Rocky Mountain April 26, 2011 Volume 38, No. 8
Teacher mixes it up as roller derby enforcer Features, B1
ighlighter
Pole vault event combines skills Sports, A8
Everything as far as you can see -John Denver, Rocky Mountain High Rocky Mountain High School 1300 W. Swallow Rd. Fort Collins, Colo. 80526
Feeling isolated, alone and depressed
Status update: Over two million teenagers are suffering from depression, and social networks are now a trigger for it. New studies are starting to show that social networks such as Facebook are being linked to depression in teens. A recent study done by Journal Pediatrics states that someone obsessing over his or her Facebook page is more likely to be depressed. “Social networking does add to it (depression) a bit just because so many teens are exposed to more things,” said junior Talee Reece, who was diagnosed with depression this year. Still a counterargument remains that Facebook isn’t a direct link, but can perpetuate the downward cycle. “I wouldn’t say it (social networking) causes depression,” school counselor Pam Kilness said. “Teenagers are vulnerable anyways, and if someone is feeling isolated, and something horrible is said on Facebook, that’s just one more thing for them to deal with. That can be the last straw.” Added Reece, “There were times where I’ve seen some things that stung. Comments that people have said that are directed towards me or those who I care about.” Cyber-bulling has always been an issue on the Internet and remains to be one of the biggest causes of “social networking
depression.” While senior and student body president Kasey Darling is not suffering from depression, she knows the feeling of being attacked through social networking. Darling had a Facebook page, a Tumblr blog and a Name Generator created against her earlier in the year. “When I first found out about them (the pages), it was really horrible,” Darling said. “It made me realize how much I have to depend on myself and on the people around me.” When Darling discovered the Facebook page against her, she immediately contacted Facebook and the group’s creator, and the page was deleted. Administrators got involved with the Name Generator and Tumblr pages, which also were deleted. While Darling was able to endure the embarrassment and hardship of being cyber-bullied, others aren’t as lucky. One such example is Megan Meier of Missouri, who committed suicide in 2006 after fellow students bullied her online. Meier was suffering from depression awhile before the incident, but the comments online were the final straw. “Imagine 40 people telling someone they’re a loser,” Kilness said. “You can’t imagine doing that in person, but that’s what it’s like on Facebook. It’s more removed, so it makes it okay, but words hurt. People should think about what they say.”
ity” in the world. On the outside, everything looked perfect; I know it looked like I was on the right path. But even when it looked so good on the outside, I couldn’t help but feel absolutely miserable. If you live with something for so long, you get so good at putting on an act. But that doesn’t mean you go home and cry yourself to sleep every night. I kept cutting. When you cut, you feel something, other than the numbness you’re used to. For junior Margaret Averill, depression acts more as an unrelenting force than a disability. “You want to scream and you don’t know why,” Averill said. “You feel like everything is too much; you’re absolutely miserable.” Averill has been dealing with severe depression for nearly five Jump to STORIES, page A2
Jump to JORDAN , page A2
Photo Illustration by Mary Willson and Tess Halac
Students share personal stories of depression by Charlie Anderson Reporter
The following italics are an anonymous account of attempted suicide from a Rocky student. Traces of depression showed up in the 8th grade, but I didn’t really talk to anyone Front until about a year later when I started cutting. I felt completely hopeless. Then, from about April to October, I felt fine. I felt like things might be okay and that I would turn out alright. But everything started back up, much worse than before. Welcome to the bell jar, a place of mental isolation, of anguish, of hopelessness. Inside this bell jar, one is undoubtedly vulnerable and understandably terrified. According to the World Health Organization, depression was labeled as the No. 1 “disabil-
Special
Quoted directly:
“It (having Asperger’s) has allowed me to see a world that no one else can relate to. It has allowed me to see that other people are worse off than me.” - senior Zach Parker on having Asperger’s
Story page B4-5
by Cassa Niedringhaus Features Editor
The school community was shaken when staff members and students received the news of junior Christina Jordan’s passing on March 30. Though she had only been at the school since her transfer from Poudre in October, Jordan’s mark on the school was evident in the immediate outpouring of love and support as students signed posters and cards for her family, decorated her ► Jordan desk with flowers, bought a rosebush in her memory and left caring words on a Facebook page created in her honor, “We love you, Christina Jordan.” Known for her smile and love of art, Jordan left a mark on the hearts of her classmates and teachers. “I was surprised how quiet she was but that she always brought an energy with her to the room,” Jordan’s English teacher Larissa Schendel said. “I always knew she was there because of her positive energy. She always had a smile on her face.” Jordan’s photography teacher, Jay Dukart, also noted the positive atmosphere of the class. “We just had a very collegial class,” Dukart said. “All the students were very different, but all of them got along. She contributed to that atmosphere. She was very sweet and more often than not was in a bubbly, good mood.” Jordan’s memorial service, held on April 7 at the Vineyard Church of the Rockies, was a tribute to the life she lived. The room was decorated with artwork that she had created and filled with people, adults and children alike, who wanted to honor her life. Her favorite song, “Hey Jude,” was played, whose lyrics appropriately say, “Remember to let her into your heart.” The service gave all those who
Study: Social media adds to depression by Fahey Zink Reporter
School mourns sudden death of new student
Inside Stuff
► Autistic student battles life’s challenges. center-in-depth, B4-5 ► Crystal Fire hits close to home News, A3 ► Bullock and Tharaldson switch it up, B2 ► Pole vaulter ranked 1st in state sports, A8
A2
Rocky Mountain Highlighter
Sloop to discover a whole new world
Popular math teacher to move to Zurich by Ryan Nelson Reporter
Not many people have the opportunity to travel the world, and of those few that do, many of them don’t get paid to do it. Math teacher Will Sloop has been afforded with the opportunity to teach at the Zurich International School in Switzerland next year. “I told him that if I had that opportunity, I would take it in a heartbeat,” math department head Todd Pfeifer said. Added Sloop, “I heard about international teaching from a couple friends of mine that are currently teaching in South America.” Also, Mr. Berg grew up abroad since his parents were international teachers, so I talked to them a bit. I signed up with an international teaching placement agency and started searching through the list of vacancies.” Sloop flew out to Bangkok to interview for a variety of teaching jobs, and was offered a spot in Zurich, his top choice.
Jordan from page A1
loved her an opportunity to share their favorite memories of her. It was a chance to come to terms with her devastatingly young passing. “Yes, it was lovely, very emotional,” Jordan’s friend and senior Chris Morse said. “They had played her favorite song, ‘Hey Jude,’ which was touching.” “It was touching to hear how Christina had impacted people around her,” Jordan’s math teacher Stephanie Rentel said. “Multiple people shared about her ability to make them laugh.” Added her history teacher Kurt Knierim, “At the memorial there were lots of Rocky students. With her warm personality, she really drew people to herself.” Jordan’s warm smile and kind
News
April 26, 2011
Adam Trousil
Making music: Math teacher Will Sloop plays piano at the Talent Show, held on April 7. Sloop will be teaching in Switzerland next year at the Zurich International School.
Sloop was very excited about the offer and signed the contract right there in Bangkok. However, losing a teacher such as Sloop is certainly a bigger loss than just a math teacher. “It is always hard to lose a quality teacher,” Pfeifer said. “He is very smart, he is relationshipdriven and he has very good relationships with his students; he has a great demeanor in the classroom.” While the math department faces probable challenges for the future, Sloop will have chalpersonality were not the only traits that people remember about her. Her teachers all noted her responsibility as a student, as well. She was enrolled in high level classes and had earned good grades. Knierim described her as “conscientious, bright and talented.” Her passing came as a shock to the school, and her death is, at this time, attributed to unknown causes. Some students reacted not only with grief, but also with guilt at not having taken enough time to get to know her. “I think that when there is an accident like this, there is a natural sadness at not having taken the chance to get to know someone,” said Jordan’s counselor Susan Takahashi. “The best thing to take from that is to resolve to reach out and touch who you can touch now.”
lenges of his own to face. Sloop does, however, look forward to learning the new language for life outside of his teaching work. Also, Sloop looks forward to the perks that go along with the job. “The school where I will be working is run using English as a primary language,” Sloop said. “However, the area where I will be living speaks Swiss-German. I am really excited for working with motivated students and smaller class sizes, the average class size in Zurich being about 15 students. Also, I have always
Stories from page A1 years. She says that as time progresses, a mental numbness can overtake a person, a gray mindset of complete emptiness. “You can’t feel anything,” Averill said. “That’s one of the times that people end up hurting themselves the most because they want to feel anything. Being able to feel even pain is a tremendous release; it’s so much better than absolute emptiness, feeling like you’re not even human anymore.” A statistical study conducted by the Center for Mental Health Services of teenage depression reported that one in every five teenagers will face depression before they reach adulthood. Former Fort Collins psychologist Michael Huxford said that depression is able to manifest itself differently in each mind. A generality of the disease, however, is an attack on motivation. “Depression shows itself in different ways in every individual who experiences it,” Huxford said. “But usually, we can see how it impacts motivation.” According to Huxford, motivation is nearly a basic necessity. Humans need something to carry themselves forward, and they start to deteriorate from the inside when there is nothing. “You don’t want to go to work, or you don’t want to study; you just don’t care,” Huxford said. “And this causes relationships to fall apart.” There was one night, I just broke. It was surprisingly easy to convince myself that people would be better off without me. I know what it’s like to hate yourself so much that you don’t want to live anymore. That night, I cut myself eighty five times. I took fourteen vicodin and three pills I don’t know the name of. I said a Hail Mary and passed out on the floor. Teenage depression may be affected and caused by a number of influences. Clinically, depression is commonly seen in a chemical imbalance of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, which impacts
loved traveling, and I am thrilled to be able to visit countries like Germany, Italy, Czech Republic, and so on during breaks. Oh yeah, and class doesn’t start until 8:30 a.m. there.” While Sloop is ecstatic about his new opportunity and all the advantages that come along with the Zurich International School, he knows that there are definitely traits specific to Rocky he will no longer be afforded with. “I will miss working with Jen Adams and the Student Council crew,” Sloop said. “(Student Council) brought a great deal of joy to my days at Rocky and was totally worth it.” “(Sloop) has a very contagious energy,” junior class president and head of the dance committee Jessica Davidson said. “He has a great sense of humor and definitely lightens some stress. And he always helps me with math.” Added Sloop, “I will miss working with the amazing staff here at Rocky. From other math teachers to counselors and administrators, I have truly been blessed to work with such a hard-working and friendly staff.”
“” Margaret Averill, junior
It makes you feel like life is meaningless. Like you are meaningless. There’s no emotion, there’s no feeling.
mental processes in emotional response and mental performance. Depression is also affected or seen in response to genetic history or societal pressure. “It makes you feel like life is meaningless,” Averill said. “Like you are meaningless. There’s no emotion, there’s no feeling.” Depression is somewhat of a monster. As it lives inside, the two may become intertwined; the person and this monster. It drains the mind of energy, of motivation, and, at some degree, feeling anything at all. Escape is the only thought; suicide may become justifiable. When I woke up I was at PVH. On the table next to me, there were two pamphlets. One of them was for Allnutt Funeral Service and the other was called ‘Coping with Suicide.’ My parents were standing there, crying, but they were so happy to see me. The last thing I wanted was to see them. It feels awful to think you’re going to heaven, and then you wake up, worse than where you started. Of course, it is only human to feel sadness at some moments. Depression, however, begins to take shape when a person cannot mentally escape that sadness, experiencing it everyday, every minute. In many cases, it cannot help but to begin to define and shape a person as it delves into every aspect, every element, every breath of life. Depression can be easily treated, but only if help is sought out. Those battling depression are encouraged to seek medical help, confide in a trusted peer, or call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.
Tessting the Waters
Tess Halac
What’s so great about America?
In a world full of corruption, poverty and overall despair, it is natural tendency to find someone to blame for this despondency. This is nothing new. In the 1930s, Jews were blamed for Germany’s financial failure. Today, Muslims are the ones to blame for the influx of terrorism. In retrospect and further examination, these blind judgments prove to be fallacies, and the accuser ends up eating his or her words. Lately, I’ve heard of a new place to attribute all the world’s shortcomings to. A place where its citizens indulge in gluttonous activities while vagrants across the world fight starvation. A place that witnesses various nations endure controlling dictators, but refuses to take action. A place that cares more about Jersey Shore than stories on CNN. If you haven’t guessed it yet, let me clue you in: it’s us, America. Recently I have heard such comments, ironically from Americans, that “there is nothing good about America” and “we have nothing to be proud of.” And frankly, I’m tired of it. I first want to stress that I wholeheartedly agree that there are areas we need to improve. We are by no means a perfect nation, as our past and present have shown. However, I think there are many things that should make United States citizens indubitably proud and grateful that they live here. We are one of the only nations that has sustained democracy for an extended amount of time. A quick look through history books confirms this; very rarely do people give up power willingly. America and its forefathers have somehow devised a system to effectively do just this, and is something few truly appreciate and understand. If this transition of power isn’t monumental enough, add on to the fact that once you are 18, you have the right to vote on issues. Issues that will affect you, issues that could change your life. Again, very few countries have this power. Furthermore, America is appropriately known as the land of opportunity. While there is debate to this name, it’s undeniable that few places other than America could Pierre Omidyar, whose parents are Iranian and who grew up in Paris, have started a company like eBay. To drive the point home, I’d like to point out one final fact. In 2009, 63.4 million people were regular volunteers, according to volunteeringinamerica.gov. To say that any of the aforementioned is nothing to be proud of is stupid and ignorant. I’m not saying come to school everyday decked out in red, white and blue, but at least show some respect to a country that is considered one of the best in the world. There are always things to work on, but as far as I’m concerned, if you aren’t part of the solution and instead to sit around complain, you are just as much part of the problem. Tess Halac is a senior and the Editor-in-Chief of the RM Highlighter.
News
April 26, 2011
Up in flames
Rocky Mountain Highlighter
Wreaking Havoc: Left: Flames from the Crystal Fire destroy everything in its path. Below: A Poudre School District bus lays charred on the side of the road, another victim of the fire.
