The Lake - April 2013

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King of the Hill Pitcher Dylan Sherry ‘13 leaves his mark on the mound page 24-25

Standley Lake High School 9300 W. 104th Ave Westminster, CO 80021

The Lake

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Volume 24.5 April 16, 2013

The Lake

Staff Writers: Cartoonist: aspires to produce a Sarah Bennett Aina Azlan publication that gets students Alex Cybyske Ky Delohery Advisor: Ben Reed excited, as well as informed. As Jordan Gray Managing Editor: individuals, we yearn to write, Marissa Hale Austin Kunert photograph, interview, cover, Amber Hill Michael Huss Section Editors: learn, and grow with pride. We Bethany Keupp James Burky will never be satisfied with a bare Olivia Koontz Cassidy Conlon minimum, for we understand that Natasha McCone Elle George Stephanie McDaniel Chaye Gutierrez passion is key. The Lake will never Emma Medley Reonna Hatch be afraid to uncover the real news Katelyn Mertz Sabrina Pacha Jeremy Minnick of our school--we will embody Tina Muscarelli Business Managers: what it means to be a Gator.

Laurel Nordquist-Zukin Bethany Keupp Shylah Ogle Julia Vasquez Jessica Olmstead Morgan Rubendall Social Media Mgrs: Alie Settje Taylor Foutz Opinions or expressions made by students in this publication are not expressions of Laurel Nordquist-Zukin Emma Staton board policy. The district and its emloyees are immune from any civil action based Brooke Stevens Tina Muscarelli on any expression made for or published by students. The Lake is an open forum Julia Vasquez for and by the students, faculty, and community of Standley Lake High School. The Editors-in-Chief: Eva Hall Courtney Sullivan

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Lake is willing to accept and print any appropriate articles submitted by the students of SLHS and reserves the right to edit any of these articles. We will not print letters sent to us without a name and signature. Submit letters to Mr. Ben Reed’s mailbox and email to standleylakenewspaper@gmail.com

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Standley Lake headed to the Front Range Regional Math Competition Apr. 5.

Alex Barondess ‘16 won first place out of all of the freshman. Standley Lake made it to the quarter finals.

Your cheat sheet to the Swamp

The Mr. and Mrs. Gator Pagaent took place on Apr. 2. Sean Langan ‘13 and Sydney Cooper ‘13 won the hearts of audience members with their hilarious performances and interviews.

Mr. David Cohara welcomed baby Sadie Rose into his family on Mar. 10. “We were so happy to finally meet her,” Mr. Cohara said.

The three new flat screen TVs installed in the front office and upper and lower commons have students wondering what they’re going to be used for. Principal Jeff Pierson says, “Primarily used for advertising, announcements, important information, there’s going to be weather on there, all the different aspects of things that we feel are important to students for them to see. Then eventually we would love to do a video announcement piece where we could actually have students doing some online video and building programs to where they can build some videos.”

At the Key Club District Convention, which took place Apr. 6, students attended workshops about service projects and how to improve and make a stronger club. A new district board was elected, and the new officers were trained.

Denver Nuggets mascot Rocky cheered alongside students for the spring assembly on Apr. 5.

Marcus Asmus ‘14 wowed the crowd with an alley oop dunk.

For more news coverage, like The Lake on Facebook facebook.com/standleylakenewspaper - Compiled by Chaye Gutierrez

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EVENTS

April-May

4/19

PROM

For Friday night, enjoy an extravagent night on the town, followed by a dance at the Mile-High Station, themed “1920s: A Touch of Class.”

4/24 STANDLEY LAKE VS. POMONA BASEBALL GAME The varsity boys play the Panthers on Pomona’s turf at 4:00 p.m.

2013 4/26

DAY WITHOUT HATE

A rally will be held at 6:00 p.m. at Jeffco Stadium featuring the Flobots and members from MTV’s “The Buried Life” to wrap up Day Without Hate.

5/13

ACT TESTING 5/6-10 5/16-17

In the auditorium at 7:00 p.m., students will be recognized for their athletic accomplishments in the 2012-2013 school year.

Cheer and poms will be holding try-outs for 3 hours each night to determine their new teams for the 2013-2014 school year.

4/23 SLHS ATHLETIC AWARDS

CHEER AND POMS SLHS CHOIR TRY-OUTS CONCERT

SLHS choir will be holding their final concert of the year on each of these nights.

5/20-21 5/24 G R A D U A T I O N SENIOR FINALS

Seniors will take their last round of high school finals a few days before the underclassmen.

The senior class of 2013 graduates at 7:00 p.m. at the CU Event Center in Boulder.

-Compiled by Taylor Foutz and Elle George

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GIRLS The top three objects girls need to go to

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prom: This is your guide on what to bring to prom.

You’re all dressed up with your hair done and nails sparkly; what more should a girl bring to make her look perfect throughout the night? Well, we have all the answers.

Gum: Spearmint, bubble gum, or pep-

permint; you choose. Girls always need to be prepared at any moment. That afterdinner breath is not attractive, besides you never know when that special moment will happen...

Makeup: Of course you’re not going to

bring your whole makeup bag, but bring the most important. This may include eyeliner, mascara, lip gloss/lip stick, or concealer. Either way, you’re prepared to look glamorous.

Phone: Lets be honest, girls can’t live without their phone. Taking pictures with your friends/date, texting your friends to know the plan after prom, or being prepared if anybody gets lost in your group; your cell phone is a lifesaver. Your phone will be useful for prom.

BOYS

The top three objects boys need to go to prom: Believe it or not, boys need to pack extra belongings for prom. Besides holding your dates’ items, what does a guy need to store for himself? Here’s some ideas to consider!

Wallet: Guys need to bring emergency money not just for prom, but everyday. You’ll never know when you’ll run into a money situation; also be prepared to show any ID’s.

Of course, if you decide to go somewhere after prom, then be a gentleman and bring extra money to pay for your date.

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Cologne: One spray on the wrist and neck, and you’ll be smelling fresh. You may be feeling sweaty after dancing, and need to freshen up before your plans after prom.

Don’t spray more than two times, less is more!

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Gum: The music is loud, so you’re probably

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going to be speaking louder to your date.

Stick a small pack of gum in your pocket to keep your breath smelling good. Also, if the night goes smoothly with your date, then you’re already prepared for that kiss. - Compiled by Brooke Stevens

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umbers are dropping.Classes are getting smaller.

Fewer students are enrolling at Standley Lake.

And teachers are being displaced.

It isn’t a matter of getting fired or being laid off. It’s simply a principle of seniority.

The last one in is the first one out.

“Enrollment is down almost 200 kids. So what happens when enrollment is down so much? Teachers have to go away,” principal Jeff Pierson said.

Ms. Michelle Bergren from the World Languages department, Mr. Frank Hoffman from the English department, and Mr. Kevin Sullivan from the science department will not be teaching here at Standley Lake for the 2013 fall semester.

A second position in English was also cut, but because Ms. Martha Patton accepted a position at Warren Tech, no additional English teachers will be cut.

“We take the amount of kids that have signed up for programs,” Pierson said.

“So say we go down English and see how many sections we have to offer. And let’s say that’s 10.5 teachers and they had 12, so that means that’s 1.5 teachers out of that department. It’s all strictly based on students and numbers and how many kids sign up for which classes.”

These enrollment declines can be blamed on the various

schooling options that are becoming more and more available to high school students. Pierson explained, “I think a lot of it is online schooling; more kids are just choosing to stay home.”

Supporting Pierson’s opinion, Mr. White, principal at feeder middle school, Wayne Carle, said, “I’m not certain what contributed to that decline other than a general sense that I believe there is a greater understanding of the many options that parents and students have for school

Many students seeking higher-level competition go off to other high schools, in hopes of pursuing further goals in their field.

