December 2018 Issue

The Dark Side of Anonimity As students use anonymous apps, they risk personal safety and sacrifice identity See on pages 10, 11 & 12

1200 Cresta Road, Colorado Sprigns, CO. Volume XIII. issue 2. December 2018

December 2018

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Tribe

Contents

December 2018

Staff Editor in Chief Rick Stark

Editor Caellen Holmes

Staff

Colton Bellew Emma Delich Isabella Flores Alexandra Hall Javiera Rojas Cameron Rollins Grace Samuelson Dean Spencer Zoe Vaughan Grace Samuelson December is a busy time for many Cheyenne Mountain High School students.

Athletes like Nicole Bellingham (center) and her fellow swimmers who compete in winter sports must find a way to balance their rigorous school schedules with a challenging, yet rewarding season of sports.

A Guide to the Pages

Photography Courtesy of Nicole Bellingham and Colton Bellew

Win Some Lose Some

4-5

Speaking and Thinking in Tongues

6-7

Cue the Music Playing With Fire

In celebration of Gratitude Week, students like sophomore Greg San Augustin draw hand turkeys.

On the Cover The After School app poses a threat to the mental and physical safety fo students.

11-12

8-9 14-15

Catherine Sharp Moore

Fine Print

Student submissions to the Chieftain Magazine are gladly accepted. Please adhere to the common sense rules that apply to taste and decency. Submit any articles, concerns, or letters, to the editor in the publication classroom b110. The opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those held by cheyenne students, faculty, or the district.

Copyright Š 2018.

Memberships

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

16-18

How Well do You Know Your Caffeine

20-21

Un-brr-ievable Compeition

Advisor

22-23

Journalism Education Association Colorado Student Media Association

First Amendment Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

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What’s with The gratitude?

With the push of commercialism, we’ve lost our sense of thankfulness.

Colton Bellew While walking through the isles of the local Michael’s craft store, a startling realization hit me. My senses became overwhelmed from the scent of faux Christmas trees, colorful bursts of crimson and dark green, and those strangely elaborate miniatures of snowy neighbourhoods. My brain played with one question: “What ever happened to Thanksgiving?”.

You could ask any average citizen on the street what the importance of Thanksgiving is. They would simply respond by saying, “It was a celebration held by the pilgrims of in the 17th century to give thanks to the native Americans”.

There’s actually a much deeper meaning to the holiday. Giving thanks is a vehicle for us to recognize the good things in our lives, and show gratitude to our most valuable figures.

The vision of a happier and healthier world may be in the hands of a positive influence such as the concept of gratitude. When someone expresses or receives

appreciation, thankfulness, or kindness from another, the brain automatically starts producing a chemical known as dopamine (aka the main ingredient to happiness).

A study was recently conducted by the NIH upon a group of young adults. Subjects were assigned to journal weekly on gratitude and this showed greater increases in optimism. Gratitude ultimately leads to a decrease in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and an increase in hours of sleep.

Gratitude can be used as a very powerful tool in the classroom as well; those same students that wrote in journals weekly, were seen to become more optimistic, and confident. This activity also helped students achieve higher grades, higher goals, more satisfaction with relationships, life, and school, along with less materialism and more willingness to give back.

Gratitude has transformed many lives. It is true that our focus can stimulate growth. If you focus on the good, more comes into your life.

1. Share a specific example of something they did for you and how it made a difference in your life.

2. Give a long, intimate hug, or stick out your hand for a handshake to cater to their preferences and make them smile.

3. Tell them you’re there if they have anything they want to talk about, and let them know they have your full attention.

4. Invite them to do something you know they’ve always wanted to do, like joining them when they go to their next concert.

5. Encourage them to try something you know they want to try, but haven’t yet because they’re scared.

Cheyenne Mountain STUCO sponsers events around the school from Nov. 12 to Nov. 16 in hopes to raise school spirit and produce a happier, more lifted social enviroment. Events included a hot cocoa period (held before first hour), a chain made from positive quotes written by students and staff, a whole day dedicated to an idea that any student could dress identical to someone they are thankful for, and a wall covered by anonymous encouraging messages written on multi-colored stick notes. Sophomores Haily Hodges (top photo) and Robbie Metz (bottom photo) fabricate hand-turkeys in Mrs. Mooneyham’s 3rd period class. All the hand turkeys from all departments were then handed into STUCO, and then a winner was chosen.

Photography by Colton Bellew

5 New Ways to Express Gratitude

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YOU WIN SOME Colorado’s voting teens significantly impacted midterm election results within our state. Out of all voters, 22 percent of Coloradans are between the ages of 18 to 34. This group contains the new senior class of voters that have tremendous power to choose the next leader of our country and what they want to be allowed in our country. Colorado also had the highest voter turnout in 50 years and one of the highest in the country.

Caellen Holmes

Colorado Ammendments and propositions that matter to you: Ammendment 73- Failed.

Graduated income tax for k-12 funding. This monetary windfall could impact college financial aid.

Proposition 109 and 110- Failed.

3.5 and 6.5 million dollar public transportation projects without raising taxes. An impact in public transportation effects students without their own vehicles or rides.

Out of 13 proposals and ammendments in Colorado, only six were passed by Out of 200 seniors interviewed, only 21 voters. percent said that they This year had the had voted, we asked lowest running of the remaining senior white men with that said they did not, only 58 percent of their answers came out 90 percent due to age. candidates.

