Issue 3 (Nov. 2018)

SpilledInk Follow us:

fchsspilledink.weebly.com

Founded in 1919

The FCHS Student Newspaper

Nov. 29, 2018

Push pgs. 10-14

Hidden Side of Teachers pg. 3

Shoulda Stayed a Plumber Feature pg. 9 Cheerleading Feature pg. 17

Protect Transgender People pg. 22

Volume 100 Issue 3

3400 Lambkin Way Fort Collins, CO 80525 Phone: (970) 488-8199 Fax: (970) 488-8008

2

Nov. 29, 2018

News

Spilled Ink

YEARS 20

18

1980

The Rubik’s Cube and Pac-Man were released.

OF SPILLED INK This year we are celebrating the 100th year of Spilled Ink by looking back at some interesting clips from past editions of the paper and comparing them to today’s culture and events.

This opinion piece written in 1983 re�lects a world that was extremely partisan and polarized. It claims that Americans were refusing to listen to other people’s ideas or viewpoints if they were different from their own. At the time, the House of Representatives was controlled by Democrats, the Senate had a majority of Republicans, and the President was Ronald Reagan. The divided government alone indicates people were opposed on many ideas, but it likely was a convergence of political and cultural aspects that created the polarization this article criticized. For

1981

Bob Marley died.

1982

The movie “E.T.” is released. perspective, it was during the 1980s that tension surrounding nuclear threats was on the rise, while society was changing through developing technology like cell phones and personal computers.

The time we are living in now is also pivotal; we will have the same type of divided government and a polarized populace. FCHS certainly feels these effects; on the right, a Young Conservatives Club was established this year, while on the left, hundreds walked out of school in February to encourage gun control.

1983

Sally Ride becomes the first American woman in space.

1984

What may differ, however, is free speech is more protected in our school today. Under Colorado law, this newspaper may not be censored except in cases of promoting gangs or illegal substances.

The magazine this article refers to—Myriad— may be a precursor to Remington Street Review, which is our current student arts publication. Just as Myriad provided a space for students to showcase their writing compositions and art, Remington Street Review collects and publishes student work too.

However, since then, this type of endeavor has expanded. Today, Remington is shifting to include more types of art; right now, they are accepting auditory art like recorded songs or spoken word poetry in addition to written and printed work. They plan to have either a CD included with the purchase of their annual publication, or to use QR codes that will take students to a website to listen to these pieces. This development only improves

Ronald Reagan won the presidential election against democrat Walter Mondale.

1983

1985

“Back to the Future” is released.

the service that both these publications, Myriad and Remington Street Review, provide. Not only can students feel the accomplishment that comes with having their work published, but the FCHS community also bene�its from being able to see it. It’s interesting to think that Remington may have not been continued if not for this revival by students in the 1980s, and it shows the impact that past students have on the current student body.

Students who are just as excited as junior Ken Sarles about publishing their work can send it to fchsremington@gmail.com.

1983

1986

The Space Shuttle challenger disaster occurs.

1987

DNA is first used to convict criminals.

1988

Rihanna was born.

1989

The Berlin Wall falls.

INSIDE THE INK

Think Tank News pg. 5

Corrections:

Grass Roots A&E pg. 7

Learning through VR In Depth pg. 10

Adventure PE Sports pg. 15

Clyde Cares Perspectives pg. 23

News

Spilled Ink

Nov. 29, 2018

3

Intriguing past, personality bonds teacher to students Sadie Buggle

‘Cocoa and Cram’ to help students study for �inals Hannah Blagg

Staff Writer

Cocoa and Cram will be held on Dec 12 from 3-5 p.m. in the commons.

A number of students and staff will be available to help students study for exams or work on completing �inal projects.

“It’s an awesome way to not only learn for your �inals but it also allows you to connect with the FCHS community,” senior Carlynn Rockwell said. “You are going to be able to study for your �inals which is a big deal, especially for freshmen. When it’s your �irst week of �inals, it’s a lot of stress, but it’s a good way to relieve that.”

The event is free and snacks will also be provided.

Class Add/Drop period to occur Dec. 18-20 Alex Ellmer

Staff Writer

The Add/Drop period will be open from Dec. 18 through Dec. 20, and Jan. 8 through Jan. 10 in Student Services.

During this time, students can talk to counselors to make changes in their schedules for second semester.

“A student might want to come if they would like to see if they can change their electives for semester classes only,” Counselor Anna Morris wrote in an email to Spilled Ink. “We can’t change around year-long classes.”

Though counselors will have sign-up sheets outside their of�ices, students will be seen on a �irst-come-�irst-served basis.

In addition, not all requests for schedule changes will be met. According to the “Schedule Repair Guidelines,” changes may be made if students failed a class, accidentally enrolled in a class they already completed, did not meet prerequisites, or were placed in the wrong level.

Staff Ugly Sweater Day to take place on Dec. 14 Hannah Blagg

Staff Writer

The annual Staff Ugly Sweater Day will be on Dec. 14, and staff is encouraged to wear any ugly sweater that complies with school rules.

Counselor Kristin Flanagan is organizing the unof�icial event.

“Personally, I love the holidays, particularly Christmas and I think it’s just fun to wear ugly sweaters,” Flanagan said. “Some people wear traditional sweaters from the ‘60s and ‘70s versus some people kind of hand craft their own.”

Staff members who wear ugly sweaters will gather to take a picture at 7:15 a.m. in the LTC. Last year, there were approximately 40 participants, and staff members involved earned prizes for the best sweaters.

News Editor

Although he owns shoes coated in the elements of the periodic table and seemingly hundreds of science graphic tees, the walls of his classroom give a glimpse into an intricate love for so much more, and just brie�ly show the adventure that is his life. Adorned with chemistry posters, taped up student artwork and large concert posters, the walls of his classroom allude to the years before Enrique Blas resided in upper L hall, teaching regular chemistry and AP Environmental Science.

In high school, Blas was what he considered an “old-school skateboard punk rocker who grew up during the real punk rock music times.” Blas went as far as to join a skateboarding team and traveled competing in events.

This hobby sparked his interest in the bands he continues to listen to and support, including groups such as The Clash, The Ramones, and The Pogues.

“It’s always been a part of what de�ines me. I was always into punk rock— not only was it what all the skateboarders listened to, but the lyrics really spoke to me,” he said. “I remember sitting in the hallway of my dorm at CSU bummed out about some girl and listening to the lyrics of Joy Division. It got me through it.”

After graduating from college, Blas worked at Montgomery Ward in the lawn and garden department and afterwards started a professional chemical engineering career with the Valspar corporation. In seven years, Blas had a variety of different jobs in the company, including engineer manager of up to three plants, which meant he had to travel often.

Blas became so committed to the

Science teacher Enrique Blas sits at his desk, surrounded by old records, skateboards, concert tickets, and other memorabilia. Photo by Sadie Buggle

industry that he began his own paint manufacturing business in Chile.

However, after seven years of running the business, Blas made a realization.

“I liked training and working with new employees,” he said. “I never got to do it much when I started my own company because it was all business stuff, like sales and collections, and those were the things that I hated. I realized that the position of a teacher kind of perfectly �it my interests and what I actually enjoyed doing.”

So Blas sold his plant, moved back to the states, and got his masters in education and his teaching certi�icate. It is now his 18th year teaching science at FCHS. “The best part of teaching? Easy.

June, July and August,” he said, grinning.

“But, really, I love to get the chance to meet a new batch of kids every year.”

Today, Blas enjoys cycling and usually rides a couple thousand miles every summer. Blas also likes

to hunt, �ish, camp, golf, mountaineer, and lift weights. He still �inds a thrill in going to concerts and traveling, and still skateboards on occasion.

Maybe it’s due to his connection with his high school self, his love of music, his joking and kind nature, or his passion for teaching and meeting new people, or maybe it’s something else entirely. Whatever it is, there is something inside Blas that makes it easy for students to trust him and bond with him.

of

Only wild west zoo once found in Fort Collins Molly Lubbers

Editor-in-Chief

A bison lumbers past, blinking its large eyes sluggishly, close enough to touch. Nearby, elk and deer chew on grass offered by guests. Even the mountain lions here act more like cats, seeming almost playful rather than aggressive predators.

This scene couldn’t happen today, but it was once reality; Fort Collins was the destination for the largest private zoo in the world and the only wild west zoo in America.

This was all thanks to one man: Frank Miller Jr. Though it was perhaps his greatest achievement, Miller’s focus wasn’t always the zoo. He also started a department store, developed his father’s old saloon, and more.

His father was a Danish immigrant who moved to Fort Collins in 1882.

Frank Miller Sr. built the “Miller Building” which can still be seen today in Old Town. Now, Little Bird Bakeshop and Bondi Beach Bar inhabit the space, but at the time, it had both a liquor and dry goods store. His businesses thrived, but Miller Jr.’s ventures went far beyond.

Rather than stay in Fort Collins his whole life, Miller Jr. became involved in Buffalo Bill’s show as a trick shooter. As he traveled across the country, he learned the art of entertainment. He bought

a stagecoach from Buffalo Bill, and he used both that and his inspiration from the experience to create his own wild west show.

In 1920, Miller Jr. returned to Fort Collins and bought Trail’s End Ranch. He developed the land into a guest ranch, becoming extremely successful.

What made his ranch so unique were the 1,400 different types of animals it featured. Though some were exotic, all of his animals were domesticated to act like pets.

Miller named most of his animals, and it is said he could call most of them to him from even a quarter of a mile away, but his favorite pet was actually a bear.

The Fort Collins Courier reported in 1919 that the bear had wandered up to a picnic party that included Frank Miller, and when he started to go home, the bear caught up with his car and climbed into the back seat. Furthermore, it says Miller

took the bear to Laramie City to go on the Ferris wheel and merry go round. The bear also was taught tricks, including drinking a beer out of a bottle and “kissing” Miller Jr. This delighted his guests.

His ranch soon became known nationwide; in 1925, more than 10,000 people visited. Not only did people come from the U.S., but some of his guests came from over 25 different countries. He put on about 3,500 performances.

Unfortunately, the glamor of wild west shows and elaborate ranches like the one he had faded away with the end of the Wild West era. He lived the rest of his life in the Linden Hotel after losing his business and family. Today, the hotel is Nature’s Own, and some employees have reported disturbances they attribute to his ghost.

He’s become forgotten in history, even though he is one of the most notable �igures of Fort Collins’ past.

It’s these strange, quirky stories that are so fun to come across in the archives, and it is always sad to think that they are lost to so many.

But best way to honor those that are hidden by history is to remember their experiences. Miller may not still be shooting in a wild west show, or tending to his strange zoo, but we can still imagine him riding down College Avenue with a bear in his car and entertaining his guests with his antics.

