Rocky Mountain Highlighter: 2011 October

Rocky Mountain High School Oct. 14, 2011 Volume 39, No. 2

Vandalism, including anti-gay slurs and swastikas, covered children’s paintings on the Grant Family Farms’ buses. These retired school buses are used to house chickens and their eggs, which are then sold.

See story, page B1

the rocky mountain

hiGhliGhter

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the

Side SHOW HIGH SCHOOL HIJINKS

A teacher at William C. Wood High School in California has banned the use of “bless you” in the classroom because he believes that it is no longer a pertinent saying and is disruptive of flow.

BASKETBALL SHENANIGANS

Top NBA officials and members from the union could not make a deal.

As of now, the first two weeks of the season have been cancelled, with the potential for more cancellations if an agreement cannot be reached.

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Traffic chaos

Student driving, traffic cause concern Stop, in the name of the law

by Michelle Kennedy Reporter

The next time you get into a car with one of your newly licensed friends, consider this: A 16-year-old is 20 times more likely to get in a crash than an adult, accordfront ing to the California pecial Office of Traffic Safety.

The reckless driving around Rocky is noticeable—whether it’s a student racing through the parking lot to get to lunch, or neglecting traffic rules to get to class on time. But

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MUSIC IDOL MARRIES Paul McCartney, former lead singer of The Beatles, married American Nancy Shevell Sunday, Oct. 9.

Regan Miller

Madness on Swallow Road: A student runs to cross the road to get to school in the morning (top left). EMTs load sophomore Caitlin Montgomery into an ambulance after a traffic incident on Sept. 23 (top right). Campus security officer Steve Armstrong uses a radar gun in the parking lot to monitor traffic speeds (bottom left.) A flashing speed limit signs remind drivers of reduced speeds in the school zone (bottom right).

Michelle Kennedy

Jump to DRIVE, page A3

Accidents are easily avoidable

by Isaac Effner Editorial Editor

The craziness really begins around 7:15 a.m. on school mornings.

Students rush to school on bikes, on crosswalks and in cars in a mad dash to arrive on time. This is an everyday scene outside of the school.

However, Sept. 23 was not an average day. A carpedestrian traffic accident Jump to STUDENT, page A2

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When fog clears, energy leaks revealed

QUOTE OF THE ISSUE “You are who you are from the moment you’re born, even if you don’t realize it at first. You have no control over how you are. You’re you and nobody can change that.”

- Junior Jessica Knight about LGBT Youth

by Taylor Hitchings Reporter

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Monitoring fog leaks: Tyler Schwein (right) and Dorian Illing (left) monitor fog movement around windows to determine where leaks may occur, as mannikins from anatomy classes look on. Schwein and Illing were part of the team running tests on July 20 and 21.

While theatrical fog is generally used to add some mystery to a play or haunted house, it served an entirely different purpose over the summer.

On July 20 and July 21, the air inside Rocky was pressurized using 14 to 16 large fans placed in the front entryway. Once this was done, the smoke, or theatrical fog was put

into the building to show where the energy leaks are throughout the school.

This was done by Pie Forensic Consultants as a part of the “envelope testing” of schools like Rocky, Poudre and Collins.

Building envelope testing is a study used to explain and expose temperature and air flow problems there may be. Once the air

Jump to FOG, page A2

A2 October 14, 2011

Fog

from page A1 inside the school was decompressed and fog was placed inside, the theatrical smoke seeped through windows, walls, and doors that needed to be fixed. This information reveals why some areas are hot, while others are cold—not accounting for the air conditioning in certain parts of the school, like Maroon Bells.

“It ends up being a very comprehensive study of the building envelope at Rocky Mountain High School and why it might get hot or why it might get cold,” Poudre School District utilities and resource management Stu Reeve said. “The hard part is, you know, the first two weeks of school were probably unprecedented hot.

Our maintenance department does an outstanding job of keeping (the school) in good working order, but you know what? This opportunity’s going to give us a chance to do a little better.”

While both Reeve and Principal Tom Lopez agree that they’ve received complaints about air flow and temperature problems, this isn’t usually a large issue for Lopez, who said people are generally “courteous” in their criticisms.

“We don’t get a lot; people that are very smart say, ‘Gosh, he knows this.’

I know that the rooms are hot, but not all of them are hot. It’s really weird.

We’ve been struggling with extremes

the news rocky mountain hiGhliGhter all the time that I’ve been a principal, and this is my ninth year.”

The intense hot and cold temperatures that plague Rocky aren’t news to Reeve or a number of students and faculty.

“I’ve noticed that in Maroon Bells, it’s always pretty cold, but it’s hot in the science hallways,” junior John Travers said.

“Some of our internal rooms reached 90 plus degrees at the beginning of the school year,” language arts teacher Tom Smailes added.

Nonetheless, based upon the results of the building’s testing, Reeve said Rocky “was not too bad,” though there are “some definite areas for improvement.”

Major improvements are expected to begin in the summer of 2012, and Reeve said the improvements will likely cost around $4 million.

While the school will not receive additional air conditioning units, the air ducts were placed in the ceiling during Rocky’s first construction in the early 1970s. These will likely be replaced, which should improve the school’s energy efficiency, air flow and comfort.

In addition, doors, windows, the roof and the outside walls will also be patched up in places with proven air leakage.

Over the next few years, air units in the roof that have been in place since the school’s initial construction may be

Testing the envelope: Tyler Scwein (right) and Dorian Illing (left) clear theatrical fog from a math classroom as Stuart Mitchell watches on from the courtyard.

These employees of Pie Forensic Consultants used this fog to monitor heat leaks from the building in order to help the school improve heat and energy efficiency.

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replaced as well. These improvements should not only make Rocky’s environment more comfortable, but also more energy efficient.

“We’re very much an energy conserver in this building,” Lopez said.

“But, where we spend and don’t conserve is on those units above, because they’re all natural gas. Lots and lots of fuel gets wasted. I’m hoping that not only will we see savings on our gas on

Student

Blinding sunlight: Cars fill Swallow Road in the morning while the sun hangs low in the east. The sun and congested traffic contribute to chaos in the mornings before school.

from page A1

occurred on West Swallow Road in front of the school involving sophomore student Caitlin Montgomery, who was walking across the street to the school.

“It was in the morning, about 7:15,” said junior Matt Abbitt, the remorseful individual driving the vehicle. “I was just on Swallow and all of a sudden she was right in front of me. I tried to brake, but I hit her.”

Besides the traffic and pedestrians that crowd the street in the morning, the sun hangs low in the east. It makes visibility very difficult for any drivers heading east on West Swallow Road.

Principal Tom Lopez stressed how important it is for the Lobo community to accept and not blame Abbitt.

“First of all, he has already been punished,” Lopez said. “He was ticketed and is dealing with legal issues. I believe he is remorseful. I believe he has taken responsibility, and I believe we should help him to move on. That does not mean I forgot about Caitlin, and I hope she gets 100 percent better.”

Caitlin’s mother, Mindy Montgomery, said that Caitlin, who fractured her skull in the accident, is recovering well. They have not yet decided when she will return to school.

Since the accident, the school community has come together in an

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effort to support both of the students involved in the accident. StuCo and the Peers co-organized a homeroom fundraiser for Caitlin. Her medical expenses were covered by insurance so any money raised by the school will be used to purchase gift cards for food for the family.

“We appreciate the support of Rocky,” Mindy said.

Additionally, in the wake of the accident, Lopez plans on utilizing the resources of the Poudre School District and the city of Fort Collins in order to make the traffic around the school as safe as possible.

“I need their help and money in order to slow down traffic,” Lopez said.

This ongoing reform of the traffic will not be the first one. Major traffic construction occurred in 2008 and 2009, after being planned extensively in 2005 and 2006. Renovations included flashing lights, crosswalks, island crossing and red paint on the

curbs at the south end of the school by the front entrance.

Regardless of how effective the renovations were, Lopez believes it is essential that parents take more responsibility for the well-being of their students who have been dropped off.

“Everyone doesn’t have to be dropped off on the front door step,” Lopez said.“The farther from the building students are dropped off the safer they are. Students can walk two blocks and it spreads concentration.”

Lopez also stressed that it is important that the traffic slow down in order to promote a safer school environment.

“For the most part, I think that traffic should improve,” Lopez said.

“Traffic should slow down during classes and before and after school.”

However the renovation process will occur, Lopez believes that the Lobo community should come together and improve traffic and the safety of the school.

our meter, but we’ll also get comfortable rooms.”

Still, until these changes are made, Lopez asked students to be “smart about how (they) dress.”

Junior Weatherly Armstead is just one of many students that follow this clothing guideline.

“I bring a jacket almost every day,” Armstead said. “When it’s hot, I have a tank top I wear under all my clothes.”

Reeve, on the other hand, said students and staff can help by continuing to communicate with Poudre School District.

“A lot of it’s going to be interacting together, learning about how these systems operate,” Reeve said. “It’d be great to work with the teachers and the students of RMHS on how to best operate these systems and the building once we walk away.”

College application parties Students who need help or have questions about applications for college have the opportunity to attend in rief two more college application parties.

The first is on Wednesday, Oct. 26 from 1:45 to 3:30 and the second is

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on Thursday, Nov. 10 from 1:20 to 3:30. Both events will take place in the College and Career Center.

Also, students can stop by the College and Career Center at any time for help in completing their applications.

- Katie Ritter

Students selected as Standout Students The Standout Student of the Month program is sponsored by The Richmond and Susa Agencies of Farmers Insurance Group, the Fort Collins Club and KISS 96.1.

Seniors Rylee Johnston and Jesse Janzen were this month’s winners. Each month new winners are selected and at the end of the year, the City Standout Students of the

Month will be selected from the monthly winners.

Voting is open at www.standoutstudents.net to nominate Janzen and Johnston for City Standout Student of the Month. At the end of the year, the winners of this contest will be rewarded with a $2500 scholarship.

- Cassa Niedringhaus

School exceeds expectations for Academic Yearly Progress

by Jeanelle France Reporter

Principal Tom Lopez broke some surprising news in regards to Rocky’s growing credentials at the back to school staff meeting earlier this year.

He reported that the school was one of the only schools in the district to meet preset growth goals established by the Academic Yearly Progress system. AYP was developed under the Bush Administration in conjunction with the No Child Left Behind campaign.

NCLB’s claim to fame is that by the year 2014, 100 percent of schools in the United States will be proficient in math, science, reading and writing. In order to meet this goal, the AYP attempts to organize different demographics within a school to establish which groups of students are reaching the proficient marker based on CSAP and ACT scores.

AYP divides the school into many subgroups such as Hispanic, white, economically disadvantaged, female and students with disabilities. With this system, one single student can contribute to more than one target. Other

schools that made the AYP cut included Ridgeview Classical School and Liberty Common. The one factor that sets Rocky apart from these is the number of targets the school had to comply with.

Both Ridgeview and Liberty Common had less than nine target student subgroups; Rocky had 29 and met each one. Lopez claims this success was due in part to having freshman involved in the high school experience.

“If you have a darn good school and you get (the students) here earlier, you can improve them,” he said. Lopez also sees his dedicated staff as crucial contributors to this prestigious award and emphasized their drive and desire to better the school by revealing that, “while (students) are sleeping in on Wednesday mornings, (the teachers) are working on how to better themselves as teachers, as well as how to respond to more difficult situations in learning.”

Lopez admits that making the AYP marker for the 2011-2012 school year is not necessarily his top priority, he just wants to improve on last year’s performance.

the news rocky mountain hiGhliGhter

October 14, 2011

Bearing tragedy

Black bear sighting: A black bear wandered into a residential area near the intersection of Taft Hill Road and Harmony Road.

The bear died when it fell from a tree after being tranquilized by the Department of Wildlife.

Black bear fails to survive venture into school area

by Michelle Kennedy Reporter

The battle between wildlife and the urban setting claimed another victim this September.

Beginning early in the morning on Sept. 19, a conflict was under way in the backyard of former Rocky parent Clayton Vilhauer, just down the road from the school. A few days earlier, a small 100 pound black bear had been seen wandering around south-central Fort Collins.

Wildlife officials first tried to scare the loitering bear out of the area.

However, they were unsuccessful and early in the morning, the bear made its way onto Vilhauer’s property.

“It wasn’t causing any problems,” spokesperson for Colorado Parks and Wildlife Jennifer Churchill said.

“But the fact that it was unwilling to leave the neighborhood is always a concern.”

Once the Division of Wildlife (DOW) arrived on the scene, the bear had made its way into a tree on Vilhauer’s property. They surveyed the bear carefully from the ground and the DOW felt that relocating the bear would be their best option.

“I think the main concern is that the bear will have an accidental encounter with people or with children and somebody would get hurt,” science teacher Carol Seemueller said. “The Division of Wildlife is always trying to do what’s best for the bear, the residents and the community. They want to keep the bear safe, and they want to keep people safe, so they have to relocate the bear.”

This incident occurred near the intersection of Horsetooth Road

Drive

from page A1 it’s not only reckless drivers—there are also many bikers and walkers who do not obey the rules of the road.

“Everyone needs to follow the laws,” Campus Security Officer Steve Armstrong said. “Students need to cross in the crosswalks, and we’ve all seen that students don’t always use the crosswalks. In addition, bikers are using crosswalks while they’re on their bikes, and they’re supposed to dismount when using the crosswalk, so yeah that’s part of our problem as well.”

Faculty has increased its monitoring of students’ driving this year by choosing random days to radar cars around the school grounds, issuing tickets when appropriate, as well as randomly checking for students who are breaking passenger laws.

“We have taken a different approach and made more of a presence out there, but student driving could still improve,” Armstrong said.

Recently, there have been several accidents near the school. Although these accidents can all be attributed to different causes, it is fair to note that they could have been avoided by following traffic laws.

In one case involving a collision between a car and a biker at the intersection of Rocky Mountain Way and Shields Street, a biker was going the wrong way in the bike lane and was struck by a car turning right.

“It was at a very low speed,” School Resource Officer Jarrod Hardy said.

“The bicyclist was riding the wrong way on the roadway, so he should have been going south and he was going north in the southbound lane. When the car pulled up they weren’t looking to the right to see a biker, they were looking to the left, so when the car pulled forward and the biker came out the other way, he got hit.”

According to Hardy, the biker is at

I think the main concern is that the bear will have an accidental encounter with people or with children and somebody would get hurt.

A3

Courtesy of Cat Lichtenbelt

and Seneca Street, near a highly populated area of the city. In fact, the residence where the bear was found is included in the attendance area for Rocky, Webber Middle School, and Johnson Elementary School.

