The Rampage by The Sopris Sun

The Rampage 2270 Highway 133, Carbondale, CO 81623

March 2019 Volume 11 Issue 05

Net Zero Day: Time to Shut it Down! -Solana Teitler

Could you last a day without your phone? What about no heating, no lighting,” he explained, “The students might get without a computer and wifi? Could you last a day without cold, but that’s why I think it will be effective. They will kind of electricity? have to pay attention.” In order to make this possible, Energy Club has reached 40 years ago, most high schoolers likely could have answered yes to these questions without much of a second out to and received support from the maintenance departthought. Now, high schoolers are so accustomed to said tech- ment, RFHS staff, and the district office, specifically Jeff Gatnology, that it is very rare for a student to go about their day lain and Shannon Pelland. without accessing a computer or phone. The idea of having Teachers were asked to plan their lessons for April 22nd so a day without electronics, wifi, electricity, and technology is that students will not need access to electricity. While this is foreign to many of us. an inconvenience for many, the majority of staff agreed that it The Roaring Fork High School (RFHS) Energy Club is was for a good cause. English Language Development teacher planning an event to make this idea the reality for one day. Jackie Vosler sees it as “a good way to bring attention to an Zero electricity, zero computer usage, zero heating or cooling. important issue.” Math teacher Kyle Gaarder agreed, saying On April 22nd, Energy Club will that, “It seems like a cool chalcelebrate Earth Day by asking all lenge that we will just have to of RFHS to participate in what get creative with.” has been named Net Zero Day. Teachers have been very RFHS Energy Club is a dedsupportive, but Energy Club is icated group of students who anticipating a slightly less fawork to make their school more vorable reaction from students. renewable and to bring awareAs Ruthie Brown expressed, “if ness of environmental issues to we take away students’ wifi, their peers. Math teacher WenI think we might have some dy Boland, who founded and has mobs.” Nonetheless, she hopes enthusiastically lead the group that the inconvenience of a day for seven years, explained that without wifi can lead students she believes strongly in its abilto realize “how much we deity to “empower students to take pend on technology, electriciaction and make the world a betty, and energy.” ter place.” After Net Zero Day has As Ruthie Brown described, concluded, Energy Club hopes RFHS Energy Club, 2018. Photo Courtesy of Wendy Boland Energy Club exists to “help the to show their peers just how environment by bringing renewmuch of a difference they able energy to Roaring Fork, promoting renewable practices, made by presenting interval data graphs at a RFHS Commuraising student awareness, etcetera.” The group has organized nity Meeting. In these graphs, students will be able to see a many recycling demonstrations, student activities, and even visual manifestation of the energy they saved. Instead of the went so far as to convert 100% of Roaring Fork High School’s usual 7:00 am to 5:00 pm spike in energy consumption, the electricity to solar power. graph will have a much lower reading. After brainstorming new ways for the group to take action, After planning and executing Net Zero Day, Energy Club Will Rose, Energy Club member and senior at RFHS, present- will not be done. They hope to continue raising awareness of ed the idea for Net Zero day. “My hope was that students would environmental issues and promoting sustainable practices at come away from the day with an understanding of how much RFHS. “I feel like we still have much more work to do,” Boland energy our everyday lives and our school requires.” In order to said. Stay tuned for Energy Club’s next idea, because it is sure achieve this, Rose suggested shutting everything down. to be something just as creative and impactful as Net Zero Day “There will be no electricity usage, no wifi, no computers, is bound to be!

What’s Inside

Model United Nations Page 3

Women’s History Month Page 4–5

March Madness Page 7

If you have any suggestions, questions or comments for Energy Club about their previous projects, Net Zero Day, or their future plans, they would be happy to hear them. You may contact Wendy Boland by email at wboland@rfschools.com.

