The Lake - March 2020 by The Lake - Standley Lake's News Magazine

the lake

THE PEOPLE OF UNION STATION

Who We Are Editors-in-Chief | Jackson Kessel Aimee Yan

the lake The

Formalities Opinions or expressions made by students in this publication are not expressions of board policy. The district and its employees are immune from any civil action based on any expression made for or published by students. The Lake is an open forum for and by the students, faculty, and community of Standley Lake High School. The 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 standleylakenewspaper@gmail.com.

2 March 2020 | Issue 3

Staff Editors | Ben Bird Grant Hoskins Jay Keodonexay Kiana Miska Riley Ruff Megan White Staff Writers | Jane Ababei Amelia Carlblom Brooklyn Galba Zoe Garrimone Sejal Goud Sarah Hoskins Elaina Madrill Maya Merta Macy Mohlenkamp Olivia Overton Kylie Rold Ally Romero Bridget Ronning Isabella Tucker-Sandoval Jenna Kirschenbaum Features | Sarah Gomez Devin Knight Cartoonist | Milo Stunes Adviser | Lynn Schwartz

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Table of Contents

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SUPPORT YOUR SLHS YEARBOOK STAFF, SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO PRODUCE YEARBOOKS YEAR AFTER YEAR FOR ALL THE GATORS! Go to jostensyearbooks.com or order it through the financial office today! Prices go up January 1, 2020.

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HEY STRANGER,

Sonder. Noun. Definition: The profound feeling of realizing that everyone, including strangers passed in the street, has a life as complex as one’s own, which they are constantly living despite one’s personal lack of awareness of it. To be a journalist is to feel sonder in every interview, story, and encounter with the infinitely complex people who surround us. Our hope is that every person comes to experience sonder, realizing the beauty and interconnectivity of one another. And thus, we write stories. Storytelling brings us together. Since the beginnings of humanity, we’ve been creating connections, passing on knowledge, and sharing our identities with one another through stories. As student journalists, we at The Lake are honored to tell the stories of our community. It is our privilege to amplify the voices of the silenced, to shed light on injustices, to bring people together through the experiences we share. At the heart of everything we do are the people we strive to represent through writing. In this issue, we explored students’ weirdest obsessions—from collecting Monster tabs to chewing on plastic. We ventured to the epicenter of hustle and bustle: Union Station. Here, we found people from all walks of life—from musicians willing to sacrifice everything in pursuit of their passions to immigrants leaving behind everything they once knew in hopes of a better life. We delved into the Music Department, exploring what passing on their love for music-making means to the passionate conductors, directors, and teachers of the program. As you flip through this magazine, we hope that you are overwhelmed with sonder. It’s incredible how a simple conversation with the stranger sitting next to you on the bus can reveal the common humanity we all share. Every person has a story; perhaps you just haven’t read theirs yet. THE NEXT STORY IS JUST A PAGE FLIP AWAY,

AiJa

A.K.A. Aimee and Jack, The Editors-in-Chief

The Right Angle

The Earth is on Fire... F

Here’s What’s Going On

ollowing the second warmest year on record, 2020 thus far has been filled with gut-wrenching photos and statistics detailing the bushfire crisis in Australia. Australia is one of multiple different countries across the world to have experienced devastating wildfires over the last year. Starting with California in 2018, the fires in the Amazon rainforest in fall of 2019 and now the fires in Australia, the effects of climate change and the devastation they have inflicted are becoming increasingly apparent.

According to the Environmental Defense Fund, increasing global temperatures due to climate change dry out soil faster and make vegetation more flammable. This, combined with winter snowpack melting earlier, results in dry areas being dry for longer spans of time. The causes of the fires in California, the Amazon and Australia still remain largely under speculation; however, there is significant evidence pointing to human-action, such as deforestation, campfires and cigarette butts being the primary causes for the fires in conjunction with the increased atmospheric temperatures and more extreme weather patterns. Record high temperatures, drought, and low humidity results in the fires being so severe, all of which are anticipated to be a direct result of climate change. In the case of the Australian wildfires, the cause of the fires is being attributed to over 24 different individuals charged with lighting fires in spite of the fire bans in place. There are over 100 people still under investigation for not complying with those same regulations. The smoke from these mass fires in Australia and Indonesia have majorly affected other countries and their own air quality. The Indonesian fires in 2019 scorched over 1.6 million hectares and fogged up both Malaysia and Singapore. In Malaysia half a million masks were distributed to citizens that were deep in the haze. The Denver Zoo recently started a campaign to collect donations to send to Zoos Victoria in Australia and aid in animal-rescue efforts by local wildlife organizations. Zoos Victoria is working at the forefront of the burn areas. In total, the zoo was able to donate over $93,000 dollars to Zoos Victoria, all of which is going to help rehabilitate and rescue injured animals. Carlie McGuire, the PR Director for the Denver Zoological Foundation,

6 March 2020 | Issue 3

talked about the importance of the global community in supporting one another in the wake of wildfire devastation. “Whether wildlife is in your backyard or across the world, it has an impact on your life, and that’s what’s at the heart of Denver Zoo – encouraging people to care about wildlife and what their role is in helping preserve it for future generations.” McGuire also talked about the need to be aware of the impacts the wildfires have, both within Australia and all over the globe. “When there are reports that estimate we’ve lost more than a half million animals, that matters. That will have an effect on our whole world and our fragile ecosystem. So people should be engaged and aware about what’s going on, and see what could be a long term impact of these fires, and how they can make small changes or small donations to help.”

News will inevitably move on from covering the wildfires, regardless if they continue to burn or not. Continuing to talk about what is occurring is crucial in maintaining awareness for what is occurring all over the world. “We have to keep talking about the fires, they’re still going on, animals are going to need help for months and even years after they end. So don’t forget about Australia after the headlines move on,” McGuire said. The Australian wildfires have affected many people, not only in Australia, but around the world as well. While people are distracted living their day to day lives, others are losing their homes to the rapidly increasing infernos. The wildfires are still causing problems for the environment and habitats in Australia, and across the world. | Jay Keodonexay | Bella Tucker-Sandoval | Ally Romero | Riley Ruff

Burn Damage So Far: 4.6 million acres

burned in the Amazon Rainforest

2.3 million acres

burned in Idonesia forest fires

17.9 million acres

burned across Australia’s six states

480 million animals

killed in Austrailian bushfires since September

MAKING A SPLASH Girl’s Swim Dives Into a New Season

wimmers step up. There, five feet from your face is the ice cold, chlorine filled water. Take your mark. Your fingers are wrapped around the edge of the diving block so hard they’re turning white. Your heart beats as you look around and see seven different girls up there with you waiting for the booming sound of the airhorn. Bang! Over the last few years, the SLHS Girls’ Swim team has been exponentially growing and flourishing. With 40 girls on the team, eight were sent to state this month and are shattering personal records left and right. However, the girls have been faced with some unexpected challenges. One of these challenges was losing previous head coach Sam Wilson. Assistant coach Greg Nemick took his place and initially had coached with Wilson in 2017. Madison Wosk ‘20, a senior on the team, has been swimming for SLHS since freshman year. Having spent almost her entire swim carrer with Wilson as coach, Wosk opened up about the realities of the situation. “It has been a hard adjustment for me and other girls who have been swimming in the previous years. But we have been very open minded and have worked hard to take his advice to improve our times and get faster each meet,” Wosk said. Not only do the girls persevere through practice five days a week, with three of

“We do way more than any other student athlete before 8 AM Monday through Wednesday,” Wosk said.

