Issuu

Journal The Union St.

HOW DOES CREEK

SUPPORT

STUDENTS

WITH

DISABILITIES? Cherry Creek High School 9300 E. Union Ave. Greenwood Village, CO 80111

Vol. 9 Issue 43 March May 2024

Table of Contents News

Features

A&E

Opinions

7 - Creek’s Recommendations for College Dorms 8 - Senior Nathan Kelmen’s Search and Rescue Experience

In-Depth 10 - How Does Creek Support Students With Disabilities? Looking Into ILC, 504s, IEPs, and the ADA

Sports

4 - SAT Digitized for ‘Better Experience’ 5 - Ted-X Cherry Creek HS Aims to Engage, Include Bruins 6 - Creek Adapts to Venezuelan Immigration Influx

14 - Boys’ Volleyball Struggles to Rebuild 15 - Creek Champion to Canadian Football 16 - Addy Beck Balances Three Sports With Ease

17 - Why Everyone Should Wear Bonnets 18 - The Media That Got Seniors Through High School

20 - Are Zoos Worth It? 21 - “KMS” Has Become Too Unstigmatized 22 - Put Your Phone Down, Go Outside 23 - Staff-Ed: Use Your Education to Care

On The Cover

From left to right, starting at the top, sophomore George Lautaha and junior Mason Hall are drawn with other ILC students: sophomores Rowan Pollard and Clarissa Caupono hug freshman Alexa Lawanson and senior Jasmine Nakuma. Students enrolled in special education programs make up 11% of Creek’s population, and often face a lack of visibility as well as a lack of understanding of their needs. “It feels like we are always the first to get opportunities taken away from us,“ senior and ILC student support Addi Allis said. Creek caters to each of their needs in a number of ways, and starting on page 10, the USJ investigated many of these, including Elements classes, Para-Supports, the Unified program, 504s, IEPs, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

ART BY ANGELA XU

Staff

LOOKING THROUGH THE MIRROR: Junior Dakota Kennedy performs as Beauty in Creek theater’s production of ‘Beauty and the Beast’. The play acted as a twist on the classic story, including fairies, an overbearing sister, and more. PHOTO BY QUINN RUDNICK

Letter from the Editors

As the school year ends, Alex Gribb’s time as Editor-in-Chief as well. The rest of us staying behind are watching our incredibly talented seniors leave, but we’re ready to take on the years that will follow. As part of our goal of representing all of Creek’s student body, we decided to explore how Creek works to help students with physical and mental disabilities learn and feel like they have a place at the school in our In-Depth. We talked with teachers, case managers, and students about the issue, looking into 504s, IEPs, the ILC program, and the Americans With Disabilities Act.

Further in the issue, we highlighted the athletic talent of the Creek community with a profile on sophomore Addy Beck and health teacher Seneca Holmes. We discussed the end of the paper-based SAT as many students took the online version for the first time a few weeks ago, and we assessed which items are best for our departing seniors to bring to college. Our staff editorial argues that Creek students should use their education to exercise their right to vote, and a group of seniors commemorated the media that got them through high school. It’s impossible to quantify just how proud we are of the work put into producing this issue, and how thankful we are for our wonderful staff. Congratulations on this amazing issue, and here’s to another wonderful year! - Editors-in-Chief, Alex Gribb & Quinn Rudnick

Editor-in-Chief Alex Gribb

Asst. A&E Editor Nick BeDan

Junior Editor-in-Chief & Sports Editor Quinn Rudnick

Asst. Features Editor Anaiah Shahrukh

Managing Editor & Asst. News Editor Peter Philpott A&E Editor & Design Manager Katya Roudakov

Asst. Opinions Editor Sophia Hady Chief Photographer Wryn Duepre Asst. Photographer Briana Flores

News Editor Amanda Castillo-Lopez

Chief Artist Angela Xu

Features Editor Jude Gorden

Business Manager Gillian Neale

Opinions Editor Izzy Krauss

Staff Writers Jayna Baker Madalyn Hoop Serenity Hurtado Alisa Kovaleva Rue Minar Mae Murphey Lina Rakhmanova Kellen Ringland Ava Segale

Video Editor Nour Kreishan Asst. Managing Editor Aram Bazarian Asst. Video Editor Jonathan Lee Asst. Sports Editor Andrei Machado

Advisor Seth Fine

Purpose:

The Union St. Journal is the official online and print news source for Cherry Creek High School. We are a student-run publication distributed to the students, faculty, and staff of Creek, and serve as an information source and two-way communication forum for both the school and community. We welcome guest opinion writers. Content does not necessarily represent the views of Cherry Creek High School or the Cherry Creek School District. Opinion articles do not necessarily represent the overall views of The Union St. Journal, CCHS, or CCSD. Letters to the editor are accepted and can be submitted via email to usj.editorinchief@gmail.com Letters may be edited for clarity.

news

ART BY PETER PHILPOTT

SAT Digitized to Make a ‘Better Test Experience’

BY JONATHAN LEE Asst. Video Editor

s of spring 2024, the SAT will have become fully digital across the US, along with a new adaptive format meant to improve the testing experience.

4 | News

The SAT isn’t just moving to computer screens: the way it’s taken and proctored is completely changing. In an update to their website, the College Board gave information on how the SAT would be changing, and how it would be staying the same. According to the College Board, the SAT will still follow the same 1600 point scale, be taken in schools and standard testing centers, and “remain an accurate measurement of knowledge and skill for colleges and careers.” “[We] didn’t just take the paper and pencil test and put it on the computer,” College Board said on their site. “We took the opportunity to make the SAT a far better test experience for you.” In order to test the validity of this new method, Assistant Principal Krista Keogh had the opportunity to attend a workshop for the College Board in November, where research was done comparing students who had taken the paper SAT and the new SAT. “ College Board has done a lot of studies over the last couple of years,” Keogh said. “We have all different kinds of kids taking the paper and pencil, and then we’re giving them the digital SAT and their scores are correlated very strongly.” Opinions among students who have taken this new format of the SAT are mixed. Junior Benji Simberg, finds that the reading section of the new version is

much more manageable than the older version. “The biggest pro would be in the English section,” Simberg said. “Since the passages are much shorter, you don’t have to read these huge long passages which makes it much easier for the evidence based questions.” Junior Ryan Gopalani recognizes the benefit of the test now being shorter since he can stay focused for longer while taking the SAT. “Timing is huge, because you burn out less quickly and your energy drains at a slower rate on the digital SAT,” Gopalani said. “You’re more awake for those harder questions that come at the end.” Gopalani finds that the math section of the SAT becomes more inconvenient on a computer, rather than the standard paper and pencil. “You can’t annotate directly on the page,” Gopalani said. So for the math section, that was a little bit of a burden having to transfer content from screen to page.” Social Studies teacher David Knoeckel, who proctored for the digital SAT, found the process was much easier than the old SAT. “It was self paced for the kids and [the computer] did the timer for them as far as their break,” Knoeckel said. “Once they got going, it was incredibly easy to proctor. The only thing I had to do was walk around to make sure they weren’t cheating.” For Biology teacher Alexandra Bak, taking the SAT on computers made proctoring more inconvenient. “With everybody starting at slightly different times, the breaks didn’t line up,” Bak said. “Some kids would be on break while other kids around them were testing.”

INFOGRAPHIC BY AMANDA CASTILLO-LOPEZ & PETER PHILPOTT

Despite differing opinions among students and staff regarding the new SAT, they still recognize the ultimate goal of the College Board’s decision to change. “It’s trying to [evolve] into modern times; how students learn and how students are using technology now.” Keogh said.

TEDx CherryCreekHS Aims to Engage, Include Bruins BY PETER PHILPOTT

Managing Editor & Asst. News Editor

EDx CherryCreekHS, a project led by freshman Michael Zhang, is going live at the Parker Arts Schoolhouse theater on Aug. 31.