Crystal Fire hits close to students’ homes by Regan Miller Reporter
The billowing smoke and vicious flames were visible from Interstate 25; the Crystal Fire endangers the homes of many Rocky families. The flames, fueled by the wind and dry landscape, burned about 3,200 acres and destroyed at least 15 homes. The citizens living west of Fort Collins have been especially affected by the fire. By April 3, 336 homes were evacuated for the homeowners’ safety; many of these were the homes of families connected to Rocky. Visual arts teacher Jay Dukart is an example of the personal connection to the fires. Dukart’s brother, Lane Dukart, has his house and property located by the fires, and had to be evacuated from his home. “He (Lane) was able to open the corrals,” Jay said. “He grabbed their dog and two cats and got the hell out of there. The burn lines stopped about five feet from my niece’s bedroom.” The fire tore through the landscape and the homes of many, and some may never be able to regain it all back. “A lot of people I know didn’t even have fire insurance,” said
junior Courtney Urban, who also lives in the area. “They’re pretty much devastated. It’s permanently damaged and there’s not much we can do about it. Everything just looks dead.” The shock of losing homes and property due to the fire is still sinking in. The amount of property destroyed is overwhelming. “My brother called me at 1:15 Sunday (April 3) morning,” Jay said. “He was frantic; he had literally driven through flames with my little nephew right beside him. There are burn marks on his truck. People are literally in shock; you hear about it all the time, but it’s true.” The containment of the fire has reached 95 percent. There were approximately 376 personnel fighting against the fire, including firefighters from Wyoming. Firefighters continue to attempt to tame the fire down with 27 fire engines and three helicopters. The helicopters would dip a bucket into the Horsetooth Reservoir, and then dump the water onto the fire. “(The efforts to extinguish the fire are) fantastic,” Urban said. “We have everybody, even people from Wyoming. With the wind,
Balloon Drop planned for graduation This year’s graduating class is bringing back the tradition of the balloon drop at graduation. Previously taken away because of cost, Rocky parent Wendy Cohen has taken it upon herself to raise funds to bring the balloon drop back. This year the drop will be
run through an outside company who will be rented to blow up the balloons, transport them to CSU, and drop them during graduation. However, the PSD custodial staff is responsible for cleaning up the balloons before the other schools’ graduations. Chloe Evans
Hair Raiser sets high goal for hair inches The school will be hosting a Hair Raiser event on May 1 from 1-5 p.m. Hairdressers from around the community will be providing free haircuts for people willing to donate their hair to the Cancer Center of the Rockies. The hair donated will be used to make wigs for
cancer patients. The wigs help to improve morale for the 60 percent of women who consider their loss of hair to be the worst side effect of treatment. Last year’s event raised 16,000 inches of hair and the event planners hope to double that number this year. Cassa Niedringhaus
Looking Glass to host launch party
Spring Show puts on comedy
The literary magazine, The Looking Glass, is hosting a launch party at Everyday Joe’s Coffee House, located on 144 S. Mason St. on May 4 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. There you will be able to pick up this year’s issue of the magazine, buy a T-shirt, and eat and drink with friends. Tickets to enter cost $3 and will be sold at the door. Tess Halac
The Spring Show, The Musical Comedy Murders, is set to begin April 28 and will continue each night until April 30. The shows will be at 7 p.m. and take place in the school’s auditorium. The box office opens at 6 p.m., and seating is general admission. Tickets are $7 for children, $8 for students and senior citizens, and $9 for adults. Tess Halac
FBLA members qualify for nationals FBLA competed at state April 16 through April 19 in Vail, CO. Several students qualified for nationals, which are being held in Orlando this summer. Justin Schiller received first place in Business math,
Carly Sandell received first place in marketing, E Bingamen and Kaylee Weber received second place in Management Information Systems, and Sam Field received second place in Business Law. Ramsey Nicholas
A3
Courtesy of Harry Bates
it’s crucial that we have all the firemen there every day.” Despite the containment efforts, the fires were constantly being fueled by the winds and dry earth. “My neighbors are scared because it’s so close,” said junior Nick Ortolono, who also lives in the area. “A lot of trees are burnt down, and plants and the grass. It makes the mountains look gnarly.”
Courtesy of Bob Gann
Johnston elected 2011-12 president by Fahey Zink Reporter
The voting polls are closed and a new Student Body President has been elected. Junior Rylee Johnston has won the covenant title of Student Body President for the class of 2012. Other winners include Kali Glenn for vice President, Ari Nevo as secretary and Connor Haugen as treasurer. “I been in Student Council since 4th grade so it is such an honor that Rocky chose me to lead, it is the icing on the cake for my student council career,” said Johnston “There was a rush of ideas and emotions that flooded into my head as soon as I got the news.” Johnston has been a part of StuCo for three years as a representative as a sophomore and secretary as a junior. Ready for a new challenge as a leader, Johnston decided to run for president, the biggest challenge within student council. “I have now been at Rocky for 3 years; I understand the culture and the great things Rocky has to offer,” Johnston said. “I felt like that was my foundation to build on to. President gives me a platform to find a way to reach out to Rocky students that I normally wouldn’t be able to due to the size of our school and implement new traditions while continuing others for future lobos.” Added StuCo sponsor and English teacher Jennifer Adams, “She is able to see the big picture, plan the details to accomplish it and encourage other to connect and be a part of the solution.”
Fahey Zink
Taking the Lead: Junior Rylee Johnston helps senior Devon Weatherwax organize bracelets for Unity Week. Johnston was recently named Rocky’s student body president.
One thing that has helped Johnston be able to do it all is drive. Not only does she excels in StuCo, but has set goals for herself to be the best in academic and extracurricular activities. “Rylee has the ability to make people want to follow her,” said junior and newly elected vice President Kali Glenn. “She has strength, courage, leadership, a positive attitude and is always smiling.” For next year, Johnston wants to follow in the footsteps of past presidents, but has her own new ideas. Johnston wants to be able to connect with the student body by using technology. She hopes to get more ideas from student that can help the school in some way and for new events to
occur. “My goals are to connect with the student body more effectively and efficiently: Technology is a great tool; it has the ability to reach mass amounts of people,” Johnston said. “I hope to see StuCo sponsor some new events that will appeal to our students, and that reach further than Rocky. I hope to follow along in the footsteps of past presidents by encouraging school spirit and involvement and by living the Lobo Way.” One thing that Johnston isn’t sure of yet is her sign off for next year’s announcements. “I am throwing a couple ideas around but nothing is set yet,” said Johnston. “My epiphany should be coming soon.”
A4
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ditorial
April 26, 2011
Rocky Mountain Highlighter
COD corrupts
Reanna Nelson
Seniors want say in speakers
I
Staff Editorial ► Seniors
want option of choosing graduation speakers
n 25 days, the seniors will be graduating, a final adieu to their high school before they are thrust into the real world. It is a momentous event: After 13 grueling years of free education, seniors will end this chapter in their lives and begin the steps to total independence. For some, the student will be the first in his or her family to graduate with a secondary education. No matter the circumstances, the entire event and day will be truly unforgettable. A major component of the graduation ceremony is the speech, given by a chosen faculty member. The speech is paramount, idyllically summing up and synthesizing the years at Rocky. It is the final sense of closure before we venture out on our own, some directly into the work force, others are enrolling in college and still others traveling the globe. Whatever the situation, May 21 will doubtlessly be a remembrance forever ingrained into each of our minds. We have earned this day, and as unselfishly as one can say, this day should be all about the graduating class, taking
The Rocky Mountain Highlighter is published nine times during the school year by the newspaper staff of Rocky Mountain High School/ 1300 W. Swallow Rd./Fort Collins, CO 80526. Contact Rocky Mountain Highlighter staff members at 970-488-7090 or 970-488-7091 for advertising information. Also the Rocky Mountain Highlighter staff is in Room 528, during 4th period. Editor-in-Chief Tess Halac
Features Editor Cassa Niedringhaus
Editorial Editor Ramsey Nicholas
Center In-Depth Editor Mary Willson
Sports Editor Calvin Jouard
National Scholastic Press Association National Critique
Limelight Editor Chloe Evans
H
Rocky Mountain
Staff Charlie Anderson John Califf Ryan McCrary Trevor Merrill Regan Miller Geneva Mueller Ryan Nelson Fahey Zink
into consideration each wish and request. Therefore, it seems odd and slightly unfair that the senior class was not afforded the opportunity to nominate or vote on the commencement speaker. We outwardly stress that our complaint does not lie in the outcome of who was chosen as the orator; we believe English teacher Ron Clark, a Rocky graduate, will do a fabulous job summarizing our school experience and congratulating us for our accomplishments. Our protest instead lays in the lack of jurisdiction we as a senior class had in this significant decision. The system currently in place delegates the commencement speaker decision to the senior class officers. Few doubt the capability of the officers to choose an articulate and engaging speaker, and we recognize that for efficiency’s sake, representative decision-making sometimes must be utilized. However, in crucial decisions that could potentially affect our graduation experience, we feel that all voices should be heard. At the very least, a
ighlighter Artist Reanna Nelson Contributors Taylor Hitchings Adam Trousil Adviser Stephen Wahlfeldt
nomination system could be instilled. If a student feels strongly enough about having a certain teacher speak, he or she would be able to ensure that the nominee was discussed at some length as a possibility. Ideally, however, voting systems used for StuCo elections and Homecoming royalty could be applied to this decision as well. Either a Naviancestyle voting or paper ballots would suffice for such a vote. Volunteers would doubtlessly come forward in counting paper ballots if that proved to be the preferred method, and Naviance would ensure a quick and error-free tallying of results. We honestly believe that a large voter turnout would occur if seniors were given the opportunity to assist in picking a commencement speaker. The reality is that few will recall the names of Prom and Homecoming royalty years down the road, whose elections are solely student input-based. Instead, a riveting speaker who perfectly epitomizes the Rocky experience will truly be the thing no one will be able to forget.
RM Highlighter editorial policy
The Rocky Mountain Highlighter is a student news publication which strives to report school and community events with truth, accuracy, objectivity, and clarity. The RM Highlighter will also comment on issues of interest to its readers. The purposes of this publication are to report the news to the Rocky Mountain High School community, to provide the school community with a public forum for thoughtful discussion and debate, and to provide students on the newspaper staff with practical journalism experience. In order to make the RM Highlighter as professional a publication as possible, important legal and ethical guidelines will be followed. Senate Bill 90-99, enacted by the Colorado General Assembly during the 1990 legislative session, declares that “students of the public schools shall have the right to exercise freedom of speech and the press.” (Colo. Rev. Stat. Sec. 22-1-120) We, the staff of the RM Highlighter, are prohibited by law from publishing certain materials. We will respect these laws. No material which is libelous, encourages illegal acts, or causes material and substantial disruption to school activities will be published. Expressions which are obscene will not be printed. Profanity will not be printed unless it is considered absolutely necessary by the RM Highlighter editorial board to express the views of the writer or quoted person. Expression which is false “as to any person who is not a public figure or involved in a matter of public concern” will not be printed. “Expressions which are in violation of lawful school regulations designed to control gangs” will not be printed. In the event of a potential controversial item, the editorial board —consisting of all the editors, the advertising manager, and the adviser —will meet to discuss the merits of the item and then decide whether or not to print the item. Coverage of deaths which occur within the Rocky community will be carefully considered by the editorial board. Natural or accidental deaths will be reported for clarifications of death and will contain a memorial. Except in extreme circumstances, suicides will not be covered to reduce glorification of such acts. In general, the RM Highlighter observes the guidelines presented in the “Code of Ethics” of the Society of Pro-
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No, not the fish. Call of Duty is the most realistic American military combat video game known to mankind. By playing this game, Queen the particiof pant is able Egypt to absorb him/her self completely Ramsey into the set- Nicholas ting, forced to keep their eyes monitoring the entire width of the screen in search of one thing: the enemy. Call of Duty is pro war propaganda and it encourages teen boys and young men to join the American military. These frighteningly realistic, bloody shooting games are giving the young boys of our generation a glorified preview of what it’s like on the battlefield and making it look cool. Killing other human beings is not “cool” in reality, nor is it in video games. One scene in the campaign mode of Modern Warfare 2, you play as a member of the American CIA. You literally walk about with a machine gun in a Russian airport killing random civilians. We are teaching our children that it is okay to kill innocent civilians, so long as it is for the greater good. Apparently, Russia was so offended by the paltry game objective, Russian politicians threatened the banning of the console version and even removed the culturally insensitive scenes from the PC edition. It is the killing of civilians and straight up murder which are desensitizing people. The symbolism has its own meaning, for those who don’t refuse to acknowledge it. Not only do various companies produce new shooting games every year, but the United States government actually released a first-person shooting game as a global public relations initiative to help with U.S. Army recruitment. The program is financed by the U.S. Government and distributed for no charge. These games are not only poisonous to the eyes of children, but they are bad for just about everyone. According to recorded UK statistics, one in every five women end relationships due to relentless gaming habits, and Call of Duty is one of the main culprits. When I go over to a guy’s house to hang out with him, I don’t want to sit there and watch him play COD with his friends. I think many girls can agree that these video games have created a serious problem in the spectrum of men that we have to choose from. It is sad to me that guys are more interested in increasing their “kill counts” than getting up and putting in the effort of asking the countless number of dateless, pretty girls in this school to prom. I never thought I’d see the day when boys would rather play a video game than have a girlfriend.
Ramsey Nicholas is a junior and Editorial editor for the RM Highlighter. fessional Journalists. The RM Highlighter will not allow source review prior to publication, unless there is a clarification issue. Source anonymity will be granted only after careful consideration by the editor, with the editor reserving the right to make the final decision. Staff editorials shall be presented logically and will represent the views of the majority of the staff. Editorial criticism, of either individuals or groups, will be based on fact and will be constructive. Guest editorial space, the “Open Forum,” is available to anyone in the Rocky community, including students, parents, faculty, and administrators. Anyone interested in writing in the “Open Forum” should contact the editor-in-chief or the adviser, Stephen Wahlfeldt. Letters to the editor are welcome. They should be signed, and a home phone number should be included. The writer’s name may be withheld upon request, provided the editor agrees that the reasons for withholding a name are valid and compelling. Try to limit letters to 300 words and place them in one of the “Letters to the Editor” boxes, located in the Media Center and the Main Office, or give them to a RM Highlighter staff member, RM Highlighter adviser Stephen Wahlfeldt, or drop them by the RM Highlighter room, Room 528, during 4th period. Letters may also be mailed to the Rocky Mountain Highlighter, Rocky Mountain High School, 1300 W. Swallow Rd., Fort Collins, CO 80526. To talk with anyone on the RM Highlighter staff, phone (970) 488-7090. Columnists express their own views and not necessarily those of the RM Highlighter staff. No expression made by students of the Rocky Mountain Highlighter shall be considered an expression of school board or Rocky Mountain High School policy. Furthermore, Poudre School District and its employees are immune from any civil or criminal action based on any expression made or published by the students. All advertisement is welcome. To place an ad, contact RM Highlighter advertising managers at (970) 488-7091. The RM Highlighter, however, reserves the right to refuse advertising which the staff considers inappropriate for our audience. The RM Highlighter is a member of the ASNE/MCT Campus High School Newspaper Service, and some material is courtesy of that service. The Rocky Mountain Highlighter reserves the right to edit anything it publishes. CHSPA Newspaper Sweepstakes
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Editorial
Photo Poll
Choose one word to describe the American government and explain why you chose it.
Dan Chapman, junior
“Ineffective. They speak a lot of bold things and don’t follow through with them.”
Sarah Kelley, sophomore
“Dysfunctional. They don’t recognize the needs of the economy.”
Linzy Friendt, junior
“Over-protective. They are coming out with new health care bills and forcing people to comply.”
Jessa Harrison, sophomore
“Sly. They don’t tell us what’s going on. We have to survive on our own.”
Daniel Ibanez, art teacher
“Purchased. It is beholden to corporate interest and big money. There is no way for our voices to be heard.”
Ryan Brauch, junior
“Liberal. They are too liberal and moving towards a socialist economy.”