those practices at 5:30 in the morning, but they also find time to come together and bond to remember what really matters in a team sport: friendship. Team dinners are a regular event in the swim atmosphere. One girl is chosen to host the dinner and the rest of the girls, and sometimes their parents, contribute food and drinks to the event. Every year around Christmas, the girls have a tradition of the towel exchange; a version of a White Elephant. This is where every girl brings a towel in a decorated bag, and everyone picks a certain bag and gets a towel. They are allowed to trade and “steal” each other’s towels. While the team knows how to joke around and lighten any girls mood, it’s not just fun and games. The swim meets and competitions that SLHS are involved in can be extremely tiring and require an excruciating amount of commitment and grit. Swimming is all about time. Even a tenth of a second can make or break a first place win to a third place win. Many of the girls on the team strive to go to state at the end of every season; they train tirelessly and push themselves in hopes of achieving their goals. In a basic event like a 100-meter backstroke, which is usually four laps of 25-meters each, the girls can only take about 15.5 seconds per lap to qualify for state. Just because swimmers are not as glorified or as praised as football or basketball players doesn’t mean they aren’t any less of an athlete. Swimming is a sport that requires an abundance of strength and endurance, and should be as appreciated and respected as any other physical activity.

| Brooklyn Galba | Zoe Garrimone | Olivia Overton

The Right Angle

BEATS IN THE LAKE

CIRCLES BY MAC MILLER CURRENTS BY TAME IMPALA THIS ONE’S FOR YOU BY LUKE COMBS STONEY BY POST MALONE 8 March 2020 | Issue 3

n the past decade, America has lost many influential artists. Mac Miller tragically passed due to an accidental drug overdose in September 2018. This year, his album “Circles” was released posthumously and has left many with nostalgia, while hearing Mac’s last masterpiece. This album serves as a beautiful companion to his album “Swimming” that was released immediately prior to his passing. Not only does this album provide calming, chill-out music, but it also allows insight into the rapper’s visions and mindset before his death. Hence, the album encompasses his grief after the breakup of his two-year relationship with Ariana Grande, and the title “Circles” displays how the rapper felt hopeless. This album contains a collection of songs about self-discovery and the process of obtaining growth from the good and bad experiences of life.

his album explores the complexities of a life in transition. Moving through events such as breakups, hard times at school, or simply life in general, Tame Impala shows understanding and growth through it all. As you listen to “Currents”, it provides a sampling of white disco and alternative genres. Tame Impala recreates the sounds of the late 60s and 70s, incorporating an uplifting sound that anyone could relate to. This is an album of embracing change, moving on, and letting life happen. Tame Impala tries to make his music as universal as possible, focusing his music away from negative energy while creating a sense of harmony with life itself.

n late 2016, Post Malone released his debut studio album, Stoney. After his first hit “White Iverson” climbed the charts, “Congratulations,” and “I Fall Apart” became hits. This album has left its imprint in young people’s minds, as Post Malone’s music continues to inspire young adults to be themselves and live life outside of their comfort zones. Post Malone typically fuses country, pop, and rap/hip-hop influences in his albums. Young adults were even more surprised about the features he had on the album including Kehlani, Justin Bieber, Quavo, and 2 Chainz. This album is a great listen if you are willing to break the rules with genre-bending or want to feel sentimental, and especially if you are searching for songs to listen to on a late-night drive.

hortly after Luke Combs’ album dropped in 2017, it made history for having “Hurricane”, “When it Rains, it Pours”, “One Number Away”, and “She’s Got the Best of Me” as #1 hits on the Billboard Country Charts without any features. This album blends a classic country feel with a twist of pop. “This One’s For You” can be described as a healing album, shifting in its focus from breakups to living one’s best life. The songs in the album go hand-inhand with each other, making it very popular. The complimentary mixture of vocals and guitar never overpower each, allowing every song to fit perfectly into the album. This album is often overlooked but holds a wealth of musical variety. | Grant Hoskins | Elaina Madrill | Renee Robledo | Jane Ababei

BATTLE OF THE BANDS HOSTED BY THE

SLHS MUSIC CLUB

Friday, April 24th @ 7pm in the auditorium Fee: $5 For more info: email musicclubslhs@gmail.com or message us on Instagram

4 March 2020 | Issue 3

@slhsmusicclubÂ

The Right Angle

MUSIC TO OUR EARS

Highlighting the SLHS Music Department

he Standley Lake High School Music Department is comprised of three categories of performing arts: choir, orchestra, and band. Throughout the history of Standley Lake, the music program has developed significantly and has grown to include a variety of SLHS students. These programs are taught and directed by Cass Chatfield, Crissy Duran, and Ben Williams. All three include multiple different groups or ensembles that capitalize on various aspects of their program and each brings something unique to the SLHS community. The choral program consists of five different groups, four of which—Treble Chorus, Instigators, Lyrics of The Lake, and Chambers—are classes that can be enrolled in. The fifth group, Standley Lake Singers, is the collection of all the ensembles. The band and orchestra programs include seven groups and extend beyond the classroom into the marching band and pit orchestra. The seven groups include: Gator Blues, Signature Jazz, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Concert Orchestra, and Chamber Orchestra. Membership in each of the groups varies based on experience and the instrument an individual plays. Within each department, there are a variety of opportunities that allow students to pursue more challenging music and the techniques associated with it. As introductory level classes, Treble Chorus, Instigators, Concert Band, and Concert Orchestra are the building blocks of each of the programs. These classes expand on the basic skills students learn in earlier music classes. They target musical components such as sight reading and ear training, as well as the artistic aspects of performing. The more advanced classes, Lyrics of the Lake, Chamber Singers, Wind Ensemble, Signature Jazz, and Chamber Orchestra all allow students to further their musical knowledge and understanding. Many of these classes are audition-only, furthering the amount of work expected of the student as well as the responsibility placed upon them. The Music Department also provides students opportunities to be involved beyond the classroom. Marching Band and Percussion Ensemble are both traveling groups that compete across the state and capitalize on the performance and artistic aspects of music. The pit orchestra provides the instrumental soundtrack for the musical, helping to propel the story along and support the actors. Marching Band and Pit Orchestra aren’t classes that one can enroll in, but they still emphasize on the same types of skills whilst adding another component of performance on top. Looking towards the future of the music department, each teacher maintains a positive outlook and sees a multitude of opportunities of growth in the program.

10 March 2020 | Issue 3

Chatfield sees a heightening in the definition of community for the future of the programs. “I see us taking on a more active role in our community off campus and fostering performing arts in our middle and elementary schools as well as continuing to reach out to our favorite nursing homes!” For Duran, she has much more planned for the future of the program outside of Standley. “World Domination! My goal is total takeover,” Duran said. Following closely with the two, Williams sums up the future of the program. “[I see] improvement upon improvement, and as Duran says World Domination. ..That’s something I can get behind,” Band, orchestra and choir all culminate into the SLHS music department, with each contributing different and unique things to the community. All three offer students a place to grow and explore their musical interests and talent.

These programs are directed by Cass Chatfield, Crissy Duran, and Ben Williams. Williams, the orchestra director, has been teaching for a total of two years. To Williams, music is a form of weaving pathways between individuals:

Marching Band

“Music brings people together that otherwise would not be together, and it allows them to create something meaningful in a way that is very hard to find or replicate in other parts of society... It allows us to feel emotions that bond us together no matter where we are on a given day. Music meets us where we’re at, and doesn’t ask for anything other than ourselves no matter who we are.” By joining a music class, Williams believes that it is a way to form a deeper connection with other peer musicians. “Being in any performing ensemble provides people with a place where they belong, and allows them to be who they are with no strings attached. You are accepted no matter your situation, and have the opportunity to speak freely about things that otherwise aren’t safe to speak about.”

