Fall 2022 USJ

Journal The Union St.

Under the Spotlight

From name changes to bullying, Creek kids speak out on the trans student experience.

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

Vol. 8 Issue 1 November 2022

Staff Editor-in-Chief Carly Philpott

Copy Editor Aurora Miller

Managing Editor Quinn Rudnick

Staff Writers Blayne Aina Isabel Alley Meron Banjaw Ephraim Bantshi Aram Bazarian Nick BeDan Cael Clancy Wryn Duepre Jude Gorden Maddie Hart Avery Hutchins Tanvi Jain Jonathan Lee Binderiya Lkhagvatseren Gillian Neale Natalia Perusquia Ayushi Sah Gabby Schrock Jackson Sloan Sydney Smith Marie Webster Vee Williamson Angela Xu Georgia Yatrakis Owen Youngblood

News Editor Amanda Castillo-Lopez Features Editors Lily Deitch Emily Gleason Sports Editor Annabelle Crouch A&E Editor Katya Roudakov Opinions Editor Alex Gribb Asst. News Editor Peter Philpott Asst. Opinions Editor Izzy Krauss Video Editor Nour Kreishan Design Managers Annabelle Crouch & Nick Rui

Marching band snare drummers sophomore James Hirsch, junior David Chong, senior Sam Langley Hawthorne, senior Maggie Lee, and junior Chase Heacox perform the drumline cadence for the student body during halftime at a football game on Sept. 22. The drumline at Creek, trained by CCHS percussion teacher Mike Nevin, won best percussion section at Littleton’s Western Welcome Week parade on Aug. 11. The marching band performed at four Creek home football games, playing pep tunes in the stands and performing a show at halftime. In addition to football, the marching band performed at three regular season competitions. The band’s regular season was highlighted by a second place finish at the Big Cat Marching Invitational on Oct.1 Entering the postseason, the band won first place at their regional state qualifier, and competed at the state championships on Oct. 29.

Letter from the Editor

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hus begins my final year on the USJ. This year, our staff has boomed in size. With over 30 people, we’re producing more than ever before. Every person enriches our staff and I am beyond glad we have them all this year.

With that being said, this issue was a bit of

a beast. With such a big staff, it can be hard to get moving in enough time for our first quarter issue. But we pulled it off, and this is one of my favorite issues we’ve ever done.

We chose to make our in-depth about some issues that trans students face because trans students have often not had a voice.

We have Spectrum at Creek, but that’s fairly self-contained compared to something that all students see, like the USJ. We have a few trans people on staff, and we talk about these issues fairly frequently. So we wanted to make that into something people could read and learn from. I want to thank the people who shared their experiences with us, because it really helped us make the article into something that was representative of at least some perspectives.

Our staff editorial is on a bit of a lighter

topic: freshmen. The youngest students at our school have constantly been wreaking havoc, it seems, and those actions have had consequences – but have they been enough?

Our editorial board agrees that more needs to be done, and that perhaps permanent solutions are necessary.

Several members of the staff made their magazine debut with this issue, and all of them absolutely blew me away with their distinct ability to write and report. Again, this is one of my favorite issues we’ve done, and absolutely every person on staff contributed to that.

Here’s to a good school year, a successful Senior Assassin, and a great magazine.

– Editor-in-Chief Carly Philpott

PHOTO BY CARLY PHILPOTT

On The Cover

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tudents perceive each other in highly critical ways.

This is only magnified when the person being observed is transgender. Sophomore Aram Bazarian sat with a trans pride flag for our cover in an all too familiar position.

As a trans person at Creek, Bazarian often feels isolated from students around him, not only because of his identity, but also because of the possible hate he could experience for being himself.

“Some [students] have never met a trans person before,” senior Karter LaBarre said. “So I sometimes have some educating to do.”

Educating their peers is the tip of the iceberg for these trans students. Name-changes, basic respect, and deadnaming are all part of the trans experience.

To read more, visit page 10.

COVER PHOTO BY WRYN DUEPRE

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 creekusj@cherrycreekschools.org Letters may be edited for clarity.

SOCIAL MEDIA: @creekusj

News

Features

5 - News Bites 6 - Creek Expands Sexual Assault CUrriculum 7 - District Plans to Reduce Bus Overcrowding

8 - BeReal Takes Over Creek 9 - Jeff Boyce Is No Longer Remaining Apolitical

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In-Depth

PHOTO BY WRYN DUEPRE

News Bites Student ID Survey

BY AMANDA CASTILLO-LOPEZ & JACKSON SLOAN

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Sports

Though a national decision, this could impact the college decisions of future Creek graduates.

However, debt forgiveness doesn’t apply to future borrowers.

Economics teacher Michael Kraft suspects that many soon-to-be college students might anticipate future debt forgiveness and take out bigger loans for more expensive colleges. At the same time, these choices are still hard for high school students to make.

“Now [my] students aren’t sure,” Kraft said. “They’re like, ‘well, I don’t know if they’re gonna pay off my debt, so how do I make an educated decision?’”

14 - Is Creek a Bad Sport?

16 - Aram Izmirian Dominates 17 - Day in the Life with Blake Purchase

10 - Across the Hall: The Trans Student Experience

News Editor and Staff Writer

n Aug. 24, President Joe Biden announced the federal government would create a student loan debt forgiveness program and overhaul the current system for student loans.

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PHOTO BY GILLIAN NEALE

Biden Forgives Student Debts

INFOGRAPHIC BY BINDERIYA LKHAGVATSEREN

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A&E

PHOTO BY WRYN DUEPRE

18 - ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ Disappoints 18 - ‘Midnights’ Takes Taylor Swift Darker Than Ever 19 - ’90s Throwbacks 20 - The Decline of the MCU

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WARNER BROTHERS

Need More Content?

PHOTO BY QUINN RUDNICK

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PHOTO BY PETER PHILPOTT

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Opinions 21 - Freshmen Orientation Isn’t Applicable 22 - Day-to-Day Homework Fails Students 23 - Staff Editorial: It’s Time to Keep Freshmen On Campus – Permanently

Visit unionstreetjournal.com

News: Colorado Contractors Lend a Helping Hand in Artemis Mission

Features: How Students Color-Code Their Classes

Sports: Marching Band Wins Regional State Qualifier Competition With Season-High Score

A&E : Our Staff’s Response To The Rolling Stone’s “100 Greatest TV Shows Of All Time” List

Meron Banjaw and Izzy Krauss

Carly Philpott

Maddie Hart

USJ Staff

How Frau Smith Honors Her Family Through Beekeeping

BY MADDIE HART

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Staff Writer

arly in the morning, German teacher Susanne Smith eats breakfast, grabs her smoker, suits up in her white bee suit, and collects honey from her beehives.

“I can’t drink my coffee before I go out to the bees in the morning; they hate the smell of coffee,” Smith said.

Although beekeeping has become a more prominent hobby, for Smith it is a way to honor her grandmother.

“Beekeeping represents my family and [helps me] remember where I’m from,” Smith said.

During World War II, her grandmother kept bees and sold honey while her mother was pulled out of eighth grade to make fur coats to help provide for the family.

“She had a little moped with a trailer on the back and the jars [of honey]; she’d go clinking down the cobblestone streets, and she would sell honey.”

Smith has taken her family’s history with her; beekeeping has become an important part of her daily life.

“In the morning, when I wake up, I don’t think about what I have to do and the deadlines I have to do,” Smith said. “The first thing I think about every day is what the weather is and what the [bees] need.”

IN HER ELEMENT: Susanne Smith takes time to tend to her beehives.