“Any time there is potentially dangerous wildlife in residential areas, the Division of Wildlife responds,” science teacher Scott Kemp said. “It’s the same as if there is a potentially dangerous person in the neighborhood, where the police would be called to respond to a situation like that.”

Both Kemp and Seemueller are involved in environmental projects including the Bobcat Ridge project where cameras are used to take pictures of the wildlife.

In an attempt to refrain from having to drug the animal, a trap was set by officials to catch the bear once it came down from the tree.

However, this ploy was unsuccessful.

Once the bear made its way down from the tree, officials darted it with a tranquilizer. Following the injection of the drug, the bear darted back up into the tree—contrary to the plan of wildlife officials, who had hoped that the bear would remain on the ground.

Due to the effects of the drug, the bear went unconscious while still in the tree, and then fell about 60 feet to the ground. With nothing to break its fall, it is suspected that the injuries it sustained during this fall later caused the bear’s death.

“We wouldn’t normally expect the bear to run back up in the tree and have to rush to get a tarp,” Churchill said. “Normally, if we dart them in a tree we will have a tarp handy to catch the animal, but there wasn’t one available quickly enough in this situation.”

After the bear’s death, several members of the Fort Collins community voiced their opinions on the

handling of this situation, claiming that it was handled inappropriately by the DOW. “I feel like they (the DOW) should have captured the bear in a cage after tranquilizing it,” junior Heather Hall said. “They should have made sure that it was in a stable condition and been more prepared for the bear to try and run.”

Although many people have criticized the way in which the DOW handled the situation, there are also numerous citizens who support their decisions as well.

“No matter how careful people are with decisions, unpredictable things can happen,” Seemueller said.

“I think the wildlife officials felt as bad as any of us did that the bear died. That’s not what they were trying to have happen.”

Adding to the controversy is the misconception that the bear was shot while it was still up in the tree, when in reality it was tranquilized when it was on the ground.

One of the most pressing issues in this situation is keeping the balance between wildlife and humans in an urban environment.

“You know I feel sorry for the bear,” Kemp said. “It could get in a car accident, and it’s too bad because the whole story for me is that we live in the bears’ habitat and now we’ve sort of taken over and the bear is the big loser in this affair.”

Churchill says that informing citizens is one of the most important things that can be done to prevent situations like this. By reducing the factors that entice bears to enter town, the community can help to prevent these types of incidents.

“I think it’s really important to recognize that we relocate many animals each year, and this is the first time since I have been working here that anything like this has happened,” Churchill said. “These people may not have thought that they were in bear country, but they were pretty close. Anyone who lives close to bear country should read and really try to make some changes around their homes so that they are not attracting bears into town.”

To get more information on how you can be informed visit wildlife.state.co.us/bears.

fault in this situation.

“If there are bike lanes and you are riding your bike, you are obligated to act like a traffic vehicle,” Hardy said.

“You’re also supposed to be going the same direction as traffic, so if you’re in the bike lane going the wrong way and you get hit, you’re at fault.”

Many students are aware that they can be ticketed for breaking the law while driving, but some may be surprised to find that, in theory, they could also be ticketed for not following the law while riding their bikes.

“My hopes are that I don’t have to write bicycle tickets to educate young people on how to ride their bikes safely,” Hardy said. “So a lot of times when we see that a student is breaking the law, we will contact them and talk to them about it. But certainly a ticket could be issued.”

The goal of issuing more tickets to drivers this year has been to encourage students to drive more safely on school grounds.

“I have been giving a lot more speeding tickets this year than the last year,” Armstrong said. “And that has really seemed to slow students down, which is important. There have also been a lot more careless driving tickets which have been issued, and that seems to help as well.”

A high school setting creates an unusual situation, much like crowds being released from a stadium after a big game. Although with one exception— students have much less patience.

Essentially, the parking lot fills and empties at the same time each day, with two thousand or more students trying to get in and out of the school vicinity simultaneously. This is part of the reason why Rocky enforces a 10 mile per hour speed limit to keep students safe.

However, some students feel that the 10 mile per hour speed limit in the parking lot is unrealistic.

In contrast, Hardy maintains that

driving 10 mph, while he realizes that it is difficult, contributes the safety of the parking lot.

“I think that when you combine the fact that we have young inexperienced drivers driving for the first times that may or may not be distracted, having a slower speed limit for them is probably better,” Hardy said. “Is it hard to drive 10 miles an hour? Yes. But I’m afraid if we had a 20 mile per hour limit, then students would think that they could go 25 or 30.”

Due to the fact that teens are stereotyped as “reckless drivers,” many feel the need to fit this label. In fact, according to Allstate Insurance group, 17 percent of teens surveyed said that “speeding is fun” and 55 percent said that they “frequently exceed the speed limit by over 10 miles per hour.”

“Why is it a stereotype that we need to be following?” junior Amanda Kriss said. “I’ve had people yell at me and say ‘Amanda you’re so lame for driving the speed limit,’ but I’m not the one who is going to get a ticket or hurt someone, am I? We need to be safe, not ‘cool.’”

Not only are teens pressured by the stereotype of being reckless, but they also have to manage numerous distractions while driving, such as the radio or cell phones. Colorado state law prohibits the use of cell phones for minors while driving. Adults can use cell phones, but not text. However, many students and adults alike choose to neglect these laws.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, it is these distractions combined with a lack of experience that make the crash rates for teen drivers so high—as well as deadly.

In fact, nearly 60 percent of all teenage passenger deaths occur in a car driven by another teenager.

Soon, the administration may have an extra set of eyes to keep watch over what goes on in the parking lot, in the

form of security cameras.

“I’m not exactly sure when it is going to happen, but it’s slated through the Mill Levy and will probably be completed within the next few years,” Armstrong said.

The details of what these cameras will be used for have not been discussed, but they will be useful in deterring thefts, and Armstrong said they could be used to determine who is at fault in an accident.

While the parking lot is being updated with new technology, little can be done to compensate for the fact that the school was built for a much smaller student body. When Rocky was constructed, it was made to accommodate about 900 students. This overcrowding is possibly one of the largest issues in solving the parking dilemma.

“The faculty has done a good job of

trying to instruct parents on where to drop off and pick up their kids,” Jane List, alumni from the class of 1979, said. “But, it would be nice to have another way in and out of this area.”

Since it is impractical to immediately remedy overcrowding with a campus that is more suited to fulfill the needs of a large school, the practical solution is to encourage students to drive safely.

“Students need to adhere to the speed limit and pay attention to the crossing zones,” Hardy said, “as well as follow the law as far as passengers in your vehicle goes, so that you’re not distracted when you’re first learning how to drive.”

“

Carol Seemueller, science teacher

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Cassa Niedringhaus

Early morning driving madness: Chaos between drivers as well as bikers and pedestrians is evident on Swallow Road in the morning before school (top). A biker navigates through morning traffic (underneath).

October 14, 2011

editorial A4

the rocky mountain hiGhliGhter

National Scholastic Press Association National Critique

All-American, 4 Marks of Distinction-2011; Pacemaker Winner-2010; All-American, 4 Marks of Distinction-2010; Pacemaker Finalist-2009; All-American, 4 Mark of Distinction-2009; All-American Hall of Fame Induction-2008; All-American, 5 Marks of Distinction-2008; Pacemaker Finalist-2007; All-American, 4 Marks of Distinction-2007; Pacemaker Winner-2006; All-American, 5 Marks of Distinction-2006; All-American, 4 Marks of Distinction-2005; All-American, 4 Marks of Distinction-2004; All-American, 5 Marks of Distinction-2003; All-American, 4 Marks of Distinction-2002; All-American, 5 Marks of Distinction-2001; All-American, 4 Marks of Distinction-2000; All-American, 4 Marks of Distinction-1999.

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

CHSPA Newspaper Sweepstakes 1st-2010; 1st-2009; 1st-2008; 1st-2007; 2nd-2006; 1st place-2005; 2nd-2004; 2nd-2003; 1st-2002; 1st-2001; 2nd1996; 1st-1992; 2nd-1991; 2nd-1990; 1st-1987.

Columbia Scholastic Press Association National Critique

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The Rocky Mountain Highlighter is published nine times during the school year by the newspaper staff of Rocky Mountain High School/ 1300 W. Swallow Rd./ Fort Collins, CO 80526.

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

the rocky mountain

Letter to the Editor: Frontiers left to discover

Editors-in-Chief Cassa Niedringhaus Ramsey Nicholas Editorial Editor Isaac Effner Sports Editor Lauren Binder Features Editor Christine Gravelle Center In-Depth Editor Fahey Zink Limelight Editor Cam Chorpenning Staff Charlie Anderson Jessica Davidson Jeanelle France Sarah Hatch Taylor Hitchings Calvin Jouard Michelle Kennedy Regan Miller Katie Ritter Alexandria White Artists Amanda Kriss Reanna Nelson Aide Matt Buchanan Adviser Stephen Wahlfeldt

RM Highlighter editorial policy

The Rocky Mountain Highlighter is a student news publication which strives to report school and community events with truth, accuracy, objectivity, and clarity. The RM Highlighter will also comment on issues of interest to its readers.

The purposes of this publication are to report the news to the Rocky Mountain High School community, to provide the school community with a public forum for thoughtful discussion and debate, and to provide students on the newspaper staff with practical journalism experience.

In order to make the RM Highlighter as professional a publication as possible, important legal and ethical guidelines will be followed. Senate Bill 90-99, enacted by the Colorado General Assembly during the 1990 legislative session, declares that “students of the public schools shall have the right to exercise freedom of speech and the press.”

(Colo. Rev. Stat. Sec. 22-1-120) We, the staff of the RM Highlighter, are prohibited by law from publishing certain materials. We will respect these laws. No material which is libelous, encourages illegal acts, or causes material and substantial disruption to school activities will be published. Expressions which are obscene will not be printed. Profanity will not be printed unless it is considered absolutely necessary by the RM Highlighter editorial board to express the views of the writer or quoted person. Expression which is false “as to any person who is not a public figure or involved in a matter of public concern” will not be printed. “Expressions which are in violation of lawful school regulations designed to control gangs” will not be printed.

In the event of a potential controversial item, the editorial board —consisting of all the editors, the advertising manager, and the adviser —will meet to discuss the merits of the item and then decide whether or not to print the item.

Coverage of deaths which occur within the Rocky community will be carefully considered by the editorial board.

Natural or accidental deaths will be reported for clarifications of death and will contain a memorial. Except in extreme circumstances, suicides will not be covered to reduce glorification of such acts.

In general, the RM Highlighter observes the guidelines presented in the “Code of Ethics” of the Society of Professional Journalists. The RM Highlighter will not allow source review prior to publication, unless there is a clarification issue. Source anonymity will be granted only after careful consideration by the editor, with the editor reserving the right to make the final decision. Staff editorials shall be presented logically and will represent the views of the majority of the staff. Editorial criticism, of either individuals or groups, will be based on fact and will be constructive.

Guest editorial space, the “Open Forum,” is available to anyone in the Rocky community, including students, parents, faculty, and administrators. Anyone interested in writing in the “Open Forum” should contact the editor-in-chief or the adviser, Stephen Wahlfeldt.

Letters to the editor are welcome. They should be signed, and a home phone number should be included.

The writer’s name may be withheld upon request, provided the editor agrees that the reasons for withholding a name are valid and compelling. Try to limit letters to 300 words and place them in one of the “Letters to the Editor” boxes, located in the Media Center and the Main Office, or give them to a RM Highlighter staff member, RM Highlighter adviser Stephen Wahlfeldt, or drop them by the RM Highlighter room, Room 528, during 4th period. Letters may also be mailed to the Rocky Mountain Highlighter, Rocky Mountain High School, 1300 W. Swallow Rd., Fort Collins, CO 80526.

To talk with anyone on the RM Highlighter staff, phone (970) 488-7090.

Columnists express their own views and not necessarily those of the RM Highlighter staff. No expression made by students of the Rocky Mountain Highlighter shall be considered an expression of school board or Rocky Mountain High School policy. Furthermore, Poudre School District and its employees are immune from any civil or criminal action based on any expression made or published by the students.

All advertisement is welcome. To place an ad, contact RM Highlighter advertising managers at (970) 488-7091. The RM Highlighter, however, reserves the right to refuse advertising which the staff considers inappropriate for our audience.

The RM Highlighter is a member of the ASNE/ MCT Campus High School Newspaper Service, and some material is courtesy of that service.

The Rocky Mountain Highlighter reserves the right to edit anything it publishes.

Reanna Nelson

Worse than a word

“Y

ou get to the point where you evolve in your life, where everything isn’t black and white, good and bad, and you try to do the right Staff thing. You might Editorial not like that. You might be very cyni► Homocal about that. Well, sexual […] I don't care slurs what you think. overused I'm trying to do the by stu- right thing.”

Regardless of dents in all the criticism he school would attract, NY State Senator Roy J. McDonald gave a reporter this controversial answer when he abruptly voted against his Republican party in favor of gay marriage.

This statement is a beacon of brilliant hope in a world still struggling to overcome homophobia.

Over the course of a school day, people tend to forget to

Making the Grade

do the “right thing” concerning the usage of the words “faggot,” “gay” and “queer.”

All three of those words have vindictive, degrading connotations when used as modern slang and can easily reach the ears of a gay, lesbian, or bisexual peer, creating a world of pain and confusion.

Vocabulary shapes how people are perceived by their listeners, which depends on the words the speaker deems worthy of using in everyday speech. There is a plethora of words accessible to humans to describe dissatisfactory situations and “gay” is not acceptable.

When the words “faggot,” “gay” and “queer” are thrown around, the person using them is being either ignorant or malicious, as well as indicating their vocabulary could be categorized as pitiful.

Using pejorative terms hinders the Gay Pride Move-

A – Win Over Fossil

Way to go boys, we finally turned the tables in a last-second win over the Ridge this year.

C – Cold Weather

ment, but with or without the support of society and its vocabulary, there have been tremendous advancements in accepting the concrete fact that equality for all men and women includes gays, lesbians and bisexuals.

From the decriminalization of homosexual acts in private to the removal of homosexuality as a mental disorder, the world is slowly waking up and seeing that the vibrant rainbow flag represents a modern civil rights movement. Just like the movements before it, this issue is considered pertinent and will continue to impact our country and our generation for years to come.

Taking the steps towards equality begins here. Embrace the connection that all humans have between one another and don’t use words or phrases that will jeopardize your image as an open-minded individual.

Now that the temperatures are dropping, Rocky students need to pull out their sweaters and stock up on tissues.

F – Football Ending

Before we know it, we will no longer be able to stand on the sidelines and cheer our boys on.