One mother said she was sending her son to Ralston Valley, “To pursue his football career as a linebacker in a great program.”

Another dad explained that his daughter would be attending Ralston Valley, “For the great vocal and orchestral opportunities that RV has offered her.”

Similarly, a different mom

“Enrollment is down almost 200 kids.”

-Principal Jeff Pierson enrollment.”

Open enrollment is another huge factor, as students and parents can now choose exactly where they want their children to attend school.

Five years ago, most of the student body of Wayne Carle would be enrolled at SLHS. Now, middle school administrators has to provide Ralston Valley registration forms during registration to accommodate a large percentage the student population that plans on attending RV.

said that her daughter would not be attending Standley Lake because of the media that Standley Lake has recently received. “I’m skeptical and not being completely certain of our choice in education just isn’t enough when the issue concerns my daughter,” she said.

The larger variety of very successful programs at Ralston Valley combined with an active role in the media over the last two years have both contributed to the drops that are being seen in Standley’s enrollment.

Aside from open enroll-

DECLINE

DRAMATIC

Enrollment drop sends teachers packing

ment and various schooling options, the neighborhoods surrounding Standley Lake are just getting older. Jefferson Academy Principal, Tammy Stingary said,“I believe that one of the main causes of decreased enrollment is that we are in an area where the population is growing older.”

The kids that once ruled these neighborhoods have grown up and moved out, leaving Countryside, Westbrook, and other subdivisions lacking people from the younger generation and adding to Standley Lake’s declining enrollment count.

As far as Standley Lake’s reputation goes, Mr. White shared that “I hear nothing but positive things from parents [in regards to Standley Lake], but I’m guessing that most parents who might have concerns probably wouldn’t share them with me. I also want to mention that while all parent views about our schools are important, I also know that even in the “best” schools there are parents who are dissatisfied enough that they would make critical comments about the school.”

So, in the end, there’s

not very much that Standley Lake can do to control these drops in enrollment. The declines are happening, at a frightening rate, and it’s out of the hands of administration and staff.

For now, the days when Standley Lake was a highlypopulated high school back in 2004 with a total enrollment of 2,714 students are long gone and its unsure when or if those numbers will ever resurface.

-Taylor Foutz and Elle George

You should know...

Four positions at Standley Lake have been lost due to declines in enrollment; two in the English department, one in the science department, and one in the World Language department.

Senate Bill 191 is working on ways to determine which teachers will stay and which will go when class sizes shrink.

This bill is looking to change the “Last in, First out” system currently in place to decide which staff members will be displaced when enrollment drops.

In 2004, there were 1,714 students at Standley Lake. Next year, enrollment is expected to be under 1,300 students.

- Compiled by Elle George, Taylor Foutz, and Courtney Sullivan

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Collins shares story of weapon discovery In the line of duty, a police officer will give his life to ensure the safety of others.

Campus Supervisor, Chris Collins, served on the force for twentyseven years.

“I’m here for the students and staff,” Collins said, “and I want to make sure that everything’s safe.”

His normal morning and lunch routines are simple: sweep the grounds, check everything, leave nothing out.

This is precisely the way that, on February 20, he discovered a shotgun and a lever-action rifle tossed between two sheds on the easternmost fields of the school.

“I knew that there was something very, very serious.” Collins said, “I didn’t know the extent of it at the time.”

The little golf cart he uses was distractingly bumpy and slow, and the sun was shining brilliantly for mid-winter that day. Even the breeze was ominously calming, whispering assurances to students and staff alike.

It would have been easy for someone to have missed something out of place.

On his second pass between the sheds and the fences, Collins routinely glanced in their direction, quickly checking between the shadows of the structures.

He brought the cart to a quick and sudden halt. There were two weapons shrouded in the darkness between the sports sheds.

“The whole thing that came to my mind was, ‘Is there something bigger going on?’” said Collins. “The first thing I thought was that people needed to be notified and that everybody’s well-being in the school was addressed.”

Not many would have even wasted a look in the general direction of the sheds. Most would have been assured that had there not been something there the first time, what could have changed the second time?

“Chris’s law enforcement background allowed him to see those [items] and it really helped,” Principal Jeff Pierson said. “There’s an innate ability to pick things up. He looked in places other people wouldn’t

Serve

Campus Supervisor, Chris Collins, found a lever-action rifle and a shotgun between these two athletic sheds. think to look and picked things up that others couldn’t.”

The situation could have so easily been dire, and there could have been lives on the line. Collins did the only rational thing that first came to mind.

“I called Officer Chandler and Principal Pierson and waited for them both,” Collins said. The safety of the students at Standley Lake was his number one priority. “The students here have enough to worry about, they don’t need more stress on them. Their welfare is always first at hand.”

The police carried the investigation forward from there, arriving with dogs and inducing a lockout for students in the building.

During the search of school grounds, two additional guns were found by police.

Five adolescents in all were arrested for the events that occurred that day, three of which have faced felony charges including seconddegree burglary, possession of weapons on school grounds, and theft.

Danger was successfully avoided due to Collins’s quick-footed diligence.

-Amber Hill

The two weapons were discovered between the athletic sheds to the southeastern side of the school grounds. Three more guns were discovered by authorities afterwards.

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Road To Nationals World Affairs Council on their way to Washington D.C.

Paris Mitton 14’, team captian, recording an answer, at the teams regional competition agianst Aravda West High School on Feb. 19, while Soham Shah ‘14, Garet Gavito ‘14, and Jessica Yan ‘15 listen and discuss the answer.

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ow many people are truly dedicated to school?

How many students really care about their education? And how many students at Standley Lake really invest in education deeper than the 7:15-2:30 school day? What does it really take?

World Affairs Council club members, Paris Mitton ‘14, Soham Shah ‘14, Garet Gavito ‘14, and Jessica Yan ‘15 are all examples of what it takes.

The club has to study the following categories: US Economic Competitiveness, US Education: Competing Globally, US Energy Policy, Middle East, Afghanistan/ Pakistan, China, UN Millennium Goals: Environmental Sustainability, Geography, Current Events, and Cuban Missile Crisis: 50th Anniversary.

At the competitions the team is questioned on all ten categories and has 60 seconds to discuss and record the answers they believe are correct.

The best way they can prepare for these competitions is to study.

“There are ten categories and each study guide has about 200 questions per category,” said Shah.

The club is Standley Lake’s secret, and with that said, it’s rarely talked about.

“When I heard about the club, it was perfect, the academic drive it has was just perfect for me,” said Mitton.

With nationals coming up on April 26-28 the WAC is working harder than ever.

Going to Washington D.C. on an all expenses paid trip calls for a lot of studying.

Given that this will be the fourth year the club has had the opportunity to go to nationals, the team has made a goal to place higher than they have in past years.

“I don’t think there is a better form of education than this program,” said Standley Lake’s World Affairs Council sponsor, Mr. Shawn Collins.

World Guide

Want to test your skill as a World Affairs Council member? Then see if you can answer these questions.

1

A central principle for NATO, which is outlined in Article V of its treaty, is the principle of __________which holds that if an attack is committed against one or several members, it is considered an attack against all members.

2

Who was the Secretary of State during the Cuban Missile Crisis?

4

Which country joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in December 2011?

3

Boko Haram is a jihadist terrorist group that operates in which African country?

-Compiled by Marissa Hale

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Answers: 1: Collective defense 2: Dean Rusk 3: Nigeria 4: Russia

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LunchLadyLand The smiles behind garden patch salads

Laurie Victor Utility Worker

“My favorite part, I know this is cheesy, but I really like feeding the kids who are on free and reduced lunch. For some of them this is their only hot meal. It makes me feel good.”

“I was a bartender at the Nickle Street Lounge for 16 years. When my boss sold the business, I applied here. I was excited about the benefits and not coming home at two in the morning anymore. I was also sick of dealing with all the drunk people.”