Zhang’s goal is to reach out to the students and faculty of Creek, and get them involved in speeches and the audience. He led the same event as a Campus Middle School eighth grader. Now, he’s returning to TEDx in high school. TED events provide a platform for professionals to speak: to serve TED’s slogan, “ideas worth spreading,” but they can only be held by the company itself. With TEDx, one of TED’s divisions, anyone who is approved through an application can host an event. Zhang is gearing his event towards Creek; any student can apply to speak, and he hopes many will choose to stop by and listen. He’s even granting free admission to those at Creek. “I feel like students could benefit

from it because they can spread their ideas, and we’ll help spread them.” Zhang said. Social Strategist and Author Nick Shelton spoke about social anxiety and his experience with it at Zhang’s event last year. Shelton agrees that the event could be very fruitful for high school students. “This is an opportunity that very few people get,” Shelton said. “If they can take advantage of it and not overlook this opportunity, they can get their message out there.” Despite Shelton’s nerves and the topic of his talk, he found it cathartic and gratifying to speak to so many people. “It was exhilarating... But, at the same time, [I was] relieved that with all of that preparation, I finally got to share that message,” Shelton said. “I was excited to share the message that I’ve trained so long to share.” So far, Zhang has been discouraged with a lack of Creek applicants, but other students from around the country have shown a willingness to participate. One such student, freshman Claire Xu from the Harker School in San Jose, California, is excited to work on

PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHAEL ZHANG

Application Prospective speakers can apply on the event’s website. Some apply to many events, to have a good chance at earning a spot. “I am a bit of an overachiever, so I applied for 83 events, and I got accepted.” -Author, Social Strategist Nick Shelton INFOGRAPHIC BY PETER PHILPOTT

the event. With a background and a passion for science fairs, Xu plans to speak about AI, or about bettering communication between neuro-typical and neuro-divergent people. “I was seven years old when I was first introduced to TEDx,” she said. “I’m really passionate about being able to find an issue or a gap and then being able to find a creative solution to solve that.” Zhang hopes that passionate speakers like her and Shelton can drive his event to success. “From my experience, the audience, the speaker, your peers, the coaches, everyone is extremely supportive,” Zhang said. “You learn a lot from the process and the actual speech. You’re giving your original ideas to the public.” Thomas Eckschmidt, civil engineer and applicant to the 2024 event, believes that students are the country’s bright future, which is why young people need to get involved with leadership and TED. “The change is not going to start from the top to the bottom. It’s going to start from the bottom up,” Eckschmidt said.

SPOTLIGHT: Author and social strategist Nick Shelton gives his talk at the 2023 TEDxCherryCreekHS event, hosted by now freshman Michael Zhang when he was an eighth grader at Campus Middle School. “I felt really comfortable up there,” Shelton said.

Training

Speaking

Even professional speakers say that anyPresenters will have access to one truly passionate about their speaking coach Tanja subjects shouldn’t be nervous to speak. Diamond to work “Tanja will help with them and [everyone] become an “You’re not reading a telepromptperfect their extremely successful TEDx er, you’re talking from your heart. speeches, style, It’s very easy,” speaker.” and stage pres-Freshman -Civil Engineer Thomas Eckschmidt ence. Michael Zhang May 2024

Creek Addresses Venezuelan Student Immigrant Influx arriving in Denver since January, Colorado is still experiencing the flood of immigrants and continues to provide increasing support. Video Editor The city’s nearly $90 million budget plan fooming here is like a break,” cuses on immigrant housing and aid for the rest of 2024. These accommodations are resenior Claudia Naranjo Mar- flected in the education system as well. cano said. “You can use your The Cherry Creek School District (CCSD) phone on the streets and they won’t get is one of the largest school districts in Colosnatched, or you can wear your nice rado, with 52,392 enrolled students. Accordclothes and they won’t get stolen.” ing to CCSD Data Analyst Dave Roybal, the Naranjo Marcano fled from Venezuela to number of immigrant students in CCSD has the U.S eight years ago, and in recent years, increased by 33% since last year, with 1728 immigration from the country has only in- immigrant students in 2024. creased. Venezuela has one of the largest exAccording to English Language Supports ternal displacement crises in the world with Program Head Tricia McRae, Creek is one over 7.7 million refugees of the top CCSD and migrants as of Auschools impacted by “What was the hardest gust 2023. this influx of immiSince Venezuela acwasn’t even the fact that I grants. To accomcounts for the largest modate, Creek is was lacking resources, it share of global oil reexpanding their Enwas just the fact that I was serves, when oil prices glish for Newcomthe only one like me.” declined in the miders program, a class 2010s, the Venezuelan dedicated to teaching economy crashed. This immigrant students Senior Claudia crisis was only exacerEnglish. Naranjo Marcano bated when the U.S im“We haven’t had posed sanctions as a rethe numbers in the sponse to human rights past to have another abuses and corruption under the government [English for Newcomers] class,” English Lanof Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro. The guage Supports Specialist Andrea Aldridge financial instability and government corrup- said. Creek added another period for English tion led to a steady increase in crime rates in for Newcomers this year and plans to hire anthe mid 2010s. other ELS specialist for next year. As more Venezuelans became exhausted Some teachers also go out of their way to with economic struggle and anti-democratic overcome the language barrier with newly governance, immigrants fled to the U.S for immigrated students. Social Studies teacher refuge and job opportunities, with 262,633 Matthew Buddington has a version of some Venezuelans having crossed the U.S-Mexico of his CP World Geography hand-out notes border in just 2023. completely in Spanish. While there have been fewer immigrants “For teachers, we’re in a tough situation BY NOUR KREISHAN

trying to navigate this new situation,” Buddington said. “My number one concern is trying to make those students feel welcomed and included in the class.” Naranjo Macrano, who didn’t have that support when she immigrated eight years ago, heard about Buddington translating his notes while tutoring another Hispanic student. “When I saw [Buddington’s notes], I was like ‘Wow, the time and effort to do that for your students is incredible,’” Naranjo Macrano said. “I mean, this is new for them. This is new for everybody.” When Naranjo Macrano immigrated to the U.S in 2016, there was less organized support in place. Her elementary school in Florida didn’t provide any resources to ease the transition and the potential language barrier. “I would cry every single night because my mom and I would have to Google Translate every single page and then read it in Spanish,” Naranjo Macrano said. “What was the hardest wasn’t even the fact that I was lacking resources, it was just the fact that I was the only one like me.” Naranjo Macrano is a member of Latinos Unidos, which not only supports native Spanish-speaking students academically but also provides a community for newcomers to meet people with similar backgrounds. Antonella Salih is a freshman at Creek who immigrated from Venezuela in December 2023. Initially, she was intimidated as a new student but Latinos Unidos quickly welcomed her. “It’s a big help because you can get together with Latino people and talk with them and socialize,” Salih said in Spanish. “Being in Latinos Unidos, even just for a moment, is like being in your country.” Venezuela - 23.6% Columbia - 11.1% Mexico - 8.7% Afghanistan - 6.1% India - 4.8% Ethiopia - 2.3% Honduras - 2.2% Peru - 2.0% Ukraine - 1.8% Total from countries with <1% - 37.4 LEAVING HOME: There are 1,824 students in CCSD that immigrated in the 2023-2024 year. This infographic shows where they immigrated from and their demographic breakdown.

6 | News

GRAPHIC BY NOUR KREISHAN, DATA COURTESY OF DAVE ROYBAL

features

Creek’s Recommendations for College Dorms BY GILLIAN NEALE Business Manager

Not sure what to bring for your college dorm? Torn between childhood stuffed animals and fuzzy pillows? Here’s what seniors, current college students, and parents think is crucial to starting college right.