4

Nov. 29, 2018

News

Spilled Ink

Turkey Round-Up Run-Down

30 Thanksgiving Meals Percentages of Money Raised by Category Pie Sale 8%

King Soopers Collections 22%

3rd Period Classes 44% Extra Donations 25%

79

Turkeys Donated

Above: Students enthusiastically watch their teachers, Justin Stephens (upper right,) Enrique Blas (bottom left,) and Craig Rhoades (bottom right) compete during the Pie Eating Contest hosted by Student Council Nov. 15. Blas was declared the winner. Photos by Sadie Buggle. Graphics by Jack Hunter

Spilled Ink

News

Nov. 29, 2018

Think Tank gives students a voice Italia Caro Sports Editor Student voices are often not heard in issues that affect their lives. To remedy that, a group of students from all the schools comes together to �ind the opinions and thoughts of students to present to adults and school board members.

Think Tank is a forum for students who collaborate with the Center for Public Deliberation (CPD) at Colorado State University (CSU) to present the information that they gather to other deliberators, Poudre School District board members and Assistant Superintendent to Secondary Schools Scott Nielsen.

CPD graduate students and Professor Martín Carcasson train Think Tank members in public deliberation, which helps them with data collection for “wicked” problems. “Wicked” problems have no clear solution, presenting multiple solutions.

Recently, Think Tank presented the information related to the “wicked” problem of drug abuse at the National Public Deliberation conference in Denver on Nov. 3.

The data presented at the conference was based on last year’s data collection.

The common solutions to society’s drug problems found were keeping people safe, addressing conditions that foster substance abuse and upholding individual freedom.

The information was presented to the audience and Think Tank members were a part of a Q and A, answering any questions the audience or other conference members had.

Prior to the conference, Think Tank collected data through a standard process. Think Tank members

5

w e n t t o schools to give an introduction to the topic being discussed.

After the introduction, students were introduced to three different possible approaches to solving the problem and were allowed to express their thoughts and opinions freely on the matter.

Sophomore Elliott Chen, who has participated in Think Tank for two years, noticed a pattern in �irst-time attendees.

“Often times students are really guarded about their opinions and making sure they feel anonymous and people can’t come and chase after them, should they express their opinion,” Chen said.

As Think Tank members work to help participants feel comfortable sharing ideas, they also take notes, which they share with the graduate students and Carcasson, who compile all the �indings into a single report for presentations and readings.

After the data is presented at the National Public Deliberation conference, Think Tank members prepare to show their �indings to members of the PSD schoolboard and Superintendent Nielsen. Reaching the adults who are in control of the procedures that affect many students’ lives allows student voices to have an impact.

“The coolest part of Think Tank is getting the input and my thoughts in and actually being heard, because a lot of the time I feel like a lot of kids aren’t being listened to, and I de�initely feel that way as well,” Chen said. “So, it’s just the fact that you’re being listened to and not being judged, it’s just ‘Oh, this person has this outlook,’ and then it’s why, how and what led up to this person saying t h a t .”

Poudre Think Tank (PTT) 2017 Analysis: In the spring of 2018, data on students’ opinions about substance abuse and how to combat it was collected from about 300 high school students across the district through deliberation by Poudre Think Tank. This project began when Scott Nielsen, PSD assistant superintendent, requested help discovering actions to take in terms of substance abuse among youth.

Three approaches to the issue were presented as options for the students: Keeping People Safe, Addressing the Conditions that can foster Substance Abuse in Youth, and Upholding Individual Freedom Here are the top potential actions for each approach: 1. Keeping People Safe: assume parental responsibility for drinking/smoking at parties, have more monitoring at off-campus places at which students abuse substances, train more police as drug recognition experts, and necessitate schools to share their data on drug/alcohol offenses by students.

2. Addressing the Conditions that Foster Substance Abuse in Youth: encourage other after-school activities, make a peer-counseling program, educate students on how to speak to friends about substance abuse, offer support to specific groups, lower glamorization in media, and limit advertising for drugs.

Students Ryan Zhang (Fossil 3. Upholding Individual Freedom: expand education of drug use, provide students with tools Ridge), Jeannie Zhang (Fossil to make informed decisions, make a culture fostering friends to talk about substance Ridge), Gabriela Carcasson abuse, provide resources for students seeking help anonymously, offer alternatives to (Fossil Ridge), Katie Ko harsher penalties that encourage recovery, and distinguish between substance use (Poudre), Edward Lim (Fort and use in curriculums.

Collins), Eleanae Sell (CSU), Students’ opinions were collected by note-takers and a short survey at the end of Joseph Lupo (CSU), Martin their discussions. Their comments and responses were categorized by approach, Carcasson (Professor at CSU) and most leaned toward Upholding Individual Freedom. discuss possible solutions to problems in the community.

Information gathered by Sadie Buggle; Photos by Sadie Buggle. source: Poudre Think Tank

6

A&E

Nov. 29, 2018

Artist expresses individuality, message to society through art Rebekah De Priest Staff Writer

Tower Dance showcase to display talent Dec. 16 Hannah Blagg

Staff Writer

Tower Dance will present a showcase on Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. in McNeal Auditorium.

Members of the group will perform dances they have learned this semester, both in groups and solos.”

They work really hard and since they don’t get to perform at football games or anything, it’s just an opportunity for them to get up and perform in front of friends and family,” Tower Dance Kim Schutt said.

Students, staff, and families can attend for free, but Tower Dance is accepting donations as well.

Students to play in CSU Honor Band Concert Kristina Howard

Staff Writer

Colorado State University will host the CSU Honor Band Concert Dec. 6-8, at the University Center for the Arts. The event is free and is open to the public.

Students auditioned for a chance to perform.

“We have 11 students from Fort Collins High School who were selected, that’s the most out of the Fort Collins area,” Band Director David Miles said.

The musicians chosen to play this year are Bella Apodaca, Dylan Kelly, Eric Kearns, Jocelyn Burnside, Erin Wilson, Marrakesh Beaner, Matt Boyle, Teagan Boiarsky, Beckett Olbrys, Hannah Thiemann, and Austin Baldini.

Each year a new guest director is chosen to host the event. This year it will be Linda Moorhouse, the Associate Director of Illinois for the School of Music.

Holiday Gift Concert to occur Dec. 14 in McNeal Rebekah De Priest

Spilled Ink

Staff Writer

The annual Holiday Gift Concert will be performed on Friday, Dec. 14, at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The concert will feature the choir, symphony, and select chamber groups.

“Most of the time orchestras will have a separate concert, bands will have a separate concert, and the choirs will have a separate concert, and this combines all of the different groups,” senior Katherine Bridgwater said.

“It’s also just nice holiday festivities, and it also supports a local community member.

That’s really great so you can give back to your community while going to the concert.”

The performance will raise money to support someone in need in the community.

Though the concert is free, Tri-M will be taking donations from the audience.

At publication time the individual being supported had not yet been chosen.

Tickets are required to attend but they will be of no cost. Those interested in attending may go to www.showtix4u.com and search “Holiday Gift Concert” to reserve a seat.

The joy upon her grandmother’s face at the young girl’s colorful artwork brought a light to her eyes, a form of inspiration, and a driving force to continue building upon her love of art. Now, senior Gabrielle Herzman looks back upon the memory as something fond, a building block of her art and how it de�ines her today.

Herzman chooses to work in multiple mediums, like painting and graphite, as more than a form of selfexpression. It has helped her develop over time as a person while creating a new safe space to which she can escape.

“It was in a sense a way to break free of the reality which I was living in and create my own reality,” Herzman said.

Her unique style came from turning art into a form of therapy. Through art, she was able to let her style express a sense of individuality she wanted to show others. Herzman felt the need to allow society to understand life can get weird, and it’s OK to be weird too.

Over time, Herzman said her style and interest in art has shaped and changed her as a person.

“It has grown with life experiences and has influenced how I perceive the

Staff tries no-mirror challenge Jack Hunter

world,” she said. Art helps her convey and dwell on her current emotions, making it easier for her to grow and develop as an individual.

She regards her favorite piece as that of a woman’s chest, acknowledging just how it aids in showing her message to the world, and the wrong needs for our society to objectify the bodies of women.

“My favorite piece is likely a drawing I did of a woman’s chest because I thought I properly portrayed the beauty of imperfection, denying sexual objectification of the woman’s chest and therefore creating a piece of art,” Herzman said.

While Herzman doesn’t have big plans for her art in the future, she hopes to continue pursuing it as a hobby and a way to push out her message to the rest of the world.

“I want the world to know that individuality and breaking free from social stereotypes and conformity are a huge part in determining who you are as an individual,” she explained. “My art has been a form of creating individuality for myself and hopefully in influencing others to break free of social norms that confine them from being the individuals that they truly are and expressing the emotions that they truly feel versus sticking to the script.”

Head Graphic Artist

An unavoidable part of being teenagers in 2018 is constantly being reminded of how we look. Apps like Instagram, Snapchat, and Facetune not only give us the ability to look at ourselves at any moment, but also to see our digital selves morphed and modi�ied in any number of ways.

The Spilled Ink staff found ourselves asking whether this is healthy, and wondering what it would be like to live for an extended period of time without seeing ourselves. We endeavored to avoid looking at our re�lections for �ive days, hoping to take away new insight into how being constantly aware of how we look re�lects upon our self-images.

As it turns out, avoiding mirrors for a week wasn’t a positive and refreshing experience. Instead, many staff members experienced only increased anxiety when it came to their appearances, when they managed to avoid it effectively in the �irst place.

The �irst day was the hardest for everyone—those who didn’t accidentally glance in the mirror

At the end of the no-mirror challenge, the Spilled Ink female staff view themselves for the �irst time in a school week. Photo by Molly Lubbers

Staff Review

a couple of times throughout the day forgot about the challenge completely. The weight of the challenge began to be felt, as we realized just how often we have a chance to look at ourselves: through windows, bathroom mirrors, rear-view mirrors and darkened phone and laptop screens.

The week went on, and for the most part, everyone began to get a little better about avoiding their re�lection, some even making it whole days without slipping up.

Regardless of how much the mystery of our appearances weighed

down on us individually, having to constantly remind ourselves of the challenge was a pain for everyone.

In the end, takeaways were mixed.

For staff members who didn’t pay much attention to their appearances in the �irst place, it was nothing more than a minor annoyance. Those who wear makeup regularly or are more aware of their appearances day-today, however, had a hard time letting go of knowing how they looked.

For those seeking to become less aware of their appearance, there are probably better ways to go about it. Avoiding one’s re�lection completely may not be necessary, especially if it grants some peace of mind throughout the day.

Spilled Ink

A&E

Nov. 29, 2018

7

Bluegrass group promotes creative, musical space

not really even an official club Roland Tomsic because we didn’t go through Managing Editor the school to get it officialized The sweet low pluck of a but that’s kind of for me what banjo rings through P hall. As music is about,” Tholl said. you walk into the mouth of “Kind of under the radar and the corridor the source of this just getting together with music is found quite easily. people and not being formal.

In fact, it is coming from the Most good music comes out fist room you come to, P101. of garages and basements and Every Wednesday this is a not freakin’ American Idol.” pretty standard occurrence.