Jessica Davidson

High school censorship kills creativity “Resist much. Obey little.”

Walt Whitman would be disappointed with my actions lately.

This year alone I’ve been censored by the school newspaper twice and had my art censored once.

The first time the RM Highlighter “edited” my work was because I went in depth about the sexual abuse the Gitmo detainees’ were forced to endure.

Maybe I’m a sensationalist, but I believe when people read and are transported into the degraded, trapped mentalities of the detainees, they can’t shake their heads and refuse to acknowledge the sickening truth of what occurred at Gitmo because of the U.S. military.

People tell me that saying the detainees were “sexually abused” would have sufficed. But, in reality, our violent world has numbed us to phrases like “sexual abuse” and “sexual assault.”

We see, we skim, we soon forget.

In contrast, when your mind reads the grisly details of detainee’s experiences and about the invasion of their

Unlatch the Hatch Sarah Hatch bodies, whatever insignificant thing you’re worrying about ceases to matter and you start to process what they really went through.

Type “Abu Ghraib” into Google images and maybe you’ll see where my obsessive need to do these men justice comes from.

The second time I was censored was due to an explicit quote that Roy McDonald, a NY Senator, told a reporter in regard to his views on same sex marriages. Again, I’m probably a sensationalist, but I think it’s critical to hear the absolute vindication behind McDonald’s words to understand the emotions the topic of homosexuality and gay rights evokes.

Then the censorship followed me

outside of the RM Highlighter room.

My photo consisted of one homeless man, one sign, and one expletive on the homeless man’s sign. But, apparently, that is controversial enough to disrupt a school day, and thus my art was censored.

Regardless of the fact that profanity can easily be heard in the halls of Rocky every day.

Regardless of the fact that there is a murder scene depicted in front of the art department (which, by the way, I have a newfound respect for because it managed to make it past censorship).

But even though I felt wronged in all three examples of censorship, I didn’t resist. I obeyed.

And that is when I lost. I didn’t lose when I was censored; I lost when I gave up trying to fight to get my work public.

I guess my message to you, fellow Rocky-goers, is go forth undisputed, censorship kills.

Sarah Hatch is a junior and a reporter for the RM Highlighter.

Dear Editor, Recently, it has come to my attention that the world appears to be lacking new frontiers. For the last few decades space has been that “New Frontier,” but it is only for a select few. On the earth itself there is no longer unmapped territory to be adventured by the curious and courageous. As Coloradoans, we have a desire for adventure running through our veins just like our ancestors, the pioneers of the “Wild West.” Our forefathers were the tough men and women that overcame the dangers of an unknown, deadly and raw land that lay between them and glorification. They faced down hostile natives, rough climate, illness and lethal beasts.

But on a recent rafting trip down the Gunnison River through the Black Canyon, I realized something. New Frontiers are not based on what territories are unknown, but by who they are unknown to.

It was my first trip on the Gunnison and curiosity gripped my mind with every corner of the canyon we rounded. We were not in danger from violent native attacks like our ancestors, but it was an action packed three days nonetheless. Our rafts and kayaks were packed with tents, a small selection of clothing, fishing rods and enough food to cover three days’ meals.

Although the trip required certain equipment and took a few weeks planning, it was rather simple. It took one weekend and an adventurous attitude to find my very own new frontier. In a place like Colorado where nature thrives, adventures like this are easy to partake in and require no more than interest in the world around us and the courage to see what lies off the beaten path. Why should we read about the history of our lands and those who traveled them while there is still a Wild West to be found and searched by ourselves?

“All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson Grant Rotman,

junior

the editorial rocky mountain hiGhliGhter

October 14, 2011

A5

SBG: Improvement or setback?

SBG leaves students New grading style Pro unprepared for future improves learning M S Con



any questions still surround the issue of the switch to Standards Based Grading at Webber, Preston, Wellington, and Blevins Middle Schools.

However, Standards Based Grading (SBG) is full of benefits and is intended to assist the student. The system is based upon a 4 point scale, utilizing .4 grading to show progress to the next level.

Despite its many criticisms, SBG does a good job in creating a common understanding of expectations and rubrics in the classroom.

With this, teachers have more consistency in grading than they have with traditional grading systems.

Additionally, in a traditional grading system, a letter grade does not communicate exactly what a student has learned. With SBG, teachers give students grades for different standards within a class. For example, in a class, a student may have a 2.5 for one standard and a 4 for another standard. SBG grades more effectively communicate what students know and what they still need to improve.

Also, students are able to retake assessments, which allows them to improve in any given subject.

If they improve their score, they are proving they have learned the standards they needed to learn. The system allows better communication between teacher and student.

Although Standards Based Grading differs from the regular grading system, it is beneficial to students’ learning environment and will help them to thoroughly understand content.

Charlie Anderson

Healthy habits in Fort Collins In 2006, Fort Collins was rated as the best place to raise a family in the entire country.

One key factor found inside a well-balanced, happy family is a healthy lifestyle and Fort Collins literally throws this opportunity right in your face. Fort Collins offers us an abundance of local shops providing organic foods, home-grown produce and spices, bikes for rent, non-profit organizations; the list goes on and on.

After going through some certain circumstances this summer, I was forced to give up my car and in turn, start riding my bike. Very soon after I started cycling, I wondered why I had spent so much time behind the wheel of my car. Never again will I waste another beautiful day, perfect for bicycling, in my car (not to mention it’s a huge waste of gas), when I could be getting fresh air, exercise, toned legs and tanned skin all at the same time.

The more you ride, the easier it becomes and motivation is increased. When the city of Fort Collins was in its design stages, plans were already being made to create easily accessible bike trails throughout the entire town in order to make biking safer and more convenient for citizens who bike to work or to school.

Such trails include Spring Creek, Mason, Poudre and Fossil Creek; all streaming around and behind

Ram -iAm Ramsey Nicholas the main roads of Fort Collins, eventually connecting you to wherever you need to be.

If you are really looking to save some money in this time of the recession, hop on your bicycle rather than spending money on gas. You’ll benefit physically as well as economically. On top of all that, the city of Fort Collins is also looking over the limited parking issues in Old Town, and deciding whether or not to start charging for road-side parking.

With inspiration coming from Boulder, the goal would be to eventually eliminate some of the parking spaces and replace them with bicycle parking, hopefully encouraging people to be more environmentally friendly.

On another note, Fort Collins offers a tasty, wide variety of places to buy healthy groceries, including a plethora of farmers markets that offer home-grown fruits and veggies and locally produced cow’s milk. Another thing that amazed me when I moved to Fort Collins was the ability to have milk delivered right to your

doorstep, and to me it seemed like a movie.

Coming from the city of Memphis, Tennessee, I was unaccustomed to all of these easy ways to make a difference in your health and lifestyle. The older I get, the more aware I am of the steps you can take in order to make these changes in your life. The most important advice I could give you to commend your diet is to stop drinking soda. I cannot stress how terrible soda is for your well-being.

If you want to live longer, be happier, have more energy throughout your day, have healthier skin and be an all-around better you, then stop yourself from going through that fast-food line at McDonald’s and make yourself a fruit salad instead. When you eat that fatty, oily cheeseburger, you are not only putting awful hormones and chemicals into your body, but you are slowing down your metabolism, increasing your amount of cholesterol, and putting yourself at a higher risk of heart disease, cancer and obviously, obesity.

When we live in a town with such opportunity for good health, there is really no excuse for such lazy habits.

Ramsey Nicholas is a senior and Co-Editor-in-Chief for the RM Highlighter.

tandards Based Grading is being implemented in schools around the country.

It is a style of grading that focuses on the content that students are supposed to learn and what they already know, not what they can memorize before a test. Students are also allowed to retake tests.

While the intent behind this type of grading is worthwhile, its effects are not. Webber, Preston, Wellington and Blevins Middle Schools have implemented this style of grading and it leaves students unprepared for challenges they will face when they reach high school.

Students reach high school believing that if they score poorly on a test, they can retake it. The system is intended to give them the opportunity to grow as a student, but it enforces the idea that they don’t need to study. When students grow up and get jobs, they may be assigned major projects. They cannot approach a project with a mind-set like that. Students need a strong work ethic enforced so that they can be prepared to join the workforce.

If there was uniformity in grading systems throughout all schools then the system would be far more effective. However, some schools are changing to Standards Based Grading while other schools are firmly standing by traditional grading. Until these disparities in grading systems are changed, Standards Based Grading will not be effective.

Cassa Niedringhaus Reanna Nelson

Photo Poll

What is your reaction when you hear gay slurs in the hallways?

“I think it’s inappropriate and I don’t think it should be used in the halls because it’s offensive to other people.”

Delaney Garcia, freshman

“I think it’s uncalled for. It’s rude to be saying stuff like that. It’s not the Lobo Way.” Sam Halac, sophomore

“I feel really bad and I don’t like hearing those words because they’re mean and I never say them.”

Katelyn Drips, junior

Sara Cummings, Media Center Specialist

“It makes me feel physically ill, like someone punched me in the stomach. I would always tell that to my students.

It’s just such an ugly thing to say.”

A6 October 14, 2011

the sports rocky mountain hiGhliGhter

Boys’ tennis conquers courts

by Regan Miller Reporter

The 2011 tennis team dominates the court despite the big shoes that they are obligated to fill.

After losing seven varsity seniors the previous year, the tennis team had some crucial positions on the court which needed to be secured. Either the team would have to find or recruit some new outstanding tennis players, or the underclassmen would have to step up and conquer the court. Both of which surprisingly took place this year.

The team this year in the regular season had the record of 7-1. Along with this record, many individuals on the team led undefeated in the regular season or nearly undefeated. Luke Lorenz, junior, and senior Ryan McCrary play number two doubles. They were undefeated in the regular season and took second in conference.

At regionals, McCrary and Lorenz took first in number two doubles.

Along with the underclassmen, junior exchange student Heitor Adegas was also an unsuspected addition to the team. He is the number two singles player and only suffered one loss during the

conference finals. During regionals, he took first in number two singles.

“Heitor has had an incredible season, and we weren’t expecting him,” Lorenz said. “We got some pretty good players and it turns out that we got a pretty solid team, and we (the team) only had one loss and that’s better than what people were expecting.”

Along with all of these personal victories, the team altogether succeeded. This year, the team won the city championship which has not been won for many years.

“The highlight was taking the city championship,“ Lorenz said.

“This pretty much means we beat Fossil, Boulder, and Collins. We are the best in the city; it’s pretty cool that we can say that. It’s interesting and we weren’t expecting it.”

After having a successful regular season, the regional competition was no different. Nine of the 11 varsity players will be competing in state, this is six out of the seven varsity teams/positions. In number one singles, Taylor Landstrom, junior, took second place in number one singles; Isaac Smith, junior, took second place as well in number three singles. Sophomores

Lucas Harrison and Jason McCrary took second in number two doubles. In number four doubles, Sean Morse, and David Willard took second as well. As mentioned before, Ryan and Lorenz took first in number two doubles, along with Adegas’ victory in number two singles. In number one doubles, Jason Krebec and David Lee took third. Every group within the team that won second or first in regional get to continue to the state competition which goes from Oct. 13-15.

Looking towards next season, the team will likely keep improving; only a few seniors will be lost this year, as well as Adegas as he goes back to Brazil.

“I’ve been in this program for four years, and there might be teams that have been playing longer, I don’t think one team with such low expectations and have succeeded in such a grandiose,“ said Ryan. “It’s been a lot of growth, last year only two seniors made it to state, and this year it was a young team, mainly composed of underclassmen.

We all thought this was going to be a rebuilding year, but the seniors did a good job teaching

Heather Raney

Preparing for regionals: Freshman David Lee and sophomore Jason Krbec play one doubles vs. Boulder at home. The tennis team has managed to qualify 9 out of 11 boys of to state. -

the underclassmen what it takes.

A certain mental drive is needed; its either put up or shut up and I think the underclassmen really bought into that.

“For the voluntary practices, everyone who could make it would be there. We were putting in the extra effort, we put in the work because we wanted it and that was a huge part of it that’s what the underclassmen took up.”

The players are anxiously awaiting their moment for the state competition to arise.

“We are all looking forward to state,” said Ryan. “And it’s what I’ve been working towards for two years. Having that shot last year and lost it made me put in so much work to have that not happen again. We will do well in state if we keep playing the best we can we can beat any team.”

Doner looking forward in race towards state

by Lauren Binder Sports Editor

There are only high hopes for Ryan Doner in life and his race towards State.

Doner has a full time job, and that job is running. Approximated at 45 miles a week Doner does what he loves outside of school, and also on the cross country team. Running, being a high demand sport, has expectations of Doner to have a healthy mind and body.

School is not the only place that he runs. Every year, Doner goes out to run the Bolder Boulder. This race is a half marathon or 10k race or a full 13.1 miles. The first 6.5 miles is all up hill just to come back down the same way they went up to finish.This race starts and ends near the Boulder Reservoir Park and Sixmile Reser►Ryan voir just Doner outside of town.

“I love every single aspect of it (running),” Doner said.

“Being able to relax and push your body as far as it can go… just everything about it.”

Doner, has one of the best times on the cross country teams at 16 minutes and 45 seconds for a distance of 3.1 miles. This compares to an average time of about 17 to 18 minutes for the average person.

Not only does he compete with runners within the team, but also with runners all around the state. As of now, the top runner for state is Danny Carney from Dakota Ridge with a time of 15 minutes and 29 seconds.

“For state, all I really need

to do is continue to be healthy and improve and I believe that I have a good shot at top 25,” Doner said.

“The teams that are going to state are very tough,” head coach John Prasuhn said.

“There are a few that are quite ahead of us. It’s hard to say, top ten at regionals is realistic for him, and top 30 will be very good for state.”

Prasuhn believes that the hard work that he puts into running reflects on who Doner is as a person; it’s not only about running.

“Ryan is the hardest worker on the team without a doubt,” Prasuhn said. “He is dedicated and I will never have to worry about him.

Sometimes that can also be a fault because he can work himself out.”

“His hard working attitude is something that stands out about Ryan,” junior and fellow teammate Kailyn Nowak added. “He is that one person that will always be at practice and work his butt off.”

Doner, being only a junior, has much room for improvement this season and next year as well. He sets a good example for teammates and incoming students next year.

“He doesn’t take shortcuts with anything,” Prasuhn said.

“He is very responsible. I never have to get on him about goofing around. He does what he knows is right. His leadership on the team is obvious. He has a desire to be the best that he can be and the others know how hard he was working all summer long, I just wish that I had more of him.”