“12 x 12 cube storage bins ‘cause they just hold stuff really well.” - Senior Rose Chambers

“A water heater or a coffee maker would be a good thing to have.” - Senior Ian Youngblood PHOTOS COURTESY OF IAN YOUNGBLOOD, ROSE CHAMBERS, AND EMERSON COYLE

“I wish I bought a mini fridge with a freezer.” - Emerson Coyle ‘23 GRAPHICS BY GILLIAN NEALE & QUINN RUDNICK

WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO COLLEGE? PACKING UP: Parents, graduates, and seniors weighed in on what they think the best things to bring to college.

WATER FILTER $30

GRAPHICS BY QUINN RUDNICK

HANGERS $15

COFFEE MAKER $40

MATTRESS TOPPER $30

LAUNDRY BASKET $9

SQUARE BOX $5

May 2024

Answering the Call: Senior Nathan Kelmen’s Search and Rescue Experience BY SOPHIA HADY

Asst. Opinions Editor

t’s 10:40 at night and senior Nathan Kelmen is on the verge of sleep when a page from Arapahoe Rescue Patrol jolts him awake.

A 16 year old with autism has gone missing in Arapahoe County. Kelmen and 25 other teen volunteers gear up to go find the kid. It’s freezing and everyone is tired, but Kelmen and his team are determined to find the 16 year old. He won’t get home till 2:00 am. “Imagine going from being asleep to [an] adrenaline rush,” Kelmen said. As a junior, Kelmen started volunteering for Arapahoe Rescue Patrol (ARP). Since then, he has completed rigorous training and collaborated with other teens to help find urban and rural missing persons. The Arapahoe Rescue Patrol (ARP) employs high school volunteers to search for people that go missing and return them to their loved ones. The ARP receives calls from the local sheriff ’s department and promptly sends out a gaggle of teens. All the volunteers in ARP are unpaid.

8 | Features

“People assume that we’re like paid to do than turning to social media and screens for this and this is like a job. But in Colorado, entertainment like a lot of his peers. we’re all volunteers,” Kelmen said. “I [was] bored in my life. So it was the Kelmen has many fond memories with perfect fit to fill my time because…you get the ARP, many of which include the people to doom scrolling and then it just seemed he works with. He often goes on missions like a waste of life,” Kelmen said. late at night and has dinner with his crew Kelmen’s decision to join ARP came natonce the mission is completed. These din- urally once he heard about the program. ners and time spent He’s felt connected with other volunteers to nature for as long are what really stand as he can remem“I feel like Arapahoe Rescue out about ARP and ber, and has recentPatrol has kind of helped what makes the expely felt a strong derience so special for sire to be of service with figuring out my life Kelmen. to his community. after senior year, because “In a search for a “I’ve always been there was definitely a lot of missing woman, my quite an outdoorsy uncertainty before that.” pager essentially went person,” Kelmen off at dinnertime,” said, “So I just deKelmen said. “And all cided why not apply Senior Nathan Kelmen of a sudden, I’m gothat to helping peoing through fields in ple.” Douglas County. It’s Before Klemen the evening so then I get to sit down with could become part of the patrol team, he the patrollers, my second family, and have had to undergo a month of intensive traincheeseburgers with them.” ing, including both classroom and field exStruggling with never-ending boredom perience. To become a part of the team, he and endless scrolling, Kelmen wanted to had to train both his mind and his body for find a productive way to fill his time rather the work they’d be doing, with a heavy emphasis on the mentality that search and rescue requires. PHOTO BY WRYN DUEPRE “I think you have to have a lot of mental fortitude. You’re gonna see some things that most people don’t and you have to be able to push yourself,” Kelmen said. “They talked about mental stamina before they even started talking about physical stamina.” Being a part of search and rescue has caused Kelmen to develop more strength. During hours of training and missions, Kelmen is doing intense leg and arm workouts by carrying supplies, climbing, and walking long distances. “Physically I’ve gotten a lot stronger, obviously[in my] legs but [also I’m] carrying various LOUD AND CLEAR: Senior Nathan Kelmen uses his walkie talkie to communicate with other volunteers in the program. Arapahoe Rescue Patrol volunteers are sent on group missions to search for missing persons.

pieces of equipment to places. So it’s just been a big boost for my physical fitness,” Kelmen said. Being a part of search and rescue has had a positive impact on Kelmen academically as well. He has ADHD, and ARP has helped him to manage his time and focus in school more. He has also experienced little to no academic burnout, something many seniors struggle with. “[ARP] helped me to not get senioritis this year,” Kelmen said. Some aspects of ARP can get in the way of his school life; late nights spent scouring acres of land for missing persons can leave Kelmen exhausted and with little time left for homework. Since Kelmen could get urgently paged at any time in the school day, he had to inform his teachers of his commitment to ARP at the beginning of the school year. “I had that conversation with all my teachers at the start of the year. I was like ‘Hey, I’m on this team, and if I get paged I have to go’,” Kelmen said. The search and rescue team has become what Kelmen considers his second family. The people that he went through training with have become some of his closest friends due to impromptu dinners and hours spent bonding during missions and training activities. This bond between volunteers fosters a community within the organization, and has allowed teens like Kelmen to build connections. “We’re all very tight knit as a whole unit. you gotta be for this,” Kelmen said. ARP only allows current highschool students to volunteer, so Kelmen only has a few more months left in the program. However, he plans to use his experience in ARP for a related career field, like being a park ranger. Kelmen is going to Western Colorado University, which also has their own rescue team on campus that Kelmen plans to be a part of. “I feel like ARP has kind of helped with figuring out my life after senior year, because there was definitely a lot of uncertainty before that,” Kelmen said. To Kelmen, ARP is more than just a search and rescue organization. It’s a close knit community and the starting point of his future. Kelmen plans to draw upon his experiences and take his connections with him into the rest of his life. “I found a second family [and] I found a lot of purpose,” Kelmen said.

PHOTO BY WRYN DUEPRE

PREPARING FOR A MISSION: Senior Nathan Kelmen kneels while packing up a gurney used on missions. The Arapahoe Rescue Patrol volunteers use these to transport injured persons. “[The program] benefits people being rescued [because] all of our services are free,” Kelmen said. PHOTO BY WRYN DUEPRE

PHOTO BY WRYN DUEPRE

WHILE SUPPLIES LAST: Senior Nathan Kelmen reaches into the patrol truck to take out medical supplies on a training operation. He appreciates the experience and the missions he’s gotten from Arapahoe Rescue Patrol. “What we do together is just something you can not get anywhere else,” Kelmen said. PHOTO BY WRYN DUEPRE

May 2024

‘THEY JUST LEARN DIFFERENTLY’: ADRESSING EVERY STUDENT’S UNIQUE NEEDS BY ALEX GRIBB Editor-in-Chief

Elements Classes

t Creek, students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) can take any number of classes, ranging from Principle all the way to AP.

PHOTOS BY QUINN RUDNICK

ABOVE: ILC students gathered to take photos. From left to right starting from the top: Sophomore Rowan Pollard, freshman Alexa Lawanson, sophomore Clarissa Caupana, seniors Brandon Jeon and Jasmine Nakuma, sophomore George Lautaha, junior Mason Hall.

10 | In-Depth

Principles classes, which are for mainly ILC students, focus on a different metric then most other Creek courses. “[In] math we will learn fractions and we’ll relate it to cooking. We’ll learn decimals and we’ll relate [it] to money and adding things,” ILC teacher Kathryn Canham said. “We try to teach concepts that will help them be more independent when they’re adults and leave us.” Elements Classes, which any of the roughly 400 students with IEPs can take, serve as a bridge between Principles classes and CP ones. “[They] are courses that are taught by a special education teacher, [and] the teacher is highly qualified in that content area,” assistant principal Jessica Robinson said. And according to Julie Reynolds, an Elements teacher whose name has been changed to protect the privacy of her students, the classes are also a place where academic risks can be taken. “Elements classes [are] a place where everybody’s struggling at learning in some way,” Reynolds said. “They feel much more comfortable to push themselves and answer if they’re wrong, because their peers aren’t going to laugh at them the way that they get laughed at in a CP class, because kids are cruel.” Admin like Robinson can see this appeal.