KarinManager Ramos “The school gives us the recipes. We know the supplies, I manage that part, and we cook what they give us.”

“We have fun here! This job is really not that hard; once you get it down it’s pretty easy.”

“A lot of our hourly workers can pick up and drop off their kids. I don’t really know another job where you can do that. This job is great for those who are familly oriented. The hardest part is the income.”

Lina Bulscak Utility Worker

“I do whatever the kitchen needs me to do.

Prepare food, do dishes, clean, cook, bake.

Whatever needs doing.”

“I started here two days after the christmas break of 2006. When my husband passed away, I had a big income shift, and had a lot to take care of. My daughter suggested that I work for JPS. My son has permanent disabilities, and I decided to get a job and take care of him.”

-Compiled by Natasha McCone

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Rock on

Senior science goes to Moab The Senior Honors Earth Science class spent three nights in Moab, Utah on an educational camping trip March 12-14.

From top left to right: Juliana McDonald ‘13 and Teal Schnurr ‘13 put up their tent with help from Mr. Mike Crouch. Sean Langan ‘13 throws up a thumbs up on a hike with Mr. Rob Cassady.

The group hikes over to the notorious rock fins present in the park. Students enjoyed smores in the evening. Bobby Abbott ‘13 hikes to the top of delicate arch at sunset. Branko Gjurekovec ‘13 explores a part of Moab. Brenna Kroeker ‘13 crawls through a cave. Michael Pesavento ‘13 chills out on a rock after a hike. Mr. Crouch relaxes on a rock. Devin Torgerson ‘13 and Zoie Hoben ‘13 do a handstand under Delicate Arch.

- Compiled by Courtney Sullivan

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Becoming Roseline From Congolian refugee to Colorado proud, one Gator shares her story of loss, love and looking forward to the future

Wide-eyed and shy, she spoke only Congolese French and Swahili. Her lilted accent swiftly informed you that “je ne parle pas anglais,” and what little English she could muster up to speak became interrupted by a bashful smile and a shake of her head, infectious giggle making her black braids graze her shoulders.

Until this girl turned five, she lived in warridden Congo with her parents, her sisters and her brothers.

But when the battle escalated past a point of safety, she and her siblings fled from their home to Kigali, just east of Congo in Rwanda, leaving her parents behind.

Roseline Mugaruka ‘14, now 18-years-old, has not seen her parents since that moment.

“I don't remember a lot about my parents, but my dad would pick me up and put me on his shoulders when he got home from work. That was before I was five, before the war broke out in Congo and me and my sisters and brothers had to flee. I haven’t seen my parents since,” she said.

“I didn't think it was bad until a few days after we left. My siblings just kept telling me that our parents would find us soon. After a couple years, I started wondering if they were dead. I grew up with the notion of parents, but they weren’t there.”

For a rough ten years, she went to an embassy school in Kigali, one of the only Congolese schools

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offered in the area.

“I was jealous of the kids who had their parents around. I knew mine were somewhere, just not with me. Between lots of working, my brother took care of me and the rest of my siblings.”

Her oldest brother, 37 today, stepped up as the father of the household. Her other brother, now 27, worked while Roseline and her sister, who is 24, were going to school. Her baby sister, who is 14 now, was young enough to travel with her parents.

At fifteen, she moved to Colorado because her sister needed cataract surgery, a service not offered in Kigali.

“We came to fix her eyes,” she said of her sister. “It wasn’t safe in Kigali. There wasn’t anybody there that could do it for her, and it would have cost so much...There are hospitals but they are all expensive and risky. The fear is bad, doctors are not as experienced. It’s a lot of monthly payments, and if you skip a payment, you get kicked out. My sister lives in Aurora now.”

While it was her sister’s surgery that originally brought her to the United States, this journey has brought her to a different home: the halls of The Swamp. Living with an American foster family in Arvada, Mugaruka feels content.

“The UN originally sent me and my sister to Colorado for my sister’s operation while Lutheran Family Services was connecting me with a home.

My new parents found me through that service. I

lived in a refugee camp and wasn’t old enough to live with my brothers and sisters, so my new family got me. They really wanted to adopt.”

Affectionately, she calls her foster parents, Carrie and Tony Santonastaso, “Mom and Dad.” The Santonastaso’s children, 9-year-old Noel and 6-year-old Isaac, are Mugaruka’s “little brother and sister.”

“It was hard having younger siblings because I had to learn how to take care of them, since I’ve always been the youngest. It was challenging to remember that their needs come first,” Mugaruka said, out of practice since her youngest sister still lives in Congo.

Adapting to the American way of life with humor and optimism, Mugaruka and her new parents tackled the obstacle of the language barrier.

“We had to use a translator and an interpreter for 5 months before I was fluent enough in English.

It was fun though, I kind of enjoyed seeing them try so hard to communicate with me.”

“Google translator saved our lives,” said Tony.

“We also had an actual translator that communicated with her and us during official government meetings and our weekly family meetings. It helped that Roseline is really smart, she definitely caught on fast.”

Not only did Mugaruka’s English catch on quickly, but her familial bond immediately clicked.

“She’s our kid for sure. Early on [when we got

her] she had cancer, and right away that fear creates a bond of caring for her and wanting her to be happy and healthy,” Santonastaso said.

“We’ve always had a heart for adoption, even before we had kids of our own. We especially felt like we needed to help the older, disregarded kids of the system, the kids that get forgotten. We got our foster care license and adopted domestically, but our first kid didn't take well; wanted to be on her own. It was a while after our first adoption attempt that Lutheran Family Services told us about the Unaccompanied Refugee Minors program (URM). Then along came Roseline.”

Noel and Isaac consider Roseline their big sister, gleefully welcoming her presence in their home.

“It’s kinda fun because she gets to do work around the house, too. It makes it easier to help with chores,” said Noel.

“She sleeps a lot,” said Isaac. “But we like playing active games where we chase her.”

Because of her sister’s eye troubles and her own cancer, Mugaruka wants to become a travelling nurse, specifically a travelling pediatrician. Her love for kids and giving to others is unsurpassed you can see it in the way her fingers flutter as she talks about it.

“I am passionate about mission trips. I love kids, too. I love helping people. I actually haven’t done any mission trips because I’m not a US

citizen yet, but I want to. When I’m finally a citizen I would love to go. At my church I’ve done a lot of volunteering with kids and early child development.”

Recently, Mugaruka was recognized for her outstanding volunteer and service work at the annual awards presentation for the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth (AWRSAY).

“I got the award for overcoming adversity and challenges, specifically my sophomore year when doctors found that I had palette cancer in the upper part of my mouth. I could barely speak English at the time, so my parents didn’t come right out and say that I had ‘cancer.’ My brother in Kigali really encouraged the surgery. I was so cared for.”

Because of her brother’s persistence and her new family’s willingness to care, Roseline is cancer-free.

For her, service isn’t a chore, it isn’t anything she feels obligated to do. It is a way of life that will continually get her closer to her ultimate goal: seeing her family.

“It’s not for my advantage, I would be working for them and giving people hope. I would be giving them what they need using hope and help, and they wouldn't have to work twice as hard. I want to do a lot. I want to be a pediatrician the most and go back to Africa. I can’t wait to see my family again, and I want to travel.”

Regardless of how much she sets her sights on

the future, that longing for her biological family still lingers in the ache of their 11 year absence from her life.

“I started searching their names on facebook and other profiles and on Skype. There were a lot of Mugarukas, but none of them were mine.”

A little over a year ago, a silver lining made its way to Mugaruka.

“My brother’s friend finally found my parents on the media, kind of like Skype but not really. I talk to them a lot now, and we can even talk on the phone. I get excited when they call, my mom is really funny. I just wish that I knew them better to have that picture in my head.”

