El Diablo - May 2020

O L B A I D EL

SENIORS|Class of 2020 Durango High School Issue 4 Volume 69 May 2020

El Diablo Newspapers’s Table of Contents

SENIOR SECTION

Senior Map!! . . . 4 & 5 Advice From A Senior . . . 8 & 9 El Diablo Seniors . . . 10 & 11

Coronavirus and the Middle Class . . . 13 Voices from Riverview . . . 16 Black Lives Matter Protests . . . 18 & 19

Kaitlyn Bennett . . . 20 Surrealism of Quarantine . . . 21

Covid-19 and Sports . . . 22 & 23 Life of a Sports Fan . . . 24 & 25

Art Chart . . . 26 Film of the Year: Parasite . . . 29

Horoscopes . . . 30 Demon’s Advocate . . . 31

2-11

FEATURES

EDITORIALS SPORTS

ARTS & LIT

LIFESTYLES

20-21

22-25

26-29

El Diablo

Voice of the students and official newspaper of Durango High School.

Head Editors: Maddy Gleason, Chloe Ragsdale, Bryn Valdez Features Head: Mia Boudreau Features Editor: Jack Breezley Sports Heads: Stevi Cameron, Georgia Mynatt Sports Editor: Mia Whistler Arts Heads: Saylor Stottlemyer, Rush Webster Arts Editors: Rebecca Bowers Lifestyles Head: Luke Swift Lifestyles Editors: Ezra Adamski, Kendall Floyd Photography Heads: Corbin Miller, Avery Wickes Broadcasting Executives: Evan Bastin, Leif Basley, Natasha Potempkin, Todd Murray Foreign Correspondent: Grace Swanson Reporters: Isaiah Downing, Jake Genualdi, Haleigh Harper, Kalista Pena, Maddy Mortimer, Matthew Mueller, Aiden Roessler, Laura Clark, Carson Delinger, Aspen Wyatt, Hannah Wills, Abby Bowman, Leah Wesley, Lassen Griggs, Lauren McFarlane, Maggie Markva, Lakyn Yarbrough, Chloe Bowen, Diego Verduzco, Toby Kline, Connor Rhea, Seth Cregeen, Sophia Holt, Ruby Ward, Jack Whistler

2 June 2020

12-19

30-31

Subscriptions: $15 a year, please send a check and mailing address to El Diablo, 2390 Main Avenue, Durango CO 81301. Thank you for supporting scholastic journalism.

El Diablo is a public forum for public expression produced by the students of Durango High School’s newspaper class under the advisement of Todd Jolley. It is printed by the Durango Herald/Farmington Daily Times. The paper encourages letters to the editor but will not print unsigned or libelous letters; opinions stated are not necessarily those of the administration, staff, or school board.

DISCLAIMER: Advertisements may not reflect the views of Durango High School students or El Diablo Staff.

Mailing address: 2390 Main Avenue, Durango, Colorado 81301 Phone: 970-259-1630, ext. 2221 Fax: 970-250-3987 Email: eldiablodhs@gmail.com tjolley@durangoschools.org

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Farewell from Mr. Jolley

Happy summer Demons, I can't tell you all how grateful I am to be able to communicate with you through a platform other than zoom! Quarantine has taught us so many things, but I think, above all, I've learned to not take our normal routines for granted. I miss you all terribly, and hope that this message finds you well.

I've had the privilege of teaching, advising, and coaching at DHS over the past three years. Over that time, I've learned so much about myself, Durango, my students, and the field of Education. I've traveled to more than 30 countries and almost all 50 states, and I can say without a doubt that Durango is one of the most special places I've ever been - not because of its beauty, which is stunning, but because of the youth in the community. I am blessed to have been privileged to work with so many brilliant, kind, and hard working students. One of my favorite phrases is a Swahili word 'ubuntu,' which translates roughly to 'I am who I am because of who we all are.' I would not be the same person without the many incredible teachers at DHS, a fantastic leadership team helmed by Mr. Jon Hoerl - one of the best bosses I've ever had - and you all are a part of me forever.

For all I've learned, nothing could've prepared me for the last three months. The world has been thrown into one of it's biggest crisis' in more than 70 years. Our country is going through the most difficult time since the Great Depression - from a pandemic, to record unemployment, mass protests, and more.

Yet throughout the chaos, I have constantly been inspired by my students and young people all across America. You all have not only sacrificed so many of the the teenage rituals that have become rights of passage in our culture - prom, graduation, end of year

parties, and more - but you have voiced your concerns about injustice and inequality against your fellow Americans in a voice loud and clear. I always tell my Social Studies students that the real test of Social Studies is in your everyday life, out in the world engaging in the world as citizens, employees, family members, friends, etc.

I believe you all are passing that test with flying colors. The future of our country depends on your attention to what matters most in life - a change for all to pursue their own dreams, enjoy the love of their family and friends, and contribute to the communities around them. Pandemics come and go, nations rise and fall, but love, kindness, hard work, respect...these simple values are eternal. A better future depends on all of us holding true to those values.

Despite everything, I am more hopeful than ever. I appreciate every one of you, and regretfully announce that I will be taking a job teaching and pursuing a masters degree at the University of Wyoming, where I can also be closer to my family. While it is the best move for me at this time, and certainly unexpected, I am truly heartbroken to say goodbye. But the pain I feel parting is only a sign of how big of an impact you all had on me. I wish you all the best, and look forward to watching your success as you go out into the world and do great things.

Thank you DHS, for everything. Be kind, work hard, and stay woke.

Sincerely, Mr. Jolley

Follow El Diablo on Instagram at eldiablo_news for more memes like this!

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Next Steps for the Seniors:

DHS’ CLASS OF 2020 WILL SPREAD ACROSS THE GLOBE While college may look extremely different this August, seniors prepare to start the next chapters of thier lives.

AZ

Costmetology School Work Force Armed Forces Gap Year

4 June. 2020

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL: Maastricht University (Netherlands)

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ARIZONA:

Arizona State University

Jael Larson Jordan Taylor Anna York

Ava Leicht Connor Rea Joe Somrak Trebor Zimmerman Colorado Mountain College

Finn Hyson

Kegan McCardell Sean McCardell

Northern Arizona University

Colorado School of Mines

Eastern Arizona College

Joe Arnwine Stevi Cameron Eleanor Feir Jaclyn Govreau Stella Griswold Everett Howland Lilah Hwang Deana Lancaster Amelia O’Ketter Emmy Romero Elise Yoder

Leland Heinicke Sten Joyner

Colorado State University

Kyle Houle

Mia Boudreau Jamie Hitti Christina Hoffman Camren Hyde Gwenyth Irwin Lauren Park Isabella Putnam Tristan Sanchez Gary Ulrich Morgan Wells

University of Arizona

Fort Lewis College

Scottsdale Community College

Isaiah Downing CALIFORNIA:

California State University- .

Chico

Emma Fitzgerald

Chapman University

Caleb Lachelt FIDM

Carmen Hall Loyola Marymount University

Kendall Floyd Isabelle Herringer

Occidental College Elsie Cady Palomar College

Lea Osby

Pepperdine University

Saylor Stottlemyer

Point Loma University

Sophie Kairalla

Santa Clara University

Laura Clark

University of San Diego

Olivia Mummery

University of Southern California

Carson Matz Lola Thomas COLORADO:

Adams State University

Aliyana White

Colorado College

Annika Piccaro

Colorado Mesa University

Nikolai Bohachevsky Autumn Harwig Mackenzie Hildenbrandt

Dylan Bakkebo Esai Gomez Jasen Helms Jillian Hulsberg Avery Leimbach Osias Madrid Julie Maez Rachel Maines Easton O’Keefe Michelle Ortiz Lazcano Kalista Pena Patricia Pena Maddie Jo Robbins Tori Robinson Sam Rogers Kevin Rodriguez Lopez Peyton Rude Tyler Snodgrass Bradley Strong Destiny Thiessen Avery Wickes Delaney Wise Aspen Wyatt Metro State University

University of ColoradoColorado Springs

Logan Diethrich Ethan Clone Alex Read Luke Swift

University of Northern Colorado

Ella Gavlinski Caden Gurr Jacey Jeep Caleb McGrath Todd Murray Kiley Ryan Bella Tweed

Western Colorado University

Laurel Trout FLORIDA:

Embry-Riddle Aeronauticaul University

Breyton Jackson

University of Tampa

Ivey Hermesman GEORGIA:

Covenant College

Anna Klumpenhower IDAHO:

Boise State University

Martin Cuntz

Brigham Young UniversityIdaho

Jessica Harris ILLINOIS:

DePaul University

AJ Carlson Casey Chen Acacia Cofman Ella Devaux Maddy Gleason Lorien Hoshall Michael Marquez Corbin Miller Lucas Minerich Rush Webster Ethan Whidden Jack Whistler

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Olyvia Cate

Kiara Hamlin Claudia Luthy Andrew Saddler

University of New Mexico

Western Washington University

Liana Bygel Mina Willemin NEW YORK:

Columbia University

Irie Sentner

Rochester Institute of Technology

Deen Grey

OKLAHOMA:

Oklahoma State University

Hannah Willis

University of Oklahoma

Emma Hallin OREGON:

Pacific University

Teagan DeWeese RHODE ISLAND:

Brown University

Rebecca Bowers

Johnson and Wales University

Angelia Lashway

Winthrop University

University of Illinois

Emma Bryant

MASSACHUSETTS:

Texas Tech University West Texas A&M University

Hannah Coster UTAH:

Fisher College

Brigham Young University

Williams College

Dixie State University

MICHIGAN:

University of Michigan

Ogden-Weber Technical College

MONTANA:

Southern Utah University

Lee Pickett Luke Tichi

Miles Bronson

Montana State University

Mckenzie Belt Calvin Chase Tobin Ogden Austin Swan Kaylan Wait Aja Ramsey

Logan Moore

San Juan College

TEXAS:

Kansas State University

Middlebury College

WASHINGTON:

Maddy Mortimer

Timothy Chamblee Clara Galbraith

VERMONT:

