State News

Colorado gets $6.6M from its first year of sports betting

by Corey H. Jones

After closing the books on its first year of legalized sports betting, Colorado collected more than $6.6 million in tax revenue. The programs set to receive that money will start to do so this fall.

Voters passed Proposition DD by a slim margin in 2019. But by the time legal betting launched in May of last year, the state didn’t know what to expect because of the pandemic, Colorado’s director of gaming Dan Hartman said.

“I think when we started out, we were very conservative, not knowing how it was going to go,” he said. “But we've been really impressed and I think excited about the numbers that have come in.”

Things may have gotten off to a slow start early on in the pandemic with casinos closed, many people stuck at home, and most professional sports postponing their seasons. That meant a lot of wagers on sports like table tennis and mixed martial arts. The crowd goes wild for the Denver Nuggets during a playoff watch party at The DNVR Bar on East Colfax Ave. on May 29. Legal sports betting brought in $6.6 million in tax revenue last year./ Photo by Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite

But overall wagers went up in the fall thanks in large part to the return of the casinos make off of sports betting. So when help them stay off that downward spiral,” National Football League, which typically the house wins, the state wins. This revenue Hartman said. “We keep looking at ways to draws a lot of betting action. In January, does not include any income taxes placed make sure that responsible gaming is built Colorado collected more than $1 million in on individual winnings. Instead, you take into what we do.” monthly tax revenue for the first time. the money lost by bettors in Colorado and Of the tax revenue the state collects

“I think that recovery is happening then sportsbooks essentially pay a 10 per- from sports betting, $130,000 goes directly across the board obviously as sports play cent tax on those profits. There’s the state’s to gambling addiction services, like crisis continues to increase,” Joe Bertolone, exec- tax revenue. hotlines and counseling. utive director the University of Nevada Las Given that the vast majority of sports But Lantz, the gambling counselor, said Vegas’ International Center for Gaming bets in Colorado have been made online, more needs to be done to make people Regulation, said. “If you look at the gaming the lower barrier to entry has made addic- aware of both the risks and the resources. industry as a whole, regional operators tion a risk. The ability to bet on a mobile That means educating professionals like started to recover more quickly than inte- device makes it easier to hide the problem bankers and therapists to help identify pograted resort or destination places like Las from friends and family, said Nancy Lantz, tential gambling problems. Vegas.” who’s worked as a gambling counselor in “I absolutely love the fact that we do

A big factor in that resurgence is mobile the state for 20 years. have money earmarked to take care of probbetting. Wagers made by computer or “It’s not unusual for me to see somebody lem gambling,” she said. “It’s not nearly smartphone account for more than 80 per- that has anywhere from $100,000 to enough.” cent of bets, according to Bertolone. $200,000 in debt,” she said. “And if their The rest of the tax money will be used to

“It's because of the ease of use,” he said. spouse doesn’t know about it, then they be- pay back the $1.74 million that lawmakers “The other thing that the operators are come desperate and the thoughts of suicide allocated basically for start-up costs. Then, doing is they were forced to get even more are very strong because of the embarrass- 6 percent will go to what’s called a hold sophisticated in regards to their wagering ment of what they’ve done and also trying harmless fund, which allows the state to menus, meaning what types of bets are to figure out how they’re going to get them- make up for losses in tax revenue from traplaced.” selves out of debt.” ditional gambling and even horse racing as

Colorado’s 33 casinos all have master li- This is another area where the pandemic a result of sports betting. The entities that censes for sports betting. From there, they has had a big impact. Some people who lost can apply for this money include the state need specific licenses to offer mobile and jobs turned to gambling. Others bet their historical fund, counties and cities with retail betting. Two-thirds of them are cur- stimulus checks, and plenty bet for enter- casinos, and community colleges. But most rently licensed mobile operators, while 16 tainment because there wasn’t really any- of the tax revenue will go to water conserare licensed for in-person sports betting. thing else to do, Lantz added. vation and storage projects. The exact

And over the first year, sports bettors in Hartman, the director of gaming, said amounts will be determined later this sumthe state wagered more than $2.3 billion betting apps and websites have features mer. Then the state’s gaming commission online and at casinos. built in to help people control how much needs to approve those distributions, which

“We saw tremendous momentum last they wager or pause their betting. Operators it will likely do in September. n year,” Hartman said. “Things are coming can also detect if someone has a problem. back to normal.” “And many of them do reach out to the For more from Colorado Public Radio, go to:

By law, this program only taxes profits customer and offer other things … that will www.cpr.org.