Food For Thought Page 8

2 March 2019 | Rampage

Feature

The Red Crane - Chapter 4 -Ruthie Brown

Dark clouds gathered in a pale sky on an October morning draped in rain. The leaves had begun to turn and frost clung to the rocks lining shore and sea. The birds had flown south, all but one. She was the red crane, painted against a backdrop of morning ocean, blossoming brunnera, and afternoon sky. These are the stories of those she helped to fly. Moonlight slips through curtains drawn shut. I lay still watching the shadows hanging from my ceiling. The shadows crawling up my walls. I watch them because these shadows are preferable to the ones haunting my dreams, and tonight’s shadows are especially cruel because it’s his birthday, and he’s not here to celebrate. No, my closest friend, the little boy I grew up with, the boy I loved with all my heart, he is gone. No more birthdays. Tonight my dreams remind me of that horror of a night. The night he left me. I can still feel his clammy hands on my own; I can still see his lifeless body; I can still hear the sirens, taste the salty tears, and smell the stench of alcohol. When dawn comes, the sky is lit aflame and beneath the fire I take a big breath and begin the day. The morning is warm enough, a light jacket and jeans suffice as I walk the four miles up Heavens hill, the home of Ruborne’s very own graveyard. With me I carry a backpack, but I have left my cellphone at home. No calls today. I reach the old willow that marks the entrance to the graveyard. The willow stands tall and old, an unwelcome sight because of what it signifiesgoodbyes. I step past it and into the grassy field sprinkled with wildfires. I move forward and find myself standing a hundred yards from where he lies. I pause, I haven’t been here since the day of his funeral and even then it hurt to look upon his name carved in stone. But I need to do this for him, for me, so I take one step at a time and eventually stop at his gravestone. No wildflowers or grass grow where he was buried but his headstone is surrounded by deep scarlets, periwinkle blues, milky whites, and deep greens. I smile and say, “It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” I crouch next to him and begin digging in my backpack pulling a can and setting it on his grave. I stand up and begin gathering wildflowers. The wildflowers are all different shapes and sizes, some drip and some open, others are a soft hue of orange. Each are beautiful on their own but together, together they are magnificent. I place them in the can on

his grave before sitting down. I pull a thermos and two tin cups. I pour steaming hot chocolate and set one on his headstone while sipping away at they other. “Happy birthday!” The way down Heavens Hill was shorter than the trip up and I found myself wandering into town. Walking down paved streets crowded by shoppers and playing children, laughter ringing out and smiles beaming. Soon I found my spirits lifted due to the infectious mood consuming everyone and everything around me and decided to ﬁnd lunch. I was already on Cersei street and a few shops down from the cafe where Alice Riley worked. I stepped across the threshold and a small belle tingled somewhere above me. I moved to the back room and found a small table placed against a window. Rain had begun to fall and the gray clouds moved in rhythm with the ocean. My thoughts were interrupted as someone said, “What can I get you?” I turned to see Alice Riley with pen and paper in hand. “Umm I’m... I’m not quite sure yet. Could you give me a few minutes?” “Of course! I’ll be with you shortly.” She walked away and I was left in utter disbelief. This was not the Alice Riley I knew. Her voice was sweet and calm, far from the strained one I had heard on the phone. Her appearance had changed as well, no longer was her face drained and gray but the color of her cheeks were rosy and the dark circles from beneath her eyes had disappeared. She was healing. “Yo!” said a voice from across the room. I looked up expecting to see Alice but instead was greeted by a smiling Carden. He was soaking wet, most likely having gotten caught in the rain. “Can I join you?” he asked. I nodded pointing to the empty seet across from me. “How’s it going?” “I’m good,” he replied. “And you?” “I’m okay,” I responded. “Today he would be eighteen, right?” “Yeah, yeah he would.”

An awkward silence followed but was broken with a soft “Are you ready to order?” “Yes! May I please have an iced chai and two slices of pumpkin bread?” “Of course!” said Alice before turning to Carden, “and you sir?” “May I please have a cappuccino? Hold the cream.” “Sure thing.” We watched her disappear, before I returned my attention to the window. “It’s on me,” Carden said. “What is?” I asked. “Your bill. I owe you,” he answered. “And let’s celebrate. I’ll be right back.” I watched as he exited the cafe into the rain. Five minutes later he returned with a cupcake made by the bakery next door, and it was decorated with a birthday candle. Carden pulled a lighter from his pocket and together we stared at the flickering flame. “Happy birthday, Reid! I miss you... I always do and I always will!” I said. Carden cracked the window open, and a burst of wind swept into the cafe blowing out the candle. Together we pulled the window shut and I looked to him and said, “Thank you!” He nodded. “Here you go,” said Alice. “Sorry for the wait.” “No problem, thank you!” Carden said, taking a sip from his cappuccino. “Thank you indeed!” I said smiling. “Anytime,” Alice said before pausing. “I’m sorry but do I know you? Your voice seems very familiar.” I froze. I had only talked to her as the Red Crane and I couldn’t have her making that connection if I was to keep my anonymity. Luckily for me Carden unknowingly saved me when he replied, “She comes here often.” “Yeah. I love your Chai,” I quickly followed. “Oh ok. I’m so sorry for my confusion. Enjoy your coffee,” she said before giving a last suspicious look and disappearing into the kitchen. “That was strange? Wasn’t it,” said Carden. “Yes, it was,” I replied knowing differently.