For Smith, beekeeping is more than a hobby; it’s a part of her family history, starting with her grandmother keeping bees after World War II to make a living. “Beekeeping represents my family,” Smith said.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SUSANNE SMITH

Creek Expands Sexual Assault Curriculum to Include More Grade Levels

BY JUDE GORDON & GABBY SCHROCK

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Staff Writers

reek joined forces with Katie Koestner, an activist against sexual assault, 23 years ago to educate their seniors on the topic. This year, the administration altered the program to include presentations for sophomores and juniors.

“We’re seeing more issues around relationships, and how to have normal healthy [relationships] that are age appropriate,” Principal Ryan Silva said. “It felt like a call to action.”

According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network), in March 2020, for the first time ever, minors made up half the calls to the National Sexual Assault Hotline (operated by RAINN). Notably, this increase in calls lines up with the start of the COVID-19 lockdown.

To combat this spike in assault regarding minors, Creek has changed its curriculum this year to include younger grades.

“We want to give [students] tools beyond the health curriculum, to make sure that there’s an awareness that [sexual assault] can happen,” Silva said.

According to Silva, since assault can occur while kids are still in school,

younger high school students should cause of her personal experiences students have the opportunity to learn about sex- relate to, and, after her first presentation, it ual assault rather than only receiving quickly became a long-term arrangement. that education at the end of senior year.

“I felt like it was very validating beKayla Robinson, 2021 Creek graduate who cause of the way she spoke about her attended Koestner’s presentation as a senior, trauma- she was one of the first [peothinks the expansion is a well overdue change. ple] to address it,” Robinson said.

“I don’t think the person who gets [sexThe goal was to speak to students and ually] assaulted their freshman year should get them to understand the difficulties and have to wait till their importance of civjunior or senior year il communication to learn about the and the principles “That was something that challenges relating of healthy relationreally hit a nerve with me to it,” Robinson said. ships, whether it be …to hear her stand up and Assistant Prinromantic or platonic. speak and not to be ashamed cipal Krista Keogh “That was someworks with Koestner thing that really hit was powerful.” every year to plan a nerve with me and her presentations. a lot of [other] peo2021 Graduate Because of the variple,” Robinson said, ety of ages at Creek, “To hear her stand up Kayla Robinson Keogh and Koestand speak and not to ner agreed it would be ashamed was powbe best to adjust the erful,” Robinson said. program to include the younger grades.

Keogh noticed a similar reception “This year she will focus on healthy rela- among many other students. Many think tionships for our sophomores and will do role that Koestner’s presentation is influential. It play scenarios with the juniors,” said Keogh. speaks to them and validates their traumas.

With any school assembly focused on a “Every year we hear back from many stutriggering topic, there’s a risk of misinfor- dents that is the most impactful speaker they mation or bias. Creek hired Koestner be- have heard in their time at Creek,” Keogh said.

BRINGING THE ISSUE TO LIGHT: According to RAINN, a majority of child victims are 12 to 17 years old and 8% of sexual assault cases occur on school property. By expanding the curriculum to teach more students about sexual assault, Koestner and admin are hoping to open up conversations about assault to help students feel heard. By addressing this issue, there will be a space for students to openly talk about it and receive resources from Koestner and school counselors starting this 2022-2023 school year.

PHOTO BY GABBY SCHROCK & JUDE GORDEN

6 | News

District Plans to Reduce Bus Overcrowding

By providing students with RFID cards, the district intends to better manage the amount of students taking the bus each day PHOTO BY WRYN DUEPRE

PHOTO BY WRYN DUEPRE

due to the staff having no way to accurately tell how many students are going to be taking Staff Writer the buses in certain areas. Gary Thompson, n response to numerous com- the director of transportation for the district, plaints from students, parents, is also displeased with the current system of and bus drivers about school bus organization for students riding the bus.

“I used to work in high schools [in stuovercrowding, CCSD has started imdent registration] for 29 years and did year plementing a permanent solution to schedules,” Thompson said. “So I knew if address the issue: Radio Frequen- [the school] had 100 kids signed up for AP cy Identification (RFID) cards. The Chemistry, that [we] probably needed three cards will function similarly to a credit sections. When [route planners] show up, we card. They will be inserted into a card have no idea how many possible kids there reader that the bus driver will operate could be at that stage.”

The district’s when students solution, RFID are boarding and cards, will function “It’s usually three [people] to a getting off the similarly to a credit seat up against the wall or bus. card. Students will School buses practically falling off the chair.” bring their cards on have reportedly the bus and insert it been heavily overinto a chip reader Sophomore crowded.

Sophprovided by the bus omore Soscha Soscha Thompson driver. The reader Thompson frewill either flash red quently rides the or green depending bus and is not hapon if the student is scheduled to be on that py with her current experience. bus.

“It’s usually three [people] to a seat up Much like a school ID, every student who against the wall or practically falling off the rides the bus will need to present a card to the chair,” Thompson said. bus driver in order to enter the bus. This will According to the CCSD District of Transprevent anyone not scheduled to take a route portation, the new RFID card system will sigfrom getting on the bus. nificantly decrease the overcrowding found Route managers will know exactly which on buses throughout the district to allow stustudents need to be on which bus routes due dents a more comfortable ride to and from to the new opt-in system. During the beginschool. ning of the year registration, parents will be Although technically legal, seating arrequired to actively opt-in to bus services. rangements on school buses are reportedly This way, staff do not have to guess how many overcrowded and uncomfortable. Supposkids from certain areas will actually use the edly, students from ages 6 to eighteen are buses and can plan accordingly. crammed together on buses three to a seat “If you’re a bus rider, you’ll actually scan for 10 minutes to an hour. “People don’t really on and scan off. So that gives us a count right have a sense of personal space there because away. We’re trying to get an idea of who will it’s so crowded,” junior Jennifer Oh said. be there. It’s a little more accurate.”

The main issue with bus overcrowding is

BY WRYN DUEPRE

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Although the system hasn’t been used for long enough to see steady results, the cards have already been introduced to elementary schools across the district. Marie Stevenson, office manager of Belleview Elementary School, a school where the cards are already being used, says it is a smooth process.

“They are super excited to use it and it goes pretty quick and fast.” Stevenson said.

PHOTO BY WRYN DUEPRE

ELEMENTARY IMPLEMENTATION: Belleview Elementary student Delaney Kregas scans her RFID card upon boarding her bus.

Belleview implemented the card system earlier this school year to help transportation staff have an accurate count of how many students will be on the bus that day.

November 2022

BeReal Takes Over Creek

Jeff Boyce Is No Longer Remaining Apolitical

New App Challenges Social Media’s Culture of Inauthenticity

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Staff Writer

here are only a few things that stop everyone in their tracks: shocking news, sudden disaster . . . and a notification from BeReal, a new social media app.

The app functions completely differently than your typical social media apps. It sends all users a notification at a different time each day, which gives them the opportunity to post a photo of their surroundings within two minutes of the notification - or post it at a different time, and be late.

“It’s really unique compared to other forms of social media because there isn’t a lot of editing involved and it’s right on the spot, so you don’t have a ton of time to pose,” sophomore Laila Ibrahim said. “It seems very authentic.”

The posts are structured to show what people are actually doing. It takes a picture with both of the phone’s cameras, just seconds apart. The two minute time limit starts to count down once you click the “post your BeReal” button.

BeReal has no editing features, but it allows users to see how many times a user has retaken a picture within the time limit. The

app also uses “Realmojis,” which are intended to be like emojis, but they show the user’s real reaction to the post.