Less teens, aged 18-21 voted in this election than ever before in El Paso.

Ammendment V- Failed.

Reduces age requirement for house members from 25 to 21. A new low would mean fresh out of college persons could run.

Ammendment X- Passed.

Changes the definition of industrial hemp from a constitutional definition to a statutory definition. A major definition could decide what state industries do with hemp.

Fi

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irsts: Firsts: All Across The Nation

Muslim Congresswomen: Rushida Talib and Most females to ever run for political Ilhan Omar offices.

Youngest House Representive ever, New First Asian American to run Republican York, also first Hispanic woman: Alexandria for the House, also included first Asian Ocasio Cortez Aamerican Democrat First Latino Governors: Lupe Valdez and Michelle Lujan

Highest percent of all black males running. Republicans and Democrats

First Bisexual and woman Representitive of Arizona: Kyrsten Sinema

First openly gay governor of Colorado: Jared Polis

The Democrats took the House of Representatives.

The Republicans maintained the senate

There are over 411 diverse candidates that ran for house seats, senate seats, and governor positions across the nation, including, LGBT, Women, and persons of color. About 216 were women and 169 were persons of color, and 26 were LGBT. This year’s voter turnout for El Paso was almost half of what it was 4 years ago.

This year also had over 4 states that needed recounts. Theses states included: Arizona, Georgia, Mississippi, and Florida.

This year also accepted the first ever transgender colorado legislature.

YOU LOSE SOME

Speaking and thinking In Tongues open your mouth to open your mind to endless possibilites.

Not

everyon

Langau Open your

Lang

auge

Grace Samueslon Did you know…

J.R.R. Tolkien created Elvish, black speech, Mannish, languages of Dwarves, Ents, Ainur (Valar and Maiar), and Orcs.

C3PO has 600,000 forms of communication.

Na’vi is the language created by director James Cameron and actually is a studied language.

We have come along way since grunting like cavemen. Our brains are three times larger than those found in apes. Lifespan and brain size correlates--the bigger the brain, the longer span of life, meaning more can be learned in a lifetime including languages.

I imagine whoever created a language, had every intention to make it easier for us to understand one another, instead of “oh, oh, ah.” So, why not pursue that level of understanding?

The advantages of studying another language are already perhaps known-college advancement, better job opportunities, and travel.

Profe Centeno, a Spanish teacher in the foreign language department encourages, “There are so many

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opportunities available to students that speak another language and kids that go through our program are very, very well prepared.”

For all the soon to be college kids, keep in mind that University of Colorado Boulder requires all students to demonstrate, while in high school, third-level proficiency in a single modern or classical foreign language. The probable reason why is because according to Psychology Today, language management calls upon executive functions such as attention control, cognitive inhibition, and working memory: and there is mounting evidence that bi and multilingual people are better at analysing their surroundings, multi-tasking, and problem solving.

Did you know…

There are over 200 artificial languages in the world.

Artificial langauges are composed by high acclaimed individuals or small groups of people, such as scholars or computer scientists for an international purpose, but not intended as native speech. They are used in research, fiction, toys,

internet-based video games, and even our favourite binge-worthy TV shows like the Game of Thrones.

A dream job that can be acquired by knowing another language is a game translator. Nintendo is one of the main companies looking for translators from English to Japan, and to other languages, according to rypeapp.com. People who decide to become a professional video game translator usually have degrees in a foreign language.

Language is not a singular cognitive ability. It is processed in multiple parts of the brain, such as the broca’s area, wernicke area which allows one to understand and read any language patterns.

By learning the pattern one has to connect and decode phrases and words for there meaning to put them all in a sequence for use. From the brain, the tongue and voice box work millisecond to millisecond allowing one to speak.

Also, the brain is split from the left hemisphere to the right with different abilities of logistics or creativity, but by learning a new language the left hemisphere isn’t always dominant. It can actually

ne

he same speaks in t

tongue

orld

the w uges connect you to mouth to open

is apa

rt of w

yourself to the world

hat m a

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human

switch between both hemispheres in certain cases. The brain is working and is fully capable of comprehending another or multiple languages, if it is exposed to the material. It sounds like a piece of cake.

Did you know…

The Japanese alphabet consists of 45 letter and 71 diacritics (which is an accent written above or below a letter to indicate different pronunciation from the same letter different marked or unmarked).

Senior Reinna Brown currently speaks Japanese and English.

She has traveled the globe with her military family for 11 years, living between Japan, Europe, and the United States. She has broad knowledge on quite a few languages. She learned Japanese when she was younger because it was her mother’s native tongue.

Italian at one point for three years, French, and even knows a bit of Chinese. She hopes to take Mandarin classes in the future.

“You could stay in the United States all your life, but it would be fun at least once to see the

world and even for a week, it can completely change your perspective. You don’t need to know the entire language, but know enough to hold yourself in another country. It develops you as a person and forces your mentality to change,” she said.

“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart."

-Nelson Mandela

1.4 percent of Cheyenne students speaks Did you know… five langsuges Our dedicated teachers in the 4 1 percent of Cheyenne believes studing a language department are here to not only teach us about the correct worldy languauge is very important grammar or pronunciation of a language, but to also connect us to Languages spoken at Cheyenne the world in the best way. It may Cheyenne shows diversity seem unnecessary, boring, or hard, of langauges spoken. but that’s how most lessons start West African Langauges out in life. If there is a consistent mentality that something can’t Karen Korean be done or learned, then there wouldn’t be as many professions Tagalog Spanish or educated people. It is only hard when one chooses not to German understand and it is only easy once Chinese one has tried it.