Senior Spotlight: Morgan Needham

Why did the police oﬃcers go to the softball game? Because Roaring Fork High School (RFHS) senior Morgan Needham stole second base!

After playing for softball for 13 years, Needham is ready to see what her next passion may be at at Grand Canyon University (GCU), where she will be attending in the Fall of 2019. Although Needham will not continue to play softball while in college, she wishes to stay in touch with her athletic side, and will be majoring in athletic training. Needham chose GCU in the hopes of branching out from her family’s long-standing legacy in the valley. She has had many wonderful experiences at RFHS throughout her four years here such as the amount

of school spirit she experienced her freshman year. However, her favorite memory thus far was her junior year. Needham blocked fellow senior Aidan Sloan’s car in with her Jeep because he had taken her parking spot. “No regrets about anything,” reﬂects Needham.

In Needham’s free time she likes to get out of her house and go adventure throughout the Roaring Fork Valley. She loves to visit her cabin in Marble, hang out with friends, visit the pillars in Basalt, and she and her friends spend a lot of time at the Glenwood Hot Springs. Sophomore Maya Lindgren explains that Needham always has something to say and a good story to share; the friendship is never

dull. For as small a person she may be, she can make a big impact on one’s life as she did in Lindgren’s.

Needham hopes that the upcoming freshmen classes increase their school spirit; she believes that they shouldn’t be afraid to show school spirit as it makes events more fun, and it makes the school look better. “Dress up for the Spirit Days,” Needham adds. RFHS science teacher Rachel Cooper notes that Needham has bloomed into her own person and “...isn’t afraid to share her thoughts or opinions.” She also comments that Needham has made new friends throughout her experiences at RFHS and in the valley, and she isn’t scared to try new things in her future.

Although Needham gave away her infamous big red Jeep, she still hopes to be remembered as the girl who drove the big jeep too fast and for being a good softball player. Roaring Fork wishes her good luck with her college endeavors !

March 2019 | Rampage 3

Feature

RFHS Students Take on Spring Break!

-Noah Wheeless As many people know spring break is almost here, a time for families to get out of town, students to come home and sleep in, and just a time to take a break from all the stress around us. You might know when spring break is and what it means for students in the Roaring Fork Valley, but do you know how spring break started? Spring break was launched in 1930 when universities got to take a break from school to enjoy time with their families. And ever since more and more schools have begun to have spring breaks so that younger siblings can see their families when they come home. But in recent years spring break has become a more favored break for university stu-

-Kaya Sarna

dents because they get to go party for how long their school allows them with all of their friends. Some of these big spring breaks hangouts are Daytona beach in Florida and Cancun Mexico. For RFHS students and teachers spring break is not necessarily a ‘party week’, but rather a break from school, a week to relax and to catch up on your favorite Netﬂix show or something along those guidelines. Many places around the world are destinations for some of the students at RFHS from laying in bed all week to traveling to New Zealand Senior Mikel Mayo has some plans for his last high school spring break. Mayo is taking a trip

down to Mexico to get surgery on his knee that he injured in basketball season. Mayo is going to Mexico for surgery rather than staying here because he knows that it is cheaper down there, and “we want to take a trip to feel the warm weather.” Sophomore Grace Jardine is taking a trip down to Mexico as well, but for much diﬀerent reasons. Jardine is going to tan and enjoy some time with her friend from Glenwood Springs High School in Cabo San Lucas. So from everyone at RFHS, we hope that you have an excellent spring break!!

