Cheba Hut as one of Fort Collins’ favorite sandwichsub shops.

Grade: A

Adjustment Bureau not typical romance by Geneva Mueller Reporter

An action drama film with a twist; sounds typical, right? But no—from the beginning to the end, The Adjustment Bureau is packed with action, suspense and some well-brewed romance. The movie begins with politician, David Norris (Matt Damon) Movie who is running for Senate; he is pegged to win, but some bad press is released right before the election. Herein lies the first twist—he has been rehearsing for his speech of concession in the bathroom for quite a while when a woman’s presence is made known. What seems to be a cheesy meet and a ploy to gain the vote of the female audience turns out to be a large part of the plot—Norris falls in love with the woman, Elise Sellas (Emily Blunt), but he has to leave before they can exchange contact information. Intertwined within the story of Norris and Sellas, the audience sees a group of men consulting mysterious notebooks. They are the members of the Adjustment Bureau, the keepers of fate, and the pawns of the ambiguous “chairman.” The

Review

Show

from page B8 the script should work perfectly.” Howard will play the part of Michael Kelly, a police officer, in

Rocky Mountain Highlighter

Music from page B8

including a rare sell-out of Everyday Joe’s Coffee House by acoustic singer/songwriter, Gregory Alan Isakov. “It just feels like home,” said Isakov of the coffee house last December. Already, this year has witnessed maximum capacity at Hodi’s Half Note, on Feb. 24 when the immortal Del (Tha Funkee Homosapien) took the stage. “Sorry, no more tickets” a sharpie sign plainly stated on the venue’s front window. The five hour long show saw a full house in the company of the legendary rapper. “What do I like about Hodi’s?” asked Del. “Well it was sold out tonight, so that’s always nice.The people just seemed a lot more receptive. Here, everyone’s not just some drunk fools.” A strong calendar at the Aggie Theater shows local acts, such as Peace Officer and the Acidophiles, trading off nights with more popular out-of-town groups. John Popper (from Blues Traveler), Zion and I and the Grouch, Stephen Marley, and Portugal the Man are just a handful of acts gracing Old Town’s Aggie Theater. “Fort Collins in general seems to appreciate music and I think a lot of bands are starting to see that,” said Greta Cornett, a local talent coordinator and event coordinator at Road 34. “It’s a fact that Fort Collins is a music city.” Cornett also organizes the Fort Collins Music Experiment (FocoMX), which is in its third

year. The event will take place on April 8th and 9th this year, at over thirty venues throughout the town. “FocoMX shows support for the music scene of Northern Colorado, really, and this year will feature around 264 bands,” said Cornett. “There are actually a couple bands from Rocky that are on our list, which is pretty exciting. It’s always great to see so much talent, especially just at the high school level.” Every year, local music takes a step into the spotlight through events such as Bohemian Nights at New West Fest and FocoMX. Senior Devyn Robuck has played at both events and at separate shows throughout town. “A main thing I love about playing in Fort Collins is our community support,” Robuck remarked. “I’ve always felt really encouraged with my music from all of the fans here. Fans here are just really involved and I think that goes along with living here. Local music is readily available for everybody to enjoy as opposed to other places and in turn, fans support the musicians. It’s like a symbiotic relationship.” As the outside world experiences a frightening turn in the world of live music, Northern Colorado and Fort Collins alone show support for local music acts and optimism for music in general. “I guess to sum it up, we’ve just got a really awesome music scene here with a ton of support from everyone, and as an up and coming musician, it’s a really promising thing to experience,” said Robuck.

Adjustment Bureau enforces the plans that have been made for everyone in the world; however, an interesting circumstance exists with Norris and Sellas. For decades, they were meant to end up together but the plan changed. The Adjustment Bureau must keep a very determined Norris from his wouldhave-been soul mate. The complicated plot is brought to life by the intense and concentrated acting of Damon and Blunt. The infinite surprises keep the audience engaged; however, the vague insinuations that the chairman is God do nothing to further the story line or character development. Somehow the film was able to balance the aspects of romance, action, and suspense effortlessly. For example, the audience is held in suspense when Norris learns that if he chooses to stay with Sellas, neither of them will achieve their ultimate goals. The typical romantic film would have Norris choose his true love without a debate whereas, in this film, he considers his options and eventually chooses to abandon her for the time being. The heartbreak lies in the fact that Norris is forbidden to expose the adjustment bureau on punishment

of being reset—essentially being lobotomized. Norris leaves Sellas without being able to explain because she does not know (and cannot know) that the Bureau exists. An added aspect of interest to the film is the way that the time line is shown, skipping periods of eleven months and even three years. Each time the time skips is another time that Norris and Sellas have lost each other. But each

time, without fail, Sellas goes back to him—their love is so strong because there are remnants of the previous plan that they cannot fight. The Adjustment Bureau attempts to interfere, using their ability to change people’s minds whenever necessary to try to keep the lovers apart. Norris refuses to accept the fact that he and his one and only love are meant to be apart. Ultimately, the film ends with

another twist. The two main characters try to reach the chairman to try to convince him that they are meant for each other. The exact definition of what the chairman is left ambiguous, but their displays of trust and irrevocable love have proved valuable. The ending leaves the audience both satiated and wondering—a powerful combination that equates to satisfaction. Grade: A

the show. Though some cast members are veterans of the theater scene, the characters and cast will pose a new experience and challenge. “It’s just a different style for me,” Barton said. “This is only

the second show I’ve ever been in that wasn’t a musical. For me it’s been like ‘Well, I love singing and acting, whatever, I can try that.’ It’ll be cool to experience being in a full show without breaking into song.”

