Eagle Eye Issue 6, May 2014

EAGLE EYE May 16, 2014 // Vol. 13 // Issue 6

Class of 2014 Mountain Vista seniors reflect on their experiences in high school and share their plans for the future. p. 13

Mountain Vista High School // 10585 Mountain Vista Ridge, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126

2 // Eagle Eye // Issue 6

EAGLE EYE

VOLUME 13 // ISSUE 6 // MAY 16, 2014 BEFORE WE BEGIN

12 // Commentary

The crowd gets excited for the Thunder-Vista showdown and students receive their yearbooks.

CLASS OF 2014

4 // Epic Photos

Editor Taylor Atlas reflects on what it means to be a senior.

13 // Seniors

Mountain Vista seniors share their plans after high school.

NEWS

7 // Briefing

Administrators combat sexting, and teachers share reasons for leaving or returning to MVHS.

OPINION

9 // Stuff That Ticks Me Off

Copy editor Tyler Kraft examines motivations for students’ cheating.

10 // Commentary Francesco Viola questions why students aren’t prepared for options besides college.

11 // Staff Editorial

The Senior Class prepares to leave high school.

SPORTS

40 // Profile

Seniors Anyssa Walker and Ana Kutcher camped out in the upper main hallway May 11 for the senior prank.

Photograph by Gabe Rodriguez

THEME 18 Mackenzie Landgrave

30 Kristine Happach

by Whitney Merrill

by Lexi Weingardt

Passion: Horseback riding.

20 Sam Ramsey

32 Gannon Rushall

41 // Profile

Junior Kelsey Heiland dedicates much of her time outside of school to softball.

42 // Briefing

Passion: Saving for college.

Passion: Playing basketball.

An update of MVHS spring sports.

22 Amy Zhou

34 Bad Nostalgia

BEFORE WE END

by Amani Brown

by Conner Davis

Passion: Playing the piano.

by Reagan Fitzke

Passion: Playing live music.

by Kyle Johnson

24 Kenzie Winslow

36 Austin Hardman

by Kelsey Pharis

by Tara O Gorman

Story: Recovering from brain surgery.

26 Lauren Robinson

Passion: Playing volleyball.

by Amy Huang and Peyton Reeves ON THE COVER: Photo Illustration by Gabe Rodriguez and Taylor Blatchford

Passion: Nursing.

Sophomore Josh Freitag continues his passion from baseball after moving to Colorado.

28 Kirsten Deppy Passion: Drawing.

by Anna Theis

Passion: Playing golf.

38 Maddy Jones

Passion: Playing soccer.

by Hayley Mustin

43 // One Question, Five Answers What’s the most memorable experience you’ve had outside of school this year?

AERIE

44 // Team Photos

Group photos from spring sports.

EP!C PHOTO GAME FACES

EP!C PHOTO YEARBOOK DISTRIBUTION

Seniors Frank Davis and Kyle Cooper help students get ready to cheer on their school teams during the Thunder-Vista Showdown April 22. “Coming together against a rival school was great, Cooper said.

“It brought the energy level up for an event that wasn’t that big.”

With the student body’s support, the Mountain Vista teams triumphed over the ThunderRidge Grizzlies.

Sophomores Will Flynn and Ben Holland get their first look at the yearbook during after-school distribution May 7. “I like how the yearbook covers a lot of different people and isn’t just focused on one specific group,” Holland said.

“It also give a good idea of what the school is like.”

“The yearbook is always fun to have and look back at a few years down the road,” Flynn said.

Photograph by Wes Edwards

Photograph by Gabe Rodriguez

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Issue Issue26////Eagle EagleEye Eye////18 5

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weeks left

201

books need to be picked up

PICK UP YOUR 2014 AERIE YEARBOOK IN U332 ON MAY 19-20 7:15-7:35 A.M. • 2:50-3:15 P.M. BEGINNING MAY 22, PICK UP YOUR BOOK FROM THE FINANCE OFFICE. STILL NEED A YEARBOOK? SEE MARK NEWTON IN U328. COST IS $99. A FEW REMAIN.

CLASS OF 2015 YOUR senior PORTRAIT, QUOTATION & FEE ARE DUE

OCT. 1, 2014.

$10 FOR PREFERRED PHOTOGRAPHER $15 FOR NON-PREFERRED PHOTOGRAPHER 6 // Eagle Eye // Issue 6

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FOLLOW-UP SURVEY

Teachers’ Plans Change

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DYLAN INGRAM etween November and December 2013, VISTAj conducted a preliminary survey of teachers at Mountain Vista High School, asking them about their plans for the 2014-2015 school year.

Participation in the survey was voluntary and anonymous. Eighty-nine of the 107 teachers at Vista responded. The results of the survey were published Dec. 16 in Issue 3 of the Eagle Eye. During May 2014, VISTAj conducted a follow-up survey to determine how and why teachers’ final plans for the 2014-2015 school year have changed since November. Participation in the survey was voluntary and anonymous.

Seventy-one of the Vista teachers responded.

The preliminary survey indicated 28 teachers planned on leaving Douglas County School District. At the end of the year, Principal Michael Weaver said only two teachers chose to leave DCSD, and another two teachers, both of whom have been district employees for fewer than three years, did not have their contracts renewed.

The VISTAj follow-up survey indicated six

Teachers Like:

teachers do not plan to work for DCSD next year.

Weaver said he could not explain the difference between his tally of teachers leaving and the survey results, as two of the said six teachers have not shared their plans with him.

Of the six teachers who will leave next year, all said district-level practices and policies were factors in their decision, while four of the six said Vista policies and practices were factors.

“I’m glad that the numbers indicate that the culture and climate at Vista has always been so solid,” Weaver said. “We’ve tried to make it a great place for people to work.”

Six teachers responded to the VISTAj followup survey that they had intended to leave in December but will not leave the district this year.

Of those six teachers, four said they decided to stay because they liked the “culture,” “administration” and other aspects of Vista. Three said they were unable to find appealing jobs outside of DCSD. One teacher said he or she had not planned to leave last semester, but chose to go to another school district to get higher pay.

Teachers Dislike:

1) Students

1) Pay

3) Vista

3) Administration

2) Staff

2) Workload

4) Principal Weaver 4) School Board “(Sexting) does become very difficult to follow. I think you know when you figure that you have Facebook covered, then you have Twitter show up. Then once you have Twitter figured out, then it is sent through Instagram and whatnot.

“I am not exactly sure how we will try to stem it. We will try to keep people aware. We will try to keep reminding them. We will make sure that we do our part in talking to our freshmen and make sure that they completely understand not only the legal parts.”

—Principal Michael Weaver

By the Numbers

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MVHS teachers leaving the district

23

MVHS teachers now staying, after reporting they planned to leave

74 73

percent of teachers who will stay who said the Vista environment was a reason for staying percent of teachers reporting they were “stressed out” by the DCSD evaluation system

Source: VISTAj survey of MVHS 71 teachers

Coach, Discourage Administration’s plan to combat sexting

I

AJ STOWELL n a matter of seconds, by the simple click of a button, a sent text message can have life-altering impacts. It is a federal felony, as well as a violation of Douglas County School District policy, for anyone under the age of 18 to participate in sexting.

The crime of sexting is nothing new to Mountain Vista High School. Principal Michael Weaver said the topic comes up quite often.

“We have had to deal with [sexting] in a number of occasions in the last three years, just in my role,” Weaver said.

Deterring students from sexting has become a problematic area for administration. Weaver said the only reasonable option is to “coach and encourage,” in an attempt to deal with the problem at its source.

“We certainly don’t have the capability or the resources to become the police of the social media,” Weaver said, “but we certainly try to remind and intervene with folks who are sending inappropriate things.”

Despite the prevalence of the issue at Vista, the investigations fail to result in criminal prosecution or legal charges on any level. School Resource Officer Deputy Vance Fleet said this is due to the difficulty of obtaining evidence.

“Usually we need to have some sort of tangible evidence,” Fleet said. “There are rumors flying around all the time, but unless I have a name or an actual cell phone, I usually don’t investigate a rumor.”

While the issue is without a doubt important in the eye of administration, protections against search and seizure of student cell phones, prevent administration from obtaining potential evidence.

Both Fleet and Weaver said that, while “sometimes [students] get caught, sometimes they get away with it.” “[Sexting] sometimes takes care of itself, as people are getting rid of things that they shouldn’t have or they know,” Weaver said. “It is a unique and interesting problem.”

Issue 6 // Eagle Eye // 7

NOW Stay up to date with all the freshest news from the Mountain Vista community with VISTAj’s new app, Vista Now. • Watch the biggest events of the year • View recent posts straight from the staff • Keep up with our social media, which has all the latest breaking news

8 // Eagle Eye // Issue 6

Stuff That Cheaters never

TICKS Me Off Photo by Gabe Rodriguez

M

ountain Vista has some really smart kids. Some kids are capable of scoring a 36 on the ACT. Others have built robots and other technological wonders that won the Technology Student Association State Championship. The 2014 National High School Journalist Of The Year occasionally hangs out at 10585 Mountain Vista Ridge. Hundreds of others participate in honors and Advanced Placement classes. The problem is that not all of these so-called “smart” kids are really legitimate.

Some of these kids are cheaters. Not the kind of “I did not finish a problem on my math homework” cheater. They are the kind who finds all the answers for their upcoming tests online so that they can keep the A that is so desperately needed for to have a 4.8 GPA. I am not angry at those kids for cheating. It happens and I cannot do anything to change it. The problem is these kids feel like there is no other option but to cheat because of the pressures that our world puts on them.

prosper ... except in high school of course An example of mass cheating occurred in an AP Statistics class at Mountain Vista earlier this year. The students were found to have used an answer key for the test they were taking.

“The cheating had a lot to do with the situation I was in,” one of the students who cheated says. “I didn’t have a lot of time outside of school to study and I was feeling drowned in work.”

To him, the only option was to find the key. That brings up the question of why there seemed to be no other options to keep up his grades.

Is our society so hell-bent on grades and success that we subconsciously encourage doing whatever it takes to get high marks?

The pressures come from many places. Some kids are pushed too hard by parents. Others feel they need to live up to standards set by siblings and/or relatives. Others just feel the need to only receive the best grades.

“I’m most pressured from myself,” junior John Bellipanni says, “but I feel a little bit from my parents as well.”

For a recent English project, junior Dylan Tran surveyed 84 Mountain Vista students about cheating and the habits students have when it comes to tests. Ninety eight percent admitted to cheating on homework. 88 percent admitted to cheating on tests. Only 54 percent think it is worth the risk of getting caught.

That statistic is not a very big surprise for some teachers. “Kids are very motivated by grades,” Spanish teacher Linda HammertonMorris says. “They are the driving force in schools and kids will do whatever they can to stay ahead.”

TYLER KRAFT

To try and curb cheating in classrooms, Mountain Vista has a cheating policy for those who are caught. “The school policy is an automatic zero and we have to contact their parents,” Hammerton-Morris says.

“It also shakes our trust in the student or students that have cheated as we don’t know if they are trustworthy anymore.”

The curb is working. According to Tran’s survey, only 15 percent still cheat after being caught. The only problem is that the curb does not stop the cheating from occurring in the first place.

Of those who cheat on quizzes and tests, only 33 percent of cheaters regret it afterward, according to Tran’s survey.

Apparently, we have all either lost our morals or we have been brainwashed by our culture into thinking that getting ahead by whatever means is completely necessary.

I believe it is the latter. We know cheating is against good moral standards.

Only 19 percent of students believe cheating will help them in the long run, according to Tran’s survey.

It is frustrating to see all of us know it will not help and it still does not stop anyone from doing it. It will not ever stop either.

The problem is everyone has a different perspective. For some, an A is the only thing that matters; how he or she gets it does not. For others, a grade is a letter earned with hard work. Others simply do not care at all. That is why cheating will never cease to exist.

Photo Illustration by Gabe Rodriguez

Issue 6 // Eagle Eye // 9

A Life After High School Beside College?

College is nice, but should it really be considered the only option after high school?

Photo by Francesco Viola III

N

ot every high school graduate goes to college. Despite the massive amount of emphasis placed upon going to college in high schools across the United States, 34.1 percent of high school graduates don’t go to college, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. With that said, the education systems of the U.S need to present an alternative to going to college.

High schools rarely give any attention to the choice of not graduating to higher education. College days are held many of times a month and meetings are constantly held to help students prepare financially and mentally for college. It is understandable why various high

10 // Eagle Eye // Issue 6

schools would devote so much time to college, but it is wrong for U.S schools to not devote any time or resources to help kids who aren’t going to college.

It has been shown that a college degree isn’t necessary to succeed in life. In fact, some people are better off without it. Men and women such as Walt Disney, Rachael Ray, Halle Berry and Will Smith never attended college, and they found great success in their respective careers.

It’s obvious not everyone is as skilled as these men and women, but to assume no one like this exists in the high schools of the U.S limits the opportunities for the few who do have such skills.

FRANCESCO VIOLA III Some people are simply not cut out for a life in college. Because the American education system fails to acknowledge this, it can cost students time and money when a lot of them may not even finish college. To be specific, less than 10 percent of poor children graduate with a four-year degree and less than 10 percent of low-income students who go to community college complete a two-year degree, according to Georgetown University and Complete College University, respectively.

While a college degree does look nice on a resume, the ultimate key to being hired is being qualified for the job. Of course, some jobs do require going college, like being a doctor. On the other hand, for those who know they want to pursue a career that doesn’t require a degree, like a career in theater, being qualified for the job is the ultimate key to being getting the job.

Instead of maintaining a mentality that everyone needs to go to college, it would be far more beneficial for high schools to introduce vocational education-type programs.

Vocational education is a type of education that focuses on specific skills for specific careers.

This type of education is hardly ever offered or advertised in public schools. This is especially prominent in suburban high schools, such as Mountain Vista. However, this type of education should be offered in the public school system.

When it is applied as it has in the United Kingdom, it has proven to be beneficial.

Vocational education isn’t extraordinarily popular in the U.K. Only, 510,000 out of the 63 million population are in the apprenticeship program that offers vocational education. However, 15 percent of vocational students change their minds on their careers, as compared to the 20 percent for students who take a traditional academic route, according to OnePoll.