Tholl’s under-ground The music is from social philosophy and teaching studies teacher Chris Tholl’s background come together banjo and senior Brent to create a musical Smalley’s guitar in their learning atmosphere. impromptu bluegrass jam.

“I have learned a lot in that Tholl has been playing the club,” Smalley said. “I have banjo for the past three to four learned rhythms in bluegrass years and has a true passion to keep track of Tholl with for the instrument and sharing his banjo. There are different the instrument with others. ways to comprehend that, “I love the historic tradition so it is interesting. If people of the instrument itself. want to learn some bluegrass, There is a lot of cool history there is a big learning curve, around it that goes back to the but it’s very fun to do the early days of the U.S.,” Tholl songs and play with Mr. Tholl.” explained. “The instrument Sharing knowledge of itself an instrument for people instruments and accepting that are the rogue and down- others is why Tholl created trodden type of folks and I his informal Wednesday kind of like to connect to that jam sessions.

They demographic of people and encompass the atmosphere I love the sound of it. I think of bluegrass festivals. the banjo is what defines that “One really cool thing I genre of music. There would be think about the bluegrass no bluegrass without a banjo.” community is its really One of Tholl’s favorite excepting you could be a total activities is going to bluegrass beginner and sit in on an shows to watch live music, expert jam and nobody will and camp out with other judge you and even if you are members of the community. just playing chords along with At these festivals there are everybody, they ask you if “Jams, or Jam Sessions,” you want to lead a song and and this is the tradition people are really nice and are that inspired Tholl’s a positive group of people you idea for weekly jams. know,” Tholl said. “Nobody “Bluegrass club is really talks politics it’s just pretty small right like everybody is here to play now. Its music and just have a good time and I really like that vibe.”

Social studies teacher Chris Tholl and senior Brent Smalley play bluegrass songs together on Oct. 31. Photos

by Mandi Heffington

Grass

Roots

8

Nov. 29, 2018

A&E Non Stop Paranoia EP

by Together PANGEA

MUSIC OF THE MONTH

New Release

Recently, Together Pangea evolved from a grimy garage Jack Hunter punk out�it to a more re�ined Head Graphic Artist rock band, with cleaner production and more melodic focus. While I still enjoyed their new, cleanersounding material and appreciated the stronger effort in lyrics, some of the Playlist musicality felt outdated. I found myself wishing for Hi-Fi Television – together PANGEA the band to experiment with modern technology, Long Road, No Turns – Daughters Their latest EP, Non Stop Save Yourself, I’ll Hold Them Back – My Chemical Paranoia, delivers my wish Romance for a �lashier sound, but at the expense of quality songwriting.

Off the Lot – Melkbelly The EP starts strong with the �irst two songs, some of my Little Drama – Mike Krol favorites the band has released in Pig – Sparklehorse recent memory: both feature catchy guitar and vocal elements alongside Baby You’re a Haunted House – Gerard Way arpeggiated synths, the level of Scorpio – Peach Kelli Pop extra polish needed to pull the tracks together. “Hi Fi Television” Me and You – together PANGEA does this all without sacri�icing blistering momentum—listening She’s Losing It – Belle & Sebastian to it feels like being the victim of Woe Is You And Me – The Strange Boys a hit-and-run with a sports car.

Unfortunately, the EP My Shadow Tags On Behind – Adam Green deteriorates. The face-level sound across the �inal three tracks is Cumulonimbus – The Music Tapes acceptable, but the vocal effects on Wasted – The Men “Spend the Night” feel gimmicky.

The lyrical quality also suffers with some lines that made me groan out loud my �irst listen.

I’m torn on whether this EP is something the band could build on or To access the playlist digitally, open the Spotify app if it’s just a throwaway project. If they on your phone, and click the “Search” button on the don’t write more thoughtful lyrics to bottom of the screen. Then, click the camera icon in accompany the new sound, I’ll stick the upper right of the screen, to listening to their earlier projects. and point your camera at the Spotify code to the left.

Spilled Ink You Won’t Get What You Want

by Daughters New Release

This album makes me want to throw up. It’s amazing.

You Won’t Get What You Want was my introduction to the band Daughters, though they’ve been active since 2002.

I’ve seen it described as noise rock, math metal, and art metal, but whatever you call it, it’s terrifying. When I listen to metal, I tend to dislike cleaner studioproduced albums, but this has quickly become an exception— where other bands carefully engineer crisp distortion tones and structure complex riffs to achieve the sound they desire, it’s evident Daughters instead �ine-tuned the layering of every instrument—screeching guitars, abrasive and droning synth pads, and thundering drums—to create morbidly captivating dissonance.

All the musical elements pulse like a sickening heartbeat, incredibly well-polished but unpredictable enough to instill a sense of panic in me.

Alexis Marshall’s vocal style employs shouts in a half-hearted but strained way that teases eruption at any moment. He often blurs the line between spokenword poetry and traditional lyrical structures, with winding sentences demanding attention over cacophonous instrumentals. I would listen to so much more metal if other vocalists had Marshall’s dynamic range.

This is the most visceral album I’ve heard this year, and though it’s not something I’ll choose to listen to often, I’ll come back to it.

Danger Days

by My Chemical Romance Throwback

I’m aware My Chemical Romance has a reputation as something only edgy middle schoolers listen to; despite this, I think they were the best band to come out of the mid-2000s’ pop punk/emo scene. Not just another group of whiny boys manufacturing dramatic music for dramatic teenagers, they continuously pushed boundaries with ambitious concept albums, grand and aggressive production, and instantly recognizable instrumentation.

While all their albums are excellent, their last studio album Danger Days is my personal favorite.

Danger Days is the best example of MCR’s talent for setting mood. Tracks like “DESTROYA” and “Party Poison” make me want to start a riot, whereas slower cuts such as “S/C/A/R/E/C/R/ O/W” and “Summertime” are imbued with a near-indescribable feeling of nostalgia and longing.

As if the music weren’t enough to carry this album, Gerard Way and the band develop extensive visual and �ictional content for the story, showcased �irst in music videos and later in a fully �leshedout graphic novel. The visual design is explosive, characterized by bright colors, �lashy costumes, burning red-orange deserts, and sharp and grimy dystopian cities, showcasing a world so fully realized it’s transportive.

These visual, musical, and �ictional elements �it together perfectly. Danger Days cements the members of My Chemical Romance as visionaries in my mind.

Nov. 29, 2018 A&E Student band releases �irst EP, embraces unconventional style Spilled Ink

Molly Lubbers

Editor-in-Chief

Printed on a t-shirt found among relics of an era gone past are the blocky words “SHOULDA STAYED A PLUMBER.” They’re faded yet striking, hugging the image of Picasso-like line �igures holding instruments.

Huddled around the t-shirt are three boys—they mirror the �igures on the t-shirt as they stare at it. It’s just bizarre enough for an idea to click in their heads: they should start a band, and they could name it “Shoulda Stayed a Plumber.”

Those three boys are seniors Will Lamperes, Lucas Unger, and James Donahue. They found the t-shirt a year ago. It’s a strange way to start a band, but they are anything but conventional.

While they’d all been playing music for most of their lives, they found that doing it together changed how they approached it. Lamperes �irst began drumming at six years old and has played in his church band, but even with that experience, this band offered him a chance to write his own music.

Donahue found new energy to dedicate to the guitar while Unger switched to an entirely new instrument in order to play.

As they’ve devoted more time to the band, it has turned from a joke about a t-shirt to an actual endeavor. On Nov. 24, they released their �irst EP, “Group Therapy for Singles,” and held a listening party at the Colorado Room at 8 p.m.

In creating this band, they’ve found a sense of belonging.

“From the creative aspect it was fun to write,” Donahue said. “It also felt like where I’ve ever �it in in high school was with these people.”

However, starting the band hasn’t come without challenges.

“Learning an instrument and being able to play want you want and conceptualize what you want is incredibly hard. It’s like getting good at anything,” Unger said.

But even with that, it’s evident they’re comfortable with music.

Like the old t-shirt they found, they have a casual air to them.

When they talk about their band, they’re leanedback and calm. And when they play, their bodies are loose yet focused; it seems like easy

con�idence rolls off them.

Still, they’re quick to downplay their talents and joke that they don’t think they are that good.

“It’s not so much that we’re trying to be humble as it is that there are a lot of better musicians out there and if we want to get better we obviously have to do a lot of work,” Donahue said.

That work comes both in how much they practice and in writing new music.

What goes into the writing process comes from a variety of sources. Donahue has 30 song title ideas in the notes on his phone, while Unger estimates more around 60.

Sometimes they work off those, while other times they try to expound on small ideas.

Unger, the main songwriter, usually picks something he’s said or heard recently and constructs songs based on those phrases.

“In that aspect, that’s where the part of the band is really important because we all add something different and we all have a different thing to contribute,” Donahue said.

What this results in is a mishmash of musical combinations. They all like different music, which means their inspiration comes from different sources.

“I think it does improve our music the fact that we all have different sounds, but I think that’s also a hardship because a lot of us won’t like what another person puts out there as much as they do,” Unger said.

Their most intense writing experience came from earlier this year, when they decided to play a show on the Fourth of July and only had a week to prepare.

“In that one week, we hung out every single day and we bared down,” Donahue said. “We wrote like four songs, we learned like three other songs, and that week is when I feel like we �inally came together as a band and were like—this is a real thing, and we’re going do this.”

After they �inished, something had changed.

“It was exhilarating. It was challenging, but we’d be working at a certain part of a song, but once something clicked it was so satisfying,” Donahue said.

“We felt like we �inally came together and made something better than any of us would have made individually.”

That week de�ined and solidi�ied “Shoulda Stayed a Plumber.” Not only did most of the songs on their new EP develop in that time, but the frenzied writing they did represents the dichotomy of their band.

Clearly, they love music and the work that comes along with it, otherwise they

9

couldn’t have spent a whole week on writing. Yet at the same time, they don’t take themselves seriously—they do it for fun and for the music, not for any type of fame.

As Lamperes joked, “We’re just a couple of beginning musicians who are dedicated to becoming an average high school b a n d .”

“Sunrise at Noon” Lyrics

For a moment there last night the earth stopped spinning.

We’ll have a sunrise at noon, and that’s alright.

We sat there watching the sun, while we ate lunch.

When we came out the land was dark until noon Sunrise at noon Sunrise at noon Sunrise at noon Sunrise at noon What am I to do I’ve got no clue who is who.

Lost in a world made for two, it’s like I’m walking in a single shoe.

Bare skin, bare feet, where’s the morning heat?

It’s as if we had a sunrise at noon.

Sunrise at noon Sunrise at noon Sunrise at noon Sunrise at noon

Photos by Molly Lubbers. Song lyrics and album cover art courtesy of James Donahue

10

Nov. 29, 2018

In-Depth

Spilled Ink

New VR system provides learning experience

Alex Ellmer

Staff Writer

Students take a second to relax from homework with a fun alternative to reality helping explore ways to hangout in a chaotic world. Looking around the forest, bugs �lying, wind whistling through the canopy, there is a moment of silence before the bell rings and brings back reality.