New Mexico State University

Anna Pylar

Carver Willis

University of Colorado Boulder

NEW MEXICO:

School of the Arts, Institute of Chicago

Pueblo Community College

Kaytea Mahan

Madeleine Burns

SOUTH CAROLINA:

KANSAS:

Red Rocks Community College

Princeton University

Ezra Adamski

Maxton Warman Elisha Harry Dakota Wood

NEW JERSEY:

Anna Fenberg Alivia Lake

Caleb Brown

Alex Finneseth

University of Puget Sound

Caitlyn Steiner WISCONSON:

University of Wisconsin

Grace Meyer

WYOMING: University of Wyoming Tori Brunvand NETHERLANDS:

Maastricht University

Braden Lyons

COSMETOLOGY SCHOOL: Nahmie Banderas Shabrie Casey Savannah Garcia Mekayla Hellewell WORK FORCE: Shelby Fuchs Lucas Gundry Alexa Howell Keenan Kelly Carter Kileen Grace Kline Colton Lee Caitlynn Parmenter Lily Sturm Kishel Tune Gabriel Vasquez Alexander Wisnicky ARMED FORCES: Austin Albrecht Kaitlyn Ashburn Brayden Blevins Casey Dodge Shelby Flory Jade Mendias GAP YEAR: Colby Bayse Courtney Bayse Jax Bayer Foster Burdick Charlton Carlson Aaron Clark Zachary Dunlop Riley Garcia Eddy Gonzales-Rios Deysi Moguel Britnie Pope Samantha Udero

University of Utah

Luke Ford

Utah Valley University

Karver Mann

Weber State University

Wade Hewitt

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SAYLOR STOTTLEMYER

Head Arts Editor

A Senior Farewell...

Class of 2020 shares what they will miss most about Durango “I’m going to miss the people. I loved saying hi to “I am going to miss the close connections I’ve made people in the hallways, the power in the crowd with people, the streets I wandered for years, the during a football game, dancing the night away at secret places I’ve discovered, the walls I grew up in, Homecoming and Prom, and seeing friends and the family that raised me and accepted me for my family in the crowds during a theater show. It was authentic self, and the most soul-crushing thing is such a short a time in high school and I love every- the stars because in the city I won’t get to see the one!” universe that surrounds me!”

- Samantha Udero - Timothy Chamblee “I’m going to miss the traditions of DHS and all my homies.”

- Madison Mortimer

“Being able to pin point specific memories to pretty much every square inch of the town.”

- Lola Thomas

“Making memories with my friends and teachers.”

- Mackenzie Hildebrandt

6 June. 2020

“I’m going to miss the feeling of superiority over underclassmen. In college I’m going back to being clueless on top of being short.”

- Connor Rea

“The Friday night vibe with football game, being the fastest kid in 4th grade, and the Durango culture that is like no other.”

- Jax Bayer

“Having the mountains as my backyard.”

- Kacey Chen

“I will miss the mountains in Durango the most!”

- Kendall Floyd

“All of my friends that aren’t seniors!”

- Isabella Rodriquez

“Ima miss the river days with da boys. Nothing gets better then that.”

- Maxton Warman

“I will miss the community in Durango most.”

- Jacey Jeep

“The endless possibilities.”

- Ethan Whidden

“I’m going to miss the close nit community of our high school and town.”

- Corbin Miller

“All the memories I’ve made here.”

- Elise Yoder

“I am going to miss the endless opportunities to adventure with friends in the mountains.”

- Caleb McGrath

“My friends and our adventures around Durango.”

- Aja Ramsey

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COVID-19 and the Senior Class: REBECCA BOWERS

Arts Editor

At the beginning of the Coronavirus outbreak in the US, colleges and universities across the country made the difficult decision to send their students home and conduct the rest of the spring semester virtually. To many, online post-secondary learning was a necessary and temporary measure that needed to be taken in order to contain the spread of Coronavirus, sure to be remembered as nothing more than an inconvenience come fall 2020. But now, as Covid-19 remains a persistent force in disrupting life across the country and the world, colleges and universities face another difficult decision that seemed beyond unlikely a few months ago: whether or not to allow students back on campus in the fall.

Institutions of higher learning stand to lose an enormous amount of money if they don’t reopen in the fall. Not only will they not receive room and board checks from students, but being unable to employ people such as campus maintenance workers and dining hall cooks, and the broader economies that revolve around these institutions are bound to suffer for at least twice as long as had been previously expected.

On top of that, universities can expect students and their families to demand tuition cuts on the basis that the education they receive online is not worth the same amount of money as the education they receive in person. Already, students across the country have filed class action lawsuits against their schools, claiming that they failed to adequately reimburse students for room and board fees and lost time in class, among other valuable aspects of the college experience.

On May 12, the California State University system announced that it will keep classes for fall 2020 online. The California State system is the largest four-year public university system in the country, with over 480,000 undergraduates currently enrolled.

If the unpredictable course of this pandemic has left educational institutions uncertain about their futures, it has also left DHS’s seiors equally, if not more, uncertain.

Many students’ collegiate futures involve playing on sports teams, which are activities that many schools will decide to reduce, even if students will be learning on campus at some schools.

Luke Tichi, who is planning to run Cross-Country and Track for Williams College, said the plans for fall sports are even more up in the air than the plans for online ver-

WHAT’S NEXT? sus in-person education.

“The worst case is that school is conducted remotely; this would effectively cancel all college sports (for me, that would be XC in the fall). There also is the possibility of a mix. Even if we are able to attend college, I don’t think it would be improbable for there to be new limitations. I could see sports being limited to only in-state travel—or some similar travel restrictions—or sports being conducted on a smaller scale,” Tichi said.

Similarly, Caleb McGrath, who will attend University of Northern Colorado to play football, has also experienced several unexpected changes to his summer and fall.

“I was supposed to go to UNC on June 21st. The entire freshman class of football guys was gonna be up there. We were all gonna take a couple classes and start training for the fall, and then we’d have team camp sometime early August...It’s pretty much all canceled now,” he said.

These uncertainties have left some feeling disappointed, yet resolute in their decision to attend college in some capacity, while others assess their options.

“We’ve definitely had to make contingency plans. Depending on what happens later this summer, the possibilities range from attending another school to possibly taking a gap year,” said Tichi.

Being forced to plan for a reality that is far from what students planned is stressful, but the overall goal for most students is to stay positive in the moment.

“I have a lot of mixed emotions. I’m gonna be bummed if we miss the fall semester.

But at the same time, going into medicine right on the heel end of this - our class, we’re gonna see medicine change a lot over the course of the next couple years, and I think we’re gonna get to play a big part in that,” said McGrath.

Kaitlyn Ashburn, who plans to attend boot camp with the US Navy in June and later pursue a career in nuclear power and engineering, says she is still more excited than nervous, despite the changes caused by the pandemic. “[The pandemic] has definitely raised some concerns for me, but I’m trying not be overly worried about it. I know that safety precautions are being taken by almost everyone, especially with the Navy so that is reassuring. I am really excited,” said Ashburn.

When they think about the extraordinary circumstances they now face, Durango’s high school seniors appreciate the opportunity for learning, gratitude, and ingenuity this uncertainty presents.

Tichi says, “Despite sounding cliche, this has given me a greater appreciation for so much that can be taken for granted. There’s something so comforting and reassuring about planning for the future—it allows you to set goals and go after them—that by losing all that we planned for, we’re forced to reevaluate what we really want.... It may not be pretty, but this whole change has made me realize that by focusing on the present and what we can control, the uncertainty of the future is a whole lot less daunting.”

Kaitlyn Ashburn

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Start ASAP! Start working on applications when they open!

Applications usually open sometime towards the end of the summer, but some prompts are available to you before apps open. This tip is one that I was told, but didn’t really listen to. Once school starts, you will have significantly less time to work on applications, and trust me, you will thank yourself if you get a head start.

Do not apply to extra colleges. While it may seem like a fun challenge to apply to a school just to see if you can get in, only apply to the schools that you are actually interested in. Especially if you have an application fee waiver, it can feel like you need to apply to tons of schools to keep your options open, but take a step back and think about if all of the extra “options” are schools you can actually see yourself going to. Applying to extra schools will take up a lot of time!

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Make sure you have options. While still keeping in mind the tip above, make sure to not limit yourself if you actually don’t know where you want to go. Not knowing where you want to go or not having one dream school is totally okay, but it may mean you need to apply to a few more schools.

Again, only apply to schools you actually want to go to, but make sure to also apply to some academic and financial safety schools. A good starting point is comparing location, rankings, and other factors of schools.

Make a spreadsheet! Applying to schools can be extremely overwhelming, especially as those schools start to get back to you with applicant portals, student IDs, etc. Making a spreadsheet can help you organize all of this information and have it in one place so that you don’t have to dig through your overflowing inbox every time you need a code or login.

You can also personalize this spreadsheet so that it makes your decision process easier as well. Adding columns like pros/cons, cost, location, and size can help you compare schools side to side. Making a column for your login information and any codes or links the school sends you is also really helpful.

Do your research before applying! Don’t just rely on the fact that you’ve heard that a school is good. Research colleges on your own so that you aren’t adopting a parent or teacher’s opinion on a school. This way you can form your own opinions on a college and you don’t have to feel pressured into liking a school just because someone else does. Doing research beforehand also allows you to find out about any deal breakers about the school so that you don’t waste your time applying and find out later.

Set goals and get them done. Don’t try to fill out lengthy applications all at once, and don’t wait until they are due to finish them. Filling out applications is going to get very, very tiring. Try to get a little bit done each day, but also try to get them done as soon as you can. Once you finish your applications, it’s out of your hands and up to the colleges. This means that you don’t have to worry about them anymore! Try setting a deadline for yourself to get all of your applications in. This way you know that once the deadline passes, you’re done and don’t have to think about them until May at the latest.