Due to their immense schedule differences, Mugaruka and her parents have yet to Skype or see how much they’ve changed over the years.

“I’m nervous to Skype with them because I’m worried that I won’t remember anything about them. It’s like when you miss someone for so long, you just want that missing feeling out.”

Finding little glimpses of her parents has brought her journey almost full circle. In the meantime her focus is on graduating next year and through her hard work, determination and compassion to help those around her, she will eventually become a United States citizen, finally evolving full circle to see her family - a blissful reunion.

- Eva Hall

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IF YOU REALLY KNEW ME For Day Without Hate, students reflect on aspects of their lives we may not know about.

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Paul Bass ‘13, known for his outgoing personality, sheds some light on himself. “Obviously, I like to make people laugh, but it’s not like I try to be funny. It’s just that I’ve always based everything about me as trying not to worry about what other people think. I’m six foot six, very disproportionate, just a goofy person in general, so I can’t take myself too seriously. I just try to have as much fun as I can and if that involves me making a fool of myself, so be it. People will think what they think.”

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Patrick Graham ‘13 is an IB student who enjoys playing music. He shared his high school regret. “I regret not opening up and being myself. Really, this year was the first year you could say I was being me. For the past three years, it’s always been do what I can to make other people like me and now I feel like I have a lot more good friends and people who like me for who I am. I wish I had done that freshman year.”

Coleman Rossel ‘14 has been taking jewlery for one full year, and excels at it. However, Coleman is more than just an art or auto mechanics student.

“I’m just now recently seeing my mom because of family issues. Dad and Mom were never married, and she got involved in drugs. My dad told her to not come back because he didn’t want me and my sister around that and we’ve been working through things since then.”

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Madison Schmidt ‘15, a varsity softball player, was asked about the biggest misconception that people have about her. “That I’m just really quiet and scary. I like Nicholas Sparks. That all kind of started with my mom. She used to take Nicholas Sparks books and read them and read them and read them. I was like okay, I’m going to try one. I read “A Bend in the Road” and absolutely fell in love with it. And so I moved on to the next one and it hasn’t stopped.”

Georgi Carter ‘15 moved here this year with her twin sister Shelby Carter ‘15. Georgi describes her experience. “The first three months I talked to no one. It was horrible and I was about to move back. And then Isaac Castaneda was like “Oh hey, want to come to a movie night?” and so, then I started making some friends.

So, it got better.”

Courtney Kauffman ‘16, an avid snowboarder, can no longer continue with her passion. “This fall, I found out that I’m never allowed to compete in snowboarding again because I have so many back complications. I know it’s kind of lower on the totem pole of life but after I definitely went through a state of depression and I wasn’t doing as well as I wanted to in school.”

Eli MacKay ‘13, who plays volleyball, golf, and track, shared the obstacles he had to overcome.

“At a volleyball game, I made a couple of bad plays and I just got really pissed.

My coach pulled me out and I was throwing my wrist guard, I was slamming the chair.

But I learned about myself and what I had to do to overcome my anger.”

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Compiled by Laurel Nordquist-Zukin, Tina Muscarelli, and Sabrina Pacha

IF YOU REALLY KNEW ME JONNY 5 Jamie Laurie, also known as the famous Jonny 5, leads vocals of Flobots. After realeasing Flobots’ 4th album Circle In The Square, Jonny 5 continues to work and will return to his home state of Colorado for Day Without Hate 2013.

The Lake: Why are you guys doing Day Without Hate? How many times have you guys been involved with Day Without Hate?

Jonny 5: This is the 2nd or 3rd time we’ve been involved. Last year I was contacted by students all over and so I made a video about Day Without Hate. I Just really think it’s inspiring, everyone of us can make a difference.

The Lake: What would you tell someone about Day Without Hate who doesn’t really like it? How would you convince them to think otherwise?

Jonny 5: They should ask students involved with Day Without Hate. We think of powerful people as politicians, actors, or athletes; but they’re only part of the power, the rest [of the power] is all of us. I would tell them that Day Without Hate is inspiring for students all over.

The Lake: What advice do you have for not only our students, but students everywhere about who want to make a difference?

Jonny 5: There’s something called ‘Step Up/ Step Back’, it’s usually used for meetings.

What it means is if you’re somebody who’s first, who always answers a question first, maybe you should take a step back and listen to other people’s ideas, be an observer.

If you’re someone who’s not involved a lot, maybe it’s time to step up. I like the quote

by Margaret Mead, ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.’

The Lake: What message do you hope to get across at this year’s rally?

Jonny 5: Well, I’m actually interested in hearing the ideas of the organizers. You mentioned the loss of a [former] classmate [Robyn Stupelli ‘12] I’m really interested in hearing everyone else’s ideas.

The Lake: What do you want people to think after the rally? What do you want people to take away from your guys’ performance?

Jonny 5: I want people to feel connected to a positive change. Small or large.

-Compiled by James Burky

5

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DWOH 2013

1. Standley Lake’s theme is “If you really knew me...”

2. This year’s rally will be at Jeffco Stadium at 6th and Kipling with special guests Flobots and MTV’s The Buried Life 3. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., and the show begins at 6:00 p.m.

4. Wear any DWOH shirt for free admission. Shirts will be for sale at school on April 26 and at the stadium 5. Governor Hickenlooper will proclaim April 26 a Day Without Hate for Colorado =w

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LE SWA MP PEO P

Our

Friends This is not a story about disabilities. It’s not about hardship, it’s not about recognizing the less fortunate, or evoking sympathy. This is a story about the bright, funny, colorful students who occupy room A103.

Being able to get to know them has been our pleasure and we are more than happy to help the rest of the student body learn a little bit more about them.

We walked in on them as they were working during second period to see what they were up to. Focusing on their work, it was hard for them not to smile at the presence of new people visiting them. When they smile, they smile big. And when they’re happy, their attitudes are contagious.

Key: 1. What’s your favorite color?

2. What’s your favorite present you’ve ever recieved?

3. What’s your favorite sport?

4. What’s your favorite thing about SLHS? 5. What’s your favorite part of the day?

6. What’s your favorite movie?

1.

2.

3.

4.

Blue Movies Basketball P.E.: Playing Soccer 5. Drama 6. Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked w= w=

16 18

Sarah Whelton

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Aqua Cell phone Basketball Field trips History Selena

Jordan Naranjo

AmanDureja

Selam

Tsegay

1. Yellow 2. Movie 3. Softball 4. Friends 5. Band 6. Finding Nemo

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Orange Cookie Basketball Band Band & P.E. Movies with animals

Lois

Kim

1.

2.

3.

4.

Pink Phone Basketball Special Olympics 5. English 6. Brother Bear

Josh

Brewer 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Ian Mueller

Red Television Baseball Gym Afternoon 24

Jesse

Macias

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Green Toy car Football History/ P.E. English & History WALL-E

- Compiled by Courtney Sullivan, Reonna Hatch, and Austin Kunert

1.

2.

3.

4.

Green Video games Basketball Badminton in P.E. 5. P.E. 6. Gnomeo and Juliet =w=w

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SPO RTS

BRIE FS

The Girls Soccer team huddles up to start the second half of their first game against Northglenn High School on March 9. They won 10-0 and have a current record of 7-1-2.

Sean Rocha ‘15 and the rest of the Boys Swim team warm up before their meet against Columbine High School. They won the meet and their record is currently 2-1-1.

Your cheat sheet to Spring Sports

Brandt Wintzen ’15 runs the hurdles at the Boys Track season opening meet at Ralston Valley on March 8. Eight days later, the relay team finished first in the 4x800 race at the Arvada City Championship.

Casey Torbet ‘15 is running as part of the 4x8 team that has been continually placing as one of the top five teams in competitions. The Girls Track team is preparing for Leagues on May 11.