This year the school added a new virtual reality (VR) system in the LTC with more games and options.

This system includes new ways for students to interact with technology.

“The students and teachers can use them to explore topics like art, anatomy, and space,” language arts teacher Heather Ko said.

VR is a new learning tool that the school and many other schools are trying out and putting into classrooms. Recently, teachers have checked out Google Expedition Kits to explore topics such as space and deforestation.

“VR lets students in their classes interact with places they’ve never been before, such as the Amazon,” Ko said. “We can take that learning deeper with a virtual experience and make connections to issues in the world, like the destruction of the rainforest or how our choice of products we purchase impacts the earth.”

Students have many options of exploring virtual reality system in an educational way in the LTC. They don’t have to be in class to experience the VR system. Those interested can sign up for times to use it in the library.

“We have a number of apps loaded for students.

They are encouraged to try out apps like Apollo 11, Tilt Brush, the Blu, and one of my favorites,

Beat Saber,” Ko said.

“Students should not just limit themselves to one app but explore many of them.”

VR is often used as a gaming device or in more playful manners, but there are many educational bene�its.

“Although virtual reality and augmented reality have been around for a while, there are so many new possibilities on the horizon—from being able

to conceptualize the design of a new building or a model home to helping the elderly with dementia to assisting with pain management of burn victims,” Ko said.

“Along with this incredible and powerful technology, though, we need to always consider how to use it in an ethical manner.”

Ethics are not the only concern in interacting w i t h n e w

technology according to Ko. “Many students have never tried VR before, so this is a new experience,” Ko said. “One caution for the system is if you get dizzy easily, you should spend limited amounts of time on the system.”

Students can try the new VIVE system in the LTC any period of the day. Those interested should sign up or talk to Ko to see if there is any space available.

Virtual Reality Fast Facts Telepresence is how immersed someone feels in virtual reality rather than their physical environment.

Joysticks, datagloves, and motion tracker suits all have been used to increase telepresence.

VR experiences can include scent, touch interaction, and auditory elements, though most primarily rely on visuals.

Displays must have frame rates of 20-30 frames/second for users to feel immersed.

Lag time, or latency, is the time between when a person moves and when the virtual reality acknowledges that movement.

VR systems usually use HMDs, or headsets that have one monitor for each eye, which gives an illusion of depth.

The first HMD was made in 1961 and it was called Headsight. It was only in 1966 that an HMD was linked to a computer system.

The term “Virtual Reality” was coined by Jaron Lanier in 1987.

Information gathered by Molly Lubbers; source: electronics.howstuffworks.com

Editor’s Note Molly Lubbers

Editor-in-Chief

Classrooms are building with the buzz of a low, anxious energy that will only rise as we get closer to �inals. As teachers push through the last of the semester’s material, students are also pushing themselves to �inish strong. As we enter this period, it seems �itting to choose the word “push” for this month’s In-Depth topic.

Page 10 explores the limits of technology as VR systems push reality to encompass more.

Our new virtual reality station in the library provides both learning opportunities and fun, and users experienced different atmospheres and activities without even leaving campus.

Focusing on a different form of technology, page 11 details senior Parker Lamb’s work in programming. By pushing code to production and helping develop websites, Lamb has found his passion within computers.

The centerfold spread is all about pushing boundaries, and there are two stories about students who do this, albeit in different ways. One is Skylar Beneck, who pushes herself creatively and academically; she decided to switch to the most dif�icult wind instrument—the oboe—her sophomore year, even though most people switch in middle school, and she also has invested herself in science through BCA. Meanwhile, Gail Bunn pushes the boundaries of how society perceives gender, as they are non-binary and don’t conform to being a girl or boy. In this story, they expound on their personal experience with gender.

Finally, we end with a story about Peer Counselors, who are working to push down stigmas surrounding mental health. Page 14 explains how this group trains to handle sensitive topics and provides support for students.

If you could experience anything in VR, what would you choose?

Lizzie Vacante Freshman

“I think I would experience moments in history—maybe the signing of the Declaration of Independence, or the building of the Eiffel Tower would be cool too.”

Alex Myster Sophomore

“Maybe like climbing Mount Everest or something because that’s something I won’t get the chance to do in real life.”

Finola Doyle Junior

“I would like to go to outer space because it seems really interesting and obviously I’ll never be able to go to outer space, so it would be really cool.”

Joey Maguire Senior

“There’s one thing I heard about that’s a virtual reality football game, which I think could be entertaining. Football’s always fun but I get hurt a lot, so that would be fun.”

Spilled Ink

In-Depth Nov. 29, 2018 11 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 00 00 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 00 00 1 0 0 1 0 1 00 00 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 00 00 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 10 01 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 00 00 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 00 00 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 00 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1Origins of00Programming 1 0 1 0 00 1 0 1 0 1 00 00 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 10 0 0 1 0 10

0 1 1 0 <html> pushing code 0 1 10 0

0 0 0 0 0

0 1 10 10 0 0 1 1 0 01 1 0 0 10 10 0 1 10 10 0

In 1843, Ada Lovelace translated an article by mathematician Charles Babbage, who created the first computer and named it the Analytic Engine. Found in her notes are descriptions of the first ever computer program, which used changeable punch cards to store programs.

10 1 0 10 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 10 0 1 10

Herman Hollerith used the punch card system for his electric tabulating machine. In 1906, he created a new switchboard that could perform different tasks without reconstructing the machine every time he switched to 0 0 a new task.

1

0

0

John Backus and his team invented FORTRAN (FORmula TRANslation) which was the programming language that helped develop those programmers use today like HTML and C++.

0

Information gathered by Molly Lubbers; source: health.usf.edu

Programmer plans future exploring space

Kelly Warden

A&E Editor

From a young age, senior Parker Lamb has been a “solitary animal,” hiding within the trees reading novels by people such as Peter F. Hamilton, Arthur C. Clarke, and Douglas Adams. Such works inspired a love of science and astronomy, and as Lamb stayed upon the forest’s ground, he gazed at a star-�illed sky and dreamed of sprouting wings.

As he grew older, Lamb turned his attention to another science-�iction staple: technology. He now builds his own wings from code and script as he pushes the boundaries of computer programming.

Lamb sees beyond the horizon of trivial student life and into the sky beyond. Through taking classes such as Web Development and looking up to an entrepreneur father who works with programming, Lamb has long observed the world of coding.

Having received his �irst netbook in 6th grade, he found himself intimately acquainted with its keys by ninth grade. Since that �irst handling of a laptop, Lamb has been exploring the limitless possibilities computers provide.

Lamb plans to major in computer engineering which incorporates high and low-level programming.

“High level programming deals with the user interface that you’re displayed with, like Google— everything like that. Low level programming interacts with the hardware itself,” he said. “Computer engineering combines the two and it’s super useful for programming and it’s pretty useful for robotics.”

“The thing I love about programming is you can do anything with it. It’s kind of art for computers.”

—Parker Lamb

Following a degree in computer engineering, Lamb intends to explore programs such as NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), or SpaceX. He sees possibilities for applying programming concepts to the �inal frontier, and the vastness of space interests him.

“Conceptually you’ve seen pictures of the pillars of creation, the nebula that is incomprehensibly massive, but the amount of what we can see is a little tiny pinpoint—maybe �ive or six pixels across an image,” Lamb explained. “Something like that is just this little tiny thing that you can’t even see with a regular telescope. It’s just this massive �ield that encompasses light years and light years.”

Lamb will work to stay at the pinnacle of human evolution, which means reaching the stars through the power of computers, programming, and robotics.

“Robotics literally is the future of humanity right now. I never have been a big robotics advocate after Singularity. Arti�icial intelligence reaches a point where it kills everything. I’ve never been a proponent of that but at this point after watching what happened to the Cassini [which] fell into Saturn I’ve realized space exploration as a human

pursuit is really impractical,” Lamb explained.

The history of humanity often re�lects the need to do the impractical and impossible such as defying gravity itself. Combining his interests in space and technology, Lamb will pursue the unknown through practical application of computer engineering.

“The thing I love about programming is you can do anything with it,” Lamb said. “It’s kind of art for computers. You could take an idea and translate it directly into doing an unlimited amount of things.”

000 1 1 01010

12

Nov. 29, 2018

In-Depth

Spilled Ink

Pushing the Gender Binary Away Non-binary Meaning Non-binary is both an identity on its own (i.e. not conforming to the binary of man or woman exclusively) and an umbrella term for other identities that fit that description.

Non-binary Flag Meaning

The non-binary flag was created by 17-year old Kye Rowan in February 2014 after many non-binary people felt that the genderqueer flag wasn’t an accurate representation of their identity.

What the stripe colors represent: Yellow People who exist outside of the gender binary

White People who identify with many or all genders

Purple People who identify with a mix between man and woman

Black People who identify with no gender Information gathered by Molly Lubbers; source: gender.wikia.com

PUSHI BOUN

Non-binary student �inds freedom, challenges within their identity process Molly Lubbers

about gender identities beyond which means Editor-in-Chief cisgender, identifying as the gender assigned According to the U.S. Transgender at birth. However, it took until Survey by the National Center for halfway through freshman Transgender Equality, a majority of year to settle on the term after non-binary participants reported re�lecting on their identity. that the reason they don’t tell others In some ways, �iguring out their they are non-binary is people identity was freeing. Bunn began don’t understand their identity, to explore gender-neutral clothing or it is easier not to say anything. they could feel better in, and now For junior Gail Bunn, who Bunn sticks to plain t-shirts and identi�ies as non-binary and baggy clothes, and sometimes wears uses they/them pronouns, this binders, which are undergarments is also true. They are out to their that �latten the chest. Mainly, close friends and family, but they they wanted clothing that wasn’t typically do not tell acquaintances. speci�ic to a certain gender.

Many do not understand what “I kind of wore clothing being non-binary that was comfortable but not means; Bunn revealing enough for people describes not to make guesses,” Bunn said. feeling like girl It has not been as easy to �ind or a boy, but comfort in all aspects in their life; for many years the hardest dif�iculty they faced was they couldn’t their mom resisting accepting them. put the label “My mom didn’t believe me. She on that feeling. said it’s just a phase and didn’t take It was in me seriously at all. That was really 7th grade dif�icult because she didn’t use the t h a t pronouns that I asked her to, and t h e y it kind of like made me weary to began bring it up again or talk about it t o or be serious about it. I kind of let learn it slide for a while but I still felt the same way months later and then like a year later and she still called me by she/her pronouns,” Bunn said. “I �inally told her, ‘I’m positive this is how I feel.’ She kind of started taking me seriously and listened to what I had to say, but still didn’t use the right pronouns.”

It took years and many talks to get their mom to the point of using the correct pronoun.