Concert Orchestra

Duran, the band director, has been at Standley Lake for 6 years, but has been teaching for 13 years in total. To her, music is a way to get in tune with herself. “Music is how I process thoughts and feelings, music is how I pray, music is as essential as air to breathe,” Duran said. ”Sometimes music is an escape from things I don’t want to deal with or a way to explore ideas and inspirations.”

Being in a band program gives people a place to feel like they belong and have a place no matter what the circumstances may be. “There is so much to being in band, or any performance group. There’s instant friendship, access to a community that feels like a family and is welcoming. I also think one of the most powerful things about music is the fact that we talk about emotion frequently. I feel like so many parts of our lives expect us to hide feelings and not talk about them. Music is a safe space to have a conversation about feelings and explore them a little.” Chatfield, the choral director, has been teaching at Standley Lake for 7 years, and 28 years overall. “Music means connections. Whether you are a musician or not, people connect through music. The most power[ful] connection is between musicians. There’s nothing like being with people who love what you love,” Chatfield said. Chatfield is always looking for new voices to join the group and sees joining the choral program as one of the best ways to spend one’s time as a Gator. “People should join choir because we create something bigger than ourselves, we are standout community members at Standley Lake High School, we challenge the status quo, because we live, laugh, cry, struggle, and achieve together in ways that you can only experience in something as deeply personal as singing. If you join, and you commit to yourself to give your best effort and to both yourself and the group, you won’t regret it. It has the potential to be one of the best ways you spend your time as a Gator.” | Jay Keodonexay | Kylie Rold | Riley Ruff

Lyrics of the Lake

Concert Band

Chamber Choir

getting strange in

THE WEIRD THE WILD AND THE WACKY Absurd obsessions, habits and addictions are prominent everywhere in today’s society. Whether it be collecting monster energy drink tabs or nervously smelling one’s feet, everybody has a funky quirk. The Lake decided to take a deep dive into the swamp and find the weirdos of SLHS. | Sarah Gomez | Sarah Hesser | Devin Knight | Kiana Miska | Megan White

MONSTER TABBER Bags and bags of colorful tabs from the Monster Energy drink cans. Olivia, a sophomore here at SLHS, collects monster tabs, hoping one day that she can trade them for monster merchandise. She’s collecting them for herself and her friends so they can turn them in for a hoodie.

12 March 2020 | Issue 3

Place y way b dent ing an e

the swamp

PLASTIC GNAWER Have you ever been so nervous you’ve chewed on plastic? One freshman is addicted to chewing on plastic figurines when she’s nervous. This has been an addiction for nearly three years now. She told us that the figurine pictured below is her favorite to chew on due to the textures of the bubbles.

UVULA FIDDLER

ace your tongue to the roof of your mouth all the way back. Do you enjoy this texture too? A student here at SLHS has an addiction to touching those glands, she finds it very calming and satisfying. She’s seventeen and has enjoyed this for twelve years. Pictured above is what it looks like when she is performing this habit.

March 2020 | Issue 3 13

The Right Angle

THE MODEL STUDENT Modeling as a Teen in High School

hough high school models seem to live a charmed life, they face immense challenges as they balance their education and their job. They must accept criticism on their bodies while maintaining their grades, which can pile on significant stress. Student models are caught between two worlds, staying professional to their career and being an average teenager. Modeling often has negative effects, such as draining their self-esteem and, due to the excessively long hours, models are even more susceptible to mental breakdowns and stress. The requirements of a model are demanding and seemingly unrealistic, while being enforced very harshly. The Lake reached out to Ione King ‘21, a high school model attending online school. “The amount of rejection that a model faces everyday at castings for different clients can be taxing. I’ve gotten used to it, but many girls are very stressed. Modeling puts a lot of pressure on girls to keep their measurements very low, and watch their weight obsessively. I’ve had contracts say I’ll be fired and sent home if I gain a centimeter around my hips or waist,” King said. A significant aspect of modeling is traveling and making their name known in the modeling world. Traveling can cut school time and intrude on their personal lives. “I generally don’t enjoy being away from home for months at a time or living with unpredictable housemates,” King said. Specifically for teen models, traveling can completely detach them from their home life. Ione faced the difficulties of being forced to stop going to public schools and start online schooling.

me out of the country and away from home,” King said. Balancing school and modeling is a challenge, though it is not impossible. Busy teen models are forced to focus their time on their work schedule while staying concentrated on schooling and maintaining good grades. “I’ve had to make the switch to completely online learning which is a give and take. I’ve been able to keep my grades up but getting work done while being so busy is a new challenge.” Despite the challenges, modeling opens new doors and opportunities such as meeting and collaborating with other experienced models. Traveling the world and living with other people can be absolutely terrifying but also brings new experiences while allowing them to continue their passion. All models don’t necessarily travel too far from home. For a locally based career, Charley Renee ‘22, models within Denver. Charley stays at home and models for Denver Fashion week, walking the runway. “I mostly just walk on runways and then I work with a modeling coach,” Renee said. Regardless of the differences between the two models, there is still a shared passion for modeling. “I enjoy the work. I generally don’t enjoy being away from home for months at a time or living with unpredictable housemates who may not speak English, but getting to shoot for vastly different brands is always fun.” King said. “Go for it, try it, if you really want to do it I think you should, like it’s really fun,” says Renee. In the end, high school modeling, like most things, is going to vary greatly for every individual, and the results one receives and the challenges they face will depend on their own circumstances. Teen modeling can take away from a typical high school experience, but gives new horizons and opportunities to those willing to face the hurdles. | Amelia Carlblom | Kiana Miska | Macy Mohlenkamp | Olivia Overton

“Modeling has completely halted my ability to attend public school as my work takes

14 March 2020 | Issue 3

“I’ve had contracts say I’ll be fired and sent home if I gain a centimeter around my hips or waist,” King said.

TO VAX OR NOT TO VAX? Renewed Scandal Among Parents and Sickness Within Schools

igh schools can easily be regarded as petri dishes come this time of year. Close proximity, disputable hygiene practices, and for some, constant contact all comprise the ideal medium for disease to spread. And with the popularization of gruesome stories depicting vile pandemics ravaging civilization, outbreaks are constantly amplified. The dispute, however, comes with the regulation of immunizations, bringing to question what extent school districts will go to in order to prevent the next epidemic. Immunization regulations are left to be determined by each state, resulting in wide variants between regions. Colorado state law allows exemptions for both medical reasons and reasons based on personal beliefs. Jeffco, like many other districts, follows state guidelines; however, the enforcement differs between schools. In an effort to combat disease outbreaks, Seattle Public Schools recently barred students not meeting the requirements established by the State of Washington from returning to school. Washington State regulations allow only medical exemptions. Alison Saylor RN, MSEd Wheat Ridge Area District Nurse clarifies.

for each new student who gets the disease. In New York, some students were out for 2 months.” Saylor said. Doctor Mike Cass MD cautions the faults of immunizations, stressing potential autoimmune disorders from harmful vaccine manufacturing as well as the use of unsafe preservatives. “The problem is in the implementation of how we are administering them, I think a lot of problems with vaccines can be eliminated,” he said. He mentions how the use of toxic fixers to halt bacterial and viral growth including thimerosal, a mercury-containing compound used in the flu vaccine, is harmful as the immune system associates this toxicity with the helpful pathogens that allow for immunity. He explains that in cases where organic matter is used in a vaccine’s production, the immune system will associate cell membranes with the disease resulting, in some cases, in autoimmune disorders. In the case of Seattle, however, Cass does not oppose state regulation so long as it is a state-funded school.