So it ends as it began, with my journalism teacher and I sitting at a giant Mac computer in an empty classroom for endless hours. Maybe we’re here because we didn’t plan well, or maybe it’s because we like the ambiance of our abandoned school and the visions of headlights skating by the window. Probably both actually… definitely both. It has been one h*#l of a year (I didn’t want to censor that either, but we’re a family newspaper), and if it was anything for you like it was for me, I’m vehemently proud of you for sticking it out. We have endured black screens, the black plague, and RGPs changing their hours to close earlier (we’re really sad about this last one). But we’re still here, like you’re still here, making a newspaper on the off chance that someone reads it, and it makes them smile. So smile, damn you!! Let this not be for naught. Peace and Blessings. Love, your loyal layout editor, signing off of the Mac one final time. Class of 2021 finally finishing TED Talks with only a few minor injuries.

Finalizing our designs for the new school and getting ready to break ground this year, though the trailers will be missed. Ending one of the most difficult years of our schooling with high hopes for next year. Ashley did say low expectations lead to happy lives.

Thorns

Haven’t met most of the freshmen, hope they’re cool. Going into summer having never spent even a whole week in school together

Having to say goodbye to our cherished family members: Bridget, Dusty, Stephen, and Jess Dear Homegurl, What in the world am I supposed to do with the five options of males that I go to school with? It’s not that they’re not all pretty nice and cool, but are you kidding?! This is all I have to work with?? Sincerely, Lady in Desperation

Dear Lady in Desperation, I know, it is a struggle at our lovely little Animas High School. But, I can say that settling is only worth it when they buy you food. So, start making that your standard and maybe some things will open up. Peace and Blessin’s, Homegurl

Quill advisor Jessica McCallum will miss editor Billie Brand vehemently. Photo by the selves in the selfie

The Animas Quill Staff

Co-Editor-in-Chiefs

Billie Brand Ava-Kadence Jacober

Photo Editor

Maya Olivier

Advisor

Jessica McCallum

Reporters

Mya Oyler Naima Van Tyn Sailor Kabeary Mia Macon Scarlett Moore Molly Bachman Coleten House Sean Madden

The Animas Quill strives to be an exceptional and relevant source of news and student perspectives, connecting the Ospreys of Animas High School to the Four Corners community and the world beyond.

Horoscopes that Count

By the Mathemastrologer Julian Springer

Aries

Consider that, mathematically speaking, you have to be odd to be number one. Don’t change your ODD ways, EVEN if it means ruffling a few feathers.

Taurus

This month your lucky numbers are statistically indistinguishable from your unlucky ones. Rest assured that this is a normal occurrence, and you should try not to think about whether this description can really apply to all 600 million people who happen to share your sign.

Gemini

Three out of two Geminis have trouble with fractions. Try not to be one of them. You will find that careless errors have dire consequences for the next eight decades.

Cancer

The Earth wobbling on its axis is a phenomenon known as precession. This means that you aren’t actually a Cancer. Most mathematologists say not to worry about it, though.

Leo

Try to take it slow this month. As a Leo, you are 40% more likely to get busted for a speeding ticket than any Libras in the room. Nonetheless, if you’re afraid of negative numbers this is the time to stop at nothing to avoid them.

Virgo

You struggle to identify causal relationships in life, leaving you susceptible to the dubious explanatory frameworks offered by mathemagicians like me. Luckily for you, the stars have aligned in your favor! Not all of the stars, but a few. And the line is not totally straight. Take it or leave it.