“I don’t know if she really realized how much it affected me, but you would think she’d understand considering when we had these talks or arguments, I would cry. I was like, ‘You need to stop doing this.’ She kind of gets it now, she started using pronouns c o n s i s t e n t ly like two or three

months ago,” Bunn said. “The mo dif�icult part was her coming t terms with the fact that it’s no something that I’m exploring, it something that I am and just feelin validated by my own parent In general, misgendering— whe someone uses a word that doesn correctly acknowledge a person gender identity—is hurtfu While Bunn understand when someone unaware their identity misgenders them it is upsetting when someon who knows they are nonbinar does not use their pronoun “For people who you’ve told an they misgender you whether it on purpose or an accident, if the don’t correct themselves, it hurt I get like a physical pain for m in my chest and then there’s th emotional hurt of ‘I trusted you wit this knowledge and I expect you t respect that,’” Bunn said. “It fee like there’s a part of you that is lost Because of those challenge they have to navigate the prid their identity gives them and th dif�iculties they face due to “I feel like it has empowered m in a way to have more of a voice t stand up for people in the LGB community and to educate othe because it’s part of my identity an therefore I am able to talk abou it more freely,” Bunn said. “I als feel like it’s kind of restricted m because now I have to be wary stating that identity with �indin jobs or in the future when I’ trying to �ind a home becaus there’s still restrictions wit people who have trans identities However, they can’t just giv up this part of themselves ju because it can make life harde “I would rather be someon in danger than somethin I’m not, because that wou be a lot worse,” Bunn sai Pushing beyond the gende binary may feel radical fo today’s society, but Bunn sees differently—if they exist as the want to, they simply can’t �it into “It’s a little odd honestly; I didn know a lot about this stuff when was younger, so I was kind of ne to the idea when I �irst �igured out for myself. After forming th identity, this isn’t exactly ‘norma and it was just kind of weird th people were making such a big de out of it not being a boy or a gir Bunn said. “This is just who I am

Spilled Ink

ING NDARIES

ost to ot t’s ng t.” en n’t n’s ul. ds of m, ne ry ns. nd is ey ts. me he th to els t.” es, de he it. me to BT ers nd ut so me of ng ’m se th s.” ve ust er. ne ng uld id. er or it ey it. n’t nI ew it hat al’ hat eal rl,” m.”

In-Depth

Nov. 29, 2018

13

Pushing Herself To the Limit

Student works hard creatively, academically Ayra Ra�iq

Staff Writer

Her �ingers �ly across the keys as she practices the oboe. She has a sort of quiet intensity. She’s extremely focused in everything she does. Her commanding presence makes her wellknown. Her fellow bandmates see her as an unof�icial leader of her section.

It’s the constant way that she works hard, rather than the big moments that

Oboe Facts Although the oboe was invented in the 17th Century, it likely came from the shawm, which is an instrument dating back to 2800 BC.

de�ine senior Skylar Beneck. She always manages to push herself and even others to do better. Instead of taking the easy route, she has gotten involved with after school activities like Symphonic band, Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, marching band, and tennis.

Beneck is also intrigued by science a career path that she has been meaning to follow since she was in grade school.

This year, Beneck is extremely involved with music. Unlike most oboe players, Beneck became enamored by the instrument during sophomore year of high school, rather than seventh grade when most begin to play.

When Beneck was changing from the clarinet to the oboe, she knew that the oboe was the most dif�icult w i n d

Instead of a mouthpiece like the clarinet, the oboe has a double reed, which positions two reeds close together. To play, oboists blow into this, which vibrate. The keys and holes create different pitches.

Common Non-binary Pronouns

instrument to play, but she pushed herself, and realized that at the end of the day she could do it “It was exciting, because it felt like this feels right, this feels like something that I was meant to do,” Beneck said Choosing the most dif�icult wind instrument to play was a decision that came from inspiration. Beneck said she was encouraged to step out of the box by other musicians “When I heard Andrew Jacobson— the oboe professor at CSU—when heard his English form solo, that’s wha really gave me that push,” Beneck said Besides music being a passion for Beneck, her other big interes that she will also one day like to pursue is a career in psychology “I really started looking into i when I experienced psychologica issues of my own. Then I was all, like this is really interesting. I know my therapist helped me through and I wan to do that for people,” Beneck said Beneck wants to make a difference in the world. She wants to be the person who helps people succeed Beneck’s life is constantly on the go From her music to her pursuit in the �ield of psychology, she �inds a balance Due to her work ethic, love of musi and the mind, she plans to majo in psychology and minor in oboe

Some professional players will make their own reeds.

Written like: Subject/object/ possessive adjective/possessive pronoun/reflexive They/them/their/theirs/themself Ze/hir/hir/hirs/hirself

Information gathered by Molly Lubbers; source: softschools. com

Ey/Em/Eir/Eirs/Emself Xe/Xem/Xyr/Xyrs/Xemself

Non-binary Title: Mx. (Equivalent to Mr. or Ms.) Photos by Molly Lubbers

14

Nov. 29, 2018

In-Depth

Spilled Ink

Peer Counselors educate, provide mental health support for student body Cassia Oaks and Bergen Sharrar

Guest Writers

The suicide rate in Colorado is currently at 16.7 suicides per 10,000 residents per year. Last year in Larimer County alone 75 people committed suicide. In the U.S., one in every �ive teens reports feeling depressed.

Because mental health support is a key factor in preventing suicide, FCHS was one of the �irst high schools to develop a Peer Counseling program. Going strong over 25 years, the program allows students to talk to other students as often as they want or may need during the school day.

This not only gives students access to help, but it provides a chance to build a relationship with people that have been in their shoes only years or even months before.

Two Peer Counselors hold dedicated of�ice hours, with at least one in the of�ice at all times, each period in the Peer room just outside the main counseling of�ice. These individuals have each been trained for speci�ic situations related to teenage life, and they strive to support students in emotional ways.

Their work with peers and mental health extends beyond of�ice hours.

“I think the biggest way we bene�it the school is the presentations we do, the sexual assault and suicide prevention presentations,” Peer Counselor Abigail Hyberger said.

Through such presentations and peer counseling sessions, these students work toward helping the student body. Willing to help others and grow with people, they can be relied on in dif�icult situations.

“The program gives a safe place for students,” Peer Counselor Will Lamperes said.

Sitting in the of�ice, one feels a positive energy. It is a small space, but surfaces

hold pieces of paper with Peers names and compliments other counselors have left for them. Those who enter are invited to sit on a comfortable couch with Peers nearby.

The Peer Counselors are also comfortable with each other and may be seen together in the halls or eating lunch.

“It is less of being a club and more of a group of friends that was made to support you,” Hyberger explained.

To get close and to prepare to do the work they do, the Peer Counselors must bond and spend many hours training in subjects such as suicide prevention and crisis management.

In the beginning of their junior year, they apply to become part of the group. Current counselors interview the applicants, but Peer Counseling Adviser Tanya Vigil decides which applicants are admitted into the program.

“On average from anywhere between 70 and 90 [people apply], and I usually take about 25 because I want there to be two Peer Counselors every period,” Vigil said.

Those who are selected take a semester long course in which they train to do the job. They also attend a summer retreat where they bond as a group.

Their entire second semester of junior year is �illed with interviews and trainings.

In L100 they gather to learn and grow their ability to listen to people that need to be heard.

Vigil implements debate as part of the training program so Peers can learn how to respect other opinions. They debate current events and discuss different perspectives on teenage life. The process helps them to learn how to be empathetic.

“We learn a lot about active listening and making sure someone feels heard,” Hyberger said.

“It’s a little awkward—at �irst they are not sure how much they can say without it being weird and the truth is you can say whatever and it won’t be.”

Above: Meeting up, Peer Counselors discuss their feelings on Nov. 16 before breaking out into their committees. Photos by Molly Lubbers

Sports

Spilled Ink

Nov. 29, 2018

WHERE WE STAND Varsity Basketball (Boys)

15

Ranking

Ranked:12 Wins-Losses: 6-17

ICE HOCKEY

1

Varsity Basketball (Girls) Ranked: 4 Wins-Losses: 20-4 Varsity Swimming & Diving (Girls) Ranked: 4 Wins-Losses: 1-1

Goals for: 109 Goals against: 35

Overall Win Percentage: .800

Varsity Wrestling Ranked: 6 Wins-Losses: N/A

Next Game: Dec. 7 at Northern Colorado Ice Center

Graphic by Jack Brecheisen and Jack Hunter

Adventure PE offers unique experiences Alex Ellmer

Staff Writer

Going beneath the surface, climbing to great heights, and standing on water, Coach Conrad Crist enjoys the outdoors while teaching skills to his students.

Adventure PE introduces more less typical sports to students who like to get outside or want to learn about new activities. 9 years strong and continuing to grow, Adventure PE helps students gain a perspective on sports they may not have thought of.

“Adventure PE brings non-traditional activities into a student’s life that they might not get out of PE 1 or Team Sports,” Crist said.

“These activities are more continuous opportunities that might become hobbies later down the road.”

Occurring only in the fall during 8th period, Adventure PE presents a variety of outdoor interests and activities for students to learn and begin practicing.

According to Crist, being

During an Adventure PE class on Nov. 16, students jump rope blindfolded in a obstacle course. Photo by Alex Ellmer introduced to sports beyond the basic court and �ield offerings can be inspirational.

“Some students may go rock climbing for the �irst time and instantly fall in love with it,” he said.

From team-building exercises to extreme sports, an abundance of opportunities can be found in the class.

“Some of the activities we

show the students are �ly �ishing, scuba diving, bike polo, stand up paddle boarding, and frisbee golf,” Crist said.

Although this is a PE class, they don’t focus only on daily activities and sports.

Students a learn about team building, communication, and how to grow as leaders.

Prerequisites for the class include a strong

attendance record. Most of the kids who apply get in as long as they don’t have any problems with discipline.

The class is available only to 11th and 12th graders. Those who apply need to be able to drive for the off-campus activities because no busses are taken.

“Applications are available for pickup from your

counselor or me in January and are due in the middle of February to me,” Crist said.

Those interested in taking the class can meet and talk to Crist in the crosscountry of�ice, and speak to counselors in January to pick up the application.

Applications are mandatory for all students who want to get into the class.

16

Nov. 29, 2018

Sports

Spilled Ink

A Beginner’s Guide to Winter Sports Hockey

Swimming

Basketball

How long do games last?

What are the basics of swimming?

How long are basketball games?

Games are 60 minutes with three 20-minute periods. If tied at the end, a 5-minute sudden-death overtime period is played, which means that the overtime ends as soon as one team is ahead of the other.

There are four strokes used in races: freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke, and butterfly.

Races also differ by length and can be individual or relay style.

They must last at least 32 minutes, and this is divided into quarters. Between the second and third quarters is typically a halftime of 10 minutes.

What is freestyle?

What is the layout of a basketball court?

Who are the players?

Only six skaters per team play the game at a single time.

