Arapahoe Herald February Issue 2015

Sticks and Stones

Taking care of yourself, fighting back and staying healthy.

A two-time Pacemaker winner. • 2201 East Dry Creek Road Room E2 • Centennial CO 80122 • Email aherald@comcast.net • Web: http://arapahoeherald.littletonpublicschools.net “Today’s news is tomorrow’s history.”

ArapahoeAward High School

Friday, February 13, 2015

Arapahoe High School | Centennial, Colorado

Volume 51| Number 4

Arapahoe High School | 2201 East Dry Creek Road | Room E8 | Centennial, Colorado 80122 | email: arapahoeherald@gmail.com | web: http://www.ArapahoExtra.com

2

CONTENTS

Arapahoe Herald | Friday, February 13, 2015

Toms dancer Hannah Reed sinks to one knee as her and her fellow teammates perform during the Winter Pep Assembly. Photo by Kaylee Eastridge, Calumet Yearbook Adviser: On the cover: Photo illustration by Emily Cunningham and Maddie Dorman Greg Anderson

NEWS & SPORTS

3 FILL ‘ER UP

Why you can put gas in the tank for less.

By Anna Zeek

4 THE BIG LEAGUES

FOCUS & FEATURE

7 DRAWING THE LINE

Understanding the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships.

By Mackenzie Callahan, Emily Cunningham, Erica Martinez &

Two seniors recruted by Division 1 schools.

By Brian Heissenbuttal &

Lindsey Archipley

Quinn Trask

Insight as to how to drive and ski safe during the winter months.

By Paige Paulsen & Connor Scott

6 LOSS OF A VOICE

Saying goodbye to broadcaster Stuart Scott.

By Quinn Trask

6 SNOW SAFETY

11 FIGHTING STANCE

Students and staff learn and grow at a martial arts gym.

By Reid Conant & Carrie McDaniel

OPINION & CRITICAL REVIEW

14 MENINISN’T

The overnight movement for men, and why it does more bad than good.

By Madison Wacaser

15 ORE-OH!

Turn a classic cookie into a delectable dessert with these recipes.

By Monica Splain

16 TASTES LIKE LOVE

Local restaurants perfect for dinner with someone special.

By Lindsey Archipley

Member of CHSPA, CSPA, NSPA, JEA and Quill and Scroll.

Arapahoe Herald is a student publication and operates as an open forum.

If you have any comments, questions, concerns or guest content you would like to share with the Arapahoe Herald, write a letter to the editor. Letters to the editor can be emailed to arapahoeherald@gmail.com or submitted to room E8.

Editor-in-Chief: Maddie Dorman Managing Editors: Anna Zeek Brian Heissenbuttel Copy Editor: Lindsey Archipley Design Editors: Mason Steiner, Carrie McDaniel Photo Editor: Emily Cunningham Distribution Manager: Erica Martinez Sports Manager: Quinn Trask Publicity Officer: Monica Splain Reporters: Alissa Brown Mackenzie Callahan Reid Conant Katie Franklin Keegan Fulwider Abigail Guadnola Paige Paulsen Connor Scott Madison Wacaser

EDITORS & STAFF

Arapahoe High School | 2201 East Dry Creek Road | Centennial, Colorado 80122 | Twitter: @ArapahoeHerald | Email: arapahoeherald@gmail.com | Web: ArapahoeXtra.com

Arapahoe Herald | Friday, February, 13, 2015

News

3

Drivers fill up tanks while gas prices are low

by Anna Zeek n a national scale, Americans are enjoying their surplus of money to spend due to the fact that the average price of gasoline is $2.23 per gallon. According to the AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report, in comparison to the average price last year, it is $1.07 cheaper. Here in Colorado the average price of gas is currently $2.06 per gallon and upperclassmen have taken notice. Though the price of gas has drastically decreased, some might not understand why this has happened.

After gas prices reached their highest price ($3.70) in 2014 according to Money magazine, they have been steadily declining.

Some think that the lower gas prices are due to normal market forces such as supply and demand, while others believe that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is the culprit with a goal of forcing American oil companies into bankruptcy. OPEC is an organization of 12 countries that was started in 1960 that attempts to influence and control the price of petroleum.

“As long as oil is such an important

O

source of energy, OPEC will play a large role,” AP Economics teacher Roger Hess said. “It exports a very large percentage of the world’s petroleum, and therefore has a significant impact on prices throughout the world. I do not imagine OPEC having a reduced role until other sources of energy overtake oil.”

The United States, which imported approximately 1.4 billion barrels of crude oil and other petroleum related products from OPEC in 2013, has started to wean itself off of foreign oil. According to Forbes.com, U.S. production of oil has increased around 45% over the last four years. This rapid surge in the supply of oil was influenced by fracking.

Due to hydraulic fracking, the process where high-pressured machinery fractures underground rock formations in the hope of extracting natural gas or oil, U.S. oil production has steadily increased since 2008; therefore, according to USA Today Money, it has been estimated that the in year of 2015, the country will see the highest level of production since 1972. Overall, the increase in American oil and natural gas production due to fracking has kept the prices of oil

and natural gas low and has created job opportunities for the unemployed.

However, with the price of fuel oil being as low as it is currently, multiple United States oil companies risk going out of business if they are not able to acquire a loan or make a higher profit. This would negatively impact small oil companies that need higher prices to pay off loans and to stay out of bankruptcy.

Luckily for those businesses, some predict that the price of oil will rise to five dollars within the next few years in response to today’s low oil prices.

“I think that gas prices might remain relatively low for the near future, but we should probably expect them to increase before too long,” Hess said. “Global demand is constantly rising, which eventually leads to higher prices.”

The key is to remember that the price of oil is a numbers game that revolves around the forces of supply and demand. The prices of crude oil and gasoline will continue to fluctuate as it is affected by the leading factors of OPEC and the increase in the fracking industry.

Local Gas Prices Shell:

Price: $1.99/gallon Distance from AHS: .2 miles 7550 South University Boulevard Centennial, CO. 80122

Diamond Shamrock:

Do not pump up the prices No

Yes

28% The majority of those surveyed believe that 10 years from now the price of gas per gallon will be between $3–5.

11% 40% say that Sophomore year is when teenagers should start paying attention to gas prices

of students have an app on their phone that compares gas prices amongst gas stations.

In Loving Memory Elaina Koryn Grandinetti August 19, 1998 - January 30, 2015

Price: $1.99/gallon

Students say that it is not important to use U.S. oil rather than import it

No

Distance from AHS: 1.3 miles 2020 East County Line Road Littleton, CO. 80126.

Sinclair Mechant Oil:

Yes

61% of students say that they have heard of OPEC Results based on 239 student responses to an online survey administered from Jan. 27–30. Information compiled by Anna Zeek. Graphic Illustrations by Alissa Brown, Brian Heissenbuttel and Anna Zeek.

Price: $1.92/gallon Distance from AHS: 1.4 miles 7500 South Broadway, Centennial, CO. 80122 Gas prices as of February 12.

4

Arapahoe Herald | Friday, February 13, 2015

SPORTS

Girls swim, dive team builds momentum for state

by Quinn Trask s the Lady Warriors swim team flies through the season with only one loss, the varsity team looks forward to state. After a second place finish at A-League on Feb. 7, losing to Cherry Creek by only ten points, the girls have exceeded senior captain Ella Moynihan’s expectations this year.

Going into the state meet,the team is ranked fourth in state. The Warriors sent 19 swimmers to state on Feb. 13 and 14 in Fort Collins.

“We’re doing better than I thought we would this year,” Moynihan said. “We were undefeated this year in league and our only loss was to Regis.”

The Warriors have found their strengths this year in the freestyle relays, which is accredited to the number of great sprinters the team has, including sophomore Laurel Eiber and senior Paige Johnson.

“We’re a little bit stronger in all of our free events than we are our stroke events,” Moynihan said. “Our medley relay actually set a school record this year so definitely I’d say our relays are going to get us a lot of points at state because we’ll hopefully be top three in both.”

“I would say we need to improve our depth,” said Moynihan. “We’ve got a lot of girls who will probably be top three in their events at state but we don’t have some that are going to fill in the 5th, 6th ,7th spots. Those spots are just as important as winning because if you have a couple girls filling in those extra spots, the points will accumulate and be higher. So we just have to work on our depth and getting those girls who are on the border of getting to the finals to get in there and get some extra points.”