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A Swift Senior Goodbye: Sr. Luke Swift Bids Adieu to High School

LUKE SWIFT

Lifestyle Editor

In my years at Durango High School, the people I have met fall into three categories when asked what they want to do for their life: 1. They know exactly what they want to do and have since, practically the first day they were born, 2. Those people want to go into healthcare (a joke...unless?), 3. They have no idea what they want to do. Surprisingly though I’m not here to slam the huge amount of overachievers in our class; whatever you want to do, or have no idea what to do, that will always be up to you.

If you know me well enough, you know I wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to quote Kill Bill at any time in my life. This particular quote, if you haven’t seen the film, follows a little piece of dialogue given by a character named Budd, in which he details the number one killer of man...“retirement.” Now I don’t know if that’s especially true, but I do believe that when you finish the job you’ve done your whole life, you’re either filled with one of those R’s or the other. The people who feel relief are those who finished a job they’d done well and enjoyed doing, those who are filled with regret are those that worked a job that they felt was required of them. We’ll get back to this point, I’ll let it sit with you for the rest of this letter.

42% of today’s bachelor’s degrees are in STEM, excluding that of physical sciences, including medical degrees. As well, according to the Washington Post, “the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, through its Humanities Indicators project, found that the number of bachelor’s degrees in the humanities that were earned in 2015...was down nearly 10 percent from three years earlier.” More and more people are deciding to get degrees in STEM, because they yield higher pay than a person with a liberal arts degree. People, it seems, are following the cash payout rather than the feeling of gratification after working your dream job.

Who could blame them, “STEM, health, and business majors are the highest paying, leading to average annual wages of $37,000 or more at the entry level and an average of $65,000,” says Georgetown University.

Now it may sound like I’m denying a spot for personal fulfillment for those going into STEM, but that is definitely not the point I’m trying to make, I am merely supporting the idea of “the pursuit of happiness,” Everyone deserves a chance to live the life they dream of, and we can’t let the temptation of a shining gold piece distract us from having a piece of that dream life.

So if you want to go into STEM or the physical sciences, I applaud you for your

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ambition because that is a hard education to stick to. If you want to go into social studies, I applaud you as well for not being afraid to follow the humanistic route. Artists, ah the artists, don’t be afraid of starving, continue on your journey because the world always needs creativity and a human touch in an increasingly automated world. With all these perspectives we form a more human world, we can’t overwhelm the world with just one career choice, or shine the light on only one group of people. In the end people just want to be recognized for the work they do, they don’t want to be overshadowed by the ones who were able to buy their third house with their pretty paychecks.

Now back to the two R’s, relief or regret, which one will you want to feel? In the end, no matter what you do you will feel one or the other, not both. When watching the sun set on your old people’s porch, will you be able to look back at a life worth living, or one of missed opportunities?

“Old soul, waiting my turn, I know a few things but I still got a lot to learn,” Do any of you ever find a quote that sums you up perfectly? Well I think I might have found one that can work for nearly all of us. We may not all be “old souls,” but we all are waiting for our turn to be recognized and appreciated for the work we want to do. We know a few things right now, and in youth it’s easy to stop there, but we still have all got more to learn, there’s a whole world out there. Learn about the ones before you and leave an even bigger mark when you leave.

I know, I’m definitely not qualified nor wise enough to give a Mr. Rodgers lecture like I have just given above, but I wanted to share some advice that we should all take heed of, because I am definitely not the first one to offer it. Thank You DHS, this is Luke Swift signing off, goodbye, adios and farewell!

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EL DIABLO’S

SAYLOR STOTTLEMYER

Head Arts Editor

EZRA ADAMSKI

MIA BOUDREAU

REBECCA BOWERS

STEVI CAMERON

Ezra Adamski is has been on El Diablo for multiple years. This past year, he was a lifestyles editor. In the fall, he will be attending DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois.

Mia Boudreau has been on El Diablo for several years. This past year, she was the head features editor. In the fall, she will be attending Colorado State University.

Rebecca has on the El Diablo staff as an Arts editor for one year, but she wishes she had gotten involved sooner! She will be attending Brown University in the fall and plans to study math and architecture.

She’ll miss the wonderful team on El Diablo and the hiking with her dog in the mountains.

Stevi Cameron has been a part of the newspaper all 4 years of high school. This past year, she was the sports head editor.

This august, she will attend Northern Arizona University.

LAURA CLARK

ISAIAH DOWNING

KENDALL FLOYD

MADDY GLEASON

Laura Clark has been a part of El Diablo for one year as a reporter. Next year she will be attending Santa Clara University in California and is pursuing a major in one of the social sciences. She will miss Durango’s tight knit community, the surrounding mountains, and most of all the friends she has made along the way.

Isaiah Downing was a reporter for El Diablo throughout his time at DHS. He will be attending University of Arizona for college.

Kendall Floyd has been in El Diablo since her junior year of high school. She is both a reporter and a lifestyles editor. In the fall, Kendall will attend Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA to study business management. Kendall has loved growing up in Durango and taking advantage of all the amazing outdoor activities Colorado has to offer.

Maddy Gleason has been on El Diablo all 4 years of high school. She began reporting in Intro to Journalism ended being Co-Editor in Chief. She has been a reporter, an editor, and an Adobe InDesign master. In the fall, she will attend University of Colorado Boulder. She will miss Durango, her friends, her family, and most importantly, her two dogs.

10 June. 2020

SENIOR SECTION

CLASS OF 2020 CORBIN MILLER

MADDY MORTIMER

SAYLOR STOTTLEMYER

LUKE SWIFT

Corbin Miller is the head photographer and social media director for El Diablo.

He has designed almost every cover of the newspaper these last couple years. In the fall, he will be going to University of Colorado Boulder. He will miss Durango, his soccer team, the mountains, Purgatory, and his friends.

Maddy Mortimer was a reporter for El Diablo. In the fall, she will attend New Mexico State University.

Saylor Stottlemyer has been on El Diablo all 4 years at DHS and is now an arts editor. She is planning on working and teaching in the Congo, and then continuing her education at Pepperdine University. Saylor will be pursuing a medical career. She will miss the hikes around town and most importantly, Zia Taqueria.

Luke Swift has been on El Diablo as an editor all throughout high school. This past year, he was the head lifestyles editor. In the fall, he will attend the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs.

RUSH WEBSTER

JACK WHISTER

AVERY WICKES

ASPEN WYATT

Rush Webster has been a part of newspaper for multiple years. This past year, she was the co-head arts editor with Saylor.

In the fall, she will be attending the University of Colorado Boulder.

Jack Whistler has been on El Diablo since he took intro to journalism his freshman year. He’s mostly taken on the roll of reporter due to his knack for writing stories as compared to layout and editing. His pieces have been recognized by the the Colorado Student Media Association as best overall in their categories. Next year Jack will attend the University of Colorado to study Environmental Design.

Avery Wickes has been on El Diablo for multiple years as both a reporter and an art designer. She is responsible for all of the cover drawings! In the fall, she will attend Fort Lewis College.

Aspen Wyatt was a reporter for El Diablo for multiple years throughout high school. In the fall, she will be staying close to home and attending Fort Lewis College.

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eldiablonews.com 11

Politics in Durango LAUREN MCFARLANE

Reporter

While La Plata County is believed to be a mostly Republican county, it’s actually an even mix.

Statistics from the last presidential election show that 49.8% of La Plata County citizens voted for the Democratic party, and 40.4% voted Republican, making La Plata County a liberal leaning county.

“All three of our county commissioners are Democrats, so I definitely feel like there are more Democrats here…I feel like there’s a more Democratic presence in the school as well,” said conservative So. Tommy Pope.

With the upcoming presidential election, schoolwide politics are becoming more and more relevant.

“I would vote for Trump because the economy’s strong, we have the lowest unemployment rate in the history of the United States,” said Pope.

As of September 2019, unemployment rates in America dropped to 3.7 percent, a low that hasn’t been seen since the Nixon administration. While the Trump administration has strengthened the American economy, they haven’t hit economic peaks like the second quarter of 2014 during the Obama administration, according to an article from BBC. “It’s interesting to see how unemployment rates have gone down, but you kind of have to stand back and look at what the implications of that are. I don’t think he’s a good president. The divide that he’s caused in the United States is something that hasn’t really been seen before on that scale in modern times,” said democratic Jr. Sophie Schiavone.

Both Schiavone and Pope agreed that the nation was divided, but their reasonings differed. Pope felt that Washington was the issue but Schiavone felt that the world needed to come together and be more united.

“I think the nation is divided because Washington refuses to do anything. 75% of the votes the Senate took last year were pointed votes, the Senate does nothing,” said Pope.

“I think as a world we need to be together and more united. With the U.S being a place that has lots of resources, money and access to things that other countries don’t have, we need to be sharing that and supporting those who are much less fortunate,” said Schiavone.

As of the beginning of 2020, 300,000 jobs in the US were outsourced out of the US and the market size for glob-

12 June. 2020

al outsourcing reached $85.6 billion in 2018. The market has had rising and falling revenues since 2012 but recent trends show that it has been evening out as of late.

During his campaign, Trump coined the phrase ‘fake news’. It has since been controversial and heavily debated. Both Schiavone and Pope have varying opinions on the true meaning of the phrase.

“Mainstream media to me isn’t even journalism anymore, it’s 24 hour a day editorials. 30 years ago, the media would tell you the truth, they would present facts and you would form your own opinion. Now the media shows you an opinion and you have to deduce whether it’s a fact or not.I feel like CNN and NBC and ABC blows things out of proportion but I also feel like FOX does too. I think the media reports things before they have all the facts which leads to misrepresentation,” said Pope. Schiavone, however, felt that fake news could be used as an excuse for Trump’s behavior.

“The target that “fake news” is directed towards is CNN, which is a pretty middle ground politically skewed news source. Which is really interesting because they’re commenting on things that he’s said and he’s saying that whatever he said was misinterpreted,” said Schiavone.

Also controversial from Trump’s campaign was his slogan, ‘Make America Great Again’. It’s interpreted differently between the two parties and again Schiavone and Pope’s opinions differed.