“I don’t believe that anybody should be compelled to inject something into their body... that they don’t want.”

“Seattle allowed personal exemptions until they had a measles outbreak. The chaos that this caused made lawmakers rethink their laws. They did this to protect the whole population and halt a larger outbreak. Parents still have the choice, but if they chose to not immunize they have to keep their students home. They can’t have it both ways. Public health is about looking at what is safe for the majority.” Saylor said.

By receiving a vaccination or filing for an exemption, a student becomes classified as compliant. Compliancy is simply remaining within the guidelines of the law and does not require an immunization, however, noncompliance still poses an issue in schools. Stephanie Duncan RN, BSN Standley Lake’s nurse, describes the conflict faced in many schools. “We can’t kick you out of school, however, our principal has encouraged exclusion,” she said. Some believe that exclusion directly contends with the school’s belief in students’ rights to an education. As a result, this conflict is often presented in what Duncan describes as diplomatic exclusion, where a noncompliant student would be called down to the office and asked to fill out an exemption form to meet the compliance standard. Standley’s compliance rate is at 99.23%, and the cumulative Jeffco compliance is 97.725%, which is higher than ever due to the work of nurses and health aids. “Getting an exemption makes the student ‘compliant,’ but if an outbreak of say measles occurred in the school, a student with any exemption would have to be out of school by health department quarantine for up to 21 days

“I don’t believe that anybody should be compelled to inject something into their body or into their child’s body that they don’t want to have injected into them,” he concludes.

A statement released by the FDA addressing vaccines containing thimerosal clarifies that “a vaccine containing 0.01% thimerosal as a preservative contains approximately 25 micrograms of mercury per 0.5 mL dose.” To put this in perspective, 25 micrograms is equivalent to 5.5116 e-8 pounds. For those concerned, there are many vaccines available excluding thimerosal for children, adolescents, and adults. Colorado witnessed the third death from the flu this season. One of these incidences included a four-year-old Pueblo boy whose parents consulted an anti-vaccination Facebook group who recommended thyme and elderberries to relieve the boy’s symptoms. “There does not seem to be any techniques to convince parents of the overall benefit of vaccines as they tend to go with non-scientific information and ‘experts’ to fuel their ideas. It’s frustrating. I had a 7 week old patient in Children’s Hospital who arrested twice in my shift from pertussis (whooping cough) and another who died of polio so I have seen first-hand how severe these diseases can be,” Saylor said. | Bridget Ronning

ADOPT DON’T SHOP

Enriching the Lives of Animals By Adopting And Rescuing

n estimated 1.5 million shelter animals are euthanized every year due to the lack of adoptive homes. Dogs and cats are put into pounds and shelters, hoping for a home to call their own. The hazards of pounds and puppy mills are mostly unknown to most pet-seekers. The Boulder Humane Society’s mission is to enhance the lives of companions and take in any animal in need. Along with other organizations like the Dumb Friends League, the main goal is to aid animals in getting safely adopted and rescued. Pet stores and breeders sell dogs solely for profit. Although there are virtuous breeders, it is important to be informed on what breeder one is buying from. Buying an animal from an unsafe breeder supports an unethical occupation. These mills often ignore the basic needs of pets, such as proper nourishment, human socialization, and humane hygienic care. The Lake reached out to the Humane Society of Boulder Valley (HSBV) and got in contact with Amanda Boreman—a staff member at HSBV.

“Puppy mills are neglectful of the rights of animals and do not allow them to thrive.” “Puppy mills are neglectful of the rights of animals and do not allow them to thrive.” Not only are these pets confined in small spaces, but are also subjected to foul pens, which can lead to skin disease, malnutrition, and other illnesses to spread rampantly. The most common illnesses reported by owners include intestinal parasites, respiratory issues, and behavioral issues, such as increased anxiety and aggression. Adopting a pet from a shelter is a more viable resource because it allows animals to flourish. At adoption centers, the proper care of animals is taken into account by providing veterinary care, food, water and a safe shelter. “Other animals arrive at HSBV due to medical or behavioral concerns that their former family is unable to help with. Sometimes things happen that don’t allow a family to keep their pet and that’s okay! [That] is why we are here to help animals in need.” Adoption centers such as The Humane Society of Boulder Valley place their animals at the top of their priorities. Always making sure that their pets never go neglected. Many of the animals at HSBV, had been abandoned or were strays, left with many injuries, sicknesses or behavioral issues. The Boulder Humane Society acts as a rehabil-

16 March 2020 | Issue 3

itation center and guides abused and wounded animals, to a better path of life. “Adopting animals provides a second chance for many pets, who are at the shelter for a variety of reasons,” Boreman said. “Many animals arrive at HSBV through our transfer program, which exists to help other communities in Colorado and beyond who are struggling with pet overpopulation, lack of resources for medical or behavioral care, or during times of natural disaster or crisis.” Another viable option is taking in a rescue animal. Many of the animals at rescue shelters had been previously abused, abandoned or strays. By adopting a rescue, one offers a new hope for dogs and cats who have been unfairly treated and deserve the love all animals should receive. The misconception of adoption being a difficult process can often lead people to stray away from the idea. The Humane Society of Boulder Valley makes it quick and simple for all that are looking to expand their family. Before adopting a new companion, they recommend spending at least an

hour or two at the shelter, to build a better bond between an animal and their potential care-taker. Many people still go uneducated about the value of adopting animals. It is always helpful to donate to local adoption shelters, allowing them to pay the expenses of their animals. “We are lucky to be in Boulder and in Colorado – for years our state and city has been committed to pet adoption, and people often think of adopting a pet. The most helpful thing is to share that these animals need care and a safe place to go, so financial support allows us to provide for whatever needs may arise.” It takes a small amount of effort to help the lives of animals in need. | Jane Ababei | Zoe Garrimone | Maya Merta Kiana Miska | Macy Mohlenkamp | Ally Romero

“Adopting animals provides a second chance for many pets... These animals need care and a safe place to go,” Boreman said.

The Counterpoint

WHAT THE

FRACK?

TAKING A STANCE ON FRACKING IN COLORADO One of the most controversial debates to surface in recent years has been that surrounding fracking. As surface-level oil and gas stores become further depleted, fracking has risen to prevalence, particularly in Colorado. The term fracking is short for hydraulic fracturing, which is the process of extracting oil and natural gas from rock in the ground by blasting it with high-pressure liquid. Fracking allows for the extraction of oil and gas from hard-to-reach locations and contributes significantly to oil and gas demands in the United States, as well as across the globe. The controversy of the subject has created a vehemently polarized debate, so here’s what you need to know to take a stance on the issue.

Fracking Brilliant: The Pro Side of Fracking

il and gas essentially allow the world to function the way it does; they are used to heat buildings, create electricity, power cars, and manufacture plastic and products people use on a daily basis. Oil and gas are an integral part of society and petroleum, the refined version of oil, is the largest source of energy in the US economy. COGA is intended to be the regulatory body for oil and gas in Colorado and engages in rule and policy making for the entire industry. Jake Taylor, the Communications and Research Coordinator from the Colorado Oil and Gas Association, or COGA, talked about exactly this: “Oil and natural gas [are] an integral part of our everyday lives, and it’s not only the gasoline we put in our cars or the natural gas that heats our homes or businesses, but it’s also a fundamental building block that exists in countless products we all use, from medical supplies and construction materials to

18 March 2020| Issue 3

smartphones and clothing,” Taylor said. “Oil and natural gas provides reliable and affordable energy we use every day.” Fracking allows for the oil and gas in difficult-to-reach places to be extracted from the ground, increasing the supply of oil available for manufacturing and refining. The technology of fracking allows society to prolong oil and gas as available resources and utilize the amount present on the Earth to its full capacity.

ate something, the more of the final product can be created. Increasing the amount of different items that are being produced lowers the cost of that item, making everyday items more affordable. This, however, is not the reality for many places across the globe. Specifically in Colorado, fracking and the products created from it allow for the state to gain both revenue and resources to produce goods and power the economy.