The benefits of teaching this, or any, alternative do not just stop at the students who don’t plan to go to post-secondary education. It can also benefit students who do plan on going.

Many brilliant entrepreneurs have gone to college only to drop out to focus on their careers.

These people, such as the richest man in the world, Bill Gates, were held back in college when instead they could have been focused on their careers.

Going to college certainly isn’t a bad idea.

For many people it can be very beneficial. But any school not presenting the alternative as a possibility limits the options of its students and needs to change.

VISTAj STAFF Editors-In-Chief Taylor Blatchford Wes Edwards

Managing Editors of Newsmagazine Taylor Atlas Dylan Ingram

Copy Editors Jason Keller Tyler Kraft AJ Stowell

Photo Editors Mark Maggs Gabe Rodriguez

Social Media Editor Kaitlin Zenoni

Web Editor

Whitney Merrill

Design Editor Erica Tagliarino

Managing Editor of Broadcast Gretchen Cope

Managing Editors of Yearbook Devon Miner Kelsey Warden

Adviser

Mark Newton, MJE

Staff Members

Alex Bonner Lauren Borchardt Amani Brown Logan Clark Caitlin Cobb Cameron Cox Shelby Crumley Jacob Cushatt Conner Davis Reagan Fitzke Antonia Fornaro Joseph Ginn Mackenzie Govett Amy Huang Kyle Johnson Ana Krasuski Hayley Mustin Tara O’Gorman Kelsey Pharis Kaitlin Pickrell Sydney Ostdiek Peyton Reeves Tori Soper Anna Theis Francesco Viola Lexi Weingardt Karin Wyks

Policy

Eagle Eye, a legally recognized public forum for student expression, is published six to nine times a year by the Journalism class for students at Mountain Vista High School. Expression made by students in the exercise of freedom of speech or freedom of press is not an expression of Douglas County school board policy. The views expressed in Eagle Eye do not necessarily represent the views of the entire staff, adviser, MVHS administration or the Douglas County School District administration.

Board policy regarding student publications ( JICEA and JI/JIA) are available in the journalism/publications room (U328) or in the principal’s office.

Letters to the Editors

Eagle Eye welcomes and encourages letters to the editors.

This is a chance to express your viewpoint on important issues. Letters should be limited to 250 words. Letters will be edited for space and legal considerations, but not for inaccuracies, grammar or spelling. Letters must contain information pertinent to the students of MVHS. The staff retains the right to not publish any letter not meeting these requirements. Unsigned letters will not be published. Please submit typed letters in person to Room U328 or via mail or e-mail.

Contact

Eagle Eye, Mountain Vista High School, 10585 Mountain Vista Ridge, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126 Phone: 303-387-1500 Adviser email: mark.newton@dcsdk12.org.

Publication email: EagleEyeEditors@dcsdk12.org

Distribution

Single copies are free. Where available, additional copies of this paper are available for purchase for 50 cents each.

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Open Forum Content

Some material courtesy of American Society of Newspaper Editors/MCT Campus High School Newspaper Service and Creative Commons licensing. ©2014 Eagle Eye/Mountain Vista High School. All rights reserved.

A Farewell to Vista Photo by Gabe Rodriguez

T

hirteen years ago, the Class of 2014 formally began its education.

And though the lot of us muddled through the early years with paste in our mouths and playdough up our noses, for all intents and purposes we were getting an education.

It wasn’t until we really started learning how to read did school seem like something that was actually “happening,” because up until that point it was “read for a bit, play pretend, have a snack, take a nap and go home.”

Yes, math, reading, writing and the art of socializing were on the agenda, and this wouldn’t change until we traversed the white light into middle school. Back then it seemed really formidable and frightening. It was like being kicked out of the nest early without knowing how to fly. So we drifted on currents for two years until high school, and we all looked back and thought, “Well, that wasn’t so bad.”

Here we are again, 12 years later on the cusp of graduation, one foot out of the nest.

People have colleges they’re going to, military services to join, jobs to work or nothing at all.

The well-deserved feelings of accomplishment and relief that are assuredly circulating throughout the Class of 2014 are intoxicating. Though it feels like we’ve endured a lifetime of schooling and obligations and now we’re finally free, the truth is, we haven’t seen anything yet.

Because this isn’t the most important date in our lives. It may feel like it, and we may be certain that this is “it” and “it” doesn’t get any better or more final than this It does.

The lot of us are 17- or 18-year-olds with red blood in our veins and clean air in our

lungs and some of us have it on our minds to change the world. And so to those ambitious few, this isn’t “it.”

And the lot of us might want to get married and have kids or start a business, so this isn’t “it” either.

That’s the scary part of this whole ride because we are so certain that this is “it,” but we’re only just beginning our adult lives. When we look back on this, hopefully we can all say, “Well, that wasn’t so bad.”

Beyond a basic education and learning how to deal with one another, we believe the point of high school was to give us the tools to find whatever it is we’re looking for. After all, there is no greater tool in the world than an education (and a slip of paper that says you posses said education) with which to chase your dreams.

The old saying “every job requires math” is more or less saying “every job requires that you learn” because we assure you there is not a single problem that you can’t overcome, algebra or otherwise.

If we went from learning 26 symbols to translating said symbols into words and sounds and then trying our hands at those 26 symbols with reading and writing, then we say there really isn’t a whole lot we can’t do, because when we put that into perspective that’s some impressive stuff.

So boldly we will go into the future, armed with numbers and letters, a classic or two, our beautiful, ridiculous plans and the relationships we’ve made.

Some of us will be nudged out of the nest or kicked out with force.

Here’s to hoping we all learned how to fly this time around.

We’re pretty sure you can — and you will.

Issue 6 // Eagle Eye // 11

Don’t Blink.

Or senior year will be gone.

What the Class of 2014 has seen since 2010

20

Band concerts

12

Plays

8

Taste of Vista events

6

Sports state championships

4

Golddust shows Epic yearbooks

3

Differernt schedules

2

Principals School board elections Ditch days

1

Interim principal Presidential election Pig disection per year

692

Total days of school

40

Months

4

Years 12 // Eagle Eye // Issue 6

TAYLOR ATLAS t was Feb. 2. Walking in from school, a bright yellow envelope caught my eye. Upon further examination, the yellow envelope was stamped with Gettysburg College, and my stomach jumped. My admissions decision was here.

Tearing open the envelope revealed a bright blue and orange folder, Gettysburg written up the right side. Anxiously, I opened up the folder to be met with a neatly packaged letter of admittance. I was going to college.

And for me, it was the strangest mix of emotions I had ever experienced.

While yes, it was a great relief to be accepted and done with the process, it brought some tears to my eyes as well. With the acceptance letter brought the first step of moving on from high school, and it made the entire experience of having to leave a reality.

I am sure many seniors felt the same way receiving their own letters, no matter how it happened or to where it led.

That letter, to me, represents what senior year is all about. It is the culmination of not just four, but 12 long years of public schooling, a chance to celebrate the achievement of making it this far.

It is what we all have been working for these past 12 years of our lives. But as with the first day of senior year, that acceptance letter was the beginning of the end.

And when the end comes, it is hard. Of course, there is always going to be energy and jubilation around the change — every person has some sort of excitement about what is to come after the conclusion of this particular chapter.

In fact, many of us cannot wait and are going to be counting down the days this summer in anticipation of leaving for school. But, through all of the excitement, I feel as though people often try and put aside the sadness, the nerves and the overall dread of the unknown that we all deep down are feeling.

What senior year is is a roller coaster ride of emotions which ebb and flow with each change, each passing day which brings us all closer to the final countdown.

There are joys of senior prom and senior

I

homecoming, until it hits the day after that all of us are going to be going our separate ways and leaving this place in a few short weeks.

It is cheering so loudly at the final four basketball game that our voices are all gone the next day when we wake up and realize that that was our very last Mountain Vista basketball game, ever.

It is the adrenaline of that final soccer, lacrosse, football, field hockey game, until the lights shut off at Shea Stadium and the season is over as we walk off of the field, win or lose.

It is being up on stage, amazed by the crowd in the theater, singing the final line of the final song in our final play, hearing that last applause.

It is senior night at our clubs, our sports and everything that has been important to us these past four years, and through the celebration and the cheers, the tears stream down our cheeks as we realize it is, in fact, all over.

It is receiving that college acceptance letter, bringing with it those tears of joy and of sadness, of anticipation of change mixed with the worry we all have about the unknown world which we will soon enter.

Most importantly, it is graduation, now only five days away, where once we throw our caps into the sky, we are instantly throwing ourselves into the next section of our lives and out of the past four years of it.

Senior year is the realization that this is it.

This is the end of 12 long years already gone, understanding that next fall, all of the friendly faces we are used to will no longer surround us in our classes, our sports teams and our clubs.

The teachers we have grown to love and are inspired by will no longer be there, ready to help at any second. Our entire support system is going to change.

And, most of what we will miss we have not even realized yet. We will not realize it until we are sitting in our dorm rooms next school year, homesick for all that we once knew.

Jaffe told us all on our first day of school, “Four years of high school may seem like a long time, but trust me it will fly by.”

And she was absolutely right.

CLASS OF

2014

HANNAH CURRIE

“Being a senior represents both looking back at the past with great memories and looking forward to the future with excitement and anticipation.”

CALE SPARKS

“Being a senior has allowed me to sit back, relax and enjoy the ride for one last year.”

BRADEN HUFF

“Being a senior is about setting an example for all the younger kids and making sure they carry on the values and traditions of our school.”

On May 21, 2014, the Mountain Vista Senior Class will graduate at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

Each student will leave Mountain Vista with a unique perspective created by memories and experiences, bound for a wide variety of future destinations.

Although being a senior has a different meaning for every student, we have one thing in common.

We are the Class of 2014.

JILLY CHERRY

“Being a senior means enjoying one of the greatest times of your life and I have truly enjoyed every moment of it.”

KELSEY WARDEN

“Being a senior is about doing the things you were too scared to do the past three years of high school.”

NICK BRADLEY

“Being a senior meant that I had to be a role model and do what will reflect well on myself to everyone around me.”

MIKALAH HUGHES

“Being a senior means being the head of the school and getting to have more opportunities than the lower level grades.”

BRENNA JENSEN

“Being a senior has allowed me to become more involved in school activities and closer to our class.”

BIANCA DANCY

“Senior year is awesome because it’s truly about you, but it’s also a realization of what hard work really means and what it will do down the road.”

Issue 6 // Eagle Eye // 13

destinations VISTAj surveyed the members of the Class of 2014 about their plans after high school. We obtained information from 463 of the 497 members of the senior class. While the majority of students will attend a college or university in the fall, others will enter military service, work, serve religious missions or take time off from school.

To the right is an alphabetical list of the seniors whose responses we received and their plans after leaving Mountain Vista.

To view an interactive map and further information on the Class of 2014, including students’ intended majors, visit vistanow.org/ seniors.