“Saying ‘again’ means bringing it into the past, and when we look into the past US history and global history is filled with racism and sexism and homophobia.The direction we should be wanting to head is the future, not the past. We’re looking to progress as a country and a world, not to regress,” said Schiavone.Pope believes that ‘Make America Great Again’ means fighting for America in every aspect, socially and economically.

“I believe we need to fight for the American economy by bringing jobs back to America and outsourcing and things like that. He’s [Trump] definitely helped with that,” said Pope.

The upcoming presidential election has presented many interesting topics for Americans to consider and it will be interesting to follow as time goes on.

FEATURES

The Middle Class Dilemma How Covid-19 has affected the working class

ABBY BOWMAN ADELAIDE CADY

Reporters

The coronavirus struck the United States in the beginning of March, immediately closing down schools and businesses in every state. Panic started to spread as more people were hospitalized and dying. The initial concerns of this pandemic were of people’s health and safety, and to insure that people were staying home to stop the spread of the illness.

The state-issued stay at home bans required that everyone would not leave their homes, but without steady income, some families in America can’t afford food, rent, or any necessary utilities, as 78% of all U.S workers live paycheck to paycheck. This leaves many questions about what the families who are most affected by the disease are going to do, and how the country is going to deal with this big hit on the economy.

Since President Trump declared a national emergency, 22 million Ameircans have filed for unemployment.

“The cultural middle class–families making between $50,000 and $200,000 per year–see the hardest hit from the combination of liabilities forgiven or income guaranteed for others above and below them in the social strata,” said Seeking Alpha.

Those with jobs that rely on consumers to purchase goods and services are left with no jobs at all since people are afraid to leave their houses and have no extra money to spend.

However, a main focus of citizens is to feed their families, not to contribute to dying business.

“Several economists expect that by the end of the month, more than 20 million people will have been thrown out of work, pushing the unemployment rate toward 15 percent,” as quoted from the NewYork Times.

Many families who have lost their jobs share their story and The New York Times has shared some of them.

“Ms. Douglass, a casting producer and a wedding videographer, said her work started to dry up a few weeks earlier. Now nearly all of her spring gigs have been canceled,” said the New York Times. Ms. Douglas and her husband, and millions of Americans alike, have filed for unemployment but have lost more than 75% of their average income.

The government's attempt to assist those who have lost their jobs doesn’t help supply the income needs of most middle-class americans.

“Middle-class Americans are more likely to have to dip into retirement savings to

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weather the storm, less likely to be helped by government stimulus than those poorer or wealthier, and far less likely to benefit from restructuring debt the way that owners of property or businesses are,” said The New York Times.

The middle class is going to have to use retirement savings and other resources in order to be able to make it through the pandemic and the effects it will have on the economy, people’s employment and their incomes.

Upper class Americans have not been as severely impacted by this epidemic as the lower and middle class.

Lower class citizens are also getting enough assistance from the government to maintain themselves while quarantines.

“Congress passes another stimulus bill guaranteeing the income of those making under $50,000 per year and forgiving business debt for the wealthy, quelling some of the discontent swirling, but not all,” said The New York Times.

This leaves the middle class to struggle the most by the loss of jobs and the lack of assistance by the government and the aid they are distributing.

Americans considered to be in the upper middle class also have a much different experience. The people who have flexible jobs and can work from home have luxuries during this time that most of their fellow citizens do not.

“In New York, well-off city dwellers have abandoned cramped apartments for spacious second homes. In Texas, the rich are shelling out hundreds of thousands of dollars to build safe rooms and bunkers,” commented the Chicago Tribune.

During this time, it is much easier to see the divide of the rich and poor. Some of the US’s richer citizens can treat this time as a vacation and break from normal life, but the fact is that more than half of the people in America are struggling to keep their homes and to feed themselves. This does not mean good things for the future, especially if the situation worsens and average American families fall deeper into poverty.

Action needs to be taken by the government in order to help those who are struggling and suffering in this time crucial for Americans’ safety.

“The clock is ticking for the government to get a handle on the pandemic.” The middle class needs to be assured that the money and resources that they struggle to find will be made up for and that they won't be impacted by this in ten years,” said Seeking Alpha.

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Facing the Virus: First responders and health care workers battle against Covid-19 LELAND HEINECKE JAMIE HITTI

Reporters

The arrival of Covid-19 has challenged the global health care system and has put local healthcare to the test. At least 1.2 million people have been infected nationally; there are 20,157 cases in Colorado and 67 infections in la plata county, says the Sanjuan Basin Health Department. However, these numbers could be unrepresentative due to the lack of testing. It is obvious that health care systems and first responder centers are changing and becoming exceedingly overwhelmed.

In order to prepare for a large influx of patients due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Mercy Regional Medical Center evolved their format for emergency preparedness.

“Mercy has done many things to prepare for the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Firstly, Mercy has been using an incident command center structure based on emergency preparedness models to evaluate and execute plans to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Mercy has also developed internal surge capacity plans to accommodate increased patient numbers if needed. This work has included communication and coordination with our local health department as well as surrounding health care systems and providers,” said Dr. Chuck Salka, an Infectious Disease Specialist at Mercy Regional Medical Center.

Mercy has not been the only place to evolve their work environment according to the virus. The La Plata county Sheriff's office has had to make a few tweaks to their system in these times.

“We (Criminal Interdiction Unit) have come up with alternate scheduling, working from home, or riding in marked patrol units to be in the public eye as the sheriff requests,” said Operations commander, Captain Todd Hitti.

Not only are some employees working from home to prevent the spread of the virus but other employees practice new guidelines.

“When you will get out of a vehicle and contact people, you will be required to wear your PPE(95-Mask, eyewear, and gloves),” said Captain Hitti.

Although Durango’s location is geographically disconnected from areas where Coronavirus has hit hardest, its proximity to North Western New Mexico and the Navajo Nation makes our circumstances a little more precarious. In order to minimize the spread of the disease though the Four Corners Region, Mercy has been working with different states to address a comprehensive plan for protection.

“We have had to coordinate with a different state as well as our regional partners in health care. We have had to plan for this potential impact on our local health care resources as our communities are connected. Our geographic isolation also makes it

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2020

Image from PBS

more important for us to be able to provide the needed health care for our local population,” Dr. Salka said.

Due to our location, our town is somewhat isolated and doesn’t often have to change life dramatically.

“A lot of kids haven’t been through adversity and this pandemic is as adverse as it gets,” said Captain Hitti.

Supporting our health care workers and appreciating their work is a good way to keep things positive through these difficulties Health Care workers are amongst the most vulnerable to Covid-19 due to prolonged exposures to the virus. With the aim of protecting healthcare workers, the Community and Mercy have been working hard to provide Personal Protective Equipment.

“Appropriate use of PPE is imperative for the protection of healthcare workers. I would also like to acknowledge all the support of local volunteers in providing creative solutions to having the adequate PPE. This is much appreciated. I also want to let people know that healthcare workers are not only concerned about their own safety, but the safety of their family members and other folks they come in contact with. No one wants to spread this infection,” said Dr. Salka.

One of the most vital steps in protecting people from the virus and preventing the spread of Covid-19 is being able to track the virus. The task of tracking the virus is arduous, but can be made easier with relatively straightforward testing. Despite lacking enough testing, Dr. Salka remains optimistic.

“Follow the guidelines as best as possible. [High School students] are the ones as well as young adults that will make this community safer,” said Captain Hitti about a positive way that we can be active about the spread of the virus.

“Testing is improving and it is significantly better compared to a couple of months ago. I would like to see more information on the reliability of antibody testing and a standardized approach to its use. It is my opinion, that anyone who wants a PCR (nasal swab for genetic material of the virus) or antibody test (blood test to look for evidence of prior infection) should be able to get one, regardless of clinical criteria (if you have certain symptoms or you don't) and ability to pay” replied Salka.

A big shout out is deserved to the health care workers and first responders that are putting their health at risk to protect ours. As they do our part, we need to do our part to social distance, and be cautious of washing our hands, and wearing masks when needed.

“This craziness will go away soon enough but for now protect yourself, your friends and most of all loved ones,” Captain Hitti assured.

FEATURES

Danger on the Navajo Nation LAURA CLARK

Reporter

Thousands have tested positive, many have died, while others remain highly susceptible to develop Covid-19 in this already marginalized community. The Navajo Nation has been hit hard with coronavirus, making daily life increasingly more difficult and unsafe. With a lack of internet access, homes without running water, and many pre-existing health conditions, the population of the Navajo Nation faces a rough journey to regain normalcy.

While other states have begun to ease their restrictions, moving into the saferat-home status, members of the Navajo community must continue to peril with the impacts of the virus on their home. As the area with the third highest infection rate per capita following New York and New Jersey, the Navajo Nation further endures constraints to their daily lives.

DHS junior, Mirah Tulley describes how there are only 13 grocery stores and 6 hospitals on the Navajo reservation which spans across Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico.

This presents hardships for those in need of medical assistance and the entire community's food distribution.

Another challenge is a lack of internet access. Mirah adds that internet access is available in the major towns throughout the reservation, yet often the internet is slow.

Many who require internet access for online schooling or work continue to combat this difficulty.

“The Navajo Nation itself, the tribal government, has mandatory curfews for residents from 8pm to 5am at night as well as a curfew on the weekends from Friday evening to Monday morning,” says Dr. Stephen Bowers, who works at a Red Mesa clinic.

These curfews are being highly enforced, as local police have issued 274 citations during the past 57 hour weekend curfew. Families must continue at home, which poses its own struggles due to the remoteness of their location.

One of the issues that magnifies the spread of the virus lies in the closeness of the Navajo community itself.

“These are often multigenerational households living under one roof or living in close proximity to one another,” comments Dr. Bowers.

Within families, it is difficult to isolate sick members since there simply isn’t the space to do so. Thus far, the virus has tended to affect entire families at a time, resulting from widespread family intimacy.

While the reservation obtains a higher per capita infection rate than most of the US, there are some commonalities in the population of those being affected.

As in other states, the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions remain at high risk of infection.