Michael Maher ‘14 steps up to the plate against Westminster High School on March 19. The Gators won the game with a score of 10-0. Their record is now 6-4.

For more news coverage, like The Lake on facebook facebook.com/standleylakenewspaper

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- Compiled by Reonna Hatch

Annie Wong ‘13 takes a swing in her match against Chatfield High School on April 5. They lost 2-5 and hold a current record of 3-4.

Laci Williams ’16 tees off at the Eagle Trace Golf Course Invitational. The team placed 15th out of 22 teams.

They are currently placed 2nd in the league standings.

G

for the

Playing

P

OtherTeam

Gators at heart, Farmers on the field

ameday; it means so many things to so many different athletes. Most of the time, gameday means a huge crowd in the stands, it means fans decked from head to toe in their team’s colors, it means lots of cheering from supportive, familiar faces.

But then again, that is what happens most of the time.

Other times, for teams like the Wheat Ridge lacrosse team, gameday means driving forty minutes on I-70 to 32nd and Youngfield for a “home” game, wearing blue and gold in halls where green and blue stamp the swamp, it means playing for a school that you don’t attend, and most of all, it means that your victory won’t mean anything to your classmates.

Being cast in the shadows has been a norm for the lacrosse play-

- Compiled by Jessica Olmstead and Morgan Rubendall

ers of Standley Lake. Their wins aren’t highlighted over the intercom nor do they even play under the name of SLHS. However, these players contribute to the top-ranked lacrosse team in the 4A division known as the Wheat Ridge Farmers.

“With success, comes failure.”

And the boys of the Wheat Ridge lacrosse team are all-too familiar with the truth in that statement.

The first game of the season changed the entire mindset of this team, being their hardest lesson and biggest loss of the season.

John Roach ‘14, Patrick McKinney ‘13, and Kody Clegg ‘14 walked on the field that day, with heads held high, not a doubt in their mind that they would leave victorious.

“We played Mullen in the first game of the season, but we weren’t as ready as we thought we were” said defensive man, Patrick McKinney.

Missing shot after shot, the team became broken; spirits crashed as points accumulated

for the games to follow,” said Kody against them and their confidence Clegg. was shattered.

Their next opponent was The game wore on, as the boys Coronado High School (Coronado, fought with less intensity than they CA). With the sound of the whistle, had to offer, ending in a triple overthe game began. After dodging time loss to Mullen High School, countless defensive walls, Roach tearing down their confidence cradled the ball, shot, and watched and all the optimism that they had it plunge into the net. begun the game (and the season) “My strategy is to run harder, with. think faster, and shoot at the goal Reflecting on the loss, McKinney as many times as possible” said said, “Knowing that we could beat this team hands down and still losing to them in over time was the worst John Roach ‘14 feeling we could have.”

1st team All-Conference 2012 Devastated, the Colton Huss ‘14 boys revamped their ways of think 1st team All-Conference 2012 ing, taking such a Patrick McKinney ‘13 tough loss to heart,

2nd team All-Conference 2012 and went into the rest of the season Kody Clegg ‘14 with a more real Varsity member istic vision of the game, obtaining an Jacob Klarich ‘14 impressive record.

Junior Varsity member “We have learned to not get cocky before our Roach, giving a little insight on what games and to always play to the has helped become a star on such a highest of our abilities” said attack successful team. man, John Roach.

At the end of the fourth quarter Throughout the games that against Coronado, the scoreboard followed their heartbreaking read 7-7. The overtime whistle was loss, the boys set the bar high for blown and the Wheat Ridge Farmthemselves, achieving an impressive ers came to life. first-rank in 4A lacrosse, with only Defensive men McKinney and two losses to out-of-division teams, Huss worked relentlessly together, Cherry Creek and Mullen. trying to protect their goal: elbows The boys continued to work high, sticks higher. “We knew that hard in and out of practice, knowwe needed to protect the net or ing that the biggest tournament of else it was all over,” said Huss. the season was close ahead.

After beating Coronado, one of “We all made a promise to each the best teams that California has other to get our heads in the game. to offer, the boys flew home, comWe knew that our tournament in ing back with a record of 2-1 in the California was going to determine tournament, and the satisfaction how the season would turn out,” and confidence needed to finish out said Colton Huss. the rest of the season in Colorado, With a record like theirs, it only with strength, determination, and made sense that the boys went into hopefully a state championship. their spring break tournament in Being cast in the shadows? For San Diego, California with the highmost athletes, that would be detest confidence in themselves and rimental. But for the Wheat Ridge their teammates. lacrosse boys who walk the halls Wheat Ridge began their jourof Standley Lake, it doesn’t seem to ney to the West Coast, armed and have any negative effects on them. ready for battle in the first game of They play for the love of the the non-league tournament against game, for the sake of their teamWestview High School (San Diego, mates, and for the victories that CA). they seem to find.

With two assists by Roach, the -Taylor Foutz and team nipped the Wolverines coming Jessica Olmstead out with a 6-5 win. “Winning our first game in Cali set the bar high

(La)crossing Teams

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SP O RTS EPT H IN-D

[UNG]believable

Swimming to the top Three. Five. Seven. Nine.

Eric Ung ‘13 pushes through the longest and possibly hardest event in a swim meet. Thirty one. Thirty three. Thirty five. Ung is almost done with his sixty six lap race--otherwise known as the mile.

“Nothing is going through my mind, honestly. The first few laps I’m focused on my start, turns, and walls, but after the first few laps my mind goes blank,” Ung said about the long race.

He’s hungry, tired, and wants to quit. But he doesn’t give up.

Ung draws inspiration from his team’s favorite band, Timeflies. The song

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“Worth It” has a line that says, “How can you stop, when it’s everything you dreamed of and there’s so far left to run?” It’s the power in these lines that provides Ung with a surge of adrenaline that pushes him to finish his race.

Fifty one. Fifty three.

Fifty five. It’s these last few laps that prove Ung’s true commitment to the sport.

“I just can’t do anything better but swim. This is the one thing I can do, I might as well get better at it,” said Ung. Practicing at least 20 hours a week during the school year, and 24 hours a week during summer. Ung dedicates himself to the

sport. He pushes through 4:30 a.m. practices. Unlike most sports, swimming is a year round commitment.

For some, staying motivated 50 weeks out of the year could end up being a challenge, but Ung fights the battle for motivation and dives into the cold pool 300 times a year.

The song by Timeflies continues with the lyrics, “But don’t you see this is what you hurt for and this could be all you’ve ever worked for.” Ung works past the pain everyday and continues to find a love for the sport.

It doesn’t come easy to Ung. “[My coaches] are like torture givers. They love to

dish out the pain, but do love to see you succeed.” said Ung. “I get back into the pool because of the thought of him not torturing me the next day because I went to the previous practice.”

Swimming isn’t just a hobby for Ung. He has dedicated the time needed to become the swimmer he is today. Swimming a 58.92 at sectionals in the 100 breaststroke, Ung is .23 seconds away from beating the school record of 58.69.

Ung won the 100 breaststroke race when he was 14 at Silver State, a state qualifying meet. “I didn’t even realize I won until the timer started

congratulating me. I was confused but it was a honorable feeling,” said Ung. Throughout the years, he continues to excel in his races and make it back to finals.

Because of the effort he has put in, Ung’s times continue to drop. “It feels great when I get a best time because I have surpassed myself. I know I got faster, and all my training has paid off,” said Ung. Ung’s family has been there to support him through it all. “They come to every in state meet and try to come to as many out of state meets as possible,” he says. Ung’s

Clockwise from top left: 1. Ung swimming the 200 IM at a meet against Columbine. 2. The team doing a chant before their meet. 3. Ung with olympic gold medalist Eric Shanteau. 4. Ung warms up for the 100 breaststroke. 5. Ung cools down after finishing the mile, dropping 36.70 seconds. 6. Ung prepares to lunge off the block to compete in the 200 medley relay. 7. Ung competes in the 100 breaststroke at a high school qualifying meet. This is Ungs best race.