April 26, 2011
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American dream re-defined
Priorities of U.S. fallen astray Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino is expected to make five million dollars this year. Yet, the national unemployment rate is at 8.8 percent. In the United States, there seems to be an interesting hierarchy of priorities with expendable and unimportant things gaining the most money while, in the meantime, people are dying in the streets. It is absurd that the supposed global superpower known as the United States allows a gentleman from New Jersey to fuel his “gym, tan, laundry” habits with five million dollars while 8.8 percent of Americans do not even have a source of income. Possibly the most mindblowing part is that we the people— society—fuel such insanity. Picture an elementary school playground—such fond memories: fighting to get across the treacherous expanse of the monkey bars, or perhaps swinging idyllically on the swing set. Until, suddenly, the school bully approaches; everyone has heard whispers that this person is the biggest and meanest of them all. However, the bully is a trickster, you see. He has figured out how to disguise his heretical efforts of destruction as a helping hand. He approaches the youngest kindergartner who is just learning to maneuver the monkey bars on his own. The bully rips the child to the ground; but, when a teacher hears screams, and looks to observe the fuss,
they see the bully putting the child back on the monkey bars. Giving him a boost, nonetheless. America is this bully, and no one wants the help of the American Government that is given all too willingly. Many countries that the United States attempts to assist will never be able to function with a democracy and they certainly do not want help getting back on the monkey bars— especially not from the bully. An instance of the American Superiority complex that is particularly embarrassing is the instance of the “Kill Team.” Starting on Jan. 15, 2010 a group of American soldiers decided to kill an Afghani civilian— a fifteen year old unarmed farmer. They continued with the civilian killings for a time and were even regarded as heroes by their supervisors. They took pictures documenting their kills and mutilating the bodies. When the Pentagon got wind of the occurrences, they smothered the whole thing making sure that the media was unable to get hold of the pictures or even the full story. Some of the lower raking officers involved with the so-called “Kill Team” have been charged with murder. The higher ranking supervision, on the other hand, has since been promoted. Killing is a crime no matter where you are. But these murders were conducted by military personnel that
are supposed to be representing our nation. They killed the Afghani out of pure hatred and ethnocentrism. No, not every person in the United States military would even consider conducting such heinous acts. But attitudes like those of the soldiers are the absolute depiction of the American Superiority complex. Many Americans think that they are better than everyone else; but in truth the only reason that we have any power on the global scale is because we have instigated fear into our surrounding nations. Problems do not only occur on the global scale though; that which takes place within the United States seems extremely skewed as well. For example, Brandon Marshall, a professional football player made 2.189 million dollars in 2009. It is understandable that football players have a high paying job because of the amount of money that they bring in. However, it seems very strange that the citizens who assist in making them who they are—teachers, for example—make between $35,000 and $53,000 nationally. All societies have problems that need to be solved but the highest ranking certainly does not include which defensive maneuver to enact during the last five seconds of a football game. A major issue within American society is that it is largely driven by
capitalism. It is unavoidable in the instant age that represents society. But an overwhelming portion of society is run by money—how much things cost, how much citizens can afford and who gets paid how much. It seems that the people who make the most are the people who care the least about the betterment of the human race—a quality that is nearly extinct in today’s day and age. Within the present society, oftentimes the people who want to make changes and who are willing to put in the work to actually make a difference in a completely apathetic and indifferent world, are the ones that are oppressed monetarily. Think about it—volunteers, social workers, drug counselors— these are examples of people who are concerned with the general good of society, and they make little to no money. There is little in between in American society and this is something that needs to change. America is a stable place to be on a global scale. But until the time when someone in a seat of power and authority can realize the jumbled priorities, we will remain the illegitimate bully in the playground of the world. There is no reason whatsoever to take pride in something like that.
The American way consists of having the ability to athletically train, tan, or simply market a milliondollar-idea your way to the “financial top.” The current American society has been brought up on the values and beliefs that you create your own destiny. You can sit around and coast through life just fine or you can make a name for yourself. While creating this notoriety for yourself may be hard work, America has made it a constitutional right that you can do what you want to do, whenever and however you want to do it as long as you do not interfere with the law or another person’s constitutional rights. This valued concept of a free market society has made this country thrive. People from around the world would do almost anything to have the opportunities this great
country gives us by simply being part of this society. America became a world power by its freedom of immigration and its plethora of people striving to better their opportunities to work and live free from tyranny and oppression. For people like the Irish who worked long days, risking their lives in coal mines, and for people like the Chinese who worked months at a time to connect the coasts of America by way of railroad, America was their opportunity to better their personal situation. Many of our very own ancestors risked everything to become part of the American society, and we should all be grateful that we all still have the opportunity to better our personal financial, educational and even social situations. Not everyone can get a multi-million dollar pay-check for
having their own television show or playing a professional sport, but we all have an equal opportunity to be a part of this free market society. Athletes make loads of money because as a society we would rather watch Monday Night Football over the State of the Union Address. People can disagree with that as much as they wish, but the fact of the matter is; this country was constitutionally designed to give people the money they deserve. If you don’t think that athletes deserve the average 2.9 million dollars a year (according to CNNmoney.com), then turn off ESPN and don’t buy tickets to games, but to make a real change you must first convince the people of this country that its Constitution is invalid.
expression’s emotional power and uses it as a short-cut instead of writing descriptively enough to convey that emotion without vulgarity. To me, any flippant use of the Lord’s name is far more offensive than any swear word because I love God with all my heart, and having His name spoken casually and without respect – or even meaning – is incredibly hurtful. In contrast to the swear words I have seen printed in the Highlighter before, this particular expression trivial-
izes my belief in a being I care about far more than I care about anything else, and so it is something I am willing to go out of my way to see changed. While I in no way wish to restrict the ability of the paper to address sensitive issues, I would be greatly appreciative if potentially offensive and needlessly used expressions, especially those that revolve around core values, were eliminated from the paper. Margaret Averill, junior
Geneva Mueller
Pro Con
American way continues on
The American Dream: For many it’s the small business owner who rises up and makes millions of dollars. For others, it’s having the resources to support a family and for some people it is the ability to define success in their own way. As we have all heard many times, success is what makes you happy. There are people who are happy buying fancy clothes and cars with all of the money they have made, simply for having a New Jersey accent and tanning a lot. For others, it is becoming a star athlete and playing a game for a living. For the average Joe, their success could be having a stable income, a house in the suburbs and a family, and for a select few, their dream is to be the ruler of the free world.
Reanna Nelson
Ryan Nelson
Letter to the Editor: Columnist’s phrase seen as flippant obscenity Dear Editor, I was extremely disappointed while reading the March 25, 2011 issue of the Highlighter when I came across a phrase that I feel is in direct conflict with the Rocky Mountain Highlighter editorial policy. The relevant portion of the policy reads, “Expressions that are obscene will not be printed. Profanity will not be
printed unless it is considered absolutely necessary to express the views of the writer or quoted person.” In the column Queen of Egypt, ironically printed just above these policies, the writer takes the Lord’s name in vain merely to express her panic upon failing to remember a name, even though something as mild as “I’m gonna die” would have sufficed. In the writer’s attempt to show the panic of forgetting a name while interviewing a senator, she takes advantage of this
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sports
April 26, 2011
Bonked out
Baseball team coping with performing well without starting pitcher by Ramsey Nicholas Editorial Editor
Ryan McCrary
Arming up: Senior pitcher Chris Bonk (above) built a 4-0 record before contracting chicken pox. However, senior pitcher Jess Amedee (right), pitching against Greeley West, has helped keep the Lobos in the state’s Top 10. Mary Willson
Baseball LoboLights ►RECORD: 7-4 overall ►RECENTLY: Won 9-3 over No. 1-ranked Collins. ►ON THE MENU: Fossil Ridge on May 3.
►WHO’S HOT: Catcher Tyler Wiens leads the team with a.519 batting average. He also has 1 home run and 9 RBIs. Pitcher Jess Amedee boasts an ERA of 3.58 and a 5-2 record in 29 innings of work.
Even with starting pitcher Chris Bonk out for a week, the baseball team refused to chicken out. After a trip to the doctor’s office on April 11, the senior found out that he had a case of the chicken pox. Bonk was, unfortunately, covered in itchy bumps and sick at home with a fever of 102 degrees. “I definitely knew I’d be back at school and with the team within a week,” senior Chris Bonk said. “I shouldn’t still have been contagious by then, but there was no way of knowing 100 percent. Also getting sick kind of ruined my prom plans.” Bonk, being a starting pitcher, pitches every second or third game, but because of his absence, relievers had to fill in. “It affects the whole pitching staff because everyone has to take on a higher workload,” said Bonk, who built a 4-0 record for the illness. “Every pitcher on the team was used to take the pressure off, even if they haven’t pitched much this season.” Senior Kyle Westhuis is just one out of the handful of players that will have to step up and pitch. “I wasn’t mainly a starter, but I had to fill in,” Westhuis said. “I worked hard during the games, and made sure I threw plenty of strikes. It will be harder, but I think we’ll be able to take the challenge. I haven’t noticed too much of a difference since Bonk has been out because our team has really taken
Boys’ Swimming/ Diving LoboLights ►RECENTLY: Beat Greeley West at a meet, also won against Legacy and Horizon. ►ON THE MENU: Conference Meet May 13-14. ►WHO’S HOT: Junior Eric McMillin scored 398 at the K. Weideman Invite. Junior Colton Hankins qualified for state at this same meet with a score of 319. ►QUOTE ME: “We only have a few meets left, so I’m optimistic about the rest of the season.” -Junior Eric McMillin
Bill from page A8 (OCR). Every certified trainer in the school district is certified through the OCR and has enforced a six step process to get players back onto the playing field. What also separates PSD from the rest is its pilot of the Impact Testing, which takes a baseline test then measures the severity of the head injury after symptoms of concussions have been brought to a minimum. The new law doesn’t really alarm many coaches at Rocky. “There is no doubt about it–kids are bigger, faster and stronger,” head football coach Mark Brook said. “Sooner or later, physics come into play and concussions happen.”
“” Chris Bonk, senior pitcher
the challenge and done great with it.” Judging from recent performances, Westhuis seems to be on to something. Last week at Greeley West, a game in which Bonk should have pitched, the Lobos still managed to pull through and win 7-2. Later that week, senior Jess Amedee had a solid performance in a win over cross-town rival Collins, 9-3. “Tyler Wiens has done really well as a catcher,” head coach Scott Bullock added. “He’s done a great job; batting .500 and leading in hitting.” Bullock understands that Bonk’s absence affected the team in a big way. But he encourages the team to stay focused on reaching their main goal of the postseason. “Our main goal is to make it to state,” Bullock said. “Once we get to that point, anything can happen. My expectations are the same as they were at the start of the season. Everyone has to give that 100 percent.”
Girls’ Tennis LoboLights
Cassa Niedringhaus
►RECENTLY: 3-5 overall record, lost to Fossil 2-5. ►ON THE MENU: Conference tournament, Regionals. ►WHO’S HOT: Junior Cara Cromwell remains undefeated at the No. 1 singles spot. ►QUOTE ME: “We’re improving so much as a team and as individuals; I know it can only get better from here.” -Junior Nicole Leinhart
Hitting the sweet spot: Sophomore Maddi Lynch hits in a No. 1 doubles match against Fossil Ridge. Lynch’s No. 1 doubles team fell to Poudre on April 12, 7-5 6-0.
However, the fact that PSD is a step ahead of the game, so to speak, does not excuse any of the coaches from taking these courses. “None of our coaches are going to have a problem with the new system requirements,” said Brook, a math teacher at the school. “Education is never a bad thing.” The bill has been named after Jake Snakenberg, a Grandview High School football player who died in 2004. His death was due in part to his coaches and trainers failure to recognize the signs of a head injury. Snakenberg returned to the field too soon after having a concussion. Snakenberg’s family was in attendance for the signing of the new law.
I shouldn’t still have been contagious by then, but there was no way of knowing 100 percent. Also getting sick kind of ruined by prom plans.
Boys’ Lacrosse LoboLights ►RECENTLY: 6-4 overall record, lost to Cherry Creek 9-5 on April 16, beat Boulder 13-5 on April 18. ►ON THE MENU: Home against Kent Denver on April 29. ►WHO’S HOT: Senior Alex Creech had 4 assists in the win over Boulder. ►QUOTE ME: “We will work to get past the quarterfinals this year. Lately we haven’t gotten past that round.” -Senior Alex Creech
Girls’ Lacrosse LoboLights
Track and Field LoboLights
►RECENTLY: 4-7 overall record, beat St. Mary’s Academy 18-7 on April 15. ►ON THE MENU: Away against Smoky Hill on April 30. ►WHO’S HOT: Sophomore Maddie Creech is the 3rd highest scorer on the team with 9 goals. ►QUOTE ME: “We are doing pretty well. We had a rough couple of first games, but now we’re playing better as a team.” -Junior Meghan Loury
►RECENTLY: Girls placed 2nd, Boys placed 5th at the Fort Collins City Meet on April 19. ►ON THE MENU: Rocky/Ridge Roundup, April 29. ►WHO’S HOT: The 4 X 100 girls’ relay team (Frankie Noeldner, Ashley Ambriz, Valentina Pauna, and Alivia Ayres-Perry) has the 5th fastest time in the state. ►QUOTE ME: “As the season progresses, we are growing as a team and becoming better athletes.” -Junior Stevin Overholser
Geneva Mueller
Running man: Senior Hayden Brian runs during the 4 X 800 relay. The relay team holds the 28th best time in the state.
sports
Pauna from page A8
Tess Halac
Battling it out: Junior Lindsey Guice (4) and senior Alyssa Cathey (middle) fight for the ball against a Monarch player. The Lady ’Bos tied the game 1-1.
Girls’ soccer making most of close team by Mary Willson Center In-Depth Editor
juniors that also fit in tightly with the group of seniors. Success on the field stems from “A way we keep motivated is close relationships off the field for we help each other stay focused,” the girls’ varsity soccer team. senior leader Jami Vaughn said. The team is 6-1-1, making for “During practice or games we’ll an already very successful season. definitely cheer each other on The thriving playing on the field which helps one another stay is attributed to focused.” strong friendThe close ships. friendships Girls’ “When you within the team Soccer aren’t friends, are being lived you only play up for this last LoboLights for yourself and season together; the sport,” senior as the team ►RECORD: 6-1-1 leader Nikki will lose seven overall Mayer said. seniors. ►RECENTLY: Beat “That doesn’t “The seniors Poudre 3-0. make for a sucthis year show ►ON THE MENU: cessful team.” great leadership Fossil Ridge/Senior “When you on and off the Night, May 3. have a connecfield,” junior ►WHO’S HOT: tion off [the Megan Avery Alyssa Cathey field,] you have said. “It’ll be scored in the first half more fun and hard to replace therefore become them as players against Poudre. far more successand as friends.” ful,” other senior The team is leader Alyssa getting ready Cathey added. to defeat cross town rival Fossil on The team is made up of seven May 3. seniors that have been playing “We want to prove to the together on Arsenal teams since the school what we can do,” Mayer first time they kicked a soccer ball; said. “We want to be respected, over twelve years ago. The remainnot only as a soccer team, but as a ing pieces of the team consists of women’s sports team as well.”