A: Matt Adams: Creighton University // Paa Adu: Stanford University // Vail Ahern: Automotive School // Lauren Alfino: Nova Southeastern University // Mykel Allen: Colorado School of Mines // LeeAmber Amis: Xenon International Academy // Lewis Anderson: Arapahoe Community College // Quinn Anderson: Colorado Christian University // Lon Arnold: Lincoln Tech // Bradley Arnot: Colorado State University // Nicholas Arnot: Colorado State University // Matthew Aroesty: Chapman University // Lauren Ashford: Brigham Young University // Alexis Assante: University of Colorado // Taylor Atlas: Gettysburg College // Charlie Auran: Western State Colorado University // B: Austin Baker: University of Northern Colorado // Kaitlin Balducci: Arapahoe Community College // Alexa Baldyga: Metropolitan State University of Denver // Davis Barker: University of Colorado // Tesia Barnes: Colorado State University // Emma Marie Barnett: University of Northern Colorado // Nick Barry: University of Nebraska // Robert Bavington: University of Colorado // Becca Benton: Aveda Institute // Nicole Bills: Brigham Young University // Brooke Blasi: University of Montana // Taylor Blatchford: University of Missouri // Alec Blosser: Metropolitan State University of Denver // Madison Bohman: University of Northern Colorado // Ryan Bohn: Arapahoe Community College // Vanessa Bonacci: Colorado State University // Cade Boreing: Hockey Juniors // Jacques Bouchard: University of Colorado – Denver // Alex Boyarko: Colorado State University // Kenzie Boyce: University of Dayton // Nicholas Bradley: Colorado State University // Tori Brennan: Texas Christian University // Amani Brown: University of Colorado // Chandler Brown: University of Hawaii // Desiree Brown: University of Northern Colorado // Ryley Brown: Metropolitan State University of Denver // Justin Brownlee: University of Colorado // Noah Bruce: University of Colorado – Denver // Kim Bui: Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design // Martin Bunker: Brigham Young University // Sydney Burch: Arapahoe Community College // Sarah Burgoyne: Brigham Young University // Matthew Burley: University of Colorado // Brandon Burton: Colorado State University // Austin Butler: University of Colorado // C: Martin Carlassare: Arapahoe Community College // Irania Carrazco: Arapahoe Community College // Shannen Carroll: Colorado State University // Jack Cartwright: University of Denver // Chandler Cash: Arapahoe Community College // Charlie Caskey: University of Wyoming // Miguel Castaneda Saucedo: Arapahoe Community College // Mariah Castorena: Metropolitan State University of Denver // Mattison Cembalisty: University of Colorado // Hannah Chambers: Colorado Christian University // Henry Chapple: University of Colorado // Josie Chavez: Metropolitan State University of Denver // Peighton Cheney: Red Rocks Community College // Jilly Cherry: Texas Christian University // Kelsey Chrissinger: Working // Cailey Christensen: Colorado State University // Jane Chui: University of Colorado // Denesh Chukkapalli: University of Delaware // Hannah Church: Edison State College // Gwen Clark: Washington University in St. Louis // Logan Clark: University of Denver // Peter Cleverdon: Colorado State University // Caitlin Cobb: Gap Semester // Claire Coffman: Colorado State University // Bradley Colebank: University of Colorado // Elaine Collins: University of Northern Colorado // Cyron Completo: University of Colorado // Kyle Cooper: University of Colorado // Sydney Corbett: University of Northern Colorado // Heather Coscia: Colorado State University // Sarah Crabb: Willamette University // Connor Croan: University of Minnesota Twin Cities // Trenton Crouch: Colorado State University // Shelby Crumley: Regis University // Hannah Currie: University of Oregon // Hannah Curtis: Colorado State University // Kimberly Custer: University of Colorado – Colorado Springs // D: Bianca Dancy: University of Colorado // Danielle Danko: University of Colorado // Daniel Dargahi: Colorado State University // Lacey Davidson: Metropolitan State University of Denver // Paige Davidson: Arapahoe Community College // Alana Davis: University of Colorado // Cam Davis: University of Wyoming // Frank Davis: Western State Colorado University // Serena Davis: Central Michigan University // Emily Day: University of Arizona // Henry Delargy: University of Northern Colorado // Jacob DeRidder: Welding School // Abigail Dew: Metropolitan State University of Denver // Billy Doro: University of Colorado // Kenna Dougherty: Colorado State University // Jeffrey Du: Baylor University // Jonathan Du: University of Minnesota Twin Cities // Michael Dunnebecke: Arizona Christian University // Julie Dyrud: Moody Bible Institute // E: Madeline Eccher: Colorado Mesa University // Wes Edwards: Claremont McKenna College // Kaitlyn Elliott: University of Colorado – Denver // Scott Erickson: Colorado State University // Spencer Erjavec: United States Naval Academy // F: Kara Felske: Colorado State University // Samuel Ferguson: Welding School // Ali Fife: University of Colorado // Kyle Firmin: Western Washington University // Tyson Fisher: United States Navy // Caitlin Fitzsimmons: University of Kansas // Katie Fix: Laramie County Community College // Austin Forge: Colorado State University // Dylan Formby: Crowder College // Jamie Forster: Fort Lewis College // Rachel Foss: Kansas State University // Erika Foster: Metropolitan State University of Denver // Drew Freeman: Western State Colorado University // Jon Friedman: University of Arizona // Brian Froechtenigt: Purdue University // Ty Fujii: Gap Year // Sierra Funk: University of Colorado – Denver // G: Autumn Gale: University of Colorado // Brenna Gallacher: Brigham Young University – Idaho // Erin Galligan: University of Northern Colorado // Tyler Garrity: University of Colorado // Chase Geissler: Red Rocks Community College // Blake Graf: Colorado Mesa University // Jordan Graff: Metropolitan State University of Denver // Mikaela Gravina: University of Arizona // Alyssa Gross: William Jewell College // Hannah Grothe: Northern Arizona University // H: Ashley Hackett: Colorado State University // Shelby Hafner: University of Northern Colorado // Samantha Hagner: San Jose State University // Emily Halverson: University of Iowa // Kristine Happach: University of Arizona // Carson Hart: Brigham Young University // Austin Hayes: Colorado State University // Madison Heist: Colorado State University // Ashlyn Hemmerle: Marquette University // Douglas Hewitt: University of Florida // Katie Higgins: University of Colorado // Natalie Hoagland: Johnson and Wales University // Katherine Hodges: Colorado State University // Zachary Hofer: Colorado School of Mines // Billy Hoffman: Arapahoe Community College // Kellen Hogan: Colorado State University // Samantha Holstrom: Colorado State University // Megan Holtschneider: University of Nevada – Las Vegas // Braden Huff: University of Denver // Anthony Huffaker: Colorado School of Mines // Mikalah Hughes: Fort Hays State University // Jacob Humes: Arapahoe Community College // I: Dylan Ingram: Trinity College // J: Cassidy Jacoby: University of Colorado // Jeremy Jasper: University of Colorado – Denver // Saiesh Jayaraman: University of Colorado // Brenna Jensen: California Polytechnic State University // Julia Jensen: University of Colorado // Julia Jesse: University of Colorado // William Johnke: University of Colorado – Colorado Springs // Sarah Johns: University of Wyoming // Ashlee Johnson: United States Coast Guard Academy // Brad Johnson: Colorado State University // Casey Johnson: University of Colorado – Colorado Springs // Rachel Johnson: University of Northern Colorado // Cameron Jones: Gap Year // Merrill Jones: University of Mississippi // K: Chase Kalter: Miami University // Sumaer Kamboj: Colorado School of Mines // Mitch Kampmann: University of Colorado – Denver // Jason Keller: University of Northern Colorado // Brianna Kelley: Working // Taylor Kim: University of Colorado // Ryan Kirsch: Colorado State University // Molly Kirscher: Regis University // Sonia Klamo: University of Northern Colorado // Kylie Klein: Charleston Southern University // Brittany Knappich: Aveda Institute // Kristopher Knigge: University of Colorado – Colorado Springs // Ryan Konrad: University of Colorado Denver // Leia Krebsbach: University of Colorado // Aparna Krishnaswamy: University of Denver // Daniel Kruger: Colorado State University // Andrew Kupcho: University of Colorado // Ana Kutcher: Boston University // L: Amber LaHaye: Colorado Mesa University // Dinesh Lakkaraju: University of Colorado – Denver // Taylor Lamb: California Polytechnic State University // Mackenzie Landgrave: Utah State University // Sarah Lanning: Georgia Institute of Technology // Nick Lawrence: Colorado State University // Maciek Lazarski: University of Colorado // Sydney Lazzell: University of Colorado // Ryann Leahy: University of Colorado // Steve Lee: Hofstra University // Nick Leonard: Washington State University // Paige Leonard: University of Wyoming // Kat Lewis: Cornell College // Seh Kai Liao: University of Southern California // Sammy Linares: Fort Lewis College // Tiffany Lind: Brigham Young University // Shannon Lines: Colorado State University // Michala Lockwood:

A L o // M W C S U M T U M Z O U – J U U // U S C A O P C W S P A P P U // C C C U G C // A G Ib C o C C // N S Il D S U // C U C C T M U A A // U B U W // A H Y U

a s // n g n y y: m r: e d: s // e i: e n y t: el n of y e n // // of b: // // o: of of y: w: // n nt er li n e // n: – n: // y t: y // e d n: // o n // y h e o j: n y // y r: e: e e: n d: rt d:

Ambassador Bible Center // Breanna Logan: Metropolitan State University of Denver // Erick Lopez: Metropolitan State University of Denver // Emilie Love: Brigham Young University – Idaho // Taylor Lowry: Cornell College // Megan Lucas: Colorado State University // Taylor Lugo Maestas: University of Colorado – Denver // Austin Luke: California State University Monterey Bay // Kelsey Luke: University at Albany // Marin Lusk: University of Colorado // Kelsey Lycas: Western State Colorado University // Max Lynass: Graceland University // M: David Madden: Colorado State University // David Maggs: Arapahoe Community College // Mark Maggs: Johnson and Wales University // Jeremy Mainger: United States Army // Christian Maldonado: Wentworth Institute of Technology // Karl Mallinger: Texas Tech University // Vinny Marguglio: Arapahoe Community College // Anthony Marinelli: Colorado State University // Jackson Markowski: University of Colorado // Sarah Marks: University of Northern Colorado // Taylor Marks: Colorado State University // JJ Matsey: Colorado State University // Jessica Matsushima: Colorado State University // Robbie McCabe: Colorado Mesa University // Abby McGuire: University of Arizona // Brendan McGuire: Hastings College // Jake McIntosh: Arapahoe Community College // Shane McKenna: Christopher Newport University // Edward Mclaughlin: Arapahoe Community College // Nick McLaughlin: Southern Methodist University // Tyler McLean: University of Nebraska // Ty McManigle: Colorado State University // Eden McMann: Colorado State University // Kelly McMullan: University of Arizona // Kinsey McNevin: Brigham Young University // Brian Medberry: Colorado School of Mines // Marcela Mendoza Castillo: Metropolitan State University of Denver // Nicole Merchant: University of Colorado – Colorado Springs // Whitney Merrill: Brigham Young University // Zach Merrill: Brigham Young University – Idaho // Anthony Mijalic: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University // Erin Miller: University of Colorado Denver // Olivia Miller: University of Colorado – Denver // Ryan Miller: Colorado State University // Patrick Millington: University of Colorado // Devon Miner: University of Colorado // Kayla Mitchell: Colorado State University // Margaret Mitchell: Rhodes College // Tyler Mitchell: University of Colorado – Colorado Springs // Jordan Mogg: Graceland University // Madeleine Montiel: University of Colorado // Kyle Moorcones: Newberry College // Jonathan Moore: Emory University // Sara Mottaghi Mazlaghani: University of Colorado // Katie Mueller: Colorado State University // Terrence Mullen: University of Northern Colorado // Emerson Munoz: Fort Lewis College // Barath Murali: Colorado School of Mines // Brian Murphree: Abilene Christian University // Matthew Murphree: Colorado State University // Kylie Muse: Red Rocks Community College // Kyle Musegades: University of New Mexico // N: Christopher Nazi: University of Colorado // Keith Nelson: Colorado State University // Kevin Nelson: Colorado State University // John Neputi: University of Colorado // Katrina Neuhalfen: University of Northern Colorado // Drew Nevarez: Empire Beauty School // Sarah Newcomer: Colorado State University // Jason Newman: Colorado State University // Julie Newman: Princeton University // Nicole Newman: Chandler-Gilbert Community College // Josh Nguyen: University of Colorado – Denver // Jackson Nichols: Metropolitan State University of Denver // Quentin Norcutt: United States Army // O: Dylan O’Gorman: Colorado State University // Jeong Min Oh: Tulane University // Jennifer Orellana: University of Northern Colorado // Enzo Ortiz de Zarate: University of Colorado // Madeline Oswald: Brigham Young University – Hawaii // Christine Ottinger: University of Colorado // P: Ben Palmer: Brigham Young University – Idaho // Rocco Palumbo: Lafayette College // Sara Panahi: Northeastern University // Emily Pantoja: University of Colorado // Bailey Parker: University of Colorado // Ali Parks: Marquette University // Brendan Parsa: University of Colorado // Karishma Patel: Washington and Lee University // Meghan Peaker: Colorado State University // Morgan Pefanis: University of Oklahoma // Charles Peisert: Colorado State University // Jake Pemberton: University of Denver // Audrey Penland: Colorado State University // Sara Pepper: University of Wyoming // John Perea: Arapahoe Community College // Trevor Perkins: Colorado State University // Elizabeth Perlington: University of Colorado – Colorado Springs // Aimee Peterson: Empire Beauty School // Nick Pfeufer: University of Colorado – Denver // Madison Pflueger: University of Central Florida // Blake Phillips: Air Force Academy at University of Colorado // Taylor Phillips: Colorado State University // Tom Place: University of Northern Colorado // Piotr Poczwardowski: University of Denver // Christian Pohlenz: Colorado Mesa University // Gretchen Pokrant: University of Alabama // Sarah Polak: University of Colorado // Michael Pons: Colorado State University // Patrick Poole: University of Colorado // Lauren Preciado: Colorado State University // Dylan Price: Arapahoe Community College // Renée Probetts: Northwestern University // Steven Proffit: Lincoln Tech // Avery Puricelli: University of Colorado // Q: Colin Quick: University of Colorado // R: Logan Rains: LDS Mission // Allison Rakes: University of Arizona // Sam Ramsey: Arapahoe Community College // Shelby Rank: University of Colorado – Colorado Springs // Daniel Rapp: United States Marines // Sara Ray: Arapahoe Community College // Lindsey Reardon: University of Colorado – Colorado Springs // Molly Reicher: Colorado School of Mines // Morgan Reid: University of Northern Colorado // Logan Relph: Colorado State University // Travis Repella: University of Wyoming // Alia Reza: University of Denver // George Richman: Arapahoe Community College // Derek Rightmire: University of Northern Colorado // Mitchell Rightmire: Colorado State University // Craig Robertson: Western State Colorado University // Eric Robinson: Colorado State University // Bailey Roby: Metropolitan State University of Denver // Anna Rodriguez: University of Colorado // Kaitlyn Rodriguez: University of Colorado – Colorado Springs // Riley Romano: University of Colorado // Alexa Romero: Arapahoe Community College // Hope Ruskaup: University of Colorado // Michael Ryan: Metropolitan State University of Denver // S: Gianna Salanitro: Colorado State University // Alexander Santarelli: Colorado State University // Michael Santini: Western State Colorado University // Ibrahim Sawaged: Arapahoe Community College // TJ Scherping: University of Colorado // Meredith Schley: University of Colorado // Bailey Schmidt: Colorado State University // Colby Schmidt: Colorado State University // Logan Schmidt: Arapahoe Community College // Ryan Schroeder: University of Colorado // Cheyenne Secor: Loras College // Vignesh Senthilvel: University of Texas // Bailey Severe: Butler University // Abhi Sharma: University of California – Berkeley // Austin Shaw: Northeastern University // Miles Shayler: University of Colorado // Samuel Sherman: Arapahoe Community College // Brant Shettron: Colorado State University // Michael Shin: Georgia Institute of Technology // Brenna Shurley: Arapahoe Community College // Bronwyn Sigalla Westgate: University of Colorado // Carson Simon: Brigham Young University – Hawaii // Cole Simonet: Colorado State University // Natalie Simpson: University of Colorado // Rachel Sims: Arapahoe Community College // Emma Singh: University of Northern Colorado // Graham Smith: Oregon State University // Hannah Smith: University of Colorado // Serena Smith: Johnson and Wales University // Tanner Smith: Southern Illinois University // Lindsey Sorensen: Brigham Young University // Cale Sparks: Aurora University // Josh Sparks: Metropolitan State University of Denver // Cal Spond: Colorado State University // Ty Spond: Colorado State University // Zack Spond: Metropolitan State University of Denver // Dhipi Srinivasan: University of Colorado // Kimberly Stansbury: Colorado State University // Austin Stark: University of Nebraska // Haley Stephens: University of Oregon // Alyssa Stevens: Vanguard University // Kara Stockton: University of Northern Colorado // Darren Stone: University of Colorado // AJ Stowell: University of Denver // Samantha Strife: Colorado State University // Jack Strunc: University of Utah // Rebecca Suby Long: University of Colorado // Bill Sun: University of Colorado // Jamie Suntken: University of Colorado // Ali Sutphin: Northern Arizona University // Bri Swenson: University of Colorado // Kesia Szydlowski: Concordia University // T: Jenna Taras: Arizona State University // Tessa Taylor: Laramie County Community College // Jessica Thoennes: University of Washington // Aimee Thomas: Metropolitan State University of Denver // Bobby Thomas: University of Colorado // Connor Thompson: Texas Tech University // Maya Thornley: Western Michigan University // Collin Todd: Arizona State University // Collin Tomic: Colorado Christian University // Owen Townsend: University of Wyoming // Andrew Trapani: Arapahoe Community College // Katie Trosch: Metropolitan State University of Denver // Alex Trotter: Colorado State University – Pueblo // Tyler Tullis: University of Colorado // Carinne Turner: University of North Florida // U: Jake Ursetta: University of Colorado // V: Jordan VanNote: University of Colorado // Meagan Varra: University of Alabama // Isley Verbonitz: Metropolitan State University of Denver // Kyle Vigil: California Polytechnic State University // Gabriel Vondras: Northern Arizona University // Nicholas Vukelich: Red Rocks Community College // W: Wryn Wagner: Utah State University // Gillian Wahleithner: Tufts University // Anyssa Walker: Belmont University // Graham Walker: Arizona State University // Andrew Walton: Brigham Young University // Kelsey Warden: University of Colorado – Colorado Springs // Blake Warner: Colorado State University // Amanda Waterman: Northwest University // Kyle Waters: Brigham Young University // Connor Weaver: Brigham Young University // Matt Weaver: University of Colorado // Jack Weber: Colorado State University // Kate Wester: University of Arizona // Natalia Wewior: Boston University // Lauren Whelan: University of California – Irvine // Maddy Whetstone: University of Colorado // Austin Whittier: Brigham Young University – Idaho // Haley Willardsen: University of Colorado – Colorado Springs // Justin Williams: University of Colorado // Preston Williams: Arapahoe Community College // Maddison Wilmes: University of Northern Colorado // Alec Womack: Colorado State University // Megan Woog: Northern Arizona University // Elizabeth Workman: Youth With A Mission // Karin Wyks: New Hampshire Institute of Art // Y: Taylor Yaw: University of Colorado // Josh York: Hamline University // Julianne Yoss: Colorado State University // Braden Young: Colorado State University // Colin Young: Colorado School of Mines // Z: Asel Zakirova: University of Colorado – Denver // Chandler Zastrow: University of Colorado // Dylan Zollars: Metropolitan State University of Denver