Photo curtsey of Eric Ung, Alie Settje, and Emma Staton

parents love to come watch him compete, however, they know their role in Ung’s swimming career.

“They are really supportive and push me a lot, but they know what a coach’s job is and what a parent’s job is,” said Ung. Olympic gold medalist Eric Shanteau inspired Ung to be the swimmer he is today. In 2008 Shanteau was diagnosed with testicular cancer, shortly before the Beijing Olympics. He put off surgery to complete his dream as an Olympic swimmer. Today, Ung looks up to Shanteau for his passion for swimming.

“He has been through a lot, and is still swimming.

It’s great,” said Ung. Ung continues to push his body to the limit and show up to every practice, regardless of the circumstances. His dedication to the sport shines everytime he gets in the pool.

The song by Timeflies ends with the lyrics, “Sacrifice- it wouldn’t be half as nice without that struggle and hustle, you know that that’s the life”.

Sacrificing his body, time, and precious high school days, Ung dedicates his life to the sport he loves.

- Emma Staton and Alie Settje

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PO RTS EPT HS IN-D

The view from up here Dylan Sherry ‘13 dominates from the mound As the 4:30 afternoon sunshine leaks into the dugout, Standley Lake’s varsity baseball players are forced to squint their eyes while they scout the competition of the day: Fossil Ridge High School. Pitcher Dylan Sherry ‘13 rolls a worn baseball between his hands- the same hands that hold the power to carry the Gators through the season to victory.

Head high, he marches to the pitcher’s mound, his home over the last three years, and takes a deep breath as he hopes to start the 2013 season off with a win.

It’s the first game of Sherry’s senior yearthe beginning of the end. It’s his only chance to prove himself as a pitcher to his future colleges, and his last opportunity to leave his legacy on Standley Lake baseball history.

It’s not just another game for Sherry, or another season, or just another sport... it’s a way of living.

“I love it. I can never get enough of it. It’s always been that way,” said Sherry.

His baseball career began on a T-ball team at six years old and soon turned into much more.

His love for the game grew into a strong infatuation with the sun shining on his arms and

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the intensity building up inside of him as the opponent steps up to the plate. It was the need for the mound beneath his feet, the tan lines on the sides of his face from his sunglasses, and the warm feeling of brotherhood that couldn’t be found anywhere else but the diamond.

Baseball quickly became Dylan’s world.

As he progressed and worked to improve his skills, Dylan pushed himself by joining competitive teams.

“On competitive teams, some of them are really good and some of them aren’t so good.

But in high school you’re stuck with the guys in your area and you just try to make yourself the best you can,” said Sherry.

While trying to make the best out of Standley Lake’s team during the spring season of 2012, Sherry had some of his most successful games. The team rotates pitchers so that they have time to rest their throwing arms and always pitch to the best of their ability.

The games that Sherry pitched in 2012 were all victories for the Gators except for one, making him a threat to other teams with his outstanding stats. However, it was the loss against Columbine that truly opened his eyes.

“I felt like I let my team down in our loss

against Columbine because I was doing so well and then that was my only loss that year... that game could have helped us get to the playoffs,” said Sherry, “I pitched three days earlier against Dakota Ridge, and my throwing arm hadn’t recovered yet so I was tired but I just tried to do my best.”

Through this struggle, Sherry gained the perspective he needed to continue his growth as a pitcher for his senior year.

“Our coaches told us how pitchers are never at 100 percent because they never have time to fully recover...” said Sherry, “When I look back now, I realize that I wasn’t at 100 percent, and I should have used my pitches more effectively by changing it up and hitting my spots correctly. You really just have to do the best with what you have.”

This year, Sherry is putting this lesson to good use. He’s keeping up with last season’s record, earning wins in every game he has pitched, and has 25 strikeouts so far.

Dylan, along with other stellar pitchers such as Justin Siewald and Jarrett Bott, have contributed to the team’s overall record of 6 wins and 4 losses in non-conference play. Conference play begins today at 4:00 against Arvada West.

Luckily, in his years at Standley Lake, Sherry has been able to share his success with people who are just as much in love with the game as he is.

“It’s been good to watch Dylan develop as a player,” said Jarrett Bott ‘13.

This season will hold the last high school memories for Sherry, as well as his other teammates who have shared the journey from day one as a freshman, one of those players being fellow pitcher Bott.

“We have a lot more responsibility and the coaches look to us to make sure stuff gets done right, and if it doesn’t get done right, it’s our fault,” said Bott.

As seniors, the boys are expected to lead the team on and off the field.

“It’s fun to be a senior but at the same time there’s more pressure on you because you’re trying to make it as good as you want it to be and there’s more pressure on you for college, too,” said Sherry.

Dylan also has the role of a leader on the team for younger players.

“They look up to me when I’m on the mound because when I’m up there they count on me to get the job done,” said Sherry.

One person who finds Dylan as a role model is Michael Maher ‘14.

“He’s a nice guy and a good leader. He’s taught me some mechanics and he’s been a good mentor to me, I definitely look up to him,” explained Maher.

With this being his last season in The Swamp, Dylan has high hopes for finishing as a senior and carrying on his love to the college level.

“I definitely want to make it to playoffs and finish strong. I want to get there by going up to the field and getting extra work in to try and be better everyday, thats how I want to finish the season out.”

As far as his future goes, Dylan plans to play in college, and hopefully beyond, in the major leagues.

“I’m still waiting on my college decision because Mesa in Grand Junction, where I want to go, is coming down this season to watch me play. So this is kind of a big season for me...” said Sherry, “I’m very excited and I feel confident about it.”

Sherry’s story is not a fairytale of easy wins and endless strikeouts, but rather a story of struggle- facing the obstacles that lie in front of the mound, and having the courage to strike them out, one pitch at a time.

While there’s no way to know what lies ahead, one thing’s for sure: Sherry can enjoy the view from the top of the mound, the sun soaking his home field, and the tattered baseball begging to hit the strike zone.

- Compiled by Kylynn Delohery and Chaye Gutierrez

Top: Dylan Sherry ‘13 pitches against Fossil Ridge High School on March 15, resulting in a final score of 3-2 and the first victory of the season.

Bottom Two: Pitching against Fort Collins High School on April 4, Dylan gained another win for the Gators with a final score of 3-2.

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STY LE LIFE

SLEEPYG G ATO OR S

High school is exhausting. From the homework, the early start times, the studying late at night, and the stress, high schoolers are just plain tired. Here you’ll find the signs and side effects of sleep deprivation, and ways to beat the sleepies.

Insufficient sleep has shown to cause difficulties in school including disciplinary problems, sleepiness in class, and poor concentration. On average, elementary schoolers get 10 to 11 hours of sleep every night, middle schoolers get 9, and high school students get 6.7.

Side effects from sleep deprivation cause more than 100,000 car accidents each year. Young drivers are at the wheel in more than half of these crashes.

Want a big solution to your drained energy?

Try and balance your school life with your fun life.

Find reasonable fractions of time to spend on school, work, and fun.

Below: Marisa Aguilar ‘14 naps in the library.

Beat Sleep Deprivation Finish your homework right after school instead of procrastinating and staying up later.

Set times to go to sleep and wake up every night, instead of changing times every night.

Avoid consuming chocolate, soda, coffee, or anything with caffeine close to bedtime.

Try to not be around bright lights right before bed, such as your phone or computer. These things could cost you sleep time.

Sleep Deprivation Signs -Are you extra clumsy?

-Are you getting colds easily?

-Do you get headaches easily?