“It’s only special education kids in the class. So I understand the benefits of some of that because maybe you have some kids who are coming out of ILC programming, and that’s kind of a next step,” she said. “However, I feel that our data shows that a lot of our students with special needs are not growing, and academically they’re not growing.” Starting next year, Creek will reduce its number of Elements classes from 12 to eight. “With Elements classes, I think that our kids are isolated from gen ed students, and I think that there’s a benefit of kids having access to gen ed classes. They have access to the content standards that are grade level, they have access to grade level instruction, they have access to peers that they can model behaviors after [that] they can collaborate with,” she said. “There are so many things that I feel that Elements classes can’t provide students.” Reynolds believes that the gen-ed environment is what makes Elements students feel disconnected. “Their safe spaces were elements classes where they felt like they were finally seen because [in] most of our classes, the kids looked like them,” she said. “That fear for them is intense.” Senior Addi Allis, who has an IEP and is enrolled in an Elements class, believes that without the classes, the pace gap between Principles classes and CP classes will be too great. “ILC kids will be kind of in this awkward situation of ‘Is it going to be too hard to push up into a CP class, but then [a Principles class is not] challenging myself.’ It’s like they don’t have a place,” she said.

INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION PLANS

INTEGRATED LEARNING CENTER

IEPs are created for students with mild to extreme needs. These can range from Autism, to Down Syndrome, to more.

The ILC program is by the East Gym and Supports students with more extreme learning needs.

PRINCIPLES CLASSES

ELEMENTS CLASSES

Classes provided for ILC students which use a practical application for gen-ed topics.

Classes provided for any student eligible, typically with an IEP. These classes can act as a bridge between Principle and CP Classes. GRAPHIC BY ALEX GRIBB

The Unified Program

ny student, IEP or not, can become involved with the Unified Program, which exists as a way for ILC students to interact with gen-ed peers.

“I’ve been hanging with my best friends, and I’ve been chilling out,” sophomore ILC student Ryan Debolt said. With four classes and five different sports teams, the program relies mainly on gen-ed student involvement and district funding. All four classes need gen-ed students, but enrollment has been incredibly low.

“Unfortunately, we’ve only had four or five students sign up for the like 20 classes we have offered. So that’s something we’re really trying to promote,” Chirico said. This lack affects more than just teachers and students. “It’s been really nice having some peers who realize these kids are just like them. They want friends. They want to be involved. They want to be included.,” Unified Coordinator and ILC teacher Kathryn Canham said. “[ILC students are] just like them, they just learn differently.” And with such a large scale program, funding for every sport has become in-

creasingly difficult. “I get a district budget that doesn’t even cover the cost of all my coaches. So I have to be really creative,” Canham said. Canham has had to use Creek’s Student Achievement Incentive Plan (SAIP), which allows teachers to take on additional roles for more pay after being tapped out on their pay scale. But this creativity comes at a different cost. “What we’ve learned is we might be pulling back on what we pay our coaches in order to suffice the supports needed,” Chirico said.

of positions we’re trying to fill and we have had zero applicants since the beginning of the school year,” ILC teacher Caitlin Chirico said. According to Robinson, the lack of applicants is likely due to the lack of pay. “I know that the district has tried to incentivize the job, but some people can go out and work at a fast food place and make more money doing that.” And, according to Allis, three para-supports can be hired for the same district cost of one teacher.

Without these positions filled, multiple students are put into the same elective classes, preventing them from having a more varied schedule. “We have to prioritize grouping [students] into one class, instead of giving them the opportunity to try different classes, based on the Para’s support needs,” Chirico said.

Para-Supports

ith a student to teacher ratio of 5:1, instructors play a vital role in providing education for students in the Integrated learning Center (ILC) program.

And, special-Ed positions are determined as “extremely hard to fill” according to the CCSD. “I will say from a district level, something that we’ve struggled with is hiring para-educators for [the] program. Right now, we have at least like eight vacancies

READ MORE ABOUT IEPs, 504s AND HOW CREEK ACCOMMODATES FOR PHYSICAL DISABILITIES ON THE NEXT TWO PAGES.

May 2024

How do 504s and IEPs Affect Creek?

IEPs

504s WHAT IS A 504?

WHAT IS AN IEP?

504s are plans created by a team of students, counselors, parents, and admin to decide how the school will support students with disabilities, hopefully removing barriers, and giving students equal opportunities in schools.

While similar to 504’s, IEPs are plans made to support students with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD), ADHD/ADD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), mental health issues such as depression or anxiety, speech, language, hearing, orthopedic, or visual impairments, and many more.

ARE THEY PROTECTED?

504s are not legal documents, but are covered under the Rehabilitation Act, meaning they cannot be disregarded.

IEP’s or Individualized Education Programs are required in public schools and some charter schools under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Compared to a 504, an IEP is a legal document made by the school.

WHAT DO THEY DO?

These allow for accommodations such as extended time on tests, changes to the environment such as testing in quieter spaces, changes to instruction such as checking in frequently on key concepts, and changes to how curriculum is presented such as notes and outlines on lessons.

The accommodations for IEPs are structured differently due to the fact that they are specialized to what the student needs so there is no specific basis for their requirement. IEPs can fall under the special education programs so they can have extra classes and specialized programs to support them. GRAPHICS BY IZZY KRAUSS

- Senior Kate Duymelinck 12 | In-Depth

INN PHOTO BY QU

“It’s embarrassing because people are obviously judging you when a teacher comes up to you to talk about accommodations”

RUDNICK

Even though many students have 504s and IEPs, most shy away from discussing it.

How Creek Works with the Americans with Disabilities Act BY QUINN RUDNICK Junior Editor-in-Chief & Sports Editor

he Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed into law in 1990, allows for regulations surrounding employment, public transit, state and local government services, businesses, and more for citizens with disabilities.

nity for new accessible features to be built if Creek is rebuilt in 2025. “I think if we end up doing a redesign of this campus, I think that’s when we’d see some pretty drastic updates,” Silva said. “Like the theater and access to the stage. And then there’s some awkwardness to the west building, like getting to the main ofUnder the ADA, people with disabili- fice.” ties are granted certain protections from Because Creek was opened after Janudiscrimination, ary of 1993, the school had and because of the to comply with the ADA’s broadness of the law, “We can’t say no to 1991 standards, which inthose regulations clude fewer requirements accommodations, we apply to how public than the current 2010 have to meet them,” schools provide for standards, which apply to and work with disschools opened after May abled students. 2012. Principal Ryan Silva The ADA defines “There definitely are a disabled person as some differences that you anyone “who has a would see if you’re in a physical or mental impairment that sub- new building compared to us, and every stantially limits one or more major life now and then maybe [we receive] quesactivities, a person who has a history or tions about that, but we’re grandfathered record of such an impairment, or a person into the older system.” who is perceived by others as having such The ADA requires all schools to make an impairment.” extracurriculars, educational opportuniThe Individuals with Disabilities Edu- ties, and all buildings open and accessible cation Act (IDEA) works with the ADA to students. Creek implements these polito mandate free public education in the cies through programs like Unified Sports least restrictive environment for disabled and by making doorways and ramps easily students. If a student does not meet the accessible. requirements for a disability, they are clasMany students, however, have comsified under IDEA and a 504 plan. plaints about some of Creek’s accessibility At Creek, these three classifications are standards; the basements in West and East what form the basis for how school struc- have no elevator access, and are completeturing and administrative employees must ly inaccessible, and the ‘push to open’ butfunction in order to provide comfort for tons on doors often don’t work. students. The Creek administration consistent“I would make reports, when there’s ly works to accommodate all students on concerns, to the district Chief of Mainte- campus; through meetings with parents nance and facilities to make sure that they and their children, working to renovate are addressed.” Principal Ryan Silva said. issues, and more. “So my [role] is more monitoring, to make “We can’t say no to accommodations, sure that all those things are addressed. we have to meet them,” Silva said. While actual construction to provide accessibility has already happened, Silva believes that there will be more opportu-

DOES CREEK COMPLY WITH THE ADA? The Americans with Dishabilles Act (1990) creates a set of requirements for public places to follow in order to help people with disabilities move around. In public schools like Creek, there are certain requirements that must be met.