top states

top five schools university of colorado – boulder 74 students

colorado state university 70 students

university of northern colorado 22 students

metropolitan state university of denver 21 students

university of colorado – denver

Hawaii: 4 students

14 students

1-5 students 6-10 students 11-20 students 21+ students

colorado: 296 students california: 13 students arizona: 18 students texas: 9 students utah: 15 students wyoming: 9 students

alternative plans

top majors (by area)

113

top individual majors 72

engineering: 56 students business: 50 students psychology: 21 students education: 20 students nursing: 17 students

71

53 37

financial aid $11,036,228

33

Total offered to MVHS seniors 18

18

12

10

public vs. private

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To view an interactive map and further information on the Class of 2014, including students’ intended majors, visit vistanow.org/seniors.

16 // Eagle Eye // Issue 6

Vocational school: 9 students Gap year: 4 students Military service: 4 students Religious mission: 2 students Hockey juniors: 1 student

Public: 347 students Private: 93 students

it’s not too late to Apply and Register for Fall Courses RegistRation CheCklist 1 Complete the Admission Application at www.arapahoe.edu 2 Apply for Financial Aid by completing a FAFSA application at www.fafsa.gov 3 Complete the ACCUPLACER test or submit your ACT/SAT scores at the Testing Center 4 Sign up for New Student Orientation 5 Meet with an Academic Advisor to discuss course selections and degree plans

ConCuRRent enRollment students!

If you are signed up for a Fall Concurrent Enrollment college course, you must apply to ACC, complete any required testing and return your registration form by the end of August.

Check with your counselor for more details.

get started today at www.arapahoe.edu!

Contact Student Recruitment and Outreach for details at 303.797.5637 or email acc.recruitmentws@arapahoe.edu

303.797.4222 | arapahoe.edu Issue 6 // Eagle Eye // 17

48

Mackenzie Landgrave AGE: 17 // GRADE: senior // PASSION: horseback riding STORY BY WHITNEY MERRILL PHOTOS BY WHITNEY MERRILL

“

N

estled next to Roxborough State Park, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, sits Cottonwood Riding Club. Mountains take up the entire view to the west and rolling hills surround the barn in every direction. Spring is close, but it is still too cool for riders to take their horses outside. Instead they ride in a barn where a group of riders ride and jump over wooden poles creating choreographed chaos as they practice for upcoming shows.

Among them is senior Mackenzie Landgrave who has been riding horses since she was 12-years-old. She became serious about riding in seventh grade when she started to take lessons and is part of the English discipline of riding.

In the English discipline there are two types of jumpers.

There is hunter jumpers and then there is jumpers. Landgrave is part of the latter. While hunter jumpers focus on making their horse look good while they jump, jumpers are more focused on doing the course as fast as they can.

Landgrave said her involvement in horseback riding has given her a relationship that she would not have been able to have otherwise. Over time she has gained a strong relationship with the horses that she has worked with.

“I guess that’s what stands out the most is having that relationship with an animal and working together with your pet,” Landgrave said. “It’s not like even a pet. It’s more than a pet. It’s like a family member. That’s why when they die it’s so hard to lose them, especially when you’ve gone through all of that work with them.”

Riders must create mutual trust with their horse in order to accomplish their goals.

“A big part is having a connection with your horse because it is your pet and you do have a really strong connection with them.” Landgrave said. “You have to have a lot of trust,

“You have to have a lot of trust, especially in jumping, because there are moments where the horse is taking over.” // MACKENZIE LANDGRAVE, senior //

especially in jumping, because there are moments where the horse is taking over. It’s not like you are just throwing them at things, you are in control, but it’s a very large amount of trust between the horse and the rider.”

Creating trust between a rider and their horse is not always so easy.

“There are small things, just like they always want to be independent and bossy and do their own thing and you have to set them straight a lot of times,” Landgrave said. “The horse that I have now, she can be the bossiest little brat especially in the winter time when it’s cold because she justs gets so angry and just wants to do whatever she wants to do. Then, it’s hard because you have to fight with them to regain your relationship and say, ‘I’m in charge here. We still have a connection, we’re still friends, but I’m in charge.”

All of the practice and creation of trust is built up until riders go to compete. Landgrave and her barnmates go to Estes Park during the summer to compete against riders from all over Colorado. Her best moment was when she placed fifth out of 35 people while competing at Estes Park. Landgrave said that all of her work payed off and that she was a good rider, especially in a sport dominated by money.

“You pay for your horse, and the more you pay for your horse, the better it is because of breeding and [they have] more training, and all the equipment and stuff is really expensive and better equipment is better for your horse,” Landgrave said. “It’s hard to go up and compete against super-rich people and win, so when you do it’s so much more rewarding because you’re like, ‘I got here because of me, not because of my money.’”

Her sister Carly Landgrave has also seen that all of Landgrave’s hard work has payed off.

“She’s very much a perfectionist when it comes to horseback riding, so she always follows her routine,” Carly said.

“Mackenzie is always very diligent and that it an admirable trait.”

Landgrave has worked hard to become the experienced rider that she is now, but it has not always been easy. While she has dealt with being bucked off horses and having some of her horses die through her years of riding, she has not given up.

“Don’t be discouraged by little things that seem really hard to get over at first, little things that seem like they’re going to be a wall now,” Landgrave said. “You can get over them and be able to succeed in the future. It seems hard, but once you get past them, it gets so much better.”

WHY WE SELECTED MACKENZIE Mackenzie Landgrave stands out because of the uniqueness of her extracurricular activity. Not very many people can say that they can ride a horse confidently and look good while doing it.

She is also very dedicated to what she does. Since horseback riding is not schoolaffiliated, she does not receive praise from her peers for what she does — not that she cares about that. Landgrave does what she does because of her love for the sport and for that, she deserves all the praise in the world.

// WHITNEY MERRILL //

Issue 6 // Eagle Eye // 19

Sam Ramsey

AGE: 18 // GRADE: senior // PASSION: saving for college STORY BY AMANI BROWN PHOTOS BY AMANI BROWN

W

ind Crest Retirement Community’s fireside restaurant buzzes with the sound of quiet music, the clank of dishes, voices of the elderly who live there and the thump of their cards hitting the table.

An abundance of teenagers work to serve the residents as waiters, hostesses and bussers in the restaurant.

Senior Sam Ramsey working there means saving 10 percent of his paycheck every two weeks to attend Kansas State University.

Sam’s fellow employees have reasons all across the board of why they chose to work at this senior living home.

“I only wanted to work here because I love old people,” junior Taylor DuBray said.

Others chose the job because of their friends or to make a little extra cash, but Sam had different motives.

“I mostly picked Wind Crest because I got recommended there by Ms. Mary DeBolt,” Sam said. “One of her students told Ms. Debolt that they were hiring and I went and got the job and I’ve stayed there for two years.”

Sam plans to continue working there for a couple of years in order to supply his financial needs for college.

“My plan right now is probably to go to Arapahoe Community College or Metro State University and then transfer to Kansas State University after two years,” Sam said.

“Not that I necessarily wanted to go to community college for my first two years but, money.”

His job as a waiter for the residents at Wind Crest is getting him that money.

“I bring them food, drinks, desserts and all that. I’m in charge of turning tables and resetting them so people can sit there,” he said. “They have valet parking for scooters and walkers so I do that, too.”

“You’re always moving and you’re always trying to please everybody and there’s no relaxation. From the time you start from the time you finish it’s very busy.” // SAM RAMSEY, senior //

Sam works three to four days a week for five-hour shifts and is always smiling and making his coworkers laugh.

“Sam is really funny and jokes around a lot so it makes work a lot more fun,” co-worker and Mountain Vista senior Shannon Lines said.

The restaurant is fast-paced and always packed, giving the workers no down time.

“It’s a really demanding job,” Sam said. “You’re always moving and you’re always trying to please everybody and there’s no relaxation. From the time you start from the time you finish it’s very busy.”

The atmosphere inside Wind Crest is busy and joyful, but also bittersweet. The sight of a couple saying hello to another woman and having to ask “Do you remember us?” though it was obvious they had seen each other days before, shows the true ambience of the living home.

Sam’s time at Wind Crest also provided him with a scholarship to aide to his college finances.

“If you work there for 1,000 hours between your junior and senior year you get $1,000 scholarship for every year (of college),” he said.

The scholarship along with some financial help from his grandparents, parents, and students loans, Sam will use the money he has saved plus the money he will be making these next two years in order to attend KSU. “Both my mom and dad graduated from Kansas State and I’ve been a fan of Kansas State teams for a while now,” he said. “When I went and visited the college my junior year is when I decided that that’s where I wanted to go.”

Even though both of Sam’s parents earned degrees from Kansas State, they are not pressuring him to go there.

“It doesn’t matter to me where he goes as long as he can study what he wants to study, it’s a reputable school and he walks out with a degree that he can find a good job with,” his mother Dawn Ramsey, a Mountain Vista faculty member said.

The news of Sam not being able to start his college career there was difficult for him to take.

“It was disappointing,” he said. “I really wanted those first couple years to be at a university, make a lot of friends and all that stuff.”

“I wanted to get out of the house and get some independence, but since I’m going to stay here, I’m probably going to have to live with my mom and dad for another two years. (Now,) transferring from ACC or Metro to Kansas State is my goal.”

WHY WE SELECTED SAM Sam is the kind of guy who is always smiling and making people laugh. When you take the time to get to know him, you can tell how hard of a worker he is and that he always keeps a positive mindset, even when things get hard. After hearing that his journey to college was not going to go exactly how he planned, I knew he would do whatever it took to get back on that path. I had to get to know more about his story and after I did, it showed me even more how much endurance and dedication he has towards his goals.

// AMANI BROWN //

Issue 6 // Eagle Eye // 21

Amy Zhou

AGE: 16 // GRADE: sophomore // PASSION: piano STORY BY REAGAN FITZKE PHOTOS BY JIE WEI ZHOU

S

ophomore Amy Zhou is a part of several organizations at Mountain Vista High School, including varsity tennis, Future Business Leaders of America and Key Club. She also excels as a student and takes several Advanced Placement classes. However, with her busy schedule, she still finds time to practice the one thing she loves: piano.

Zhou began to practice piano when she was an eight-yearold.

“My family friends had older children who played piano, so I wanted to be like them. One of them took lessons from Ms. Carolyn Shaak and she was really good, so I signed up, too,” Zhou said.

In only half a year, Zhou was playing with different orchestras. “I learned how to play pretty quickly,” Zhou said.

“In order to play in orchestras, you have to get first place in competitions, so I’ve had a few opportunities to do so.”

She even has been featured in the newspaper a couple of times. Zhou was featured in the Denver Post for her first place performance at the Stars of Tomorrow talent show in March. Other papers featured her performances at Bessie’s Hope fundraisers.

Zhou has received many awards throughout the years. She has gotten first place in roughly 12 competitions, giving her the chance to perform in several orchestras.

“I’ve won first place in Colorado State Music Association’s competition and first in other different Yamaha piano competitions. Then, I got to play with a national symphony orchestra a couple of times up in Breckenridge,” Zhou said.

Despite her success, piano remains as more of an escape from her busy life. “Piano makes me feel relaxed. It relieves me of my stress from school,” she said.

Zhou gives credit to her teacher for her encouragement.

“[Piano playing] is really only one side of her, for sure. She’s a very driven young lady to be the best she can be.” // WENDY STRAIT, counselor //

“[Ms. Shaak] challenges me to push myself with harder pieces, and ever since the beginning, she’s given me advanced pieces,” Zhou said. “When I get frustrated that I can’t get a piece right, she always says to keep on trying and to practice slowly.”