Girls’ Golf LoboLights ►RECENTLY: Came in 3rd in a match against Loveland and Collins. ►ON THE MENU: Olde Course in Loveland on April 27. ►WHO’S HOT: Connie Davis scored 58 at Collindale on the front nine. ►QUOTE ME: “Our team is doing really well. Two girls on JV had new personal bests the other day. We’re just trying to work our way towards state.” -Sophomore Connie Davis
April 26, 2011
vault of 11 feet 1 inch. “The first time I (broke the record) it was surreal,” Pauna said. “I just couldn’t believe I had done it.” “After sophomore season, I couldn’t figure out the technique,” Pauna said. “So I worked with a gymnast that taught body awareness through moves. It helped me understand how to get inverted when pole vaulting.” It was only a slight bump in the road for Pauna, but was one of many setbacks to come. Following her sophomore season, Pauna suffered a back injury while pole-vaulting. She was unable to compete in the indoor track season and was out of shape the rest of the season until the state meet as a result. “I was really depressed about it and I didn’t think I was going to be able to compete my junior year,” Pauna said. “My coach and I actually discussed what would happen if I couldn’t compete. It was so stressful and heart-breaking.” Pauna did compete her junior year, but her performance did not measure up to her expectations of herself. “She’s always been a pretty posi-
Pole from page A8 event. “It is one of the most dangerous sports out there,” Moddelmog said.” You’re combining speed with going up in the air with spikes with long standards (the pole).” Track coach Jamie McKenzie also knows what the dangers of pole vaulting can be. “It is an event where you are putting all your body weight on a fiberglass pole and launching yourself upside down into the air. What most people don’t know is that you put the end of the pole in a metal box that is cemented into the ground at an angle. If anything goes wrong and you are in front of the mats you most likely will hit the metal,” McKenzie said. All of that adds up to produce a hazardous set of conditions, which go right along with some serious injuries. O’Grady recently had one of those dangerous falls. “The other day I had a really bad one. I was going really slow. I bent the pole, and as it uncoiled it shot me back toward the runway,” he said. Pole vaulting is an extremely technical sport and both athletes say that
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tive person but she gets down on herself if she does do poorly,” said senior high jumper and teammate Erika Musante. “She said little things like ‘It’s taken me two years to get two inches.’ But she’s been working really hard for it. I know she trained and weight lifted in the offseason.” Musante brings up a point. Pauna didn’t do anything drastic to try and switch things around as soon as possible. Panicking was not an option. She prepared for this season the same as the previous four years. She participated in the Fort Collins Track Club during the summer and winter season. She weight lifted with a trainer in addition to training by herself, and worked out in the summer with the pole-vaulting coach Kurt Davies. And it has all paid off. On March 26 at the Runner’s Roost Invite, Pauna vaulted 11 feet 2 inches to break her performance drought of two years, and to vault into the record books once again at Rocky. “During the rough couple of previous years, I’m sure it was just in her, and the aggression was in her to beat it,” Musante said. “She’s been working hard to get it, so she was going to do better this
it is a huge part of being successful. “It is all about the technicality,” said Walter. “It is a very challenging tech. event and requires a lot of practice.” This technicality ranges from position of the standard while running down the track to the body pose when launching into the air to landing safely on the mat after getting over the bar. O’Grady echoed his teammate’s statement. “There is a strength and speed element, but a majority is about using correct form. It takes a long time to master,” O’Grady said. But when these fundamentals and skill are executed perfectly, the result is a young man or woman gracefully ascending toward the small bar hovering in the air. O’Grady said that is one of the best parts of the event. “My best is 11 feet, but I am getting better every practice, every meet,” he said. “My P.R. is 11 feet 6 inches,” said Walter. “But we are both striving for 13, which would give us a good chance to qualify for state.” Despite the technicality and danger that seem to go hand in
year than she ever has. It was just a given.” Euphoria seems like an appropriate way to describe Pauna’s reaction. “It (breaking the record) totally boosted me,” Pauna said. “I totally flipped out. I did a cartwheel, I screamed. It was really rough going through a two year streak of not P.R.-ing (setting a personal record). That is an athlete’s worst nightmare. Even though it was only one inch, it was endless happiness for me.” “I am more proud of myself now as an athlete that I went through that at a young age,” Pauna said. “I know what it’s like to have a two year plateau. Now I know that I’m going to keep shooting up and getting better. I know there’s so much height left in me.” The future is bright for Pauna, especially since she is the No. 1 pole-vaulter in the state, according to The Denver Post. “She started out pretty raw, but you but definitely see that there’s a lot of talent there,” Davies said. “She made some quick gains early and through hard work and determination she’s really made it happen to where she’s now the best in the state.”
“”
Jamie McKenzie, head track coach
It is amazing to clear the bar and free fall to the mats, but you have to survive many practices and frustration and failed attempts.
hand with the sport, McKenzie has a reason why so many kids are pole vaulting. “They do it because of the love,” McKenzie said. “If you don’t respect and love it, it does not love you. It is amazing to clear the bar and free fall to the mats, but you have to survive many practices and frustration and failed attempts. They are not uncommonly the first out to practice and the last to leave.” “I think it is more of an attitude. You have to be aggressive and competitive. Unless you win and stop trying, you will always end with the bar falling.”
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S
ports
April 26, 2011
School concussion procedures brought to light with new bill by Ryan Nelson Reporter
Jump to BILL, page A6
The Full Nelson
Ryan Nelson
The risk is not enough Cassa Niedringhaus
Concussion impacts: Junior Ryan Fergen surveys a football game in October because of a concussion he suffered earlier in the year. Concussion awareness has increased because of cases like Fergen’s
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On March 22, a law addressing youth concussions in sports was officially signed by the governor. The bill requires any and every coach in Colorado to take a free annual online training course. The online courses will teach basics on recognizing symptoms of concussions. This includes coaches of all sports from football to track and at all levels from the high school varsity level coaches, to volunteer Little League and Pop Warner coaches. The law takes effect across the state of Colorado in January 2012; however, many of the courses are already in working condition. The bill was passed after the nation’s recent uprising in the number of
head injuries suffered by athletes in youth and high school sports. “There was no significant increase in the number of head injuries,” Rocky’s certified trainer Shonny Vander Vliet said. “It was simply an increase in the awareness of concussions.” In addition to this bill, the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) has made it so that every coach and trainer must already have some basic knowledge concerning head injuries. Colorado high schools, in that sense, are already a step ahead of the state’s new law. Even more involved is Poudre School District. PSD has a strong affiliation with the Orthopedic Center of the Rockies
Graphic illustration by Calvin Jouard
Senior Pauna overcomes adversity Vaulting an increasingly to break school pole vault record popular but dangerous sport by Calvin Jouard Sports Editor
It takes a lot to break a record. There’s always an undeniable amount of raw talent involved. But in addition it takes a certain commitment and attention to detail to set the bar, Sports regardless of the level of competition. Tireless work and integrity are the only means by which it can be done. This describes senior polevaulter Valentina Pauna, the most recent athlete to have broken into the elite ranks at Rocky. Pauna broke her own school record of 11 feet 1 inch by vaulting 11 feet 2 inches this year. But there’s another side to her story, one fraught with highs and lows, bumps and bruises and obstacle after obstacle. Turning back to freshman year, Pauna was just getting started in the sport of pole-
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The Facts: Previous record: 11 feet by Jen Little in 2005. Pauna’s 1st record: 11 feet 1 inch, set in 2009. Pauna’s most recent record: 11 feet 2 inches set this year. vaulting. “It was just a random thing that I wanted to try,” Pauna said. “The main thing was the Rocky coaches came to Webber to try and encourage kids to do track.” After her freshman year, she began to settle into her own, and broke the standing record of 11 feet her sophomore year with a Jump to PAUNA, page A7
“I love the feeling after P.R.ing (setting a personal record),” Walter said. Sprinting down the track, However, while flying head up, shoulders high. through the air is a huge As the point of no return adrenaline rush, the sport is still draws near, training kicks in. extremely dangerous. With a sudden movement, the Walter knows runner is transhow tough it can ported from feet It is one of be. pounding to body the most “There are so flying through the dangerous many different air. As the bar apsports out ways to go wrong,” proaches, the back there. You’re Walter said. “If you arches and body is go too fast, you fly thrown higher still combining Wayne speed with over the mats. If as the athlete wills Moddelmog, you go too slow, themselves over going up in athletic you get thrown the small white the air with director back onto the pole, the only spikes and track.” thing barring their poles. O’Grady said it path to victory. is one of the toughest things he This is pole vaulting. “Being able to jump 11 feet in has done. Athletic director said he the air is an exhilarating feeling,” junior vaulter Tim O’Grady said. understands the risks of the field Junior Austin Walter also Jump to POLE, page A7 simply loves the thrill of it. by Ryan McCrary Reporter
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There is no question, high school athletes are bigger, faster and stronger than ever, and each sport is played with the highest level of competition ever seen at the high school level. Every year the level of training immensely intensifies and the game speed can dramatically increase. With greater levels of competition, it is inevitable that injuries will happen. While most of athletes will go through their season with only little bumps, bruises and the ever present soreness, the only question is who will get hurt and how severe the injury is going to be. Athletes know this as they go into the beginning of their season. However, not one devoted athlete will let this knowledge intrude upon their play and performance. The second a person plays tentatively with fear of injury is the second he or she increases the possibility of both actually getting hurt and letting down teammates. Every athlete knows and analyzes the risks of injury when taking the field, court, mat or ice. However, they will not consciously think about getting hurt. While the thought of possible injury is constantly in the back of every mind, to the athlete that is not part of the game. You play for the thrill of competition, the triumph of victory and the sorrow of defeat (that every athlete hopes they never feel again). Like I said, injuries do happen. After an injury, some players will never return to the game that sidelined them. Many players can return with just enough intensity to reinjure the same thing that put them out in the first place. Others will return to the game with enough hard play to suffer from a completely different injury, like Michael Liss, one of Rocky’s receivers who in 2009 came back from a torn hamstring, and in the same game tore his ACL. Or Ryan Fergen, who just this past season came back from getting knocked out on the field to tearing his ACL only a couple weeks later. However, for most who have been injured, they will return with the same amount of intensity in the game as they had before they were injured, and never suffer from injury again. The best thing any athlete can do is just forget about the risk and danger of the sport and just play for the simple love of the sport. Ryan Nelson was a senior tight end on the football team and is a reporter for the RM Highlighter.
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April 26, 2011
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Rocky Mountain Highlighter
The Will to Wonder Mary Willson
Find your purpose
Every single person in this world, and reading this column, yearns to find a purpose in life. As cliché as it sounds, it is true even if the individual doesn’t acknowledge it. Yes, I’ll admit my own purpose now is cliché and unoriginal. I am working towards my dream in life—to be an adventure photojournalist and journalist, changing the world through knowledge and awareness throughout countries close and far. And if I could have the cherry on top, I would open a pancake/coffeehouse/bookstore bus with my mountain man of a husband (a little less unoriginal at least.) My point is that every person has hopes for their future. However, I believe that society puts far too much pressure on young people to “be” something. To be on a certain path that includes college, a career, marriage and a family. The number one question a fourth of this school is asked on a weekly basis is “what are your plans for next year?” Everyone asks this same question. Everywhere we turn, there are people ready to judge our decisions and plans for the future. The sad truth is that essentially everyone judges. If you are going to Front Range you get judged that you aren’t going to CSU, if you are going to CSU you get judged that it is in town, if you’re going to CU you get judged that it’s a big party school and if you’re going out-of-state you get judged that you’re paying extra money. You are also judged based on the academic rigor of the school you attend. News flash: school is school; Ivy League schools aren’t the only schools to provide a good education. Not only that, but if you take time off to work or figure out your path, you get judged that you aren’t being progressive enough. This is where I stand up for all the seniors to say: your path is your path. Your purpose is your purpose. Who is anyone to judge anyone else’s decision? For the last 13 years we have been learning side-by-side on a ladder that was forced and gave no room for individual paths. We now have a choice of where to go and what to do in the next stage of our lives, and that is so exhilarating. I challenge every student to go on a path for you, no matter what that path looks like. No matter what anyone else thinks, the sole thing that matters is that it will be for you. Now, go live your path; go find your purpose for next year whatever it is, maybe you will even be an entrepreneur with a pancake/ coffee shop/bookstore bus. Mary Willson is a senior and Center In-Depth editor for the RM Highlighter.
Carl the adventurer Student lives life to the extreme, excels in school by Tess Halac Editor-In-Chief
Courtesy of Carl Marvin
Adventure is out there: Senior Carl Marvin enjoys urban exploring underneath Fort Collins (top). Marvin gets a thrill out of downhill longboarding (middle left). Marvin strikes a pose atop a boulder at Horsetooth Reservoir (middle right). Marvin navigates his way out of an underground tunnel (bottom). Marvin partakes in urban exploring, but cautions others of the myriad of dangers that might be encountered underground.
It is the middle of the night and the world is silent. Serenity embodies the scene as most fall into a slumber. It’s a common pattern as people continue their ritualistic lives. But not senior Carl Marvin. As many take Features the nighttime to rest and recuperate, this is the time in which he comes alive, the time he fully thrives. Marvin further defies the stereotype in a way few would expect—these nighttime activities often take place underground. Marvin is involved in urban exploring, which is defined as the examination of the normally unseen or off-limits parts of urban
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areas or industrial facilities. For him, this unusual passion started at a young age. Walking to his junior high school each morning, he would see a large pipe and wonder where it led. After months of solely looking at the pipe with curiosity, he and his friend finally decided to explore it, and for Marvin, the connection to the activity was instant. “It (urban exploring) is kind of an escape from reality,” Marvin said. “I get to see things you don’t see every day. I’m in this place where it’s critical for modern life to exist, but no one knows about it.” Since his first encounter with the pipe, Marvin has been on countless other adventures in a variety of areas, including Denver,
the East Coast and San Francisco. He said his passion from the explorations mostly stem from the adrenaline rush and his innate curiosity. “Oh, I definitely have a thirst for adventure,” Marvin said. “I risk a lot when I go exploring, but it is a calculated risk. Everyone in high school takes risks. They’ll either drive ridiculously and erratically, text while driving, go out drinking, go out partying, something like that. This is my risk. I know when I’m going into something how dangerous it is, what I’m getting into.” Added senior Jason Chipp, who frequently goes exploring Jump to CARL, page B2
Derby queen Jones lean, mean fighting machine
Art community thriving: Signs in Old Town advertise various art opportunities in the community. Art museums are gaining popularity in Fort Collins.
by Cassa Niedringhaus Features Editor
Beyond the quiet smile of English teacher Georgiana Jones is a flare for adventure and toughness. She enjoys trying new, different things. So when her husband introduced her to women who involved in a Teacher were competitive roller derby league, she decided to join them, even though she had never played before. Their Fort Collins team, the Choice City Rebels, tout on their website the “gnarly post-bout bumps and bruises” that the players can expect. “My husband knew somebody who was going to have tryouts and thought I should try out,” Jones said. “So I did. I thought, ‘Why not?’” The game is much more than girls on skates who push each other around, according to Jones. As part of the culture, players sport fun costumes and craft creative nicknames that they use during roller derby competitions, which are known as bouts.