Typically, it is three forwards (left wing, right wing, and center,) two defensemen, and a goalie for each team. The job of the forwards is to score goals, while defensemen are supposed to keep the opposing team away from the net; goalies are supposed to stop goals from entering the net.

What are face-offs?

At the beginning of a period or following a stop of play (after goals/penalties/the puck leaving the rink,) the next play starts with a faceoff. The center forwards from each team face each other typically at the center of the ice, and an official drops the puck between them. The rest of the skaters line up at least 15 feet away.

How does scoring work?

Players must get the puck into the other team’s net, and it must pass the goal line that is at the front of the net.

It can touch any rink surface and part of the player before this, but if the puck is kicked in or pushed in with a player’s hand, then it will not count. In addition, pucks struck above the four-foot crossbar of the net will not be allowed.

What equipment is used?

Players use hockey skates, padding, hockey sticks, and pucks.

Swimmers have their face down, with their arms moving continuously and alternately.

Their legs quickly alternate in up-and-down movements and they keep their feet pointed.

What is a backstroke?

This is the only stroke where swimmers swim with their backs parallel to the floor of the pool. The arms alternate pulling the water, while the body shifts toward the arm that is stroking. Meanwhile, swimmers use a flutter kick for their legs.

What is breaststroke?

Swimmers have their face down, and their arms move in a backward sweeping movement. Meanwhile, their legs kick by bringing them forward, knees together, then whipping the feet back.

What is butterfly?

During the butterfly, the body does an undulation similar to a wave, as the chest and hips alternate moving up and down. Swimmers’ arms stroke at the same time, making an hourglass pattern from below the chest toward the hips. Then, the arms circle forward sideways and repeat.

During this, the legs “dolphin kick” so they move together concurrently with pointed feet.

What is a medley?

Individual medley (IM) races involve swimming all four strokes: butterfly, then backstroke, then breaststroke, then freestyle.

Courts are rectangular, and a “halfway line” cuts the court in half. At the midpoint of that line is a small circle, where the games begin with a tip off. At both ends of the court are 10-foot-high baskets. A three-point arc surrounds the basket, and the free-throw line is located within the arc.

How does scoring work?

There are three scoring numbers—each relies on a ball going into the basket.

Baskets scored outside the three-point arc are worth three points, baskets scored within the three-point arc are worth two points, and free-throws are one point each. The three-point arc is 19 feet and 9 inches from the backboard connected to the basket, and free-throws occur about 15 feet away from the backboard on a line. Freethrows are given to players who had a foul committed against them, so they get to try it without interference.

The team with the most points at the end wins.

Who are the players?

The team is comprised of 12 players, but only five are allowed on the court at once. The positions are point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, and center. Point guards and shooting guards are primarily on offense, while small forwards, power forwards, and centers are primarily on defense.

Wrestling What is a match?

A match is when two wrestlers compete against one another.

How long do matches last?

At the high school level, matches are six minutes long unless finished by a “pin.”

However, they also can go into overtime.

How do you win a wrestling match?

When one of the wrestlers is pinned, whoever scored the pin wins. However, if neither pins the other, it is the person with the higher total at the end of the match who wins.

What counts as points in a match?

Takedowns (when wrestlers take opponents down to the mat from a standing position) are worth two points. Escapes (when wrestlers move from their opponents’ control) are one point, and reversals (when a wrestling changes from defense to offense quickly) are two points. Near falls (when wrestlers press their opponents’ shoulders to the mat for two counts, but they escape before the third count) are worth two points.

What causes a wrestler to “lose” points?

If a wrestler performs an illegal hold, has unsportsmanlike conduct, is unnecessarily rough, or stalls, then his or her opponent will earn a point for each infraction.

What are “weight classes?”

Wrestlers are matched to opponents in weight classes, which are ranges of weights.

Standards are set by the state to help ensure much heavier wrestlers aren’t wrestling much lighter ones, making the sport more fair.

Information gathered by Molly Lubbers; sources: dummies.com, rulesofsport.com, livestrong.com, enjoy-swimming.com, howstuffworks.com

Spilled Ink

Sports

Nov. 29, 2018

ST U

NT

N O

IN

17

M E

Top left: Cheerleaders lead the crowd in a chant in their line-up. Middle: Cheerleaders raise some of their teammates above them for a stunt in between plays.

Top Right: Cheerleaders wave their pom-poms as they �inish a chant. Photos by Italia Caro.

Cheerleaders inspire unity through cheer Italia Caro

Sports Editor

They can be seen at many sport events, �lashing their bright purple and gold poms-poms and bright smiles. Their chants swell in volume as the audience follows them in cheering: “And we’re marching! Here we go, here we go, here we go…”

The cheerleaders not only cheer for Collins’s sports teams but compete in events of their own. This year’s �irst competition is on Dec. 1, followed by state competition Dec. 7, both held at the Denver Colosseum. FCHS’s cheerleaders will perform a �loor show, complete with dancing, chants and cheers, stunts and crowd involvement.

The performance will be memorized by every cheerleader who performs at the competitions.

Head coach Kathy Johnson sees the events as opportunities for other athletes to return the cheering favor.

“We would love to have students come out and support us,” Johnson said.

To prepare for the competition, the cheerleaders go through an intense regimen, like many sports at Collins. The effort is year-long, with try-outs in April, and practice during the summer, and the cheerleaders are pushed to their absolute best.

All cheerleaders learn and memorize the chants heard at games and pep rallies, along with the material for �loor performances for competition.

Preparations for the school start in July, with practices on Monday through Friday, lasting about two and a half to three hours. When school starts, practices change to Monday and Wednesday. Gymnastics aren’t required to join the cheerleading team; however, the girls who can perform some gymnastics are welcomed and can display their skills during performances.

“We expect our girls to think of themselves as athletes,” Johnson said.

On the cheerleading team, there is no captain.

Instead, returning seniors lead their fellow cheerleaders, with returning underclassmen helping, making collaboration a key element of the cheer team. The way the team connects

plays a role in how the team functions.

Team dynamic is focused on in practice and outside of practice. New cheerleaders have a returning cheerleader who will mentor them throughout the summer. The returning cheerleaders and new cheerleaders will help each other understand and learn all of the chants, cheers and performance material needed for the year. The cheerleading team will also meet at Wendy’s to build more connections and strengthen team connections.

“All the girls really care for each other.

They’re really there to support you however they can,” sophomore Preeya Siripachana said.

Through the enthusiasm that cheerleaders display, theirsupportforeachotherandallsportsteamsatCollins inspires unity among students, parents and teachers.

“They’re supposed to be the leaders of cheering, so we do want them to have a great, fun disposition,” Johnson explained. “More importantly by the time the year’s over we want them to have a good time and because we want them to be leaders, we want them to be better people at the end of the year.”

18

Nov. 29, 2018

Sports

Spilled Ink

STANDING STRONG, PUSHING ON Athlete sustains injuries, works to return to sports Roland Tomsic

Junior Alex Goodrich watches from the sidelines as her Varsity Volleyball teammates compete at Regionals on Nov. 4, 2017. Photo by Molly Lubbers

Staff Writer

Shoes squeak, and the sound of a ball dribbling echoes through the gym. A second of chaos, and then a loud whistle blow alarms to stop the game. Quickly coaches run onto the court and help junior Alex Goodrich up off of the �loor.

Last year volleyball and basketball player Alex Goodrich suffered a torn ACL and MCL caused by another player in a basketball game. Goodrich sat on the court and knew something was wrong. Her coach sprung to action.

“They carried me off the court and then they just told me to keep them updated when I went to the doctor and see what they could do to help me,” Goodrich said.

Goodrich like many athletes became injured and put in much effort to recover.

After the initial injury Goodrich struggled to get around and was on crutches for a few months.

“I couldn’t walk on it so it was really hard to move around, and my knee was pretty much the size of a cantaloupe so I couldn’t move my leg either. It didn’t hurt when I �irst tore it but couple days after I literally couldn’t walk,” Goodrich explained.

Medical action needed to be taken due to the intensity of her tear.

“I had surgery on my ACL and they just left my MCL and I couldn’t do anything on it for six months and I went to physical therapy three times a week and they just gave me a lot of stretches and helped

Most Common Areas of Injury

me add weight to it because all of my muscle was gone to and it was just a long process,” Goodrich said.

After six months of healing she was cleared to get back on the court.

She thought that missing both seasons of her sophomore year would set her back fundamentally from other players. However, she talked to her physical therapist to see if they could help.

“I told my physical therapist that I played volleyball and basketball, so they did sports speci�ic physical therapy so that I could come back easier,” Goodrich said.

She came back the following year and it had paid off. After collaborating with her team and coaches, they developed a plan improve her game and help her heal and she came back strong.

“I just kind of worked with my coaches and they helped me ease back into it, and they got more educated on how to help me and what they needed to do for ACL speci�ic stuff and I kind of came back better than I was before,” Goodrich said. “It just was a process, but it ended up working out in the end.”

She still has issues with her knee, but she is able to play.

“I can’t put pressure on my knee so if I’m on my knees I can’t be on that one. It still hurts a lot of the time and I can’t lift that much weight with it and those are all things that my physical therapist said would never come back,” Goodrich said. “I also can’t feel it.

They cut through all my nerves so I can’t feel my knee anymore.”

Sports Injuries Fast Facts High school athletes account for an estimated 2 million injuries.

Since 2000 serious shoulder and elbow injuries have increased by 5 among youth softball and baseball players.

Most injuries are caused by not training or playing properly, training too much, not wearing the right footwear or equipment, and rapid growth during puberty.

One type of sports injury is acute traumatic injuries, like fractures, sprains/ strains, concussions and cuts.

Acute traumatic injuries can happen after a blow or force, like getting tackled in football.

Other injuries are overuse injuries or chronic injuries, like stress factures.

Overuse injuries happen over time, typically from repetitive training, such as running, overhand throwing or serving a ball in tennis.

To prevent injuries, be sure to warm up before practice.

Head Neck

Back Hand/Wrist Foot/Ankle

Information gathered by Hannah Blagg and Italia Caro; sources: standfordchildrens.org, fastmed.com, kidshealth.org

Spilled Ink

Perspectives

Nov. 29, 2018

19

BUTTING HEADS -Dancing is strenuous physical exercise -There are opportunities to compete in dance -Serious dancers spend much time, and put great effort into their activity -Artistic elements don’t erase the fact it is a sport

-Audience members attend dance performances to see a show -Dancers convey passion and artistry -Dance is not judged as other sports are -Performances tell a story rather than showing the physical intensity of dance

People should consider dance Dance displays performance a sport due to physical activity art more than sport values

Molly Lubbers Editor-in-Chief

Professional dancers’ feet achieve speeds of 15 miles per hour, according to University of Southern California professor Jill McNitt-Gray.

For perspective, Usain Bolt’s average speed was 23 miles per hour during his record breaking run. Dancers also have the same breathing rates and muscle exertion after �inishing a twominute Latin or Standard dance as top runners after running 800 meter, according to worlddancesport.org.