Pink Tie Dye: The volleyball girls and coach Glenn Gainley analyze and celebrate their win. The team recognized and supported Breast Cancer Awareness Month by wearing pink tie dye jerseys.

Cassa Niedringhaus

Volleyball team spikes down competition game after game

by Lauren Binder Sports Editor

“When a team outgrows individual performance and learns team confidence, excellence becomes a reality.” – Joe Paterno With their stellar season of 13-1-0 and seventh in state, the volleyball team dominates the court. Not only has it taken an extreme amount of skill to get to where they are, but also an impeccable love for one another.

The fact that they are close to one another and have “meshed” well together gives them that confidence to make their goal of going to the state tournament.

“I am very excited about the season so far,” head coach Glen Gainley said. “The girls are playing great, and they are afraid of nothing. It’s been an honor to be able to be their coach.”

“We are like a family and really comfortable with each other,” Senior Kim Catlett added. “ I felt like most other teams don’t have that unity.”

With only one loss against Durango, the lady Lobos now they stand 5-0 in their conference games and are ready for their next six matches. On Oct. 27, 500 fans watched as the team

beat cross town rivals Fort Collins, in their sixth win in a row.

With a 25-19, 27-25, 25-20 victory, Collins took it tough after an almost nine point lead in the second game.

There are many actions that have to be taken in a volleyball game that can constitute a win.

This includes kills, digs, blocking and serving. The average kills per game this season is 12.4 kills.

Leading in that average is Abby Ney with 2.6 kills per game and Catlett with 2.8 kills per game.

Digs per game this season comes to a average of 10.4 for the season. Seniors, Jennifer Brumit and Catlett are tied for 3 digs per game with a total of 96 each through the season. Just behind them is sophomore Ashton Mares with 1.9 digs per game and 61 throughout the season.

Serving is also very important in a game, and the best serves result in an ace. The volleyball girls have been able to have a fair amount of aces in the season coming to a total of 73. Senior Amelia Morgan has 19 aces in the season and also has all the assists for the season, being the team’s setter, with 1.9 assists per game and 60 in the season.

“The fact there is no ‘somebody’ is what really makes a difference for their success so far,” Gainley said. “ Most teams have a go to player and we have nine players that have meshed and worked together and that is what makes them the most successful.”

“The relationship that we have with each other really helps with performance,” junior Hanna Wiggins said. “If we hated each other we wouldn’t have the trust that we have now to get the job done.”

Oct. 18 will be the next big game for the lady Lobos as they face off against city rivals Fossil Ridge. It will be a fight not only to be city champions, but to move up in rank for state.

Recently, the girls moved up to seventh in the state because of the win against Collins, pushing Fossil down to eighth place for state. Their confidence this year might be able topush them, higher and higher up to that number one spot in their goal to eventually win state.

“Our team is really close and we have been through a lot,” Wiggins said. “So far not losing a game makes me really excited for what is to come.”

the sports rocky mountain hiGhliGhter

Swimming gets ready to make Bri from page A8 splash in upcoming season

by Regan Miller Reporter

With the winter season approaching, swimmers are gearing up and aiming high for a year that will consist of a totally new, and hopefully successful team.

The new girls swimming and diving season of 2011 will begin November 14. The dynamic of the team has changed, losing 23 seniors that were on the team the previous year.

“Some difficulties (the team will face) are adjusting to the much smaller team size because we had a lot of seniors graduate last year, while still keeping the competitive aspect of it,” said senior Abby Ney. With a bevy of seniors being lost, it opens up room for the underclassmen and new swimmers to escalate and intensify their positions and abilities.

The team is expecting five returning seniors, five juniors, six returning sophomores, and eight freshman.

“We (the returning members of the team) are really looking forward to all the new faces that we saw at the preseason meeting,” said senior Kali Glenn, the Boys’ Soccer Record: 3-4-2 2-3 FRL Stars: Lucas Chavez Work: Heart, willingness to fight/win Ahead: Fossil game, Oct. 18 Talk: “Not far away from being a good team.

Just need to work on details.” -Shane Wagner

Cross Country Record: Placed 4th at Loveland invite Stars: Ryan Doner, David Messerli Work: Shooting for under 17 minutes Ahead: Conference today, Regionals on the 21st Talk: “I’m impressed with the effort.” -Ryan Doner

Softball

Record: 14-5 9-2 FRL Stars: Robbins .405 avg., Megan Rhead Work: Maintaining momentum into playoffs Ahead: First Round Playoffs on the 15th Talk: “I’ve had the best possible senior your this season”- Bri Vansickle

team’s co-captain. “There are a lot of freshman that are joining the team, so that will be really exciting to see.”

A common goal among the team will be to magnify unity within the team, which includes bringing back team bonding customs. “(We are) bringing back/ improving some team traditions like team dinners, and secret sister,” said Glenn “ We want to not only unify the swim team, but hope to also become more unified with the diving team.”

While there are advantages that the team has this year, they are working to improve some of their techniques. This involves having stronger strokes, and working on stroke technique for the ambition of the state competition.

“We have a lot of young talented swimmers this year,“ said senior and co captain Mary Wilson. “From what I can see so far, we are going to mesh with each other well, and in the meantime, hopefully we’ll get down to business and win some meets.”

While some swimmers

Calvary from page A8

to find a more noble reason to hate than that.

And then there’s Sauron himself who dwells at Collins, home of the Lambkins. Timberline Road separates the rest of Fort Collins from Mordor, where nasty Orcses go to school to worship a fetal lamb. Plus the students and faculty at Collins are Nicholas Cage fans.

If you can’t hate them because of Mordor, hate them because they associate themselves with Nick Cage.

Regardless of the reason for these rivalries, the reality is that there are rivalries.

devote their time to a fall sport, others consume their time with preseason workouts to anticipate the upcoming competitions.

Last year, ten girls were taken to state. Although a handful of them were seniors, high hopes for this year’s key swimmers accelerate.

“We would like to see lots of commitment and hard work this year,” said Glenn. “We hope to have lots of fun, and above all we hope that everyone gets to improves their times. I think that individual goals will very from person to person, but they include improving times. To achieve our goals we are going to have to work on commitment, strength and endurance training” Some of the swimmers that the crowd should keep an eye on this year include Wilson, Ney, Glenn, and junior Adele Waites.

Practices start in November and competitions begin shortly after.

“We are looking forward to a smaller, tight knit team,” Ney said. “We are also looking forward to a competitive season with of course a lot of fun.”

And they’re needed.

They bring a whole new aspect to every season. If a team has played miserably in non-conference play, rivalry games are a chance to make the season matter, and in some cases save the season.

Or say two rivals must play each other in order to get into the playoffs. It compounds the drama and emotion of the game. And that’s why people love the game.

So contribute to the rivalry. Go to games. Cheer on your Lobos.

Be a part of the drama. Because Collins watches National Treasure daily.

Calvin Jouard is a senior reporter for the RM Highlighter and a linebacker for the football team.

Boys’ Tennis

Record: 3rd in Conference, 2nd in regionals Stars: Heitor Adegas: 2 singles; Ryan McCrary, Luke Lorenz: Doubles Working on: Individual corrections Ahead: State Tournament, Oct.13-15 Talk: “This year was going to be a building year, but people have stepped up and we have been really successful.” -Ryan McCrary

Volleyball Record: Varsity 14-1-0 and 7-0 in FRL Stars: Jenn Brumit, 12 digs in the last game Working on: Serving, recieving, and defense Ahead: Oct. 18, against Fossil Talk: “We are more confident in abilities.

Taking it one step at a time.” -Kim Catlett

Football

Lauren Binder

Record: 2-4 1-1 in FRL Stars: RB Brian Crim, had 233 rushing yards in the Fossil game Work: Competing Consistently Ahead: Today against Fossil Talk: “We are constantly striving to be our best.” -Doug Watterson JV/C Record: 0-2/0-2

Gymnastics Stars: Alexis Stockton Work: Difficulty level increasing Ahead: League on the 19th, Hosting Regionals 26th Talk: “I hope that every person from our first competitor to our sixth competitor can qualify for state.”-Kim Hufford

Field Hockey Record: Varsity-3-4-2 9th in Conference Stars: Meghan Loury and Raychl Reger Work: finishing on offense Ahead: st.

Mary’s Oct. 15 Talk: “We’ve really grown together as a team.”- Lydia Swartz

Stand Alone: Junior Shane Wagner tries really hard to get the camera’s attention so he can pose pretty. Wagner is an involved student and is junior class vice president.

Golf

Record: 3rd at Regionals, Stars: Ryan Wilmont- 77, 32nd at State, Matt Bell 39th at State Working on: Preparing for next season Last Match: 2011 CHSAA 5A Boys’ Championship, 84 player Tournament Talk: “Proud of the efforts of my boys on this year’s team.” - Charlie Ross head coach

team player, and good on offense and defense.”

With a good pitcher though comes a good catcher as well.

Senior Dani Hailey has been the catcher for the varsity team since sophomore year and has been working with Vansickle for three years. With Hailey calling the pitches, telling Vansickle where they’re standing and what their swings look like, she’s a major part of Vansickle’s pitching career.

“I love it (catching),” Hailey said. “I always have something to do in the game and I’m never bored.”

A catcher and pitcher working together and overall relationship is crucial for a softball team to be successful which is not an issue is for Hailey and Vansickle.

“The relationship between us is laid back,” Hailey said. “We’re in sync on what she wants to throw and what I want her to throw. We both want the same thing for the team and we hope to do really well.”

Although she has had some up and down years during her career, she believes that this year overall

Softball from page A8

really wanted to win,” Rios said.

“We ended up winning 2-1. The team this year has been brought together by everyone’s great attitude; we all just really get along.”

With state still ahead, the team has positive anticipation for the rest of their season.

“The team is still looking

Fergen from page A8

these years.”

Fergen’s leadership role with the team both on and off the field makes him a magnetic player both to his coaches and fellow players.

“He’s a real leader that always does what he can to better our team” senior Matt Buchanan said. “No matter where he is on the field he comes to play football and he loves to

October 14, 2011

A7

is going quite well. Having one of her best performing years with two perfect games, second in the state with strike outs and having over 100 strikeouts, she’s on her way in leading the team to victory in the conference.

“It felt really good (to pitch two perfect games) because throughout the game all I did was relax and throw,” Vansickle said.

“We’re undefeated in the conference and seeing who’s in the conference, we can make a good showing.” Vansickle said. “We also have ►Bri Vansickle some really good underclassmen this year too.”

With two perfect games, four years of varsity experience and over 70 strike outs, it would seem that Vansickle would be a shoe-in for a college opportunity. However Vansickle has decided against playing in college.

“I’m just choosing to go a different direction,” Vansickle said.

Whatever the case may be, Vansickle has created a softball legacy that shall be remembered for quite some time.

forward to do well in districts and make it to state,” Rios said.

“I think the team will do well in regionals and I think we will (then) go to state. We are all just going to have fun and play our best that’s really all we can do. I guess we have just worked really hard this year to be successful and we have really bonded as a team. It’s been a great year.”

compete.”

Some may wonder what makes Fergen the player and person he is, and how they can possess the same attributes. His ability to overcome athletic adversity and come back as a strong player is definitely seen as admirable by his teammates, coaches, and friends.

For Fergen, it’s simple. “I just love the game, and I love the people. You play football for the people around you.”

October 14, 2011

sports A8

the rocky mountain hiGhliGhter

Calvary Charge Calvin Jouard

Love the rivalry Fall is here, which means leaf raking, cooler weather and dead baby Sabercats.

At least, that’s what should come every fall for Rocky sports teams.

Dead baby Sabercats should lighten the heart of every Lobo, as well as the sights of a Lambkin head on a stake, or an Impala carcass on the side of the road.

And these images are metaphors for some of our Lobos’ recent success. The lady ’Bos 3-0 sweep in volleyball against Collins and the football team’s 13-10 win over Fossil.

But for some it’s hard to hate something you know nothing about—difficult to hate for hate’s sake.

For some, it’s difficult to decipher the reason for these socalled rivalry games.

Is it simply because the teams are from the same city? A battle for bragging rights? Tradition’s sake? Is it because one team has uglier cheerleaders, or bad hygiene?

Believe it or not, it’s a combination of all those things here in Fort Collins.

Take Poudre for example. The underbelly of Fort Collins society, Poudre inhabitants like to bide their time rolling in mud and excrement with the pigs on the school farm and cheating—at everything.

And they’re just plain stupid. But I have to hand it to them, they’re pretty darn good at pretending they can read.

Now if that doesn’t make it easy to hate Poudre, I don’t know what will.

Then there are the new kids on the block—the Fossil Ridge Sabercats.

Well, just from the name you know that this school isn’t real. Strictly fictional.

Sabercats do not exist.

Also, their toilet paper is made of $100 bills, comfortable enough to wipe your bum with, yet still crisp enough for students to use them to purchase iPhones at Fossil’s Apple store.

A school this pretentious and rich must be hated. I challenge you Jump to CALVARY, page A7

Students show their school spirit Juniors Julian Richards and Casey Madigan put on full body paint to go out and root for the Lobos in their football game against Mountain Vista.

A Season

Lauren Binder

Two perfect games and 180 strikeouts later...

Varsity pitcher Bri Vansickle boasts arm that doesn’t fail

by Fahey Zink Center-In-Depth Editor

It was the flyer that started a tremendous high school softball pitcher’s career.

When senior Briana Vansickle was 10, she received a flyer in the mail for slow pitch softball. This was the beginning of Vansickle’s softball experience.

“My mom played softball as a kid,” Vansickle said. “But she wanted me to start playing fast pitch first.”

Vansickle first started with the Fort Collins based fast pitch softball team, the Buckaroos, and she still continues to play for.

She started out in the 12 and under division and with the help from her dad, she started to become a pitcher.

“My dad said pitchers get all the glory so I was like, ‘I’m down,’” Vansickle said.

During her freshman year, Vansickle became the only freshman starter to play on the Rocky softball team. Since then she’s continued to be a major part of the team as a pitcher and a major leader of the team.

“She keeps us all really focused and gives us all a good example,” senior Katherine Roscrance said. “She’s really focused, good Jump to BRI, page A7

Lauren Binder

to

Remember

Celebration Nation: Bri Vansickle celebrates with Simcah Baker after a strikeout in the Collins game. The softball team won that game 4-2. The girls are headed to regionals this weekend.

Softball team catching fire this season

by Regan Miller Reporter

The softball team has blazed through this year’s season without as much as one look back.

With the team consisting of six seniors, three juniors, two sophomores, sports and three pecial freshmen the team has prioritized working together as a way to accumulate success. With the combination of each individual talent that each player possesses the team has been able to come together and utilize their skills to create a 13-5 record this season.