Shaak works with Zhou’s particular playing style in order to supply the best pieces and support her.

“She finds pieces that fit the way I play,” Zhou said.

Zhou frequently plays louder and faster songs and also finds enjoyment in nocturnes, which are softer and more emotional compositions.

“I like nocturnes because they allow me to show my emotions,” Zhou said.

Sophomore Hannah Smith is a close friend, as they play tennis together. “I really admire Amy,” Smith said. “She is involved in a lot of clubs and activities and still has time to practice piano. She really excels at piano and she makes sure to practice and go to rehearsals as needed.”

Smith has witnessed Zhou’s talent first hand in an eighth grade talent show and was definitely impressed.

“I was amazed by her talent I had no idea about. I’m so glad I got a glimpse of it,” Smith said.

Wendy Strait, an MVHS counselor, has also interacted a lot with Zhou. She works with her in Key Club and has been her counselor for the previous two years. Strait has listened to some of Zhou’s performances on a CD she received as a gift.

“I don’t know if you have heard many piano players, but she is outstanding,” Strait said.

Strait views Zhou as being all-around quite impressive. “[Zhou is] extremely dedicated to her studies, and super intentional about what classes she takes,” Strait said. “The interesting thing is Amy isn’t just a piano player. She’s a tennis player. She’s an excellent student. She’s involved in Key Club, and I’m 100 percent sure she’s involved in other clubs, too.”

Though Zhou is very passionate about playing the piano, Strait says she does not really discuss it and instead remains quite humble. “[Zhou] isn’t oober-goober about [piano]. She doesn’t come in and talk about it much, but I know she loves it and she’s very passionate about it,” Strait said.

Zhou may be highly recognized for her piano skills, but it is not the only thing she works at. She takes difficult classes and participates in several organizations within the school. “[Piano playing] is really only one side of her, for sure,” Strait said. “She’s a very driven young lady to be the best she can be.”

WHY WE SELECTED AMY Amy Zhou excels at piano. Anyone who has heard her play at various events knows exactly how much talent she has.

Not only does she succeed in this field, but she’s a very driven student as well. Zhou has been on the varsity women’s tennis team since freshman year. She also participates in various clubs in the school such as FBLA and Key Club. Her schedule is filled with severals honors and AP classes. Despite all of this, Zhou still finds the time to practice what she loves.

// REAGAN FITZKE //

Download the free Aurasma app in the App Store & log in: USER NAME: MountainVista PASSWORD: mvhs Scan the photo below for a video of Amy playing piano.

Issue 6 // Eagle Eye // 23

Mackenzie Winslow AGE: 16 // GRADE: sophomore // brain surgery STORY BY KELSEY PHARIS PHOTOS BY MACKENZIE WINSLOW

S

ophomore Mackenzie Winslow has a rare nerve condition that sends a shooting pain to her jaw at random times throughout the day. The condition is called trigeminal neuralgia and it is considered one of the most painful conditions known to humans.

Winslow had to stop playing sports like volleyball and softball because the pain was too much for her to handle.

“However, for some weird medical reason, running always seems to help with the pain and relax me in general,” Winslow said Winslow’s friend, sophomore Amy Huang, said the condition scared her for her friend.

“The pain got worse [since seventh grade],” Huang said.

“I just knew that the pain became really really bad and I couldn’t even imagine what it was like.”

Neither could Winslow’s Algebra II/Trigonometry teacher Rod Oosterhouse.

“I couldn’t imagine what she is going through,” he said.

“I know I am not tough enough to even take a little bit of pain. I would probably just sit and cry, but she doesn’t. She toughs it out and comes to class.”

Winslow was prescribed medication for her trigeminal neuralgia. However, there was a risk that the medication could have worn off, or worse cause brain death.

Because of this lurking danger, Winslow decided to undergo brain surgery that would possibly help lessen the pain.

Winslow underwent extensive surgery to help her condition March 4, over a total of seven hours. She had to fly to California for the surgery so that she could get it from one of the best doctors in the field.

Winslow said the surgery went well, adding she has not felt the pain of trigeminal neuralgia for five weeks.

“I wanted it because I wanted the pain to go away and I was willing to do anything. Even if I had to do it every day for the rest of my life, I would do it.” // MACKENZIE WINSLOW, sophomore //

Now, a different type of pain has started occuring: healing pain. Winslow said it does not feel as much like an electric shock, but it is almost as painful.

“The nerve is used to sending pain signals down to my jaw,” Winslow said. “Now, we just have to wait until the nerve corrects itself so that there is no pain at all.”

“I was skeptical of course because I believe in facts and I don’t trust doctors, so I am still nervous the pain might come back and I don’t want to, but all I can do is hope,” Oosterhouse said. “[Winslow] sees the condition as an obstacle she has to overcome to become the person she wants to be,” Huang said.

Now nearly pain-free, she is able to become who she wants to be. However, extensive surgery and debilitating pain had an affect on her school life. In preparation for her surgery, Winslow missed almost a month of school before spring break. “[Winslow is] great to have in class and is a nice, sweet girl. I just wish she could be in class more so it wasn’t so difficult trying to catch her up with new material,” Oosterhouse said.

Winslow and her friends said they were afraid about the surgery. It brought them closer together as she needed all the support she could get as she went into surgery and the few months before as the pain would get worse and worse.

Winslow said all her friends and family supported her, especially when they realized the severity of the situation. Her parents, sisters and friends all wanted to help her and make her feel better, but there was nothing they could do in the in end until she got her surgery.

“It’s just hard seeing her in pain and knowing that I can’t help her even though I want to,” Huang said. “It’s also hard when she is gone all the time because she is in the hospital or just in a lot of pain, and there is nothing we can really do about it.”

Winslow said, of course, she wanted the pain to go away.

“I was to the point where I was willing to do anything I could to make that happen,” she said.

WHY WE SELECTED MACKENZIE Mackenzie Winslow is the perfect example of a student who has had to stuggle through different hardships and obstacles to get to where she is today. She underwent brain surgery in March and is already back in school.

She is such an inspiration to anybody going though anything hard in his or her life and even though she probably wanted to give up multiple timesl she never did. Everbody can learn something from her, and that is to never, ever give up.

// KELSEY PHARIS //

Issue 6 // Eagle Eye // 25

Lauren Robinson AGE: 16 // GRADE: sophomore // PASSION: volleyball STORY BY AMY HUANG // PEYTON REEVES PHOTOS BY AMY HUANG

T

he bright lights shine down on the court as the volleyball flies through the air. There’s a pass from the back row and the ball goes perfectly into her hands. A perfect set to the outside. The team roars as they get the winning kill. A rush of excitement runs through sophomore Lauren Robinson. Her teammates praise the beautiful set from her. She knows her dedication has paid off.

Robinson has been a dedicated volleyball player since sixth grade. “I loved the way it made me feel. I felt like there was so much to learn about the sport and I couldn’t wait to find out just how far I could push myself,” she said.

She started out in a recreational league, then worked her way to various club and school teams. Whether it’s playing or helping coach younger kids, she is in the gym almost every day or about 10-20 hours a week. Robinson made Mountain Vista’s varsity team as a sophomore and her club team received a bid to the junior national championships.

Robinson has grown as a player and person since her sixth grade days and her club coach, Michael Robles, has witnessed the change firsthand.“She has learned how to handle pressure and support her teammates over the years,” Robles said. “She has learned that in order to become a great player you must sacrifice time with friends, school events and that there is never an off season.”

Robinson said over the years, the biggest lesson she has learned is that it’s impossible to be perfect.“I beat myself up a lot when I was younger because I always strived for perfection, but now I realize that mistakes help you grow,” she said.

Robinson said she keeps in mind that everything she does can affect her future.“Every action I do I think about my future first. I think how this could benefit my dream or hurt it,” she said, “I found something that I love too much to throw away so easily,”

“It’s hard to say exactly where my life will take me, but I want to be someone that a little girl can look up to and be a role model for.” // LAUREN ROBINSON, sophomore //

In order to continue what she loves, Robinson said she will have to make some difficult decisions in future. Just recently, Robinson found out that she has a stress fracture in her lower back, which she noticed about two years ago. The doctors told her that with surgery, it will heal.

“I’m scared of surgery because back surgery is pretty big and it’s a six-month recovery. Just thinking that this could potentially hurt my future is scary to think about,” Robinson said.

However, surgery is not a new concept in the Robinson household. Caitlin Robinson, Lauren’s twin sister, has also had surgery, but on her knee.“Watching [Caitlin] work really hard to come back from [her surgery] is really inspiring,” Lauren said, “Whenever I go on the court I play for her because I know how much she’s struggling, only supporting and sitting out, watching from the sidelines,” Caitlin has had experience with how hard it is to work back from an injury and is there to support her sister completely. “I know how strong she is and she’s one of the few people that I know who would be able to do this. Once she does get surgery, I know that I’ll be playing for her, too, like she is for me now,” Caitlin said of Lauren.

These sisters have been playing together ever since they began. “Being able to spend all my time with her, we are able to see our strengths and weaknesses and build off of that,” Lauren said.

Lauren said the sport would not be the same if she did not share it with her sister. “The best part about it is playing with (Cailin). It’s amazing to be able to play a sport we both love together. She pushes me to become a better athlete and she helps me pursue my dreams.”

Besides playing six-man indoor volleyball together, Lauren and Caitlin are also partners for outdoor grass doubles. “Doubles takes my mind off of the stress and it’s where I really have fun playing,” Lauren said. The two use the doubles tournaments to learn about each other. “We can figure out who’s better at what and it helps us mesh better together,” Caitlin said.

Lauren has said how her dream is to play doubles when she is older. She was introduced to doubles about two years ago and has loved it ever since. “I really want to take that up in college because six-man volleyball can get super stressful,” Lauren said.

Lauren said her passion for the sport has influenced her entire life. The friends she has made and the lessons she has learned through volleyball all shaped who Lauren is today.

“It’s hard to say exactly where my life will take me, but I want to be someone that a little girl can look up to and be a role model for,” Lauren said. “I’m looking forward to the adventures volleyball takes me on.”

WHY WE SELECTED LAUREN We chose Lauren Robinson because she is truly dedicated to volleyball. Lauren is passionate, hard working and determined.

She has all the qualities coaches wish for in every player. She has an outstanding work ethic and is a wonderful teammate.

Volleyball is a major part of her life and without it she would not be who she is today.

Her volleyball career is a crucial piece of her life journey and will continue to be.

Lauren is an inspiration to the volleyball community and to us.

AMY HUANG // PEYTON REEVES

Issue 6 // Eagle Eye // 27

Kirsten Deppy AGE: 17 // GRADE: junior // PASSION: drawing STORY BY ANNA THEIS PHOTOS BY ANNA THEIS

Y

ou would hardly notice junior Kirsten Deppy, sitting with backpack, notebook, pencil, Starbucks cup and earbuds in, sitting in the hallway during first period. Sketchbook in hand, she is fully engrossed in her work, artwork that is.

As I approached her, I was hesitant to bother her. She just looked content sitting there in silence, her hand making calculated marks across the paper.

“I started drawing the summer before middle school,” said Deppy. “I started when I saw friends drawing and decided to join in.”

She says there was never one moment when she knew she wanted to draw. It was more of a gradual thing when she noticed her friends drawing in school.

Deppy is completely self-taught, with no artistic background besides general art classes in elementary school. In her free time she looks up anything she needs to learn on the internet.

For her, drawing is what sports are to other students, a way of relaxing, letting off steam from a busy day and venting any other emotions. Often times, she starts her morning by sitting during her off period and just sketching.

Right from the start, Deppy found her notch for drawing anime, Japanese cartoon characters. She focuses primarily on fan art found in video games and movies. She also likes to draw inspiration from the webcomics she reads. Some of the drawings are original (commonly referred to as “OC”) and she says originals are good to draw when one has nothing else.

Deppy said she does not like to pick favorite drawings and never really names her artwork.

“I don’t think there’s an artist that really loves their work.

Artists are always critical and think everyone elses [artwork] is better and they find flaws in their work,” she said.

“I don’t think there’s an artist that really loves their work.

Artists are always critical and think everyone else’s [artwork] is better.” // KIRSTEN DEPPY, junior //

Deppy uses two methods of drawing. The first is old fashioned pencil and paper. She has an impressive seven full sketch books at home. Deppy says she likes to start and end each new sketchbook with a self portrait to see the progress she has made and how much her style has changed.

Looking back she has noticed a significant change between the drawings when she first started and the drawings now.

Deppy not only works with paper, but also has artwork online, which she created using a drawing tablet. The tablet, she explained, is about the size of an iPad, and connects to the computer and has a pen to draw on the tablet. The sketch then shows up on the computer screen.

A rough sketch of a person began to form on the sketchbook. “If it’s a quick sketch, it takes about ten to 20 minutes, but some can take an entire class period. It all depends on the detail you want to put into it,” she said.

Among the various objects around her on the hallway ground is her backpack, which is covered with anime characters.

“They are from Kingdom Hearts,” she said. “Each character represents the character’s [individual] personality. My friend Elise Keller drew them.”

While Deppy is devoted to the trade right now, she said doesn’t think she will continue doing art in college. Instead, she hopes to keep it strictly a hobby and a way to relax.

It is obvious that Deppy is passionate about art. Having taken the time to refine her skills, she has made drawing a major part of her life.

Art has become an indivdual activity for Deppy, an activity that doesn’t involve the input of others.

“Art isn’t one of those things where you ‘get together as a group,’” she said. “I mean, you can, but for me it’s more individual. My friends and I don’t just get together and draw.”

She said as of right now she does not share her work with other people, unless they specifically ask.

The whole point of a passion, she said, is doing something to please yourself.

“I don’t draw for other people,” she said. “I draw for me.”

WHY WE SELECTED KIRSTEN Kirsten is the perfect example of someone taking a passion in life and using it as a way to release tension and stress from her day. Drawing is something she does completely on her own time as theraputic relaxation. She is completely invested in the art because she has taken the time and energy to learn the skills. While she does not plan on pursing drawing in college, her passion for the art is evident in her everyday life.

