March 10, 2016
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VOLUME 15 | ISSUE 7
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Students ask, ‘What could be different?’ Change, love, human behavior inspire students in poetry slam contest By Mike DiFerdinando mdiferdinando@coloradocommunitymedia.com When Mountain Vista High School senior Kira Amels writes poetry, it is often about change. The first thing she asks herself when she starts writing is what makes her angry. She thinks: “What could be different?” “I write things that I can speak out about,” Amels said. For sophomore Alexia Johnson, love is the theme that finds its way most often into her writing. “Mine tend to be more about family or love or friendship,” Johnson said. Junior Kit Miller prefers to write what she observes. “I find human behavior fascinating,” Miller
said. “I like watching people and then writing what I see.” Amels, Johnson and Miller were among the eight students who participated in the Feb. 29 Poetry Out Loud slam contest at the Highlands Ranch school. The contest is part of a national program that encourages high school students to learn about poetry through memorization, performance and competition. During the contest, students recited and performed two poems each. They were judged on accuracy of the recital as well as showmanship. The students worked on perfecting their performances for weeks and agreed that confidence is the most important aspect of a good slam rendition. “Being confident in the poem is the most important thing,” Johnson said. “Knowing it not just from your mind, but your whole self, and knowing you can perform well. It’s acting it out almost.” Poetry continues on Page 11
Kira Amels is a senior at Mountain Vista High School in Highlands Ranch. She will compete in the state Poetry Out Loud slam in Lakewood on March 15. Photo by Mike DiFerdinando
WHAT’S INSIDE
Democracy in action: Democrats and Republicans participate in caucuses. See Pages 4 and 5
Graham Saiz, left, and Tracy Sellard perform in a unified pairs skating event at the Special Olympics State Winter Games at South Suburban Ice Arena on March 5. Photos by Alex DeWind
Special athletes shine on ice
Grounds for concern?: Machines that use pods to brew coffee create waste that can be difficult to recycle. See Page 12
Competitors show off their skills in ice skating at South Suburban arena By Alex DeWind adewind@coloradocommunitymedia.com Gina Rea, 23, has skated with Special Olympics of Colorado since she was 8 years old. “She looks forward to it all the time,” said her father, Tim. “And she’s competitive — she wants to win.” Rea, of Littleton, was one of 30 athletes to compete in figure and speed skating at the 2016 State Winter Games Skating Competition on March 5 at South Suburban Ice Arena in Centennial. Athletes with intellectual disabilities competed alone or beside a unified partner, individuals without intellectual disabilities who train and compete as a teammate to a Special Olympics Ice continues on Page 11
Sofia Daley, left, and Gina Rea perform to a melodic Colbie Caillat song at the Special Olympics State Winter Games at South Suburban Ice Arena. Rea, 23, started skating when she was 7 years old.
Basketball: Teams face off in final rounds of state playoff tournament. See Page 22