“You might do something on Instagram with filters or Snapchat, so I think it’s good to show what people are really like,” social studies teacher Steve Huntingdale said.

While BeReal lacks editing features like Instagram’s filters, posts can sometimes be faked because users want to show off the interesting aspects of their lives.

“I don’t post when the timer goes off; I always post after I’m doing something exciting,” sophomore Kinley Wolfe said. “You can fake it sometimes and post later than is intended.”

Social media has always been popular at Creek, but BeReal’s popularity has been influenced by its easy to use features.

“It’s a really simple way to just kind of document your day to day life and have some nice memories to look back on,” junior Rose Chambers said.

Although posts change every day on the new app, old posts are easily accessible in users’ profiles.

Even some staff have unwillingly gotten involved in BeReal and are considered “BeReal victims,” including Principal Ryan Silva, security guard Tim Wright, and even some

substitute teachers.

“I know I’ve been in two, but it could be more, it’s hard to say,” Huntingdale said.

Students hand their phones to teachers and ask if they’ll take a picture for them.

Then, the camera flips and takes a picture of the teacher holding the phone.

Although social media can be frowned upon by both students and staff and could be a disruption in the classroom, BeReal has changed how social media is generally perceived at Creek.

“I can’t think of anything negative about it,” sophomore Nola Bruce said. “I feel like everybody else is being more authentic and real.”

SOURCE: INFLUENCERMARKETINGHUB.COM

BY GILLIAN NEALE

NO TIME TO POSE: Sophomore Gabe Christeson holds his phone as he takes a BeReal of himself, sophomore Nola Bruce, and junior Katija Weis after the app takes a picture of 2022 graduate Colin Mitchell.

Many like how BeReal lacks editing features.

“You’re not getting ready to do something,” Bruce said, “you’re doing it in the moment.”

PHOTO AND INFOGRAPHIC BY GILLIAN NEALE

8 | Features

20-year Environmental Science teacher doesn’t shy away from tough topics Science since 2002. The class itself was approved by the College Board in 1998.

Editor in Chief & Prior to teaching, Boyce worked both Assistant News Editor privately and with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, fixing environmental n West 419, Jeff Boyce teaches a sci- disasters. Rather than running around and ence class like none other: AP En- “putting out fires,” he wanted to stop the vironmental Science. Boyce puts problem at the source and teach the next gena spin on the class by taking a politi- eration how to stop climate change from furcal perspective to educate on climate ther advancement. “I ultimately found that change and humanity’s effect on the if I’m really thinking about whether or not planet. And despite what backlash he I can do good, I think exposing you guys to might get, he doesn’t plan on changing these ideas and concepts [has value],” Boyce said. “When you go into the world…we can that anytime soon.

“I’ve had phone calls from parents who prevent some of the environmental disasters have told me that I’m pushing a pinko com- from happening in the first case.”

Boyce bristles at involving belief when mie liberal agenda,” Boyce said. “The only talking about science. He strictly thinks about agenda that I try to push is the agenda of scihis class in a scientific, quantitative sense. ence, which is that we observe, and we make “Belief is not something we talk about in conclusions based on our observations. So if science.

We talk about observation. And so that’s an agenda, then yes, I’m guilty of pushwhat we observe is increased temperatures, ing an agenda.” changing climate patterns, and human activiHe sees the importance of getting students ty that’s causing it, ” Boyce said.

“Whether you interested in environmentalism. “I can tell believe it or not, the you that I have dozens temperature is rising. of kids every year that There’s a time and a graduate and go on “The only agenda that I try place to talk about beand study in environto push is the agenda of lief, and it’s in a philosmental engineering, ophy class or religion science.” environmental sciclass.” ence, some environHe says that the mental studies,” Boyce Environmental Science politics of environsaid. “[Instead of goteacher Jeff Boyce mental science are ing down] the normal unavoidable now but track, if you will, to go climate change deniers study business or marwere the ones who made it political in the keting or something, a lot of these kids are first place. studying sustainability.”

“I no longer ignore the politics of this Students see the effort Boyce puts into his class.

I didn’t start making this class political, teaching. Some are inspired to follow a career they started making it political,” Boyce said. in the subject because of him. Western Wash“I feel like now, part of my job is to make sure ington University freshman Bre Mennenoh, that you guys know why people are manipwho studies energy studies and engineering, ulating information and for what purpose – says she was heavily influenced by Boyce. what they’re trying to gain from it.”

“I never actually had Boyce as a teacher, But, as a teacher, he also emphasizes the but he was definitely a contributor in helping importance of learning about not only the inspire me towards this major,” Mennenoh problem, but also its potential solutions. said via text. “He noticed I was passionate “I really want to make sure that anytime about it and encouraged me to continue with I show you a problem, we’re showing you a it, even offering me an opportunity to work solution to that problem,” he said. in Uganda to promote renewable energy use.

BY CARLY PHILPOTT & PETER PHILPOTT

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In a way I guess I really do owe it all to him.”

Boyce has been teaching at Creek for 10 years, but he has taught AP Environmental

CHANGING STUDENT LIVES: Environmental science teacher Jeff Boyce stands in the quad.

With his iconic Chacos, Boyce teaches environmental science with an unmatched passion, and his students notice how much he cares.

“The fact that I wasn’t even his student and he was going out of his way to do all this made me take a step back and really consider my potential pursuing environmental science,” 2022 graduate Bre Mennenoh said.

PHOTO BY CARLY PHILPOTT

November 2022

The Trans Student Experience

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he experience of trans students is a paradox. They are constantly watched and scrutinized by their peers for their identity, but few people know the full extent of what it’s like to be a transgender kid at Creek.

ACROSS THE HALL How trans students are distanced from their peers

The amount of transgender people in the nation grows every year, and so does the population of trans students at Creek. For trans kids, every day is a battle between their outer and inner selves, every new face another person they have to come out to.

They walk through the halls with a spotlight on their backs. A simple thing like a name is a massive source of stress. Here is what a few of them have to say.

BY CARLY PHILPOTT & AURORA MILLER Editor in Chief & Copy Editor

10 | In-depth

PHOTO BY WRYN DUEPRE

called slurs when holding my significant other’s hand. If I talked about all of my experiences in detail, we’d be here all day.”

Hallways are a particular magnet for transphobia. Every day is a new rush of strangers, and an insult thrown in the halls is likely to be disciplined.

“There’s a sense of dread,” Henke said.

In sophomore Bee Henke’s expe- “Is this the day they stare, bark, or call me rience, uneducated people are most a f*****, or is this the day they leave me likely not going to listen to them re- alone?” garding transgender issues. “I mostEven classrooms aren’t an escape from ly avoid the topic altogether,” they said. hostility. Days that trans students have to Sometimes the issue is less about not under- deal with a substitute who doesn’t know standing, and more about having never en- them are painful and nerve-wracking. countered the topic at all.

“I was newly out and we had a substitute “Some have never met a trans person in class that day,” Henke said. “I kindly said before,” senior Karter LaBarre said. “So I ‘Here, but I go by Bee’ when they called on sometimes have some educating to do. Let me. The next student in attendance decided me tell you about a little thing called gender to mock me and say ‘Here, but I go by Toastdysphoria.” er’. I felt my face go red and my body started Dysphoria is the sense of distress caused to crumble.” when there is a differLuckily, someence between a pertimes adults are able “Whenever I go into the son’s gender identity to recognize the sitand sex assigned at uation and give stuwomen’s room, I have birth. Dysphoria is so dents some support. this anxiety that somecentral to the day-to“I was about to day existence of trans have a dysphoria-inone will try to hurt me if people, and it’s diffiduced panic attack,” I’m visibly trans.” cult for cis people to Henke said, “But then understand it. the sub said, ‘I’ve only “Dysphoria for been a substitute at Senior me is a bruise,” Henthis school for a couke said. “You get ple of years, but I’m Raina Hernandez punched, deal with aware that this school the shock, and then treats everyone here it’s over. But later you with respect. This is a realize, ‘Ow. That really hurts.’” warning.’”