Feature Chloe Evans
Underground going under by Chloe Evans Limelight Editor
Forget the Louvre or the Met, Fort Collins has its own amazing artists, galleries and museums to explore. As the art community continues to grow in Fort Collins, galleries, museums, and the artists themselves have gained popularity and recognition far outreaching the town’s boundaries, and everybody’s expectations.
April 1 marked the annual First Friday Opening of the local art galleries and museums, such as the Fort Collins Museum of Art and the Gallery Underground, where residents are invited to visit and meet with the artists featured at different locations. As the museums became more and more popular, the fire marshal took notice of Jump to MUSEUM, page B2
Courtesy of Georgiana Jones
A tough girl sport: English teacher Georgiana Jones skates in a roller derby competition, which is known as a bout. Fans can sit on the edges of the rink right in the action.
“I enjoy it (having a nickname),” Jones said. “It’s fun coming up with a name. Everyone has a derby name. We don’t call each other by our real names; the idea is to have a persona. You can pretend to be someone you’re not and totally live it up.” Jump to ROLLER, page B2
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April 26, 2011
Staff shenanigans
in all of us, I thought he really put the effort in to do a great job.” Even though Fagan knew that it wasn’t perfect, she said it still turned out better than expected. “With Bullock having no rhythm, we chose a song that we could easily do ourselves with Devyn as our soloist,” Fagan said. “So it was more of an ‘I want to prove to you guys that
I can direct’ sort of thing. It was just fun. And it was cute seeing all of the baseball players in the front row at a choir concert.” Bullock said that he was really excited and was extremely appreciative that Tharaldson and the Singers allowed him this chance. “It was a great experience, really fun,” Tharaldson said. “I know that I didn’t know anything, but it was still really cool.” Tharaldson said that he also really enjoyed the experience. He is also looking forward to coaching in the baseball game May 9 against Mountain View High School. “I think one of the other wonderful aspects of this experience was that members of the baseball team showed up for the entire concert and really were into all of the groups performing,” Tharaldson said. “It was a first for many of them and they were really excited to see that aspect of Rocky. Watching Bullock conduct Singers was a wonderful moment in my time at Rocky. I think it said a lot about our school and the idea that we are all interested and supportive of the Lobos around us.”
ties into the urban exploring mantra, which states “take only photographs, leave only footprints.” One would think that such a unique activity would be more than enough to do. However, Marvin does not confine himself to just this.
Marvin’s official activities range from being a certified Eagle Scout, to singing in the band The Swashbuckling Doctors with several other Rocky students. Beyond that, his hobbies once again become exceptionally unique. Marvin has a Chinese power kite, flown much like a normal kite, but bigger and much more powerful. Marvin can attest to this fact, as he said that once he was lifted 20 feet off the ground. Downhill longboarding is another hazardous activity in which he partakes. His newest idea? Marvin is ordering Aussie rappelling equipment and plans to put them to use in the near future. Besides the obvious adrenaline rush, Marvin’s hobbies share a common thread in that they are extremely unconventional activities, especially for a high school student. “It’s a sense of getting away and breaking the routine,” Marvin said. “It is almost like a release. Without it, I’d go crazy. Probably a lot of people
think what I do is weird, but I don’t really mind. This is what I do; this is how I have fun.” Recently, Marvin has been awarded for his nonconformist tendencies and his academic success. He has been awarded the Boettcher Scholarship, which allows him to attend any Colorado college on full scholarship. As the website describes it, the Boettcher Scholarship “is the most prestigious merit-based scholarship available to graduating high school seniors in the state of Colorado. The purpose of the Boettcher Scholarship is to attract Colorado’s best and brightest students to attend college within the state.” Because of this, Marvin will be attending the University of ColoradoBoulder in the fall of 2011. “As far as what I think set me apart, I think it was probably both my Eagle Scout project and the amount of things I do outside of school,” Marvin said. “The board of interviewers mentioned they were looking for well-rounded individuals.”
budget. One hundred and fifty community artists paint and decorate masks for a silent auction in April to help raise the money. Seniors Nicole Grebb, Kevin Dwyer, Michelle Lotz, and Kat Viert have their masks showcased in the museum. Dwyer and Grebb were both approached by art teacher Missy Wolf who talked to them about having a mask in the exhibit. “At the time when I was making the mask I had been drawing the human anatomy quite a bit, especially internal organs,” Dwyer said. “Doing that inspired me to make the mask resemble a human heart. I think the heart is probably the most symbolic organ, perhaps other than the brain, which is why I ended up choosing that specifically. I ended up building the heart out of clay onto the mask form, and painted it afterward.” Though every piece in the
exhibit is based off of a mask, artist’s interpretations differed greatly. While Dwyer focused on human anatomy, Grebb drew from her passion for fashion illustration. “Since I’m obsessed with fashion and fashion illustration I based my mask off of old timey French art,” Grebb said. “It has a romantic feel, especially the dress the woman’s wearing. There’s a fashion illustration on the right side and on the left there’s an almost dissipated face, like a mask on top of a mask that has red paper roses covering it.” Both of these student artists have had their art shown in multiple other galleries and museums before, but they both agree that being able to share their art in the community is a great way to get involved. “I think it (the art in the community) is a great way for people to come together and appreciate
local art and artists, especially with the First Friday Art Walks,” Dwyer said. “I’ve participated in several art shows already, and as an artist, it feels great to able to show art and feel appreciated. I think the city has been embracing good street art a bit more in recent years, which brings a lot of life and color to the city as opposed to looking plain or trashy.” The arts and culture community are helping Fort Collins to grow and thrive as a destination of the west, and the support of residents is largely to thank for that. “Between FOCOMX, Beet Street, FCMOA, and the vibrant gallery community, we’re building an exciting critical mass,” Ibanez said. “There’s a wonderful thing happening in our city, and I want the Gallery Underground to stay involved in it and help propel it forward. I’m very humbled to be a part of it.”
She’s my idol. She’s insane. She has a dislocated shoulder and is still going back. I wish I had enough guts to do what she has done.
hurt, she is always ready to jump in and do whatever she can. She is very dedicated.” Jones’s passion and dedication to her newfound sport inspired at least one of her students. Freshman Lyric Garfio was curious about roller derby and decided to attend one of Jones’s bouts. She enjoyed the energetic atmosphere and the team spirit that she encountered while there so much that she will join a roller derby team of her own. “She (Jones) inspired me to go out for the roller derby team as well,” Garfio said. “I like how they act as a team and don’t leave anyone behind. I was inspired to go out and try out.”
Coach, choir conductor switch places by Ryan McCrary Reporter
What could motivate the entire varsity baseball team to attend a choir concert? While girls and laughs could be things that jump to mind, they are not the reason. However, seeing their coach dressed up conducting the Singers group is. “I was just joking with (choir director Tim) Tharaldson and he said, ‘Oh yeah, I could make that happen,’” baseball head coach and P.E. teacher Scott Bullock said. “We kept goofing and talking and decided that it would be a good way for sports and music to connect.” And so it began. It was determined that in exchange for Bullock conducting one song at a choir concert, Tharaldson would get to coach one inning in the final home game in the third base box. “I loved the idea because I love
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from page B1 with Marvin, “I’ve never really been nervous with Carl; he does the research. When you explore under the city, there’s no telling what you’re going to find. There’s an anxiety about it.” Marvin said his coolest experience underground was the draining meet-up he organized in Denver over winter break 2010. “We found this one drain and went up there and a couple miles in we entered this huge room, probably the size of a classroom with all these grates on the top,” Marvin said. “We started looking around thinking ‘This is kind of cool, I wonder where we are?’ We popped open this little trap door and we were in the middle of downtown Denver. So like 10 guys, all covered in mud and everything else just filed out. People were like ‘What is this?’ That was probably the funniest experience I’ve had.” Despite all the amusing and
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a particularly crowded Gallery Underground earlier this year. Art teacher Daniel Ibanez has about 30 of his pieces showcased at the Gallery Underground and is one of 15 artists that are subleasing the basement that the museum is located in. “In January, hundreds of people were at the gallery,” Ibanez said. “The place was bursting at the seams; the fire department took notice and asked for occupancy numbers. They ended up kicking everybody out and we got the occupancy number set for the next show. We ended up having only 50 people allowed in at a time. There were longer lines to get into the Gallery Underground than for any other venue I’ve ever been to.” Currently located at 109 Linden St. Square in the basement of the
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from page B1 Jones likes to “live it up” through her nickname, Xhexin Sity, a name inspired by an adult book series about vampires. The main character, Xhex, is mean and vicious, but has a secret soft side as well. The culture they create is important to form a cohesive team that can strategize and compete together. Essentially, each team is composed of four blockers, a pivot and a jammer. Two teams skate side-by-side around a flat, oval rink. It is the job of the blockers to inhibit the other team so that their own jammer can get around the rink and lap the other team to score points.
Bullock,” senior and choir member Kelly Fagan said. “I had him for Team Sports and I figured it would be awesomely awkward for him to direct us.” And so, after only two formal practice sessions with the choir and a little coaching on how to “fake it ’til ya make it,” Bullock was ready for the big performance. “It turned out awesome,” Bullock said of the April 5 concert where he also dressed in a tux. “I had no clue what I was doing, but I got helped along a lot. I knew what it looked like to look good. Apparently it worked; a few people even thought I looked good.” Tharaldson said that Bullock’s enthusiasm helped the process. “He jumped right in and went to work from the first day he came to class to practice with them,” Tharaldson said. “My favorite thing about the process is Bullock was as serious about the process as I know he takes with the exciting times Marvin has had with exploring, he stresses that a lot more time and planning go into his hobby than most think, and its serious risks and dangers must be understood and evaluated. “It’s not like I walk down to these places and go ‘charge!’” Marvin said. “If you don’t know what you’re doing, it’s really easy to get killed or maimed or asphyxiated. There are a lot of gases, a lack of oxygen, it’s slippery as heck, and there’s no cell phone reception because you’re at least 30 feet underground. My parents worry about me, but I always tell them where I’m going; but to me, it’s the most irresponsible thing you can do to make someone else risk their life to save yours. They know that for myself, I have to take risks. That’s how I keep my mental sanity.” Urban exploring has not only been an adrenaline outlet for him. Marvin has also discovered passions in photography as well and frequently takes pictures while underground. This
historic Avery Building, their growing popularity, size, and local interest is causing the gallery to close, although hopefully not permanently. With the increased to demand to get into the gallery, there needs to be more space to walk around, see the artwork, and for people to exit. Unfortunately, Old Town is very expensive to rent, Ibanez said. “We’re closing the space because we’ve outgrown it,” Ibanez said. “We’re moving, but we have no idea where, we have no place to lay our head yet.” In addition to the exciting attention directed toward the Gallery Underground, the Fort Collins Museum of Art’s annual Masks exhibition is currently featuring a few Rocky students’ pieces as well. Every year the FCMOA holds a fundraiser that benefits their education and exhibition programs and provides one-third of the museum’s
The pivot starts ahead of the other players and assists the blockers. The pivot can also switch positions with the jammer. The strategy is often complex and the bouts are known to get rough because the blockers work to knock down the opposing jammer and push her off the track. “I didn’t know what roller derby was,” said Student Services staff member Kelly Glick, who attended Jones’s first bout. “It was so funny because I had no idea what to expect. They were so tough. It’s a sport where girls can prove how tough they are.” The roughness of the bouts is evident in that Jones competed in one bout before falling and fracturing her
Mary Willson
In a new environment: Baseball head coach and P.E. teacher Scott Bullock practices conducting the Singers choir before his directorial performance. In May, choir director Tim Tharaldson will coach third base.
baseball team and in his classroom. He worked hard and really wanted to make sure everyone was successful.” Tharaldson also saw that Bullock really wanted to get better. “He wanted to know how to improve,” said Tharaldson. “He wanted to get better with every opportunity he had to work with them. And though there is always room for improvement
Courtesy of Carl Marvin
Urban explorer: Senior Carl Marvin explores the tunnels underneath Fort Collins and experiments with photographic effects. He likes to go underground to escape stress in life.
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Nikol Neff, Media Center staff member
shoulder. Though she sustained an injury, she is eagerly anticipating returning to roller derby in May, as soon as her shoulder heals. Media Center staff member Nikol Neff watched Jones compete in her first bout, and said she was impressed with what she saw. “She’s my idol,” Neff said. “She’s in-
sane. She has a dislocated shoulder and is still going back. I wish I had enough guts to do what she has done.” Added Jones’s teammate Jennifer Gorek, also known as Laura Mangles Wilder, “Even with her shoulder injury, she is helping out tremendously with our PR. Where a lot of ladies would just disappear when they get
Features
Taekwondon’t mess with Kriss by Taylor Hitchings Contributor
For taekwondo national sparring champion Amanda Kriss, tackling people was “fun,” even as a kid. Still, it wasn’t until 2007 that Kriss first encountered the martial arts. The sophomore’s passion for taekwondo started as nothing more than joining her friends to a new sport, but Student try in early March of this year she took first place in sparring at a national tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada. Sparring is a component of the martial art taekwondo, and it involves two people dressing in protective gear and fighting each other without any weapons. However, Kriss said taekwondo literally means “the way of the hand and foot,” so the sport involves a number of different elements beyond sparring, which include self-defense and weapons. While Kriss’s original taekwondo friends ultimately quit, she continued training because the sport “really clicked” for her. “I’ve always had, like, I guess a more aggressive behavior and personality,” said Kriss with a laugh. “So when I played other sports like soccer, I was always just kind of intense with it. When I’d play defense, I’d tackle girls and I thought it was the most fun thing
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ever, which is weird for a child to think.” She began with classes two times a week at ATA Family Martial Arts (ATAFMA). Eventually, this number continued to increase, and today she invests roughly eight to 10 hours a week. “The most difficult part has been how much time I’ve had to put into it,” Kriss said. “Just because other people our age are going out and hanging out with their friends and all that stuff. And I don’t have as much time to do that now that I’m so involved with my taekwondo.” Added sophomore Michelle Kennedy, one of Kriss’s friends, “It does take up a lot of her time, but I think that she’s really good at it. And I’m very impressed with her martial arts abilities. I’m very proud to have a friend who’s that dedicated and committed.” Kriss said that dedication and commitment don’t come without stress, but taekwondo acts as a stress reliever as well. “I’ve noticed if I can’t participate in taekwondo for a week
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Dedication to the arts: Sophomore Amanda Kriss warms up during her class at ATA Family Martial Arts. She is hoped to become a master of taekwondo by the time she is just 32 years old.