It is clear dance demands physical effort, yet many don’t consider it a sport. While dancing also is artistic, it’s condescending to the hard-working athletes who dance to not consider it a sport.

The movements in dance are intense exercise, and ballet dancer Cassie Quinn knows how hard they can be.

“For muscular endurance, there’s a lot of things that you have to really build up to. And with pointe work, you’re doing things that the human body isn’t really meant to do, so you have to overcome a lot of physical challenges,” Quinn said. “There’s certain pieces

where you’re literally jumping for ten minutes, your heart rate is going, and you have to build up a lot of endurance.”

Also, this exercise is sustained in long periods of time for dancers who are serious about the sport. For example, Quinn spends 2-5 hours dancing on weeknights and 5-7 hours on weekend days. Dancers get breaks to eat and rest, but they must endure exercising for just as many hours, if not more, than other athletes must.

Dancers have an additional challenge: making their exercise look graceful.

“You’re training all the time,” Quinn said. “I think a way to understand it, if you imagine playing any regular sport, which is obviously really hard on the body, and at the same time making it look like you’re not even trying.”

Rather than viewing this as something that should disqualify dance as a sport, it should be seen for what it is: impressive. Not only is dance physically strenuous; siding any pain or dif�iculty should only make the sport be regarded as tougher.

Dancers also have opportunities to compete, and they are judged on their skill. While they might not score goals, the scoring system still measures their athleticism, which makes it a sport.

Society shouldn’t diminish the worth of dance by claiming it is not a sport, as that is demeaning to dancers who spend so much time on it. Dance should be valued just as much as any other sport and should be recognized as such.

Mackenna Rowe Perspectives Editor

Leading up to a performance, my stomach �ills with butter�lies.

Putting on makeup and wearing an intricate costume adds to the personal suspense of stepping out onto the stage. Watching the curtains draw, I am faced with a crowd of unfamiliar faces. The lights beat down and make my costume shine. I swallow the lump in my throat, and as the music begins to play, I realize I am ready to perform a well-rehearsed dance for an audience expecting a show.

For years, many have debated over whether dance is an art or a sport, but dance has all the key components to be considered an art form. Even though dance is a physically demanding activity, it is art more than sport.

When audience members attend a dance performance, they are more likely to see the dancer’s ability to convey emotion, passion, and artistry, rather than seeing the dif�iculty and strain on the body. People attend

performances to see grace and beauty, not to see dancers struggle with the physical intensity of dance.

“In rehearsal you always have a mirror in front of you, and you are always looking at yourself to make sure everything is perfect,” junior Kennedy Polovich, who dances at Canyon Concert Ballet, said. “But once you are on stage you are telling a story. I think this is really cool because you aren’t doing it for yourself anymore; you are doing it for the people who paid for it.”

Unlike sports, dance is not judged on a point system. Soccer players score goals, runners have timed runs, but the audience decides whether they enjoyed a dance performance. If dancers moved robotically to make every move perfect, performances would never effectively tell a story.

“Dance is like a sculpture, a moving sculpture. Your body is now your canvas. There are so many ways to choreograph, and you are your own canvas,” Polovich said. “You can try to make a movement that no one else has ever done before, which can be really inspiring.”

When watching a performance, the audience should not �ixate on the physicality of the dancer, but the performance as a whole. The emotion and creativity of each individual dancer is what ultimately makes dance an art form, not just a sport.

20

Nov. 29, 2018

Perspectives

Spilled Ink

The Naked Truth

Sexting endangers teens, creates legal consequences for minors

Rebekah De Priest Staff Writer

The vibrations from an incoming noti�ication provoked interest. The name upon the screen also prompted further exploration of the new message received. Eyes widened in surprise at the sight of the picture, panic �illed the chest, nervousness boiled beneath the skin. It was a photo you didn’t ask for, a photo you didn’t want and weren’t sure what to do with.

Sexting is always something addressed in the “dos and don’ts” of high school, and many students understand that it is wrong. The consequences can seriously hurt someone for a long time to come, but many high school students still choose to do it. When they engage in sexting, students need to understand the danger they have gotten themselves into and what to do next.

As stated in a study published by the Journal of Pediatrics, “20 to 25 percent of American teens engage in sexting. Other reports estimate the proportion of teens who sext falls between 15 to 28 percent, with numbers increasing after youth enter college.”

According to Cole Zempel, school resource of�icer, a student’s drive to do such a thing, knowing it is wrong is most likely for the same reasons one may want to experiment with drugs or alcohol.

“There’s a label of don’t do this and as j uve n i l e s y o u

haven’t experienced those things so it’s like you need to go try it,” Zempel said.

However, sexting isn’t consequence free. A simple message has the potential to have negative long-term effects on its sender and receiver in many ways.

“If you’re under 18, you’re in possession of child pornography,” Zempel explained. “Most of those charges when it relates to juveniles or nude pictures and videos is usually a felony level offense.”

These possible charges paired with the idea that police can legally c o n � i s c a te o n e ’ s phone for up to six

months until the case is over are usually enough to put students off from sexting. However, Zempel still emphasizes the dangers of sexting, and the vulnerability of online property.

“There’s just so many different ways someone can get ahold of those pictures or videos and that just puts you at risk,” Zempel said. “You have s o m e creepy guy in his

basement looking at your pictures now instead of your boyfriend.”

Sexting in any way is a dangerous activity to engage in, understanding how easily things move around the internet today. If unwanted images or texts are received, Zempel advises they be deleted immediately and a trustworthy adult be consulted about the situation. In the case of knowing someone who is engaging in sexting, going to an adult is also the best way to attempt to resolve the situation.

Sexting is often consensual between both parties, but consequences can still follow even if both sides have agreed to the activity.

Regardless of consent and the circumstances of the situation, the possible consequences of sexting are too great to risk getting caught up in.

Nude Culture By the Numbers Nearly 40% of all teenagers have posted or sent sexually suggestive messages.

17% of people who receive inappropriate pictures will share the messages they receive with others, and 55% of those share them with more than one person.

1

5

Almost out of every seventeen-year-olds has sent an explicit image of themselves to someone else.

Less than

6% of twelve-year-olds participate in sexting.

Information gathered by Mackenna Rowe; sources: cyberbullying.org, dosomething.org; Graphic by Jack Hunter

Spilled Ink Preparing for College Checklist Freshman Year

Perspectives

Seniors require more help with post-high school planning

Choose a challenging course schedule and strive for good grades Join extracurricular activities and find volunteer work you enjoy

Sophomore Year Begin visiting local colleges and college fairs Take PSAT Begin SAT or ACT prep

Junior Year Narrow your college list to 10-20 schools Try to gain leadership roles in the extracurriculars and volunteer work you’re in Study for and take the SAT or ACT, and consider taking SAT Subject Tests Ask teachers for letters of recommendation

Senior Year Finalize your college list Draft main college essay the summer before, and have someone edit it Begin applications early Apply for FAFSA and look into scholarships Have senior meeting Information gathered by Molly Lubbers; source: campusexplorer.com

Nov. 29, 2018

Italia Caro Sports Editor

As seniors look toward the end of high school and to the future, post-secondary options come to many minds. However, the process of �inding all of the possibilities in little time is riddled with dif�iculties.

Typically, senior year starts out with a class meeting and a one on one meeting with a counselor. Here’s where many problems start. In a typical seniorcounselor meeting, options for post-high school are discussed and the application process begins. However, students still feel unprepared after these meetings and many feel they need more options for aid in choosing what path to take after graduation.

For senior Milan Khosla, the process of preparing for after high school is much more dif�icult than anticipated. One of the main problems being the amount of outside research and consideration needed in order to determine the best way to proceed was unexpected.

“Kids have to do a lot of their own research, which puts them at a signi�icant disadvantage,” Khosla said.

Although counselors have many students to meet with on a day-today basis and it can be dif�icult to tell all students what they need to know, it seems odd that help for life outside of high school can be dif�icult to �ind and receive.

“We could always get more help.

At the end of the day, when all is said and done, we could get more help,” Counselor Brett Fedor said.

The help that is offered currently is found in the �irst senior meeting, most of the information

crucial to many seniors and their future plans is presented.

The information varies, depending on what a senior is considering for their future.

“It’s geared to what your interested in.” Fedor said.

A common path presented to many students to take is a 4-year college, an option that may not �it everyone. The process starts with a college application form, letters of recommendation and essays. These elements add even more stress on seniors due to deadlines. Some students can’t get letters of recommendation given back to them in time, while some aren’t aware of the amount of time it takes to write a letter of recommendation.

“I can only speak for myself, and I write them as they come in. If there’s 10 in front of yours, I need to get those 10 in front even if your deadline is tomorrow unless it’s an emergency and I need to get it in,” Counselor Tanya Vigil said.

Another issue with post high school planning is the lack of options. Many seniors see the college and military paths as their only options and are not informed of other possible options, such as trade schools, apprenticeships.

“I’m a believer that college is not for every student. There’s a lot of skill trades out there that students are really good at and will make fantastic money with, especially now in the job market.

We have a huge number of people that are retiring, and jobs need to be �illed. There’s a lot of students that would be good at those skill trades and could consider those jobs as careers,” Vigil said.

Seniors have access to help, but much rests upon their shoulders. The lack of representation of opportunities and the stigma against other paths aside from college is something that counselors, teachers, parents and school districts could work on.

21

4-Year College Alternatives 1. Start a business, whether it be online or not 2. Earn an Associates degree 3. Enroll in community college 4. Attend technical school for a trade 5. Do an apprenticeship or fellowship 5. Join the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard 6. Enter into the work force 7. Volunteer for the Peace Corps, Conservation Corps, or other organizations 8. Take a gap year to travel or prepare for the next stage of life Information gathered by Molly Lubbers; source: careerbuilder.com

What resources would be helpful as you begin to look at post high school opportunities?

Olivia Lerner Freshman

Hiram Richmond Sophomore

“I think that different online resources “Like, career-�inding websites would be helpful just to show different or programs that, like, �ind out job opportunities, and an easier way what you’re interested in can to access those sites, because I have help you �igure out what you personally had a lot of trouble �inding a might want to do.” good college to go to. “

Daniel Gammon Junior

Maggie Grauberger Senior

“I think it would be extraordinarily “One resource that would be helpful helpful if the school compiled a list is your high school counselor to tell of scholarships so we could easily you what’s reasonable, where be nominated for teachers to apply scholarships are found, and where for certain scholarships.” you can apply for different colleges.”

22

Nov. 29, 2018

Perspectives

Spilled Ink

Students should oppose Trump administration’s de�inition of gender, support transgender people

Sadie Buggle News Editor

On Oct. 21, The New York Times published an article that broke the news that the Department of Health and Human Services is spearheading an effort that is attempting to rede�ine “gender” as something “on a biological basis that is clear, grounded in science, objective, and administrable.” This de�inition would eliminate not only the civil rights but the recognition of transgender people, as well as people who don’t de�ine their gender based on the binary.