Along with an outstanding ranking, the team has broken multiple records this year including the medley relay record which is one of the oldest Arapahoe records and was held by coach Laurie Musgrave Abplanalp. Moynihan broke the

A

200 individual medley record, also set by coach Abplanalp in 1998. Sophomore Laurel Eiber rebroke her 50 free record and is on the cusp of breaking the 100 free record. Moynihan beat the pool, team and league record in the 500 free with a time of 4:54.37.

Alongside that record, Moynihan was also a part of the two freestyle relays that broke records as well. In the 200 free relay (Payton Moody, Eiber, Anna Hansen, Moynihan) the team had a time of 1:38.05. In the 400 free relay (Delaney Smith, Eiber, Hansen, Moynihan) the team had a time of 3:31.78.

Moynihan had high hopes for the team at A-League, but they fell just ten points short, getting 2nd place behind Cherry Creek. Now, the team has its mind focused on state.

“League is much different,” Moynihan said.

“It’s much more individual events and only 16 swimmers swim in the finals. I think Regis has the best chance to win it all, and then it will be between us, Fossil Ridge and Fairview for 2nd. Between those four teams it can really go anyway.”

As the season wraps up, Arapahoe sends team captain and All-American Ella Moynihan off to the University of Notre Dame to swim for the Fighting Irish.

“I’m so excited,” Moynihan said. “I definitely love the idea of swimming for your school and I love the idea of swimming with just the girls and being really close to them. We have a group of ten girls committed to Notre Dame for next year and we already have a huge group message and we’re already all best friends. Notre Dame did a really good job of recruiting us this year so a freshman will be the fastest swimmer in every event so it’s going to be crazy.”

Moynihan also had offers from Duke University, University of Minnesota, University of Miami and was supposed to visit Dartmouth College but ended up not visiting.

NEW 2014-15 GIRL’S SWIMMING RECORDS ‘14 E. MOYNIHAN

1:49.55

200 FREE

‘15 E. MOYNIHAN

2:05.18

200 I.M.

58.61

100 BACK

1:37.11

200 YARD FREE RELAY

24.29

50 FREE

‘14 P. JOHNSON

‘14 EIBER, GETZ BROOKES, MOYNIHAN

‘14 L. EIBER “I always knew it was going to be between Duke and Notre Dame,” Moynihan said. “It was really close but it came to down to just the feeling of it,” Moynihan said.

Moynihan is going into her 13th year of swimming this summer and has been swimming since she was five. Arapahoe’s swim program has taught Moynihan many skills that she looks forward to using in the future at Notre Dame.

“It has taught me how to be a really good leader,” Moynihan said. “It has taught me that you have to be competitive, but you also have to be a good teammate and be supportive no matter the outcome. Team comes first and leading this team has been such an honor. Seeing the girls achieve their goals and knowing you helped get them there is the most rewarding feeling.”

Volleyball star Kovacic joins rising Division I program Izzy Kovacic begins training with Bowling Green Volleyball Competes for starting position on next year’s team

by Brian Heissenbuttel Most high-school athletes are not able to be involved in athletics past the high-school level. Most athletes are not able to earn a Division I scholarship.

Most athletes cannot graduate early

to practice with their team before the rest of their high school class earns their diplomas. Most athletes cannot achieve any of this, but most athletes are not volleyball star Izzy Kovacic.

Kovacic signed her letter of

Izzy Kovacic received a warm welcome from the Bowling Green volleyball program.

She got her own locker space when she arrived in January. Photo courtesy of Bowling Green head volleyball coach Danijela Tomic.

intent on Nov. 12, 2014 and began her college career as a Bowling Green Falcon on Jan. 12, 2015 when their spring semester started. She spent three years in the Arapahoe volleyball program, but was unable to participate in the 2014 season due to the workload she had to endure in order to graduate early and meet the weight training requirements that the Bowling Green volleyball program had.

The journey began in September 2013, when Kovacic was offered a scholarship during her unofficial visit to the school. She was impressed by the volleyball program in addition to their forensic and chemistry programs.

“I had a very good feeling about the coach there and the team talent as well that had potential to grow into a top 50 team,” Kovacic said.

‘The school seemed like it fit me well compared to the other schools that I had visited.”

In October 2013, Kovacic verbally committed to Bowling Green. This was in the middle of a very successful volleyball season in which the team was 5A state runner-up. She said that her teammates were immensely supportive, as was the coach when

it came to her decision to graduate early. On Jan. 8, 2015, she moved into her dorm room and began classes on Jan. 12. She is currently doing winter practices with the team in order to compete for playing time when next season begins.

“My teammates and coaches have been helping me tremendously and have been giving me feedback on places to improve in every practice,” Kovacic said. “This will hopefully allow me to get some playing time and maybe a starter if I keep working hard.”

Graduating early is a system burdened with heavy compromise.

After gaining permission from principal Natalie Pramenko and counselor Lindsay Gillespie, Kovacic had to undergo a schedule involving only three off hours and an online class in order to graduate at the end of the fall semester this year.

“All of my teachers have been extremely supportive and enthusiastic about me being in college,” Kovacic said.

In addition to take on a greater academic load, Kovacic had to spend both her fall semester at Arapahoe and

her spring semester at Bowling Green training for Division I volleyball. Her additional weight training has set her on course for being ready to compete.

“It’s a much different environment where you are on a team with so many more experienced players rather than a bunch of people just coming together with different interest,” Kovacic said. “The practices and weight training have been really hard but I’ve been getting through them thanks to a lot of support from everyone around me.”

Kovacic adds herself to the evergrowing list of successful volleyball Warriors who have continued playing in Division I. Just the state runner-up team from 2013 had Kovacic, Whitney Krantz (currently playing for Lehigh University) and Tess Albyn (currently playing for the New Jersey Institute of Technology).

Next August, Kovacic will suit up for her first season as a Bowling Green Falcon. The Falcons, who were MidAmerican Conference champions in 2012, have another promising season ahead that may land Kovacic in a big game among the six Falcons on the court.

Bowling Green State University

Located in Bowling Green, Ohio

Division I NCAA Athletics

Member of the Mid-American Conference

Arapahoe Herald | Friday, February 13, 2015

Sports

5

ESPYs bring memories of beloved Stuart Scott

T

he Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Award (ESPY ) has been host to some of the most powerful and moving speeches in history. Jim Valvano’s speech in 1993 after he accepted the Arthur Ashe Courage and Humanitarian Award inspired many to live their lives taking nothing for granted and cherishing their time on Earth.

In Dewey Bozella’s speech in 2011 he said, “Never let fear determine who you are. Never let where you

come from determine where you are going.” He moved thousands with this quote and his story of his wrongful 26 years in prison.

When long-time ESPN anchor Stuart Scott was diagnosed with cancer in 2007, it broke the hearts of millions of sports fans. As he battled cancer, he inspired many more with his perseverance and determination to beat his cancer. But in Stuart’s eyes, it was not about surviving his battle; it was about living his life his way, and not being held back by a terminal illness.

6–14 record

16–4, ranked 6th in 5A

61–58 win over #11 Rampart on Dec. 4

Senior Jennah Knafelc has 20.6 points per game and 4.0 steals per game

54–50 win over Heritage on Dec. 17 League games at Cherry Creek on Feb. 18 and home vs. Cherokee Trail on Feb. 20

59–56 win over #8 Grandview on Jan. 31 League game vs. #12 Cherry Creek on Feb. 18 at Arapahoe

On July 16, 2014, Stuart was honored with the award that Coach Valvano was presented with 21 years prior. His speech warmed the hearts of thousands just as Valvano had done.

“You beat cancer by how you live, why you live and in the manner in which you live,” Stuart said. In that case, Stuart had beaten cancer the day he was diagnosed. Stuart never let anything stand in his way in his life, and he wasn’t about to let cancer become a roadblock in his career.

When he was introduced to ESPN in 1993, he was used to appeal to younger audiences on ESPN’s new network, ESPN2. He quickly worked his way up from being the host of “SportsNight”, to a regular on ESPN’s top program, “SportsCenter”. Scott used many hip-hop references to appeal to younger audiences. He was also extremely well-known for his use

Senior John Daniel ranked 4th in the state (132 lbs.)