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because of drama or something like that, I get very anxious and just kind of jumpy,” she said. Even so, taekwondo’s influence on Kriss’s life doesn’t end there. In order to reach the black belt level, she was required to do nine hours of community service, write a paper reflecting on the courage shown in tournament and show a deep knowledge of the roots of the sport. In addition, Kriss is also expected to bring in notes signed by her teachers and parents. For teachers, these notes confirm that she is “behaving like a black belt would be,” in Kriss’s words. This means respecting teachers and showing enough discipline to maintain good grades. At home, her parents sign the papers slips for a similar reason. In order to fulfill the requirements of each note, Kriss takes care of the projects and work she is given at home, and shows her respect by “really listening” to what her
parents have to say. “Her leadership skills, her patience, her respect for her seniors have all greatly improved with taekwondo,” said Sharon Kriss, Amanda’s mom. According to Amanda, these skills and values are one of the most important things she has taken from the sport. “A lot of the philosophies have really stuck with me the most,” Amanda said. “They’re so integral to leading a good life and being an overall good person.” Amanda plans to incorporate these philosophies for years to come; more specifically, she hopes to continue taekwondo long enough to become a master because it’s considered an honor that shows a person’s journey through the sport. In order to achieve this, a black belt must earn all six degrees of the belt, which would involve around 21 years of work. Amanda said a first-degree black
belt must spend one year at the level, a second-degree spends two years, and so on. “I could potentially be a master by the age of 32,” Kriss said. “It really is quite an impressive achievement because most of the masters started when they were very, very young.” Considering Amanda’s age and gender—according to her, the percentage of females in the masters program is substantially lower than men–she is generally considered a special case. “My instructor has even told me this before,” Amanda said. “He said, ‘You’re kind of the exception for people your age doing taekwondo,’ because many of them just don’t continue with it.” “Exception” seems to be a reoccurring theme with Amanda, whether in terms of her goals for the sport, her dedication to taekwondo, or even her childhood memories of using recreational soccer to “tackle” other players.
Houskas go beyond car repair by Regan Miller Reporter
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a philanthropist as “one who makes an active effort to promote human welfare;” Dennis Houska and his family are the living definition. In March, students from Rocky organized a fundraiser to support the ENGAGE in Life program, which helped support the Cancer Center at Poudre Valley Hospital. In total, the fundraiser brought in over $38,000. The money to fund this powerful project came from Dennis Houska, the owner of Houska Automotive, a local auto repair shop. He and his family continued to donate after their initial donation. “To start off with, they gave us seed money for whatever project we decided to do, so we could start the project,” said junior Kali Glenn who was part of the ENGAGE in Life project. “Then they matched up to $3,000 and donated the cars we used for the car bash.” The ENGAGE in Life program is just one of the many things in the community that the Houskas support. They also organize the Annual Houska Halloween Blood Drive for Poudre Valley Hospital’s Garth Englund Blood Center. They host a Women’s Car Care Clinic, which is a free event to help women learn more about servicing their own cars. They also organize the Annual Houska Houska 5K Memorial Day Run/Walk, which raises money for the Poudre Val-
ley Hospital Cancer Center and Bone Marrow Donor Program. “We love Fort Collins,” Houska said. “It’s been so good to us and what it’s done for our family. We’ve been really blessed by people we know here. The people you meet are the best people in the whole community.” The Houska family’s passion for the community is further evidenced in the website for their auto repair shop. They say that they go “beyond car repair” and help the community. They go out of their way to help not only the community, but people around the country. Last fall, Houska was a volunteer bone marrow courier for the National Marrow Donor Program. He donated his own bone marrow to an eight-year-old boy, which saved the young Californian boy’s life. “We also like to do things we are personally involved in,” Houska said. “A lot of people just like to donate money and that’s all they do. We like to be a part of the community, and have a real personal connection.” The Houska family has created that personal connection with the people they volunteer for and the people they volunteer with. “Their idea was that if youth started doing philanthropic projects while they’re young, they’ll continue their entire lives,” said assistant principal Tyler Thomas, who coordinated the ENGAGE in Life week. In total, Houska Automotive has sponsored more than 24 organizations, and are partnered
with eight. “Everybody matters. any little bit that you can do for the good of others,” Thomas said. “They (the Houskas) believe in the good of people. From donating bone marrow to raising money-- those things make a difference in the lives of people. They are an amazing Fort Collins family that is promoting good, positive work through community and through all ages of people.”
Ryan Nelson
Helping the community: Dennis Houska (left), owner of local Houska Automotive, talks to a worker at his shop. He and his family donate both time and money to the community.
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enter in-depth
A Puzzling Position Student advocates for challenges met with Asperger syndrome by Mary Willson Center In-Depth Editor
Virtually every individual will run into a roadblock that will make their path difficult on the road of life, yet the individuals who overcome those are the ones that see themselves confidently. Senior Zach Parker knows that there is difference between being disabled and being a person with a disability, and is not afraid to live confidently within that statement. As a high school student overcoming the challenges of Asperger Syndrome, a form of Autism, Parker knows exactly what he needs to do to be successful. “[Having Asperger’s] used to bother me a lot because my other schools would teach me like I was disabled, not a child with a disability,” Parker said. “I was diagnosed when I was five, and it wasn’t until a few years ago that I started accommodating and advocating for myself and others who can’t for themselves.” Only a few years ago Parker learned to use what most would see as an overwhelming roadblock in life as a blessing—a blessing that he has learned to help others overcome and a blessing that he has learned to overcome as his future shines bright. “I think that with Asperger’s, people have all the saws in the woodshop, but they aren’t all sharpened,” Parker said. “They have all the tools and only need to sharpen them.” About 1 out of every 200 people are affected by Asperger Syndrome. With Asperger’s, the person affected essentially has a brain that is doubtlessly extremely bright and full functioning, yet due to the fact that it is “wired” a little bit different, it can become challenging to fit in with the norms that society holds. “We are efficient, we solve problems and we become smarter every day,” Parker said. “The world moves so fast that any information that we know is doubled in twenty one days. My disability forces me to be confined to an entity of myself, a harder working more serious image of myself.” A person with Asperger Syndrome may have a mind that is incredibly extraordinary with numbers, dates, details, “black and white”
Ap
ril
is
Au
tis
m
Aw
ar
en
es
knowledge yet the person having trouble with writing, verbal communication, and social skills or more “gray shade” skills. “It is hard to do simple things that other people find easy. Organization within my brain is definitely a problem,” Parker said. “It’s like we feel like were trapped inside a window box, we can’t communicate with others, with me, I have to stay very organized in my thinking. I have to break down every essay that I do. I have to break it down into body paragraphs, into sentences, into subjects, into words. I mean we get the processing; it just takes a lot more processing to do so which is why we fall behind in class sometimes.” Although at times words can be hard for Parker to muster, he undoubitly understands numbers. In 9th grade he invented an entire math thereom that no one else has ever thought up. Words come at a struggle, while numbers come with ease. When asked how he would describe the way someone with Asperger’s thinks to someone else, he immediately had an answer. The majority of high school students have no idea what their own identity is, and much less frequently do they pay close attention to what is going on with their Zach mind. Parker is so self aware, this daunting Parker, question came with ease. Senior “I think people with Asperger’s think things that other people don’t, but they just don’t know how to get it across. We pay very close attention to all detail,” He said. “I feel that people with disabilities are trapped behind a glass wall. They are like a mime, they can only use body language, and they can’t use words. “ Parker has found his words to speak up for himself, and most importantly others who can’t find their own words to speak up. He gives presentations all over the community advocating for Asperger’s and demonstrating to teachers how to best teach students who have to overcome challenges with disabilities in the classroom. “I work with students that are on an Independent Education Plan. The students direct their own meetings with a power point showing their goals, needs, etc. in order to ensure that they receive what they need in a education plan,” Integrated Services teacher, Pam Swerer said. “ Zach just blew me away with the way he could develop his thoughts, he is really taking it to the next step.”
“Part of understanding intelligence is revealing the repercussions of the human right to be intuitive and analytical,” is the opening line of Parker’s presentation. “From an early age my world has been different; I was smart while being stupid in other regions of my unorganized mind. My dreams have been rejected by my own inability to bring my thoughts into the written world; I am a social idiot in my own way. I have been blessed to have my disability and cursed too, I have to work harder to be better than the ordinary people in this world, I am extraordinary,” the slide continues to read. In his presentation which has been seen by hundreds, he includes a list of goals, highlighting his will to finish the Brian Jacques book series, to start a family, to stay confident in everything he does, to become more adept in a social environment, to be successful in the transition between high school and college, and importantly, Parker wants people to feel good about themselves when they talk to him. “When I am up in front of a room of people, the first thing I do is imagine that they all like me,” Parker said. This intense confidence has grown from Parkers undeniable passion for advocating for others who cannot advocate for themselves. “[Having Asperger’s] has allowed me to see a world that no one else can relate to. It has allowed me to see that other people are worse off than me,” Parker said. “I feel that I am more mature, like I don’t feel the need to do things that other teens do. Like I am very clean and sharp about myself and make sure I am respectful and make I make sure I have a good character.” These morals not only came from within himself, but were formed by his two role models. “There are two people that I look up to; my mom, because she never treated me like I was disabled. She showed me the respect that I need to show others,” Parker said. “I also look up to my grandpa because even though he is battling cancer, he always keeps a positive attitude and tries to keep the conversation away from his illness. I find it very cool that to ensure the well being of others, he
The world doesn’t wait for you to get over your disability.
keeps away from that even though he knows he is close to dying.” An additional person that inspires Parker is Temple Grandin, author and CSU professor. She has recently become the most famous adult with Asperger’s after realizing that cows were getting spooked while going through tunnels, and finding a solution. She designed a new tunnel that is used today. She has a movie about her out, and speaks to audiences regularly, much like Parker. “I feel that with meeting [Grandin,] it’s kind of a comparison. She has come a long ways and if I keep doing what I am, I can achieve anything,” he said. “People with Asperger’s have a different kind of empathy. It is not the kind that people would expect. They can see when something is wrong, not necessarily with humans, but maybe with animals.” Through his role models, his structured education, his strong sense of self, and his positive outlook on the world, Parker has a strong future ahead of him. Next year he will be attending Westwood College in Denver, a small two-year college with a four-year accreditation where he will be studying to be a video game programmer. ►Zach Parker As for high school, Parker is leaving Rocky with a positive outlook, one to be shared. “I see it as what you make it,” Parker said. “Some people see it as a scorn and they don’t ant to get out of bed. It can only benefit you.” All of this positivity only shows one thing, and that is that anyone can overcome roadblocks in order to thrive. If there is one thing that Parker wishes the world would know about him it is that he wants everyone to know that his job is not done as he leaves high school. He will without a doubt continue to advocate for people with disabilities, and will keep growing within himself despite the fact that he has Asperger Syndrome. The closing slide on his presentation sums up Parker well, it reads: “The world doesn’t wait for you to get over your disability.”
Autism affects many; cause, reasons unknown
s M
by Geneva Mueller Reporter
on
Photo provided by Pam Swerer
Meeting an idol: Senior Zach Parker stands with Temple Grandin, a famous writer, speaker, and person with Asperger Syndrome. Both Parker and Grondin are advocates for Asperger’s, a type of autism.
The odds of being struck by lightning are 1 in 576,000. The odds of a child being born with autism are 1 in 110. The vast numbers of children being born with autism is something that should concern anyone who hopes to have children at some point in their life. According to an organization known as Autism Speaks, autism is defined as “a complex brain disorder that inhibits a person’s ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by extreme behavioral challenges.” The severities of different forms of autism are viewed on a spectrum ranging from extremely low functioning to cases of extreme intelligence. Pam Swerer, the ACE program coordinator works with students who have autism and other disabilities. “There is something called the autistic triad which shows the three different areas that people can be affected by autism—socially, behaviorally, or in areas of language development,” Swerer said. “Many students with autism do not develop empathy; they cannot imagine what it would be like to be someone
th
else. Many don’t pick up on social cues or develop a sense of humor.” In any situation where a child may be born with a disability there are elements of fear and uncertainty. However, with autism, almost everything is still ambiguous. The Center for Disease Control has deemed autism “a national public health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown.” Autism is a developmental disorder that occurs in the brain but other research has proved inconclusive. “Research has been conducted investigating possible causes such as environmental factors and vaccinations,” Swerer said. “There has been no positive evidence to support these studies. Autism can be genetic but it definitely is a neurodevelopmental disorder.” With such ambiguous causes, people generally try to treat the effects. Since research has yet to prove what causes autism, people try to help the cause by making any possible aspect of life easier with students with autism. Swerer is in charge of developing a pilot program for children with disabilities. Her program allows students to create a self-directed PowerPoint explaining their goals, needs and plans. “The program allows students to develop self-advocacy,” Swerer said. “I believe that this program is a key factor in the success of student with disabilities after high school.” A large part of the struggle for students with autism is that each person is extremely individualized in their needs. The program helps the students explain whatever needs they may have. “Most students who are actually diagnosed with autism need special classes because they are so sensitive to sensory issues that they need different accommodations,” Swerer said. “No one student is like the other but through coaching, therapy and sometimes medication, there is no reason that students with autism cannot be successful in college, having a job and even a family.” With autism being so prevalent nowadays, it
is the responsibility of everyone to raise awareness and understanding of people with any sort of disability. “I think that as a society, with the high prevalence of autism, there is a general acceptance of individuals with autism, as the majority of America has been affected by autism in one way or another,” Integrated Services teacher Amy McLean said. “In fact, even law enforcement are now having trainings in interacting with people with autism, as they may leave their houses and require police assistance to return home, or may inadvertently break a law without knowing they have done anything wrong; effective communication strategies and sensitivity to the nature of autism are crucial to handling those situations in a successful manner.” Additionally, integration into the social aspect of school can be difficult for students with autism. “I think our staff that works with our autistic students are phenomenal,” School social worker Tricia Van Horssen said. “Since autism is on our radar more as a society, teachers are learning more and having opportunities to go to trainings to continue learning. The teachers at Rocky are always willing to learn and make their classrooms inviting and safe for the students.” There are a significant amount of teachers who work in the integrated services area who are constantly providing for their students. This is particularly powerful because of the complexity of the disorder. Autism is generally split into five categories: Asperger’s Syndrome, Autistic Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Rett Syndrome and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. Apart from the unknown causes, the effects of each type of autism are equally complicated because autism manifests itself differently in every person who has it. “Poudre Schools in general do a great job with inclusion and making every student part of their school community, so most Rocky students and staff don’t even think twice when students
with any disability are part of their classes,” McLean said. “Students with autism can benefit greatly from the opportunity to have social interactions with their typical peers, and peers can be great models of social behavior.” Above all, it seems that the most important thing when dealing with autism is education of every person who may come in contact with a student who it may affect. “You have to have a support system in place for students with autism,” Swerer said. “Society doesn’t know how to work with them; they are brushed by and often not taken seriously. Everyone needs to learn to educate themselves about autism before they are confronted with it.” McLean was extremely grateful to the instigators of the “R-Word” campaign that’s goal was to raise awareness about the use of the word “retarded.” The word was originally considered politically correct until it started to be used as an insult and a synonym for the word “stupid.” It is now considered extremely offensive and slanderous especially towards students with any sort of disorder including autism. “Using the word “retarded” can affect those with disabilities as well as those who care about them,” McLean said. “This includes individuals with autism, and as with many things, although someone with autism does not seem visibly upset about hearing the word, it does not mean that he or she has not hurt by it.” Autism is becoming a very prevalent problem in the present day and the best thing that anyone can be is aware and accepting.
The odds of being struck by lightning are 1 in
576,000.
The odds of a child being born with autism are
1 in 110.