HOW DOES CREEK COMPARE? HALLWAY WIDTH Hallways at a minimum need to be 32 in. across wheelchairs can travel across campus.

ENTRANCES Ramps, accessible parking and spots, and sidewalks need to be provided into buildings.

LEVEL CHANGES There are no ramps in the West or East buildings to help students access classes in the basement.

AUTOMATIC DOORS Automatic doors are installed across campus so students have an easier time opening doors.

TOILET STALLS Accessible toilet stalls must abide by hallway width regulations: a minimum of 32 inches across.

SEATING

Six wheelchair accessible seats must be provided in assembly areas that hold over 301 people. GRAPHIC BY QUINN RUDNICK SOURCE: U.S ACCESS BOARD

May 2024

CHEER: The boys’ volleyball team celebrates after a point during a game against Grandview on April 9. Creek lost 3-0. PHOTO BY QUINN RUDNICK

Boys’ Volleyball Struggles Rebuild ANDREI MACHADO

Asst. Sports Editor

fter two great seasons in 2021 and 2022, the boys’ volleyball team has struggled to regain form during a rebuilding effort.

sports

Starting the season 3-12 in their first 15 games, head coach Cara Quayle has been trying throughout the season to guide the team back to winning ways. “Majority of [teams] we played were top 10 or top 15,” Quayle said. “Our record in the beginning was frustrating to me and to the team because we were doing some really good things and we had some really close matches.” Something clearly wasn’t clicking between the players with loss after loss coming in disappointing ways. “It’s been tough to try and get the team to form a bond or chemistry, but it’s just a work in progress,” Quayle said. With new players coming in every year, the bond Quayle is trying to improve becomes hard. This is worsened by the relative nicheness of boys volleyball, with it becoming a CHSAA-sanctioned sport in 2019. “One of the big things that I want to do is focus on getting the underclassmen varsity level experience, and just learn what the program is about so that they can have the tools that they need to be successful in transitioning up to the varsity level,” Quayle said.

14 | Sports

Quayle isn’t the only one who sees the to guide new players and to create the team in this way. Players also understand bond and chemistry the team needs. the need for varsity experience. “Six people have gotten a good amount “The experience on varsity definitely of playing time on varsity, so they not only helped. I’m a lot more confident on the are on the team, but they have the expecourt now,” senior setter Andrew Chung rience of competing at the varsity level,” said. “I’m able to make mistakes and then Quayle said. “I think that those six people correct them myself.” that are returning will have a better idea While in a rebuilding phase, their re- what worked this year and how they can cord can still be demoralizing. Instead help to start us off strong next year.” of focusing on that, players have tried to In order to start the season with the look beyond and focus and what can be bond Quayle wants, it’s important for changed for the future. players with experience to help new ones. “I think we can just keep improving,” “It’s really important to guide younger sophomore outside players who are still hitter Noah Reynolds learning the halls of said. “We need to stay Creek and under“We need to stay more more disciplined and standing how Creek disciplined and we we need to remember volleyball works beneed to remember the the fundamentals.” cause it’s a very differfundamentals.” Having this menent setting from club,” tality of constant imReynolds said. provement has been While their record Sophomore necessary for the team shows the contrary, Noah Renyolds to make progress, afQuayle feels hopeful ter an underwhelmfor the future of the ing and below par team and believes the start to the season. team is already placed “I feel like the way that we’ve played on the right track for the future. and the momentum that we had, their “I feel like the trend that we’re on is overall aggression… and building each like, really exciting for me and hopefully other up as a team as a play rather than for them too” Quayle said. “We just keep playing as six individuals, I feel like that’s growing and growing, I want that to conwhat we’ve been missing,” Quayle said. tinue and I want us to become just stronWith progress in mind and an idea in ger as a team.” place to improve for the future, Quayle is relying on returning players next season

Seneca Holmes: Creek Champion to Canadian Football Leauge KELLEN RINGLAND

Staff Writer

hirty years ago, Seneca Holmes played football at Creek as a wide receiver and kick returner, eventually becoming a state champion.

Now, he’s back to his roots at Creek teaching health to students. Holmes fell in love with football at a young age and played through his childhood and into high school. It was during these early years that Holmes and Marcus McDavid met. The pair knew each other while growing up, after meeting when they were both around 9 years old at church. When they played together, they were a part of the 47-6 1994 5A Championship win against Horizon. “I dreamed of playing [in] a major college, and everybody dreams of being in the NFL when they’re younger,” Holmes said. Holmes went on to play college football at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. Despite playing DII football, Holmes kept his eye set on being the best he could. In Durango, he was named part of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) All-Conference team in 1996, As a WR and a KR He was also a finalist for the regional Harlon Hill Award, commonly known as the ‘Heisman Trophy of D2 football’ that same year. Holmes soon transferred to Northwest Missouri State University in 1997, winning two D2 National Championships in 1998 and 1999. In the spring of 2000, he graduated from college without any offers for the NFL draft. “When we got done with college, we wanted to keep training to try to keep playing football,” McDavid, who ended up as a cornerback at the University of New Mexico, said. “[Holmes’ dad] kind of turned into

our personal trainer and he would give us was fun,” Holmes said. workouts to do all the time. He came up Silva recognized his talent in coachwith cool, or really hard workouts to do.” ing football. “He was always enthusiastic, Holmes was signed by the B.C. (British [and] passionate. He connected well with Columbia) Lions the players. He on August 14, took a lot of pride 2001, after being in what he does “[McDavid and I have] a genreleased by the because coaching uine respect we have for each Calgary Stampedis [an] important ers in June. role,” Silva said. other because we both know “That experiAfter receiving how hard we had to work to get ence I had playhis K-12 Physical that opportunity to play profesing in the CFL, Education desional football in Canada,” flying to games, gree in 2005 from and getting money Metro State Unithat they give you versity, Holmes Health Teacher when you’re travjumped around a Seneca Holmes eling. Getting paid few schools in the for playing and district, coaching having fans signvarious sports. ing autographs,” Holmes said. “Seeing your This year, Holmes is reunited with Mcjersey getting sold and those kinds of things David and Silva. He’s known at Creek as … those are dreams that you have as a kid the beloved health teacher to students who and I had when I was growing up.” brings a piece of his past to his students Holmes kept in touch with McDavid, each year. who had also played in the CFL in 2000 for “I believe this is my purpose. And I the Saskatchewan Roughriders as a corner- think that’s why football didn’t work out, back. that’s my mentality. And that’s what I truly After Holmes’ release from the Lions, he believe,” Holmes said. was signed by the San Diego Riptide in the Arena Football League, and finished his career in football in 2004. “There’s a genuine respect we have for each other because we both know how hard we had to work to get that opportunity to play professional football in Canada,” Holmes said. After the end of his football career, Holmes landed a job as a JV football coach and Varsity wide receiver coach at Creek with McDavid. The duo both worked alongside Principal Ryan Silva, who was a PHOTO COURTESY OF SENECA HOLMES JV head coach and Spanish teacher at the ABOVE: Seneca Holmes competes time. during a 1993 Creek game in Stutler “Hanging out with those guys and getBowl. At Creek, he played as a wide ting to coach with them receiver and kick returner.