French Parlez-vous français?

Indonesia Sprechen Sie Deutsch?

Dari Hablas español?

Russain Afrikaan I would start.

Arabic

Swedish

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December 2018

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Tribe

CUE THE MUSIC In a chaotic world, music is a saving grace

Javiera Rojas Music. It’s everywhere. It defines people and moments.

Music has become deeply imbedded in the lives of humans, impacting us in both personal and neurological ways.

Adolescents specifically have taken to crediting music as saving their lives or being their lives. Why? In an environment full of stress and anxiety, where life is easily overwhelming, it’s easy to want to hold onto a distraction which teens today have figured out. Whether it’s plugging in headphones or blasting the stereo, music has become a tool to make life a little bit better.

Be it necessary to calm down before a test, a much needed break from something plaguing the mind, or simply a reason to smile, music is there ready to be listened to. And humans need that thing to hold onto in the midst of all the chaos.

Music has the power to get teens through life.

Homework. Parties. Exercise.

Heartache. Trying to improve one’s mood. Blocking out the world.

Music does it all and more.

Music is a universally important part of teenage lives and /it’s become apparent the impact the compound of sounds and lyrics have on a person. If anything, music is an impactful tool all humans can share and use to get through life.

1 The Shaka Effect

Studies like Trends in Cognitive Sciences have found that music can be more efficient to decrease anxiety than medicine. A person often feels euphoric from endorphins released by listening to music. Endorphins also quell anxiety, ease pain and stabilize the immune system. With high endorphin levels, people have fewer negative effects of stress. Additionally, researchers at Stanford University found that listening to music seems to change brain functioning to the same extent as medication.

2 The Van Gogh Effect

Playing music in the background has impacted the level of creativity. Researchers from the University of Helsinki in Finland, stated that happy music may boost creativity by triggering the release of dopamine, a brain chemical involved in satisfaction.

“Dopamine also increases creative thinking and goaldirected working,” says Järvelä, leader of study. Happy, upbeat music in the background induces divergent thinking.

You Said..

The Chieftain staff surveyed 156 students...

3 The Mensa Effect

When people hear a familiar song, they are often able to recall a moment from their past that is connected to that tune.

Chris Brewer, founder of LifeSounds Educational Services, stated that sounds can help to hold someone’s attention, evoke emotions, and stimulate visual images.

Researchers found that the processing of music and language rely on some of the same brain systems. They have also uncovered evidence that suggests the music people heard as teenagers has a greater emotional bind to the brain than anything they’ll listen to as adults. Musical nostalgia is fun for anyone, but it’s most impactful for people suffering from memory loss, like those with dementia or Alzheimer’s.

4 The Mood Ring Effect

Once music enters our brains, it triggers the brain centers that release dopamine, a neurotransmitter that makes you feel happy. When listening to music, brains also release endorphins. Endorphins give a heightened feeling of excitement.

A 2013 study in the Journal of Positive Psychology stated that people who listened to upbeat music could improve their moods and boost their happiness in just two weeks.

98 91

percent say music is an important part of their lives percent listen to music while studying

Music By the Numbers

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The average American spends hours a week listening to music

As singer-songwriter of our generation Tyler Joseph said:

“Music seems to hold everything together.

It seems to make things not so chaotic sometimes.

It seems to make things make more sense sometimes.”

This article by Chad Grills suggests 11 artists to listen to while working:

Sex, Guns, And Parties: Untold Truth of the After School App Emojis and playful graphics sugarcoat the hidden dangers of anonymity.

Alexandra Hall

Photo and graphic by Alexandra Hall

It’s already 8:00 pm. We frantically finish that last trigonometric proof so we can watch Stranger Things before bed. Deep in focus, weattempt to ignore all present distractions.

Push through. One more problem.

Ding.

It is the sound of a text message.

Some anonymous person from our school made a comment, broadcasted to any user on the After School App. Maybe hundreds of kids in our school. It could be our crush. Maybe that attractive underclassman. Maybe it’s the mean girl in the parking lot who almost rear ended us early in the morning. Maybe our childhood bully. Maybe our old friend. The answer is only one click away.

Snapchat and direct messaging on social media networks essentially rules our lives, so a text is almost perceived as more important. We have become Pavlov’s dogs. We grab our phones eagerly and are enticed by the provoking words and colorful emojis on our screen.

The After School App, an anonymous commenting app, targets high school and middle school students, one that is similar to Yik Yak, another anonymous messaging app linked with scandal that was created by and targeted towards college students.

The app requests students to share contacts in their phone of other students to enter the app interface. Consequently, the app hoards countless phone numbers and sends texts to reach out to other students. Alternatively, students are asked to share their Facebook account to log in, allowing the app access to all information featured on the Facebook page. The app confirms users are in

high school by using information from mutual friends through public profiles. The app may require further verification, asking students to upload a picture of their school IDs or class schedules.These schedules often include teachers’ names, classrooms, class descriptions, locker numbers, and sometimes even addresses. Some students don’t crop this information out of the schedules, revealing more than asked.