Regional Competition Feb. 13-14 at Smoky Hill High School Columbine Rebel Invitational: 2nd place Mullen Mustang Invitational: 2nd place

of his amazing catch phrases.

Catch phrases like “as cool as the other side of the pillow” and “BooYah!” set him apart from every other broadcaster in the business. He was one of the most liked broadcasters by athletes in every sport, conducting interviews with Michael Jordan and other superstars because of his lively personality.

As he battled cancer, it became more and more apparent that his family took priority over everything else, including sports and his fight against cancer. In his ESPY speech he said to his daughters, “Taelor and Sydni, I love you guys more than I will ever be able to express. You two are my heartbeat. I am standing on this stage here tonight because of you.”

On Jan. 4, 2015, the sports world lost an incredible broadcaster and an even better man. Stuart Scott

Defeated Cherry Creek on Jan. 27 Took 2nd place in A-League on Feb. 7

passed away in Avon, Connecticut at the age of 49. He was honored by ESPN, “Sports Illustrated”, and even President Barack Obama.

Many young journalists, including myself, remember tuning into “SportsCenter” and hearing Stuart’s iconic voice. Stuart showed a “cool” side of broadcast journalism that inspired many kids to try to be just like him. As he fought his seven-year battle with cancer, he inspired those who looked up to him as a broadcaster, to look up to him as a fighter. Never once during his battle with cancer did he give up. He provided inspiration to not only those who looked up to him but also other people battling cancer.

Stuart showed the sports world that nothing can stop you, not even death. If you put your mind and heart into it, you can beat anything.

Placed 8th in the state championship on Dec. 6

Placed 3rd in the state championship on Dec. 6

Placed 9th in the UCA national championship on Feb. 8

Placed 10th in the UDA national championship on Feb. 3

Sending 19 swimmers to the state championship on Feb. 13-14 at the EPIC pool in Fort Collins.

Graphic illustration by Brian Heissenbuttel & Abigail Guadnola

YOU CAN

We Offer Over 90 Degrees and Certificates

ACC provides you the education and training you need to Move Mountains. We’re sure to have your program of interest. Choose from a variety of degree options: • Associate of Arts • Associate of General Studies • Associate of Science • Associate of Applied Science A few of our majors include Accounting, Business, Computers and Technology and Nursing. Our certificate programs include Automotive, Retail Management, IT and many others.

Contact Student Recruitment and Outreach 303.797.5637 acc.info@arapahoe.edu

Associate Degrees • Transfer Credits Certificates • Workforce Training

Littleton • Parker • Castle Rock • Online

arapahoe.edu

6

Arapahoe Herald | Friday, February 13, 2015

FEATURES

Safety precautions are key to surviving the slopes

by Connor Scott s spring approaches, it is time to talk about safety with snow sports. It is the spring season which tends to make the mountains most avalanche prone. Frequent snowfall and warm days creates a precarious environment that is very dangerous, but with the proper training, these areas can be easily identified based on conditions and the mountain.

People take a risk whenever they ski out of bounds at a ski area or in uncharted territory.

Ideally people would just stay away from these high risk areas but people will always want to push their limits. Avalanches can really happen at any time, so it is a good idea to have formal avalanche safety training.

A good company that is highly rated is Apex Mountain School located in Avon with classes running at $355 for a three day course. Along with the knowledge gained from avalanche training, it is also good to know general safety procedures while participating in snow sports and being properly equipped to enjoy them.

In the case someone does decide to ski dangerous terrain, it is imperative to at least have an avalanche beacon like the Spot Gen3 Beacon which will run about $150 at a minimum or the Recco Ortovox Beacon which costs up to $489 from rei.com. Granted, they are not necessarily cheap, but this is an investment in life that people should take.

To truly be prepared, there are bundles that have a beacon, a shovel and a probe which is used for finding people in an avalanche. One good bundle is the Back Country Access package found on rei.com for $320. Automatic inflation backpacks that will bring a person caught in an ongoing avalanche to the surface can cost anywhere from $200 for the Osprey Kode pack to upwards of $1000 for the Black Diamond Halo found on rei.com.

Even though it is not necessary to spend

A

$1000 on a backpack, it probably would not hurt, just for the sake of safety. Spot and Black Diamond are two very well-known brands that are tried-and-true on the mountain and have saved many lives. They are certainly a good place to start when looking for safety equipment.

Apart from avalanche safety, there is also the issue that some skiers and riders show complete disregard for other people at ski areas.

It is the people who are more focused on doing what they want and going as fast as they want that cause dangerous accidents. People can die on mountains, and while death is pretty rare, injuries caused by people not paying attention are pretty common. It is just not worth injuring people by not paying attention to what is going on.

It helps to not listen to music while on the mountain; chances are you will hear someone before seeing them as they are probably coming from above. Being aware of the terrain is also crucial. Snow can do some strange things and distort shapes, so it is always a good idea to be sharp and aware of what kind of terrain is ahead.

Helmets are very effective in preventing debilitating and potentially fatal brain damage. Concussions, while they are not necessarily the worst thing that could happen, they are not fun and will likely require a doctors visit and large expenses you do not want to pay for.

Health care is not cheap in the mountains. Most helmets cost $90 and up. The really good helmets, like POC with very high safety ratings, run at about $250. POC makes great products that are certified for their safety.

They also happen to have really good looking colorways on the

helmets, so look good and be safe. Check out www.pocsports.com. Out of everything that can have money thrown at it, in the name of safety, get a helmet.

The bottom line is that it is imperative for health and safety that the proper measures are taken when participating in snow sports. People die or are severely injured everyday skiing and snowboarding, and while that might seem like a pretty epic way to go out, it is probably better to be not remembered like that. Do not forget: get avalanche training and proper equipment, wear a helmet and use some good-old-common sense. Be safe, and have fun.

Graphic illustration by Paige Paulsen

Ignorance is not bliss for teens driving in winter weather

by Paige Paulsen Winter is upon us, and with it comes an increased amount of hazards on the road. Icy streets and poor visibility are only the beginning of a long list of risks drivers encounter this time of year. Anyone who has had the joy of living in Colorado is also familiar with the pains of inconsistent weather patterns that leave forecasters scratching their heads and others shaking their fists at the sky.

Especially during the colder months, not only are the fluctuating conditions inconvenient, but new drivers may find themselves battling a situation they are unprepared to tackle. Knowing this, it does not hurt to prepare for the worst.

Brush up on your winter driving skills or prepare for the days when you too will be behind the wheel and check out this interview with Street Smart driving instructor, Mike Murray, who has been educating teen drivers for 14 years. Most importantly, buckle up and stay safe out there.

Q: What are your greatest concerns for teens driving in winter conditions?

A: “Their lack of a little supervised practice, and their being naive about the road conditions. They don’t know how treacherous the roads can be without a little practice. If they just go out without ever having driven in snow before, they are going to be surprised.

It is not a good idea [to drive without experience.] Your steering, braking and accelerator are not normal. You cannot apply them normally on snow and ice. The tire grip is reduced anywhere from fifty to as much as ninety percent. It can take up to ten times longer to stop your car. You have to be prepared to drive unusually.”

Q: What measures do you usually

take to encourage students to be more careful on the road?

A: “I try to sell them on the idea that safety is for their own benefit, not for the benefit of society, you know: Be a good driver, obey your parents, obey the law. That is not motivational to me. It is more like, for your own sake stay out of trouble.

Be smart. Respect the laws so you do not have to go to court and face the consequences.

At that young age, it is a sensitive thing to get your license revoked. You are going to be bummed and your parents are going to hassle you. You lose credibility if you get a ticket or you crash. It costs money, and that is just the minor stuff. The major stuff would be serious injuries and death.

So I try to appeal as best I can to their own intelligence about their activities while driving. I do not want them to adopt the attitude, ‘Well, he is telling me how to drive, but as soon as I get my license I will drive how I want to.’ I understand. I was a teenager, too.”

Q: Who would you suggest they practice with?

A: “Instructors are the best, but there might not be opportunity so with the first snowfall that sticks to the roads, I think the parent and the son or daughter should have a plan to go out for twenty minutes to drive around the block or go to an empty parking lot at night when it is empty. [The driver] can see just how little traction they really have, which is the big issue. Snow, ice, whatever is between your tires and the road reduces your traction.”