Libra

Just remember, good mathematics is not about how many answers you know, it’s about how you behave when you don’t know the answer. Try to approach the problems in your life with this mindset. If it helps, remember that everything is nothing (0) with a twist (∞).

Capricorn

Recently, you and your crush may have felt like parallel lines: a lot in common but never meeting up! This week will prove to be a good time for romance. Or travel. Or doughnuts. As a Capricorn, you see facets of yourself in any personality description, no matter how vague and content-less.

Scorpio

Abstract, indefinite predictions about your future will continue to work as self-fulfilling prophecies. Like this one: As a Scorpio you are statistically more likely to be President of the United States (look it up). Even so, try to be humble like the equal sign, neither greater nor less than anybody else.

Sagittarius

According to a recent study conducted by the Cartoon Network, you are twice as likely to hit the big time as the next most successful alternatively signed counterpart.

Aquarius

I would tell you your future, but then you would alter it, creating a paradox. So instead, just chill out: everything that happens today, I saw coming.

Pisces

Geometry keeps you in shape. You will find that with the moon closer to the earth this month, tidal forces will make exercising slightly easier. Now is a great time to work off that Covid flab.

itself, Animas will be able to be there for the next 50 years, with two opportunities for a 20 year extension, for a total lease time of 90 years, to be reevaluated then. While the improved functionality of the building is clear, the safety of the new building is also an important factor. Students won’t have to walk far from the parking lot(s) to the building, they won’t have to walk between buildings to get to classes, and the more permanent buildings offer a sense of security. “We do everything in spite of our building,” Sean emphasized. “It was never a question of if we needed a new building, but when and how engineering field and seeing my work be prepared for a real world purpose, not just a project.” Not only has the building process been an opportunity for student engagement, but the new campus set for construction at the Fort Lewis College campus will “create an opportunity for collaboration, supporting high school students in larger projects, and will allow students to see what a college experience might look like,” Sean Woytek shared. Being on the same campus as the college will also help with things like concurrent enrollment, easy access to facilities, and other small things such as cutting the need for a cafeteria, gymnasium, or library in the new building, as we are working on an agreement to have access to the Fort’s. As for the land lease we were going to get it. Once Steve Schwartz [Vice President for Finance & Administration at FLC and former AHS Board member] became part of the conversation, we finally started to get answers to those uncertainties.” Aside from the logistics, the question stands: how will the Animas culture change and be shaped by a permanent home? So much of our energy goes into trying to make our school building reflect our programming. Before you even walk in the doors, you’re greeted with the memories and character of students and classes from years past and present. Benches and skate ramps sit outside of the buildings, chalkboard projects with people’s life goals line the walls, countless murals decorate classrooms and Rendering of one of the new nest’s common spaces. The intentional design of student work space has been a priority throughout the design process. Image courtesy of Anderson Mason Dale Architects hallways, encouraging and motivating words fill the bathroom stalls. Traces of projects have accumulated everywhere, reminding us of those who have come and gone. How will we carry this energy with us as we move forward into a new fresh space? Sean is optimistic that despite this lack of physical history in our new school, the culture will transfer to our new building through project-based learning, our teachers, and our students. He has high expectations that the excitement of a new building will encourage students to continue to carry our culture and traditions into the new space, as it has in years past, such as when we moved from the strip mall to the modulars. In current and past years, getting a full understanding of who we are, what we stand for, and what we do purely by walking through the Animas halls was practically impossible. The strip mall had “unique, funky features, and was not even close to being built for a school, much less project based learning,” Sean reflects. “[The modulars] were much closer to what a school looks like, but obviously not ideal.” With the new classrooms and buildings, a fuller picture of our culture can be reflected, and won’t rely as heavily on student and teacher performance to get our mission and goals across to visitors. He is hopeful that the pride connected to the permanence of our new building will create a more seamless and welcoming environment compared to our previous campuses. As we move forward into our new building in the coming years, Sean hopes we can become comfortable “moving [into the new building] from this sterile environment into something that really feels like us.” With the collaboration and evolution of our school throughout the past few years, it is without doubt that this can be made our perfect home.