This unsympathetic proposal disregards currently established law, as well as credible science to degrade and devalue trans citizens. The acceptance of this de�inition would symbolize forgetting transgender citizens’ rights to equal access to health care, protection, and undeniable fair treatment under the law.

In a society where minorities are seemingly becoming more accepted and where great strides are being made in the name of gender and sexual identity, such a proposal seems ridiculous after the progress that has been made.

It is easy for those who do not face discrimination based on gender or sexuality to live unaware of what members of the LGBTQ+ community face daily. In a town like Fort Collins, which is known for being accepting and leaning politically to the left, some assume discrimination based on gender is not common.

However, freshman Jason Bailey tells a different story. His assigned gender at birth was female, but at 6 years old he knew something was different.

“I hung around boys, and wanted to play sports with them and go to the bathroom with them,” Bailey said. “At �irst, my mom tried to convince me that I was just a tomboy, but I knew that that wasn’t it.”

Bailey came out in seventh grade. After coming out, he faced harsh verbal and physical bullying from his peers and even his friends. Students purposefully called him the wrong name and pronouns to degrade his identity, and he was physically assaulted. He got bullied so much he had to switch schools several times.

Bailey has found help through talking with school counselors, a family and gender therapist, and a psychiatrist. He is also on medication for both

Resources: The Trevor Project’s Lifeline: 866-4-U-TREVOR The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-TALK Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860

depression and anxiety.

He has not let the negativity he has received from others stop him from discovering his personal identity. He is currently on hormone blockers and testosterone and is getting chest surgery later this year.

Bailey also does not want others to experience the same things he did, and urges non-transgender students to be kind and accepting.

“They are probably going through one of the hardest times of their life,” he said. “Be understanding.

Respect their names and their pronouns.”

Counselor Tanya Vigil has been at FCHS for over 10 years and has helped many transgender students with coming out and self-acceptance. Her of�ice has always been a safe place where any student can go for a con�idential talk, and feel no fear of being judged or misunderstood.

“I never want anyone to have to go through this journey all by themselves,” she said. “It’s a pleasure to join students on their paths and help them �igure out their destinations.”

Vigil has witnessed restroom policy changes and name policy changes at FCHS. There are now all-

gender restrooms (restrooms that students of any gender can use) in the counseling of�ice in order to provide transgender/ gender non-conforming students a safe place where they know they will not be bullied, harassed or questioned. Additionally, the district has made it possible to change the �irst name of a student to their preferred name instead of just listing it as a nickname.

“These changes are tremendous, but there is still so much we can do,” Vigil said. “I would love to see people being kind and accepting and using the name and the pronouns that the student wants you to. Our brains are trained to automatically go to he/she by what someone looks like. It’s a hard mindset to switch, but it is extremely important to work on. We need to allow all people to have a safe, inclusive environment, including students, teachers and administrators.”

This “inclusive environment” cannot be ful�illed through allowing the gender de�inition changing proposal to be accepted. A de�inition instituted by the Department of Health and Human Services threatens to erase the transgender population in the United States. We cannot let our administration reverse the progress that our society has made. A strong stance must be taken against this inhumane proposal.

STAFF ED

section and choose what to report on. Eversole has also helped us when our paper has incited controversy. He has not tried to restrict our voice or stop students from doing important work.

We need a principal who will support all student voices, especially when it comes to the tough and important conversations. Our leader shouldn’t have a philosophy to limit students’ thoughts and ideas, but to expand them. Whether it is on the stage or the page—or anywhere else in the building— students deserve a principal who allows them to speak their minds. We need to make sure our next principal will continue to support students’ efforts, especially when limiting us could mean our learning experience will also be diminished.

As we start our search for a new dedicated and principled principal, we need to take the opportunity to speak up for someone who will keep the best interests of the student body in mind, who will work to better our school, and whom we will be proud to see walking through the hallways with us and representing us in the community.

Because protecting student voice is so important, we want to help you have your voice heard, so editorin-chief Molly Lubbers has pledged to attend the December meeting and report students’ opinions to the district. If you would like Lubbers to share your ideas, tweet them to us @fchsspilledink, or email Spilled Ink at fchsspilledink@gmail.com.

Students should voice opinions within principal hiring process In January Poudre School District will select a new principal for FCHS. As part of the process, PSD is seeking input from staff, students and families. The last chance for students to give our individual opinions will be Wednesday, Dec. 5 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the LTC. After that, it will be up to only two students out of a population of over 1,800 to sit on the selection committee.

Because the principal will make major decisions that directly impact us, we cannot allow two voices to do the speaking for us. We should all attend the December meeting to provide input on the potential new principal.

According to the process overview provided by the district, they will ask four basic questions: “1.

What does Fort Collins need in their next leader?

2. What do Fort Collins students need in their new principal? 3. What makes Fort Collins unique? and 4. What suggestions for important questions to ask during the interview process do you have?”

We should use the voice we are given to make the changes we want to see. The new principal will have the whole school under his or her control, and we need to talk about what we want in a leader, the atmosphere the leader should bring, the characteristics a leader should have and other topics important to students. A new principal will bring new rules and protocols for us to follow, new budget priorities, and a new administrative

style that will impact everything we do.

Over Principal Mark Eversole’s years, we have been fortunate to have such a focused, approachable, supportive, and kind leader. When he is not working in his of�ice or participating in district meetings, he is often in the hallways, visiting classrooms, and attending school events. He celebrates our successes with us, and he mourns our losses with us. On spirit days, he dresses up with us, and he is not too shy to wear a pair of lamb’s ears and purple sneakers to encourage us to embrace Lambkin spirit.

Eversole has also valued students’ voices and supported them in the efforts they undertake. He trusts adult sponsors and advisers to work with responsible students, which has allowed student groups to have more control over their own creations.

For example, he has allowed Tower Theatre to put on the shows they want, KLYDTV to publish videos about important topics, and has maintained freedom of the press in the case of the student newspaper.

For us, this has meant we can get true journalism experience that will prepare us for the actual �ield. We have won seven state awards and been inducted into the Hall of Fame. We have also been able to write our own opinions in our Perspectives

Spilled Ink

Perspectives

Nov. 29, 2018

California Wildfires By the Numbers (From January 1, 2017 through November 15, 2018)

Over 17,500 buildings and homes destroyed and ruined

On July 27, 2018, the largest fire in California state history occurred and burned over

Over 18.5 million acres were burned

459,123 acres of

land.

There have been 123,397 wildfires in California.

Information gathered by Mackenna Rowe; source iii.org

Letters to the Editor

Spilled Ink wants YOU to write a letter to the editor!

Editor’s Note Molly Lubbers

2

3

4

5

Realize that you have an opinion about something and want to address it in Spilled Ink. Write about your topic in 300 words or fewer.

Sign it with your full name and grade.

Send it to acolwell@psdschools.org.

Read Spilled Ink monthly and watch for it to appear in any upcoming issues!

Editor-in-Chief

The 2018 wild�ire season has been the most damaging one recorded within California, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Thousands of people have �led their homes, over 80 people are dead, and hundreds are missing.

While the Camp Fire has �inally been contained, the effects are still grim. Some victims have lost their houses and possessions, meaning many are living in shelters or even camping in parking lots. Their lives disrupted, they usually have no way to work and have to rely on relief efforts for their basic needs.

Even though we are over 1000 miles away from California, this is something we should care about. These people deserve support after this disaster, and while it’s heartbreaking to think about the people in these situations, we can put our feelings into actions that will help those affected.

Recovery is a long process, and it demands resources—ones we can help provide, just by making a donation.

Many reputable organizations are taking donations. Those who want to contribute to one providing medical help should donate to Direct Relief, which can be found at directrelief.org.

Another organization, The CCF Wild�ire Relief Fund, helps with both immediate and long-term recovery, and their website is calfund.org.

Clyde Finally, the Humane Cares Society of Ventura County, online at hsvc.org, is currently helping pets affected.

3400 Lambkin Way, Ft. Collins, CO 80525

Editors

Molly Lubbers...Editor in Chief Sadie Buggle...News editor Kelly Warden...A&E Editor Miles Rodriguez...In-Depth Editor Italia Caro...Sports Editor Mackenna Rowe...Perspectives Editor

1

23

Photographers Kristina Howard

2018-2019

(970) 488-8199

Staff Writers

Hannah Blagg Rebekah De Priest Seraphina Discoe Alex Ellmer Anna Hunter Jenny Nguyen Roland Tomsic Ayra Ra�iq

Graphic Artists

Jack Hunter...Head Graphic Artist Jack Brecheisen

Adviser

Anne Colwell

Editorial Policy

Spilled Ink is published nine times yearly by the newspaper staff of Fort Collins High School, 3400 Lambkin Way, Fort Collins, Colo. 80525, (970) 488-8199. Member of the Colorado High School Press Association, American Scholastic Press Association and the National Scholastic Press Association. Recipient of the Quill and Scroll, George H. Gallup Award in 1996 and 1997, and awarded First Place with Special Merit in 2001 by the National Scholastic Press Association. Columns are the opinions of writers only. Unsigned editorials re�lect the majority opinion of the Spilled Ink staff. Nothing in Spilled Ink should be considered the opinion of Fort Collins High School or Poudre School District (PSD).

School-sponsored publications written by students are encouraged to freely and creatively express their views subject to the limitations of PSD Board Policies and state law (PR--la0431, Colorado Revised Statutes 22-1-120) Spilled Ink reserves the right to edit letters to the editor and to deny publication to any letter. Letters may be published on Spilled Ink’s website. Letters must be signed, and are limited to 300 words.

24

Nov. 29, 2018

The Backside

Spilled Ink

What is something you want to push yourself to do?

Haley Christoffersen Senior

Luka Robenalt Senior

“I want to be a spy because I’ve seen too many Jason Bourne movies. I went on a tour at the CIA headquarters and had a panel discussion with the heads of every director of the CIA.”

Joey Bright Junior

“I want to be rich so I can buy whatever I want.”

Faith Leneel Sophomore

“I want to publish a book by the time I’m 17. Writing is crucial to my identity; I love writing.”

“I would say graduating from high school and going to college and learning to become a teacher. I just �ind that being a teacher seems very interesting.”

Katie Gillman Junior

“I want to push myself to laugh more and actually enjoy myself instead of stressing out about school all the time and focusing on only my future. “

Alec Slade Sophomore

“I’d like to push myself to be good in all my classes because I know that in some it’s a lot easier to mess around and have a good time.”

Paulina Ortiz Freshman

Carlos Enriquez Freshman

“Just go to college unlike “I would like to go my family because we somewhere in fashion as a usually don’t have the career. It really interests me money for it.” because you can express yourself and there’s so many different styles.”

Spilled Ink is a seven-year All-Colorado, Hall-of-Fame Newspaper 2010-2011

2011-2012

2012-2013

2014-2015

2015-2016

2016-2017

2017-2018