“Oil and natural gas [are] an integral part of our everyday lives...” Taylor said.

Taylor warns of overregulation and what that could do to the Colorado economy and industry as a whole: “We would regress to relying on imports from countries where similar protections and regulations that protect our air, water, and lands do not exist... The health and safety of Colorado residents and oil and natural gas employees is this industry’s top value.” With the increased availability of oil and gas, manufacturing and production of items people use on a daily basis can increase. The more resources there are to cre-

“We also can’t forget about the more than 1 billion people across the globe who don’t yet have access to reliable and affordable energy,” said Taylor. A significant amount of the pushback against fracking lies with the environmental concerns it brings when removing notable amounts of organic material from the ground and the chemicals that are involved in doing so. “One would be hard-pressed to find an industry that employs more environmental management experts than the oil and natural gas industry. Scientists, engineers, geologists and other leaders in Colorado’s oil and natural gas industry work year after year to improve upon some of the highest environment protection standards in the nation,” said Taylor. Fracking is often cited as a major cause of climate change and is a point of contention among environmental activists in Colorado. “This dual concern must be faced: addressing global climate change while not ignoring those who suffer from energy poverty. That is an incredibly difficult challenge, and we will only overcome that challenge by working together,” Taylor said.

Fracking Crazy: The Anti Side of Fracking

hile fracking was initially seen as an innovative and environmentally sound alternative to traditional methods of oil and gas drilling, the local impacts have appeared to speak otherwise, in many cases marring the environmental landscape of an area otherwise known for its family- friendliness. The liquid used in the process, known as frack fluid, consists of a mixture of water and other chemicals. As the fluid is pumped into the shale, or deep rock, it becomes further polluted by naturally existing radioactive material beneath the soil. Over time, this adulterated liquid returns to the surface, running off into rivers and streams which then contaminate local sources of clean drinking water. Not only does fracking contribute to such pollution, but it additionally uses vast quantities of water. In Colorado, this heavy use further depletes the already low water resources in what has long been considered a drought state. Fracking has also contributed to health concerns in areas located close to operations, particularly in the Wildgrass and Anthem neighborhoods in North Broomfield. Residents have noticed prominent odors and noise since the advent of operations near their homes, along with difficulty breathing and sleeping. Although the industry has in some instances been obligated to respond to noise complaints, the response of hay bales and sound walls often fails to adequately reduce noise. Jennifer Dulles, founder of the fracking education group Broomfield Concerned, spoke on the consequences of hydraulic fracturing, both acute and long term:

“I think that’s just going to continue to be a driver for everyone, is to onboard new technologies that make renewable way more affordable, and make a whole lot more sense,” Dulles said. Companies such as Xcel energy have been working with scientists to gradually convert the grid to electric. With a variety of scientists and industry specialists collaborating to find innovative solutions, sustainable options appear increasingly within reach.

trails and those types of uses, and then to find out that the oil and gas industry can come in and set up shop on top of open space,” Dulles said. While fracking was initially justified through the anticipation of heavy regulation, Dulles explained that the COGCC, or Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission has been largely relaxed as a regulatory body.

“You can’t let the industry just report itself and oversee itself,” Dulles said.

In addition to the health cost of fracking, it has also proven expensive to taxpayers. Broomfield residents have invested heavily in the preservation of open spaces, only to realize that their tax dollars are going towards industry subsidies and the setting aside of land which will eventually be used for well pads. Despite resident concern, Dulles noted that this process falls within current legal bounds. Drilling activities are legally permitted to take place in local open spaces, as well as in state and national parks, particularly as the Bureau of Land Management has rolled back regulations under the Trump administration. “We’ve been shocked in Broomfield to learn that our open space can be used for fracking, and most people are unaware still, across the state, that this is something that goes on. But it’s really unfortunate when taxpayers are paying money to set aside open space for

“They’re not filling out those forms, so I think we just find turn and turn and time and time again that there’s no effective oversight of the industry. They’re largely left to police themselves, and that’s not a very effective manner of industry oversight. You can’t let the industry just report itself and oversee itself.” Given that fracking companies are largely failing to file production reports, local governments are unable to collect the full sums of money due to them as a condition of opening their cities to fracking operations. Although recent legislative measures such as SB181 have begun providing greater empowerment to local governments, the impacts of fracking on the health of the environment, citizens, and governments remain ever-evolving.

| Sejal Goud | Riley Ruff

“Really when you talk about odors, when you smell things, people can say ‘Oh, that just smells bad,’ but that’s really a chemical exposure. What’s happening is there are VOCs [volatile organic compounds] that are being released from the facilities.” Dulles additionally stressed the formation of cancer clusters in areas such as rural Pennsylvania with a history of fracking. While the causal relationship between such cancers and fracking has not been determinately established, Dulles added that Broomfield residents do not wish to be experiments in their own homes. Although fracking has come to be considered one of the leading energy sources for Colorado’s future, it is important to recognize that alternatives still exist. Renewable sources such as solar power and the switch to a fully electrical grid present more environmentally sustainable options.

SURVEYING THE FIELD

MARCH 3

SUPER TUESDAY DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY ELECTIONS (COLORADO PARTICIPATES)

20 March 2020 | Issue 3

JUNE 30

COLRADO REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY

JULY 13-16

DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION

WHAT YOUNG VOTERS NEED TO KNOW BEFORE HITTING THE POLLS

ith 2020 being an important election year at all levels, it can be easy to feel like there is a whirlwind of information swirling around. As advertisements plaster billboards and suffocate the internet, deciphering these coded messages and making personal political decisions will be a valuable asset. From caucuses to conventions and everything in between, The Lake Staff is here to break down what young voters need to know before this turbulent season ramps up. THE IMPORTANCE OF VOTING According to the United States Election Project, just over 60 percent of the voting eligible population turned out to vote in the 2016 general election, with even fewer participating in the 2018 midterms at just over 50 percent. Voter turnout in the United States lags far behind when compared to other developed nations. This lack of political participation can be attributed to the time commitment, which may involve taking time off work to head to the polls, along with the widely held belief that each individual vote doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of such a large election. With less people able to participate, the winning candidates often fail to adequately reflect the views of young and minority voters. In Colorado, all voters are sent mail-in ballots, which allow voters to fill out their ballot on their own schedule, so long as the ballots are received by the county clerk and recorder before 7:00 p.m. on election day. Optionally, Coloradans maintain the choice to vote in-person at a traditional polling center. FOR FIRST TIME VOTERS Voting is an incredibly important part of the democratic process, but despite that, many people, especially young people don’t vote. But voting can be so easy that there’s no reason not to do it. Voters can register to vote at the DMV, and anyone who will be 18 by November 3rd, 2020 can register to vote in both the primary and general