Once a person enters the app, he is greeted with a vast, neon color scheme, animal graphics, and playful Once a person enters the app, he is greeted with a vast, neon color scheme, animal graphics, and playful gifs. Its simple interface features highlighted comments with “like” and “comment” buttons. Some of the comments featured, however, are generic and sterile and presented as seemingly harmless.

In a an article written by Hackernoon’s Ryan Sheffer and the After School App developers, Sheffer says, “The claim from the founders is that these suggested responses help insecure individuals come up with something to say but it’s easy to see why they are often perceived by the greater community as fake content.” he app creators Michael Callahan and Cory Levy openly admit in this interview to supply artificial responses within the app. This proves that some of the comments comments on the app are computer-generated.

Not from a friend. Not from a crush. But from a computer.

The After School App has had issues in the past regarding threats of violence. Back in 2015, the After School App was banned from the app store due to varying threats and bullying attempts, exactly catering to the dark side of anonymity.

Since the app’s initial launch in 2014, the company has re-launched the app several times after students in Ohio and Michigan used the app to comment on how they were going to bring guns to school. The app informed the authorities and resolved the threats.

The After School App website provides abstract answers to many of parents’ questions, dismissing genuine safety concerns with claims of “anti-

This is the After School App icon and an example text message they send.

bullying”. The app now has a flagging agent that automatically deletes content with information that might be deemed as offensive or crude, later to be reviewed and possibly put back up.

The After School app is designed to give insecure teens a platform to voice their thoughts and opinions freely, as stated on their website.

Peggy Drexler, a Ph.D. psychologist, supports this case in her article, “Why Teens Need Privacy Online,

You Said...

The Chieftan collected responses from 128 Cheyenne student, varying across all four grades.

“Social media freedom teaches kids an important lesson in how not to behave.

What not to share. It teaches them that public is public, and some mistakes can’t be erased. That’s a hard, but necessary, lesson for people to learn.”

As stated by both the After School App developers and psychologists who support the claim, anonymity is presented as a vital force of expression.

However, these seemingly innocent platforms also present an even greater opportunity for harmful expression without consequence.

The schools involved have no control over the app itself, so the issue rather falls firmly into the hands of parents in every household.

Monitoring what apps a teen has on his phone might seem overbearing and prying. However, a dialogue between young adult and parent is vital to minors’ safety across the nation.

The fewer newslines we see about dying or abducted children, the better. The truth is that most of the apps that have a central theme of teenagers and exploiting their insecurities have something toxic to offer and they will never completely disappear or become completely pure, no matter the intentions.

Technology will continue to progress, and the question is if we are prepared to match that progression.

Graphic by Cameron Rollins

Playing With Fire As of 2018 Cheyenne Mountain is the number one school district in the state, it boasts an impressive $30 million high school building, 95 state titles, and a nationally recognized choir.

Dean Spencer & Cameron Rollins All of these accomplishments seem to come with a cost. Some students experience anxiety, depression, and saddness. Some students even have chosen to turn to marijuana as a perceived escape from the academic and social pressures.

Since it is legal recreationally in 10 other states it has inadvertently become more readily available for minors.

A survey of 45,000 eighth, tenth, and twelfth graders done by the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research in December of last year showed 24 percent of teens had smoked in the past year, a 1.3 percent increase from 2016.

Of the fifteen students interviewed all fifteen had tried or currently smoke marijuana. These students, due to the nature of these interviews, have chosen to remain anonymous. All of them stated the drug was more than just a quick high. They reported that it went much deeper. They stated that it offered an escape from all of the stress and pressure put on them by their demanding educational lives.

One student told us, “It makes all of your pain go away.”

To our surprise the interviees did not fit the stereotype of a marijuana using teen. Users seems to cross all demographics, from honor students to band nuts, and to jocks alike.

Of the students interviewed most students averaged to smoke about three or four times per week. One interviewee we call “Jane” told us she smokes “on a good day, five to six times… on a bad day, fifteen

times plus.”

All of the students interviewed said they were aware of the negative effects marijuana has on the developing brain, but the issue was “out of sight out of mind” according to “John”.

When asked about the efficiency of the school administration’s attempts to keep the drug off campus, the answers ranged from not at all to 100 percent.

One student said “I think they do the best they can, but if kids want to get it on campus they’ll find a way to.”

The administration takes several steps to keep substances like marijuana off campus like employing the drug dogs, the security staff conducting restroom checks for the substance use. The administration staff will also monitor the restrooms during both lunches to prevent any tomfoolery.

Ten year administrator, Mr. Fortenbury, was interviewed in order to get an accurate description of how significant the issue really is for the school. When asked about the number of marijuana related suspensions he has seen over the past year, he responded “We have caught less students with drugs using the drug dogs, since the

“I don’t think the amount of marijuana used in the school has lessened. We’re just catching less of it.”

Smoking Stats 10 States have legalized marijuana Recreationally

24 Percent of teens nationwide have tried or currently use Marijuana

19.8 Percent of teens in colorado have tried or currently use Marijuana

132 Students and staff were surveyed

65 Percent of students believe there is a marijuana use problem at CMHS

28.2 Percent of students surveyed at CMHS have tried or currently use Marijuana

91 Percent of students who use intake marijuana through traditional smoking 74 Percent of students use marijuana in an edible form 51 Percent of students use THC wax, also known as dabs 14 Percent of students use some other Form of intake Note some students use all of the above

62 Percent of students who currently smoke marijuana say they obtain from friends or a dealer, more commonly referred to as a “plug”

13 and 15 are the most common ages for the fisrt use

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vaping has come about.”