// ANNA THEIS //

Issue 6 // Eagle Eye // 29

Kristine Happach AGE: 18 // GRADE: senior // PASSION: nursing STORY BY LEXI WEINGARDT PHOTOS BY LEXI WEINGARDT

W

hen we are young, we all have a dream of being a fireman or a singer, or some other admired career. For most people, their dream job changes again and again until they finally decide what they want to do for the rest of their life.

For senior Kristine Happach, it was a little different. Her dream since she was a small child has been to be a nurse.

“I was always into the doctor and nurse kind of stuff,” Happach said. “I was going to be a doctor for a while and then I got into the health sciences program and I realized nursing was for me.”

This year, Happach decided she wanted to see what life would be like as a nurse, so she started interning as a Certified Nursing Assistant in the Littleton Health Sciences Program. She was in the program for six weeks, finishing April 25.

“I have been in the program for a year, but the first semester we are in a classroom and just learn about interning,” she said. “Then, second semester, I have mainly been doing lab work and we did six weeks clinicals.”

In the program, Happach interned at a variety of places including Life Care Center of Littleton, which is a nursing home, HighLine Place, which is a memory care facility, and Littleton Adventist Hospital. Out of all the places she interned, she said Littleton Adventist Hospital was her favorite.

“I know I want to work as a nurse in a hospital, hopefully trauma or ER, so I naturally loved the hospital environment.” Happach said.

Happach said the most memorable part of her internship was working with a diabetes patient: “I was at the hospital and this guy had diabetes, so he had no feeling in his feet because he didn’t have nerve

“I was going to be a doctor for a while and then I got into the health sciences program and I realized nursing was for me.” // KRISTINE HAPPACH, senior//

endings in his feet,” Happach said. “He stepped on a bottle cap and I had to take care of it, but it got so bad that it got infected. So, they had to remove half his foot and I got to see that wound which was really cool. It was super weird but it was cool.”

As a nursing assistant, Happach mainly shadowed a nurse and performed a variety of tasks that the nurse asked her to do. Some of the tasks she performed were to “help the patients in the bathroom, get them water, and take them to lunch.”

“Sometimes you have to feed people, things of that nature,” Happach said. “Really, I help them when they are sick and try to make them feel better.”

Through a multitude of experiences like this throughout her time at the various facilities, Happach said she has learned several important things about being a nurse and about life in general. “[I learned a lot about] being patient with people. Sometimes the patients can get kind of upset about things and you just have to be patient,” Happach said. “Also, [I learned about] talking to people and working with people, just people skills in general.”

She said she would recommend interning to students at Vista because it gives one experience they would never otherwise get, and it prepares them for college.

One of Happach’s closest friends, senior Jilly Cherry, also wants to be a nurse and she said Kristine is doing a great thing by interning at the hospital.

“She’s a very helpful person and she has a great personality. So I feel that she will be a great help to everyone.”

Cherry said.

Cherry has also interned as a nurse and said she would recommend it to students at Mountain Vista.

“I think its a great idea,” Cherry said. “It’s a great experience to help you figure out what you want to do and it prepares you for the future. You get to see what it will actually be like when you are older and you start working. I think it is a great idea and that everyone should do it if they know what they want to do.”

Another one of Happach’s friends, senior Taylor Lowry, said she also supports Kristine 100 percent in her dream of being a nurse. Lowry said Happach has wanted to be a nurse for a long time and the profession suits her perfectly.

Lowry also said she can see the positive affect the program has had on Happach.

“She seems to really like it and talks about it all the time,” Lowry said. “It seems like she has enjoyed it.”

WHY WE SELECTED KRISTINE Kristine Happach has wanted to be a doctor since she was a child and has pursued her dream career all throughout high school.

This semester she interned in a program called Health Sciences and enjoyed it so much, she realized she wants to be a nurse. Kristine has taken the necessary steps, such as taking an AP Biology class, getting great grades in all her other classes and doing several nursing programs, to be able to get into the University of Arizona this fall. // LEXI WEINGARDT //

h Issue 6 // Eagle Eye // 31

31W

Gannon Rushall AGE: 15 // GRADE: freshman // PASSION: basketball STORY BY CONNER DAVIS PHOTOS BY CONNER DAVIS

W

hile the Mountain Vista Varsity Mens Basketball team enjoyed great sucess this season, reaching as far as the Final Four, other students, such as Gannon Rushall, 9, have displayed their passion for basketball on club teams.

Rushall started playing when he was in second grade and ever since then, he has not stopped, currently playing for the Colorado Gamecocks. “[I have kept playing because] it’s really fun because I get to play with my friends and it is really fun to score and play well,” Rushall said.

The Gamecocks are a highly competitive club team with players from across Highlands Ranch, however, they compete on a national level. They travel the nation to have a shot at titles such as the Amature Athletic Union National Championship. This summer, they plan to make trips to Kearney, Nebraska and Salt Lake City, Utah.

Being a leader on his team was tough at first, coming from Rock Canyon High School onto a Mountain Vista-based team. Rushall found the Gamecocks through a friend and decided to make the most of a new opportunity.

“I already knew some friends from a Highlands Ranch Community Association league and my friend [freshman, Cooper Smith] invited us to play on a club team, so I was comfortable with joining a new team,” Rushall said.

Being on a team and becoming close friends with a bunch of Vista kids gave Rushall the idea to go to Vista and look for new basketball opportunities. “I came to Vista because I didn’t like Rock Canyon or how their program was ran,” he said.

A big part of Rushall’s basketball life is his coach, Missy Harden.

“She taught me to how to post up and how to make really nice post moves. She also helped out with conditioning. She

“It is really important to work with your team because if you do not work with your team well, then you all go down.” // GANNON RUSHALL, freshman //

really pushed us to condition, which helps a lot,” Rushall said.

Putting in the amount of work that Rushall does is very time consuming and takes a lot of effort. Rushall said everything he does outside of school is to benefit his basketball skills, whether it is going to open gyms with the Mountain Vista team, or working out on his own. He also is starting to work out in the mornings with a coach to improve his fundamentals.

“When I’m not really motivated to play or practice, I think about what I would do instead,” he said. “Like if I played video games all day, what good would come out of that?

Nothing. It’s really just a waste of time to sit around and do nothing,” said Rushall Some of Rushall’s closest friends are his teammates. “[Gannon] has a great attitude when we are winning, and he tries to keep a good one when we are losing,” Smith said. “[Gannon] sets good screens, which benefits me and him because I can get assists to him when he rolls,” Another teammate, freshman Isaac Phillips, who has played on the court with Rushall for three years said.

Both Smith and Phillips said Rushall brings something special to the team, something the team would not be the same without. “He brings great work ethic to the court, and when [his teammates] see him pushing himself past his limits, [his teammates] too are pushed to work hard and make themselves better,” Rushall has not just put effort and hard work into basketball, “I have also learned important life lessons,” he said.

“I really pulled away teamwork and teamwork skills, things like that,” he said. “It’s real important to work with your team because if you do not work with your team well, then you all go down.”

People work hard to get results. Rushall said he hopes to play basketball all four years of high school, and then go on to college basketball, but he does not know where. After that, he said hehopes to play in the NBA among the professionals, but he is not sure if he will be able to make it there.

If Rushall leaves competitive basketball behind in college, he hopes to go into movie making and editing with special effects.

“Basketball really does mean a lot to me, and I really respect the game and its players. It really creates bonds within each team and that is what I like most about the game. I have met most of my best friends though basketball, and it has really shaped my life as it is now.”

WHY WE SELECTED GANNON There are lots of people who are not willing to work hard to be great at something.

Gannon Rushall is not one of those people. He pushes himself past his limits to become better at something he is truly passionate about. Whether it is a painful conditioning workout, a drill or a scrimmage, he gives it everything he has and does everything in his power to become a better player. He can teach us all a lesson on being dedicated and pushing ourselves to do great things.

// CONNER DAVIS //

Issue 6 // Eagle Eye // 33

Sydney Ostdiek AGE: 17 // GRADE: junior // PASSION: world travel STORY BY KYLE JOHNSON PHOTOS BY KYLE JOHNSON

Bad Nostalgia STORY BY KYLE JOHNSON PHOTOS BY KYLE JOHNSON

Editors’ Note: Kyle Johnson is a member of this band, “Bad Nostalgia.” He also is a first-year member of VISTAj. This is his personal account of playing guitar in his band.

I

t all begins with the count-in. My amp wails a bloodcurdling scream as it packs itself into a wall of noise. The sound is racing across the room, trying to catch up with our playing. The drums are pounding away, the cymbals slicing through the attack and cutting the air like a knife. Not far away, the bass is holding the low-end on a short leash, weaving around the river of guitar and pouncing on the drums.

Picks are clicking on strings and sticks are smashing against drumheads.

This is our Friday night. It is not a football game or a party with underage drinking. We are not athletic enough to play football and we are not cool enough to go to parties. But we are in the halls and we share the same building. When the commons fill and boom with voices and laughter, we are close by yet we are in a different world. Music is constantly blasting in our ears, ideas for lyrics and chord progressions are always sprouting in our heads and it all leads up to this one moment on a Friday night. In this small basement we are doing our thing. It may not be what your parents want you to do or what you want to do, but it is what keeps us sane.

“Playing in your basement by yourself is one thing, but when you get with some friends that have similar tastes, it’s just a completely different experience,” bassist Devin Borden said, an eighth grader at Mountain Ridge Middle School. As the song comes to a halting close I look across the room at my friend’s faces as we all realize it was a good run-through.

“I think [band practice] is really a time for us to think outside the box and be creative and to do stuff that we love” drummer Tristan Borden, sophomore, said. High-fives are shared and celebratory cheering ensues. But we soar into the next song, leaving no room for anticipation.

As we play we cannot stand still, when the power of the

“Playing in your basement by yourself is one thing, but when you get with friends that have similar tastes, it’s a completely different experience.” // Devin Borden, bassist //

music is coursing through your veins you feel the need to jump around and thrash about. “No one likes someone who just stands there and doesn’t interact with the audience. I think running around and actually putting on a show is important,” Devin said.

This song closes and the sweat is collecting at our hairlines.

After an hour or so more of practicing we wind down with an acoustic guitar and get to writing. We practice the songs we already know and then we write more. “We’re practicing every weekend for as long as we can, and we stay up till like two in the morning writing new stuff,” Tristan said.

The sorting of lyrics, melodies, and chord progressions can take hours when writing a new song. It is gradual, you have to build up an intro and a verse and a chorus can take forever to write. “It’s kind of like putting together a puzzle that you don’t quite have all the pieces to yet,” Devin said.

A lot of bands focus solely on getting shows and trying to play as many places as possible. That is something that we want to do, but we want to have a body of good songs to play before we hit the stage. “For this next year I want to get our EP (extended play) recorded and out, that’s the number one thing. I want to write a lot of songs so we can make kind of a pile of songs to use for the future and just keep writing and writing so we can eventually record an album. I just want to get stuff out there right now,” Tristan said.

In the end it is all worth it, because that’s where it all begins. No band is born on a stage playing to a crowd of thousands of people. It takes incredible work ethic, determination and motivation. Bands do not just “appear” with a platinum album, it is something that they worked to achieve.

What we do is just like what other kids in this school do. We put in countless hours of writing, playing and marketing with blood, sweat and tears in the mix.

“Some people join a band because they think it’s just going to be easy and all fun. A lot of money and effort goes into it and also a lot of free time,” Tristan said.

The chances of a band like us receiving any amount popularity whatsoever are slim, but that is what working is for.

“I honestly believe through hard work, perseverance and of course a fanbase, they can make it,” Aaron Albury, sophomore, a friend and fan of the band said.

Maybe we will be stuck in the basement for the rest of our lives, endlessly writing songs that no one will hear. But maybe we have something bigger in store for ourselves. Great things do start in basements.

WHY WE CHOSE BAD NOSTALGIA I chose to cover my own band because I felt that we deserved to get some recognition for what we do. I thought that at least some people would be more interested in this than sports or something else that gets covered a lot more. Maybe it is a lost cause and I’m just talking to the wall.

Either way, I’m proud of what I do and I think that Bad Nostalgia is a high school band working very hard to get out there and release music for people to hear.

// KYLE JOHNSON //

Issue 6 // Eagle Eye // 35

U

nlike the male-dominated sport like golf, sophomore Austin Hardman wishes he was a girl.

“The only part I dislike is not being a girl caddy.”

Hardman says.

“They make so much more money in tips for just being a girl. I was caddying with a girl and she made double what I had made in tips. In all honesty, the golfers love girls, so it is very hard to get loops (rounds) sometimes,” Hardman said.

As a caddy, Hardman is in his natural habitat working in golf, an activity he loves.

Hardman plans on caddying during the summer at Cherry Hills Country Club (CHCC) as a class “B” caddie. As a class “B” caddie he is allowed to use a yardage gun, a device that captures magnets in the flag to find yardage, which helps with the pace of play. Caddies are supposed to pace the game to finish(the whole 18 holes) in approximately four hours.

Hardman does more than expected. “I give the players yardages. I carry the player’s bags. I clean the golf ball. I clean their clubs. I fix the divots in the fairway,” Hardman said. “I give them advice The main thing is yardage. It is more like, ‘What do I not do?’” He makes $30 a round plus tips.

There have been caddies since Cherry Hills Country Club opened in 1938. During that time, CHCC, which members pay $95,000 to join, has hosted the prestigious professional and amatuar tournaments. Another, The BMW Championship, will be held at CHCC this summer partially because of the caddie program and the course itself.

“I heard good things about (CHCC). I have always been a real big fan of the club. I just really wanted to be a part of it.

The golf course and the country club itself made me think it was a good fit for me as a caddie,” Hartman said.

“The entire caddie program is good for kids to try out,”

“It’s helpful for me to say that I get to work doing the thing I like to do. I find it enjoyable to be out walking the entire time.

You are getting some sun.” // Austin Hardman, sophomore //

Hardman said. “It’s helpful for me to say that I get to work doing the thing I like to do. I find it enjoyable to be out walking the entire time. You are getting some sun.”

Hardman’s passion is golf, he even wears golf attire to school.