AUGUST 24-27

REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION

election. If someone has a Colorado driver’s license or state issued ID, then they can register to vote online at https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/ elections/vote/VoterHomeMobile.htm or by searching “register to vote Colorado” in a search engine. If they don’t have a license or ID but are eligible to vote, they can print off a paper registration from the same site. And same day voter registration is available at polling locations on the day of the general elections. Colorado will even periodically automatically register eligible voters as independents. Prospective out-of-state college students can either wait to register until they move, or may register in Colorado and have their ballots mailed to their new residence. When registering to vote, voters will be met with a decision: what party to register with. Voters can register with either of the two major parties, with a third party, or as an independent. Each registration means something different. Registering with the major political parties allows for voting in the primary elections of the respective party; the same goes for third parties. Registered independents can vote in the primary for either major political party but only one; Third parties can choose whether to let independents vote in their primary elections. PARTIES While mainstream news coverage often pertains to the Republican Party and the Democratic Party, Colorado also has several minor parties; these parties are the American Constitution Party, the Approval Voting Party, the Green Party of Colorado, the Libertarian Party of Colorado, and the Unity Party of Colorado. Colorado’s voting history has evolved from a largely Republican past to a purple state, meaning that the number of red, or Republican, and blue, or Democratic, voters is fairly equal. In recent years Colorado has shifted more towards a blue, or Democratic state. | Ben Bird | Sejal Goud | Grant Hoskins | Jay Keodonexay

OCTOBER 11

FIRST MAIL BALLOTS SENT

NOVEMBER 3

GENERAL ELECTION

DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY During the Democratic National Convention from July 13 to July 16, the Democratic party determines their nominee based on a complicated system of delegates divided into pledged delegates and automatic delegates, more commonly referred to as superdelegates. Previous primary results, general election electoral votes, and the date of the primary or caucus determine the amount of pledged delegates each state is allotted. Depending on the state, voters either directly support a candidate in the presidential preference primary or indirectly support a candidate by supporting a pledged delegates. These delegates, according to DNC rules, shall in all good conscience reflect the sentiment of those who elected them, meaning the delegates should select the nominee based on the results of their state’s primary. Essentially, these delegates should not go rogue and pick a candidate underrepresented by their state. However, an important barrier that all candidates must cross is the 15% threshold, which states that they can only accrue delegates if they gained 15% of the total votes during primary and caucus season. These individuals that ultimately decide the fate of the party during an election year are distributed across three categories— district candidates, at-large delegates, and PLEO delegates, which are party leaders and elected officials. Whereas pledged delegates must reflect the will of their constituency, superdelegates are detached from any voters, and rather throw their support behind their favorite candidate. These 771 delegates consist of members of the Democratic National Committee, Democratic members of Congress, Democratic governors, or distinguished party leaders, including former presidents and vice presidents, according to Ballotpedia.

ELECTORAL COLLEGE In the eyes of the founding fathers, the electoral college most effectively represents all regions of the United States, particularly rural voters. Essentially, each state receives varying amounts of electoral votes based on total population. Five hundred thirty eight votes make up the entire country, and 270 delegates are necessary for any presidential candidate to win the general election. For example, Colorado possesses 9 electoral votes based on their 5.7 million people, 21st largest in the union according to the US Census Bureau. This form of democracy can lead to division in tightly contested scenarios, such as when one candidate wins the popular vote while the other wins the electoral college, and therefore the presidency. In 2000 and 2016, democratic candidates Al Gore and Hillary Clinton won the popular vote while George W. Bush and Donald Trump won the electoral college. Currently, activists and states advocate for referendums such as the National Popular Vote Referendum, addressed in the Ballot Initiatives section of this article.

LOCAL BALLOT INITIATIVES ALREADY ON THE BALOT: - Gray Wolf Reintroduction Initiative: This measure, if passed, would require the reintroduction of gray wolves by 2023 in Colorado. While supporters stress the importance of restoring an endangered species, opponents fear the potential dangers on the rest of the local food chain. - Citizen Requirement for Voting Initiative: Changes the wording in the Colorado Constitution to say “only a citizen” can vote instead of “every citizen” can vote. - National Popular Vote Referendum: Colorado’s electoral votes will be pledged to the winner of the nation-wide popular vote, contingent on enough states pledging to do the same for their to be a total of the required 270 electoral votes. This forms a part of the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC). - Transportation Bond Issue: Authorizes a $1.837 billion bond debt for transportation improvements and updates

REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY The Republican National Convention in 2020 will take place from August 24 through August 27 in Charlotte, North Carolina. At the convention, the winner of the Republican party nomination will be announced without the use of superdelegates. While Donald Trump is projected to win the nomination, he does face some competition from presidential hopefuls such as Joe Walsh. However, it is important to note that few candidates choose to run against an incumbent, or person who already holds office and is seeking reelection.

22 March 2020 | Issue 3

MEASURES GATHERING SIGNATURES: - $40 Tax Credit for Voting Initiative (CISS #83): Creates a 40$ tax credit for those who vote in either primary and/or general elections. Signatures due: July 10th 2020 Establish Approval Voting System Initiative (CISS #104): - Establish an approval voting system for state and local elections for Colorado. An approval voting system means voters can vote for multiple candidates and whoever wins the most total votes wins. Signatures due: July 10th 2020 -General Elections as State Holiday Initiative (CISS #105): Makes the day of the general election a state holiday in Colorado. Signatures due: July 10th 2020 - Vouchers for Campaign Contributions Initiative (CISS #106): Provides non-transferable vouchers to Colorado residents which can be used to support candidates for Colorado Governor, General Assembly, and US Congress. Signatures due: July 10th 2020 - 22 week abortion ban initiave (CISS #120): Prohibits abortion at 22 weeks. Signatures due: March 4th 2020 - Limits on Housing Growth Initiative (CISS #122): Limit Privately Owned Residential Development to 1% Growth Annually. Signatures due: June 5th 2020

PETE BUTTIGIEG BERNIE SANDERS

MATTHEW JOHN MATERN

ELIZABETH WARREN

ROBERT ARDINI

AMY KLOBUCHAR

JOE WALSH

MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG

DONALD J. TRUMP

JOSEPH R. BIDEN

BILL WELD

TULSI GABBARD

ZOLTAN V. ISTVAN

TOM STEYER

ELECTION DAY: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD

o t S

m o r C F o s lor e i r

ado

Edition

Union station. A place of comings and goings, reunions and departures. As a historical Denver landmark, the newly renovated transit center acts as a gathering point for people from all walks of life; from wealthy business people commuting to work, to homeless individuals seeking shelter. Union Station houses a diverse range of people, each with a unique story. Whether a pitstop or a final destination, The Lake set out to tell the stories of the people of Union Station. *The following is a series of interviews conducted by the Lake at Union Station; the statements made below are the opinions and stories of individuals. The Lake does not endorse the opinions of or vouch for the validity of claims made by any of the individuals interviewed. | Jane Ababei | Ben Bird | Sejal Goud | Sarah Hesser | Jay Keodonexay | Maya Merta | Kiana Miska | Macy Mohlenkamp | Kylie Rold | Riley Ruff | Kaylynn Tran

24 March 2020 | Issue 3

AMY JOE KEITH Amy Joe Keith is a homeless female veteran who grew up outside of the United States. But despite struggles with homelessness, the first thing she wanted to say about herself was how she helped other people. Regardless of her own situation, she helps homeless children by making sure they have access to important necessities, like shoes and clothing. However, beyond her current situation she has lived an interesting life.