Barton will play the part of Eddie McCuen, who Barton describes as a ‘terrible comic.’ “This is cool for me because in Anything Goes I played a super straight-forward romantic guy, and in One Acts as a

sophomore I played a Nazi,” Barton said. “So yeah, it’s a little bit of a change. Making stupid jokes isn’t too much of a far cry from my normal behavior, so it shouldn’t be too hard to get into character.”

Andrew Schwartz/Universal Pictures/MCT

Adjusting your bureau: David Norris (Matt Damon) gets interrogated by a member of the Adjustment Bureau, a secret agency that controls everybody’s fate. The film is an action, thriller romance that provides plenty of twists.

Rocky Mountain Highlighter

imelight

March 25, 2011

What’s in the Limelight? March 25: Movie Release: Miral March 28: School: CSAP’s

Fort Collins Local music thrives because of town’s music appreciation by Charlie Anderson Reporter

As the recording industry is submerged in a wave of internet music downloads and the nation’s economy displays a notso-lucrative stagnancy, the live music scene is also seemingly put under pressure. While headline tours such as Roger Waters (performing Pink Floyd’s The Wall), the Dave Matthews Band, and Lady Gaga played to sold out arenas

“”

Fort Collins in general seems to appreciate music and I think a lot of bands are starting to see that. It’s a fact that Fort Collins is a music city.

Greta Cornett, local talent coordinator artists’ need for profit: as internet and theaters across the nation, downloads slash CD and record many other acts were forced to sales, musicians take to the road sell cheap tickets or even cancel to make up for losses. High shows due to a low demand. ticket prices, however, seem to Concert promoters say that high produce a counter-productive ticket sales may come from an

effect. According to Live Entertainment Inc., concert attendance from July to September of 2010 dropped 16 percent from 2009. Some have questioned the future of live music, where a venue beer is priced higher than the actual ticket. For Fort Collins, however, musical appreciation is as strong as ever. Sold out shows dotted the 2010 concert calendar, Jump to MUSIC, page B7

Spring show to be laugh-out-loud funny Feed me a line: The cast of The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 get together for the first time to read through the script. The ten cast members will get together in late April and early May to perform a comedy for the spring show.

by Chloe Evans Limelight Editor

Tragedy, drama, and now . . . a comedy? This year’s upcoming spring show, The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, promises to be starkly different from the last two productions. Not only is it a laugh-out-loud comedy, but there is no one main lead in the cast; it’s an ensemble. “It was recommended to me, and I had never heard of it,” director Larissa Schendel said. “It’s silly, there’s not much meat to it. It’s just silly.” The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 is a 1987 show directed by John Bishop. A group of actors, directors, and choreographers gather and travel to a New York mansion to try and get financial backing for a show they want to produce. However, once a blizzard hits and they become stuck in the New York mansion, the owner, Helsa Wenzel (played by sophomore Anna Auerbach), admits that she brought them to her home to help her solved the murders that occurred during their previous shows. As the play progresses, the characters begin to die off and it becomes clear that the murderer is among them. With all of the murders, hidden identities emerge and no one is who they seem to be. This year, the character of the set will match the characters

March 29: CD Release: Florence and the MachineBetween Two Lungs CD Release: Britney Spears- Femme Fatale School: CSAP’S March 31: Concert: Zion I and the Grouch at the Aggie April 1: Movie Release: Source Code Concert: The Epilogues at the Bluebird April 6: School: Senior Meeting April 8: Movie Release: Soul Surfer Movie Release: Hanna Movie Release: Ceremony Movie Release: Arthur April 9: Concert: Arcade Fire at the First Bank Center Concert: FoCo MX at the Aggie (and other various venues around Fort Collins) Concert: My Chemical Romance at the Fillmore April 12: CD Release: Foo Fighters- Wasted Light

themselves. Set The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 in the library ► April 29, 30 and May 6, 7 at 7 p.m. of the mansion, ► Auditorium the stage will ► Ticket prices: $7 for children and students be a box set with activity passes, $8 for students without complete with activity pass, $9 for adults rotating bookshelves, daggers that pop out of the books, and shows have been dominated by grandiose walls. one gender (Of Mice and Men “It’s almost hard to describe with only one female part and the genre of this show,” senior Steel Magnolias with an entire Jack Barton said. “It’s definitely female cast), this year the cast is a comedy but it has a lot of equally split into five male parts other aspects to it. I guess that’s and five female parts. Several something that will become more of the cast members have had apparent as we get closer to April.” extensive experience with Rocky While the cast of the past two theater, while some are newcomers

Chloe Evans

to the stage. Senior Luke Howard debuted into the school’s theater scene with this year’s One Acts, and was encouraged by language arts teacher Monica Kauffman to try out for the spring show. “The people involved with the theater program are all really fun,” Howard said. “One Acts were really organized and well put together. While acting is fun, people know how to get down to business and get stuff done. This show should be a lot of fun especially with the cast; Jump to SHOW, page B7

April 15: Movie Release: The Conspirator School: No School/ Prom Concert: Rise Against and Bad Religion at the Fillmore April 19: Concert: Cypress Hill at the Ogden