Q: As an instructor, what do you feel your biggest responsibility is to your students?

A: “I have a responsibility to try and find the best way to help enlighten them. To be smart on the road when they are driving and to not get fooled by the tricky things that can happen.

I only have so much time with them, so I try to do the most fundamental priorities that I can establish about driving. The most important one is taking in information. That is the biggest deficiency in the general driving public. No one learns [the importance of awareness] because no one teaches it to new drivers.”

Q: What are the most common causes and consequences of accidents related to winter weather?

A: “Overplaying their hand. It is overconfidence in the situation. They think their tires are going to be okay when they brake at a light or someone slides out in front of them and they think they can just brake and stop and not hit them, and they can’t.

They keep sliding, or they are going downhill and the light turns red and they try to brake and suddenly, they are just gliding.”

Q: How should people prepare for winter conditions?

A: “I grew up in Chicago and we

dealt with a lot of winter stuff. The most obvious preparation would be the tires.

Have all season tires with really good tread and when it snows, take all the snow and ice off your car. The whole car, because the top snow on your roof can fall onto your back windshield, and now you are blind.

Or it blows off into the next guy’s windshield. You need to have visibility.

Clean your headlights so people can see you.

For any long trips I would also suggest packing water, blankets, flares, just a little bit of preparation in case you do get stuck somewhere. Have at least half a tank of gas so you can keep warm or if you get stuck in traffic, you do not have to worry about emptying the tank.

First aid kits are always great in a car for year-round purposes, but the [winter gear] is pretty good to have in your vehicle in case anything goes wrong.”

the due care; there is not enough knowledge about what is proper. If you do not care enough, mistakes come. [Deliberate action] is the solution to these mistakes and errors.

There are about 17,000 crashes per day in the country that police report. It is all driver error. Most of it is avoidable. If lightning hits your car, that is an accident. You go blind and you hit a telephone pole. But most of the time it is complete driver error because they are not applying enough care to their situation.

So my concern is not so much the age group but the cocky, overconfident drivers, also the foolish ones who think dangerous activity is fun and cool. They are really dangerous because for them it is all fun until someone gets hurt. By the time they show any regret it is too late and their car is smashed.”

Q: Is there a specific age group for which accidents are a greater risk?

A: “Well, not really. It is the inexperience and the application of due care. What is really missing is

Graphic illustrations by Paige Paulsen

emotional manipulation adk double standards need for approval adk lack of trust adkstress physical abuse adk no respect adk obsessive ad mean adk felt obligated adk no communication one-sided adk jealousy adk unsafe sex adk lies dependence adk threatening adk dishonesty adk verbal abuse adk fights adk controlling adk clingy adk fear adk feeling unworthy adk discomfort adk belittling adk anger adk ad possessive adk attention seeking adkk kadk ad kk adkcheating adkdrugsdk kadk adk adk domination adk ka d d peer pressure adk antagonizing adk ad dk bruises adk hurt adk dkadk adk harmful ad a d adk adk adk depression adk k adk adk inconsistent ad ad taking advantage a k adk adk kad adk Arguing adk kad adk dk adk adk desperate adk criticism adk ad dkadk adk boredom adk aloneadk ad adk erratic adk adk adk adk negativity overprotective adk adkadk ad ad adkadk dkblaming adk ad adk unhealthy adkadkadk adk adk ad adkblinded adk kadkadk adk adk demanding k dk adkadk ad adksecrecy adk adk forceful adk dk adkad dissatisfied no boundaries adk dk adkad adk apathy adk unhappy adk needy adk pda a adk neglected separation anxiety broken misunderstanding sadness panic adk pain

is your relationship unhealthy?

Graphic illustration by Erica Martinez

A two-time Pacemaker Award winner.

Friday, February 13, 2015

Arapahoe High School | Centennial, Colorado

“Today’s news is tomorrow’s history.”

Volume 51 | Number 4

10

Arapahoe Herald | Friday, February 13, 2015

FOCUS

What do the Professionals say?

FRIENDS FIRST

(720) 981-9193 PO Box 270302 Littleton, CO 8012 friendsfirst.org

“FRIENDS FIRST is an organization that empowers teens to make positive life choices and develop healthy relationships through education and mentoring” What should someone do if they are in a manipulative relationship?

End it carefully. Seek guidance from a counselor or a trusted adult.

How can you avoid an unhealthy relationship?

Know yourself and what you want and don’t compromise your boundaries or standards.

Can an unhealthy relationship become healthy?

Yes! There’s lots of help available from counselors, workshops, psychologists, parents and resources like books and webinars.

Jack Lipski M.A., B.C.

303-798-0711 Shepherd of the Hills 7691 S. University Blvd.

Centennial, CO 80122

Individual, marriage and family therapist at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church and School

How do you start a conversation with your significant other about a physical relationship?

First, teens should have a “relationship plan” which delineates “how far” one is willing to go.

When teens know their plan, they can speak with confidence and not be forced to make spontaneous decisions they might later regret. When the physical part of the relationship happens after there has been lots of conversation and other “getting to know you” activities, the conversation about the physical aspects of the relationship will be easier to initiate. The conversation should be calm, frank, honest and specific.

Does a physical/sexual relationship in teenagers inhibit or enhance future relationships?

Sexual relationships in teens often lead to impactful life consequences that must be put in perspective and dealt with ongoing throughout life (i.e. emotional baggage from a broken heart/rejection, a baby, an STD, etc).

How much sexual activity is healthy for teenagers?

Relationships that rely heavily on sex tend to be short-lived and set the person up for a lifetime of short-lived relationships. Sexual relations generally put added emotional pressure and anxiety on teens during a time in their life that is often already stressful and emotionally exhausting. Teens are often not ready to handle the emotions and ramifications of sex.

How do you start a conversation about a physical relationship?

Know your boundaries first. Have a plan about what you will and won’t do and then communicate these things clearly before you ever spend time alone with someone you are attracted to. It may be uncomfortable to bring up but not nearly as uncomfortable as the potential consequences of not communicating them would be. Don’t think you can wait until “the heat of the moment” to talk about this because you will struggle and it will be harder to stick to your boundaries.

How can you avoid an unhealthy relationship?

Take it slow and get to know the person first as a friend. Do lots of different things together and have lots of conversations. Find someone with similar temperament, personality and interests. Avoid getting physical too quickly. Don’t believe you can “change the person.” Be on guard, because emotions are generally stronger than rational thought. Think with your head not your heart.

How much sexual activity is healthy for teenagers?

At FRIENDS FIRST we promote sexual risk avoidance, so going beyond kissing on the lips is going to lead to decisions that can bring regret, pain, and depression (consequences). We believe the teen years are meant for school (education), learning your strengths and putting your weaknesses in perspective so you navigate life knowing yourself well, setting goals, focusing on your future and engaging with your community by volunteering and serving others.

These are healthy behaviors that lead to success.

Do you think casual sexual relationships are harmful to teenagers?

Yes, definitely. There’s no commitment, and psycologically (by a hormone called oxytocin) bonding happens with someone who most likely won’t be in your life in the near future. Think how awkward it is at high school reunions when you have had casual sex with classmates and then you see them every ten years. Plus that’s awkward for your spouse or partner. There’s a risk of STDs, pregnancy, a broken heart which can lead to depression and the teen brain is generally not prepared to sort out the line between sex and love.

How do different maturity levels affect relationships?

The more mature the person, the better the relationships because with maturity comes the ability to communicate effectively, to prioritize the other person and the relationship above selfish concerns, be future oriented and have perspective on goals and decision making.

Are there differences in what a teen relationship looks like versus an adult relationship?

Many! Responsibilities, developmental stages, focus on self versus others, reasons for wanting a relationship and in general the teen view of relationships vs. adult view is different.

Is there an optimal age for marriage?

Statistics would say there really isn’t other than to not be a teenager, but in my opinion, yes, age 25 or after because the prefrontal cortex (the logic and decision- making center of the brain) isn’t fully developed until then (especially for guys). When you are making big decisions about your life and future you want your thinking-brain’s capacity to be at its maximum, right?

What are your words of wisdom to teenagers?

In my opinion, try with all your might to focus on your education and serving your community.

Go out and see the world and experience life in as many places as you can. This will give you perspective, greater compassion and a higher level of appreciation for the life you have been given.