“We all support each other,” freshman Courtney Robbins said.

Teamwork has been a

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main focus of the softball team. The players have worked with each other in order to execute their strategic victories. By enjoying the team and every teammate, these victories have been made easier to attain.

“We have good chemistry this year,” coach Mike Crockett said. “The ladies work hard together and enjoy being on the team together. Teamwork has been the key to our success; one single player can’t do it alone.”

With a team partly composed of underclassmen, new levels of competition and skill had to be learned. The seniors passed down the knowledge they’ve experienced to the underclassmen in order to have them excel.

“The seniors have really brought our young players along with positive influences,” Crockett said.

The complication that the team has been faced with is enough playing time; with 14 players on the team it is a challenge to have all the players have adequate playing time.

“A difficulty has been having 14 girls on the team, there are a lot of people sitting and everyone really wants to get out there and play,” junior Sydney Rios said.

“To get over it we have all helped each other to get better and supported each other in whatever happens.”

As the team drives through the season they

Christine Gravelle

Sliding Action: Freshman Courtney Robbins slides into third base at a game. The team has good chemistry this year, which has helped them through the season.

continue to override their opponents and work their way up in the division placing.

“A highlight of the season was the Loveland game, we were both undefeated and we both Jump to SOFTBALL, page A7

Ryan Fergen comes back for vengeance his senior year

by Jessica Davidson Reporter

Senior Ryan Fergen knows what it’s like to experience the lowest of lows – and those make the highs even sweeter.

“Last year makes me thankful every time I’m out on the field now,” Fergen said. “Seeing

►Ryan Fergen

others get injured and being out for the season makes me realize that you never know how many games you’ll play.”

In the opening football game of his junior year season, Fergen, a varsity football and basketball player, suffered a concussion. He missed the first few games of the season, but was able to recover in time to finish the regular season. First game back, Fergen tore his ACL. His junior football and basketball seasons were over before they had even begun.

“Ryan has earned the respect of the team since his injury,” said head coach Mark Brook.

“Even when there was nothing for him to do during practice, he was there every day. He worked hard in the off season to

come back for his senior year.

Most importantly, Ryan never makes it about himself. He has a team mentality; he puts others’ needs before his own.”

Fergen has truly proved himself to be the comeback kid.

Not only is he currently leading the football team in tackles, but he’s been recognized as a leader and a strong team player by his coaches and teammates.

“Ryan’s competitive spirit and drive for excellence got Ryan where he is, and it’s going to lead him to many successes in and out of sports.” Brook said.

Fergen has played safety for the team since he was a freshman. This year, he was asked to use his versatility and make a switch to linebacker when two starting senior linebackers (Cal-

vin Jouard and Vincent Saracino) suffered injuries. Jouard is out for the season due to an ACL injury, and Saracino may be able to come back before the end of the season.

“When you lose strong people or seniors in general, other players are called upon to step up and lead” Brook said.

“Major injuries impact everyone a little bit.”

And step up to the plate Fergen did.

“Being a linebacker is a whole new game” said Fergen.

“I’ve spent the last four years playing safety, and in one week I had to become a linebacker. I have to trust my instincts that I’ve gained from playing all Jump to FERGEN, page A7

October 14, 2011

Homecoming a hit Saturday, Sept. 24, students danced the night away at the homecoming dance. Homecoming had a Midnight Masquerade theme this year.

Photo Courtesy of Robin Gravelle

features B1 the rocky mountain hiGhliGhter Small Talk Jess Davidson

Reality check for seniors

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Photo Illustration by Christine Gravelle

ivilRights

Positive, negative reactions to LGBT

Farm buses vandalized with hate; community rises to cover with good

Students affected in different ways

by Cassa Niedringhaus Co-Editor-in-Chief

Despite discrimination and degradation that she features has faced pecial in her life, junior Jessica Knight has a positive outlook on life and hopes to share it with those around her.

Knight, who is openly bisexual, is the current president of the school’s student-initiated Open Minds Club (Gay Straight Alliance). With October being LGBT History Month, she is facilitating discussions within the club about history, coming out and suicide prevention.

She hopes to raise awareness.

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Good and Overall, bad art: This though, bus was one she said of the many vandalized. the atmoSwastikas and sphere at gay slurs were school is being covered a positive by positive images and one. Howcolors. ever, she experienced prejudice when she lived in Virginia.

“People think that if you’re homosexual, bisexual or transgender that you’re different than everybody else,” Knight said.

“That’s not true. They’re just normal people too.”

Sponsor of the club and language arts teacher Georgiana Jones was the sponsor of the club when

Jump to LGBT, page B2

by Jeanelle France Reporter

Cassa Niedringhaus

It’s hard to imagine symbols of love, acceptance and peace being transformed into dark shells of hatred and ignorance overnight.

Unfortunately, this was the case for the Grant Family Farms (Wellington, Colo.) mobile chicken coops on Sept. 7. The farms Eliminating hurtful words: house their chickens Grad Brittany Heileman and in retired mother Deanschool na Heileman buses, paint buses. brightly More than 30 people worked decorated with them to with mescomplete the sages of painting. optimism.

On the night of Sept. 7, however, phrases such as “peace train” and countless happy faces were covered with dark spray paint, swastikas and a plethora of anti-gay slurs.

With a crime hitting so close to home for the people of Wellington, Fort Collins and Denver residences, groups of people stepped up to clean and to paint over the hurtful slurs and images. Included in these groups was Rocky graduate Brittany Heileman, as well as her parents Deanna and Alan Heileman.

“It was a cool experience to see everyone from Jump to BUSES, page B2

Painted van draws attention, turns heads Free spirit Bacon more than tie-dye hippie

by Christine Gravelle Features Editor

While driving around town, some cars may stand out, but one in particular attracts stares and turns heads.

The tie-dye van.

Senior Delaney student Bacon is the owner of eature this fun and creative vehicle known as the “hippie van”, “tie-dye van”, “Jude”, and the “mellow shmallo.” It all began when Bacon’s parents told her that with good grades and “being an all-around good

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kid” she would get a car. What Bacon didn’t know was her “brand new” car, was the family’s white 1999 Ford minivan.

“I was not okay with that,” Bacon said with a laugh, but she decided to make the best of it.

“My dad raised me in a hippie manner, having me listen to the Beatles as my lullabies, so I decided to give it my own hippie flair,” she said.

Jump to TIE-DYE, page B2

Christine Gravelle

Strutting her stuff: Delaney Bacon shows off the many sides and colors of her van. Bacon’s van can be recognized all over town and is difficult to miss in the school parking lot.

I feel helplessly unprepared.

I’m not ready, and there is nothing I can do about it. Against my will, I am growing up, and like most seniors around this time, I am absolutely terrified at the thought of my future.

As seniors, whether we’re willing to face it or not, this year gauges that we have reached a transition in our lives, and we are actually growing up.

As of May 26, the world is “ready for us”. But are we, the class of 2012, ready for the world?

Knowing that we’re about to be thrown into a world outside of Rocky impacts all of us in different ways.

For me, the structure of applications and interviews is “normal” senior year stuff that I’ve been anticipating. What is far more intimidating, though, is the change in relationships and responsibility that I know is inevitable.

So many questions consume me. What is life like without my parents?

Will my boyfriend and I stay together in college?

My cooking skills don’t extend much farther than grilled cheese – will that hinder me? And most importantly, am I ready for this?

I don’t have the answers, and I don’t like it.

According to the ACT, I’m ready for college level courses. I have affirmed that I’m ready to be on my own in every college essay and application that I’ve completed. But I also, on a subconscious level understand that I won’t know if I’m ready until I’m there. That scares me too. I am reveling in the insanity of senior year, and it is nowhere near over.

This realization is necessary, no matter what path we’re are taking after high school.

Unknowing, in any capacity, is scary. I am absolutely terrified. And in a slightly twisted way, I hope the rest of our senior class is as well.

This fear in itself shows that we’re conscious of the fact that growing up is a big deal. By our anxiety, we’re showing vulnerability - growing up is meant to be one of the most scary and wonderful experiences we’ll have.

So seniors, let’s buckle up and get scared. The next few months will be a wild ride, but I think if we embrace the madness, we’ll turn out just fine.

Jessica Davidson is a senior reporter for the RM Highlighter.

B2 October 14, 2011

the features rocky mountain hiGhliGhter

Buses from page B1

the community come together and remove all of the paint,” Brittany said. “It was nice to see a counter reaction to their negativity.”

Grant Farms was founded in 1953 by Lewis Grant. For the past 35 years they’ve committed themselves to providing the public with certified organic produce through Community Supported Agriculture. The farm delivers fresh produce and other goods to those who purchase shares of the farm.

Grant Farms has continuously been hailed by the press and residents alike for their outstanding customer service, their dedication to supporting local infrastructure and their friendly staff.

Local authorities believe this particular farm was targeted because of its diverse team of employees, many serving as openly gay or lesbian members of society.

With news of this anti-gay hate crime came the realization that there was still some unrest between the gay community and groups outside of the gay community.

Instances like this vandalism spark memories of other hate crimes around the area, the most gruesome and notable case being that of openly gay University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard.

Shepard’s trouble started when he met Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson for the first time at the Fireside Lounge in Laramie, Wyoming. It was just after midnight on Oct. 6, 1998 when McKinney and Henderson agreed

LGBT

from page B1 it first began at the school. She said that the students who first initiated the club faced battles with the school and the district.

However, she said the negative reaction against the club is less than it was when the club began in 2004. Jones said that gay, bisexual and transgender students are normal people who deserve support.

In a speech to the Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference in Washington, D.C. in July, Susan Wilbur Wamsley declared this movement to support the LGBT community and fight for rights to be the modern civil rights movement. Wamsley participated in the famous Freedom Rides of the 1960s in which people came together and rode buses into the Deep South to protest racial segregation and to fight for equal rights for African Americans.

“I think the gay and lesbian issue is absolutely the civil rights issue of today,” Wamsley said. “I think a lot of people don’t want to talk about it, sort of the same

Painting the day away: Heather Wohlers (above) paints peaceful images over ones of hate. Rocky graduate Brittany Heileman (right) works on painting colorful chickens and chicks.

to give Shepard a ride home. The two men then transported Shepard to a deserted field, robbed him, beat him and tied him to a fence.

Shepard was unconscious, but still alive when he was found 18 hours later. He was rushed to Poudre Valley Hospital and placed on life support. He had suffered such severe head trauma that his brain stem was damaged to the point where his body could no longer regulate his own temperature, heart beat and other vital body functions. He passed away five days later.

News of Shepard’s death spread through the nation like a wild fire.

Many citizens paid their respects thing (as the Civil Rights Movement). In many ways I think that as long as we deny equal rights, everything from marriage on, to any citizen regardless, (it is an issue).”

Knight shares information about this movement with the Open Minds club. She shared the “It Gets Better Project” with the club. This project was created by a man named Dan Savage and his partner Terry Miller in 2010. They created it in response to LGBT teenage suicide and to support LGBT youth. The project collects video messages from a multitude of people telling teens that they may face bullying now, but life will get better. On the website, there are messages from gay people, straight people, governors, celebrities, professional sports teams and people of all ages. Videos from President Barack Obama, the Google staff and Anne Hathaway are among the 25,000 videos the project has amassed.

LGBT History Month, sponsored by the Equality Forum, also brings messages from LGBT icons to people. On its website it says it provides “role models, builds community and makes the civil rights

Tie-Dye from page B1

With “vague” permission from her mother, Bacon bought and experimented with different paints that would last on the car throughout the weather. She cooked up the design and created the tie-dye van.

The stereotypical “hippie-van” is the 1960’s VW van, but Bacon decided “a van doesn’t have to be a VW to have personality.”

The blast of color often catches the eye of others as Bacon drives by grabbing the attention of anyone she passes.

“She’s really fun and outgoing and it totally fits her personality perfectly,” friend Heather Dyer said. “She has a lot of energy and she really is a great friend.”

However, Bacon’s friends are not the only

Cassa Niedringhaus

by donating to the Matthew Shepard fund, an organization founded

by Shepard’s parents, Dennis and Judy, who aim to “Replace Hate with Understanding, Compassion and Acceptance” by retelling their son’s story and funding local outreach programs. President Barack Obama also took notice of Shepard’s story and in October of 2009, signed the Matthew Shepard

Act, which expanded the scope of the 1969 United States federal hate-crime law to include gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability as premise for the detection of hate crimes. This act also provided $5 million per year of funding to go toward investigating crimes such as Shepard’s, as well as giving the federal government jurisdiction to pursue alleged hate crimes that local authorities choose not to investigate fully.

Conversely, those who embraced the same mind set McKinney and Henderson demonstrated, hailed the crime as some sort of a relief. The leader of the Topeka, Kansas’s Westboro Baptist Church, Fred Phelps, lead his followers to Shepard’s funeral service. The congregation held signs that read “No Tears for Queers,” “Fag Matt in Hell” and “God Hates Fags.”

There are examples of anti-gay hate crimes being committed from east coast beatings in the Bronx to the death of an openly gay eighth grader in California and just about everywhere in-between. On a global level, these crimes against members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual community are on the rise. According to the U.N. high council, 20 percent of all hate crimes are based on sexual orientation.

Openly gay Rocky alum Richard France said he has not noticed the increase in crime.

“I do know that crime throughout the United States has been decreasing at an unprecedented rate, but I’m not sure if that trend holds true for hate crimes,” France

I think the gay and lesbian issue is absolutely the civil rights issue of today.

“

Susan Wilbur Wamsley, Freedom Rider

”

statement of our extraordinary national and international contributions.” Each day of the month, it features a new person and tells their story. This month, the list of icons includes Lady Gaga, Neil Patrick Harris, and Ricky Martin.

Knight hopes that these messages inspire the club members.

She herself keeps an optimistic attitude, even in the face of discrimination. When she does encounter discrimination, even from within her own family, she said she just laughs it off. She likes to “kill people with kindness” and knows that their views differ from hers.

“You are who you are from the moment you’re born, even if you don’t realize it at first,” she said.

“You have no control over how you are. You’re you and nobody

people to notice her brilliant and creative van.

“The funniest reactions are always when I see people taking pictures of my car, and they don’t realize that I own it,” Bacon said.

Bacon’s tennis teammate Emily Guyor also sees Bacon’s personality in her van.

“She’s not afraid to be who she is. She has a bright smile, and like her van, whenever I see her, I smile.” Guyor said.

But her car isn’t just a statement about her fun and outgoing personality; it also

shows her hope to show “hippie” qualities.