As people across the country fear for the safety and health of those closest to them, especially those at high risk, Mirah too fears the impact and severity of the virus

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in the Navajo community on her family members.

“People are doing the best they can with whatever they have,” says Mirah.

“There are long standing health disparities among the American Indians that sadly are becoming more evident than ever because it’s these health disparities that make the population we serve much more susceptible to the virus and the more severe illnesses that this virus can cause.” Dr. Bowers explains.

To protect this community, information about the need for families to stay home and to send as few people out for necessities, as well as the recommendation to wear masks when in public has been distributed to keep this vulnerable community informed.

As the US itself is facing the highest unemployment rate since the late 1940s, the Navajo Nation too has been profoundly impacted. The spread has made a high unemployment rate in these communities even worse. Those that have been commuting to jobs now face restrictions on travel that have made continuing employment impossible. These trying circumstances pose a great economic barrier for the families of the Navajo community.

The inability to see family, low access to obtain essential needs, as well as those who are suffering from Covid-19 create a major burden for those of the Navajo Nation, yet there is hope for a vaccine and an end to this arduous time.

Image from Salt Lake Tribune

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Riverview Elementary students share their stories from quarantine

SONNI FRY

Riverview Reporter Educators are in crisis-mode teaching, so we, the students, get less work than we would if we were at school. This is nice since I can get done with all of my work by noon every day. Some other people have enjoyed the relaxed nature of homeschooling. Gwen Gallagher, a fourth grader at Riverview, enjoys being able to stay in her pajamas almost all day. Another good thing about homeschooling is that I get to spend more time with my family on a day to day basis. We have family game night almost every night of the week and have even discovered how to play games virtually via zoom with other families and friends. Many people have gotten into new hobbies during this time. I’ve started learning how to play piano by watching a lot of YouTube videos.

Unfortunately, I also know that for the kids that really appreciate learning, this can be really hard.

Being one of those kids who appreciates hard work, I find it really difficult to manage my time during these days since I finish my work so early. This means that I am sometimes bored and do not know what to do for the rest of the day when I would usually be at school. Another hard thing about homeschooling is that since we don’t want the virus to spread, we can’t see our friends while homeschooling, and Zooms are not all that great!

While there are advantages to homeschooling, I believe there are more advantages to actual in-person school. I miss seeing my friends. I miss my teacher and the creative things we typically do as a class. I don’t feel that I’m learning as much as I would on a regular basis.

My parents are both teachers, so they won’t let me take a break from school work until I’m finished every day. They’re driving me insane! Homeschooling is not all it’s cracked up to be and I can’t wait until we return to school and have fun with our friends.

16 June. 2020

ANNWYN AUSTIN

Riverview Reporter COVID-19 has made it so I have to learn at home. It is hard for a lot of students, teachers, and families. I am a fourth grader at Riverview Elementary school, and I have been forced to learn at home because of COVID-19. Learning at home is difficult for students because there are too many distractions, it’s not as fun, and you miss everyday activities in school and afterschool. My life has changed because of COVID-19, and I miss the way it was.

One of the bad things about learning at home is getting distracted.

Being at home with siblings, parents, and pets, can make it so you don’t get work done. My mom is a loud elementary school teacher, who is online all day doing Zoom meetings. This makes the house very loud, when I am trying to do my school work, and it hard to focus. Another very distracting thing is technology. I get wrapped up in shows like “High School Musical”, “Phineas and Ferb”, or “Suite Life of Zack and Cody”. Video games also take away my focus like Papa’s Sushiria, Harry Potter Hogwarts Mystery or Minecraft.

Technology can be distracting when you are bored with your school work and you have nothing to do. I have to remember I need to do my school work. Toys and games can also be distracting. I love going off and playing with my American Girl Dolls or Orbeez instead of doing school. They can be distracting when I am bored. Toys and games make my life fun because when I am on technology all day I need a break. We all have distractions in our life and that's okay, we just need to remember to stay focused as much as we can.

There were so many things that made my life fun before COVID-19 that I miss now that I am learning from home. I miss my friends and being able to see them and learn with them. I loved playing with my friends, but now I can’t see them because of COVID-19. It is great when I can invite a friend over to play afterschool, and I wish I could still see them. I also miss birthday parties in school, especially treats like cupcakes and cookies. I miss the times when my friends and I could hang out as a group at recess. I wish I could throw a party and hang-out with all my friends and COVID-19 would be over. I really miss my after school activities too. I loved going to do my after school activities like swimming, biking, and fencing. I miss biking and swimming because I could make new friends. I like trying new things and having new kids join in games with me at recess and my after school activities. I am sad that I cannot do these things right now, but when I get through this, I will have so much fun doing these things again and will be so thankful.

I miss so much about going to Riverview. I miss recess because it helps me stay active and gets my energy out. I am used to having two recesses a day and one P.E a week; getting physical activity with my friends is important for a kid my age. I miss having lunch everyday with my friends. It was nice to have a certain time to eat lunch together; now I eat whenever I want and I sometimes even forget to eat lunch! It was nice to have a time where I could just eat and talk to my friends. I miss my teachers so much! They helped me when I had a question and it's hard now that I can’t get their help. My teachers are so awesome.

I bet it is a lot harder for them to make the lessons online for us then it is for us to do the work. When this is over I cannot wait to see my teachers again.

FEATURES

LOOKING AHEAD:

What is in store for the district budget?

LAUREN MCFARLANE

Features Editor

Photo from Durango Herald

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The budget for Durango 9R in the 20-21 school year will look much different than last year. To provide some background, Chief Financial Officer Samantha Gallagher explains, “The state has a formula that they use to say how much money we get per pupil. We get most of the money from the formula from the state directly.” She explained that the rest of the money comes from property taxes that people pay on their homes and from commercial business. “We also get about 2.5 million dollars from specific ownership taxes from people who buy cars and register them in La Plata county.” superintendent Dan Snowberger said. Those three sources make up the total budget for the district per student.

According to Gallagher, “state agencies have been told to plan for a 20% reduction of their allocation. For most other districts in our state it’s likely that there will be a 10% reduction. We need to plan for more, but 10% is probably where we’re going to end.” A 10% reduction means a $1.1 million reduction in budget. Gallagher also said that in the worst case scenario, the district should be prepared for a 20% reduction, which would be about an $11 million cut depending on the district’s expense levels.

The areas of the district most likely to be hit the hardest, according to Snowberger, are the possible staff reductions. “From our central office, we’ve cut 14 positions, that’s $1.2 million dollar of expenditures that we’ve already achieved, we’re still looking at some additional positions.” Snowberger said that for DHS specifically, Mr. Hoerl

doesn’t want to cut a program like the Woodshop or the Agricultural program, so he’d rather increase class sizes. However, with the possible threat of COVID-19 in schools and classrooms, increasing class sizes may not be an option. If the district had to follow social distancing guidelines, there would be no more than 14 students on average in a classroom. According to Snowberger, they are preparing three potential options for students to return to schools.

A traditional model where students attend school Monday through Friday. A blended model meaning some students attend school Monday and Tuesday while others attend Thursday and Friday, in addition to both groups doing schoolwork at home. A home-based learning program, which would be very similar to the last quarter of the 19-20 school year.

Shere Byrd, the president of the school board has some long term concerns about these cuts because of the Tabor Amendment. “The Tabor Amendment says that iin Colorado when the state budget goes down, you can’t pass taxes without public approval to get your budget back to where you were last year for example. Let’s say we drop 20% this year, we will stay at that level until we gradually increase back up so the concern from me is that this isn’t just going to be a one-year problem, it’s going to be a long term problem because of the Tabor Amendment.” Snowberger shares these concerns as well, explaining that it took them about 10 years to recover from the effects of the 2008 recession. The board has $5.6 million in reserves. Snowberger hopes to spend these funds in small increments over the next 10 years while the district continues to grow back to their regular operational revenue.

Along with staff reductions across the district, Snowberger said they are looking into cuts to curriculum and discretionary budgets, meaning the funds in those budgets could reduce 5-10%.

The district is planning to finalize the budget at the close of the school year, which is unusual in Colorado and due to COVID-19 restrictions. “I worry about public education being sustainable for our students and for our families if something doesn’t happen.” said Snowberger.

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A nationwide uprising against systemic racism reaches Durango

LAUREN MCFARLANE

Reporter

CHLOE RAGSDALE

Head Editor

May 25 marked the beginning of a modern revolution, one that is significantly different than ever before seen in our history. George Floyd’s unjust and unnecessary death has seemingly been the spark that has ignited a nationwide, even worldwide, action against systemic racism that is so present in the law enforcement system in the United States. Millions around the world are beginning to unite despite differences in race, gender, religion, or region to fight against the forces of evil that are still so present in our society. To join the battle against racism and discrimintion, you can partcipate in rallies, sign petitions like those on Change.org, or donate to organizations fighting for justice. In these trying times, it is extremely important to remember to speak your mind against discriminatory forces. Silence is the equivalent of oppression - action is the equivalent of change.

18 June 2020

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Kaitlyn Bennett: the millennial bad apple

MADDY GLEASON

Head Editor

An American woman, infamous for her offensive interviews and extreme political notions. You may have seen her jaw-dropping interviews around various social media platforms; you also might have heard that she defecated herself at a frat party. It’s Kaitlin Bennett - extreme gun rights advocate and ardent disputent of women’s healthcare rights.

In the past few months, Bennett’s extreme sentiments have surfaced on platforms like Tiktok, twitter, and have recently made the news.

Bennett is a 2018 graduate of Kent State University, and takes to college campuses to interview, or rather forcefully interrogate, students regarding their opinions on abortion, gun rights, transgender issues, and other similar topics. The gun-slinging internet pariah owns Liberty Hangout, an online organization dedicated to promoting extreme, and frankly dauntingly conservate libertarian ideals.

When Bennett approaches someone of contrasting opinion, she adopts an accusatory tone of voice and claims that their opinion is “not an argument,” or that the opinion is “disgusting.”

That’s not to say that those who argue with her are completely respectful, though.