And what about thveiew? l not so-professiona

by Lindsey Archipley When I walked into school on Friday, Feb. 14, 2014, the sight of dozens of red roses and stuffed teddy bears pierced my eyes like daggers. The freshman couples could be seen standing shyly next to their lockers, trying their best to appear mature and romantic, even though any passerby could feel the awkward tension between the pair. The senior couples could be seen making out by their lockers, which may have been even more awkward, if at all possible. I averted my eyes to respect their privacy, but there was nowhere I looked without my view being plagued by some disgustingly sappy reminder that it was Valentine’s Day. Although I had a significant other at this time, I remember watching these couples, filled with jealousy because I wasn’t able to show off my relationship on Valentine’s Day because my boyfriend attended a different school. I did not want people assuming I was single on V-Day, as if my day only had meaning if other people knew about it. Since that grim Valentine’s Day, I have moved on from that boyfriend and taken the time to reevaluate my perspective on relationships and high school ‘love’ in general. While many people might agree that high school teaches teens to flaunt their love-life and strive to have a perfect, ‘Romeo-and-Juliet type’ relationship, I feel as though high school has taught me quite the opposite.

Let’s face it: High school relationships are tough. One minute

What should someone do if they are in a manipulative relationship?

Get out and be assertive and clear in stating “it is over.” Get adult help if you need it. Talk to a professional who can help you understand why and how you got into the relationship and how to avoid repeating.

Can an unhealthy relationship become healthy?

Not very often and only through intentional, committed and guided hard work, often with the help of a therapist. There must be very strong motivation to change. Changing entrenched or innate behaviors is a difficult process.

Do you think casual sexual relationships are harmful to teenagers?

Yes, casual sex robs teens of the specialness of sex with someone who is willing to commit long-term. Casual sex sets teens up for multiple relationships that don’t generally last. It makes the transmission of STDs and unwanted pregnancies more probable. It often leads teens to believe that sex equals love and prevents them from developing and experiencing the deeper aspects of relationships.

Are there differences in what a teen relationship looks like versus an adult relationship?

Teens are generally less thoughtful about the long-term consequences of actions. Teens are generally controlled more by the affective (emotional) part of the brain than by the cognitive (analytical) part of the brain. Teens are often more hopeful, optimistic and naive about relationships, and what it takes to make them work well. Teens are often more physical. Teens are not as experienced and adept at handling relationship struggles.



you have a crush on that cutie in art class, the next you’re weeping into a carton of Haagan Daz because he dumped you two weeks before prom. How could it have gone so wrong? Were you too clingy? No, you only called him both before and after school, and before bed every night. Were you too jealous? Of course not, you only inquired about his female Instagram followers and if he followed them back. Were you too loud, obnoxious, boring, or just not pretty enough? Well, whatever it was, he lost interest and now you’re alone and will most likely never find love again. Wait – no, that’s not right.

Let’s rewind. Take a deep breath, put the ice cream back in the freezer and pull yourself together. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned when it comes to relationships is that it is crucial to stay calm. The more worked up you get over petty relationship problems, the more likely it is to crash and burn. If you let a relationship define and dictate your emotions, you are setting yourself up for disaster.

I have learned through observation and first-hand experience that even if you are head over heels ‘in love,’ you cannot let your life revolve around your significant other. I am not saying your relationship is doomed to end in flames (really, I’m not), but if such an awful thing were to happen, you cannot let it drag you down. No matter how bad the heartbreak seems, time will heal the wound and you will move on. I strongly believe that when one relationship ends, you are just one step closer to finding your soulmate.

Along with believing it is important to not take ‘serious’ relationships too seriously, I have also learned it is imperative to keep them private. A close friendship and intimacy is not established through lovey-dovey tweets and constant public displays of affection.

I have noticed a healthy relationship is built on friendship, trust and communication – not on the “OMG you guys are sooo cute” comments from friends on Instagram. If you need constant validation from others that your private relationship is worthy, you may need to reconsider that relationship.

Although almost three years of high school have taught me much about having healthy relationships, it has also given me insight about not having relationships. When you are constantly surrounded by students making out in the halls or cute-couple pics on social media, it is easy to feel like you are inferior just because you are single. I know sometimes it can be hard to feel lonely or ‘unloved,’ but as this Valentine’s Day rolls around, please remember: there is absolutely nothing wrong with being single. Being independent is healthy, and sometimes it is more important to take care of yourself than to worry about someone else. A significant other should not be your “other half,” but rather a nice addition to the already-wonderful person you are; so, if you don’t have a special someone, just know that you “don’t need no man” to increase your self-worth. Girl, you’re amazing just the way you are (even if you are alone).

Arapahoe Herald | Friday, February 13, 2015

Features

11

Self-defense proves beneficial for young women Martial arts instructor explains the importance for girls to learn how to protect themselves

by Carrie McDaniel t is estimated that 1 in 5 women on college campuses has been sexually assaulted during their time there” ~ President Barack Obama.

More than half of all victims of sexual assault are under the age of 18.

Two-thirds of assaults are committed by someone the victim knows.

The statistics are shocking. In today’s world, women clearly need to know how to protect themselves from dangerous situations. Self-defense is inexpensive, easy to learn and can save a young woman’s life.

Amir Stephen owns and teaches at the Kompound Training Center, while also being a Arapahoe basketball coach and campus monitor. Many students at Arapahoe go to the Kompound to learn martial arts, selfdefense and some use it as a parkour gym.

From his past job experiences, Stephen has developed many techniques to improve his teaching style for women who want to learn self-defense.

“I was in law enforcement for 24 years and during that time, I would write down the most common attacks to women,” Stephen said. “So not only is the self-defense curriculum based

“I

on jiu-jitsu, but it is also based on the most common attacks on women.”

Stephen encourages everyone to learn self-defense, from a petite woman to a six-foot-tall man. The self-defense curriculum is based on principles that teach anyone to be effective when fighting off an attacker.

“A beautiful part about jiu-jitsu is that it’s based on natural movements, where you use technique and leverage to fight size and strength,” Stephen said. “A girl may not be able to punch a guy who is 250 pounds, but if you deprive the flow of blood from their arteries to their brain then they are going to go to sleep no matter how big they are.”

Another problem is that high schoolers are usually not aware of the potential dangers that come from being in an unfamiliar environment.

At the Kompound, Stephen teaches decision-making skills that could help teenagers be safer.

“I don’t think teenagers are quite in tune with their instincts,” Stephen said. “[In order] to be safe, you have to trust your instincts.”

Stephen explained that politeness is a very common trait that could lead people into dangerous situations as a young child, you are taught to be

polite to everyone you encounter.

Stephen uses an analogy of a young woman getting in an elevator. The doors open up and she sees a man that she does not know. Her instincts tell her to not get in the elevator, but she gets in anyway in order not to make the man uncomfortable.

“What other animal on the planet would get into a steel cage like an elevator with another animal it is afraid of? Only people do that,” Stephen said. “If your instinct tells you to walk away, you should walk away. You don’t owe anybody an explanation.”

Self-defense is not a traditional form of exercise. However, there are many health benefits that come from learning jiu-jitsu and self-defense.

“We get into a grapple match and we go for eight minutes and you will get up and be dripping with sweat,” Stephen said. “You used all of your core muscles and you don’t even know it, because you had fun. That’s what I love about it.”

Learning self-defense has many benefits. Amir Stephen teaches classes for all who want to learn at his two Kompound locations and says he enjoys teaching Arapahoe students.

Stop by if you are in the fighting mood.

2

1

1. Amir Stephen shows Araphaoe Herald staffer Monica Splain how to maneuver out of junior Dylan Van Denend’s neck grab by pulling one of his fingers back. 2.

Amir Stephen demonstrates how junior Dylan Van Denend can escape a wrist grab, which is a common attack on women. Photos by Carrie McDaniel

Student trains in the jiu-jitsu arts at The Kompound

by Reid Conant Reuben Bartolome is a sophomore at Arapahoe and an active participant in martial arts. In particular, he is involved in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Reuben got interested in Brazilian jiu-jitsu through wrestling, and out of the desire to be a part of something more exciting and more exotic. Bartolome is a regular at The Kompound and practices Brazilian jiu-jitsu daily.