Irish You a Happy St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day, otherwise known as The Feast of Saint Patrick, is a well-known holiday that originally had religious ties, but now is more of a cultural celebration for people of Irish descent. St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated every year on March 17th. People know this holiday as a day for green. If you are unlucky enough to forget to wear green, you could be the victim of a friendly pinch. Most adults over the age of 21 usually celebrate this holiday with green-themed parties and festivities, which is a big part of this holiday. First celebrated in 1762, the celebration of St. Patrick actually began in New York City by Irish immigrants. More and more Irish moved to the US to find job opportunities, and thus the celebration quickly spread. The holiday became such a big hit that many US citizens, not just those of Irish descent, partake in the festivities on this day. Grandiose parades are held in large cities, such as New York City. In 2005 in Chicago, the city dyed their largest body of water, the Chicago River, a bright green to add to the party. Courtesy Photo What do St. Patrick’s Day celebrations include? Some enjoy meals of shepherds pie, a dish made out of potatoes, corn and usually lamb, as well as drinks dyed green for the whole family to enjoy. How do our Rams celebrate? Though her family rarely celebrates, freshman Nepal Jacobson said that when she was little she went to a St. Patrick’s day parade in the town of Carbondale. “When I was little the most exciting thing was when the people on floats threw candy to us. I got so excited about a little piece of candy,” she laughed. “ I used to get into fights with other kids about certain pieces of candy.” Those tended to never end with her getting any of that candy. She even mentioned crying a few times over it. She remembers everything being covered with green and very festive. “We don’t have any Irish background so we don’t take it as a serious holiday. But we do dress up from time to time, you know, little bits of green clothing.” Jacobson was passionate about the idea of celebrating St. Patrick’s Day at RFHS. “It would be cool to celebrate in school. You can celebrate with your friends

and have something to look forward to in school,” she added that it would give kids a chance to celebrate this holiday when they normally don’t at home. Like many people who don’t have much experience with Irish food, she mentioned that Shepherd’s Pie was her favorite dish. Overall, Jacobson thought St. Patricks day was a “cool” holiday because of the culture and history around it. She also added that it is a holiday when people with different backgrounds can celebrate one culture for a day. Freshman June Smith explained, “I went to the parade in Carbondale last year and it was pretty fun.” In Smith’s family, they also have the tradition of wearing something green. “It has to be visible,” she said “Shoes don’t count,” she explained that her family has dire consequences if you don’t wear green, “It’s more than a pinch,” she said grinning. Smith said she has Irish in her blood, not a lot, but enough to make the day fun. Her best memory of St. Patrick’s Day was when her older sibling took her to go get cookies and got her a balloon as well, “As soon as we left the store I let go of the balloon and it just floated away,” she said laughing. “I think we should celebrate in school,” Smith said. She explained that you should be proud of where you came from and celebrating lets others know that it’s ok to be who you are. Junior Joseline Sanchez, a RFHS student, said that she doesn’t have any Irish in her so her family doesn’t celebrate it. However, she added, on how the school should celebrate if there was a larger population of Irish in the school, but for the meantime the school shouldn’t celebrate it. Sanchez said that we should at least learn more about the culture on that day though. “It would be cool to learn about that culture and history,” she said. St. Patrick’s Day has different meaning for many people. Some celebrate it and other don’t. It’s all about where you are from or if you have any of this certain religion in your blood. And even if you don’t have Irish blood, it can be fun to celebrate another culture’s beliefs, even if it’s only for a day.

4 March 2019 | Rampage

Foc

Womens His

INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN HISTORY

Around the age of 17, Ada met Charles Babbage, a mathematician, and inventor. The pair became friends, and the much older Babbage served as a mentor to Ada. Through Babbage, Ada began studying advanced mathematics with University of London professor Augustus de Morgan. She also theorized a method for the engine to repeat a series of instructions, a process known as looping that computer programs use today. Ada also offered up other forward-thinking concepts in the article. For her work, Ada is often considered to be the first computer programmer.

LGBTQ activists and drag queen prominent in New York City’s Greenwich Village in the 1960s, Johnson was an instrumental member in the burgeoning gayrights movement.Cred-ited with throwing the fi rst brick at the 1969 Stonewall Riots, Johnson—adorned with her trademark hats and warm spirit—helped ignite the fl ame that sparked the national LGBTQ movement. Rivera, a civil rights activist, fem-inist, and pacifi st founded the Gay Libera-tion Front and the Gay Activists Alliance and was also a participant in the Stonewall Riots.

Rosalind Franklin knew she wanted to be a scientist at the age of 15. Enrolling in college, despite her father’s protests, she eventually received her doctorate in chemistry. She spent three years studying X-ray techniques, returning to England to lead a research team to study the structure of DNA–all at a time when women weren’t even allowed to eat in her college’s cafeteria.