“In any other normal job, you don’t walk a golf course for four hours,” Hartman said. “I just like walking the course, meeting new people and getting paid.”

Walking a golf course is completely different than any other job.

“You don’t walk a golf course for four hours in any other job and you have to give a lot of advice on many things, not just one thing,” Hardman said.

Hardman, who is in his second year as a caddy, said he plans to continue caddying through college during the summers in order to make some extra spending money.

Caddies are allowed to play the course, free of charge, on Mondays as long as they get two loops in the week before.

“Walking the course helps me play better on Mondays.

It is nice being able to work and then being able to play the course I walk also,” he said. “My favorite part is walking the course. Not a lot of people do.”

Nate Philpott, the brains behind the whole caddy program, is the outside service manager and caddy master. He assigns everyone loops and keeps the members happy.

“My favorite memory was playing the course for the first time. It was nothing that I had expected,” Hartman said.

Freshman Chris Rapp, who works closely with Hardman as a caddy, said. Hardman is a hard worker and always focused.

“He treats people with respect a 100 percent of the tim,” Rapp said.

Hardman said he does not have a favorite golfer that he worked alongside.

“I like them all. They all are really good golfers. They treat you well, they understand that you are trying your best all the time. I mean they try to help you out as much as they can,” Hardman said.

While watching the members golf, Austin critiques his own golf game.

“It is really helpful since I am able to see professionals golf because I am able to do stuff when I do play golf,” he said. “I can transform caddying to me actually playing golf. It really does help in the long run.”

WHY WE SELECTED AUSTIN Austin Hardman has a student job that is out of the ordinary. Golf is also his passion, so his job fits him well. Plus, he gets to work next to millionares.

Also, his job is not at a yogurt shop where many teenagers work.

As a caddy, the harder you work, the more money you make, so it provokes hardwork. The club members also seem to really like the hard work put in by each caddy.

Austin’s job is demanding and, as a golfer himself, a great learning experience for him.

// Tara O’Gorman //

Austin Hardman AGE: 16 // GRADE: sophomore // PASSION: golf STORY BY TARA O’GORMAN PHOTOS BY TARA O’GORMAN

Issue 6 // Eagle Eye // 37

U

nlike the male-dominated sport like golf, sophomore Austin Hardman wishes he was a girl.

“The only part I dislike is not being a girl caddy.”

Hardman says.

“They make so much more money in tips for just being a girl. I was caddying with a girl and she made double what I had made in tips. In all honesty, the golfers love girls, so it is very hard to get loops (rounds) sometimes,” Hardman said.

As a caddy, Hardman is in his natural habitat working in golf, an activity he loves.

Hardman plans on caddying during the summer at Cherry Hills Country Club (CHCC) as a class “B” caddie. As a class “B” caddie he is allowed to use a yardage gun, a device that captures magnets in the flag to find yardage, which helps with the pace of play. Caddies are supposed to pace the game to finish(the whole 18 holes) in approximately four hours.

Hardman does more than expected. “I give the players yardages. I carry the player’s bags. I clean the golf ball. I clean their clubs. I fix the divots in the fairway,” Hardman said. “I give them advice The main thing is yardage. It is more like, ‘What do I not do?’” He makes $30 a round plus tips.

There have been caddies since Cherry Hills Country Club opened in 1938. During that time, CHCC, which members pay $95,000 to join, has hosted the prestigious professional and amatuar tournaments. Another, The BMW Championship, will be held at CHCC this summer partially because of the caddie program and the course itself.

“I heard good things about (CHCC). I have always been a real big fan of the club. I just really wanted to be a part of it.

The golf course and the country club itself made me think it was a good fit for me as a caddie,” Hartman said.

“The entire caddie program is good for kids to try out,”

“It’s helpful for me to say that I get to work doing the thing I like to do. I find it enjoyable to be out walking the entire time.

You are getting some sun.” // Austin Hardman, sophomore //

Hardman said. “It’s helpful for me to say that I get to work doing the thing I like to do. I find it enjoyable to be out walking the entire time. You are getting some sun.”

Hardman’s passion is golf, he even wears golf attire to school.

“In any other normal job, you don’t walk a golf course for four hours,” Hartman said. “I just like walking the course, meeting new people and getting paid.”

Walking a golf course is completely different than any other job.

“You don’t walk a golf course for four hours in any other job and you have to give a lot of advice on many things, not just one thing,” Hardman said.

Hardman, who is in his second year as a caddy, said he plans to continue caddying through college during the summers in order to make some extra spending money.

Caddies are allowed to play the course, free of charge, on Mondays as long as they get two loops in the week before.

“Walking the course helps me play better on Mondays.

It is nice being able to work and then being able to play the course I walk also,” he said. “My favorite part is walking the course. Not a lot of people do.”

Nate Philpott, the brains behind the whole caddy program, is the outside service manager and caddy master. He assigns everyone loops and keeps the members happy.

“My favorite memory was playing the course for the first time. It was nothing that I had expected,” Hartman said.

Freshman Chris Rapp, who works closely with Hardman as a caddy, said. Hardman is a hard worker and always focused.

“He treats people with respect a 100 percent of the tim,” Rapp said.

Hardman said he does not have a favorite golfer that he worked alongside.

“I like them all. They all are really good golfers. They treat you well, they understand that you are trying your best all the time. I mean they try to help you out as much as they can,” Hardman said.

While watching the members golf, Austin critiques his own golf game.

“It is really helpful since I am able to see professionals golf because I am able to do stuff when I do play golf,” he said. “I can transform caddying to me actually playing golf. It really does help in the long run.”

WHY WE SELECTED AUSTIN Austin Hardman has a student job that is out of the ordinary. Golf is also his passion, so his job fits him well. Plus, he gets to work next to millionares.

Also, his job is not at a yogurt shop where many teenagers work.

As a caddy, the harder you work, the more money you make, so it provokes hardwork. The club members also seem to really like the hard work put in by each caddy.

Austin’s job is demanding and, as a golfer himself, a great learning experience for him.

// Tara O’Gorman //

Austin Hardman AGE: 16 // GRADE: sophomore // PASSION: golf STORY BY TARA O’GORMAN PHOTOS BY TARA O’GORMAN

Issue 6 // Eagle Eye // 37

Maddy Jones AGE: 16 // GRADE: sophomore // PASSION: soccer STORY BY HAYLEY MUSTIN PHOTOS COURTESY OF KRISTIN ZINIS

“

M

any students at Mountain Vista participate in competitive sports outside of school.

Sophomore Maddy Jones is one of the many.

Jones plays soccer for Rush Elite Clubs National League, also know as ECNL, which is the top team of a club in Colorado.

Last year, Jones tore her ACL at a tournament in Dallas, Texas. Her team was playing the “Defeaters” (a team from Texas).

“They were very physical and the whole game was a battle. The game was tied and then the Defeaters scored,” Jones said.

Jones felt as if the goal was her fault and decided she would do whatever she could to get the game back. She said she was willing to risk it all.

Jones’ team was down with about eight minutes left in the game and her team got a corner kick.

Jones decided to go in hoping to get a shot off of this even though she was a defender whose job is typically to stop the other team from scoring. She felt this play was significant and finally decided to take the chance.

“The ball was served in and ricocheted off one of my players and landed at about the six-yard line. I stepped in with my right foot and the goalie came in from the side and basically rolled over my knee,” she said, adding the pain was unlike anything she had experienced.

The recovery process was no piece of cake for Jones.

“I had surgery a month later to fix my ACL and take out some of my meniscus. Then, I rehabbed for a year,” she said.

She was also on crutches for a long time. After the year of recovery, Jones was back and hungry to play the game she loved.

“Every second on the field is a blessing and I’m grateful for every single one.” // MADDY JONES, sophomore //

“When I came back I was able to play a tournament in Arizona and then the next weekend my team and I returned to Texas for the same ECNL event as the year before,” Jones said.

Her team was then faced with the Defeaters yet again.

The game was going well until an unfortunate turn of events took place.

“I started the second half and got a loose ball. I passed it back to my goalie and popped out to the side of the field to get the ball. I got the ball back and my touch wasn’t great so the ball ran out of bounds. I took a step with my right leg to slow down and one of the opposing teams forwards hit me straight in the knee,” Jones said.

That single play caused her reconstructed knee to tear yet again and from that moment she knew exactly what she was about to go through.

“Both times were freak accidents and they would have torn anyone’s ACL if they had been in my position,” Jones said.

Both incidents were bad for Jones, but the second time had been a little worse because she had to take a different graft to replace her ACL. Going through the same thing twice messed with her mind a little bit and caused her to struggle mentally.

Recovering from both of the injuries was not easy for Jones, who said the mental recovery was just as hard as the physical, which was surprising to her.

“The recovery process is hard sometimes. I go to physical therapy, as well as strength and fitness training to get my muscle back that I lost due to atrophy,” Jones said.

All through the process, Jones looked on the bright side.

“You have to stay positive and have a hard-working attitude because it’s not just an injury that heals itself. You have to work for it. You have to look at your long-term goals and aspirations rather than just feeling stuck in a rut.”

Looking at Jones now, she has a scar on her knee but she also has a smile on her face. She is finally off crutches and said she plans to return to soccer next fall. She will never play this same team again and her coach jokes that she is “never even allowed in Texas.”

All this has made Jones a stronger person both physically and mentally and has taught her to never give up.

“I had to overcome a lot of emotional barriers and face some of my biggest fears,” Jones said. “I appreciate the game a lot more now. Every second on the field is a blessing and I’m grateful for every single one. My love for the game has grown even more and each day is just another day where I can get stronger.”

WHY WE SELECTED MADDY Maddy Jones is a great example of a student-athlete who is incredibly passionate.

Maddy loves soccer, the sport loved by many.

She devotes a lot of her time practices, games and making herself better.

Her experiences through the sport have made her stronger both physically and mentally and have made her the person she is today. Maddy’s comeback story can inspire others to never give up, even when times get hard.

// HAYLEY MUSTIN //

Issue 6 // Eagle Eye // 39

New Beginnings

Sophomore Josh Freitag has learned more about baseball than he imagined when he moved from Illinois to Colorado CAMERON COX

O

ne ordinary kid in Wheaton, Ill. started playing on his uncle’s T-ball team at the young age of four.

Since that day, he has had a passion for baseball and all sports in general.

Now, at the age of 16, Josh Freitag is no longer a kid starting off in a new sport, but an experienced and skilled high school baseball player.

Freitag, who now has been playing baseball for 12 years, is in a unique position that many teenagers have not experienced: He has played baseball for school and on competitive teams outside of school in both Illinois and Colorado.

His commitment to these sports has turned into a passion. What makes his position so unique is how far he has come as a person, as a player and as a student over the years.

This year Freitag has developed a whole new attitude and outlook on baseball. Moving from Illinois and undergoing these changes has so far proven to be only beneficial for him.

“Once I got into high school baseball and started playing competitively, I felt very accomplished and good about myself,” Freitag said. “Moving to a new school and being able to play on JV has been very satisfying.”

The shift in the baseball programs between his old school in Illinois and MVHS are very noticeable to Josh. “The whole program here is great,” Freitag said. “At my old high school, I had a few good coaches, but the ones here are definitely the best I have ever had.”

The coaching strategies in Colorado are reflected in his skills as a baseball player and as a student. The lessons he takes from his coaches are already shaping him into a totally new baseball player over the course of a single season according to Freitag.

“I have had a lot to learn here, and I have already seen myself taking new steps,” Freitag said. “I think if I am patient this year. Hopefully by next year, I can take bigger steps and have gotten better.”

Since he moved to Colorado, Freitag said he has refined and improved his baseball skills.

“I was never really that great at catching a few years ago, but since then I have been making huge progress with my coaches and trainers, and I think I am going to keep improving if I spend more time with it,” Freitag said. “I know that the Mountain Vista coaches will keep helping me along the way and I know I am going to get better as long as I have their help.”

While the coaches have been big role models in Freitag’s life and performance, the influences of his teammates has translated well to his performance, too.

“I am really proud of the entire JV team,” Freitag said. “We have come together as a team and so far the progress we have made is really significant and impressive.”

The team finished its season with a 13-14 record.

40 // Eagle Eye // Issue 6

Photo Courtesy of Brandon Freitag

Sophomore Josh Freitag catches during a junior varsity baseball game.

“I have had a lot to learn here, and I have already seen myself taking new steps,” Freitag said.

Freitag said his motivation to keep playing is directly affected by those around him, especially his teammates.

“My biggest motivation to keep playing is mostly my teammates,” Freitag said. “My coaches — and family, too — are a big part of it, too. I guess I just love the sport and playing it for other people.”

Freitag said focuses on his team and its strengths, as well as their weaknesses.

“At the beginning of the season we were struggling as a team, but we have pulled it together and really have become a lot better,” he said. “I want to encourage my teammates to be as great as I know they can be.”

Stressful situations can appear in any sporting event and can make or break a team.

“I think we have progressively improved with handling those situations and as a team we have come together a lot more through the season,” Freitag said.

“In stressful situations we just get everyone together and get everyone to calm down and relax because we are confident in our ability. When we focus as a team we can get through anything.”

Freitag said he is definitely turning into something greater than his old self. He claims that he is developing methods to deal with stressful situations and to rectify his weaknesses.

“I have tried to build my character as well as my athletic abilities,” Freitag said. “When I am stressed, I calm myself down and think about how to improve and help my team.”

Catching One for the Team KATIE PICKRELL

K

elsey Heiland, a junior at Mountain Vista High School, devotes almost all of her time outside of school to one thing: softball.

From the time Heiland was six, she has spent the majority of her time playing the sport she loves. When she was younger, the game was little-league tee-ball with some of her friends.

Now, over ten years later, she plays as a catcher both on the Golden Eagles varsity team and outside of school with Psyclones Voodoo, a competitive team based out of Littleton.

Heiland has said her dad has influenced her the most with her decision to stick with the sport that she loves. “My dad supports me when I play,” she said.

Heiland also said her dad has never pushed her into doing anything she doesn’t want to do. She knows softball is something she actually wants to play because no one has ever made her do it.

“He’s just as passionate about the sport as I am,” Heiland said, adding her dad helps her to keep track of her hitting and catching practices.