Mockery is Our Love Language: Senior Impersonations

two years, Covid has forced this custom from live improv into film, leaving behind a trail of laughter for posterity. The tough love captured in these spoofs embodies the essence of the teacherstudent relationships at Animas. The faculty takes great pride in creating the scenes and planning out their impersonations, adding personal creative touches in their costumes, music, voices, and mannerisms. As each Osprey flies from the nest, their impersonation adds to their legacy; it is an important rite of passage for students to remember the impression they have left. Humanities teacher Teachers Dave Farkas, Julian Springer, and Roxy McKnight capture the essence of graduating seniors Patrick Thornton, Owen Isenberg, and Sean Madden. By Sailor Kabeary Jessica McCallum, who edited this year’s video, commented, “Our mockery of these humans is The Animas teachers successfully carried out the an expression of our profound love for them. At the tradition of roasting the seniors through parody on end of their journey, we just want every student to feel their way out the door. Students look forward to (or seen.” maybe dread) these impersonations for years leading up to the final assembly on graduation day. For the last

The graduating class of 2021 throw up their caps against a backdrop of beautiful mountain sky and a bright future.

By Naima Van Tyn and Molly Bachman

Photos by Maya Olivier The Animas High School Class of 2021 graduated under a beautiful blue sky at a private ranch in Hesperus on Friday, May 28. In the spirit of this whole school year, the ceremony was impacted by COVID, but it couldn’t stop the successful celebration. It was AHS’s second tailgate ceremony, with families and friends of the graduates lining up in their cars to witness the pomp and circumstance and finally see their beloved Ospreys cross the stage. It began with Head of School Sean Woytek giving a warm welcome to the students and families, followed by a speech from County Commissioner Marsha Porter-Norton. Alyssa Nicoly and Lindsay Levine’s beautiful performance of the national anthem ramped up the air of celebration. Student speakers shared memorable moments of the graduating class, from their first day at Animas to their last. Britt Autry began with her inspired and heartfelt poem “I Wanna Grow Up”; her poignant words rippled through the hearts of the gathered friends and families as she spoke to the cycle of growing up and wishing to return to the safety of simpler times. Billie Brand and Rosie Gurnee followed, recounting their evolving relationship with Animas and the authentic nostalgia that comes with leaving high school. They explored coming into community, and coming into their own skins over the course of four years, concluding by asking their fellow classmates and departing staff “to think of the moment when you knew you were ready to jump.” Their words moved the crowd, bringing laughter and tears in equal measure. Faculty speakers Lori Fisher and Steve Smith spoke to the unique experiences they had with the class of 2021 and their fleeting four years at Animas. Lori recounted with a somewhat wistful air, “It’s hard ending anything, and it’s especially hard ending like this, where we haven’t actually completed the journey together, we’ve just been thrust into the transition.” Steve gave a final chemistry lesson on how the cycles of our universe are mirrored by our school years. He advised the class of 2021, “Graduates, today is the end of one cycle and the beginning of the next. Be cognizant of the cycles that will permeate and define stages in your life.” It is safe to say Animas will miss the class of 2021 in all its scattered glory. They were able to persevere through the uncertainty that permeated the last fifteen months and find ways to succeed despite their challenges. They were pushed to make beautiful work, and they surpassed expectations, creating out-of-thebox senior projects, inspiring TED talks, and some of the most impressive thesis papers teachers have seen (see page 8 for coverage). During their time at Animas, they have evolved into artists, engineers, activists, and poets. As “the cycle of [their last] school year culminates” in the moment of their graduation, our Animas community can kick them out of the nest with the knowledge that they are amazing young adults ready to take their next leap in life. Just as Lori ended her speech, we as a community can say our farewell to these students: “Class of 2021, shine as you disappear. Leave us a light to remember you by.”