March March 2019 2019 || Rampage Rampage 55

cus

story Month

Fun Facts On On average, average, women women hiccup hiccup less less than than men men Women Women cry cry between between 30 30 and and 64 64 times times aa year year while while men men only only cry cry between between 66 and and 17 17 times times (amateurs!). (amateurs!).

Women Women spend spend nearly nearly aa year year of of their their lives lives deciding deciding what what to to wear. wear. We We thought thought itit would would have have been been even even longer! longer! Th Thee two two highest highest IQ IQ scores scores in in recorded recorded history history belong belong to to women. women. Women Women earn earn more more than than 60% 60% of of all all college college degrees degrees in in the the United United States. States.

Th Thank ank you you to to all all of of our our amazing amazing female female staff staff and and students! students!

6 March 2019 | Rampage

News

Small Town Students, Big World Problems -Connor Brennan

World Problems, Late nights, and The Big Apple. RFHS’ Model United Nations Club (MUN Club) made its annual trip to the MUN conference in New York, New York. RFHS will be sending teams of one or two to represent Armenia within different committees who are working to solve problems related to their name. For example, the ICJ or International Court of Justice will either be working to solve: “The Legal Status of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic” or “Guyana vs. Venezuela”. Over the course of five committee sessions, The ICJ along with all of the other committees will be working to solve one of their topics. Our students will team up with their fellow committee members in order to create resolution papers after debating within their committee about the best course of action. In the end, committee members will vote on the resolution they feel is the best. Solana Teitler, a Senior at RFHS, was a part of the DISEC (Disarmament and International Security Committee and one of

the biggest committees) and worked to solve Asymmetric Warfare in Africa. The Committee sessions for Teitler were “really fast-paced,” with “ a lot of things they had to get done.” She also thought that there was a lot of collaboration. She was a part of the “block”, the group of nations who have the same position, who wrote the resolution that passed the final vote within the committee. Teitler felt that this trip was different, not only because of her committee’s large size, but also because she also had more freedom to explore the city. She explained that “I had already done all the sightseeing because I had already been on the trip in previous years. I went to Chelsea Market and some of the less well know places in Manhattan.” Teitler said that she had a lot of fun and “met a lot of really cool people.” She is proud of the “memories [she] made and the things [she] learned about the UN.” Those who went on the trip felt that it was both a valuable personal and educational experience and this trip is open to all students who would like to be a part of the Model UN club.

Photos courtesy of Denise Wright

New RFHS Artwork: Blue Crew -Lilly Peery Throughout the Roaring Fork hallways, artwork is proudly displayed in every corner, on every wall, even covering the ﬂoor in some places, and most recently: the gym. A new piece of artwork has been added to the collection: a mural titled “Blue Crew”. Painted above the student section in the RFHS gym by students Birdie Nadine and Hayden Holbrook, the mural is intended to inspire and boost Blue Crew pride! RFHS Principal Brett Stringer recalls sitting with Athletic Director Jade Bath at a volleyball game, looking up at the wall, and deciding that something needed to be there. “I thought ‘hey, a mural would look pretty good up there!’” says Stringer. From there, the project blossomed into a reality. The intent: bring school spirit and pride back to the Roaring Fork hallways. “In the past, Coach williams and I have ordered shirts for the students’ section to throw out during games,” says Bath. “It’s just a fun way to increase support for the sports teams and incorporate more spirit.”

The artists, RFHS sophomore Birdie Nadine and junior Hayden Holbrook, were approached and recommended by art teacher Leslie Keary for the project. They worked alongside Craig Wheeless at Rainy Day Designs to create a design that embodied the RFHS spirit. The design incorporated the words “Blue

Crew”, and worked to change the pre-existing Ram artwork on the wall into a 3D version so as to seamlessly transition with the style of the new artwork. Like any project, the creation of the mural had its ups and its downs. According to Nadine, her favorite part of the project was “...being able to leave our mark on the school,” as well “...putting our art on a larger scale.” Holbrook, however, thought that the most challenging part was the actual designing process. The two remarked that although they enjoyed the whole process-designing, drawing, painting-they did feel creatively limited at times due to the environment. “I mean, it was done in the school’s main gym, so we were limited in the design and what we could put up,” said Nadine. However, Stringer couldn’t have been prouder of the end resulting, stating “...it’s awesome. It’s so cool. I’m happy with how it turned out and am really proud of the students.” Thank you for your art, guys!