Even simple things like going to the bathEvery bit of support counts, especially room are risky, stressful, complicated en- because the voices of transgender people deavors for trans students. are often overshadowed by cisgender voices, “I always prefer to just use a gender neu- many of which don’t understand the gravity tral bathroom,” senior Raina Hernandez of trans issues. said. “I refuse to use the men’s restroom, but “You can’t just say we’re equal when we’re whenever I go into the women’s room, I have not,” LaBarre said. “The whole reason we’re this anxiety that someone will try to hurt me fighting is because we’re not equal. We’re a if I’m visibly trans.” minority, and sometimes it’s easy to forget None of these concepts are easy to un- that when we surround ourselves with other derstand to those who haven’t lived them, queer people.” and it’s far too often that this lack of knowlThings like Spectrum and other activism edge tips over into transphobic bullying. clubs give minority students a voice.

The nature of being trans means that every “Being able to do the work that we do at transphobic interaction is a deeply personal Spectrum has really empowered me,” Herattack, and those interactions are plentiful in nandez said. “It’s empowered me to speak the hostile high-school environment. for other people like myself and try to move “My things were stolen because I dressed towards a better future.” overly androgynous,” Henke said. “I’ve been

November 2022

How the Name Change Process Is an Obstacle

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major piece of the trans experience is choosing a name that better fits your identity than the one you were legally given.

While not all trans people change their names, it can be an important step in affirming their transition. At school, there are a few places where names appear, and some are more difficult to change than others.

It’s not too difficult to switch your name in the yearbook or on IDs, students report.

“All you have to do is go to Activities and ask them to change it and then it’ll all be good,” senior Raina Hernandez said.

According to Yearbook advisor Michelle Scott, the process of changing a name in the yearbook involves submitting a form to the Activities office by the end of November. She says having the correct names is vital to having an accurate yearbook. “[The yearbook] is an item meant to contain the experiences and memories for that school year. In order for the book to accurately tell the stories of this year it needs to represent students and who they

are,” Scott said. “A person’s name is so closely linked to their identity and personal story and if it is not accurate in the yearbook then we don’t have an item that truly records Creeks history.”

Where it gets more difficult is on official, district-run platforms. The name students were originally registered under is what appears on PowerSchool, Google, Schoology, student rosters, and anything else connected to district databases. This forces trans students into sometimes difficult situations, correcting teachers or fellow students when the wrong name is used.

And it puts uncomfortable interactions at the front of many kids’ relationships with teachers or other adults.

“Before school starts I have to email all my teachers and say, ‘Hello, my name is Karter. I use he/him pronouns. Please respect it. Thank you. Bye,’” senior Karter

LaBarre said. “And then it’s like a 50/50 shot as to whether it helps. Sometimes they respond. Other times, they just don’t respond. And then I don’t know if I’m gonna get deadnamed in class.”

Some teachers use forms at the beginning of the semester for students to input their correct name and pronouns. This erases some of the direct uncomfortability, but doesn’t fix everything.

“I had this anxiety of going in for the first day and being called the wrong name and having to say ‘Hey, I actually go by Raina,’” Hernandez said.

“It honestly made me sick sometimes.

I hated thinking about it.”

To change their name on PowerSchool, students go through their counselor, who then connects the student with the Registrar’s Office. Assistant Principal Marcus McDavid, the Registrar, works with stu-

“I don’t know if I’m gonna get deadnamed in class.”

Senior Karter LaBarre

dents and their parents to make the decision to change a name on PowerSchool.

Recently, the district implemented a new system of changing names in PowerSchool, where registrars will work directly with students, rather than just counselors.

Under the new system, implemented near the end of first quarter, McDavid will now work with every single student requesting a name change, rather than just processing the paperwork. Once these meetings are done, the actual name change isn’t difficult. It’s “just about pushing a button,” McDavid says, done by either McDavid or Principal Ryan Silva. But what can become a roadblock for many students is who has to be involved with the decision: legal guardians.

“You need to have both of your parents sign off on it,” sophomore Bee Henke said.

“If I really asked, I could probably get one of my parents on board. It’s a little uncomfortable to think about.”

For Henke, parent involvement makes changing their name not plausible. But that’s not all that can stand in the way. Another roadblock is that changing a name in PowerSchool can conflict with out-ofschool records, like test scores.

“It took me longer to get my SAT scores; I waited until late July to get my SAT scores,” Hernandez said.

Even for school records, having a different name on paper for different school years can make sending documents to colleges a challenge.

“C ouns elors said name change can mess up your entire college application process,” LaBarre said. “All of your past few years’ grades will be under your deadname, and new things are gonna be

with this new name, and it might just not have carefully thought through the process, show an academic record for the past few I think the opportunity to make the name years. It’s just a pain. There’s so change can help support them many things, and red tape, red mentally and emotionally.” tape, red tape.”

Still, challenges in the proMcDavid hopes that even cess still make it too difficult when it’s not possible to get an for some students, sometimes official name change, adults preventing them from trying it at school will still be respectat all. ful of student’s preferences.

“We had multiple in-depth “If we want to make a change in conversations about it,” LaBarre PowerSchool, we have to have said about discussions with his a parent agree,” he said. “Howcounselor. “I got the form and ever, if the parent doesn’t agree, everything. And then I ended I think that there are plenty of up deciding not to do it.” educators here who, when a kid Swisher says that sometimes walks up to us and says, ‘My the official process can be too name is such-and-such,’ we’re complicated, and suggests an gonna honor that.” alternative.

Nonetheless, changing an of“Because this process can be ficial name in PowerSchool can complicated, it seems like offerbe an important step for trans ing an option that would meet students to feel more safe and the needs of some students is to comfortable in school, and not allow students to list a ‘preferred having the ability to do it can be name’ in Powerschool,” Swisher extremely uncomfortable. students have said. “This might be appropri“I do not have my name changed their ate for students who still want changed in PowerSchool,” Hento keep their legal name, but name in Power- may wish to be called by their ke said. “It’s very dysphoric and distracting from important School during middle name or a different first 2022 so far schoolwork sites such as anyname rather than their legal first thing Google [related].” name.”

And for students who have So what do students wish was been able to different? make the change, Some say that just having the ability to it can be reliev- switch a name on some platforms, such as ing to remove the Google Drive, would make a difference. step of manual- Often, when students work with classmates ly reporting the on projects, their Google name is immedicorrect name to ately visible, even if it’s not the name stueveryone. dents wish to be known by. This can lead to “People call discomfort and alienation. On non-school me by my actual accounts, users can change their Google name now and name whenever they want. But the district I don’t have to network prevents students from doing this, correct subs, it’s even if some say it would help fix the probgreat,” Hernan- lem. dez said.

Some students also wish the process Counselor Susan Swisher works with of changing a name on district databases students on name change, and emphasizes was just easier as a whole. It can often feel the importance of the process for students’ unnecessarily complicated, with too many identities. steps and roadblocks to be effective.