Many passing college students stop to confront her about her blasphemous ideals and do not always do so very amicably. In fact, a crowd favorite is to bluntly ask her if she defecated herself at a college fraternity party. This is in fact true, but unfortunately, not always relevant.

So while those opposing her could employ a more professional attitude, they are not the problem. Instead, it lies with her constant disrespect and close-minded methods used to attempt to forcefully change the minds of those around her.

When Bennett engages with an interview subject, she typically selects those who either confront her, or, the common alternative, those who appear more liberal, or ‘communist,’ as she likes to label them, based on their dress or physical appearance, which is a problem within itself to hand-pick subjects with the sole intention of berating them for

20 June 2020

differing views.

Engaging in an amicable and productive conversation about politics is a very healthy activity; it can open minds and broaden horizons of the individuals involved. The issue I take with Bennett is her immediate disrespect to those who attend a LGBTQ+ rally, protest access to semi-automatic weapons, or participate in similar activities.

It’s especially concerning that Bennett selects settings for her interviews that she knows will instill an offense to her presence. She attends Gay Pride Parades and pesters the attendees with questions, implying that transgender or gender-fliud individuals are predators. She struts around college campuses in a Native American costume to see if anyone will take offense. She insults her interviewees for being homosexuals and calls them commies. She confronts a 5-year-old girl about the criminality of abortion. The list goes on.

Lucky for us, the list of people that tolerate her is something that does not go on.

Seen in her popular videos, her interviewees are fed up with her BS, and at least in my opinion, emerge victorious because they are able to talk to Bennett without smacking her with their protest signs.

So while Bennett’s methods are incredibly belittling and frustrating to watch, she has a right to her opinions and a right to interview whoever she wants - it’s unfortunate, but it’s not going to change.

So if you see Bennett in her bright orange truck or strutting through your town, you might want to avoid her. But if you’re feeling particularly argumentative, approach her, but don’t expect her to treat you like a human being. And watch out - she carries.

EDITORIALS

CHLOE RAGSDALE

Head Editor

After entering the school for the first time since March 13, I was overcome with a surreal feeling, one where I wasn’t sure if this was actually my reality, or better yet, what had happened to my reality. I walked along the vacant hallways, the only student in the chamber which was meant to hold hundreds, taking in the eerie silence, the eerie emptiness that swallowed me up. It was almost like a crime scene, scatters of old textbooks and athletic bags strewn across the cafeteria and library like pieces of evidence, not to be touched for the threat of contamination.

It was then, after pushing through those front doors which I so greatly missed, that I was punctured with that void of surrealism. What had happened to our world?

My world? The world where I reluctantly woke up at 7 am, hurried to school amongst the bustling traffic, pried my eyes open through my seven classes only to come home exhausted and attempt to finish the mounds of homework that seemingly grew every night. The world where I had endless conversations with my friends and peers, and laughed with them without a care in the world; where I could hug them and walk near them, share food and stories as easily as our conversations flowed. I left the school missing all these feelings, some of which I had just dreamed of being over: the feeling of waking up early, of picking out my daily outfits, of bustling between each class, of being so completely overwhelmed with schoolwork that I didn’t even know where to begin.

And I began to wonder how and why I was missing these things, these feelings that so tormented me throughout the last year, these feelings that I can’t even begin to remember what they were like. The feelings of normalcy.

The state of our world today is unlike anyone in our lifetimes has ever witnessed. The new terms of “social distancing” and “self-isolation” have become our new ways of life, our new rulebooks of which define our existence. Our new feelings of normalcy, so to say.

With summer fast approaching, our old sense of normalcy is somewhat creeping back into our lives, and with it, the tantalizing future of this new disease.

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The surrealism of quarantine: What’s next?

Colorado has apparently reached its peak in Covid-19 cases, which was supposedly April 21 according to Mira. This should be taken as a positive indication of where our state, our country, and hopefully our world is headed. But personally, as I’m sure many have struggled with, all I feel is a sense of bitterness and unruly negativity towards any mention of the disease at all.

The sign of peak cases in Colorado signifies a decrease in the severity of the disease, but it also signifies the end of the first wave of Covid-19’s reign across the country.

According to Robert Redfield, the director of Centers for DIsease Control and Prevention, the second socalled wave of the coronavirus is sure to hit much harder, as it will not only be rebounding from the millions who’ve abandoned social distancing practices during the summer months, but will also pair with the flu to create a potentially deadly situation for many.

The abandonment of social distancing practices during these summer months and seemingly unpreventable, as the warm weather and ability to return to some sort of normalcy is highly attractive to the masses.

Perhaps just as important as the physical health of our populations is the mental and emotional health, something that without a doubt comes from in-person contact. Something as simple as a hug has never felt so good, so needed, after the first few months of self-quarantine, where the only people you could see were the ones within your house.

In the scope of what’s to change after living in quarantine, social behaviors and mentalities are high on the list, and is ultimately terrifying how much this will affect the younger generations.

Children in elementary schools and younger need physical contact and in-person learning to foster their abilities to be actual human beings; to possess empathy, kindness; to deal with conflict and to make new friends; all things that are absent in a home environment.

For the general population, the social distancing measures will perhaps scar their ability to return to social normalcy. Hugging, holding and shaking hands, entering a building without a mask - these are all terms that have been ingrained into our minds and make us flinch when seeing a friend on the street and realizing we can’t go within six feet of them, let alone hug them.

I fear for the fate of our world in these upcoming years. I fear for the cities and the schools and the feeling of normalcy that we have all left behind in the past months. I fear for the loss of optimism and positivity that many may find if and when the second wave hits.

But I also believe in the power of humanity to change the circumstances that we have fallen ill to; the ability to adapt, the ability to survive. The ability to persist is in our human nature, and I truly believe that we will persist, we will stay strong, and we will come out of this a changed, but somewhat normal human world.

eldiablonews.com 21

Marking the end of spring sports:

A high school and professional finale

Image by Corbin Miller GEORGIA LANDERYOU

Reporter

COVID-19 has changed our everyday lives significantly and has affected everyone in different ways. Similar to most activities and events, COVID-19 is detrimental for spring sports in high schools across the world. Previous to the Coronavirus outbreak, spring sports at Durango High School were just beginning. Athletes participating in tennis, baseball, lacrosse, track, softball, golf, and girls soccer only practiced for one week before all spring sports seasons were cancelled. Spring sport athletes waited all year to partake in their sports and unfortunately were robbed of their opportunities due to COVID-19.

“We didn’t even get to figure out the final roster for the soccer season. There were still people that didn’t know which team they were on,” said Jr. Maddy McManus.

Sports are a huge part of the culture at Durango High School. A large percentage of students at Durango High School partake in various sports. Being stripped of the opportunity to play sports has been challenging for many athletes.

“I was really looking forward to playing baseball this season. I made the varsity team and was excited to play with the older guys and learn from the seniors. The baseball team was going to be really good this year, too, so I am disappointed that we don’t get to have a season,” said Soph. Cassidy Maloney.

It is an honor and privilege to be able to represent Durango High School through playing sports. For some students, being able to play sports for their highschool is the highlight of their year. COVID-19 took these athletes by storm.

“I always look forward to the spring because it’s when I get to play golf. I love everyone on the team and am so sad we can’t play this season. Golf season is definitely the best part of the year for me,” said Jr. Abbey Hunt.

Durango is considered a very athletic and motivated town. Most people who live here partake in some sort of sport or activity, including the students at Durango High School. With all sports cancelled and public gyms closed, many athletes are having trouble with finding ways to stay in shape.

“One of the main reasons I run track is so I can stay in shape. I also have a lot of fun and love the team. It’s hard to stay motivated during this time. I wish we still had a season,” said Jr. Brenna Wolf.

COVID-19 has also impacted the future of many athletes at DHS. Athletes trying to partake in their sport at the collegiate level are experiencing a unique obstacle. It is

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June 2020

hard to be recognized by college coaches and recruiters when you cannot display your skills.

“I want to try to play soccer in college. I have worked for this since I was little. It’s scary to think that I won’t be able to pursue soccer. I wasn’t able to play this season and show college coaches what I can do. All recruitment camps have also been cancelled this summer. It really does suck,” said Jr. Cameron Kelly.

COVID-19 has not only affected athletes hoping to pursue their sport in college, but has also affected graduating athletes supposed to participate in college sports this fall.

Life in the fall is still undetermined and many colleges have already declared they will have an online fall semester. This could be very unfortunate for soon to be collegiate athletes.

“I signed to play soccer at Arizona State and am really excited. The fact that I might not be able to play my freshman season is really sad. I’ve worked my whole life for this and to think it can be taken away like this sucks. I can only hope they let us have a season,” said Sr. Jael Larson.

Athletes aren’t the only ones saddened by the cancellation of spring sports. Many coaches are grieving the loss of their season as well.

“I feel as though I put in the work for pre-season, preparing and building some kind of relationships with the players, to have a pretty good inaugural season, especially given the athletes and talent at DHS this year. Then the day after tryouts (the hardest part), just as we were about to get into the fun of it... it got cancelled,” said girls’ head soccer coach, Mellissa Halonen.

Coronavirus has taken the world by surprise and changed our lives significantly.

Like many other people, the athletes and coaches at DHS have been greatly impacted by the outbreak. However, we cannot change our circumstances and must cope with the loss of our spring sports season.

“Knowing what some families and people are going through, losing jobs and loved ones due to this pandemic, I feel lucky and am grateful that this is all I’m grieving at this point. I have been amazed with how these student-athletes have handled this whole thing. They are resilient. I cannot wait for next year when we can be on the field together again and just be able to play,” said Halonen.

Athletes and coaches can only look at the seasons to come and think positively about the future. We must make the best of COVID-19.

SPORTS

LEAH WESLEY

Reporter

Since the beginning of 2020, we have all watched the year go downhill, whether it was the Australian bushfires or the death of Kobe Bryant. But the biggest concern we all have faced so far is the major outbreak of the COVID-19 virus. This sickness has created a variety of problems including the cancellation of many of the sports events we have all been looking forward to. As the coronavirus spreads globally, it has left a major impact on many of the sports we know and love.