“Brazilian jiu-jitsu is ground

“

“I have broken one kid’s arm and I have also broken a kid’s leg. That’s about it, because only [stubborn] kids don’t tap [out],” Bartolome said.

“I like that people are more respectful in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and I’ve made lots of new friends in jiu-jitsu because they are nice and respectful,” Bartolome said.

Everyone is welcome at The Kompound, and there are a variety of classes that are available for students at all skill levels who train at The

Bartolome said.

Bartolome competes in a lot of tournaments and Brazilian jiu-jitsu is his passion.

“Jiu-jitsu is self-defense because when someone goes up behind me and tries to grab me or something I can choke him and throw him even though he is sneaking up from behind me,” Bartolome said.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a lot more exciting than wrestling because it allows more room to use creative

I like that people are more respectful in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and I’ve made lots of new friends in Jiu-Jitsu because they are nice and respectful,” Rueben Bartolome, 10

work. Jiu-jitsu is like wrestling but it’s for submission. I like it because I get to worry about getting choked or getting arm-barred instead of just being pinned on my back,” Bartolome said.

Bartolome said he enjoys Brazilian jiu-jitsu because it is similar to extreme wrestling, and entails fighting until someone “taps out” or “quits.”

Breaking arms and choking is allowed in jiu-jitsu, and this is what sets it apart from wrestling.

Kompound have found taking a selfdefense class has proved helpful for strength, ability and technique.

“I think it’s a very good thing to learn how you can stand on your feet and how you can protect yourself.

It’s a friendly environment also,” Bartolome said.

Self-defense uses combat techniques and tactics from other variations of martial arts.

“Self-defense uses jiu-jitsu, judo and even wrestling. It simply is using martial arts to protect yourself,”

moves that wrestling does not allow. “[In] Brazilian jiu-jitsu, you’re pretty much all over the place and doing much more insane moves because you’re being taught more and more moves. We don’t practice kicking predators [in the groin], we do crazy submissions and flying triangle chokes and we learn crazy tosses,” Bartolome said.

Reuben Bartolome has found his passion in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and encourages others to try it for themselves.

Reuben Bartolome facing an opponent at the beginning of a Brazilian jiu-jitsu battle. Photo courtesy of Reuben Bartolome

12

Arapahoe Herald | Monday, October 27, 2014

OPINIONS

A

WALKING What are you doing on Valentine’s Day?

“I’m going to cut out hearts and give them to myself while watching ‘The Conjuring.’”

– Natalie Betts,12

Relationship Status: Who cares?

V

alentine’s Day is a day that brings sadness to some and happiness to others. A day that is often called a “Hallmark Holiday.” Whether single or in a relationship this upcoming Valentine’s Day, the question is: who really cares?

The fact of the matter is that we live in a consumerist society, which attempts to force us to find a significant other to spend money on. This is the main point of those who would say that it is a “Hallmark Holiday.” A Hallmark Holiday is known as “just another excuse to buy greeting cards,” and thus, feeds the glorious machine of capitalism.

The real history of Valentine’s day, however, is a day to celebrate Saint Valentine, a third century Roman saint, who was never really recognized by the Roman Catholic church, nor was a church dedicated to him. The reason for his holiday and sainthood was because of his martyrdom and refusal to renounce his faith.

No matter the history, though, there is a problem with the holiday now, whether it

be the consumerist approach or the whining and complaining singles.

Not a single Valentine’s Day goes by without the happiness of people who are in relationships being negated by people who are not, simply for that reason. Valentine’s Day needs a culture shock, because when we get down to it, nobody cares who is in or out of a relationship.

I have heard plenty of people say, “Oh you’re not doing anything on Valentine’s Day? We need to get you a boyfriend.” Or even, “Wow you have a date on Valentine’s Day? Why are you such a conformist?”

It is time to stop with this whole idea of finding happiness and identity for a single day, whether you are spending the day alone or with someone else. To those who are single, do not degrade people who are in a relationship. They have every right to be happy. And to those who are in a relationship, it is okay to let other people be single. You are not superior to single people.

Let them do what they want.

Valentine’s Day is not about finding a

significant other to spend money on and time together. Inversely, it is not a day about complaining about the lack of someone else buying gifts for you or spending time with you.

We are in high school now. We should be able to respect each other’s choices on Valentine’s Day and not claim they need a date to be happy, or that they are conforming by having a date. It is time to stop telling people how they should spend their holiday, or drown it out with complaints.

So this is a message to all people, single or not: No one cares. At all. Stop complaining or trying to convince others to do as you do. We are not in middle school anymore. Grow up and just accept each others’ decisions.

This editorial represents the views of a majority of the Arapahoe Herald Staff

“Crying. Watching a bunch of movies and eating cookie dough.

Boys are dumb.”

– Annika Bobb, 11

Graphic illustration by Abigail Guadnola

Stop living under a rock, follow the news Staying informed, more than keeping up with the latest celebrity gossip

“Go to a movie. Get some flowers, maybe a couple of candles.

Rose petals.”

– Spencer Anema, 10

“Probably staying at home. Kinda boring. ” – Mark Hunter, 9

by Abigail Guadnola Everyone should follow national and world news. Now before you laugh, turn the page and continue forward in your own little world, let me explain.

As high school students, we are on the verge of adulthood.

Many of the seniors are able to vote and are legally adults. For the rest of us, we have a maximum of four years until we get such privileges.

Being informed on current events is unfortunately often met with the same dull excuse: “I’m just a teenager, that is not my problem.”

However, that could not be farther from the truth. It most certainly is our problem.

Despite our desire to stay young, we will not be kids forever; we have to grow up and accept the responsibilities that come with being our age.

The decisions that those who lead our country and world make today are decisions that will shape the society of the future, the society that we will someday run.

People who are elected or gain power, wars that are fought,

taxes that are put into place, terrorist organizations that form, disease outbreaks and even natural disasters all will have an impact on the world that we will live in prior to and during our adult lives.

We need to pay attention now while history is being made,

“

fair portion of the student body would not.

By being informed, citizens take the power from politicians and those who wish to fill our heads with propaganda.

Whether we like to admit it or not, at this age we are still fairly

Despite our desire to stay young, we will not be kids forever; we have to grow up and accept the responsibilities that come with being our age.”

so that as adults we are knowledgeable about the events we grew up around as opposed to only remembering the apps that were popular.

If someone like Saddam Hussein was beginning to rise to power currently, would you know about it? Chances are good that a

impressionable (some more than others). By being aware of what is happening in our world, we can form our own opinions instead of blindly accepting the things that we are told.

Not only do we have the ability to think for ourselves, we defy the stereotype of what a typical

teenager is. The world’s view for the most part is that we strut about with the typical careless attitude.

By watching the news (or at least following it to some extent) we show that we are intelligent and are capable of doing more than drinking underage, sleeping around and blowing off homework.

The idea that we have more access to information than whole countries and do not take advantage of it is preposterous.

As a generation we have more technology than our grandparents dreamed of as children and, instead of using it to our benefit and attempting to gain knowledge, we use these technological advances to sit on our phones playing games and sending meaningless pictures on Snapchat.

We have so much at our fingertips and yet some of us are incapable of reading or watching the news for a half hour a day.

What is happening in the world IS our problem, what is happening in the world DOES affect us and it is time that we got up and became a real part of it.

Arapahoe Herald | Friday, February 13, 2015

A Line in the Sand?

concept and, quite honestly, a basic right. However, can this simple right be taken too far?

As a journalist, freedom of speech and freedom of expression are ideas necessary for me to operate. I would not be writing this article without the freedom of speech – I believe everyone has a right to voice their own opinions.

This right for me has never been hindered. I belong in a demographic that has not known oppression. I am white, male, straight, agnostic and upper middle class. However, I know this right has been crushed and taken away for many other peoples: women, Hispanics, Asians, the LGBT community and those who are religious.

Let me make something clear before I go into detail: I do not condone nor do I agree with the actions taken

by ISIS, or any other terrorist group in Paris or anywhere else in the world. Nothing that is

Should freedom of speech be limited to keep others from offense?

by Mason Steiner ver since the terrorist attacks on the Charlie Hebdo journalists in Paris, something that has been on my mind is the idea of freedom of speech. It is such a simple

E

said, or drawn, by anyone should result in their death by another person. However, the Muslim people did have a right to speak out against the Charlie Hebdo cover. It is a key part of Islam that Muhammad is not drawn, painted or printed in any fashion.