Sports

March 2019 | Rampage 7

March Madness: What’s in Store? -Ray Siegfried The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) hosts its annual NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament, a 68 team single elimination tournament divided into 4 regions, each with 16 teams. Each region partakes in a play-in game in which the teams play for the right to be seeded 12th or 16th in their region. The tournament culminates in the Final Four in Minneapolis where the National Champion is crowned. The 68 teams are selected on the 3rd Sunday of March on a day known as “Selection Sunday”. 32 teams get an automatic bid by winning their conference championship. The other 36 teams are selected based on a formula known as NCAA Evaluation Tool(NET), however, this season replaced the old system of the Rating Percentage Index(RPI) with NET. The NET takes into account game results, strength of schedule, game location, scoring margin, points per game, defensive efficiency, and the quality of wins and losses. The tournament known as “March Madness” is a huge money maker for the NCAA, racking in $900 million dollars, which is 90% of its annual revenue, none of which is distributed to its athletes. However, some of it is used for scholarship for the schools that are participating in that years tournaments. The amount used for scholarships is $44.2 million dollars, which makes up about 5% of the NCAA’s yearly revenue. The athletes are not paid because the NCAA states that paying players will hurt their education. In response to that statement, some college football players sit out bowl games, which are postseason games that you qualify for by winning six or more games. An estimated $1.24 billion dollars is made in TV ad revenue during the tournament.

March Madness draws a number of fans, as it is single elimination and people can fill out brackets to make predictions and see how they pan out. Roaring Fork sophomore Edin Tena said his predictions for the Final Four are Duke, Gonzaga, Virginia, and Tennessee. Fellow sophomore Cesar Torres said he thinks the Final Four will be North Carolina, Virginia, Gonzaga and Tennessee.

Courtesy Photo

Several of the top schools playing in the tournament have rosters made up of players who will be “one and done”. Those players are the ones who are going to college for only the basketball season and, once the season is over, they leave college and declare for the National Basketball Association (NBA) draft. NBA rules state that a player has to be one year removed from high school in order to declare for the draft. On February 9th 2019, the NCAA Basketball Committee did a top 16 seed early reveal, which is only the 3rd year that they have done so. The rankings were led by the Duke Blue Devils out of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), followed by Tennessee from the Southeastern Conference (SEC), Virginia from the ACC and Gonzaga out of the West Coast Conference (WCC). Duke is led by a team consisting of the Class of 2018 top 3 recruits R.J Barrett, Zion Williamson, and Cameron Reddish. Zion is most well

known for his highlight dunks and his ability to jump so high that he can touch the very top of the backboard. Barrett and ZIon could both possibly be the top two picks in the NBA Draft with Reddish potentially following at number three. As of late late February, Houston had the best record standing at 26-1 followed by Virginia and Gonzaga Planning on filling out a bracket? Here are some tips! In past years, there has only been one time that a 16 seed beat a 1 seed, and that was last year when University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC) beat the top overall seed, Virginia. It is important to note that there are over nine quintillion combinations of picks one can make to fill out an NCAA March Madness bracket, so the odds of a perfect bracket are slim to none. When filling out a bracket, one team you may want to make your underdog pick is South Dakota State, winning their first round game. Also keep an eye out for Nevada, Kansas State, or Texas Tech who may have a good run in the tournament. Many people would not expect to see a team seeded higher than eight or nine make a run to the Final Four. As for the women’s teams, the projected four #1 seeds are UConn, Louisville, Baylor, and Notre Dame. Notre Dame is looking to defend their title from last season. UConn has gone undefeated in conference play for the entire time that they have been in the AAC, which is six seasons. UConn has won four of the last six national titles and has made the Final Four every year since 2008. You should expect to see all four of the #1 seeds in the Women’s Final Four. My prediction? UConn will win it all!