Departing Director of College Counseling Jessica Morrison leads the graduating class like little ducklings over the ditches, bumps and cow manure to take their seats.

Rising college freshmen Britt Autry yells in excitement after recieving her diploma, eliciting a sophisticated laugh from Head of School Sean Woytek. Photo by Lorelai Brunner

Amira Aquarian joyously takes her last stride as an Animas Osprey. She is the last of her family to become an Animas alum, joining her two sisters in the “Alum Club.” Animas will undoubtedly be a little grayer without an Aquarian running around.

Alyssa Nicoly and Lindsay Levine harmonize the national anthem. Alyssa and Lindsay will both be attending CSU, singing, skating, and sharing joy with others we’re sure.

Congratulations You got in!

To work another four years and watch as the life of a small fish begins So pack all of your worldly effects Say single worded goodbyes To jump blindly into hair-raising rapids And follow the disorderly ride of the floods

Battered and bruised From the ups and downs of the first major hill Only to look up at breathtaking peaks ahead Step back and watch your soon to be journey As the magnet in your head points you south And your stomach bubbles and head buzzes One can not help but wonder and worry And ponder of all the the steps that need to be taken Both easy and hard a passionate soul will take them

To imagine and hope for the spine tingling views To jump blindly into the arms of the world To shop for groceries with new people around you To perform everyday tasks only to call your mother and ask To walk to outlandish new places To talk and and connect with engaging new faces And to the parties you will party and the mistakes you will make

As survivors of monumental trailers, Former owners of a building now for our next generation enjoy, Outlandishly long online learners, Fighters for limited parking spaces, And old war story tellers of chemistry classes, The things we have seen only speak to our future advances We will go the distance

So for the swimmers, step takers, heartbreakers, And all you could ever hope to be For the nights you won’t sleep, and the aches your head will suffer To the places you are going and the boisterous ideas your mind is growing The people you are losing but will meet again on some washed out rocky trail The pressure you feel is suffocating, but now you are the person you are And fate awaits you at the end of the stage

Congratulations

Rosie Gurnee and Billie Brand deliver their final words of wisdom to the Class of 2021 in a joint speech that was equal parts fond memories and philosophical musings. They recount various experiences with anklets over socks, sappy camping trips, and the community they will miss at Animas. Rosie will be attending Lewis & Clark College in Oregon, and Billie will be attending Macalester College in Minnesota.

Assitant Head of School Libby Cowles lets her well-deserved tears flow as she congratulates her graduating son Finn Bridgham. Finn will be biking around town while attending Fort Lewis College next year, and undoubtedly changing his hair color at least weekly. We pray for his caffeine addiciton.