“Some students may have strong emo“Make name change easier,” LaBarre tional responses to their legal names and it said. “Come on. It’s such a nonsense procan be difficult or painful for them to be cess.” addressed in school by their legal names,” Swisher said via email. “For students who

15

“I would like to be able to have at least the Google aspect of name changing open to students.”

Sophomore Bee Henke

12 | In-depth

PHOTO BY CARLY PHILPOTT

APPROACHING THE PROCESS: Most students’ first step in changing their name on school platforms is to approach their counselor. Counselors, like Erin McClure (right) then connect students with the registrar, who oversees the actual process. “I think it [helps] many students avoid the discomfort of having to tell teachers and classmates that they would like to use a name other than the one listed in Powerschool,” counselor Susan Swisher said.

INFOGRAPHIC BY CARLY PHILPOTT

November 2022

IS CREEK A BAD SPORT ?

20 | Opinions

ANNABELLE CROUCH

S

igns reading “Jesus loves us for free” tower over the sea of blue and red at the state championship football game against Valor in Mile High stadium. Creek students scream “Daddy’s money” at the top of their lungs in an attempt to support their team.

Creek leaders hope students promote the legacy of excellence in the stands

Creek students hold up Creek students hold up their their flashlight at the 2022 flashlights at the 2022 Homecoming varsity football game.

Homecoming varsity

14 | Sports

Sports Editor & Design Manager

PHOTO BY QUINN RUDNICK

Silva said. “And so you get students sections that will, I think, be more engaged with each other at times.”

Silva also relies on peer leaders to encourage a sense of support at athletic events.

“We have student leaders who are involved in wanting to be proactive and make sure that the focus is on our team, and also on supporting our athletes,” Silva said.

Students in the stands also make an attempt to support all aspects of Creek athletics.

“It’s disappointing to see upperclassmen starting the ‘Go Home Freshman’ chant at games,” senior Ellie Morris said. “There is so much disrespect in cheering for our own classmates to leave and stop supporting our team.”

Student athletes value sportsman-

Issues with sportsmanship at Creek peaked last year when the student section turned to hurtful chants damaging the school’s reputation.

In an email to the school community in April, Principal Ryan Silva outlined that there were “cheers that were hurtful and, in some cases, had racial undertones.” For leaders across Creek, like Silva, Student Body President TJ “It’s making sure that your Hubble, and Athletics Direcfocus is on supporting tor Jason Wilkins, a need for change was evident. For Silva your team, and not focusthis began with an assessment ing on bringing down the of what sportsmanship means opponent.” to him.

“It’s making sure that your focus is on supporting your Principal Ryan Silva team, and not focusing on bringing down the opponent,” he said.

The dialogue on the sidelines of ship in the stands and in the games.

“Sportsmanship is a big part of any event is still a representation of the school, and Silva wants students how I play,” senior Hank Zilinskas, a Varsity Football player, said. “I alto reflect Creek’s values.

“The way that we carry ourselves ways respect my opponents and I is a reflection of who we are, what we want them to respect me.”

Poor sportsmanship not only imvalue, and just how we treat other pacts Creek but also other teams and people,” Silva said.

Amongst other plans, Creek is even referees.

“Personally I thought the signs starting with adjusting seating arrangements at the basketball games were disrespectful like ‘Jesus loves so the student sections are not facing us for free’ and the ‘daddy’s money’ chants too,” Valor sophomore Chiara each other.

“Going into the basketball sea- Gaibor said.

“One of the things that is told to son, that is usually when you’re more likely to have issues because the stu- us when officials do their surveys is dents are in a much closer space,” that they’re tired of being yelled at by

people in the stands or things of that nature,” Wilkins said. “When there are no officials, there are no games, so we try to make Creek a positive environment as best as we can.”

Athletic Director Jason Wilkins sees poor sportsmanship as self-sabotage when it comes to referee calls.

“They’re not going to give you the benefit of the doubt on calls, you’ve made yourself stick out,” Wilkins said. “If there’s a 50/50 call, you’re gonna get the wrong end of it.”

Through all attempts at eliminating poor sportsmanship at Creek, leaders see a change.

“It’s been much better this year,” Silva said. “Our students have been really responsive.”

With student leaders, awareness, and preventative measures in place the 2022-2023 school year sees a big improvement from last year.

“This year, we’ve been really working hard on just creating a positive environment in our students sections,” Hubble said.

Though Creek struggled, the issues with sportsmanship were by no means an anomaly. CHSAANOW released an article outlining how sportsmanship now extends to social media presences. Wilkins emphasizes that poor sportsmanship is not created in high school, it is nurtured from competition at a young age.

“I coach my five year old daughter at soccer, and I hear parents yelling negatively from the sideline. This is going on at age five, so I’m assuming it’s just continuing all the way through,” Wilkins said. “That’s ridiculous to me.”

Hubble acknowledges that while there may still be slip ups, Creek is working harder everyday to display good sportsmanship on the field, and in the student sections.

“Obviously, not everything is going to be perfect, but I do think that we can work towards living up to the legacy of excellence.”

IZ MI RI

Aram Izmirian: The Ace of Creek Meet the four-year varsity tennis athlete who led Creek to three consecutive state championships

BY TANVI JAIN & AYUSHI SAH

T

Staff Writers

wo years ago, during the pandemic, senior varsity tennis player Aram Izmirian practiced tennis with an oversized tennis ball on a makeshift court made with a couch cushion net and ping pong paddles for boundaries in his basement.

Even through the pandemic, Izmirian’s unrelenting commitment to being number one was evident. Izmirian has dominated the boys’ tennis ladder since his sophomore year; now, he has two state championships under his belt as he won first place in 2021 and second place this year. Because of his success in the state championships, Izmirian stresses about the expectations of winning every match, especially during tournaments.

“It’s tough and a lot of pressure,” he said.

Izmirian’s tennis journey started with private lessons at four years old in San Diego, California. In 2017, Izmirian visited his family in Colorado for Christmas, where he met Creek varsity 1 Head Coach Art Quinn through mutual family friends.

They stayed in touch as Izmirian moved to Colorado in 2018 and decided to pursue tennis in high school.

He made varsity 1 his freshman year, a rare occurrence. Quinn has only seen this happen 10 times in his 17 years of coaching varsity tennis.

Izmirian has continued to prove his abilities by helping the team win the 5A state championship for three consecutive years, which makes him one of the top players in Colorado.

His teammates and friends have rec-

16 | Sports

ognized his improvement on and off the court. “[Izmirian] didn’t really know where he wanted to be,” senior Zach Hayutin said. “I think over the years, he’s found his group, and he’s happy where he is.”

“His confidence is one of the things I’ve seen improve,” senior Brendan Davis said.

“Aram’s always been a phenomenal player as far as his skills - very technical. I’ve seen his love for the game increase. He’s become more of a dominant player.”

Izmirian stresses about the expectations of winning every match he plays in a tournament. Despite his skills and experience, a match can consume Izmirian’s day, yet he has overcome bigger hurdles.

Izmirian underwent heart surgery to remove AVNRT (Atrioventricular Nodal Reentry Tachycardia), missing two matches.

Izmirian lost the third match he played after rejoining the team against Kent Denver, yet getting back on the court brought him a sense of normalcy.

“It was the first time I felt like I was back to normal [and] back to playing like myself,” Izmirian said. “It was a good feeling.”

PHOTO BY AYUSHI SAH

A Day in the Life with Blake Purchase VEE WILLIAMSON

S

Staff Writer

ince he was five years old, Blake Purchase was bound for the football field. In high school, he has gone with his team to three consecutive state championships and is the number one recruit in Colorado. Now in his senior year, he is nowhere close to being done.