PHOTO BY KELLEN RINGLAND

LEFT: Health teacher Seneca Homes teaches his 8th period health class. After leaving the CFL, he returned to Creek as a health teacher.

LEFT: Marcus McDavid (left) and Seneca Holmes (right) coach during a 2005 Creek game. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARCUS MCDAVID

May 2024

Addy Beck Balances Three Sports With Ease BRIANA FLORES

Asst. Photo Editor

he pressure to perform in sports at Creek is huge, and many athletes struggle to balance just one sport with their academics and social lives.

But sophomore Addy Beck has built a trifecta of varsity sports at Creek, making a name for herself in soccer, basketball, and flag football. Her constant devotion, practice, and passion, has been balanced with her schoolwork and friendships for years. “I think soccer growing up was just for me to always have fun and I think I had coaches that just killed that for me,” she said. “But I was still gonna play because it’s the game I still have some love for.” Kicking a soccer ball was just the beginning of her athletic abilities. After that, Beck shifted her attention to basketball camps in fifth grade, which created a new perspective for her. She was able to find the sport she really loved. “I had [a] coach who really brought it to me and he was like, ‘You can go places with this, you’re really good, you’re really athletic,’ Just from that I’ve learned, for basketball, [that] I’m gonna work hard and get where I can,” Beck said.

The 2023-2024 basketball season gave friendships throughout the season. Beck a place to showcase her skills, even alFor Beck, it’s really difficult to be able to lowing her to play in the Denver coliseum. have personal time to rebuild herself while Her abilities were able to help the team play constantly being at a game for whichever up to the Great 8 before end- sport is in season. ing their champion sh ip “I think physically sometimes I’ll overdo run in a loss myself, especially as a to Regis. three sport athlete, I’ll “Ad d y think I’m fine. Then I’ll “In high school I’ve brings a be like, ‘I do feel like I definitely understood lot of posneed to take some time that I need that schedule in itivity and to recover.’” Beck said. calmness to the court With the CHSAA place to help me stay that is unique to see rule preventing organized” especially in such a sports games young player,” on Sundays, Sophomore junior point Beck has guard Molly had a chance Addy Beck Dorighi said. to recharge But those herself and have two sports were a social life. “It’s renot all that Beck had in mind. ally nice for me to do all my homework or Right before the start of her sophomore year, hang out with my family, especially my little she decided to work for a spot on the flag brother, and I think just balancing a good football team. schedule,” Beck said. “I decided to do flag football this year Still having two years left in high school just for fun. I think it’s the best thing for me gives Beck the chance to improve her athletic to have as much fun as I can while I’m still in abilities and gain more attention from colhigh school,” Beck said. lege coaches that can lead to possible offers. Beck was able to earn a spot on varsity, “I think having that first official visit [at despite it being her first time ever playing Denver University] was really eye opening flag football, and she was also able to gain and it made me realize that I really want to do this,” Beck said. “I think it’s always been a thought in the back of my head to play D1 or PHOTO BY QUINN RUDNICK wherever is possible.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF ADDY BECK

PASSION: Sophomore Addy Beck plays three varsity sports at Creek; soccer, basketball, and flag football. She finds passion in each sport, and hopes to play D1 in the future.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF ADDY BECK

a&e

Why Everyone Should Wear a Bonnet If we get past this idea of cultural appropriation and let other people wear bonnets, our nation can further understand culture and hair. There are a lot of confusing things with bonnets and black people RUE MINAR should be willing to help teach what kinds Staff Writer of bonnets are helpful, how to properly onnets come in all colors and wear, and how to benefit from them. sizes, just like people, so why We should share hair hacks and tips not let anyone wear one? with people across the world and not just There is a stereotype that only peo- gatekeep it for one community. Just like ple of color or people with textured hair how many other cultures have welcomed should wear one, but the benefits of wear- outsiders, the black community should ing a bonnet is beneficial to anyone. do the same. Cultural appropriation isn’t No matter what impactful unless kind of hair you have the person doing Bonnet usage is one size fits or what culture you it has malicious come from, you need intentions. Just all, and if we shame people a bonnet. Bonnets like how the black for wanting too expand save you from the community has their horizons then humantrouble of waking up made a big thing with messy hair beabout white girls ity will never find peace. cause your hair will wearing box braids not get matted or or white guys havtangled while sleeping. Bonnets help keep ing dreads, it all doesn’t affect you unmoisture in your hair while you sleep. less they’re doing it for malicious They even keep natural hair oils from reasons. Even if these hairstyles going to other places, like your face, when are bad for their hair, let them you’re sleeping. And if these oils touch make their own choices. your face or any other part of your body And as Ash Sarkar, for long periods of time, pimples and acne a journalist and pocan occur. Bonnets can even keep these litical theory lecoils in the correct place. turer wrote in The “One thing that it does is hold the hair Guardian “Not cuticle down, it helps to keep it in place,” everyone who JC Styles Salon Academy director Jessica participates in a Clarke said. “So when we’re lying in the misguided atbed and tossing and turning on cotton tempt at cultursheets and things like that, it tends to dry al borrowing it out more any hair texture. And so the is a colonizer bonnet helps to keep the cuticle in place.” in disguise. These numerous benefits should not be Some people blocked from anyone. One thing that gives are just sad me horrible migraines is the fact that we try-hards.” gatekeep bonnets. Black people think that If you are when a person of non-color is wearing a c o n s i d e r i n g bonnet they’re making a joke and abusing wearing a bonnet, black culture. as you should be,

looking for the right one can be confusing. There are so many different types and some have more benefits than others. But overall there’s one type of bonnet that I think is amazing if you want to grow your hair to its full length and health. Anything silk is amazing for your hair, because not only does it give you benefits beyond appearance, but the texture and look of you hair will be amazing. Bonnet usage is one size fits all, and if we shame people for wanting to expand their horizons then humanity will never find peace. We need to share the love: just like how black people love their hair, we should be able to let everyone love theirs too.

Satin bonnet $7.99 Amazon

ART BY ANGELA XU

May 2024

The Media That Got Seniors Through High School Five USJ staff members and three non-members shout out the movies, shows, games, and more that carried them through four years at Creek.

PHOTOS BY WRYN DUEPRE, ALEX GRIBB, AND KATYA ROUDAKOV

Would it be embarrassing to say that one of my many Instagram usernames freshman year was an homage to the movie star? Yes, it would be. That’s why I won’t publicly admit to that. What I will say is that Timmy T’s growth from Little Women to Call Me By Your Name to Dune: Part Two has been a roller coaster, much like my own high school career. And although massive sandworms aren’t threatening to eat me, the AP Calc test might. -Alex Gribb

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High school feels like it will never end. Yet as I am writing this, I realize that time truly flew by. Cliché, am I right? One movie that’s stuck with me for all of high school is Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Specifically the quote “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” This piece of advice allowed me to experience every opportunity high school had to offer, whether they were sports, clubs, or social events. Living this way helped me not regret how I spent these past four years. I did it all! And the memories will live with me for a lifetime. -Annika Rouse

It may seem basic, but the TV shows “Friends” and “Modern Family” have helped me through my four years of high school. Whenever I felt sad, needed a laugh, or just needed a break from anything, I would watch “Friends.” I could recite every episode by heart, but it didn’t matter, it always put me in a good mood. I know that I will continue to go back to these TV shows in college and whenever I need a break from life. -Ava Segale

When we stopped paying for Netflix, I started watching clips of cooking shows online — apparently “Canada’s Next Top Chef ” has full episodes on YouTube. There’s significantly less yelling than “Hell’s Kitchen” or “American Master Chef ” (any common denominator there?), and it just puts me at ease. Watching competent cooks anxiously assemble a macaron tower in under an hour validates my struggle to write a decent essay or finish a test in 47 minutes. -Amanda Castillo-Lopez