Stephen Sellers, Animas’ legendary 9th grade Humanities teacher, will be a hard loss for the AHS family after eight years of leading freshpeople into project-based greatness. Stephen, also known in the greater Durango Stephen huddles for a family photo with his Humanities Betties at graduation. Photo by Julian Springer community as DJ Bad Goat and a member of the Six Dollar String Band, is leaving the nest and planning on pursuing his already established career in music and filmmaking. Stephen has been with AHS since 2012, where he cut his teeth in the old strip mall mentored by Lori Fisher. After a few years of teaching sophomores, he settled into a long tenure in 9th grade humanities, where he helped build the foundations of PBL for many classes of Ospreys. Freshperson Gisella Hughes will remember Stephen fondly, sharing that, “[he] brings in the energy, and it’s not his DJ energy but it’s his ‘I’m here to make a change and I want to make these students my friends and have a connection with them and want to be present and connected with what they’re doing’ [vibe].” Stephen shared some parting thoughts about leaving Animas: “I’ve been fortunate to be able to learn a lot at Animas about various different things. It’s helped me get better at the other things that I do in my life.” Stephen is proud of the work he has done here, sharing, “We exist as a thing that pushes the needle to help push school reform.” The staff and students at Animas High School not only love Stephen but also think of him as a role model and even family. Sara Price, who worked alongside Stephen in the freshmen trenches for years, shared, “Stephen is a visionary who sees beyond the educational limits of his time. He is willing to ask the hard questions to students and then wait patiently while they work together to shape their education. While working with Stephen, I stretched my wings further than ever, trusting the process. Stephen will be deeply missed at Animas. But his roots run deep and will never be upended.” Stephen is a huge loss for Animas; however, we know he has big dreams and talents and will find success in his next steps in life. What will we do when the internet goes out? For years, we have looked to Dusty Grannis, Animas High’s resident tech wizard, to solve problems large and small. In a year when the world went on lockdown and had to learn through our screens, we appreciated Dusty Dusty solving all our techy probelms, while embodying Osprey school spirit. We will be lost in the web without him (pun intended). Photo courtesy of Libby Cowles more than ever for his expertise in so many areas. Dusty has been around since the strip mall days, and he has helped build Animas up into the school it is today. During his nine years at AHS, Dusty has come to wear many hats. Not only has he kept our tech world afloat and managed tons of data from transcripts to testing, he has also been a beloved teacher of computer science and X-block, a stellar Osprey Week leader, and a friend to all. Senior Sean Madden shared, “The passion and excitement Dusty has for the things he loves is contagious, and those around him will always surely end up with a piece of that positivity. I’ve always been so appreciative of the energy Dusty brings.” Digital Arts teacher Roxy McKnight lamented the loss: “Dusty has always been able to help me and our students when I can’t figure something out. He made my entire job seem easier the day he walked in the door. He has empowered me to learn new things while taking care of other things I couldn’t learn even if I wanted to. I will forever be grateful for everything he has done for our school.” The acts of service Dusty provides everyday allow our school to function to its fullest potential whether behind the scenes or in the classroom. From the troubleshooting of NEST meetings to the bonding experiences on the mountain bike trails, Dusty is always there to share his wisdom and help make the best memories for everyone. We will all miss him from the bottom of our hearts, and we hope the best for whatever is next for our dear friend Dusty.

Bridget Stowers

The warm spirited Bridget Stowers will be leaving Animas at the end of this year. Bridget has been so much more than just the face at the front desk. She has always brought the support that everyone needed on those cold Monday mornings with her snacks, smiles, and hugs. Bridget has technically worked at Animas for six years, but she started volunteering for the school the year before it was built. With her three sons being Animas alumni, she has been a part of the community since the beginning. Bridget says that one of her favorite things has been “seeing everyone grow up over the course of four years and go from little freshmen into these amazing young adults.” The relationships Bridget has built with the students are memorable for all. Junior Jack Tescher is sad to see her go, sharing, “To me, she is one of the main faces of Animas, and I will miss not being able to get breakfast and snacks from her every morning.” Jack speaks for many. Although Bridget is leaving her role as the front office manager, the Animas community is sure they will continue to see her around because of the lasting connections she has built. Bridget has been a guiding light and support system for the faculty as well. The mentorship Bridget has brought feels like, “a second mother to the students and faculty”, says Humanities teacher Ashley Carruth. School counselor Erin Skyles added, “Since Animas’ inception, Bridget has been the constant, the love, the acceptance, the calm. She is more than the ‘mom’ of the school; she is home personified.” As we remain grateful for our time with Bridget at the front desk and all around, we are lucky to be left with her words of advice: “You are capable of great things and everybody can contribute to the world because it’s easy to be kind. Don’t forget to give yourself some grace and pat yourself on the back.”