Drug education courses are something more schools are beginning to include in their curriculum. Cheyenne has one in the required freshman health class, but,“We (the school) don’t continue it up through the school years…

I think once we tell you enough I think everyone’s pretty aware of that,” Fortenbury concluded.

Teachers also elaborated on the issue.

Economics teacher Mr. Paige said, “Like economics it’s about cost benefit, so if your brain is conditioned to marijuana or alcohol and that is where you derive your epinephrine or your high, if you will, then that means your brain is not accessing highs from a different perspective.”

Long time health teacher and football coach, Mr. Saravis said, “What I always used to tell my health students is this… Your brain at this age is like a house being built, and if the materials you use are crappy and the people building it are high, how do you think that house is going to end up? Crappy right? Well it’s the same for your brain.”

When asked if the culture of Cheyenne inadvertently added to the problem he said, “Well I came from that demographic (and) I honestly think the drug use in the world is everywhere, but the type of drug depends on the environment, in a poorer area, you’ll see them using different things and in a richer area they use things like they do here. In an area where there is a lot of stress on the kids I think sometimes that definitely influences them to use because there’s a lot of pressure on these kids, it’s not just the kids not doing well in school.

It’s the pressure to do well in school, that’s a lot.”

Science department’s Ms. Mooneyham commented regarding the policy on student’s who are

14

under the influence. She stated, “I tell the dean “ya know I suspect so and so is high” and they take it from there.” When asked about the number of students she had caught she said, “I personally haven’t seen any this year, I don’t doubt it’s going on, I just haven’t seen it.”

School counselor, Mrs. Jerekovic gave insight as one of the only staff members who students can openly tell about their drug use and not be punished.

Jerekovic stated, “I’d say the rate of students who currently use has stayed the same throughout my time here.”

Pictured right and below “Dab Pens” as they are called are the new, high tech way teenagers are getting high.

They are favored by teenagers over other forms of smoking to get high because they are easy to conceal, induce a quick high and do not produce a harsh smell.

This technology makes it more difficult to detect.

She sees all students and when asked if there was a particular demographic of students smoking.

She said, “It’s absolutely across the board. Drugs and alcohol do not affect any specific group… any student can be affected.”

Smoking marijuana as a teen can be detrimental for one’s brain.

Chronic use as a teen can lead to memory being stunted for the rest of one’s life.

A study conducted by the Baylor School of Medicine measured teens marijuana use. They measured a teens’ IQ at age 13 (before ever

using) and was redone at age 18 (post chronic use). The study found that teens who smoked habitually for two or more years scored around 8 IQ points lower than the control group.

Another study published in the Journal Schizopherenia Bulletin found marijuana use linked to chemical disorders such as Schizophrenia in people who had the recessive trait for it. One’s brain does not fully develop until mid to late twenties. Hence, states have set the legal age to purchase and use marijuana to twenty-one.

For adults marijuana offers a large number of medicinal purposes and can be used to treat conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, HIV, Arthritis, Epilepsy, Irritable Bowel Disorder, and Insomnia.

It also has medicinal properties for cancer patients here in 2018.

While marijuana is no miracle cure for cancer it can, “drastically reduce the severity of symptoms and improve quality of life for patients,” according to the Canadian Cancer Society.

Medical marijuana is a booming industry nationwide.

Colorado alone raked in over one billion dollars this year, with fifteen percent of that going to the education system.

Colorado is a progressive state for the rights of marijuana smoking adults. But this legalization has made it much easier for kids to get ahold of and use. Regardless of one’s perception, the numbers don’t lie. There is a significant fraction of the student body smoking pot.

It is becoming harder to detect and students are finding different ways to get it to school despite an extraordinary effort from the administration and teaching staff.

One thing is for sure, if the trend continues at this rate the reputation of the best district in the state could quite literally go up in smoke.

The Brain on Marijuana

Marijauna effects four main regions of your brain Located behind the nasal cavity and illuminated in blue in the left image and maroon in the right, the amygdala regulates emotion.

And when THC acts on the receotor, emotional function is heavily effected. Most patients report feelings of deep relaxation and tranquility, while others report short term anxiety and paranoia.

Located in the center and to the back highlighted in teal on the left and orange on the right, the cerebellum is responsible for movement, coordination, and basic human functions. When THC acts on this receptor patients report becoming temporarily clumsy and experiencing slowed reaction time and movement.

Located in the center and highlited in teal on the left and yellow on the right the horse shoe shaped hippocampus is responsible for memory and cognition, which is the process of thinking and understanding information. Cannabis has been reported to cause short term memory impairment, but studies have also demonstrated that these effects wear off with time.

Located in the center of the middle image, highlighted in dark blue, the hypothalamus is responsible for hunger and appetite.

THC boost the activity in this gland which surprisingly should supress appetite but most patients report feeling an immense sense of hunger, also known as the munchies.

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Graphic By Cameron Rollins

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It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year Emma Delich and Zoe Vaughan

Need some help getting into the holiday spirit? With these tips and ideas you can eat. drink, and be merry all winter long.

Cheyenne’s Favorite Holiday Traditions RYLIE MAREADY, 12: “My family always gets together to play a game called Left Right Center. It gets intense because the winner gets like $20 in quarters.”