The World Health Organization declared a pandemic on Wednesday, March 11. There are more than 600,000 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus across the United States. All spring sports, most notably baseball, tennis and track and field, have been canceled as well.

Although March Madness has taken place since 1939, the NCAA has made their final decision as of Wednesday, March 11 to cancel the men and women’s Division I basketball tournament due to concerns about the global spread of the coronavirus.

The National Basketball Association said on March 11 that it was suspending the season until further notice after a Utah Jazz player tested positive for the virus. This decision was made in the best interest of the public due to the fact that hosting such large events would greatly contribute to the spread of the pandemic. Even though we will miss rallying for our favorite college teams and filling out March Madness pools, we will always have next year to look forward to, hopefully.

The famously known division 1 baseball college world series that has taken place in Omaha, Nebraska since 1950 has also been canceled. On March 12, a tweet by the

NCAA announced the cancellation of the 2020 College World Series in an effort to prevent further spread of the coronavirus. The NCAA also announced that they will continue the event in the summer of 2021. Even though the college world series isn’t until June, the event has officially been canceled this year.

The most significant sporting event that has been affected by the virus that was due to take place in Japan this summer was the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The International Olympic Committee and Japan's Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, have postponed the event to next year, where it will now take place from July 23 to August 8, 2021.

The world athletics championship, which is a biennial athletics competition organized

by World Athletics (formerly IAAF), had been scheduled to take place in Oregon in August 2021, but on April 8th, the IAAF has made the final decision to reschedule the event to July 2022 to avoid clashing with the rescheduled Olympic Games.

The International Tennis Federation stated that nearly 900 tournaments across the U.S. had been postponed. The Federation Cup, which is the World Cup of Tennis has been postponed. This high-profile tournament was supposed to have taken place in Budapest in April. On April 1, the All England Club had announced that the 2020 Wimbledon tennis championships have been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The National Hockey League, primarily based in the US has suspended its season indefinitely on March 12.

Most winter sports championships have been canceled. The women's world ice hockey championships in Canada were canceled. The Ice Hockey World Championship scheduled for Switzerland in May were canceled. And the March 16-22 world figure skating championships in Montreal were canceled.

Image fromScroll.in

SPORTS

eldiablonews.com23

Life of a sports fan:

Farewell to high school sports

STEVI CAMERON

Sports Editor

Realizing it is the end of a school year is quite a bit harder to grasp this year, as everyone is moving on and feeling like they have left something behind. We have struggled through exams and homework, planning for our future, writing a multitude of essays, and finally ending the year with the discomfort and ineffectual online learning process. And yet the trees seem greener than ever.

Because this is a sports column, I won’t spend too much time lamenting the other areas of our life that we missed out on, but I would like to add positivity to this because I think that it is something that everybody needs at the moment. The last few months took their toll on everyone in different ways, and while some had it harder than others, students, and especially seniors, felt a tsunami of loss. Not to sound like a broken record, but I hope that every senior knows that they are not alone in these feelings. All of us feel the bitterness of such a disappointing end to the twelve years of school we have shared and many of the relationships we have built since kindergarten.

You are not alone in feeling devastated.

As for those in spring sports, this has an even bigger impact. Many seniors have been anticipating the senior year of their spring sport since they were freshmen or even younger. Whether you just couldn’t wait for the first time you could play your senior walk-up song in baseball or to be recognized in front of a crowd at the Ron Keller home track meet, this sent many in mourning and nothing could make up for missing something as important as that. As a lover of sports and an athlete myself, the weight of this feels miserable.

However, no matter what, find a way in your future to keep playing, running, and doing what you love. If you aren’t continuing your sport at a collegiate level, then join a recreational league, start doing some pick-up games of soccer, run with a club, or your friends, but don’t stop being an athlete just because you have moved on from high school.

At some point, we have to realize that this is out of our control and must find a positive outlook, and so, once my initial grief had passed, it allowed me more time to remember all of the experiences I have had over the last four years and beyond. For me, it was incredibly helpful for my mental health to reminisce on the good times, appreciate the times that were tough but shaped me as a person, and amaze myself with how much I have grown as a person. We all grew immensely over the last four years. In the end, you just have to realize that it is all about the journey rather than the destination and the views never cease to be magical along the way.

On that note, I have been reflecting on the sports that I have done throughout high school and how they have impacted me as a person. I ran on the cross country team in the fall, was on the ski team during the winter, and came out for track in the spring because doing these sports served as my outlet after a hard day of school and yet still made me feel like I was a part of something important.

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June 2020

Stevi Cameron and Claudi Luthy on ski team

SPORTS

Rebecca Bowers, Chloe Ragsdale, and Stevi Cameron in cross country

SPORTS

The sports I have participated in played a major role in my high school career and I will always cherish the good memories I have made. Just to name a few, I loved traveling with my team to a variety of places from beautiful mountain-tops to a patches of shrubbery on the side of a swampy golf course, struggling through brutal workouts to earn a popsicle or some chocolate milk, and making some of the very best friends I have. My favorite memory from this year? Not an easy question but after much thought, I found the one: We have all been a freshman on the team once, and I still remember how intimidated I was on the first day of practice and my terror at my first race day, and yet something else I still remember clearly is each of the seniors that I looked up to. There were seniors who I greatly admired for their athletic abilities, seniors who took me under their wing for no reason at all but to make me feel comfortable, and seniors who went to great lengths to show me such kindness and love that I completely idolized them even when they had graduated and left.

Much of my high school career I spent trying to live up to the standards these seniors set, thinking, what would this senior do? I learned so much from them, like how a leader is not necessarily the fastest, the smartest, or the loudest, but rather the one who goes out of their way to make their peers feel important and genuinely cares about the people around them. Therefore, I will never forget the moment I realized this year as a senior that I had become someone that the freshman looked up to. It made me feel so incredibly special that I could make the same positive influence on this year's freshman as the seniors did when I was a freshman. Through the course of this year, from cross country to ski team to student council, I loved being the shoulder that someone could lean on, someone they trusted enough to come to for advice, and the encouragement they might have needed to be brave when facing the challenges within academics, sports, and their social life. When the moment came that I felt the freshmen loved me back equally, it was the best feeling in the world. Knowing that each year we are in a cycle and that one day, these freshmen that made my senior year so special will influence and lead their own group of freshmen in the right direction, gives me so much hope. This realization gave my senior sports year more meaning than anything else, and is something that will stick with me far beyond high school.

So, even though your year as a senior may have passed, or if you are a freshman, sophomore, or junior, remember that you have a chance to impact someone on your team and be the person they look up to. They can be younger or older, but it is up to us as athletes and teammates to create this positive culture around our sports. This is what makes high school sports so special.

It does not take much to spread positivity and maintain kindness, yet the effect is more profound than one can imagine. No matter what you are doing next year in the realm of sports, you have the ability to make it mean something.

Congrats on finishing another year!

Rebecca Bowers,Stevi Cameron, and Kelly Rottman in cross country

eldiablonews.com 25

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ARTS & LIT

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ARTS & LIT

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eldiablonews.com 27

Durango’s restaurant scene: What to look for this summer LAURA CLARK

Reporter

While some eat to live, others live to eat. America is often known for its food scene, providing world-class cuisine that people come to enjoy from all over the world. Whether it’s fine dining or food from a food truck, people demand quality service and cuisine to keep them coming back for more.

Durango is considered to be a food bubble with an excess of types of food that are easily accessible, ranging from Mexican food to locally grown food to table style food. Some may say that Durango lacks a full variety of food types that other cities enjoy.

A determining factor of the lack of diversity in the cuisine is Durango’s seemingly sheltered location. Durango is surrounded by farmland creating the opportunity for ranchers and farmers to produce items such as lamb and fresh produce that can be seen in dining around Durango. We also border New Mexico and are located in the Southwest, increasing the Mexican influence in our area.

Some examples of Durango’s plethora of Mexican influenced restaurants include sit-down styles such as Tequila’s and Tacos Nayarit Restaurant, and take out restaurants like Zia Taqueria and Nini’s, just to name a few. We are also lucky to have locally sourced beef, poultry, and lamb. A majority of the world’s lamb is produced in Colorado and local ranches including James Ranch, which allows those in Durango to acquire lamb of the highest quality.

Yet when considering location, one must also take into account Durango’s rural inland geography that doesn’t provide easy access to many types of foods. Most prominently, Durango has a scarcity of restaurants that provide fresh seafood options.

There is also an absence of authentic Chinese, Greek, and Indian cuisine throughout the Durango restaurant scene.

Another factor that affects Durango’s cuisine scene is tourism. To be a successful restaurant in the Durango area, it is pertinent to have a unique atmosphere, excellent food, and something that can both attract tourists and locals alike. One of the

28 June 2020

challenges of restaurant prosperity is that often, food establishments in this area make a majority of their money exclusively in the summer months.

Some have been able to find little niches such as Doughworks, which catches the skiing crowd in the winter or Steamworks, which brews local beers that cannot be found anywhere else.

While it is important to cater to local tastes, Durango restaurants must focus on food that will bring tourists to our area as it is necessary to fund the local economy. Our town relies on revenue from these restaurants, which unfortunately limits the options for the local population. This includes many chain restaurants. Tourists visit for a purely unique experience in our mountain town and would prefer to encounter local cuisine rather than eat what they could have had in their hometown.

On the flip side, there is not a shortage of food establishments and grocery stores that motivate healthy eating patterns. Even though the rest of America is known for its increasing obesity rates, Colorado has remained the least obese state in the nation since 1995, and Durango is no exception.

From the many grocery stores such as Nature’s Oasis and Natural Grocers, to our summer farmers market and local restaurants that serve locally sourced food, Durango provides the opportunity for healthy eating.

So while Durango lacks a fully diverse food scene, it contains local favorites that bring people from around the country and world to experience. For a small town, there are a variety of restaurants to keep locals interested, yet could be improved to expand the local food bubble.