Fortnite, oh, Fortnite, words can’t describe my love for thee. We’re playing squads tonight, cause four is better than three. My high school career wouldn’t be the same I always get the most kills, and Nour complains I’m dying in the storm from all these APs Fortnite, oh, Fortnite how you saved me -Jonathan Lee

A game that truly means a lot to not only me but the whole class of 2024 was “Minecraft.” “Minecraft” was probably the peak game of our childhood and to see it grow so much while some of us still play makes it such a fantastic game. It didn’t matter who you were or how good you were at games, “Minecraft” was friendly to all players and all gamers. So yeah, the game of our class? “Minecraft.” -Lux Vang

Being a freshman, my school work came second to my social life. Adapting to the new environment and finding my place as a high school student was first on my docket. I felt that I needed to belong; to act like everyone else. My English teacher that year made us read “The Giver” second semester. The book’s themes of conformity and self identity enlightened me that to fit in is to cheat yourself. Being your own person and finding things that make you happy, not other people, is the only way to live correctly. -Cael Clancy

If one thing got me through APUSH and US Gov, it was “Hamilton.” After spending middle school refusing to join the hordes and become a Hamilton Kid, the recorded version on Disney+ took me by storm. It swarmed my Spotify Wrapped, knocked me down a peg in the way every freshman needs. There comes a time in every nerd’s life when they must embrace their truth. Even four years later the lyrics call out to me. -Katya Roudakov

May 2024

opinions

Zoos Are Good For Us, But Are They Good For Their Animals? BY QUINN RUDNICK Junior Editor-in-Chief and Sports Editor

ttending the zoo, going to look and hang out with a variety of incredibly cool animals, and grabbing a snack at a restaurant overlooking an enclosure is a common weekend activity for lots of families.

Any child who’s been to a zoo will recall the memories of feeding a giraffe a lettuce leaf for the first time with fondness. Going to the zoo makes us happy, but is the animals’ discomfort worth it? Debate about whether zoos are humane enough, if they provide enough conservation efforts, how their funding is allocated, and more has been the subject of a tense discussion for years. Most zoos, in order to provide for their animals, partake in conservation efforts. Conservation, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service is the “protection, preservation, management, or restoration of natural environments

and the ecological communities that inhabit them.” The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) keeps track of how their accredited zoos spend their money and promote conservation efforts. The AZA reported that $252.2 million worldwide was spent on field conservation in 2023, and $29 million was spent on the AZA Saving Animals From Extinction program in 2022. This is a significant amount of money to put towards conservation, and I think it’s great, but the only way it’s benefiting the animals is by protecting their species as a whole. Even though species in zoos that work with the AZA have opportunities for reintroduction to the wild, the vast majority of animals will spend their entire life in captivity. These animals are born into captivity, and will live out their days behind gates and glass windows with crowds of people ogling at them every day. That can’t possibly be good for their mental health. “While the physical needs of animals are met in captivity, the conditions of confinement and exposure to humans can result in physiological stress,” a study by the National Library of Medicine found. After I leave the zoo, I can’t help but feel a massive sense of guilt; all of these animals deserve to be outside and in the

wild, and we’re using them as a distraction from our stressful lives. We use these animals to relieve stress, but we’re just causing them more anxiety. And while animals are continually stressed out by us, going to zoos and interacting with nature provides us with incredible opportunities for happiness and enjoyment. “Access to nature has been shown to promote positive wellbeing and alleviate mild depression and anxiety in humans,” the National Library of Medicine said. “Modern zoos are consistently aiming to promote both animal welfare and positive human wellbeing.” I love going to the zoo. That’s a fact. I’ve been going to the Denver and Cheyenne Mountain Zoos since I was born, and I love the San Diego Zoo just as much as the next person. I’m happy to go to the zoo and walk around with my family, learning about new animals and feeding giraffes lettuce, but every time I go, I can’t get over that guilty feeling. Zoos need to do more to help their animals feel better, both physically and mentally.

PHOTO BY QUINN RUDNICK

LOOKING OUT: A mature bald eagle looks out at visitors at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. The eagle enclosure is fairly open, but it’s in the middle of an area with heavy foot traffic.

20 | Opinions

LONGING: An adult male lion watches visitors through the chain mail wiring on the top of the enclosure at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. PHOTO BY QUINN RUDNICK

DNICK

Get a New Punchline: ‘KMS’ Is Not Funny dean’s office for skipping class. The problem is that these aren’t just hypotheticals, they’re the reality of those impacted by actual suicide everyday. Before you’ve been personally affected by suicide, BY JUDE GORDEN it might not seem “that deep.” To those unFeatures Editor affected, losing a friend or family member to suicide might seem just as impossible as to a zombie outbreak. ’m gonna kill myself” has But unlike a sudden zombie apocalypse, become Gen Z’s way to ex- real people die to suicide every day. According to the Colorado Department of Public press frustration. When a term becomes everyday slang, Health and Environment, suicide is the 8th the meaning is easily forgotten. But “I’m leading cause of death in Colorado. Struggling with suicidal ideation gonna kill myself ” isn’t just a fun play on words or a misunderstood metaphor; it’s a doesn’t give you the right to senselessly trigger those thoughts in other people. blatant warning. A threat to end your life is still a threat, Some things, although protected by freewhether or not it’s a joke over a bad grade or dom of speech, should not be joked about. It’s not a question of whether or not an honest call for help. But does that mean you’re going to get Safe to Tell called on you you’re able to say it; it’s whether or not you because you used hyperbole? It depends on should. You should care about how your the audience of your oh-so-funny suicide words affect others, even if that means giving up your favorite insensitive phrase. joke. But completely censoring the topic of Yes, if you threaten to kill yourself you might have the hotline called on you. But suicide is not the answer. Suicide is taboo I’m not saying the people who called Safe- enough as is, and acting like it doesn’t exist only adds to ignorance 2Tell were wrong. and controversy. Suicide It would be much needs to be talked about, more dangerous to You should care about but it shouldn’t be the subtreat all threats of how your words affect ject of a punchline. suicide as jokes, besame others, even if that Every In teen the I know has cause the reality is, survey, 17% of used humor as a coping your survival is not means giving up your mechanism. stand up comedy r e s pIno n fact, d e n t its favorite insensitive might besaid the only way they material. that they phrase. know how to address unWhen teens had to leave comfortable topics. But I’ve continue to meet treatment learned that it’s very rarely breakups and failed just a joke, but instead, a quizzes with “kms”, their ‘hot new slang’ comes as a sickening gut punch to those way for people to reach out for help withwho’ve lost people to suicide, and also to out blatantly asking. If you’ve tried to discourage this behavthose who have faced suicidal ideation ior in your friends or classmates, you’ve themselves. The Center for Disease Control found probably heard things like “you’re just that 22% of teens seriously considered sui- sensitive” or “I obviously didn’t mean it.” It’s not socially acceptable to be uncide in the past year. That’s nearly one in comfortable with people threatening to every four teens. Imagine walking through the halls after kill themselves. The progress towards losing a loved one to suicide and hearing making suicide less taboo is now going too a peer say they’re going to kill themselves far, and becoming more harmful than helpbecause they have too much homework. Or ful. So what happens now when a joke carbecause they heard TikTok might be getting banned. Or because they got called to their ries more meaning than the person lets on?

“I

Because it’s so popular to joke about killing yourself, real calls for help are ignored. Regardless of how many times you hear it in a day, how many friends joke about it in the halls, or how many times you even say it yourself, laughing off someone’s threat at suicide could be the difference between life and death. So, be the buzzkill. Be the annoying friend who takes everything too seriously. Be the stranger who reminds people in the hall what their words really mean. I’d make that sacrifice if it meant I could help just one person, and you should too.