CALEB MOHR, 11: “We always make Christmas cookies, and then we have a flour fight. We cut them out, and then we always get different frosting and we frost them.”

EDWARD HAYWARD, 10: “I like getting together with my family. A lot of the time we’re apart, but when it comes to Christmas time, we all get together around the house and there’s wonderful Christmas music playing… it makes us all happy. I think that’s what Christmas is all about.”

JACKSON MILLER, 9: “My family owns a Christmas tree farm so every year my whole family goes up to the farm and helps sell the trees and then we cut down our own.”

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17 Festive Events in Town SKATE IN THE PARK: WHAT: Enjoy a real outdoor ice rink, located in Downtown Colorado Springs on the west side of Acacia Park. Skating would make for a fun get together with friends or even a date with that special someone. Warm your hands after being outside with some hot cocoa or coffee at the Starbucks across the street.

WHEN: November 9, 2018 to January 21, 2019 TIME: Times vary (go to downtowncs.com to find out more) WHERE: Acacia Park, 115 E. Platte Avenue COST: $10 per person (includes skates), $1 off with military ID CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN ZOO’S ELECTRIC SAFARI: WHAT: Come to the Electric Safari to celebrate lights, animals, and holiday spirit.

The 50-acre zoo will feature 85 light sculptures that create an astounding display. During the event, the indoor animal exhibits will remain open and there will be warming fires around the zoo to help revive from the cold.

WHEN: December 7- 9, December 14 – 23, December 25 – January 1, 2019 TIME: 5:30-8:30pm WHERE: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo COST: Adults- $9.75, Children (3 - 11)- $6.75, Seniors (65+)- $8.75 WINTER WONDERLAND WITH THE WOLVES: WHAT: For a special holiday celebration, join the wolves for breakfast burritos in their wonderland retreat in Divide, CO. The space is limited, so you must call in advance to make reservations.

WHEN: December 24 TIME: 9 - 11am WHERE: Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center COST: Adults- $30, Children- $15

DIY Christmas Gifts The most important thing to know before getting a present for anyone is his or her interests, and that will help make the present be more meaningful.

SIMPLY SENTIMENTAL: On Amazon.com and at Hobby Lobby (Hobby Lobby, 525 S 8th St, Colorado Springs, CO 80905), frames sell for under $15 dollars. Personalize the frame with felt or stickers (which you can find at Hobby Lobby, Michaels or Target) Print a picture of you and your friend or family member. Voíla! You have a thoughtful, easy, and inexpensive gift for a special someone.

FIND YOUR FORTE: Have a spare Altoids mint container laying around? Turn that old mint box into a one-of-a-kind container for your loved ones’ earbuds. Paint it any color and design it as you desire. Then finalize it with a coat of Mod Podge to keep the design from rubbing off. *If you are able or wanting to do more for the person, then you can find earbuds on Amazon. com for less than $20 in many colors.

FOR THE NOSTALGIC: Not very versed in arts-and-crafts? One meaningful, yet unique present you can make that does not take as much artistic expertise is putting together a scrapbook or photo album of your pictures.

If you have pictures already that you like, then you can use those. If you want to use polaroids, but you don’t have any, you can go on the website Printiki.com and upload photos from your phone or social media accounts to turn them into polaroid pictures. Up to 20 pictures costs $8 (without shipping). Pick out a scrapbook from Hobby Lobby that costs less than $10 and fill the pages with your memories.

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18 DUTCH BROS Seasonal Drinks Menu PEPPERMINT BARK: Iced or hot drink with dark chocolate, white chocolate, and of course…peppermint HORCHATA CHAI: Oregon chai with cinnamon syrup, caramel, white chocolate sauces, and milk TOASTED MELLOW MOCHA: Coffee drink with vanilla and chocolate macadamia nut syrups ICED DOMINO FRENCH TOAST AMERICANO: Coffee drink with six shots of espresso, brown sugar, cinnamon syrup, and white chocolate sauce

CANDY CANE: A peppermint mocha (if ordered as a frost, dark chocolate is added) CARAMEL NOG: Coffee drink with a mix of a caramel and an eggnog latte PUMPKIN PIE BREVE: Pumpkin pie flavored breve with whip cream, cinnamon, and nutmeg sprinkles on the top SUGAR COOKIE: A breve made with almond roca, vanilla, and white chocolate CINNABON FROST: Cold drink with brown sugar, cinnamon, and salted caramel

FIREBALL DUB SHOT: Coffee drink with a Cubano doubleshot and cinnamon

oGo sledding oVisit a mountain town and hit the slopes oDecorate your room with festive lights oBake cookies/cinnamon rolls with friends oDrink eggnog oKick back in an outdoor hot tub oCozy up in front of a fire and watch your favorite movie oWear flannel PJs oWatch a local hockey game oDonate food, toys, clothing to a local charity oVolunteer at a soup kitchen OBuy a pair of fuzzy socks

Wint e Activ r ites Chec klist The w migh eather o t u there be fright tside f ways are still p ul, but lenty you c holid an enjoy of ay se ason the .

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Bored Games CANDY CANE CHRISTMAS EAR MUFFS EGGNOG ELVES FROSTY GINGERBREAD HANUKKAH HOT COCO ICE SKATES ORNAMENT SANTA SLEDDING SNOW ANGEL SNOW FLAKE SNOWMAN STOCKING UGLY SWEATERS WREATH

Holiday Movies Trivia In The Santa Cluase movie how does Scott become the new Santa?