B4
April 26, 2011
Rocky Mountain Highlighter
C
B5
enter in-depth
A Puzzling Position Student advocates for challenges met with Asperger syndrome by Mary Willson Center In-Depth Editor
Virtually every individual will run into a roadblock that will make their path difficult on the road of life, yet the individuals who overcome those are the ones that see themselves confidently. Senior Zach Parker knows that there is difference between being disabled and being a person with a disability, and is not afraid to live confidently within that statement. As a high school student overcoming the challenges of Asperger Syndrome, a form of Autism, Parker knows exactly what he needs to do to be successful. “[Having Asperger’s] used to bother me a lot because my other schools would teach me like I was disabled, not a child with a disability,” Parker said. “I was diagnosed when I was five, and it wasn’t until a few years ago that I started accommodating and advocating for myself and others who can’t for themselves.” Only a few years ago Parker learned to use what most would see as an overwhelming roadblock in life as a blessing—a blessing that he has learned to help others overcome and a blessing that he has learned to overcome as his future shines bright. “I think that with Asperger’s, people have all the saws in the woodshop, but they aren’t all sharpened,” Parker said. “They have all the tools and only need to sharpen them.” About 1 out of every 200 people are affected by Asperger Syndrome. With Asperger’s, the person affected essentially has a brain that is doubtlessly extremely bright and full functioning, yet due to the fact that it is “wired” a little bit different, it can become challenging to fit in with the norms that society holds. “We are efficient, we solve problems and we become smarter every day,” Parker said. “The world moves so fast that any information that we know is doubled in twenty one days. My disability forces me to be confined to an entity of myself, a harder working more serious image of myself.” A person with Asperger Syndrome may have a mind that is incredibly extraordinary with numbers, dates, details, “black and white”
Ap
ril
is
Au
tis
m
Aw
ar
en
es
knowledge yet the person having trouble with writing, verbal communication, and social skills or more “gray shade” skills. “It is hard to do simple things that other people find easy. Organization within my brain is definitely a problem,” Parker said. “It’s like we feel like were trapped inside a window box, we can’t communicate with others, with me, I have to stay very organized in my thinking. I have to break down every essay that I do. I have to break it down into body paragraphs, into sentences, into subjects, into words. I mean we get the processing; it just takes a lot more processing to do so which is why we fall behind in class sometimes.” Although at times words can be hard for Parker to muster, he undoubitly understands numbers. In 9th grade he invented an entire math thereom that no one else has ever thought up. Words come at a struggle, while numbers come with ease. When asked how he would describe the way someone with Asperger’s thinks to someone else, he immediately had an answer. The majority of high school students have no idea what their own identity is, and much less frequently do they pay close attention to what is going on with their Zach mind. Parker is so self aware, this daunting Parker, question came with ease. Senior “I think people with Asperger’s think things that other people don’t, but they just don’t know how to get it across. We pay very close attention to all detail,” He said. “I feel that people with disabilities are trapped behind a glass wall. They are like a mime, they can only use body language, and they can’t use words. “ Parker has found his words to speak up for himself, and most importantly others who can’t find their own words to speak up. He gives presentations all over the community advocating for Asperger’s and demonstrating to teachers how to best teach students who have to overcome challenges with disabilities in the classroom. “I work with students that are on an Independent Education Plan. The students direct their own meetings with a power point showing their goals, needs, etc. in order to ensure that they receive what they need in a education plan,” Integrated Services teacher, Pam Swerer said. “ Zach just blew me away with the way he could develop his thoughts, he is really taking it to the next step.”
“Part of understanding intelligence is revealing the repercussions of the human right to be intuitive and analytical,” is the opening line of Parker’s presentation. “From an early age my world has been different; I was smart while being stupid in other regions of my unorganized mind. My dreams have been rejected by my own inability to bring my thoughts into the written world; I am a social idiot in my own way. I have been blessed to have my disability and cursed too, I have to work harder to be better than the ordinary people in this world, I am extraordinary,” the slide continues to read. In his presentation which has been seen by hundreds, he includes a list of goals, highlighting his will to finish the Brian Jacques book series, to start a family, to stay confident in everything he does, to become more adept in a social environment, to be successful in the transition between high school and college, and importantly, Parker wants people to feel good about themselves when they talk to him. “When I am up in front of a room of people, the first thing I do is imagine that they all like me,” Parker said. This intense confidence has grown from Parkers undeniable passion for advocating for others who cannot advocate for themselves. “[Having Asperger’s] has allowed me to see a world that no one else can relate to. It has allowed me to see that other people are worse off than me,” Parker said. “I feel that I am more mature, like I don’t feel the need to do things that other teens do. Like I am very clean and sharp about myself and make sure I am respectful and make I make sure I have a good character.” These morals not only came from within himself, but were formed by his two role models. “There are two people that I look up to; my mom, because she never treated me like I was disabled. She showed me the respect that I need to show others,” Parker said. “I also look up to my grandpa because even though he is battling cancer, he always keeps a positive attitude and tries to keep the conversation away from his illness. I find it very cool that to ensure the well being of others, he
The world doesn’t wait for you to get over your disability.
keeps away from that even though he knows he is close to dying.” An additional person that inspires Parker is Temple Grandin, author and CSU professor. She has recently become the most famous adult with Asperger’s after realizing that cows were getting spooked while going through tunnels, and finding a solution. She designed a new tunnel that is used today. She has a movie about her out, and speaks to audiences regularly, much like Parker. “I feel that with meeting [Grandin,] it’s kind of a comparison. She has come a long ways and if I keep doing what I am, I can achieve anything,” he said. “People with Asperger’s have a different kind of empathy. It is not the kind that people would expect. They can see when something is wrong, not necessarily with humans, but maybe with animals.” Through his role models, his structured education, his strong sense of self, and his positive outlook on the world, Parker has a strong future ahead of him. Next year he will be attending Westwood College in Denver, a small two-year college with a four-year accreditation where he will be studying to be a video game programmer. ►Zach Parker As for high school, Parker is leaving Rocky with a positive outlook, one to be shared. “I see it as what you make it,” Parker said. “Some people see it as a scorn and they don’t ant to get out of bed. It can only benefit you.” All of this positivity only shows one thing, and that is that anyone can overcome roadblocks in order to thrive. If there is one thing that Parker wishes the world would know about him it is that he wants everyone to know that his job is not done as he leaves high school. He will without a doubt continue to advocate for people with disabilities, and will keep growing within himself despite the fact that he has Asperger Syndrome. The closing slide on his presentation sums up Parker well, it reads: “The world doesn’t wait for you to get over your disability.”
Autism affects many; cause, reasons unknown
s M
by Geneva Mueller Reporter
on
Photo provided by Pam Swerer
Meeting an idol: Senior Zach Parker stands with Temple Grandin, a famous writer, speaker, and person with Asperger Syndrome. Both Parker and Grondin are advocates for Asperger’s, a type of autism.
The odds of being struck by lightning are 1 in 576,000. The odds of a child being born with autism are 1 in 110. The vast numbers of children being born with autism is something that should concern anyone who hopes to have children at some point in their life. According to an organization known as Autism Speaks, autism is defined as “a complex brain disorder that inhibits a person’s ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by extreme behavioral challenges.” The severities of different forms of autism are viewed on a spectrum ranging from extremely low functioning to cases of extreme intelligence. Pam Swerer, the ACE program coordinator works with students who have autism and other disabilities. “There is something called the autistic triad which shows the three different areas that people can be affected by autism—socially, behaviorally, or in areas of language development,” Swerer said. “Many students with autism do not develop empathy; they cannot imagine what it would be like to be someone
th
else. Many don’t pick up on social cues or develop a sense of humor.” In any situation where a child may be born with a disability there are elements of fear and uncertainty. However, with autism, almost everything is still ambiguous. The Center for Disease Control has deemed autism “a national public health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown.” Autism is a developmental disorder that occurs in the brain but other research has proved inconclusive. “Research has been conducted investigating possible causes such as environmental factors and vaccinations,” Swerer said. “There has been no positive evidence to support these studies. Autism can be genetic but it definitely is a neurodevelopmental disorder.” With such ambiguous causes, people generally try to treat the effects. Since research has yet to prove what causes autism, people try to help the cause by making any possible aspect of life easier with students with autism. Swerer is in charge of developing a pilot program for children with disabilities. Her program allows students to create a self-directed PowerPoint explaining their goals, needs and plans. “The program allows students to develop self-advocacy,” Swerer said. “I believe that this program is a key factor in the success of student with disabilities after high school.” A large part of the struggle for students with autism is that each person is extremely individualized in their needs. The program helps the students explain whatever needs they may have. “Most students who are actually diagnosed with autism need special classes because they are so sensitive to sensory issues that they need different accommodations,” Swerer said. “No one student is like the other but through coaching, therapy and sometimes medication, there is no reason that students with autism cannot be successful in college, having a job and even a family.” With autism being so prevalent nowadays, it
is the responsibility of everyone to raise awareness and understanding of people with any sort of disability. “I think that as a society, with the high prevalence of autism, there is a general acceptance of individuals with autism, as the majority of America has been affected by autism in one way or another,” Integrated Services teacher Amy McLean said. “In fact, even law enforcement are now having trainings in interacting with people with autism, as they may leave their houses and require police assistance to return home, or may inadvertently break a law without knowing they have done anything wrong; effective communication strategies and sensitivity to the nature of autism are crucial to handling those situations in a successful manner.” Additionally, integration into the social aspect of school can be difficult for students with autism. “I think our staff that works with our autistic students are phenomenal,” School social worker Tricia Van Horssen said. “Since autism is on our radar more as a society, teachers are learning more and having opportunities to go to trainings to continue learning. The teachers at Rocky are always willing to learn and make their classrooms inviting and safe for the students.” There are a significant amount of teachers who work in the integrated services area who are constantly providing for their students. This is particularly powerful because of the complexity of the disorder. Autism is generally split into five categories: Asperger’s Syndrome, Autistic Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Rett Syndrome and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. Apart from the unknown causes, the effects of each type of autism are equally complicated because autism manifests itself differently in every person who has it. “Poudre Schools in general do a great job with inclusion and making every student part of their school community, so most Rocky students and staff don’t even think twice when students
with any disability are part of their classes,” McLean said. “Students with autism can benefit greatly from the opportunity to have social interactions with their typical peers, and peers can be great models of social behavior.” Above all, it seems that the most important thing when dealing with autism is education of every person who may come in contact with a student who it may affect. “You have to have a support system in place for students with autism,” Swerer said. “Society doesn’t know how to work with them; they are brushed by and often not taken seriously. Everyone needs to learn to educate themselves about autism before they are confronted with it.” McLean was extremely grateful to the instigators of the “R-Word” campaign that’s goal was to raise awareness about the use of the word “retarded.” The word was originally considered politically correct until it started to be used as an insult and a synonym for the word “stupid.” It is now considered extremely offensive and slanderous especially towards students with any sort of disorder including autism. “Using the word “retarded” can affect those with disabilities as well as those who care about them,” McLean said. “This includes individuals with autism, and as with many things, although someone with autism does not seem visibly upset about hearing the word, it does not mean that he or she has not hurt by it.” Autism is becoming a very prevalent problem in the present day and the best thing that anyone can be is aware and accepting.
The odds of being struck by lightning are 1 in
576,000.
The odds of a child being born with autism are
1 in 110.
B6
Limelight Games and entertainment Top Ten
Rocky Mountain Highlighter
April 26, 2011
Ways To Keep People From Sitting Next To You On The Bus:
10. Get naked. 9. Repeatedly smell your hand and cringe. 8. Talk to yourself about Vietnam. 7. Pick nose and wipe boogers on the seat next to you. 6. Have a problem with personal flatulence. 5. Talk about your hernia. No one wants to hear about that. 4. Ask them about their sex life. 3. Pretend as though there are bugs crawling all over you. 2. Ask surrounding people if your handkerchief smells like chloroform. 1. Bring Kasey. by Ryan Nelson and Charlie Anderson
Choir from page B8
The lack of males in choirs stems from gender roles guys assume, meaning that choir would take away from their masculinity. This is, not in the least bit, true, according to McDonald. “I think it’s a good experience, it’s fun to do,” McDonald said. “It’s important to get the most out or your high school experience.” Everyone in a class choir sings
daily for 90 minutes, while singers involved in an extracurricular choir (Spotlight, Echoes, Sirens) meet multiple times a week to rehearse, usually during zero hour. “People don’t realize how easy it makes your day having a class where you just sit and sing,” Lorenz said. For males, the gender roles put sports first and singing far
under. In high school, this is a time to change the way males in choir are viewed. Sports and choir can coincide which is a fact overlooked by males interested in joining choir. “By looking at people like Brode who are in all sports, but do choir all years, you can see it’s doable,” senior Devyn Robuck said. “A lot of kids don’t think you
can do both—you totally can. You can develop different relationships, and explore different avenues in music.” For getting involved throughout the school, choir provides skills and relationships that are unique to Rocky, even for guys. “Give it a try, it’s a lot of fun,” Robuck said. “It’s a whole different experience.”
soak them again.” The art of modern poi originated from the traditional art “by the indigenous Maori people of New Zealand to increase their flexibility and strength in their hands and arms as well as improving coordination,” according to Homeofpoi.com. In addition, Hawaiians and other native peoples have been known to swing poi. Modern poi has a long history, and has built up to become the art form we see today through a long string of events. The rave culture was started in Chicago at a club called “The Warehouse” in 1977. The culture was still small in the US
but when it was brought to the United Kingdom and blew up, causing the culture to grow and originate there. This is where modern poi with lights to music originated and was brought back to the US, where it is gaining momentum and becoming respected as a form of expression, according to Soundry, a music history site. The act of doing poi is called “weaving,” “spinning,” or “swinging.” Some major tricks to this game are the weave, a basic trick to any poi performer, where the poi is swung around the body in a two beat rhythm. There is the butterfly, where the poi is swung in opposite directions from one another right in front of the swinger. In order
to change paths of the poi, a wrap is typically used, where it is swung around something such as a body part until it bounces back and is repositioned. For advanced spinners, one trick of the trade is a flower where the spinner makes large circles around their body, resembling a flower when viewed from the side. This hobby has grown wildly within the last few years, and spinners are fighting for respect to wipe away the stigma as merely chucking around lights. Some are hired by clubs and shows, while others merely do it for themselves, yet either way spinners take the trade seriously. “A lot of people who see poi spinners may not see them as good, but if one understood
what it took, they would understand how good they can be and what skill is involved,” sophomore Davis Dailey said. Dailey, like Collins, uses poi as a form of self expression. “Usually people spin for others, but I spin for myself. When I am having a bad day I just spin and it calms me down, I hit my ceiling a lot and my mom gets mad.” Modern poi is associated with the rave scene because of the light shows that accompany swingers, along with the music that modern poi is normally performed to. Poi is very closely associated with this rave scene, yet the art of swinging lights is not solely in this. “I want people to know that it’s not all about the drugs. It’s
really about coming together and expressing yourself,” Collins said. “Everyone thinks raves are all about the drugs. They are really all about listening to music in a community coming together.” The basis of this up and coming art form is three things: community, self expression, and not to mention a trippy light show. So next time one sees a poi performed on the streets at new west fest or at a concert, notice their graceful patterns and undeniable passion. “There’s a whole rave community. I mean, we all call each other beautiful people,” Collins said. “That’s what poi is, a sense of self expression with a form of community.”
follow P.L.U.R. Raving is a lifestyle choice; it’s a lot like a religion.” Clothing is also a huge part of the rave scene. Although the clothing worn is slightly limited
due to the heated temperatures at raves, the dancers have fun putting together crazy costumes for the big nights. A typical girls costume would include bikini tops, mini skirts, boot covers (or fluffies) and kandi bracelets. “The basic trend at raves is to
be really unique looking,” senior Hannah Lacerte said. “It’s kind of like a Halloween costume, but just really colorful and crazy. Most people have their kandi bracelets to trade that come in all different colors and styles of beads.”