“I couldn’t imagine doing anything else,” Purchase said.

We followed Purchase on Sept. 22 before his game against Regis. Game days always provide an extra challenge to the school day.

After leaving his Environmental Science class, Purchase confesses how it can become difficult to separate his priorities throughout the day.

“I was definitely focused much more on the game,” he said. “It’s hard on a game day because I’m so excited and ready to play.”

Even during school, he still dedicates his time to the football.

“I’ve been watching game play all day trying to prepare myself for what’s coming,” he said.

As a defensive linebacker, Purchase says it’s vital to practice agility and quick bursts of speed. Meaning he is in the gym every day on top of practice until 6 p.m. With all of these responsibilities most people would feel pressured, yet Purchase doesn’t.

“I just play my game not worrying about the opinions of anyone outside of our team,” he said.

Even with such a calm outlook, he’s still faced some difficulty.

“My whole high school career there’s been expectations put on me from how well my brother, Myles, did in the years before I got here,” he said.

Myles Purchase also achieved won High School Football Player of the Year in 2020, and is now playing at Iowa State.

The Purchase brothers have shared

a love for football since they were young.

“It propelled us to where we are now,” Myles Purchase said. “I’m sure we can both say we’re living our childhood dreams.”

While the two are close, there is some competition.

“Blake’s not gonna let Myles be better than him,” teammate Bubba Tann said. “And he’s gonna work until he gets to where he wants to be.”

It’s this same mindset of constantly pushing himself to be better that’s shaped Blake as a player.

“He’s a leader. He goes out there, he makes us put our best foot forward,” Tann said.

“All offseason he’s been working. He’s watched his film a lot. It’s his self drive. I think he definitely wants to perform better for the team,” teammate Will Loveridge said.

While warming up in preparation for his game against Regis Purchase looks at the score board and is eager to start playing.

“I need these 71 minutes to go a little faster, I’m ready to go,” Purchase said.

71 minutes later, he’ll be on the field, surrounded by bright lights and the sound of cheering students.

“My favorite thing is hearing the crowd, the energy… the whole community comes together,” Purchase said.

8:00 a.m.

“I like to get here early” Purchase said, arriving at school.

9:13 a.m.

“I’m just really excited to play; we’re playing Regis so it’s a big rivalry game,” Purchase said after leaving his first period, World Geography.

11:07 a.m. “[Football’s] really the only thing on my mind throughout the day,” he said after leaving his Environmental Science class.

12:10 p.m.

Purchase says during lunch that he prefers to listen to more slow paced songs, specifically before a game. “I don’t like to play when I’m high on emotion.”

5:45 p.m.

“I thought I would come out here a bit early.” he said after stepping onto the field for a pre-game workout. “It helps me focus more”.

5:49 p.m.

“I need these 71 minutes to go a little faster, I’m ready to go,” he says while looking at the clock on the scoreboard.

PHOTO BY CARLY PHILPOTT

November 2022

‘Don’t Worry Darling’ Disappoints

BY KATYA ROUDAKOV

W

A&E Editor

ith a 38% Rotten Tomatoes score, Olivia Wilde’s Don’t Worry Darling seemed like yet another star-studded disappointment, but its box office opening was far from a failure, bringing in nearly $20 million. Much of this is likely due to its chaotic but memorable promotional tour that started with director Olivia Wilde being served with custody papers onstage at CinemaCon and ended with drama at the film’s premiere at the Venice Film Festival.

WARNER BROTHERS

Don’t Worry Darling wanted to be the next Truman Show, but instead it’s just an unoriginal, poorly-paced counterfeit. It follows housewife Alice (Florence Pugh) and workingman Jack (Harry Styles) and their life in an idyllic 1950s community. It quickly becomes obvious that something isn’t

right, and we follow Alice as she uncovers the truth of her life.

Styles’s acting is mediocre, especially compared to the brilliance of Pugh and Chris Pine. Casting an inexperienced actor in such a pivotal role was the first of Wilde’s mistakes.

Katie Silberman, Wilde’s screenwriter of choice, knows how to write a coming-of-age comedy — we saw that in Booksmart, Wilde’s 2019 directorial debut that maintains a well-deserved 96% Rotten Tomatoes — but she cannot pace a thriller. Too much time was spent focusing on the wrong things, and when the credits rolled, it felt like I had watched the first half of a movie.

If this film had been given to a bold director instead of a conservative, shallow-thinker only concerned with fan service, this would be an entirely different story. Wilde and Silberman ruined a perfectly interesting story, and even Pugh’s performance couldn’t save it. I left the theater with more questions than answers, chief among them, “Who allowed this?”

‘Midnights’ Takes Taylor Swift Darker Than Ever

BY CARLY PHILPOTT

M

Editor-in-Chief

uch like its name suggests, Midnights shifts Swift’s usual subject matter to deeper, darker themes.

Although Swift’s music has never been absent of meaning, Midnights pulls love and coming-ofage stories together into a world of intrusive thoughts, self-doubt, and broken hearts.

With 2020’s folklore and evermore, Swift’s lower-key, storytelling albums, we saw a new era of Swift: one of deeper stories and poetic themes. With Swift’s return to pop in Midnights, some of the lyrics lack the poeticism of the last two albums. Still, the dark motifs remain.

The lead single of Midnights, “Anti-Hero,” is a prime example of this.

Though the chorus is simple, repeating “it’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me,” it’s a vulnerable song. It responds

18 | A&E

to years of people telling Swift that she might just be the problem through all of her very public relationship and industry woes, and it paints a different picture than we’ve previously seen: rather than the self-confidence Swift usually writes into her songs, it’s a story of lying awake at night in a pool of self-loathing and second-guessing, which is all too familiar to anyone who’s struggled with anxiety.

“Anti-Hero” isn’t my favorite song on the album, but it is one of the deepest. And it’s not alone. Off of the secret seven “3am tracks,” “Bigger Than The Whole Sky” tells a story of loss and “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve” of emotional abuse and grooming. And unlike folklore and evermore, these stories appear to be her own, not told from another perspective.

With Midnights, Taylor Swift proves that even in pop music, she can be one of the finest lyricists of her generation, with chart-topping songs to boot.

Biggie Looms Large

BY CAEL CLANCY

I

Staff Writer

n the greatest era of gangster rap, The Notorious B.I.G.’s Ready to Die sets itself apart as the defining classic from the time period. Through genius rhyme schemes and creative storytelling, Biggie’s debut studio album perfectly matches the harsh climate of Brooklyn in the ’90s.

The album starts off with an intro that contains dialogue from Biggie’s childhood,

and the track “Things Done Changed” gives the listener a good image of what it was like to grow up in that setting. What sets this album apart is its storytelling. Biggie has this outstanding ability to tell an entire story in full detail without sacrificing catchiness or replayability. Songs like “Warning” and “Everyday” are all worthy of anyone’s playlist, and each time you listen, you gain something new or catch a detail you didn’t last time.

Of course, you can’t talk about this album without mentioning its most recognizable hits, “Juicy” and “Big Poppa,” each one having gone six times platinum. Biggie oozes cha-

‘Freaks and Geeks’ is a Hidden ’90s Gem

BY VEE WILLIAMSON

A

Staff Writer

iring for only one season, Freaks and Geeks is a hidden gem of the ’90s. Packed full of heartfelt emotion and outstanding acting from Linda Cardellini, who plays main character Lindsay Weir, this show is unapologetically earnest.