JUST A JOKE: Many people use “KMS” as a common saying to express irritation. This normalizes and devalues cries for help. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY WRYN DUEPRE

May 2024 January

Put Your Phone Down and Pick Up Your Mental Health

BY IZZY KRAUSS Opinions Editor

uring COVID, I spent months in my bed sleeping, unable to go outside, and feeling incredibly disconnected from the world and people around me.

It felt lonely and flat out awful. After that, one would think that I would be outside at every opportunity I can, but as much as I love being outside, it’s still a struggle, because sitting on my phone and viewing the outside world from my phone feels much more interesting. As I sit in my bed and scroll through TikTok, I see trends popping up that glorify the same gross habits and ideas that I try to move past. Because of the addictive algorithm perfectly crafted just for me it makes it so hard to put my phone down and go outside even though I know it would make me feel better. A common phrase used on TikTok is “bed rot”, which glamorizes the idea of feeding into depressive habits and laying in bed all day. On many social media platforms, the idea of bed

22 | Opinions and Staff Editorial

rotting has become something that is considered cute or relatable, And while it may be relatable, it is definitely not cute. As we continue to support the trends that highlight and romanticize mental health issues, we continue to prioritize staying in bed over going outside. According to University of California Davis Health, being outside can increase focus and concentration, lowering heart rates, and increase sleep quality. By focusing on going outside and getting the sun we need, it will be pushed to have better habits and better health. As you become older, there will be less and less free time to frolic in fields or use the day off of school to explore. Most energy will be devoted to family, jobs, further schooling, and more, rather than things that are appealing and healthy. Youth is time to explore outside your phone, so why not take the opportunity to do so? According to Must See Denver, within the Denver metro area, there are nearly 20,000 acres of city and mountain parkland, more than 250 individual urban parks, and about 850 miles of paved and off-street bike trails. With the accessibility of the state park being so close and the amount of free parks nearby, there is no reason we shouldn’t take advantage of all of the free outdoor space. Creek sits directly next to The Cherry

Creek Reservoir as well, so rather than sitting on your phone, you should take a little walk in the reservoir that’s wildly accessible and take care of your mental and physical health? Whenever I sit in my bed for days and don’t go outside, I feel isolated and disconnected from the world. When I go for a walk with my dogs or sit on my porch and read, its so much more beautiful and real then when I see a video of a view from a random person on social media. I feel more connected when I’m experiencing life rather than just watching it. So choose to go outside rather than staying indoors and prioritize yourself over a fun TikTok video or Instagram post. Not only are there the benefits of an increase in mental health or lowering stress, it’s also just fun to play outside in the snow or go for a bike ride during the spring or summer. When I took the time to go outside, no matter the season, I found a sense of beauty that I will never be able to find scrolling through TikTok or Instagram. GO TOUCH GRASS: Despite the health benefits of being outside, students often fall victim to endless scrolling and brain rot. The algorithms on different social media apps make it harder to put the phone down, but doing it can be beneficial. PHOTO BY WRYN DUEPRE

Put Your Education to Work STAFF-EDITORIAL Creek Students Should Choose to Care

n 1960, the Vietnam war was in full swing, and America’s involvement was solid.

The New York Times was of course covering the conflict, but their reports did not include an almost constant factor that we see now: there were no dead bodies. Back then, a visual of a corpse was shocking to the American people because of its cruelty and tragedy. But now, an image of a dead refugee can cycle through Instagram constantly. For some, this image still represents a deep injustice like it once did. But for most, the picture is just that: a picture. It is a collection of 2,000 some pixels taking up a fraction of a second in their mind. And we do what we have become accustomed to doing when we see things that make us uncomfortable; we scroll. Creek students exist in a bubble, many of us haven’t experienced poverty, or witnessed violence, or walked past the homeless daily. We are incredibly comfortable with our silver spoons and our white summer dresses. For us, pollution in our pristine lives can only exist if we let it. And so, when we see a video of a dead body, or images of Fentanyl addicts, or an infographic about abortions, we scroll.

Online, viewing violence has become so grotesquely common that a dead body no longer resonates as a dead body. Rather, it is seen as some twisted art piece that exists in someone’s imaginary world, but not ours. The issue with picking comfort over acknowledgment is that we will become unable to recognize and resonate with issues that do not directly affect us. This, in turn, will begin to deteriorate our democracy. Good, strong countries rely on good, strong people. But if we refuse to recognize the incredible horrors that exist outside of our very limited lives, our nation with falter. Seniors on the precipice of voting should use the incredible privilege of a Creek education to understand complex issues, to give themselves the ability to truly feel for difficult topics. Choosing ignorance should never be a Creek alums answer to political conflict. Rather, we should use the excellent education we bout on our applications to acknowledge the plight of those thousands of miles away. Our role as American citizens is to act upon our beliefs, and advocate for our vote. It is not in our nature to sit idly by and pick an apolitical viewpoint. This stagnancy has translated into our legislative branches. The U.S. is at a standstill that only its citizens

This is an opinions piece written by the Editorial Staff of the Union St. Journal. Staff-editorials serve as a way for members of the magazine to give commentary on a community wide issue. The views expressed represent the opinions of the editorial staff, not those of CCHS or CCSD. can break, and if we don’t, we will continue to slither through foreign conflicts either falling whim to an administrative agenda, our doing nothing at all. A conceptualization of trauma and upset can translate to real action once these seniors reach voting age. A large benefit of social media is its ability to pummel ideas into it’s users, if they care enough. Seniors should use this motivation to follow the trends of voter turnout in years past, and continue to act on their feelings, rather than turning a blind eye to them. Seniors will be given the power to make a change within U.S. policy, but only if they choose to care. The controversy about the Vietnam war came to a head because of mass protest and the use of the press. We too can cause change, no matter the conflict, if we fight the Creek urge to ignore what makes us uncomfortable and instead act on whatever beliefs we may have, using our American nature to our advantage.

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IN FAVOR

OPPOSED

The USJ’s Editorial Board voted on the subject of this Staff Editorial.

CAN’T AVOID: Citizens hold the power to vote for initiatives that could change things. But instead, many choose to ignore action because it makes them uncomfortable. The longer people avoid the things that make them uncomfortable, the more difficult solutions becomes when faced with voting. GRAPHIC BY PETER PHILPOTT

May 2024

RECAP BELOW: Senior midfielder Brian Bowler (#20) plays during a March 12 game against Cheyenne Mountain. Creek won 17-6.

ART BY ANGELA XU

LEFT: Junior defenseman Marlee Winkelman (#17) plays during an April 17 game against Denver East. Creek won 16-9. PHOTO BY KELLEN RINGLAND

PHOTO BY QUINN RUDNICK

GIRLS’ LAX

The girls’ varsity lacrosse team has held a steady lead across the season, and holds an 6-8 overall win record and a 4-2 league record. This year, the team could head into playoffs against leading teams like Colorado Academy and Thunder Ridge. The team fell to Colorado Academy in the semifinals for the state championship last year, after beating Columbine and Fairview.

6-8 OVERALL RECORD

AS OF MAY 1

PHOTO BY QUINN RUDNICK

BELOW: Senior attacker Owen Burke (#9) passes the ball during a game against Olympus on April 2.

ABOVE: Junior long stick midfielder Logan Nicklas (#17) fights to keep control of the ball during a game against Olympus on April 2. Creek won 12-8.

BOYS’ LAX

The varsity boys’ lacrosse team has had an extremely successful season, holding a 10-3 overall record and 5-1 league record. Looking towards playoffs and the state championship, the team might secure a first or second seed. The team lost to Mountain Vista in the Final Four of the state championship last year, after beating Columbine and Denver South in high-scoring games.

PHOTO BY QUINN RUDNICK

10-3 OVERALL RECORD

AS OF MAY 1

PHOTO BY KELLEN RINGLAND

ABOVE: Senior attacker Gracie Kindy (#15) plays during an April 10 game against Arapahoe. Creek won 12-9.