Decreasing Spirit at Roaring Fork? -Josie Sanchez Walking through the speckled blue and white tiled hallways of Roaring Fork High School (RFHS), you can hear laughter and non-stop chatter. Students are dressed in blue and gold with giant smiles spread across their faces, radiating unity. The halls seem to be vibrating with excitement. This is school spirit, a display of pride and community, something that RFHS seems to be slowly losing. In a survey conducted by The Rampage in which 41 students were questioned on school spirit, 51.2% reported that they go to school events in order to hang out with friends, not to show support for school teams or simply to show school spirit. Furthermore, 78% percent of students agreed that although RFHS has some school spirit, it could be improved. Junior Jesenya Lopez, who tends to go to all school-held events, said, “I’ll participate in all the school events because I remember when I first went to those events it was always fun and it still

is fun just not as fun as it used to be.” Junior Lauren Schlueter stated, “I used to go to the events, but over time it became repetitive and less fun.” A lack of school spirit should be a topic of concern because, according to a survey of 1,500 students conducted by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), students who have school spirit tend not only to be top academic learners, but also happier than their non-spirited peers. Many students at RFHS attend and enjoy the RFHS games, homecoming dances, truck rally, etc, but what about those that don’t? Sophomore Ava Lee suggested the RFHS community should “involve some more democracy during these events and vote on themes that we want for dances and games so that its all more fun and more enjoyable.” Others suggest that we need to bring more awareness to Spirit Week events, which take place in February and October. By marketing

Spirit Week more, the result could be more participation, and a greater sense of unity and school spirit. Although there will always be students who choose not to go to certain events for one reason or another, RFHS as a whole should invest more time in participating and uplifting the RFHS school spirit. If you have any ideas to improve school spirit, contact The Rampage at rframpage@gmail. com with your thoughts!

8 March 2019 | Rampage

Entertainment

Food for Thought: Taqueria El Nopal 2902 Glen Ave. Unit C, Glenwood Springs $$ Price Rating: $$ Star Rating:

Rampage Staff Editors in Chief Solana Teitler Tyler Gruel

-Ruby Fuller

Taqueria El Nopal is one of the best places to go when you’re craving some Mexican food. Nothing on the menu will disappoint you; no matter what you get, it will hit the spot. In addition to delicious food, Taqueria El Nopal has very ethnic decor, such as colorful tables and seats, as well as a lot artwork on the walls which resembles Mexican folk art. The restaurant also provides a buffet of sauces so that you don’t need to worry about how to add to your meal if you have certain preferences. You will always find something delicious to eat at the Taqueria El Nopal. The restaurant definitely provides more than your money’s worth. Meals such as a torta and the nachos are huge! You will not be leaving Taqueria El Nopal on an empty stomach, there is even a large chance you’ll have leftovers.

Editorial Staff

How to Get There: From 133 in Carbondale, head towards Glenwood Springs on Highway 82. The restaurant is in a plaza below Walmart and before Domino’s Pizza.

Words to the Wise: Taqueria El Nopal is not open on Mondays. It is open every other day except Mondays so make sure you don’t pick it to eat there that day.

What to do: Try somewhere new with friends or family! Don’t let the extra few minutes of getting there stop you because it’s totally worth it. It’s easy to go somewhere that’s nearby but Taqueria El Nopal is somewhere you should go when you want more than an average meal of Mexican food.

Taqueria is a good option for both sit down and take out food. If you do choose to sit down, the restaurant is very casual and welcoming so you have the choice!

If you’re heading down to the Glenwood Hot Springs or coming home from the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, Taqueria El Nopal is a perfect place to add into the schedule.

“Great addition to the variety of food options in the community! And their tacos Entertainment Editor Daniela Rivera are so good.” - Sophomore Lily Nieslanik

Heard in the Hallways “When I got my license I said no to being an organ donor because I thought it meant they’d take my organs if someone else needed them more than me.”

Reviews from our Students: “Deﬁnitely the best mexican in the valley!” - Junior Emily Broadhurst

“The sauce bar is spectacular.” - Sophomore Gustavo Amador

Feature Editor Lilly Peery News Editor Ruthie Brown Focus Editors Solana Teitler Tyler Gruel Sports Editor Ruby Fuller

Copy Editors Tyler Gruel Lilly Peery Solana Teitler Daniela Rivera Ruby Fuller

Journalists

Connor Brennan Lizzie Allender Noah Wheeless Ray Siegfried Josie Sanchez

Policy Statement:

“Dogs are so cool. Like they’re just there, being cool.” “Is this what being tall is like? There’s a lot of cobwebs up here.”

“You know what, I was never taught the 27 states in Africa.”

Published 7 times a year, the student newspaper of Roaring Fork High School is a public forum, with its students editorial board making all decisions concerning its content. Unsigned editorials express the views of the majority of the editorial board.