“I consider being a hippie someone that is a free spirit, doing good for the earth, and living to be happy,” Bacon said.

“That’s how I hope to be.”

Bacon helps the environment by recycling and going to sustainable living conferences. Bacon finds other ways to

can change that.”

A student who wished to remain anonymous told of her experience of her dad coming out as gay. Her parents got divorced.

However, she believes that her father’s homosexuality does not define him as a person. She believes that, gay or straight, all people deserve equal rights.

“A person’s sexuality is never a choice,” she said “Why would someone choose to be persecuted, hated, and discriminated against like the gays are? We as humans must recognize that we are all equal, and all deserve equal rights.

In a country based on equality and the rights of the people, how can we really justify restricting those rights based on a person’s sexuality? I’m straight against hate, and I

help her community by being involved as a Peer Counselor.

But Bacon wants to take it one step further in her life and do more.

Not only does she want to do more in her community, but all over the world.

“I feel like my life isn’t as significant as it would be if I focus my life on others,” Bacon said. “I want to leave the world making a difference, and want my existence to mean something.”

Bacon plans to get a nursing degree after graduating, join the Peace Corps, and then travel around the world as a nurse helping impoverished countries.

“Most countries don’t even

said. “What I do know is that the gay community has continued to make tremendous strides in terms of gaining basic civil liberties and in terms of social acceptance. This isn’t to say that we (as a country and a society) don’t have a long way to go. But if hate crimes against people are really on the rise then it is a sad, though predictable, outcome. People who don’t embrace concepts of diversity, progress and acceptance may react with fear and violence when they’re confronted with the reality that our society is becoming more tolerant and just.”

Although hate crimes against homosexuals are more prominent on a national level, according to senior Nick Ortolano, things in Fort Collins could be a lot worse.

“Things have been okay since I moved back (to Fort Collins),” Ortolano said. “I went to Thompson Valley – that was bad. Everyone from out in the country was really conservative. I’d constantly get called a fag. Rocky’s okay but I feel like guys keep on saying things like, ‘We can be friends; just don’t hit on me.’ I hate that.”

Since his move from Loveland to Fort Collins last year, Ortolano has been content and has a bright outlook on the future of gay rights in America.

“As a whole, I think (Americans) are becoming more accepting,” Ortolano said. “It’s just ridiculous that marriage isn’t legal yet. It’s a constitutional right anyone should have the opportunity to marry who you love. You’re born this way.” say that gay is okay.”

In contrast, another student who wished to remain anonymous provided a religious perspective on the issue. While she does not believe gay people should be prosecuted, she does not agree with homosexuality.

“The Bible does say in Leviticus 18:22, ‘Do not practice homosexuality. Having sex with another man as with a woman, it is a detestable thing,’” the source said. “I think that people are born that way (homosexual). They are tempted to be sinful. However, you will have things in your heart that are wrong and sinful and that doesn’t make it okay.”

The source whose father is gay said, “I feel very strongly about this issue. I see no reason why gay people should be prevented from expressing their love for one another. People who use the Bible as justification fail to recognize that religion is human made, meaning that it is inevitably flawed. Every person should have the right to be bound by marriage to the person they love. Whether gay, straight, or bisexual, love is love, and no one has the right to deny that.”

►Delaney Bacon

have basic necessities like clean water and vaccinations,” Bacon said “I want to change that.”

So the next time the “tie-dye van” rolls down the street, think of what could be done for both the world and the local community to show “true hippie” qualities.

the features rocky mountain hiGhliGhter

October 14, 2011

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Dance group America’s Got Talent runner-up

Senior Bigler lives dream of Hollywood television experience

by Ramsey Nicholas Co-Editor-in-Chief

Over the course of the past year, a national icon was shaped from a local Fort Collins resident and Rocky student.

Senior Ben Bigler’s fiery passion for dance led him to become part of a dance team known as the Silhouettes. The 40-member team, coached by Lynne Waggoner-Patton, auditioned for the NBC Network show, America’s Got Talent, in 2010. Their act is unique in that they dance behind a screen and use a light to reflect their shadows onto the screen, hence the name the “Silhouettes.”

The members, ranging in age from age 3 to age 19, create shapes and tell stories with their shadows. Their impressive act led them to be runners up out of over 100,000 acts that tried out for AGT. Bigler’s journey began at the mere age of 3. Since his toes first touched the blacktop floor, he has pursued his pursued dance with a passion. As Bigler neared his eighth year of dance, he was discovered by Waggoner-Patton, instructor of one of Denver’s most recognized dance academies, Rocky Mountain School of Dance. This promising opportunity opened up many doors for Bigler’s career as a dancer, including his performance in SportAccord, a convention for the world delegates concerning the location of the Olympics, as well as the birthplace of the Silhouettes. Little did they know, Bigler and the Silhouettes were about to change the nation.

“The Silhouettes started in 2009 when the producer of SportAccord gave us the idea of shadow dancing,” Bigler said. “It

Courtesy of Ben Bigler

Living the dream: Ben Bigler and his dance group pose with another contestant from the Miami All Stars, Rudy Abreu (above). Bigler spends time with his teammates Cydney Couch, Kelsie Jeffords and Emily Ruybal before a performance (below).

Courtesy of Ben Bigler

was really cool because we got to perform with Colorado Ballet and Earth Wind and Fire. The performance was on 9 News for SportAccord and then we were discovered by Starky Entertainment Group who took us to other conventions for Qdoba, Accura and Honda. Eventually, they told us we would have a good chance in the audition for America’s Got Talent (AGT).”

After the Silhouettes’ first audition in October 2010, they later received a call from an AGT producer, Nigel Castro, confirming their admission into the program and their next June audition in Minneapolis.

The judges went wild for the Silhouettes performance in Minneapolis and sure enough, the Sihoulettes were voted on to the Vegas round.

College becomes stress for seniors

by Jessica Davidson Reporter

Ready or not, here it comes.

The college application process is quickly creeping up on seniors.

The College and Career Center recommends that seniors have the majority of their college apps done

by October 31, leaving seniors who have yet to prepare for college with less than a month to get their stuff together.

Many seniors haven’t even thought about where they’re applying yet, let alone how to start the application process. However, resources aren’t far away for students that have yet to start their college search.

“College is accessible to every single student,” College and Career Center counselor Nicole Wilgenbush said.

Wilgenbush helps students navigate college resources and answers questions about how seniors can get on track.

“We’re here to help, as long as students are taking ownership of what they need to do, and putting the work in.”

For some students, getting started on college applications has been easy because they’ve seen students do it the wrong way. Senior Lydia Swartz can attest to the importance of getting applications done early.

“I’d recommend applying as

Jessica Davidson

Preparing for the future: Will Kelly works with College and Career Center counselor Nicole Wilgenbush during a college application party. Another helpful session about writing college essays will be on Oct. 26.

soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more stress you’ll end up putting on yourself,” Swartz said.

“The counselors have set a goal of getting applications done by Halloween for a reason. I watched my brother turn his applications in on the very last day he could, and it really limited his options.”

Swartz’s brother inspired her to get ready for college in other ways as well.

“I had to go on all the college visits he went on. Going on those trips gave me a pretty big interest in my on college search,” said Swartz.

For students who haven’t had an older sibling or friend going through the process, there are plenty of other reasons to be motivated to get college applica-

tions done early. One is avoiding inconveniences further down the road.

“The most common mistake I see is waiting until the last minute to submit an application” Wilgenbush said. “Sometimes websites crash or a piece of mail won’t get there on time, so it’s always smart to be prepared well before 11:59 p.m. the night before an app is due.”

Senior Jazzy Schmich Kinney has found other reasons to get his applications done far before they’re due. “Most schools I am considering require an audition to get into their music department and attain additional scholarships,” said Schmich Kinney. “Now that applications are done, this year will be spent working on that.”

“It was nerve-wracking because the Silhouettes weren’t really a big thing, we were not yet a phenomenon,” Bigler said.

“After receiving such amazing feedback, we realized what an impact we could make and that our act could really touch lives.

Having so much attention on our small Colorado studio; I felt ecstatic.”

Studio owner and director of the Silhouettes, WaggonerPatton, never imagined that such doorways could be opened for her dancers.

“I think the whole experience really instilled a sense of confidence in the kids,” Waggoner-Patton said. “I think they understand that by following the rules and guidelines and doing what needs to be done, they can achieve anything. This whole thing has really been like a dream; the feeling is just overwhelming.”

The Silhouettes actually did so well in Minneapolis that they were voted into the top 10 at Vegas, meaning they didn’t actually have to audition in Vegas and were granted an automatic entry for the quarter finals in Hollywood. Performing six shows all together, Bigler and the Silhouettes got to perform their last shadow dance with guest singer, Leanne Rimes.

“When the finals ended I got to hold hands and talk with Sharon Osborne,” Bigler said. “We also got to meet Chris Brown, Leanne Rimes, Nick Cannon, and Cobra Starship. We have definitely taken on the challenge of learning to stay humble. Going to Hollywood was really a crazy adventure.”

The adventure came to its near conclusion with the Silhou-

ettes’ extraordinary second place result. The dancers have now received multiple opportunity offers and will be performing at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, Oct. 28, 29 and 30 for AGT Live with the other acts that finished in the top four. Tour dates are possibly to be set for the fall and winter, and opportunities to go to London for the BBC Network are also out on the table.

“Ben has always had such incredible talent,” WaggonerPatton said. “He drives three hours each way after school to be here; the commitment level is phenomenal. He’s the captain of our team, he’s got an incredible sense of humor and really there is no better way to put it other than to say that he’s a diamond in the rough.”

Bigler has agents secured for him if he wants them and many opportunities waiting for him in big cities such as New York and Los Angeles. While WaggonerPatton thinks he will mold into a famous choreographer or director, Bigler sees himself starting his own clothing line somewhere down the road. No matter what he chooses for his future, a path of greatness is in clear view.

“I’ve always dedicated myself to dance, busting my butt to get homework done while driving to Denver every day after school for practice,” Bigler said. “If you stick to your passion, and you pursue it with hard work and dedication, something great is bound to come out of it.”

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October 14, 2011

the rocky mountain hiGhliGhter

A Haunting Family brings fun, fright to community

by Regan Miller Reporter

After months of preparation, the final product is complete; a haunted house has now taken over the space of a two-car garage.

Patricia Brinks, mother of junior Nate Brinks, comes up with ideas and then constructs a series of scenes and the Halloween essence all in her two-car garage. Patricia and her family put it together and run it during the Halloween season.

“My mom typically starts two months early in our garage,” Nate said. “(She starts with the) prep work and special effects. She puts on a really good show, and I think this year will be our best theme.”

Every year, the theme of the haunted house changes or is varied.

Although this year’s theme remains a secret, previous years did not disappoint. Past themes have included a haunted graveyard, an Egyptian tomb and Harry Potter. While the themes are a more recent aspect of the haunted house, the Brinks family has been running it for six years.

“It’s a mixture of creativity, technology and artistry, and it’s a rare combination,” said junior Caroline Miller, who helps out with the show of the Haunted House. “They have complex levy systems and the surroundings are really well done. Behind the scenes it’s really complicated. A lot of ropes needed to be pulled, and they all looked the same.”

What drove Patricia to build a haunted house show in her garage was the enjoyment of the holiday and the need to release her creative spirit; the haunted house serves as an all-time consuming hobby around Halloween.

“I really like Halloween,” Patricia said. “(The haunted house) is kind of like a creative outlet; I used to do girl scouts and that was where I’d be creative and when I quit that I just took this up as my creative outlet. And also, I’m slightly insane.”

The garage has every bit of it utilized to make the space seem larger than what it actually is.

Pulleys, lighting, and other special effects add to the facade of the illusion. This takes a significant amount of time to pull all the technology and effects together.

“We typically have people pulling strings that put on different effects,” Nate said. “Typically my mom does most the building; I help with ideas. We work on it up until it’s ready to go. It always

It’s a mixture of creativity, technology and artistry, and it’s a rare combination.

“

Caroline Miller, junior

”

gets the comment that it seems so much bigger than a garage. It’s not that long, but it’s just a nice stop. We don’t have people go in big groups otherwise it takes the element of surprise away.”

The haunted house is more focused on the technological and creative side, rather than being actually haunted and scary.

“We have unsuspected things happen without it being scary or gory,” Patricia said. “If I had room and money it’d be like a Disney adventure ride. It’s exciting rather than horrifying; it’s more theme orientated rather than scare, but it gets adrenaline rushing for sure.”

The show in previous years has only been about four to five minutes long, but the cost is free.

A donation is accepted at the door for anyone who wants to donate a canned food item. The cans are donated to the local Food Bank.

“I think it’s really great that they (the Brinks’) get to do something creative while still helping out with the community,” Miller said. “This is just a good opportunity; through this creative outlet they are reaching out to so many types of people with this experience.”

The haunted house is located at 2700 Virginia Dale Dr. It will run from 5-8 p.m., on Sat. Oct. 22, and Sun. the 23. Also, on Halloween weekend it will be open from 4-9 on Sat. Oct. 29. It will be open from 5-9p.m. on Oct. 30 and the 31.

Volunteers are needed to help run the haunted house. If you are interested in helping, contact Patricia or Nate Brinks for additional information.

“Everyone who comes to the haunted house come because they’ve been there before,” Miller said. “People who come for the first time usually end up going through again and come back the next year. It’s very complicated to work, but it’s really cool. I’ve never seen anything like it before in my life.”

Events to look forward to: ►Hallofreaknween: Saturday, Oct. 29, 7 p.m. at the Denver Merchandise Mart.

Affair

►FrightFest at Elitch Gardens: Oct. 1-31. ►NOCO Corn Maze: Oct. 1-31 on Thursday through Sunday. (Thursday and Sunday’s hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday’s hours: 10 a.m-12 a.m.) Haunted Corn maze: 7 p.m., 2318

Control Panel: Junior Nate Brinks uses wiring set up in his garage to control certain parts of the haunted house. It will run through Oct. 22 to 23 and through Halloween weekend.

S. County. Road 5, Fort Collins. ►Boo at the Zoo at the Denver Zoo: Oct. 29-30. ►Trick-or-Treat Street: Oct. 27 at Rocky, 5-8 p.m. ►The Reinke Brothers’ Haunted Mansion: 5663 S. Prince St. Littleton

Fahey Zink

Day of the Dead is more than meets the eye

by Taylor Hitchings Reporter

Night of Fright: A Harry Potter theme haunted house (below) took over the Brink’s garage last year.

Two years ago they put on a mummy tomb theme (left).