What does Joanna sing at the Christmas concert with sam playing the drums?

In Elf, with Will Ferrel or Buddy, where does his real father In the Grinch, what is his dog’s name?

In Home Alone, where does kevins family go, leaviong him to fend off burgulars?

In Jingle All the Way with Arnold Schwarzenegger as Howard, what does his son desperatley want for Christmas?

Which beloved British actor plays Santa Claus in the 1994 remake of A Miracle On 34th Street?

In The Holiday, Cameron Diaz swaps homes with Kate Winslet and falls for which British actor?

When was the Polar Expressed movie released?

December 2018

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Caffeine: we all know it’s addictive, but is it really that bad for your health?

Isabella Flores Every year, researchers release something new on the health benefits of caffeine, and the findings are often inconsistent from the data found the year prior. There is no definitive answer as to whether caffeine is healthy or not, but most researchers seem to agree that teens should consume less than the average adult. Weigh the pros and cons yourself to decide if a daily dose of caffeine is the right choice for you: Buzz vs the Bulge Most research implies caffeine may help suppress appetites and boost metabolisms. Keep in mind that some caffeinated beverages are high in fat, calories, and sugar and may lead to weight gain rather than loss.

Thirst Meter If someone’s daily dose of coffee incentivizes them to drink more than you would with water, the should drink up! Drinking caffeine-containing beverages can contribute to the daily fluid requirement and does not increase risk of dehydration.

Blood-Pumping Glucose For most, caffeine consumption does not noticeably affect blood sugar levels, and consuming a moderate amount of caffeinated beverages seems to be safe. In fact, some studies show caffeine may reduce the risk of developing diabetes.

Under Pressure Caffeine can cause a short but dramatic increase in blood pressure. Some researchers believe this is because it causes the body to release more adrenaline, which causes a blood pressure increase.

The Early Bird Although caffeine allows higher levels of alertness, consumption may make it more difficult to fall asleep. Those who find difficulty in sleeping should consider limiting their intake to mornings only or skipping it altogether.

Photo by Isabella Flores

The Jitters Cutting off one’s intake of caffeine completely can headaches, fatigue, and irritability until their body adjusts. If someone is trying to cut back, they should try doing it gradually before giving up caffeine altogether to reduce these symptoms.

Midful Consumption A caffeine intake of up 400 mg per day is generally considered safe for healthy adults, but a mere 100 mg is recommended for teens. That’s roughly the amount of caffeine in one cup of brewed coffee, four cups of green tea, two cans of soda, or one 8 oz energy drink.

Data obtained from the Mayo Clinic

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Andrea Mendrea, Sophomore Caffeine consumed in a day?

I have a sixteen oounce beverage almost daily.

Feel the effects of caffeine?

Not like most people do. I don’t get hyper or anything like that. I mean, I do feel happier, and more energized, but not so much that it’s really affecting me.

When you go without caffeine, what do you notice?

I get really bad migraines right away, and I’m just craving coffee all during the day. Like right now, I haven’t had coffee and I’m feeling it and I really want it.

Kaylee Moon, Sophomore

Do some coffees affect you differently than others?

I don’t know. I just make my own. I don’t really branch out.

Caffeine consumed in a day?

I consume one cup of coffee a day.

Difficulty sleeping?

I do, in fact, have difficulty sleeping. I go to bed at like twelve o’clock on school nights and it is not good but I do.

If you drink it after school do you feel any effects?

Yeah I’m able to stay awake and do my homework. And not fall asleep.

Scottie Huger, Junior

Do some coffees affect you differently than others?

Caffeine consumed in a day?

The difference in coffee is based I consume 3 cups of coffee on on the skill and integrity of the average everyday. (Each of coffee person drinking the coffee. If the consists of 17.196650% water and person drinking coffee has a higher the rest is caffeine). intelligence, they can sense the unique variations between black Effects of after school coffee? coffee and Black coffee. I haven’t The coffee helps me stay awake for quite reached that point of higher homework. I wouldn’t recommend drinking coffee after 3:47 pm because intellectual enlightenment. I’m salty. it causes your sleep clock to work counterclockwise instead of clockwise.

160 Cheyenne Mountain students and staff polled for the survey. percent do not drink caffeinated drinks. percent believe caffeine is more beneficial than harmful.

percent believe caffeine is more harmful than beneficial.

percent drink caffeinated drinks 2-3 days a week. percent of those who drink coffee add 1-2 teaspoons of sugar. percent do not add sugar.

percent drink coffee, the most consumed caffeinated drink. percent drink tea, pulling in second. percent drink soda, making it more popular than energy drinks.

December 2018

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Un-brr-ievable Competition is Snow Problem For These Athletes Winter sports are brutal. The days are short, the season is long, and the competition is stone cold killer.

Somehow Cheyenne athletes manage to do it and keep a snow-white smile across their faces.

Rick Stark

Scott Sullivan, 12

Photograph by Rick Stark

Scott Sullivan is a center for the Cheyenne Mountain hockey team. Even though his reported lack of a social life during the season makes him feel ice-olated, he still has a passion for hockey that burns so strongly, it could quickly melt the ice Scott so smoothly plays on.

Your goals for this season?

To garner the first play off win in over a decade.