How did you get here in life? “I take care of a lot of them, see what I mean, there’s a lot. And I take care of about 4 to 9 kids a day, usually there’s shoes, clothes, things like that, [that] I need. But I’m homeless too, that’s the thing. But, they take care of me and I take care of them.”

to me, they’re not homeless that’s for sure. And you never hear about them, in passing or in reunion when we’re all together.”

Do you have any advice for students? “Keep your sh*t together. It doesn’t matter if you go to

“I used to be beautiful too. I had beautiful hands and everything else but life takes a toll.”

“I’ve been to all over the world, Russian full blood from Romania. Until I was 13 then we moved to New Zealand, I didn’t talk about it. I graduated when I was 16; autistic. I have a photographic memory.”

So you said you were a Marine? “Yes, for two years. I was an E8 Sergeant for the first class. I was an E8 when I retired. There are not very many woman gunnies, not very many at all. And usually the ones that are don’t talk

college or not. Because if you’re gonna f*ck up you will. And stay away from drugs. That’s the main thing, stay away from harder drugs. It happens to more people than you think,” Keith said. “Stay away from the people who do the harder drugs. And if you don’t and you love them and care for them, keep them at arm’s length, because if you don’t then they’ll do things you don’t understand. Because you can’t figure out why and then after a while you start thinking, ‘Why can’t I?” and that’s it, and that’s when it begins. I used to be beautiful too. I had beautiful hands and everything else but life takes a toll. I don’t want those things for you, your life takes a toll.”

FRANKLIN

When we asked Franklin to tell us his story, we realised that he did not speak English. The interview was originally conducted in Spanish and translated into English.

What is your story? “I’m from Guatemala. I immigrated from Guatemala to here legally. I came here by train. There were a lot of abuses. I came in [to the country] asking for money and food and the mafia got ahold of me. When I arrived at the border, the mafia got ahold of me, the Mexican cartel. They made me pass drugs; It was a form of payment to cross the United States,” Franklin said. Franklin went from working in Chicago, to Minniapolis, to Albuquerque and now to Denver, where he currently lives on the streets. “I need a job in order to help my family who lives in Guatemala. My mom, my sister, and my brother. My dad died when I was seven years old. When I work, I help them because they’re the priority for me. That’s why I’m here: to look for a job and send money to them.”

What do you want to accomplish? “My goal is to learn your language [English]. To learn your language to perfection and find a stable job. That’s the only thing.”

TODD FLOYDE

When walking up the steps of Union Station, a man sitting anxiously with just a backpack over his shoulder and a longboard by his side caught our eye. There was no way of knowing he was about to fulfill a life-long dream.

Where are you heading? “I’m going to Belize,” he explained. “I missed the ocean. I missed the smell of it. I miss everything about it.” Floyde said he had been surfing since he was in eighth grade, growing up in the city of San Francisco. Floyde moved to Colorado to build VA Hospitals, but realized his greater dream beyond the Rocky Mountains. He made the decision to pack up his bags and leave for Belize. His hometown of San Francisco had gotten too congested, and Colorado hadn’t brought him the same freedom that the salty waters of Belize could.

What advice do you have for high school students? “My advice to high school students? Well, just to stick through it and be kind,” Floyde stated. “Be honest with yourself.”

CATHY & TIM NEALE Right outside the doors of Union Station, stood a sweet looking couple ready to set out on an excursion to the Rocky Mountains. From Cape Cod in Massachusetts, Cathy and Tim Neale visit Colorado annually to see their son and grandchildren.

How did you meet? “Blind date, fifty-one years ago.” Cathy followed up. “Guess it worked,” she smiled.

What do you guys like about Denver? “Denver is actually, I think, very similar to Boston where it’s a walkable city, it’s got a lot of history and young people and lots of things going on. So it’s interesting,” Tim answered.

What advice would you give high school students? Cathy: “Know that failure is part of learning.” Tim: “Don’t feel your first job that you get is going to be your one and only job.”

MADLYN LANG The bubbly spirit of Madlyn Lang illuminated Union Station’s lobby. A new adventure had brought her to Union Station that foggy morning.

What brings you to Union Station today? “I am here from Dallas, Texas going to the X Games in Aspen! I feel very out of place right now,” she said. “[It’s] just a different culture than Texas and Dallas.” “Dallas is more business [whereas] Colorado, I feel like, is more down to Earth and campy and like that’s like my life honestly… I’m going to Breck tonight and we’re driving up to Aspen either tonight or tomorrow. So… yeah. I’m excited. I’ve never been to winter sports,” Lang said. “I don’t know what it will be like, so it will be fun!”

What advice do you have for high school students?

26 March 2020 | Issue 3

“Find your own happiness. Don’t listen to what everybody else is telling you what your happiness should be.”

ISRAEL GARCIA

Israel Garcia grew up in Mexico, but everything changed in 2016 when his brother got in an accident. He ended up moving to Colorado to be with his brother and he ended up staying. As someone living in a foriegn country, Israel was faced with a variety of challenges; including trying to live and get an education in a place where he felt like a tourist.

What made you seek out furthering your education? “My family, my brother went to school; so I was the next one, you know I’m the middle. I’m supposed to either get at his level or even you know, even be higher.”

“From my point of view I would like to see less classism... And also contamination. Contamination, that’s one of [my] personal concerns. And also, most of my people, my friends, [don’t] have a good structure in their own families. That is something I would like to see, anyway I could help them I would.

“Discover, keep discovering, learn new languages, and I think the most important thing is, live without fear; that’s what I’d tell myself.”

What would you like to do in the future?

That’s something from home.”

“Two big things, I want to help people for sure, and I If you could tell your younger self want to be a pilot.” Israel said, continuing “I love to trav- something what would it be? el, that’s my main goal; and also it sounds so interesting “Discover, keep discovering, learn new languages, and I to be paid for something that you love to do.” think the most important thing is, live without fear; that’s What do you want to see happen in the world this year? what I’d tell myself.”

ANDREW BROWN Andrew Brown grew up in Colorado and for the past two years has been homeless in Denver, fighting alcoholism and finding shelter in the confined quarters of his car. The long nights living out on the cold streets have motivated Brown to find work for a more stable path and to sustain himself by staying sober. Brown mentions how if he hadn’t been dealing with court cases, he’d have an idea as to what he plans to do with his life. “I don’t know. I don’t know now because I wanted to be a musician and I grew up as a drummer, but I am also a singer. I taught myself how to sing.” Although Andrew has had his fair share of adversities, he still wants to expand his artistic abilities and defy the odds against him.

What advice would you give to high school students? “I would say, always continue to learn. And I think it’s important to get an education. Even if you flunk out of high school, that’s what happened to me, go to college. Like go to college, get an education, never stop learning. Be good to yourself and just don’t give up.” He continued with, “There’s just [some] things that I try to do; be good to myself, in a positive way. Because you can be good to yourself in a negative way so you want to make sure you make that distinction. Even when I’m feeling down and when the whole world is coming down on me, I just, I won’t give up... But you have to make the distinction between a positive and a negative because you can.”

“There’s just [some] things that I try to do; be good to myself, in a positive way.”

“Another thing I’ve thought about wanting to do, I think it would be cool to be an actor... I just want to do something artistic with my life because that’s just the type of person I am.”

Where do you want to go when you leave? “I will go to California. Why not? It’s either that or New York, just one of the big cities, just really soak it in because like I’ve been homeless on the streets of Denver; but I also feel like I’ve been lucky out here. I’m kind of set on California right now, but I still don’t know just cause everything is so strange to me or what I want to do.”

KATE CHRISTIAN Kate Christian is a sustainability coordinator for businesses around the United States. She went to college on the coast of Maine for sustainable food systems for her masters, and before that her bachelors in human ecology.