Courtesy of Patricia Brinks

Courtesy of Patricia Brinks

Box of Props: Buckets of decorations and props are store in the Brinks’ garage. The family holds a haunted house every Halloween.

Fahey Zink

B5

On the surface, Halloween and Día de los Muertos (or “Day of the Dead” in English) have a lot in common: skeletons, sugar, and the supernatural.

In reality, while both holidays include these things, Día de los Muertos has very little to do with children and teenagers walking from house-to-house for candy.

Instead, it’s a chance to respect and remember family and friends who have passed away. The events begin on the same day as Halloween, though it isn’t officially the holiday until Nov. 1 and 2.

“November 1 is All Saints’ Day—dedicated to those who died as children,” Spanish teacher Stephanie Carson said. “November 2 is All Souls’ Day—dedicated to those who died as adults.”

Día de los Muertos originated in Mexico and remains there today, though Latin American (and other Spanish-speaking) countries have also integrated the holiday into their culture.

It’s also present in certain cities around the United States—even Fort Collins. In a society where death is viewed with a somber outlook, it might seem odd to some that anyone would want to celebrate a day about people who’ve died, but Día de los Muertos isn’t a morbid holiday.

“It’s a way to remember and celebrate your dead people without mourning them pretty much, in a happy way,” said

junior Andres Zepeda, who was born in Mexico and moved from El Salvador 12 years ago. “It’s like paying respects to them, showing you still remember them.”

Added Carson, “It’s not something satanic or anything. It is a much healthier way to view death.”

This attitude is something Carson chooses to embrace in her Spanish classes.

“Yes, we celebrate it (in my Spanish classes),” Carson said.

“In some of my classes we create altars for famous people who have passed on and we visit their homes to see how their ‘families’ have chosen to honor them.”

Altars, like the ones in Carson’s Spanish classes, are another way for people to welcome their loved ones back on Día de los Muertos.

“At my house, we just set up this altar with candles and pictures of all our dead family members,” Zepeda said. “We have tons and tons of family come over and just have really good food and just have fun all night. . . We have one big one, (altar). There’s pictures everywhere and candles everywhere, with decorative skulls and stuff.”

Added Carson, “The altar is basically a welcoming spot in a central location in the home where the family collects some of the favorite belongings of the person being honored.”

The term ‘welcoming spot’ may be misleading, however,

because many people who take part in the Día de los Muertos festivities don’t necessarily believe that their loved ones are literally returning as ghosts or anything paranormal.

“We’re not actually celebrat-

ing death or dying or anything,” Zepeda said. “It’s nothing supernatural.”

“It’s not like people really think that there’s a ghost there,” Carson added. “It’s kind of like, when someone passes away and you think, ‘well, we can still have conversations with them.’

It doesn’t mean that ghosts are invading their home.”

Courtesy of Stephanie Carson

Remembering the Dead: An altar representing Carson’s friend’s family members death during the Day of the Dead holiday. Day of the Dead is celebrated to respect people who have passed.

center in-depth

B4 October 14, 2011

October 14, 2011

the rocky mountain hiGhliGhter

A Haunting Family brings fun, fright to community

by Regan Miller Reporter

After months of preparation, the final product is complete; a haunted house has now taken over the space of a two-car garage.

Patricia Brinks, mother of junior Nate Brinks, comes up with ideas and then constructs a series of scenes and the Halloween essence all in her two-car garage. Patricia and her family put it together and run it during the Halloween season.

“My mom typically starts two months early in our garage,” Nate said. “(She starts with the) prep work and special effects. She puts on a really good show, and I think this year will be our best theme.”

Every year, the theme of the haunted house changes or is varied.

Although this year’s theme remains a secret, previous years did not disappoint. Past themes have included a haunted graveyard, an Egyptian tomb and Harry Potter. While the themes are a more recent aspect of the haunted house, the Brinks family has been running it for six years.

“It’s a mixture of creativity, technology and artistry, and it’s a rare combination,” said junior Caroline Miller, who helps out with the show of the Haunted House. “They have complex levy systems and the surroundings are really well done. Behind the scenes it’s really complicated. A lot of ropes needed to be pulled, and they all looked the same.”

What drove Patricia to build a haunted house show in her garage was the enjoyment of the holiday and the need to release her creative spirit; the haunted house serves as an all-time consuming hobby around Halloween.

“I really like Halloween,” Patricia said. “(The haunted house) is kind of like a creative outlet; I used to do girl scouts and that was where I’d be creative and when I quit that I just took this up as my creative outlet. And also, I’m slightly insane.”

The garage has every bit of it utilized to make the space seem larger than what it actually is.

Pulleys, lighting, and other special effects add to the facade of the illusion. This takes a significant amount of time to pull all the technology and effects together.

“We typically have people pulling strings that put on different effects,” Nate said. “Typically my mom does most the building; I help with ideas. We work on it up until it’s ready to go. It always

It’s a mixture of creativity, technology and artistry, and it’s a rare combination.

“

Caroline Miller, junior

”

gets the comment that it seems so much bigger than a garage. It’s not that long, but it’s just a nice stop. We don’t have people go in big groups otherwise it takes the element of surprise away.”

The haunted house is more focused on the technological and creative side, rather than being actually haunted and scary.

“We have unsuspected things happen without it being scary or gory,” Patricia said. “If I had room and money it’d be like a Disney adventure ride. It’s exciting rather than horrifying; it’s more theme orientated rather than scare, but it gets adrenaline rushing for sure.”

The show in previous years has only been about four to five minutes long, but the cost is free.

A donation is accepted at the door for anyone who wants to donate a canned food item. The cans are donated to the local Food Bank.

“I think it’s really great that they (the Brinks’) get to do something creative while still helping out with the community,” Miller said. “This is just a good opportunity; through this creative outlet they are reaching out to so many types of people with this experience.”

The haunted house is located at 2700 Virginia Dale Dr. It will run from 5-8 p.m., on Sat. Oct. 22, and Sun. the 23. Also, on Halloween weekend it will be open from 4-9 on Sat. Oct. 29. It will be open from 5-9p.m. on Oct. 30 and the 31.

Volunteers are needed to help run the haunted house. If you are interested in helping, contact Patricia or Nate Brinks for additional information.

“Everyone who comes to the haunted house come because they’ve been there before,” Miller said. “People who come for the first time usually end up going through again and come back the next year. It’s very complicated to work, but it’s really cool. I’ve never seen anything like it before in my life.”

Events to look forward to: ►Hallofreaknween: Saturday, Oct. 29, 7 p.m. at the Denver Merchandise Mart.

Affair

►FrightFest at Elitch Gardens: Oct. 1-31. ►NOCO Corn Maze: Oct. 1-31 on Thursday through Sunday. (Thursday and Sunday’s hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday’s hours: 10 a.m-12 a.m.) Haunted Corn maze: 7 p.m., 2318

Control Panel: Junior Nate Brinks uses wiring set up in his garage to control certain parts of the haunted house. It will run through Oct. 22 to 23 and through Halloween weekend.

S. County. Road 5, Fort Collins. ►Boo at the Zoo at the Denver Zoo: Oct. 29-30. ►Trick-or-Treat Street: Oct. 27 at Rocky, 5-8 p.m. ►The Reinke Brothers’ Haunted Mansion: 5663 S. Prince St. Littleton

Fahey Zink

Day of the Dead is more than meets the eye

by Taylor Hitchings Reporter

Night of Fright: A Harry Potter theme haunted house (below) took over the Brink’s garage last year.

Two years ago they put on a mummy tomb theme (left).

Courtesy of Patricia Brinks

Courtesy of Patricia Brinks

Box of Props: Buckets of decorations and props are store in the Brinks’ garage. The family holds a haunted house every Halloween.

Fahey Zink

B5

On the surface, Halloween and Día de los Muertos (or “Day of the Dead” in English) have a lot in common: skeletons, sugar, and the supernatural.

In reality, while both holidays include these things, Día de los Muertos has very little to do with children and teenagers walking from house-to-house for candy.

Instead, it’s a chance to respect and remember family and friends who have passed away. The events begin on the same day as Halloween, though it isn’t officially the holiday until Nov. 1 and 2.

“November 1 is All Saints’ Day—dedicated to those who died as children,” Spanish teacher Stephanie Carson said. “November 2 is All Souls’ Day—dedicated to those who died as adults.”

Día de los Muertos originated in Mexico and remains there today, though Latin American (and other Spanish-speaking) countries have also integrated the holiday into their culture.

It’s also present in certain cities around the United States—even Fort Collins. In a society where death is viewed with a somber outlook, it might seem odd to some that anyone would want to celebrate a day about people who’ve died, but Día de los Muertos isn’t a morbid holiday.

“It’s a way to remember and celebrate your dead people without mourning them pretty much, in a happy way,” said

junior Andres Zepeda, who was born in Mexico and moved from El Salvador 12 years ago. “It’s like paying respects to them, showing you still remember them.”

Added Carson, “It’s not something satanic or anything. It is a much healthier way to view death.”

This attitude is something Carson chooses to embrace in her Spanish classes.

“Yes, we celebrate it (in my Spanish classes),” Carson said.

“In some of my classes we create altars for famous people who have passed on and we visit their homes to see how their ‘families’ have chosen to honor them.”

Altars, like the ones in Carson’s Spanish classes, are another way for people to welcome their loved ones back on Día de los Muertos.

“At my house, we just set up this altar with candles and pictures of all our dead family members,” Zepeda said. “We have tons and tons of family come over and just have really good food and just have fun all night. . . We have one big one, (altar). There’s pictures everywhere and candles everywhere, with decorative skulls and stuff.”

Added Carson, “The altar is basically a welcoming spot in a central location in the home where the family collects some of the favorite belongings of the person being honored.”

The term ‘welcoming spot’ may be misleading, however,

because many people who take part in the Día de los Muertos festivities don’t necessarily believe that their loved ones are literally returning as ghosts or anything paranormal.

“We’re not actually celebrat-

ing death or dying or anything,” Zepeda said. “It’s nothing supernatural.”

“It’s not like people really think that there’s a ghost there,” Carson added. “It’s kind of like, when someone passes away and you think, ‘well, we can still have conversations with them.’

It doesn’t mean that ghosts are invading their home.”

Courtesy of Stephanie Carson

Remembering the Dead: An altar representing Carson’s friend’s family members death during the Day of the Dead holiday. Day of the Dead is celebrated to respect people who have passed.

B6 October 14, 2011

the limelight rocky mountain hiGhliGhter

Courtyard Duckpond

by Amanda Kriss Duck, you really need to stop creeping on Whatever! I learn Rocky students. valuable things from them!

Games & Amusements Puzzle 1 (Easy, difficulty rating 0.42)

5

2

6 2

4

9

1 4

6

8

5

7

6

2

6

4

9

6

8 1

2

3 9

The objective of the puzzle is to complete the 9 x 9 grid so that every column, row, and 3 x 3 grid within the 9 x 9 grid contains the digits 1 through 9 exactly once. Each puzzle can be solved with pure logic, so guessing should not be necessary.

8

3 Well, I think it’s disturbing.

Wild animals shouldn’t be socializing with us civilized pond dwellers.

Sudoku Challenge

3

Difficulty level: 

3 5

6

1

(Puzzle solution posted on bulletin board outside of Room 528.)

2

Photo

Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/~jdhildeb/software/sudokugen/ on Thu Sep 29 19:54:43 2011 GMT. Enjoy!

of the issue An entrance fit for a king

Things You Don’t Want to Find in Your Trick-orTreat Bag:

AHH

H!!!

What was that?

Top Ten

Angry Birds attack... I saw a student playing it!

Isaac Effner

A dramatic entrance: Senior Kyle Wray enters the gymnasium atop his dragon. Wray was voted senior class homecoming king after his “pet” had vacated the premises.

Freshmen Brooke Garza and Jacoby Benger, sophomores Mary Muffly and Donald Chen, juniors Callie Downing and Ed Kennedy and senior Kaitlyn Swearingen were also named homecoming kings and queens.

Dracula from page A8

I do right now. You have to memorize your lines, your blocking and create a set.”

Not only is Funke the lead role in the play, but is also the head of the set. He is in charge of making sure the entire set comes together.

“It’s definitely a difficult role.

It would be for anyone. I’ve been a lead before, but it hasn’t been as tough as this,” Funke said. “The most difficult part is figuring who the character is, and how I can depict that.”

Funke’s love of the theatre has carried him to the place he is today, as the lead in a production.

“I’ve always loved theatre. I started seeing plays when I was really little, and started acting when I was in fifth grade. I’ve loved theatre since the very beginning,” Funke said. “It teaches you responsibility because people are counting on you to know your lines. People look up to you.”

Funke hopes that the play will be as exciting for viewers as it is for him.

“For me, the pinnacle of acting

10. Lotion 9. Unwrapped Butterfingers 8. Beards 7. Syringes 6. Bodily Fluids 5. Creamed Corn 4. Used Dental Floss 3. Scabs 2. Poached Eggs 1. Rylee’s School ID (Charlie Anderson and Matt Buchanan)

It’s definitely a difficult role.

The most difficult part is figuring who the character is.

“

Brian Funke, senior

”

is that second right before you need to go on stage and your mind goes completely blank,” Funke said. “You walk on and say your lines, but when you get off you ask yourself, ‘What just happened? Did I just do that?’ It’s exhilarating.”

Dracula runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the next two weekends. Seven p.m. shows will run both Friday and Saturday, with 1 p.m. showings on both Saturdays and Sunday the 16th.

All shows will be in the Lincoln Center Mini Theatre and tickets are $7.

thelimelight rocky mountain hiGhliGhter

October 14, 2011

B7

Unlikely companions: Brad Pitt (left) and Jonah Hill (right) star together in Moneyball.

Pitt plays the coach of the Oakland A’s, and Hill plays the team’s analyst.

Melinda Sue Gordon/Courtesy of Columbia Pictures/MCT

Moneyball classic underdog story

by Calvin Jouard Reporter

The hail-mary turned into a game winning touchdown, the buzzer-beating basket and the 9th-inning homerun to take the lead are all typical endings to the classic sports movie.

But Bennet Miller’s Moneyball has a different feel to it. It recaptures the Oakland A’s historic 20win streak, but in movie feature film fashion. eview Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill star alongside each other In the movie. Pitt delivers a solid performance, but the same can’t be said for Hill, an actor known for his roles in Superbad and Get Him to the Greek.

The only reason his character can be taken seriously is because of his limited dialogue.

But Moneyball possesses something that goes beyond the characters.

General Manager Billy Bean (played by Pitt) and his A’s are coming off of a historic season and Bean must confront the realities that come with having the smallest team salary cap in major league baseball.