The most satisfying part of your sport?

Scoring goals.

What your sport offers that others do not?

Nonstop high speed play with physical contact on ice.

The hardest part of your sport?

Playing the defensive zone for along period of time.

Sacrifices you’ve had to make for your sport?

My social life is non existent and a lot of make up work.

Lessons have you learned from your sport?

No one can ever come before the team.

Photograph Courtesy of Xavey Bzdek

Xavey Bzdek, 11 Xavey Bzdek is a force to be reckoned wtih on the basketball court: his opponents fear him, his teammates fear him, and the referees fear him. Really anybody who steps onto his court fears him. That’s just how good this forward is.

Your goals for this season?

Raining Buckets.

The hardest part of your sport?

Fighting for Will [Louis’s] approval.

Your proudest moment in this sport?

A quadruple double in middle school.

What drew you to this sport in the first place?

Kelly Oubre Do you plan to continue this sport after graduation?

No, I’ve got to follow my rap career.

Lessons have you learned from your sport?

Brad Helton eats strange things.

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Michael Phelps once said, “Spending much of your life underwater, you learn to talk to yourself... And the black line at the bottom of the pool never talks back.” Good thing Nicole Bellingham talks enough for both parties. An always effervescent character, Nicole endures through a difficult and monotonous sport with beauty, charm, and warm laughs.

What drew you to this sport in the first place?

I was terrified of sharks and I thought I would learn to outswim them.

Your goals for this season?

We would love to place well at state - we’ve gone third, first, and second over the past three years, and it would be nice to get another top place.

The hardest part of your sport?

Definitely the commitment. Most swimmers I know have been doing morning practices and almost 20 hours a week of training year round since the seventh grade.

Photograph Courtesy of Nicole Bellingham

Nicole Bellingham, 12

Macy Feign, 12 Forget Linsanity; this year it’s Feignsanity. Macy Feign may not look like the typical basketball star, but she uses skill and technique to make big plays on offense and defense.

Brian Hooks, 10 Brian Hooks is quite possibly the nicest person to ever exist.

But when he steps onto the mat, he turns into an animal.

Armed with his faith and a supportive family of wrestlers, Brian is poised to have a very successful season.

The most satisfying part of your sport?

When you win a really close match in overtime or at the end of the 3rd period.

What drew you to this sport in the first place?

All my brothers have wrestled .

Do you plan to continue this sport after high school?

No, I want to become a youth pastor.

Lessons have you learned from your sport?

To always persevere through hard comings because there is always joy in a good outcome.

Photography by Rick Stark

Your goals for this season?

I would like to get to the playoffs and maybe even farther than we went last year (second round of playoffs.) Since this is my last year playing basketball and I am not continuing it into college, I would like to finish it on a positive note, and just have fun and be successful this year.

What drew you to this sport in the first place?

What drew me to the sport of basketball was initially my dad who played in high school and loved the game and signed me up for YMCA ball when I was about five. I’ve stuck with it because I love team sports and just the level of competition.

cheyenne Battlefield

The number one academic school in the state strives to storm the field as number one athletics.

Grace Samuelson & Isabelle Flores Photograph by Rick Stark

Breaking ANKLES [Boys Baketball]:

Pro: With the strength of their guard play and senior

leadership, they plan to have a successful season while studying and seeking their next prey on the court.

Con: With a difficult and vigorous early season schedule, the team will have to be mentally and physically prepared for a battle against many hard competitors, especially Lewis Palmer.

Quote: “We have a chance to be a special group and they have the opportunity to learn from some of the best players in the area. With hard work and dedication, they can have the same success,” Coach Fitzgerald On their blades of glory the Cheyenne hockey team has upcoming games on December 14 and 15 against Heritage and Mullen. stated about freshman.

The Countdown [Wrestling]:

The RIng of Fire [Girls Baketball]:

The Fast Lane [Girls Swimming]:

Blades of Glory [Ice Hockey]:

Pro: They have historic numbers this year with 50 wrestlers in the program. To get their blood pumping, they warm up for 40 minutes and practice for about 3 hours a day.

Con: The downside to having so many players is it is hard to manage and especially in the small wrestling room.

Quote: “Mr.Roberts and Cheyenne Mountain have worked very hard to find space for us in other areas so that our athletes are getting the type of practices they need to be successful,” Coach Seaney commented.

Pro: They are a very excellent skating team, with great overall team speed.

Con: They lack experienced defensemen, and have had to move other players into the position as a result.

Quote: “Our practices consist of small games and skill work. We try to play as much as possible. We focus on trying to get our kids to handle the puck as much as possible,” Coach Austin illustrated.

Pro: In a normal practice they do lots of layups, shooting drills, passing, free throws, and then working on plays to dominate the court.

Con: The team and the season are pretty new so they are trying to figure out how everything works and how to do their best.

Quote: “I’m just looking forward to having a really fun time with a great group of girls ,” said Madison Luster.

Pro: The team has a very strong freshman class, along with a great team dynamic.

Con: The team is trying to be more encouraging towards others.

Quote: “Everyone does a great job cheering people on at the meets and we are becoming more of a team as we get to know one another at practice,” said sophomore Skyler Korkowski.

1. The old santa fell off the roof 2. “All I want for Christmas” 3. The Empire State Buidling 4. Max 5. Paris 6. Richard Attemborough 7. Jude Law 8. Turbo-man