-Are you more moody than usual?

-Are your eyes more sensitive than they usually are?

-Do you forget what you did in the last few seconds?

-Do you often feel drowsy during the day?

Statistics From: http://www.sleepfoundation.org/article/sleep-topics/teens-and-sleep, http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/how-many-hours-of-sleep-are-enough/AN01487

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-Compiled by Emma Medley

92

percent of high school students are sleep deprived

Conjure Up a Change Everyone wants to change something but individually, we all long for different changes depending on our passions and backgrounds. Students and teachers anonymously­tell what changes they want to see in the world.

“I guess one of the things I would love to change is our misuse of resources, I’m thinking in particular about tropical rainforests. “

“I’d change how animals are treated.

[We should] respect them and allow them to have a good life.“

The big question: How can we make an impact? Students and teachers describe how we as Gators can make a change expand from our blue and green community to the blue and green globe.

“If you work to better yourself, you can lift others up around you, like the ‘net of humanity.’”

“Go out and find what you’re passionate about and then go out into the world and find organizations and clubs that help expand that passion...do small acts of ‘paying it forward’ to help the world.”

Simple respect and acceptance stood as the common theme stated by those that were interviewed. Their “top pick” for change goes as follows...

“I want people to be more open to be themselves. Like some people are totally different when they’re at home than they are at school ‘cuz they’re afraid to be themselves.”

“People still see homosexual people as different and blow them off, [but people need to see that] you’re your own person, and someone who’s gay, lesbian, etc. is a person too. They aren’t going to try to change you.”

“We can be champions for equality and when we see inequality in our daily lives, we should speak out against it, not stay quiet.

You know, we argue as Americans that all men are created equal, but don’t live up to that at all.”

Compiled by Olivia Koontz

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L IF E

STY LE

DIY Facials

Honey

Olive oil

Skin moisturizer Lemon juice

Egg yolk Anti-redness facial

Brown sugar

Honey Facial scrub A.

A. Chocolate Mask Mix honey, yogurt, and cocoa powder until you reach a fluffy texture for a refreshing mask that smells good enough to eat!

B. Ice Water Soak

Low on time or materials? Soak cotton rounds in ice water and rub all over your face. The cold increases circulation to your cells--you will feel better and look radiant!

B.

C. Coffee Scrub

This scrub calls for 1 c. ground coffee, 1 c. white sugar, 1/2 c. olive oil, and 1 tbsp. cinnamon. (Leave the cinnamon out if you don’t like it!) Massage gently on your face to feel baby smooth. w=

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C.

Compiled by Katelyn Mertz

NS OP INIO

“I guess it takes the thought of losing someone important to realize how different your life would be without them.”

The person I love the most When hard situations come along, I’ve always been able to stay strong for others around me.

When you see how strong someone else is, you try to follow suit. But currently, this is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to go through. Finding out that the strongest person I know has now come into a situation that makes them weak makes me question so many things.

How strong can I be?

How can I walk around the house like there’s nothing wrong and hold in the tears burning in my eyes?

How can I help when there is nothing to do but make tea and meals, bring blankets and pillows, and just hold her Julia Vasquez (right), with her mom, Laura, (center), and her sister, hand?

I can’t make anything distracted from thinking would remove her breast go away, and it’s frustratof the worst possibilities. and test her lymph nodes ing. I’m usually the one who My father was pacing and for the stage of cancer and tries to fix all the problems waiting by the screen with what treatments to apply. and make everything okay. surgery updates, my sister Before surgery we figured And it’s infuriating to know was doing homework and I out she would have to go I can’t do anything to cure was doing everything and through chemotherapy or her. The only jobs to do are anything to not think about radiation; we all were hopto make her comfortable the reason why we all were ing that it wouldn’t be both. and happy. Though it may sitting in that waiting room.

Later came the news that it seem helpful, I still wish I Waiting, I sat there, was stage three cancer and could do more. looked around and thought, she was going to do chemo When she finally told it was sad that it took a situand radiation. us, I knew something was ation like this to finally have Before she went into wrong. I sat on the couch everyone together. I guess surgery, my sister and I next to my dad while my it takes the thought of loswent in to see her. I walked sister sat on the other side ing someone important to into the room and my heart of the room. As I sat down realize how different your dropped. She was sitting on I noticed my mom’s eyes life would be without them. the bed, wearing a hospital were glassy and there was I’ve never thought of gown, with needles in her tension in the air. My mom what it would be like to weak arms and had a tired looked at me and said, lose my mom because I and colorless look on her “Mommy has been diagcould never imagine my life face-she was in the worst nosed with breast cancer.” without her. She helped shape I’d ever seen.

I went numb and the me through my hard times; When you see someone tears flowed without my though there wasn’t many in the hospital for the first clearance. I sat there for a I shared. I saw how strong time it hurts you. I saw the few seconds crying until she was and didn’t want to strongest woman I knew I looked over and saw my have her worry; I wanted sitting weak and tired while sister fall apart. I started to to be strong like her. But, she waited to have things control my breathing and even now when I’m not doremoved and fixed. I left made some joke that I don’t ing my best, emotionally, I the room after a few secremember. My mom went always feel better when she onds not wanting to see her to comfort my sister, and holds me or just sits next to in that setting. I wanted to I sat there wiping signs of me and talks to me. Being be there for her but I didn’t weakness from my face. around her always comforts know seeing her like that Not long after came the me. would hurt so much. questions of what would She’s my mom and my Sitting in a hospital happen next. She was to best friend. She’s the one waiting room for twelve have surgery and they person I could never live hours I had to keep myself

Miya (left). without.

I always feel like she’s doing too much, when she thinks it’s never enough.

Through this time I’ve realized how much more I could do to help her and how much she’s had to do up to this point. I’ve always been able to talk to her about anything; I call her everyday after school and tell her about my day and other things. I still talk to her about my day, but now our conversations include how the doctors appointment went.

When family members are ready to fall apart I try to hold everything in to be strong for them. I refuse to cry when it might include them following my lead.

I bite my tongue, shut my eyes, and swallow the tears until I’m alone in my room. I sit in my bed and cry while reading some book and listening to a sad song. I sit there trying to convince myself I’m crying because of the song or the book and not my mom. I don’t do well in situations of showing weakness in front of others when I feel it’s unnecessary; I don’t like to have others worry for me when I know I can take care of myself.

Through this time I’ve learned I can’t always take care of myself. Holding it all in brings unneeded stress and the feeling that I’ll explode at any moment.

Talking to close friends and teachers has helped me. I haven’t talked to my family, because I feel they shouldn’t have to worry about me when my mom needs their affection more than I do.

But I know I can’t walk around the house just trying to deal with it. Finding coping options that work is hard; but I found that doing more things around the house has helped. I like to be in control, and I can’t control what’s happening to my mom but I can control the things in my house and in my life; and it helps to know what I’m doing is giving her less to worry about.

Along with control, reading has helped me. I always feel peaceful while reading; being sucked into drama makes it so I don’t have to face my own. Doing things that make me happy make things bearable especially when they make her happy, too.

As a family we’ve been thinking about the future.

Picturing six to twelve months ahead when we’ll be sitting on the beach, in the sun and smiling at one another. Thinking of how she fought through everything and survived it, along with everyone around her.

Through this I look at problems differently. Situations that would usually make me lose it, now seem insignificant considering what’s happening to the person I love the most.

-Julia Vasquez

=w

29

NS OP INIO

“Biggie had flow, and he was very melodic-- I’ll give him that.”

-Mr. James McAvoy, Social Studies teacher

Abilities Matter, Disablilities Don’t Recently, I came across one of the most inspiring videos I’ve probably ever seen.

Jared Stevens, a middle school wrestler in Tennessee, was cradled in his coaches arms as he was gently placed onto the mat at his meet.