As a player, Heiland’s character is most easily defined in saying she is a leader.

“Kelsey is the person that everyone wants on their team,” said teammate Alexandra Kinder, a pitcher for Voodoo and a sophomore at Valor Christian High School. “She is always positive and does whatever possible to benefit the team.”

Heiland, Kinder said, is “always pushing [her team] to do better. During practice she always gives 110 percent and even not at practice, she is still always working to improve her skills.”

Heiland’s position on the field says a lot about the kind of player she is.

As a catcher, she is involved in the game physically, and mentally. Heiland said she loves the game because “it’s always a thinking game.” “[Heiland] takes control on the field and keeps our team together,” Kinder said.

Another teammate, Sydney Marchando, a freshman at Rock Canyon High School, said, “you can tell she wants to play every time she steps on the field.”

Photo by Katie Pickrell All of Heiland’s teammates agree she shows her dedication to the sport all of the time, regardless of the situation. “[She] really brings us up when we are down,” Marchando said.

Heiland’s teammates said she is a leader not only on the field, but everywhere else as well. Because of that, the team shares a connection that not many do.

In one word, Heiland said her team is “driven.” She said the attitude of her team can be accredited for much of their success this season, though the weather got in the way of most of their tournaments.

“The majority of our tournaments (were) partially cancelled, so we (didn’t play) as many as we usually would have,” Heiland said.

Still, Heiland, who hit at least six homeruns this season, said for much of the season, her teammates still managed to play to the best of their abilities.

As one of the most dedicated players on the team, Heiland said she “thinks about [softball] all the time” — whether she is on or off the field.

“Every weekend and every practice,” Heiland said. “I get so excited to play.”

Photo by Katie Pickrell

Issue 6 // Eagle Eye // 41

Mountain Vista varsity baseball gets excited for the second round of the district playoffs. The team beat Grand Junction, 5-0, and advanced into the Elite Eight.

Going for the Greens

Senior Kaitlyn Elliott finishes up her first womens golf season

MACKENZIE GOVETT enior Kaitlyn Elliott joined Mountain Vista’s women’s golf team for her very first season, as well as her very first time playing the sport.

“This is my senior year and I never really played a sport at Vista, so I decided to start golf this year,” Elliott said. “I wanted a new experience going into college and to finally break out of my shy shell a bit.”

She has worked extremely hard this year to become a better player and also learn some life lessons along the way.

Elliott is typically a shy girl and being part of a team has helped her express her personality.

“This has really been my last step in high school to completely break that [shy personality] and be who I want to be for college,” she said.

Even as a first-year player, Elliott was a natural.

“Had she chosen to play more than one season Kaitlyn could have been a top player,” Kaitlyn’s coach, Coach Tim Taylor said.

Elliott said an important part of golf is setting achievable goals. Elliot said her top priority for her first season was to build fundamentals and the framework of a successful golf career.

“My ultimate goal is to at most double bogey every hole I play,” Elliott said. “In order

S

42 // Eagle Eye // Issue 6

Photo by Sydney Ostdiek

Spring Sports Updates Baseball

The mens baseball team went 18-3 this season. The team plays Chaparral in the 5A state playoff quarterfinals at 12:30 p.m.

May 16 at All-City Field in Denver.

Mens Lacrosse

The mens lacrosse team went 14-3 this season and advanced to the quarterfinals but lost to Arapahoe, 12-11.

Womens Lacrosse

to get my goal, I have to really work on my top priority.”

A successful season couldn’t come without challenges to overcome.

“The hardest part is definitely all the different things you have to think about. You have to think about so many separate little things to set up the right swing and then completely forget about them in order to do them right, so it’s definitely difficult to balance the two,” she said.

“The most frustrating is bad days when every ball I hit seems to hate me,” Elliott said.

“That frustrates me to no end.”

To overcome these challenges, she said she relaxes, takes a deep breath and takes it one swing at a time.

Taylor said Elliott has a great work ethic and always pushes herself to reach her goals.

“It’s a shame that Kaitlyn only played golf for one year,” he said. “Her dedication and commitment was impeccable.”

Womens lacrosse ended the season with a record of 11-5 and a loss to Colorado Academy in the 2014 CHSAA Girls Lacrosse State Championship.

Womens Soccer Womens soccer was 15-1-2 at press time. They play Columbine High School Saturday at Englewood High School at 11 a.m. in the 5A state semifinals.

Mens Volleyball

Mens volleyball lost in the first round of the state playoffs to finish its season.

Womens Tennis

Womens tennis won the Continental League championship for the first time and several players qualified for state.

One Question. Five Answers.

? 1 2 3 4 5 Erick Lopez Senior

WES EDWARDS PHOTOS BY WES EDWARDS

“My best experience (in high school) was moving to Mexico freshman year. It was very good learning experience and you get to learn about different cultures. I went to school down there and I made a lot of friends. I hope to go back to Mexico soon.”

What has been your most memorable experience outside of school this year?

Vanessa Bonacci Senior

Taylor Vigil Sophomore

“My most memorable experience this year was when my dad surprised my family on Christmas day with a trip to Disneyworld and we left the next day. It was really cool because I wanted to do that before I graduated.”

Adam Woody Teacher

“When my brother graduated college because it really brought my family together and we just felt more free. It was kind of sad because my brother was done with college.”

Rachel Sims Senior

“It probably hasn’t happened yet because my oldest is going to middle school next year. So, it’s like this is the last time she’s going to do this in elementary school or the last time she’s going to do that — the concerts, the festivals all of that.”

“The best experience I have had was going to a lot of EDM shows, like Zed’s Dead, Krewella and Glo. I am also going to Global Dub soon.

I love to have fun at the shows and dance with my friends. ”

Issue 6 // Eagle Eye // 43

TRACK & field

Back Row: Brian Grover, Jacob Hansen, Ryan Currie, Ted Washington, Jessica Nats, Nicholas McDaniel, Graeme Mietzner, Taylor Marks, Ryker Rouse, Noah Hammer, Landon Mills, Kellen Parker, Michael O’Sullivan, Kat Lewis, Katrina Burrup, Kenzie Haberkorn, Colin Young, Austin Miller, Jacob Cushatt, Christian Winfrey, Lon Arnold Next Row: Hayden Williams, Peyton Elliott, Matt Morris, Tyler Matzke, Cameron Kroonenberg, Jaxyn McKesson, Scott Roberts, Trevor Spieker, Ashlee Johnson, Boston Lucero, Austin Sack, Jeff Du, Michael Pons, Jake Propernick, Parker Walton, Noah Rawls, Nicholas Romine, Keegan Mullins, Brock Rubley, Austin Hayes Next Row: Matthew Ages, Jon Du, Shelby Haffner, Jessica Harris, Allie Williams, Bailey Yorker, Brenna O’Connor, Coach Ryan Lopez, Coach Tim Padjen, Coach Jonathon Dalby, Coach Lucas Thorpe, Coach Steve Ochsner, Sigourney Burch, Garrick Elliott, Liam Barrowcliffe, Connor Weaver, Paxton Smith, Natalie Eckhoff, Carson Hart Next Row: Jordan Burton, Ashley Bravo, Sarah Burgoyne, Caroline Smetanka , Sarah Parker, Alex Fu, Alexa Smith, Jessica Ehrman, Sophia Bunton, Molly Reicher, Jordan Akins, Seth Radman, Erin McMullan, Andie Mitchell, Kelly McMullan, Abbie Suntken Emma Smith, Abigail Huff, Karyn Schwartzkopf Front Row: Abigail Walz, Elise Van Leuven, Emily Evans, Preston Weaver, Deirdre Thornton, Rene Dreiling, Nathan Wilson, Sophia Kerzic, Paige Mawhinney, Jess Gonzales, Madison Decker

WOMENS golf

Back Row: Ashlyn Dixon, Tabitha Diehl, Alli Popowski Middle Row: Coach Brandon Brookfield, McKenna Konrad, Jenna Yoss, Lauren Tew, Mary Galligan, Emily Jensen, Eden McMann, Emma Friesen, Alyssa Smith, Lauren Griggs, Jordan Moede, Coach Tim Taylor Front Row: Kaitlyn Elliott, Jordan Frerichs, Coach Madison Robb, Coach Amy Shinners, Mackenzie Martin, Delaney Livingston Not Pictured: Grace Linderman

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MENS rugby

Note: This team consists of students from various schools. Those who are from Mountain Vista are numbered from left to right.

Back Row: Charlie Peisert (1), Matt Yockey (3), Will Jones (9) Next Row: Coach Jordan Barnes (1), Coach Rob (2), Sean Eisterer (3), Josh Thein (4), Jacob Wolf (5), Austin Whittier (6), Derek Rightmire (7), Eric Robinson (9), Zach Merrill (11), Coach Tim, Coach Ryan Joubert Next Row: Keegan Peisert (3), Brady Parker (5), Jason Juarez (6), Will Flynn (7) Front Row: Peter Johnson (2), Eddie McLaughlin (3), Coach Andre Joubert (5), Ryan Schroeder (6), Spencer Fairbairn (7), Cameron Whittier (8)

VARSITY WOMENS tennis

Back Row: Coach Jim Flanigan, Coach Cole Jensen, Hannah Smith, Hannah Murray, Tyla Stewart, Casey Zhong, Kendra Lavallee, Maddie Eccher, Coach Marc DeYoung, Coach Jenn Vidal Front Row: Ashwin Vaithianathan, Amy Zhong, Amy Zhou, Mari Dudek, Jordan Wade, Keia Krebsbach, Enzo Ortiz de Zarate

JV WOMENS tennis

Back Row: Coach Jim Flanigan, Coach Cole Jensen, Emily Reed, Jillian Cherry, Maddy Heist, Brenna Jensen, Maya Rodgers, Lexi Weingardt, Haley Stephens, Kristine Happach, Cassandra Reed, Coach Marc Deyoung, Coach Jenn Vidal Front Row: Ashwin Vaithianathan, Sydney Murphy, Divya Jain, Hunter Ernest, Lucy Kendall, Sarah Solnet, Alexa Hack, Sarah Olson, Enzo Ortiz de Zarate

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VARSITY lacrosse

Back Row: Robert Erickson, Tom Place, Davis Barker, Judd Erickson, Nick Monheiser, Matt Jackson, Shane McKenna, Sam Jeffries Next Row: Logan Bonjea, Will Heikoff, Alec Womack, Noah Hirshorn, Kyle Pless, Christian Barker, Kiel Brennan, Paxton Boyer, Sam Ell Next Row: Bryan Hancock, Coach Greg Miceli, Coach Jamie Murio, Coach Jake Heiman, Coach Patrick Chapla, Coach Sam Spalletta, Chase Babcock Next Row: Demetri Kambeitz, Coby Petau, Colin Munro, Chris Aretakis, Jake Varra, Jake Harvey, Evan Place Front Row: Jacksyn Gale, Haley Lewis, Cameron Cramer, Andrew Medina, Christian Brady, Carlie Curran, Savannah Padilla

JV lacrosse

Back Row: Nick Monheiser, Tyler Cagle, Andrew Breeling, Colin McCullough, Tyler Felske, Brandon Oxley, Will Heikoff, Devin Weinmann Next Row: Jimmy ___, Ethan Jones, Charlie Friedman, Sean Barich, Elijah Monte, Brent Wester, Keegan Petau, Drake Gunter, Matt Sexton Next Row: Cooper Gale, Will Secor, Conor Van Dok, Coach Sam Spalletta, Coach Patrick Chapla, Coach Greg Miceli, Nick Conner, Carter Strickling, Ryan Paap Next Row: Zachary Hammer, Kyler Mills, Nathan Foster, Hunter Tonner, Brad Oren, Zachary Gallegos, Cameron Mahoney, Nalen Denz, Josh Manis, Michael Rizzo Front Row: Carlie Curran, Savannah Padilla

COMBINED volleyball C-LEVEL lacrosse

Note: This team consists of students from various schools.

Those who are from Mountain Vista are numbered from left to right.

Back Row: Coach Elena Paich (1), Cameron Challoner (4), Mike Santini (5), Kobe Holdren (6), Coach Katie Goldner (7) Middle Row: Chandler Brown (1), Max Liebich (2), Kyle Waters (3) Front Row: Sam Ramsey (2)

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Back Row: Coach Jake Griebling, Tyler Felske, Andy Cano, Jared Gassen, Coach Chris ___ Middle Row: Matt Doddemeade, Barry/ Riley ___, Karl Danek, Jack Nelson Front Row: Carlie Curran, Savannah Padilla

VARSITY baseball

Back Row: Cooper Shearon, Michael Dunnebecke, Nick Leonard, Brad Johnson, Will Dixon, Tyler Tullis, Brady Subart, Brian Froechtnigt Middle Row: Coach Zach Higgins, Coach Ron Quintana, Coach Zac Stout, Coach Lee Martin Front Row: Jack Strunc, Dalton Lewis, Matt Weaver, Nolan Lewis, Cale Sparks, Dylan Formby, Marc Mumper

JV baseball

Back Row: Tyler Stromberg, Sean Healy, Troy Teegarden, Austin Liverant, Griffin Hankins, Josh Freitag, Collins Lawson Middle Row: Michael Johnson, Coach Jim Mann, Coach Matthew Foster, Tyler Blais Front Row: Brandon Wildt, Janson Lansville, Tyler Kraft, Cole Blatchford, Jalen Saiz, John Krysa

e SOPHOMORE baseball FRESHMAN baseball

Back Row: Trevis Lovato, Alex Clouthier, Austin Butler, Alex Algiene, Cole Riechert Middle Row: Coach Alex Beer, Coach Scott Hardy Front Row: Rick Stansbury, Eric Carlson, Brian Trujillo, Quinton Schroeder

Back Row: Vito Lella, Nate Ferguson, Blake Ruden, Jacob Kaze, Evan Clarke Resendez, Richard Mitchell, Daniel Cook Middle Row: Eric Look, Coach James Curtis, Coach Brandon Schrupp, Nolan Stritchko Front Row: Cade Walker, Alex Gonzales, Kendrick Norris, Keegan Gay, Sam Atlas, Max Lavaux

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