To read the full review, scan the qr code

REPUBLIC RECORDS

Not enough people have seen Freaks and Geeks to give it the extra boost of publicity needed to gain recognition, and that’s because it’s underwhelming at first glance.

Looking at the description, it might seem as if it’s your average story about high school outcasts trying to fit in, and it is. What makes

the storytelling so appealing is the characters.

Cardellini’s realistic portrayal of a rebellious, emotional teen and Neal Schweiber’s (Sam Levine) dry moments of comedic relief draw you further and further into their world.

For a show that aired in the ’90s, the depiction of trauma and struggling with your sense of identity is still extremely relevant to today’s audience, giving everyone something to relate to. I applaud the writers for their detailed care in creating the characters instead of making them bland and lifeless. Freaks and Geeks is real and separates the distinct personalities of everyone, straying from the typical stereotypes of every teenage-based show.

risma on these tracks, rapping about all the luxuries that come with his fame and riches, and creating two songs with memorable lyrics and the most famous beats in hip hop. To quote the man himself, “[he’s] got techniques dripping out [his] buttcheeks.” Biggie’s articulate flow, catchy choruses, and boasting swagger are all factors that contributed to the greatest rap album of the ‘90s and paved the way for him to become the most influential rapper in the age that defined the genre.

Best Of The ’90s 1. Ready to Die

The Notorious B.I.G

2. Basket Case Green Day

3. Smells Like Teen Spirit Nirvana

4. California Love 2Pac, Roger, Dr. Dre

5. Zero

The Smashing Pumpkins

GRAPHICS BY QUINN RUDNICK & KATYA ROUDAKOV GETTY IMAGES

November 2022

Freshmen Orientation Isn’t Applicable

BY ALEX GRIBB

S

Opinions Editor

ome pinpoint the beginning of the decline of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) to Wandavision, Falcon and the Winter Soldier, or Loki. And although those three were incredibly awful, my choice of armageddon began even earlier, with the announcement of Disney+.

The popularization of streaming services like Disney+ has promoted TV shows rather than movies, so that they can pull in viewers every week for a new episode rather than wait for a box office opening. The need for quick money has outweighed the need for quality in Disney’s eyes, and it is clearly affecting their work.

Take She-Hulk for example. The plot is fine and the writing is, dare I say, enjoyable, but my issue lies with the trash the producers call CGI. The pressure to produce a fully computer generated character must be great, or else their abhorrent special effects have no excuse.

I mean seriously, how can you call yourself a professional when She-Hulk’s movements are like that of a barely rendered Mr. Incredible?

She-Hulk isn’t the only example. Black Widow, Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and Falcon and Winter Soldier have all shown a lack of development by the VFX teams. But the icing on the horrible and di-

20 | A&E and Opinions

sastrous cake of MCU mediocrity is its unlinked characters.

What made phases one through four so lovable was how the characters interacted.

Steve Rogers was shaped by Bucky Barnes, and Black Widow’s entire story was intertwined with Hawkeye’s. But new characters lack such connection, and because of that, feel out of place.

The icing on the horrible and disastrous cake of MCU mediocrity is its unlinked characters.

The best example I have is Moon Knight.

Entirely separate from the rest of the Disney+ TV shows, Moon Knight had no connections to previous heroes, which made it less exciting to follow. The Avengers movies carried the energy of one onto the next and kept a familiar cast of characters.

Directly opposed to that excellent strategy are Disney+ executives. Because of their lack of attachment, episodes can be produced without being canonically cohesive, allowing lazy, disconnected writing to thrive.

I will note, however, that the Loki series did have a connection to its old comics, which created that familiar excitement for possible cameos as the series advanced. But

as everyone knows, comic-accurate costumes and plotlines are very popular with fans. And in piggybacking off of this hype, Loki did nothing original.

One could argue (they would be wrong) that including Matt Murdock in episode eight of She-Hulk was an example of this tried and true practice. However, Matt Murdock’s one episode cameo truly added nothing to SheHulk’s plotline. Sure I was excited when I heard that Daredevil would be making a return in the best of the new Marvel TV shows, but when I saw the CGI, I wanted to throw up.

The lack of quality CGI along with the lack of canonically connected characters make these new movies and shows almost unbearable. In phases one through four of the MCU, Thanos was built up as the endgame villain throughout the entire saga. He wasn’t dropped in for one movie.

This is the reality I want to go back to: developed plots with Easter eggs that hint at final villains that don’t require hours of analysis.

And it wouldn’t be that hard to achieve.

With exciting projects like Antman and the Wasp: Quantumania and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever coming out, I’m praying that the movies will be at least decent. But I’m terrified that the hopeful future that the original saga curated may die here.

MARVEL

most nothing about classes at Creek, the single most important piece of information that could have been given.

“It included a tour of the school, supposBY ANGELA XU edly some tips on managing work, but my Staff Writer very year, freshmen go through orientation group wasn’t doing that, and a orientation before their first day meet with our counselors,” Mullangi said. at Creek to try to give them some “The only thing we were briefed on is what semblance of the campus and course the homework load would be like, which load. And each year, those in charge wasn’t accurate at all.”

Part of the skewed perception of classes by of introducing new students to Creek freshman is the lack of support given by teachrecycle the same borderline-useless ers in middle school. Bepresentation that procause of COVID, Creek’s vides minimal help to counselors were unable “The only thing we were those first setting foot to visit 8th graders to help on campus. them wit their pre-regbriefed on is what the Released into the conhomework load would be istration. “This year, fusing atmosphere of we’re going to the middle Creek in early August, like, which wasn’t accurate schools during pre-regisat all.” ill-prepared freshmen tration to try and help so have no idea of what to we can fix some of these Freshman expect. issues before they hapShraddha Mullangi “The first day was pen,” said school counselrough,” freshman Joanna or Erin McClure.

Kellner said. “I didn’t exTo counter this great pect there to be so many tests at the begin- deficit of knowledge, Freshmen orientation ning of the year and I didn’t expect it to be so should have focused more on classes and fast paced.” workload, rather than tours and icebreakers.

Transitioning from Campus Middle Sure, Creek’s difficult course load makes School to Cherry Creek proved to be a chal- the expectancy of homework hard to predict. lenge for Kellner, with the only helpful re- But students in honors and AP classes need source being her older sister’s advice. to be introduced to these practices, because “I have an older sister that told me to not without any prior warning of the time combe late to class,” Kellner said. “There was a mitment, these classes become even harder. freshman orientation and [the teachers] just “I had no idea what an AP class would be said to not stop in the middle of the hall be- like and I struggled. I still am struggling to cause people will run me over.” adjust. I was told that AP classes would have For some people, their siblings’ wise words at most 30 minutes of reading per week and were the only tips that they had before actual- a quiz or test every week. I would say the test ly taking any classes. But those tidbits are just part if accurate but the reading was not,” Multhe basic aspects of high school. langi said.

The real problem came with the lack of This lack of accuracy causes students to go information on workload and class schedules into class with a skewed perception of what during the orientation. “We didn’t talk about the course will look like. “Class changes or specific courses or levels, it was very general. level changes happened a lot in the beginning However my leaders did say that homework of the year with new students and with freshwas based on teachers,” freshman Shraddha men,” McClure said.

Mullangi said via text.

For such a prestigious school, this underThis forced teachers and counselors to prepartion for freshmen is far more headpick up the slack. “The questions we get most ache-inducing than it should be. This upare what the difference between CP, acceler- in-the-air problem has a solution just within ated program, and honors classes are,” Gifted reach if the school could ask freshmen directand Talented counselor Kacey Morgan said. ly what they need, rather than guessing.