Justin Kievit -Stevens’ opponent- shook Stevens’ hand and it was on. Putting himself in danger of being pinned, Kievit pulled Stevens’ body across his own.

Kievit laid both his shoulders on the mat, making it look like Stevens pinned him- to win the match.

Kievit practically forfeited one of his matches to Stevens, who actually has cerebral palsy.

Physically, Stevens has issues being mobile but intellectually he’s as normal as any other pubescent 13-year-old boy.

If any of the teenage boys I know had the opportunity to face Stevens they probably wouldn’t know how to handle the situation. They’d probably think, “Well, if I beat this kid, everyone will think I’m a heartless jerk. But if I

don’t face him at all, I forfeit the match.”

Just go out there and show Stevens some respect.

Shake his hand, face him like Kievit did, talk to himdo something.

One sacrifice isn’t going to crumble your entire athletic career. Especially if it’s a sacrifice as good as this one. If anything at all, you’ll become a hero.

A few days after I saw the viral video on Facebook, my dad, the athletic director at Golden High School,

posted a video of a senior at his school, Scotty Lubkeman.

Lubkeman was diagnosed with Downs syndrome at birth. Now, he’s playing varsity basketball at Golden.

On December 1st, at the end of the fourth quarter, Lubkeman was put in the game against D’Evelyn High School.

With Golden down by 10 points and 6 seconds to go, they passed the ball to Lubkeman.

The sportsmanship of the opposing team enlightened me as they gave Lubkeman his space to shoot.

He stepped behind the 3-point line, shot the ball, and made it.

The moment took my breath away. The crowd went absolutely insane.

I felt their excitement.

The echo of their screams and chants ran through my veins, leaving me with chills.

They weren’t cheering for Lubkeman just because

-Laurel Nordquist-Zukin

Excuses? What Excuses?

I’m in my math class, doing my chapter test, suddenly I overhear a conversation “Dude, your team got raped last night!”

7 simple words spoken by someone behind me brings up years of emotional pain, just like that.

I was 12 years old, wanting to watch Batman The Brave and The Bold when my idol-- my 17 year old sister-- sat me down and told me something that hurt the Burky family deep.

One year earlier, my sister had been date raped by her boyfriend. The same guy who helped me in my pokemon game and would play pokemon with me, who I thought was my friend, and he hurt my sister. It still haunts me, I mean, what if while I had been playing

30 18

gamecube it had happened. I feel almost guilty knowing that I was having fun and something like that happened. To make matters worse, it occurred not even a year after my sister was diagnosed with cancer.

It’s ridiculous how much we carelessly toss around sexually abusive phrases like rape. One cannot even fathom the emotional pain that someone experiences through a tragedy like that; and it’s like people don’t even care that they say it.

I know everything can and will offend someone and we can’t always watch what we say, but I really think the way students and the public in general uses ‘rape’ is ridiculous and inexcusable.

All they do is just bring back emotions and haunting moments and people overlook it. I’ve had about enough of it.

The 2010 hit movie Kick-Ass further proves this when the main character Dave Lizewski is beaten by thugs and has his superhero costume stolen and he’s left completely naked. When he’s found the police come to the conclusion that he was raped and after that news spreads kids at his school start treating him like crap instead of helping him. I know that’s an extreme example but generally that’s how the public (*cough cough* teenagers *cough*) treat someone once going through a traumatic experience.

You bombed, failed, fell

they felt obligated to.

They were cheering for him because they knew he could do it.

This video inspired me to not take things for granted. As a student athlete, I’ve been given lots of opportunities other people won’t ever have and I’m so incredibly thankful for that.

Of course, I idolize major league baseball players like Brian Wilson and Bryce Harper. But it’s those courageous kids who really inspire me to play my heart out.

They should be inspiring you, too.

The next time you’re having an awful practice that you think is going to kill you... be thankful for the opportunity you have to be in the painful position you’re in.

Because one, your coach isn’t going to kill you.

And two, so many kids wish they were in your shoes, playing the sport that they love.

flat, lost, unsuccessful, disappointing, and you chose raped? I mean, what’s so funny about it? Is it funny that someone was sexually abused? Is it funny that they’ll go through years and years of emotional pain?

In fact 57% of rapes happen on a date and 38% of the women raped are 14-17. Wait.....WHAT? 14-17? That means there’s a chance that happened to someone walking through these halls right now has gone through this, I mean, my sister was only 15. So do you think it’s still funny?

Please, let me hear your counter argument. I would love to hear your excuses on why you think it’s okay to say these. I’m all ears.

I’m not trying to sound

condescending. I just want people to see how emotionally hurtful those words can be.

Don’t say those colloquialisms because what if your sister is raped, How would it feel? I want to know why it’s okay for people to make fun of rape, even though it’s something that causes me to tear up everytime I think about it, even though my sister has gone through therapy for what happened.

Please, serenade me with your excuses.

-James Burky

n

STAFF EDITORIAL

Teachers need to step it up

The issue we’re about to tackle now affects everyone in this building. Due to declining enrollment, we are losing Ms. Michelle Bergren, Mr. Frank Hoffman, and Mr. Kevin Sullivan. They may be bright and eager teachers, yet because of district policies, we have to let them go.

Far fewer students will attend SLHS next year than previous years. In a survey of a random seventh grade class at Wayne Carle Middle School, eight out of eighteen students said they are planning on attending a high school other than SLHS even though Standley Lake is their “home” school. Why is this? When asking the seventh graders, a few spoke up to explain that legacy and sports were reasons as to why they were choosing a school other than the one that is the closest to them

(Standley).

Because of this, young, excited teachers have to leave just as they have started to get comfortable calling themselves Gators. The district’s policy--common to most districts in the nation-- is one of “last in, first out.”

This system is wrong.

Why we are valuing seniority over performance?

“Your school gets a certain amount of money based on enrollment. If enrollment is declining, [not all of] the teachers can be funded,” said JCEA’s president Ami Prichard from the Teacher Union’s office.

Our proposal is that we shouldn’t have to get rid of teachers based on how long they’ve been teaching, but rather their ability to really inspire and understand their students.

We can’t understand why the system forces

our school to let go of the teachers that inspire their students to do a good job.

“I hate it. [Mr. Hoffman] was just the best. I had fun in his class, but he’s also a really good teacher, if he needed to get something done, he’d get it done.”

Mariah Bighorn ‘14.

However, the system isn’t changing anytime soon, so what can we do now as a community about the loss here at SLHS? If we are cutting back on staff here, it’s important that the staff we do have here are making this place the best environment that it can be and the students are not taking their own education for granted.

There are great teachers here at SLHS, but some days it seems like some teachers have had it with the students here when they just give us “busy work” and take a period off from teaching.

We understand that if we have fewer students, we need to have fewer teachers so that we are utilizing the people we have here.

These teachers have been placed in front of a bunch of students by a system that has shown that it doesn’t care how well you teach, exciting or boring, original or innovative. How do we show them that regardless of the system, every single teacher here at SLHS makes this a worthwhile place for education?

As students, we have to appreciate the teachers that we have here at SLHS because there’s no telling how long they’ll be here.

Teachers are leaving this school just because of timing, placement, and numbers. Not because they are any less deserving.

And students, make sure you realize that teachers are lucky to

be where they are, and their job is very important.

As teachers, it’s important to ask yourself, “Why are you here?”

Because there are teachers that are leaving that want to be here.

We want every teacher to show they really care about their students. Age has nothing to do with it. This career isn’t just manual labor. You’re dealing with real people, with real futures, that you have the opportunity to change. Knowledge and the ability to connect with students are key.

The teachers make the students. Treat every day in the classroom as if the Jefferson County superintendent and Principal Pierson are watching. Because there are teachers that are leaving, and will be missed.

Make them proud.

=w

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