The question is: should there be a line in the sand when it comes to freedom of speech?

Where should this line be? I personally do not know how I feel about this. Should people have a line in the sand, so to speak, that they shouldn’t cross because they will offend others? On one hand, I think there should be a boundary. Until we live in a society where people can accept others’ opinions, respect their beliefs and truly treat them like people, it may be necessary. On the other hand, I am a person and I can express myself how I want to. I should have a right to say what I want. Anyone should.

It seems that it is only people like me, (you know, white and straight people,) who get the right to tell people what they can or cannot say.

This whole idea is wrong. Why do so many white people ignore when a black person asks them not to say the “N word?” Why does the world excuse the newspapers for producing something

opinions

13

offensive to Islam, by writing it off as satire?

There is a problem with how we respect each other in the world.

Where is the moral compass in people today? As humans we should know how to respect each other enough to not offend people just for the sake of causing offense, especially to groups which have been oppressed throughout history.

Of course I already have that right. What about the millions or, billions of people who cannot say what they want due to fear of persecution or fear of an oppressive government or of terrorist organizations? They also should have the right to speak.

The problem I face with taking an opinion on this issue is that I do not know how much control over speech there would be. Nor do I know who would take control of that. What human has a right to tell another human what they cannot say? There is a problem, undeniably, but my question is, is there a solution? Will we ever live in a world where people can say what they want without offending others?

That’s probably a distance away. Let’s start with respecting others first.

Graphic illustration by Maddie Dorman and Mason Steiner

Jordan’s response to ISIS should set example

With the current conflict in the Middle East, a story such as this is almost becoming commonplace: a citizen brutally executed on camera by ISIS (the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria), causing national outrage. One of the more recent victims of these atrocities was a Jordanian pilot who was shown in the video in a cage, burning alive.

However, unlike the recent activities of the USA, Japan and England alike,

Jordan responded by executing all of their ISIS prisoners.

This activity on both sides is extreme and brutal; however, in the case of Jordan’s response, it is exactly what the world needs right now.

The different countries that have been hurt or had their civilians executed by members of ISIS need to follow in Jordan’s wake and start putting their foot down with the

Islamic State. I can guarantee that I am not alone on this side of the argument.

Here is a little experiment to run here at school: go around asking random students what they think of the USA’s involvement in Iraq and Syria, then find the proportion of students that believe the U.S. Military needs boots on the ground in order to stop the expansion of ISIS. To be fair, the U.S. Government should be given credit for the air strikes they have called for since September and the training of rebels to fight against ISIS in January.

However, an extremist group with the power of ISIS cannot be shut down by air strikes alone. There is simply more that needs to be done in order to assert control over the situation and stop their expansion. If greater

military control is not used and ISIS continues to expand, they may reach Pakistan or India and gain access to nuclear arms.Those who know me personally can discern that I am one who favors diplomacy over war in almost all circumstances. I was in favor of keeping our troops out of the Middle East for a while, but the more recent executions carried out by ISIS have convinced me that a continual application of the same resistance by the U.S. Government will only cost more time and innocent lives. The United States needs to get boots on the ground in the Islamic State in order to stop these executions once and for all, even if it results in another war in the Middle East.

This is where Jordan re-enters the equation. In response to the blatant terror statement issued to

them by ISIS, they used similar means in response. They sent a message that they refuse to be victimized. Through that action, they were able to expose a weakness in the Islamic State and prove to the rest of the world that their country will not hesitate to take swift and deliberate action against threats of terror.

The fact of the matter is that one day the United States will have to come to terms with the fact that ISIS is a threat that will not be ended by the same small means of resistance.

I applaud Jordan for taking a strong stance against this threat of terror and hope the rest of the world will follow in their footsteps. Maybe only a display of collective resistance from the free countries of the world can put an end to those overseas who mean to do us harm.

14

Arapahoe Herald | Friday, February 9, 2012

OPINIONS

“Meninism” should not compete with Feminism

by Madison Wacaser

F

eminism is a word that has come up often in debates and news for a while now, whether critically or favorably.

But more recently, another seemingly synonymous word has sprouted: meninism.

Google defines meninism as 'a global organization of men that believe in and support the feminist principles of women's political, social and economic equality’ but I, along with many other people, would argue differently. Meninists on social networks have claimed they want equal rights for men, but men are not the systematically oppressed gender the last time I checked.

First, we have

to talk about feminism.

Feminism is about equal gender rights, no matter what your gender or sexual orientation is. Not only that, feminists are trying to strip away stereotypes and gender roles. For example, there is no logical reason for dresses to be considered feminine and suits to be considered masculine; this just separates people into categories. But, despite what the name may suggest, feminism is not about usurping men and ‘taking their place in society’ or justifying whatever a woman decides to do.

Feminism does not dispute that men can be abused and raped, it just so happens that women

are more often the victims, which is why women is what feminism usually focuses on.

Those who support equal gender rights are feminists.

Period. Anyone who does not support equal gender rights and calls themselves a feminist is wrong, end of story.

‘Meninism’, after changing the first three letters in feminism, is ready to go and make fun of the movement they took the name from, while calling itself an activist movement. When in reality, meninist t-shirts sold online and hashtags on social media are only trying to make feminists angry. Which it has.

Of course it would, because by making fun of feminism, meninists are making fun of

Feminism

equal gender rights.

What meninists have failed to see is that their actions reinforce the need for feminism. Through fighting feminism they are creating more of a need for a movement advocating gender equality, which is the irony of the whole situation.

Feminism has fought tooth-and-nail to be recognized as a group trying to work towards positive change starting with advocating for voting rights in the 1800s, while meninism has been welcomed overnight.

Make of that what you will, but it does not seem like a step towards equality of any kind.

I know that change can be difficult, and nobody wants to admit that they are wrong. But we also have to keep moving forward and challenging ourselves to be better, even if it means letting go of our own pride.

Five Tenets of Feminism 1. The principal object is to gain equal rights for men and women.

2. Males and females are socialized to become masculine and feminine.

3. The social requirement of being masculine or feminine is oppressive to both males and females.

4. Ending sexual violence and sexual freedom are issues that must be supported.

5. The relationship between men and women has almost always been unequal and oppressive. http://www.colorado.edu/Sociolog y/Mayer/ Contemporary%20Theory/Feminist%20Theory_ files/frame.htm

Meninism

I should not be in danger because I am a woman

Being a woman is scary. No really, it is. I spend a good amount of my time when I am in public either paranoid or subconsciously asking myself if each person I walk past is a threat. That mindset is not just present when I am alone – unless I am in a huge group of people, I’m hypervigilant. Most women can probably relate to that feeling.

Just the other night, I was downtown with a group of three other girls, walking back from a movie to a light rail station. Unsurprisingly, most of our conversation centered on the people we came upon. While crossing the street: “Wait wait wait is that a guy? Oh god okay it’s a girl, let’s go.”

“Did you see that guy we just passed? He was so creepy, staring at us from that alley.”

“Guys, link arms. Safety in numbers.”

A city worker shoveling snow from the sidewalk nodded at us as we passed, saying “Have a good night, girls. Stay safe.” I wish he hadn’t needed to say the last part. I wish we could have just had a good night, that the “safe” part was unnecessary. But it isn’t.

Don’t women deserve to feel safe out in public too? Yes, of course men sometimes feel unsafe in public too. But what we experience is more than a mild

worry that you might get mugged – many women feel a persistent fear of being harassed/ assaulted/ followed/ mugged/raped when we are in public, especially when alone.

The majority of men I have discussed this with do not really worry about all that. A common response is that they feel confident that they could physically “take” anyone trying to give them trouble. But the vast, vast majority of women cannot physically defend themselves from an attacker of the opposite gender.

For most women, our genetics makes us physically (and I really hate to say this word when talking about my gender) weaker. And if you’re a lady who is not: you ROCK and I am jealous. You go, you 6’2” womanly beefcake, you.

But except for lady beefcakes, it’s true. Men are 50% stronger than woman in brute strength, have 30% higher lung capacity and naturally larger muscles.

Plus, much higher testosterone levels than women (duh) mean that men are typically more aggressive. Don’t feel too bad though, girls; you will likely outlive dudes your age by three to four years.