thriving in both professional and academic environments after Animas. And the success that Jess has achieved at Animas is evident in the way she is beloved by staff When news of Jessica Morrison and students alike, and by her ability to rally for her students to help them get into leaving the Nest reached the ears of college and attain scholarships to make it affordable. senior Billie Brand, they “initially Jess will be leaving Animas in order to build a new college and career preparathought it was a joke, a very bad one tion program for a larger scale of students: the entire Southwest Colorado region. at that.” Billie adds that “Jess has She will be stepping up as the Executive Director of a brand new nonprofit, Southbeen my rock this year, through the west Colorado Education Collaborative, in partnership with five school districts essays, the financial aid, and the cry- and two colleges. She is hoping that she can use her knowledge of the “Animas ing over either of the previous two. model” to foster similar college and career prep experiences across the region. She is a steady wealth of knowledge Knowing that her new role holds many new opportunities to expand her career and problem-solving. I would never preparation skillset, and lead a team through many board meetings, Jess is excitcome to her with anything and walk ed to learn, yet is reluctant to give up her day to day contact with students. Jess away without an answer or a game reflects, “When I think about Animas, the piece I feel I’m really going to miss is the Jess rejoices with senior Kian Edmondson over his National Merit recognition as a College Board Rural and Small Town Scholar. He will be attending Rice University in the fall. plan. That’s why it was so hard to learn that she was leaving. That sort student relationships.” She loved that her students gave her energy and motivation, especially her advisory meetings that were “the break I needed to get my head out Photo courtesy of Libby Cowles of thing just can’t be taught.” of college and career prep; my [advisees] were just hilarious.” However, Jess is leaving Students and staff alike will miss Jess’ beloved and innovative presence in the Animas having built the framework for college and career readiness at Animas buildings, but as Billie puts it, “Jess is like a superhero, coming to fix literally all of High School. When she came to the school six years ago, the program that is now your problems. It’d be selfish if we guilt tripped her into staying with us, because so integral to Animas’ important “life after high school” rhetoric, was unclear and she’s going to go on to help so many students succeed in life. Wherever she goes not streamlined. Head of School Sean Woytek added that “She has created systems next, whatever she does, Jess is always gonna have us as cheerleaders (and reference that will last the next decade. She has set Animas up for its future students, and letter seekers). She’s gotta go Superhero the rest of the world. We’ll be fine though, also staff for including preparation into their everyday curriculum, which was not she made sure of it.” We will miss you Jess, and we can’t wait to see what you the case before.” The success of these systems is evident in the troves of students accomplish next.

Sophomore Rockets Take Flight!

Sophomores Griffin Crabb and Za Barrett get ready to launch. Photo courtesy of Libby Cowles

By Scarlett Moore This school year has been a struggle for all of us, especially Animas High School students and staff trying to stick to our normal project-based learning activities. And still, one AHS teacher has surpassed expectations of engaged learning in a pandemic: Ande Lloyd. Ande is a first year teacher, not to mention an alumnus of AHS. He managed to organize multiple exhibitions over the course of a COVID-hampered school year when most teachers were happy to even have one. On April 29, Ande’s sophomore mathematics classes held an in-person rocket launch exhibition at the Riverview soccer fields. In a collaboration with their physics class, students studied projectile motion and were tasked with designing and launching their own rockets and calculating the height using the quadratic formula. Most of the rockets took flight, and those that didn’t had an opportunity to refine and relaunch the following Monday. Coleman Jackson reflected “You don’t need to go too fast on a project. You should take the time the first time around to make sure the project is complete and you don’t have errors in it. The second time, mine was a success, and I learned a bit about refinement as a Habit of Heart and Mind.” The rocket launch also happened to be a competition, and the winner was yours truly, this reporter, Scarlett Moore.

Artists Outside the Nest: AHS Students and Staff Add Color to Downtown

By Mia Macon

2nd Deli and Spirits now has a beautified bump-out thanks to Britt, Stephanie, and Roxy’s community art project. Students from all grades came together to give a splash of color to downtown Durango. This was one of the first opportunities that students had this year to experience their electives in person in mixed cohort groupings. Roxy remarked, “In a year where our projects were less community-connected than usual and pods weren’t normally allowed to mix, I wanted to give students the opportunity to feel like they were part of a bigger collaboration. This experience felt like Animas: students across Osprey artists beautify downtown with a new mural on 2nd Avenue. Photo courtesy of Roxy McKnight grade levels laughing and connecting over the basic human experience through color and expression.” The mural was inspired by wildflowers and “the life of water” and adds a colorful, summery vibe to the 2nd Avenue concrete. Much gratitude to the owners, Colin Brunson and Zach Williams, for giving us this special “canvas” and for feeding the hardworking artists. Make sure to go grab a sandwich and appreciate the artwork this summer!