Clothes aren’t the only other aspect of the raves. Music is just about the number one thing that really makes them happen. Genres of music included at raves include electronic, techno, house and trance. “I’d say the rave scene has
definitely become more popular in the past year because people are discovering the different kinds of electronic music,” Lacerte said. “Since we started having dubstep shows in town, I’ve noticed a lot more talk and interest in going to raves than there has ever been before.” Many of these ravers also claim that dubstep shows should not be confused with raves because they are two very different things. The togetherness and devotion that connects the people at raves won’t be found at an average dubstep show. “I go to raves for the music and the people,” the second anonymous said. “Raves are another world with music that will blow your mind, people that you will never forget, and memories that will last a life time. Raves have been going on for decades in secret, and I think that’s the way it should stay.”
both coed groups. “You just have to get out there.” There are five coed choirs at Rocky: Spotlight, Echoes, Con Brio, Capriccio and Singers. These, in addition to two all women choirs, make up a total of nine choirs at Rocky. Low Beaux is the only all male choir.
Poi from page B8
Raves from page B8
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Limelight
April 26, 2011
B7
Rocky Mountain Highlighter
Big Al’s serves superb classics Dogs and burgers galore: Junior Jacklynn Sanchez (behind the register) at Big Al’s Burgers and Dogs takes an order from a customer. The restaurant, located in Old Town, offers classic burger and hot dog dishes in addition to traditional fries and shakes.
by Ramsey Nicholas Editorial Editor
American journalist, Calvin Trillin once said, “Anybody who doesn’t think that the best hamburger place in the world is in his home town is a sissy.” Located directly across from The Rio on Mountain Ave., Big Al’s Burgers and Dogs has managed not only to keep up with the crazed restaurant competition in Old Town, but they have exceeded expectations in burger warfare. Big Al’s takes into consideration the late, bar-hopping nights of the young population in the college town, staying open until 2 am on Fridays and Saturdays for those who call for a late-night bite. Openly providing customers with the classic burger joint atmosphere, Big Al’s adds a twist to the American way by decorating the restaurant with reused and salvaged items from old businesses around town, fitting perfectly
Food Review
Ramsey Nicholas
with their obvious compost and recycling theme. Located at each trash can inside the eatery is a sign notifying customers that all provided food wrappings and cups can be recycled. Although Big Al’s menu is slightly limited, the quality of the food makes up for the lack of
available options. Consisting of burgers, dogs, fries, shakes, and malts- Al’s menu provides the opportunity not only to stack patties, but substitute’s veggie burgers in place of their juicy, meaty hamburgers. In fact, Big Al’s won the 2011 Scene Magazine best burger and milkshake.
high action killer thriller in the trailers, Hanna is surprisingly, and pleasantly, not as hardcore as originally thought. Though there are indeed gruesome deaths involving snapped necks and impaling people on jungle gyms, there is much needed comic relief mixed with the coming of age story of a little girl who seems lost in her father’s expectations to be a killing machine. Although the plot shines throughout the movie, Ronan is what truly makes Hanna worth sitting through. Known for her break out roles in Atonement and The Lovely Bone, Ronan plays a starkly different character than what is expected from a sweet looking 16-year-old actress. Her ability to not only portray a teen-
age assassin, but also embody adolescent emotions, makes Hanna a character unlike any other. As Hanna is traveling to Europe to reunite with her father, she comes across an English tourist family in Morocco. They quickly take her in, and their teenage daughter Sophie (Jessica Barden) befriends Hanna despite how naive she is about the inner workings of the teenage girl world. Not only does Ronan shine in this film, but Barden is the one who provides all of the humor to this action flick. Simply by pointing out the silly things that Hanna doesn’t understand, she fully embodies a typical, sassy teenage girl trying to find excitement while on vacation with her family.
Hanna offers more than typical assassin thriller by Chloe Evans Limelight Editor
Sugar and spice and everything nice… not to mention a deadly assassin. Hanna (Saoirse Ronan) is a typical teenage girl Movie who happens to live in the deserted forests of Northern Finland with her dad Erik (Eric Bana) who is training her to be the perfect assassin. Her dad, an ex-CIA agent, teaches Hanna hunting, self defense, multiple languages, and to always be alert even when sleeping. As she reaches the age of sixteen, her dad sends her out on a mission to kill Marissa Wiegler, Erik’s former co-worker. Portrayed as a shoot-em-up,
Review
With the option of ordering a single burger or dog, consumers also have the option of ordering a combo meal with fries on the side. Traditional French fries are always a pleasurable sensation to the taste buds, but Big Al’s hand cut, truffle fries are exceptionally topped with Parmesan cheese,
parsley, and sprayed lightly with white truffle oil. Seemingly an odd combination of ingredients, these truffle fries will never fail to satisfy the hungry patron. On top of fulfilling the customer’s appetite, Al’s sees the true child in everyone- bringing entertainment and laughter to their visitors through the use of the infamous Mr. Potato Head. Take a photograph of yourself next to this congenial potato and earn yourself a framed position on Big Al’s wall of fame for everyone to see. Although the affordable, low prices of the average fast food hamburger may not be found at Big Al’s, the quality of the food and the sizeable portions served make up for the pricey menu. Prepare yourself not only for an eye-catching abundance of grub, but a friendly warm welcome from an entire staff of attractive young people, as well.
Grade: A
Alex Bailey/Courtesy Focus Features/MCT
Ready for the kill: Sixteen-year-old assassin Hanna (Saoirse Ronan) stares down a reindeer as she prepares to hunt in the film Hanna. She is trained to be an assassin by her ex-CIA agent father and is sent on a killing mission across Europe.
The plot itself provides interesting contrast from usual assassin movies. By making the main character a teenager, every aspect becomes more intricate and difficult; who wants to kill a 16-yearold, blonde hair, blue eyed girl beauty? Even if she’s bordering on serial killer status... Marissa Weigler (Cate Blanchett) adds to the female power-
house in this movie. Blanchett is a phenomenal actress who is able to play any part she’s thrown into, and playing a hard-nosed, CIA agent on a mission to kill is simply too easy for her. With the strong female casting, different action thriller plot, and snarky humor, Hanna is definitely a thriller worth watching. Grade: A
The Suburbs propel Arcade Fire’s performance forward by Charlie Anderson Reporter
“We figured out that we couldn’t sleep last night because we’re playing with Arcade Fire for the first time,” said Local Natives’ man Taylor Concert front Rice, on opening for a band that has become insanely attractive in the past months. After an unexpected win for album of the year at February’s Grammy Awards, Arcade Fire has grown into something untouchable, selling out New York’s Madison Square Garden, London’s O2 Arena, and the majority of their upcoming shows on their current US Spring Tour. The dates include impressive headliners at Coachella last week, New Orleans’ Jazz Fest later in the month, and Bonnaroo in early June. The band kicked off its 32 date tour April 9 at Broomfield’s 1stBankCenter. Hours before doors opened, lines of hundreds crowded each of the four main
Review
entrances in attempts to snag close seat in the general admission seating. The Los Angeles-based Local Natives opened the show with captivating performances off of the band’s solo record, Gorilla Manor (2010). Although it may be safe to say that the majority of the six thousand-plus crowd was there for the headlining act, one couldn’t help but notice the ability and musicality of Local Natives, ending the set with a stray from their consistently concrete performance with a more abstract adaptation of “Sun Hands.” As the lights dimmed to black, a 1960s propaganda-style film introduced The Suburbs (2010), as the seven piece band walked confident and calmly on stage to immediately launch into “Ready to Start.” From the time of the entrance to the time of the exit, Arcade Fire radiated a sort of intangible and unseen energy that enveloped the entire center. Régine Chassagne adopted a number of personas on stage,
Geneva Mueller
The Suburbs in Denver: Arcade Fire plays a sold out show at the 1stBankCenter on April 9. They recently received album of the year at the Grammy Awards.
while husband and front man Win Butler sported a half-shaved head. On opening, Chassagne was Meg White, laying siege to a drum set in a seemingly lethargic manner; she was a Woodstock attendee, dancing across stage with colorful streamers in each
hand after taking lead vocals on “Sprawls II”; she was Mussolini, demonically leading the crowd in a frighteningly unifying call in “Wake Up.” Even the physical appearance of the had a wide range. Violinist Sarah Neufeld wore a classy dress while Butler took off his jacket
to reveal a Western long-sleeved shirt fit for a John Wayne film; Owen Pallet looked confined in something of a white mental institution uniform, as Chassagne wore the flashy gold skirt she is often associated with. The 1stBankCenter was not the first Colorado appearance for the Canadian band. In 2004, Arcade Fire managed a tight squeeze onto the small stage of the Larimer Lounge, playing for a 250 person crowd to promote the band’s debut album, The Funeral (2004). In 2007, the band returned to Colorado for a not-quite-sold out show at Red Rocks with the newly released Neon Bible (2007) in hand. After The Suburbs, Arcade Fire has launched itself into a superior place of unreachable. A live performance is in itself a phenomenon to the ears and an explosion of the mind. If the opportunity arises, see this band before they leave Earth to play to a sell out crowd in heaven. Grade: A+
B8
Rocky Mountain Highlighter
Raves considered a lifestyle choice by Ramsey Nicholas Editorial Editor
The art of ‘raving’ Students find music’s meaning through poi by Mary Willson Center-In-Depth Editor
Imagine hues of bright green, vibrant yellows, electric oranges, spinning in triple eights and elegant circles to the thunderous beats of bass. Poi is an upcoming art form surrounding the culture of rave, by connecting fire, glow sticks, or lights to a string and Limelight spinning it to the beat of music for the purpose of self expression. “It’s more of an art expression,” senior Dakota Collins said. “It’s like a game to me, it calms me down.” Collins has recently gotten into poi through friends in the raving community, and has become involved in the hobby, and has recently swung fire.
Special
Mary Willson
Red, green and blue, oh my: Senior Dakota Collins (right) and sophomore Davis Daily (left) hold their poi balls that they use to perform poi. Poi is done by swinging and spinning lights connected to a string to the beat of the music.
There are several ways poi can be performed. There can be a bright ball, lights, glow sticks or even cloth for fire poi— anything connected to string. Many people make their own rather than using store bought poi equipment; a technique to save money. “Basically, I took some flashlights and emptied out
some glow sticks and put the flashlights in them, so I can turn them off and on and it’s a super bright glow. They’re called handles, I have four all together,” Collins said. “As for fire poi, they are a lot heavier. You soak them in fuel and they can stay lit for 10 minutes before having to Jump to POI, page B6
“We’re fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance.” Dance has evolved through the passing generations at the speed of light and no matter what the latest fashion and music trends are, this Japanese proverb makes clear of one thing: the people will always love to dance. When dance, parties and electro are combined, a unique hobby is formed that attracts a large portion of this generation’s young population: raves. Raves are now the mega parties on the rise, with attendance rates now reaching over 25,000 people. “Being at a rave is extremely exciting,” a student who wished to remain anonymous said. “Everyone performs for each other and shows their skill. In my eyes it’s artistic and beautiful and a form of expression. I love that people open up and share that with each other.” Some of the more recent raves that were located in downtown Denver include Skylab, Caffeine, EDC (Electric Daisy Carnival), Countdown, and Greenhouse Effect. Raves used to be underground, but have now evolved into a much more popular activity, even for kids as young as 13. “Ravers try and live by a code: P.L.U.R.,” the student said. “This means that you treat everyone with peace, love, unity and respect. If you say P.L.U.R. to someone who raves, they will know exactly what that is.” Stereotypically a large aspect included at raves, the ecstasy market plays an impertinent role in the popularity of these parties. In fact, posted up on walls outside of rave buildings, Los Angeles now has actual guidelines on how to correctly take the illegal drug. On another hand, raves have many other purposes and attractions for young people. “‘Raving’ isn’t a fad and it’s not just a show that we go to,” a second anonymous student said. “I like to live the rave life and I Jump to RAVES, page B6
Choirs battle decreasing numbers of male members by Mary Willson Center-In-Depth Editor
Guys throw footballs, girls throw notes and that’s simply the way it is, right? Wrong. As teachers and programs start getting geared up for next year, one department has a big task in front of them: getting guys into choir, showing them that choir is worth it. A large group of very musically talented males will be leaving the music program and heading into a bigger world of music as they finish up their senior year. The problem forms from false representations of gender roles. “It’s really not as bad as people say it is. It’s not girly, it’s just singing,” senior Brode McDonald said. McDonald also is a three-sport athlete. “We sing fun
songs. Everyone sings in their cars, we just sing organized.” Out of the over half a dozen large choirs around Rocky, there are less than 30 guys represented in them. “It’s crucial for our future to have guys to even out the choirs so it doesn’t sound like a few guys thrown in a women’s choir,” choir teacher Paul Falk said. For some reason, there is a major shortage of male voices in the choirs, leaving some of the choirs unbalanced and lacking low parts. Not only are the choirs female dominated this year, the ratio will likely to continue to decrease due to a large group of senior male singers this year. “It makes the balance really hard,” senior Courtney Lorenz said. “A lot of people don’t try,
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imelight
April 26, 2011
Singing along: Senior Devyn Robuck is one of a handful who represents boys in the school choirs. This year’s choirs are female-dominated and are expected to lose even more boys in the following year, due to many male choir members graduating.
and they definitely miss out because they could be great and love choir.” Lorenz is in both
Singers and Spotlight, which are Jump to CHOIR, page B6
What’s in the Limelight? April 26: Concert: TV on the Radio at the Ogden April 27: School: ACT Testing April 28: School Play: The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 7 p.m., Auditorium April 29: School Play: The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 7 p.m., Auditorium Movie Release: Sympathy for Disaster Movie Release: Cave of Forgotten Dreams Concert: Macklemore and Ryan Lewis at the Bluebird Movie Release: Hoodwinked Too Movie Release: Prom Movie Release: Fast Five April 30: School Play: The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 7 p.m., Auditorium Concert: James Blunt at the Fillmore Concert: Tim Reynolds and TR3 at the Bluebird May 1: School: Hair Raiser Fundraiser May 3: CD Release: Beastie Boys- Hot Sauce Committee Part 2 CD Release: Colbie Caillat- All of You May 4: School: Looking Glass Launch Party May 6: Movie Release: Last Night Movie Release: Daydream Nation Movie Release: Something Borrowed School: Spring Fest Movie Release: Thor Movie Release: Jumping the Broom May 12: Concert: Joe Purdy at the Bluebird