However, I’d guess that women will want to avoid events that may interfere with that naturally longer lifespan.

From a very young age, girls are taught that we need to take every step known to man to protect ourselves. We know all of the tips: walk assertively

and look straight ahead, don’t wear a ponytail because they are easy for someone behind you to grab, hold your keys between your knuckles, always park near a lamp at night, carry pepper spray, don’t ever walk alone, etcetera, etcetera etcetera until you figure that you should just hire a bodyguard and be done with it. It’s exhausting.

The thing is: I can learn self-defense and take all the “necessary” steps to minimize my risks, but that will not make my world safer. I can only control how I react to threats and dangers – everything else that happens to me is a result of someone else’s choice. And I hate that fact. It makes me feel powerless and frustrated.

And sometimes we feel that maybe we’re being too dramatic, that maybe we’re too paranoid. Sometimes men like to roll their eyes and encourage us to secondguess ourselves, laughing that it “Can’t really be that bad! What’s the worst that happens to you, that you get hit on?”

Uh, no. That is definitely not the worst that can happen. I have a friend who needed a restraining order at 17, another who has been jumped, one who has been followed home from school, a couple who have been sexually assaulted – I could go on. I usually expect to be catcalled when I walk along a public road, and I usually am. The fact that I am so used to having vulgar and sometimes threatening

things shouted at me from passing cars is horrifying.

It’s messed up that we as women are conditioned to think the worst of every man we walk past, that we absolutely avoid situations and places that men would feel perfectly comfortable in, that one-third of homicides in the US are males killing their female partners.

We have little control of these facts, and until men get it together, there isn’t much that we can do other than learn how to protect ourselves.

We can show our boys that violence against women is not okay. It is never okay. Little boys and little girls will walk the same planet as women and men one day, and they both deserve respect and safety from each other. Someday, I want my daughter to not feel as if she is in danger simply because she exists.

Arapahoe Herald | Friday, February 13, 2015

CRITICAL REVIEWS

15

Students, get some more of the fun Oreo craze

by Monica Splain hether you are baking for your special someone this Valentine’s day or just want to ruin your diet this weekend, below are some easy-to-make ‘Everything Oreo’ delights. Feel free to use these recipes as a basic guideline

W

and leave the rest to your own baking creativity. If you are gluten free or vegan have no fear, there are many alternative cookies and ingredients to suit your diet at your local grocery store.

Caleb’s Oreo Truffles and Moni’s Oreo Pudding have been tested and perfected by some of your very own Herald staff

members.

Available at the grocery store are a vast assortment of different flavored Oreos such as mint, birthday cake, etc. This Valentine’s day many stores will also be selling a limited time edition Red Velvet Oreo that I highly recommend! Enjoy!

OREO PUDDING

OREO TRUFFLES Ingredients: ~1 package of Oreos ~1 pack block cream cheese ~2 packs Baker’s semi sweet chocolate ~Saucepan ~Food processor ~Wax paper Instructions: 1. Grind or crush Oreos in a food processor

Ingredients: ~1 package of Oreos ~½ stick butter ~One 8 ounce pkg cream cheese, softened ~1 small package vanilla instant pudding ~One 8 ounce container of Cool Whip ~3 cups milk ~1 cup sugar

Instructions: 1. Crush Oreos in a 9×13 pan (save a few for topping).

2. Melt butter and pour over crushed Oreos.

3. Mix together pudding mix, milk, cream cheese, and sugar and spread over Oreos.

4. Fold in cool whip. Spread over pudding.

5. Sprinkle remaining crushed Oreos on top.

6. Chill before serving

2. Mix in thawed block of cream cheese with the crushed Oreos in food processor until blended completely into a dark black mix.

3. Place in freezer for 15-20 minutes.

4. Take out Oreo mix from freezer. Take spoonful size scoops and make them into balls. Dip each one by one into the melted chocolate mix to cover completely.

5. Place chocolate covered Oreo truffles onto wax paper about 2 inches apart.

6. Place sheet of oreo truffles into the freezer for an hour to make sure chocolate cover freezes. Take out and enjoy!

Photos by Monica Splain

LIFEGUARDS WANTED! We are beginning to hire for Summer 2015! We need Lifeguards for Community Pools in Centennial & Greenwood Village!

APPLY TODAY:

www.frontrangerecreation.com

Or call our office for more information at 303-617-0221

Critical Review

16

Arapahoe Herald | Friday, February 13, 2015

Family-owned restaurants make for memorable dates Overview Hibachi, Sushi, Chinese Price range: $20-$30 Food Service Entertainment Atmosphere Overall enjoyment Located on the corner of E. Arapahoe Rd. and S. Havana St. Hours: Mon-Thurs: 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri-Sat: 11 a.m.-11:00 p.m., Sun: 12:00 p.m. -9:30 p.m.

Call 303-662-8111 to reserve a table or a seat at a Hibachi table

Volcano suited for unique date night

by Lindsey Archipley hile it may not be ideal for a simple, casual date night with your significant other due to its pricey menu (and the enormous amount of food you will have to eat), Volcano offers a unique and entertaining dining experience perfect for any fun or special-occasion date. The locally-owned restaurant has a diverse menu, offering Hibachi-style entrees, sushi and traditional Chinese dishes, including a long list of appetizers, soups, salads, noodle dishes, and chicken, beef, pork and seafood entrees.

The staff was friendly and personable, and the service was speedy and professional. The Hibachi chef was not only extraordinarily talented, but he was also humorous and engaging with his customers.

The most exciting aspect of Volcano is, by far, the entertainment. While the restaurant does offer dining-room seating for those who prefer to have a more intimate meal with their sweetheart, I recommend snagging a seat at a Hibachi table by making reservations online or by phone. This option is more expensive, but the delectable five-course meal and incredibly talented chefs make it worth the few extra bucks. You will be handed a menu from which you will choose the type of protein you want (do not fear, there is a vegetarian option too) and the type of rice you want. Once every seat is filled at the eight person table and everyone has ordered, the chef will begin cooking each meal. Meanwhile, they will serve soup, a salad and white or fried rice. I recommend pacing yourself to avoid being too full before

W

the entree is finished cooking. Once the chef shows off some of his techniques and attempts to toss a shrimp into your mouth (do not worry if you do not catch it; I did not), he will serve up your entree. Not only was the chef extremely personable and funny, but the rest of the staff was also prompt and friendly as well. The server was speedy and ensured every guest had whatever they needed.

If the live cooking show and professional service are not good enough reasons to bring your date to Volcano, then the incredible, flavorful food is the final seller.

The ingredients are extremely fresh and high-quality and most dishes can be cooked to order. My favorite is the Hibachi-style filet mignon; it was cooked perfectly, super tender and packed with flavor. The menu is so extensive that you are sure to find a meal you will enjoy on it, even if you are not usually a fan of traditional Asian food.

Overall, my experience at Volcano was well-worth the money I spent; however, the only complaint I have is that the volume of the music was outrageously loud and distracting. Although I fear sounding like a grumpy, elderly person, I must say that the live jazz music was obnoxious and way too loud for the size of the restaurant. If you happen to dine here on a live jazz night, try to get a table a little further away from the band. Despite the annoying music, I would still return to Volcano for the exquisite food and entertainment (hopefully on a quieter evening, though).

SAY WHAT?!

Ridiculous, out-of-context comments overheard throughout the school.

“I want to text my old teacher but I don’t have minutes. Do you think she has KIK?” - Starbucks

“Math is like an onion. When you look at it, you cry.” - S13

The Bistro offers tasty food, quiet atmosphere French cuisine Price range: $10-16 Food Service Atmosphere Overall enjoyment Located off of Santa Fe Dr. in Aspen Grove Hours: 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. daily Call 303-347-2424 to make a reservation

Pros: -Pleasant, inviting dining area -Banquet room available for large parties -Friendly, professional service -Breakfast and lunch served all day (Who says you can’t have stuffed French toast or strawberry crepes for dinner?)

-Affordable, varied menu Cons: -No gluten-free menu Photos by Lindsey Archipley

“‘Are those plain Cheerios?’ ‘They’re Honey Nut. I’m not an animal.’” - C16

“Do you know who Saint Valentine was?

He was a murderer.” - S13

“I’m a crepe; I donut belong here.” - E11