Chris Piel stands behind the multiple guitars he refurbished under the guiding hand of his Luthier mentor. Chris presented his work at an in-person exhibition at the Powerhouse.

Mason James constructs his autonomous drone. In the words of everyone who saw his project: “planes are cool. “

Finalists for Best TED Talk

Taylor Schermer analyzed the best strategies for schools to become more green. Landon Moranty explored how satire can help bridge the political divide. Rosie Gurnee studied the benefits of community gardens and initiated plans for a garden dome at the new AHS campus. Billie Brand connected media framing with poetry, revealing statistical discrepancies in representation of immigrants in news. Lucy Hall raised the profile of gender equality in extreme sports. Ainsley Haggart interviewed local immigrants in the context of research on immigration and asylum policy Garrett Middleton looked at how to make the physical environment of a classroom more conducive to creativity and progressive education

BEST TED TALK: Taylor Schermer

The final semester at Animas is one of the most difficult and most rewarding, as students culminate their high school academic experience with a large-scale capstone project. Senior Projects include in-depth research for a college-style thesis paper, an action project, and a TED-style talk delivered to an audience of peers, teachers, and community members. The seniors ultimately create projects that often engage with the community and inspire new ideas. The senior teachers advise these projects and guide the students to success. Senior Statistics teacher Kyle Edmondson remarked, “Despite facing limitations due to COVID, seniors finished the year strong with an excellent round of TED talks combining both their research questions and action projects.” Each year, finalists and winners are chosen for each pillar of the project: best thesis paper, best action project, and best TED talk. For an in-depth look at every student’s senior project, go to https://ahsseniorprojects21.weebly.com/ or scan the QR code below.

Finalists for Best Action Project

Trevor Harms made a prototype of a robotic exoskeleton to aid with healing and disabilities. Alyssa Nicoly created Women on Wheels, a supportive and welcoming community for women and nonbinary skaters. Vinny Lopez designed and programmed a temperature recording device that collects and analyzes data for refrigerators/freezers. Garrett Middleton made a short documentary promoting student-teacher collaboration. Luke Davis created an art installation and hosted an opening at Studio &. Mason James designed a fully autonomous drone that collects data and carries a payload. Ava Kadence Jacober designed breakout spaces in the new AHS building using biophilic design.

BEST ACTION PROJECT: Trevor Harms

Chris Atchison stands outside the Animas Surgical Hospital van, where they provided COVID vaccines for any eligable AHS students to receive first and second shots on campus. Chris also connected students to other vaccine locations out in the community.

Finalists for Best Thesis Paper

Rosie Gurnee

What is the potential of community gardens to improve upon America’s welfare state? What is the feasibility of and or political avenues through which this framework might come to fruition? Luke Davis

How might we re-examine the complex dynamics of art in a modern society by understanding the philosophy which fuels its existence? Kian Edmondson

How can you predict the success of an NBA draft prospect using analytical algorithms? Taylor Schermer

Does the LEED certification system adequately achieve its goals of encouraging green building construction while maintaining a symbiotic relationship with the environment through certification? Billie Brand

How does news media use framing to shape perspective on immigrants and what are the effects of this on immigration policy? Amira Aquarian

What is the most effective way to ensure racial equality in the current U.S police system? Maya Vaughn

How do genetics impact the risk for developing

Alzheimer’s disease, and what treatment and prevention measures exist for combating the disease?

BEST SENIOR THESIS PAPER: Rosie Gurnee

“A public works initiative and sustainable development framework mechanising multiple sectors of government is required in order to realize the potential of community gardens for environmental improvement as well as social, economic, and health improvements.” ~ Thesis statement from Rosie’s paper