The freshmen orientation mentioned al“I personally would have felt a lot better if

E

GRAPHIC BY ALEX GRIBB

someone had told me that taking an AP class would mean sacrificing a lot,” Mullangi said.

“I hope at orientation upperclassmen can give a speech about classes and just give a warning about them. The school could have a few people talk about their experience and provide tips and tricks. It would greatly benefit everyone.”

With each year, the orientation should cover more concerns that students have by listening to the problems that new kids struggle with during the beginning of the year.

A general survey, asking specific freshman with heavier courseloads what could be improved upon for orientation, and even allowing freshman to shadow sophomores before the school year starts could all add perspective to the dysfunctional system.

With these useful and honest opinions, Creek will finally be able to live up to its rumored excellency, starting with freshmen.

November 2022

Day-to-day Homework Fails

S

BY ALEX GRIBB Opinions Editor

wamped with homework and riddled with stress, high schoolers return exhausted to their houses to go to any number of extracurriculars and then tackle the feeling of dread when looking at their pile of homework. Even when that work gets done, it is often deep into the night or early morning. The standard reaction from most teachers is to push through, and ignore time. But not for some.

“I tell kids if they have to choose between sleeping and finishing my assignments, to choose to sleep – without this, the next day in school will be unproductive and a waste if they are sleeping through all their classes,” AP Seminar and AP World History teacher Jodi Best said via email.

Best has a unique policy. Her class has no

SHOULD HOMEWORK BE ASSIGNED EVERY NIGHT?

NO

“Teachers should work homework into the lesson plans to teach everything in class.”

-Senior Terry Sage

YES

“My sophomore year I went to Elevation and all of our work was due at the end of the quarter. It became hard to discipline yourself.”

-Senior Tsega Tatek

POLL BY IZZY KRAUSS, NOUR KREISHAN, AND PETER PHILPOTT

22 | Opinions and Staff Editorial

points taken off for work that is turned in late because the learning is self paced. “Everything I have kids complete in my class furthers their understanding and learning.

If I am asking them to complete it then it is significant to the learning process and they know this,” Best said.

In allowing students to take time to learn content rather than mindlessly complete assignments on short deadlines, they are better prepared for tests and quizzes, making their work time worthwhile.

However, not all students are motivated the same. Math teacher Natalie Reyes differentiates homework policies based on class level. “For accelerated Algebra One, they’re brand new to high school, so I wanted to give them more study habits,” she said. But for her honors class, she expects a higher level of accountability. “I give them a little bit more flexibility with their nightly workload. So if they had a game, or if they had a huge paper to write for a particular class, they could prioritize that because I know that they will definitely get it done prior to the due date.”

Both of these teachers understand that busy work is so common, that it’s hard to avoid, and even harder to finish because of its lack of meaning.

According to a study published in the Journal of Experimental Education, most high school aged students do an average of three hours of homework per night. This excessive amount of time spent on schoolwork prevents kids from indulging in hobbies, or practicing sports, or doing any number of extracurriculars required to get into dream colleges.

The National Education Association and National PTA support the idea of a 10 minute homework guideline. This concept explains that for every grade, 10 minutes should be added to the homework load, starting with first grade. For second graders, this means 20 minutes a night. But for 11th graders, that’s nearing two hours.

For context, the average workout at a gym is 45 minutes. The average time it takes to read 30 pages of a book is an hour. These other necessities in a student’s life, like painting, writing, hiking, being with family, baking, take up deserved time, but can not be prioritized because of extreme homework deadlines.

It would be naive to say that a general rule should be applied to the entire school when it comes to a homework policy. The solution depends on the subject.

3.1

hours of homework a night on average per students

56%

Of students consider homework a primary source of stress

~50% SOURCES: METLIFE, NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS, STANFORD

Of students aged 17 have 2 or more hours of homework every night

STAFF EDITORIAL

It’s Time to Keep Freshmen On Campus – Permanently

F

reshman being disrespectful is a tale as old as time. Socially underdeveloped – partly because of COVID, partly because they are 14 – freshmen lack experience interacting with others. Because of this, workers at off-campus restaurants are frequently mistreated by these ninth graders.

These horror stories have been recounted by students and staff alike: shoplifting, vandalism, talking back to employees. It’s the reason that students last year were threatened with the loss of off-campus privileges, and why freshmen this year are on a seemingly permanent probation. But these solutions aren’t actually fixing the problem, rather they tip-toe around the best option: don’t give freshman off-campus privileges.

In preventing these underclassmen from gaining access to the independence of going off campus, the destruction they leave is also removed. Additionally, having a grade wide ban prevents students who do nothing wrong from being burdened by a group wide punishment.

Although this would limit their interaction with these workers, age also matures students. Come sophomore year, these previously deviant students will be prepared to go off-campus.

State-wide and nationally freshman having access to off-campus privileges is not recognized as a right; rather a privilege. Principal Ryan Silva has acknowledged, multiple times through multiple forms of communication to the school community, that he personally believes off-campus privileges for all ages are a privilege that most other schools do not hand out. That is exactly what this is: a

handout. The incoming freshman classes has When establishing a standard that freshbegun to follow a pattern of disrespect that man enter the high school and life stay virpaints Creek in a poor light. tually the same in the sense of staying on The current solution is to implement a campus, it will add a sense of security and system of reporting peers. Silva has request- normalcy. Graduating from middle school ed that freshman take pictures of their peers to high school the freshman are bombarded who may be acting out of line, and report with alien experiences. Adding the freedom them to the deans office. Though this may be of leaving the school once, possibly twice a a successful tactic to weed out the students day provides too much room for mistake. who actually deserve for their off-campus Though these students are acting outside privileges to be taken, it promotes a lack of Creeks honor code and values, in most casunity within the grade. Pitching students es it is not their fault. They have not been against each other is the opposite of building introduced to this idea of off-campus. For school spirit and morale. It is hypocritical for most students they suffered through midadministration to request students to disobey dle school, an already trying time, through the principles the school consistently pro- a global pandemic. This limited interaction motes. and social exposure for Not once in the past everyone globally. two years of freshman For middle school Not once in the past two classes has a sense of students however, this years of freshman classes maturity or a comis a developing time. has a sense of maturity or mitment to respect One where they learn been demonstrated. who they are and how a commitment to respect So stripping the entire to carry themselves. been demonstrated. freshman class of the Without this period of privilege and setting experimentation, these that standard for years students are left with a to come will mitigate the disrespect they are deficit of knowledge. Though this may seem contributing to Creek’s surrounding commu- like a short term explanation these current nity. freshman are not an anomaly. All students Eliminating access for all students to leave K-12 were burdened with the effects of campus also answers the question surround- COVID. This pattern will just continue down ing the lack of equality in the current sys- the line as all children missed the period of tem. Though the freshman class have earned learning and developing communication themselves an unpleasant reputation, not all skills. Allowing freshman year to be another the students are behaving in this manner. opportunity for these students to learn and For those who carry morals and respect with grow into themselves gives them the chance them when they leave campus, the threat of to mature without a prolonged period of unoff-campus access being taken seems simply certain experimentation. unfair.

INFORGRAPHIC BY ALEX GRIBB

For history and English classes, assign homework for the end of a unit or a quarter, rather than every night. For Math and Science classes, have weekly quizzes when homework is due, or have the due dates for larger assignments be the same for the homework needed to understand the content.

In allowing students to be independent with their study methods, and experiment with what works for them, they will become better prepared for their future, which is entirely what high school and homework are about.

PHOTO BY GABBY SCHROCK

November 2022

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