Photos by Laura Clark

ARTS & LIT

The film of the year:

Parasite

CARSON DELLINGER

Reporter

기생충, better known as Parasite in the US, was a worldwide success. It swept the Academy Awards, winning 4 out of its 6 nominations, including Best Picture, directing, foreign film, and original screenplay, and won the Palme d'Or award at the Cannes Film Festival. Parasite’s deeply personal story seamlessly covers issues of poverty, family, and loss, all while combining elements of horror and humor in order to portray this message.

The film begins with an impoverished man named Kim Ki-woo, who gets a job tutoring the Park family's daughter, who are much wealthier than the Kims. The plot, in short, follows the Kim family as they form a very strange relationship with the wealthy Park family. As the movie progresses, it morphs into almost every genre you can think of, flawlessly transitioning from comedy to thriller to crime, horror, and romance without missing a beat. While maintaining realism, the plot feels like a dream turned nightmare.

Renowned director Bong Joon-Ho combines graceful music, amazing acting, and

ARTS & LIT

beautiful shot cinematography to convey the story in a classic “show-don’t-tell” style.

The divide between upper and lower class, specifically in South Korea, is shown in all of it’s morally-ambiguous glory. Joon-Ho uses many different methods to display this disconnect between the rich and the poor, and the message is clearly stated in the final moments of the film hitting you like a punch to the gut; the poor are stuck where they are, unable to rise above their situation no matter how hard they try.

This story seemingly has no good guy. Everyone is just there, being human. It’s relatable, believable, funny, and heartbreaking. It’s everything you could ask for in a movie, no matter what kind of story you like. This movie has already risen to the ranks of “The Godfather'' and “Citizen Kane” in some people's eyes, and for good reason.

Any film that leaves you mulling over it days after you view it deserves recognition for that, and Parasite is most definitely one of those movies. This is Bong Joon-Ho’s masterclass in filmmaking, and he knocked it out of the park.

eldiablonews.com29

Aries (21 March - 20 April): Your summer will go one of two ways: Either you’ll end the school year on a high note and then plummet into a contrasting lull of boredom and restlessness that will frustrate you through June, July and August OR you’ll end the year on a high note, put some effort into making plans, reaching out to friends, finding things you care about and your summer can be the dynamic duo of fun and productivity.

Taurus (21 April - May 20): Sometimes you’re wrong. Sometimes you get knocked down. Sometimes you’re only second best. Early this summer, you won’t get something you want, no matter how hard you try and it may come as a surprise.

Rather than let yourself get stuck on this one thing, whether it’s a job, a trophy, a title, a win, a word, let it go and take a lesson instead.

Sometimes you have to give in and move on.

Leo (23 July - 23 August): This is your summer for second chances.

Apologizing doesn’t come easy to you, and neither does forgiveness.

Maybe you’ve already messed up or maybe your screw-up will come in May or June. Either way, the sun will shed light on the issue, the water will wash it away and the salt and sand of the summer will give you the grit you need to move on.

Virgo (24 August - 23 September): The end of anything can be the hardest part. Conclusions are hard to write, finales have high standards, running the last mile of a race you can barely breathe. You will have to create an ending this summer. You can’t just stand on the sidelines and watch this bittersweet conclusion, rather you will take the wheel for the final leg of some journey; hopefully you will have what it takes to steer safely.

Libra (24 September - 23 October): By the end of the summer, you’ll be in a very different place from where you started, and you’ll have been a lot of places along the way. You’ll see challenge after challenge and reap reward after reward. You may start to think you have everything figured out, but in a month the world will have shifted beneath you once again. You may be going from job to job, or place to place, or goal to goal. And along the way, you may change as well.

Sagittarius (23 November - 22 December): Just as the summer starts to wind down in August, you’ll reach abrupt new levels of clarity. Maybe you’ll realize the lifeguard you’ve been flirting with all month is actually a huge douchebag, or that the sound your car has been making for weeks isn’t something rattling around in the trunk, but rather a thousand-dollar repair waiting to happen. Enjoy that clarity, and use it.

Capricorn (23 December - 20 January): Somebody will want to understand you this summer; they will try to break through your stoic shell, they will convince you to rely on them, they will not tamper your ambition, they will complement it.

Your instinct might be to push them away, to maintain your cool head, to stand on the edge of the water and take a step back when the foamy waves approach. This time, consider dipping a toe in.

Aquarius (21 January - 19 February): In August, you’re going to lose something you really care about. It may be something sentimental, like your grandmother’s antique earrings, or something more embarrassing, like your dignity. There’s nothing you can do to prevent this loss, but you can control how you react to it.

30 June 2020

Gemini (21 May - 21 June): This is the summer to expand your network. You’ll be getting a lot of attention as the days warm, and if you capitalize on it, you can make some long-lasting friendships, valuable connections, maybe a fun enemy or two and, if it’s what you’re looking for, a summer fling doesn’t seem out of the question.

Cancer (22 June - 22 July): Cancers are kind of like the ultimate middle child. Sandwiched between argumentative Gemini and attention-seeking Leo, ruling over the doldrums of the summer, subscribing to loyalty and agreeableness, it’s easy to feel ignored and underappreciated. However, this summer something big is going to change for you in mid-July. It may be good or bad.

Scorpio (24 October - 22 November): This is your romance-novel summer.

You may not fall in love, you may not even meet anyone cute, but just like every good summer romance takes place in the beach, surrounded by people you can only possibly know during the summer, you’ll spend these months similarly isolated from the rest of the year. It may be you don’t see your school friends, maybe you’re in an intense internship or traveling to Europe.

Pisces (20 February - 20 March): Normally it’s really easy for you to get on everyone else’s level; you understand, you relate, you communicate, you listen. Mid-way through the summer, you’ll be forced to reconsider all this. As you get into a funk, it’ll be harder for you to empathize like normal, and you’ll need to turn to other methods of understanding. Read books, listen to music, and try to look at people in ways that you never have before.

LIFESTYLES

How to stay healthy during quarantine CHLOE BOWEN

Reporter

A s d ’ v n o o

How do I stay sane during quarantine?

This is probably not even possible to be completely honest. The endless hours that accompany periods in quarantine are ultimately depressing and hard to go through alone - however, they also bring the possibility of productivity and bettering yourself. I know that everyone has had their struggles with being producive during quarantine, but once you can get to that efficient streak, everything seems possible. There are boundless opportunities for exercising, reading, writing, watching a new movie, do a puzzle, learn a TikTok dance, or just create an entirely new passtime. Taking a break from the people in your household is equally important as staying somewhat busy. Especially for the betterment of one’s mental health, taking a walk, going to the river, or just going out on a drive around town is almost essential in order to stay sane.

Sometimes just going out for a breath of fresh air can make all the difference. And remember to always wear a mask when going in a store or restaurant!

e ca t

Dem

With the recent outbreak of Covid-19 and the government issued stay at home order, things are beginning to become a little more difficult as we approach three months in self-isolation.

According to the American Psychological Association, social isolation can cause depression, lack of sleep, and difficulty with everyday functions, most of which are caused by having nothing to do.

Currently, many students in Durango are having trouble finding things to do and find themselves spending way too much time on electronics trying to pass the time.

Out of 80 students on El Diablo’s Instagram, 70 of them admitted to spending endless nights and days binge-watching Netflix, playing video games, and scrolling through feeds of never-ending content.

“Something that has been difficult for me is maintaining my grades and staying organized enough to get my work done. One way I have dealt with this is just by completely turning off my phone and other distractions. I even deleted Tik Tok for a bit because I was spending too much time on it,” said So. Libby Chen.

Because using and entertaining yourself through the distraction of the media is mindlessly easy, it is important to stay productive and active during quarantine by finding other things to preoccupy the time. There are many ways to do this, even though at the moment it may seem like our options are slim.

According to a recent poll on El Diablo Instagram, the best thing you can do to stay

active is to get outside and get some fresh air.

Although the stay at home order suggests we don’t leave our homes, getting outside by going on a hike, biking, or even laying out in the sunshine is a great way to get some Vitamin-D while also social distancing and leaving the luminescent light of our electronic screens.

“To pass the time productively, I have been running with my dog, playing tennis, baking, practicing instruments, and spending time with family,” said So. Ellie Clark.

Although staying active is important and a well-known necessity for staying in shape, our mental health is equally salient and something to consider while in isolation.

As stated by Mental Health America, being separated from colleagues, family, and friends may trigger feelings of loneliness, anxiety, anger, restlessness, and even stress.

Keeping busy and finding other things to think about is a great way to overcome unwanted feelings. Some options are to do some much-needed cleaning, read a book, learn to cook, knit, or find a new hobby.

“I’ve been going on walks and working out just trying to make sure I do something active every day to stay busy so I’m not doing nothing,” said Fr. Morgan Holley.

Even though social distancing advocates we keep our distance from people, another way to help stay mentally sound of mind is to stay in touch with friends and family and keep those important connections going.

“A tip I would share with the student body is to stay in touch with your friends as much as possible without being in contact with them! Quarantine has had a ton of effect on our mental health and even a facetime call can help a lot,” said Chen.

If this continues into fall, what should I do?

If you haven’t already, find a therapist. Having someone to talk to is very beneficial during these times, even if its just a friend or a counselor from school. This time period is perhaps the worst situation to be in if you enjoy being social, which is the vast majority of the high school, and having that absense once again might not be the best thing for one’s mental health. As hard as it can be, it’s important to have some sort of positivity, whether that’s being able to talk to friends on the phone (if we’re forced into a stay-at-home order again) or reaching out to a professional. No matter what happens in the fall, we’ve arelady experienced some form of it and can

LIFESTYLES

be sure to get throuh it together again.

eldiablonews.com 31

THANKS TO OUR EL DIABLO PATRONS!!

SUPPORTERS

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Want to become an El Diablo patron?

Contact tjolley@durangoschools.org

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PLATINUM - $250+ Anonymous Donor The Valdez Family

Durango High School Issue 4 Volume 69 May 2020