Wealthier teams pick apart the A’s star studded roster, and Bean is left with a team of borderline mediocre players.

With this adversity comes

R

Bibbey from page A8

close friend of Bibbey’s for 15 years.

The two wrestling coaches have competed against one another, as well as coached together as a team for the Webber wrestling program.

“The book is really special to me because Jeff and I are both a part of the wrestling community,” Carroll said. “Jeff has been coaching for more than 20 years and with an average of 40 wrestlers per year, he has had a huge impact on well over 600 former wrestlers. The wide range of personalities that you get on a wrestling team has certainly given him plenty of material and characters to pull from over the years. I think he’s probably used combinations and traits from a whole bunch of people in the wrestling community in order to shape his characters and story.”

Book

from page A8 fall prey to narcotics and Bibbey portrays the use of these substances vividly and intensely, providing a glimpse into a world unfamiliar and frightening to most. The struggles that Devin and Steven face offer an engaging yet emotionally challenging book to read. It takes a talented writer to evoke emotion from a reader and Bibbey accomplishes just that, creating characters who can be empathized with, which makes their personal failure and conflict all the more devastating.

The book doesn’t only deal with issues like drug use, but also religion.

Throughout the story, multiple characters consult God for help

tantrums involving Bean throwing things, but it also brings an epiphany—the idea that changes in the team’s rebuilding must be made in order to turn the A’s into a winning ball club once again.

Bean hires Cleveland Indians player analyst Peter Brand (Jonah Hill), a man with a Yale degree in economics.

With Brand’s help, Bean begins constructing a new roster based upon player statistics as opposed to scout’s hearsay. The results are positively surprising to say the least.

It’s definitely a classic underdog story. The team goes from having nothing to accomplishing something great. But it’s a whole different ball game, so to speak.

The movie beautifully captures the essence of our environment— constantly improving technology, fast-paced daily lives and the money-hungry indifferent monster that is society—through the struggles of a baseball team.

The movie means something.

It also brings to light a flaw that may be more pressing than the steroid problem in baseball—the lopsided advantage of wealthier teams.

In this way, Moneyball is a refreshing addition to the sports movie genre, but still maintains the classic underdog story.

Charlie Anderson

No grieving here: Ben Laub “Grieves” gestures to the audience during his show at the Aggie. Laub is originally from Fort Collins.

Grieves pleases at Aggie Local artist returns for crowd-pleasing performance

by Charlie Anderson Reporter

Less than halfway through the Together/Apart tour, it’s easy to tell how excited Ben Laub, also known as Grieves is, to be headlining for the first time in years.

Alongside album co-producer Josh Karp “Budo”, concert the two brought a eview highly anticipated show to nearly full-capacity at the Aggie Theater on Oct. 6, after spending the summer on the Vans Warped Tour and supporting label-mate Atmosphere on the Family Sign tour.

The Aggie has somewhat more meaning to Grieves than other venues.

R

Carroll was actually given the opportunity to read some of Bibbey’s rough drafts, earlier on in the writing process. Both coaches have been given opportunities to look deeper into the personal lives of their athletes, giving them something to bond over and relate to.

“Jeff has always been deeply involved in the sport and especially with wrestlers as individuals,” Carroll said. “Over the years, he has helped out countless kids and their families when they’ve faced intense personal issues even outside of the sport of wrestling. Bibbey has a huge heart and has always been involved with helping kids.”

Assistant wrestling coach Brad Hargreaves added, “He’s a great coach and just all around talented.”

Bibbey is able to take real life traumatic events that he has witnessed in the course of his life, and turn them into something brilliant;

a literary masterpiece.

“There were a lot of days when I just felt like burying it,” Bibbey said. “Encouragement has really propelled me through the whole thing. The book reflects the tough times and things I’ve seen. When you write fiction, you are setting up a pantomime to produce deeper meaning in a simpler form.”

“He’s a great coach and just all around talented,” Hargreaves said.

Bibbey describes the book as being primarily directed towards adults in helping professions, such as teachers, counselors, police officers, coachers, and those who work with substance abusers. The book is available online, but Bibbey would like students to have a conversation with their parents before reading it if they have an interest, due to the language, sexuality, and drug use that are incorporated in the manuscript.

and guidance, and simply ask God “why?” A message about redemption is also presented through the book.

Both Steven and Devin seek to pull themselves from the clutches of their dark pasts, and in their own ways, each of them battle fiercely to do so.

The boys show that redemption can be achieved even when one has sunk to the level of a seemingly helpless meth addict.

Bibbey also manages to craft a story about teenagers and their problems without succumbing to the all too obvious clichés that are often a by-product of such books. Instead of making Coach Cardsen the archetypal mentor who has all of the answers and can show his pupils “the way,” Bibbey gives Cardsen his own issues and uncertainties. In fact, at many

points throughout the book, Cardsen himself can’t find “the way”.

Devin and Steven aren’t swept up by clichés either. It’s impossible for readers to ignore the fact that these boys are criminals and addicts.

The boys don’t triumph over their issues immediately; there are no easy solutions for them. Their situations are portrayed realistically, they aren’t overly dramatized, nor are they simplified and tamed. The result is a book that is most certainly not a soap opera in written form.

Off the Mat provokes thought and emotion, and provides an entertaining story to boot. Bibbey skillfully constructs a story of uncertainty, addiction, personal triumph, and redemption. The book is unique and engaging and a downright good read.

“You know, I grew up here in Fort Collins,” he announced to the crowd. “What a beautiful town.”

Local rap group Def.Rhymes.

Divine opened the show with a short set, followed by Seattle comedy rapper, The MC Type, and Minneapolis native, Prof.

It’s hard to tell where Grieves would be without his extremely talented on-stage sidekick, trumpeter, keyboardist, and guitarist, Budo. Lyrics from Together/ Apart (co-produced by Budo) speak of the bond that music creates, no matter the emotional or geographic distance between people. The stage seemed almost too small for just the two, as Grieves paced side to side, Budo occupying the back with instruments and soundboard.

The hour-long set consisted of old crowd-pleasers, including “Gwenevieve (Burn it Down),”

but focused on introducing newer songs off of Together/ Apart.

Needless to say, the duo makes for a great performance.

One of the larger factors to a great show, however, is the crowd. It seems as though many shows at the Aggie consist of drunken teenage fighting. It is somewhat of an annoyance as a talented artist, such as Grieves, performs with such spectacular emotion, while the crowd is shoved back and forth to make room for two people who are still struggling to handle their own testosterone.

Grieves and Budo deserve a large amount of respect for the talent they possess. Although some fans have a difficult time controlling themselves, many more can appreciate great music and are able to recognize two great live performers.

Fill ‘er up: Garbanzo’s manager fills a pita pocket.

Customers can choose from a wide selection of meats, vegetables and sauces to fill their pita.

Christine Gravelle

Garbanzo offers fresh flavor

by Christine Gravelle Feature Editor

A new lunch option has opened up for students, with delicious and healthy options, off of College Road and Troutman Parkway directly across from Target. food When walkeview ing into Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill, a feeling of warmth and friendliness inhabits the restaurant with a friendly greeting and a sample of hot falafel a fried seasoned garbanzo bean puree.

A wide variety of choices are offered, from plates (essentially a dissected pita) to filled pita sandwiches. The friendly staff provides good portion sizes and offers multiple samples of their items while filling up a pocket.

But with so many sides and choices to choose from, make sure to ask for samples. Because this is Mediterranean influenced food, it may not be the flavor customers expect. But the majority of the food is delicious.

R

Everything on the menu is seasoned with vibrant spices and their sauces range from cool and creamy to spicy hot. They have an emphasis on making the food fresh and healthy and are also extremely vegetarian friendly.

Vegetarian items are labeled on the menu along with calories in each item. This is easily a better option than most fast food restaurants health wise, but it is still a delicious option for lunch.

The portions are quite large, especially if the plate is ordered.

Multiple sides, meat, falafel, sauces, a pita and more are all part of the plate. It is definitely enough for two, or for someone to have leftovers. The only setback about Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill is the prices. . For example a plate with hummus, salad and sauces is around $5, but for falafel and meat, prices are going to be closer to $7, not including a drink.

Overall this is a great place to enjoy new food and experience a new flavor in Fort Collins.

October 14, 2011

Cluster rocks it

limelight B8

Cluster plays at Everyday Joe’s during science teacher Jeff Bibbey’s book signing event. Multiple students, current and former, are members of the band.

the rocky mountain hiGhliGhter

Cam Chorpenning

What’s in the Limelight?

‘His self-loathing was limitless, unbound. He

Today: Theater: Dracula @ Magnolia Theater Movie Release: The Thing Concert: Passafire @ Marquis Theater

moved through the motions of his job, each waking hour an endless fixation on

Oct. 15: Concert: Gavin Degraw and David Cook @ Ogden Theater

the crime of his existence.’ from Off the Mat by Jeff Bibbey

Bibbey pens wrestling novel

Oct. 17: School: One Act Auditions Oct. 18: Concert: Jimmy Buffet @ Pepsi Center Oct. 21: Concert: Jason Aldean @ Pepsi Center Movie Release: Paranormal Activity 3 Oct. 22: Concert: Mac Miller @ Fox Theater Concert: Rubblebucket @ Hodies Half Note Oct. 24: CD Release: Michael Buble: Christmas CD Release: Drake: Take Care Oct. 25: CD Release: Toby Keith: Clancy’s Tavern CD Release: Cold Play: Mylo Xyloto Concert: Blood on the Dance Floor @ Marquis Theater Oct. 26: Concert: Blue Man Group @ Pikes Peak Center Oct. 28: Movie Release: In Time Movie Release: Johnny English Reborn Oct. 31: Concert: Skrillex and Two Fresh @ First Bank Center Nov. 1: CD Release: Justin Bieber: Under the Mistletoe CD Release: Florence and the Machine: Ceremonials

Christine Gravelle

For the readers: Jeff Bibbey signs a copy of his book Off the Mat for one of his readers. An event was held at Everyday Joe’s in celebration of the release of his book.

Science teacher experiences challenges of writing, publishing process

by Ramsey Nicholas Co-Editor-in-Chief

When enough time and effort is put into something, wonderful surprises can be born.

Despite being a full time science teacher, Jeff limelight Bibbey has more pecial or less spent the past five years writing and editing his book, Off the Mat, on top of teaching hundreds of students each year. Bibbey describes the atmosphere and hardships of the writing and publishing process, as well as the benefits and selfaccomplishment that comes with the experience.

“For a long time I have wanted to communicate experiences that I couldn’t verbally communicate

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For a long time, I have wanted to communicate experiences that I couldn’t verbally communicate to people in the way that I wanted to.

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Jeff Bibbey, science teacher and author of the new novel Off the Mat

Grad creates novel cover art

►Off the Mat cover art by 1999 graduate Ryan Guillaume

by Christine Gravelle Features Editor

The cover artist for Jeff Bibbey’s book, Off the Mat, is no ordinary artist.

When Bibbey approached Ryan Guillaume to do the book cover, he couldn’t say no.

“I graduated in 1999,” Guillaume said.

“I’ve been friends with him for a while.”

Once Guillaume had read the book, he was inspired to create the cover.

“I would tell you to read it,” said Guillaume.

“I’ve known him (Bibbey) for a long time, and it’s a great book.”

five to 11 members depending on the time of year, the group meets twice a month, usually in a coffee shop in order to discuss one another’s stories, help with edits and catch up with each other.

“My stereotypical thought of a writers group was a bunch of women wearing scarves and holding latte’s, discussing the romance novels they just finished,” Bibbey

Jump to BIBBEY, page B7

Off the Mat intense, avoids teen clichés

by Cam Chorpenning Limelight Editor

Most would not expect a high school science teacher to write a novel.

Even fewer would expect him to write a good novel.

Jeff Bibbey’s new book Off the Mat deals with two teenagers novel with troubled lives and their eview wrestling coach. Bibbey introduces Devin Thomsen, whose life has been filled with violence and drug use among his family for as long as he can remember, and Steven Matchik whose father has recently come out as homosexual leading to a messy divorce between Steven’s parents. Both boys are

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talented wrestlers, and Sean Cardsen, their wrestling coach, notices them and becomes attached to them.

The book’s setting jumps around from time to time and place to place throughout the book, abandoning a normal, chronological order, but to great effect.

In fact, the book regresses at first and the character development benefits from this.

Without giving away any details, part of the story’s outcome is revealed before the end of the first chapter, but Bibbey leaves plenty of intriguing mysteries for the reader to discover.

As the story progresses, the two boys Jump to BOOK, page B7

Rocky students suck... blood in Dracula production

by Jessica Davidson Reporter

Nov. 4: Movie Release: Tower Heist Movie Release: Another Happy Day Nov. 8: Concert: Awolnation @ Aggie Theater School: All choirs concert

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to people in the way that I wanted to,” Bibbey said. “The ideas in the book are from personal experiences, put totally into fiction. It’s not about any one real person and it’s very important to me to not exploit real life stories.”

At a writing conference at Pikes Peak in 2009, Bibbey joined a local writers group called Penpointers. Made up of anywhere from

said. “It’s actually a lot of rugged, well-educated men. It’s basically free other than the $20 per year for our Christmas party. I wasn’t willing to spend a lot of money, especially with the kids going off to college and I found a lot of value in Penpointers.”

After a year and a half of editing with Penpointers, Bibbey contacted a dozen industry publishers, sent numerous letters and finally decided to start researching self-publishing. Many people wanted Bibbey to keep pursuing his book through publishers, but he didn’t want his story to become too dated.

Webber Middle School P.E. coach, Mark Carroll, has been a

Courtesy of Debut Theatre Company

Evil eye: Senior Brian Funke poses as Dracula. Debut Theatre Company will be presenting Dracula at the Lincoln Center beginning Oct. 14.

Drac is back.

Back in the theatre, that is.

Five Rocky students are a part of Debut Theatre’s Dracula.

The play depicts the story of Count Dracula in his endeavors to attack and claim Lucy Westenra, a girl he is enamored with.

Juniors Caroline Miller, Sean Kennedy, Cameron

Dracula Where: Lincoln Center, Mini-theater When: Oct. 14-16, 21-22 Tickets: $7

Chorpenning, sophomore Quin Smith and senior Brian Funke are part of the cast for the play. As the cast, they not only have a major role in the

production itself, but have roles on the technical crew.

Debut Theatre is one of few theatre companies in the nation that have the same group of people for cast and crew.

“It’s a huge commitment,” lead role (as Count Dracula) Funke said. “Besides school and the activities I’m in at Rocky, theatre is the only thing Jump to DRACULA, page B6