What do you do?

Maine[The Atlantic]. I highly recommend it, it was the best experience of my entire life hands down.” When Chrisian was attending the College of the Atlatic as a master in sustainable food systems, she found many new opportunities and chances to better her career.

“I was really curious, and real nosy, and have a lot of “It sounds kind of gross opinions.” to a lot of “I’m a sustainability coordinator for businesses.”

people, but I work with waste. So recycling, composting, hard to recycle materials… I go in and I kind of poke around, look in a lot of trash cans and recycling bins, see what they’re doing, what they’re creating.”

What got you into this field? “I was really curious, and real nosy, and have a lot of opinions. So I went to school for sustainable food systems for my masters, and before that my bachelors is in human ecology. For a little, I went to a little college off the coast of

“The cold will get you for sure, but as niche as it is, the interdisciplinary program that they have, it allowed me to create. I was really into maternal health back then, so that was awesome, I traveled all over, interviewed people… like this, and that was great, but then I started realizing that there were other ways to approach it, so other aspects of health. Make it what you want it to be. Don’t sell yourself. You’d be surprised how many doors you can open.”

GLENNIS MARSHALL & CHRISTIAN KUNHARTT Waiting outside the doors of Union Station were Glennis Marshall and Christian Kunhardt. Marshall and Kunhardt are residents of Oklahoma City, but were excited to travel to Colorado to visit a friend and ski in Steamboat. Dressed in vibrantly colored jackets, the two appeared to possess a wisdom that could only come from a life of travel.

Boston for a little while, and then Pennsylvania, Mississippi, Oklahoma. Born in New York, lived in New York. I lived in Baltimore for a while. It’s just kind of been all over.” Christian said. “And he’s a geologist.” Glennis interjected.

“I wish people would listen to each other. It’s okay to disagree, just stay open,”

What rings you to Union Station? “We are waiting for a friend,” Glennis said, continuing “We just got into town, so we’re gonna stay in Denver and then we’re gonna go to Steamboat and ski.”

If you could summarize your life story, what would it be?

28 March 2020 | Issue 3

“I’ve been kind of all over, working-wise. I lived in

How’d you get into geology?

“Really, I just kind of found it interesting in school. Got to be outside a lot, which as a profession, doesn’t really happen a lot. That drew me to it.” If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be? “I wish people would listen to each other. It’s okay to disagree, just stay open,” Glennis shared. Christian continued with, “I guess love? That’s kind of generic but also respect. Be open-minded.”

THE UNITED STATES OF EMBARASSMENT A Disaster in Foreign Policy, A Maniac in Chief

Paris Climate Accords. Children in cages. Iran Nuclear Deal. Since President Trump took the oath of office in January 2016, United States foreign policy has rapidly deteriorated into caging children and Twitter wars with foreign leaders, subsequently trashing this country’s global standing. As the United States throws temper tantrums because of China, Iran, and North Korea’s “Little Rocket Man,” our country exhibits unchecked aggression towards any nation that slights President Trump’s ego, erasing the superpower reputation previous leaders have taken so long to cultivate.

(JCPOA) in 2018, commonly referred to as the 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal, this nation lost its most crucial tool to restrain Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and peacefully resolve international clashes—diplomacy. The United States blatantly ignored guidelines that the Obama administration set and turned the United States into a mockery on the world stage. As Iran slowly assimilated into the global economy by abiding by the rules of the deal, Europe integrated them into international trade while the United States decided to let their reckless Commander-in-Chief make arguably the most disastrous choice of this administration. Now, the slightest of differences between the two nations hold the potential to unnecessarily intensify as 3 AM shower thoughts tell President Trump who to kill and what to tweet next.

"Now, the slightest of differences between the two nations hold the potential to unnecessarily intensify as 3 AM shower thoughts tell Presof recognizing Iran as a formidable ident Trump who to kill and what Instead adversary in a vastly important region of the world for the United States, he threw to tweet next." common sense out the window in favor of

Undoubtedly, the most abrasive act of foreign intervention in this presidential term occurred on January 3rd, 2020, when President Trump authorized a drone strike against Iranian General Soleimani. This political assassination in Baghdad, Iraq was an opportunity previous presidents passed up in the fear that tensions would escalate between the two nations. However, this current president held no such inhibitions, impacting the events to follow—Iranian missiles shot at a United States military base and a commercial airline, resulting in the death of 290 passengers and crew. Rather than defaulting to diplomacy to maintain some sense of stability, President Trump further entrenched this country as one of Iran’s primary enemies, something other administrations are likely unable to solve within the length of one or two presidential terms. When the United States eviscerated all remnants of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action

30 March 2020 | Issue 3

an impulsive decision that continues to have long-lasting consequences. By alienating the United States from a sophisticated foreign policy, we are left without many allies to push for change in a meaningful way. The American beacon is undoubtedly dimming and I fear the darkness may soon become irreversible. As a result, this country has become what it tried so hard to avoid—the laughing stock of the developed world.

| Grant Hoskins *Disclaimer: This editorial is an opinion piece and does not reflect the views of The Lake or Standley Lake High School.

THE POWER OF PEER PRESSURE Who You Are is Stronger Than Who They Want You to Be

was an early bloomer when it came to my body. Guys commented on my figure saying how “thicc” and “sexy” my body was. People tried to touch me and I soon became cautious when it came to sex.

felt ashamed about myself for giving my virginity to a stranger. I’ve always wanted my first time to be with a person who loved me because it would be special and mean something to the both of us.

When I got into my first relationship freshman year, I never expected my boyfriend to pressure me. He seemed sweet and acted like he respected me; however, as time went by he would continually try to do things I was not comfortable with. He would grab me and push himself on top of me, preventing me from getting away. He tried to put his hands under my shirt to grab my breasts. I remember feeling extremely uncomfortable and insecure.

During adolescence and early adulthood, we are surrounded by the suffocation of peer pressure. Peer pressure is the backseat driver in all social situations. The weight that teenagers and young adults feel to fit in can be draining, and we are programmed to think that we are not good enough unless we do what everyone else is doing. We are told what society thinks is acceptable and as a result, we bend over backwards trying to keep up. People are pressured into trying drugs, drinking, having sexual intercourse, and engaging in other uncomfortable activities. The desire to be noticed and conform pressures us to make bad decisions. We want to fit in, creating facades in attempts to become different people.

“We want to fit in, creating facades in attempts to become different people.”

After I would tell him “no,” he would get upset with me and leave. I realized that all he wanted to do was have sex with me. This boy never actually loved me for who I was. Luckily, I was able to get out of that relationship before he could do anything to me.

Afterwards, I was even more cautious about sex and this continued for the longest time. The thought of getting back into another relationship scared me because I didn’t want the same thing to happen again with another boy. Through this experience, I’ve learned that people become ready for intimacy at different times—and that’s okay. Fast forward to May 2019: I met a guy and we started talking. Two days later we met up in his truck and had sex. “Sixteen is the stereotypical age at which you lose your virginity,” I told myself. With this mantra in mind, I felt like it was now or never. I’m not sure why I consented because I was not ready. I

My experience with all of this made me realize that you don’t need to force yourself to be ready for something you’re not, to go through life at your own pace and don’t be afraid to be different. In order to belong with certain crowds, putting on a filter is not necessary; all that’s needed is to be yourself. Eventually, everybody learns that staying true to your most authentic self should be something we strive for, instead of forfeiting that in the face of peer pressure. | Sarah Hesser | Kaylynn Tran

KEEP IT WEIRD, GATORS