The Prospector Senior Edition 2023

THE CLASS OF 2023 THE SENIOR EDITION

In this year’s Senior Edition, The Prospector is pleased to present a printed publication of the Class of 2023. This class has demonstrated amazing talents, overcome many obstacles, and how us Mustangs come out on top. While the students and staff will be sad to see you all go; remember, you left a lasting impression on the Manitou community. Everybody is filled with excitement to see you all achieve; with some of you joining the workforce and others will be seeking higher education and others will be taking a break. No matter what your path is ahead, it will be overjoyed with what lies ahead. We thank you all for the impact you made and hope you have made many fond memories of times with friends, teachers and peers in your life as a Mustang and a part of the Mustang community.

By Dalton Gates, Senior Reporter

Charlie Morgan Skydives in Mexico

By Jack Embery

For those who know Charlie Morgan (12), he often is known for seeking adventure and adrenaline, sometimes at the risk of safety. So, it is no surprise that he desired to fall from the sky. Morgan went skydiving for the first time over Winter Break in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

“Adrenaline has always been the biggest thrill for me,” Morgan said. “I’ve always levitated towards extreme sports like snowboarding and motocross, rather than running on a field with a ball.”

Throughout his everyday life, Morgan looks for adventures that will bring him the adrenaline rush he seeks, so when he is presented with the opportunity to skydive on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, he jumps on the chance. “There is no greater adrenaline rush than falling out of a plane in freefall for a minute straight,” Morgan said. “I figured it would be fun and the views would be pretty.”

Morgan chose to skydive in Mexico to bypass all the rules and regulations required in the United States. He thought it would be a unique experience to go to Mexico, in addition to being able to land right on the beach.

“Before I knew it, I was getting thrown out of the airplane and I began to get nervous,” Morgan said. “But the first 45 to 50 seconds of freefalling was really, really exhilarating.”

After initially jumping out of the plane, Morgan faced many emotions that surprised him and made him question his decision. “Once your body kind of shuts down the alarm system that realizes that you are fine after the initial jump, then you can take in how awesome it is,” Morgan said. “But your body is screaming, alarm sounds for the first 10 seconds of falling.”

After Morgan’s body’s alarms stopped sounding, he could absorb the views of skydiving over the

ocean. “There is no other feeling to describe to you,” Morgan said. “You feel like you are about to die, but then you realize you have a parachute to save you.”

Morgan said if he could skydive again, he would do it over and over. “The rolling mountains of Central America with the blue coastal water of Puerto Vallarta with the birds eye view of the sand bay was one of the most beauti-

ful sights ever,” Morgan said. “And having my parents watch me falldown from the balcony was also a cool experience.”

After landing on the beach steps away from the condo, Morgan began to have a new perspective. “The adrenaline was quick to fade after landing,” Morgan said. “But the eye-opening feeling never left.”

Annie Riggin selected for Colorado

All-State Honor Choir

By Meghan Taylor

As the first semester comes to an Annie Riggin, a Manitou Springs High School senior, was selected to participate in the Colorado All-State Honor Choir. This choir auditions students from all across the state and brings the state’s top singers together for a three-day singing event, ending on the final evening with a public performance in Denver.

Colorado All-State Honor Choir selects top high school singers from each of the 4 regions; Metro, South, West and North. “Seven students from Manitou auditioned and over

1,445 people from across Colorado auditioned,” Abby Steen, choir teacher and director at MSHS and Manitou Springs Middle School, said.

Riggin has been in choir since she was little and has developed a deep passion and love for music.

“I’ve been in choir my whole life,” Riggin said. “It helps me get away from the struggles that I have.”

Earlier last semester, Riggin auditioned for the honor choir. “We were in class one day and Ms.

Steen was talking about it, asking who was interested in it,” Riggin said. “I went through the audition process, but I realized it was so overwhelmed that I couldn’t do it.”

Steen has run All-State Honor Choir for the duration of her time teaching at MSHS, but as an alumna, she also participated in it in high school. “The audition process was almost the exact same as when I was in high school,” Steen said. “We had a solo that we had to have memorized, and then we had to do sight reading, all of our scales, all of our triads, and intervals.”

Due to COVID restrictions and precautions, All-State Honor Choir has been on hold for the past couple of years. “Since we’ve still been getting back into the swing of things, I just wanted everyone to have this experience,” Steen said. “We have such great singers this year, such beautiful voices that I just knew someone would get in.”

Elsa Baker, a friend of Riggin and fellow All-State auditioner, has seen how hard Annie has worked in the audition process. “It’s a bunch

of different music skills and being under pressure,” Baker said. “I’m very proud of her, it came natural to her, she’s very, very talented.”

As Riggin brings her senior year to a close, she looks forward to continuing her musical career. “I’m going to take a gap year, but when I go back, I’m going to try and find a music program, whether that be a choir or having my Pitch Perfect moment with an acapella group,” Riggin said. “But definitely, 100%, I am going to continue singing.”

Steen is excited about the opportunities this can lead to for Riggin.

“Many states have an All-State Honor Choir and know the requirements and the difficulty for getting in. This automatically gives that person an advantage in their musical career,” Steen said. “This is a great opportunity for experience, but when she moves on to college or any musical career, she can put this on her resume.”

All-State Honor Choir auditions are open to any interested juniors or seniors. “It’s a great opportunity for all singers that want to have choir experience, they should try auditioning next year,” Baker said.

Charlie Morgan skydiving over Puerto Vallarta, MX, during Winter Break of 2022.

Annie Riggin works with Manitou choir teacher Abby Steen in preparation of her All-State Honor Choir performances.

Photographer Unknown

Meghan Taylor

Jack Embery works to earn his private pilot’s license

By Emily Waite

Jack Embery (12) has spent a large majority of his senior year working towards getting his pilot’s license. He officially achieved this accomplishment and received his private pilot’s license on Jan. 23, 2023. It was a multiple-step process for Embery to receive his license. He started this process at the beginning of his senior year. “I started by completing 15 hours of online ground school, where you learn basic flying concepts,” Embery said. “You learn about aircraft systems, navigation, weather, and all the FAR/AIM legal regulations.”

After the ground school was completed, Embery spent endless hours preparing for the Knowledge Test. “A Knowledge Test is a 60-question multiple-choice exam. You have to pass this test to be eligible to take your checkride,” Embery said. “After completing the ground school and passing the knowledge test, I began the flying portion of the lessons.”

Once these many steps were com-

pleted, Embery could begin flying with his Certified Flight Instructor. He had completed almost 65 flight hours, succeeding past the legal 40-hour requirement. There are many qualifications such as 10 hours of flying had to be done alone and several had to be cross-country flights. “For some of my crosscountry flights, I flew to Raton, NM; Trinidad, CO; Lamar, CO; La Junta, CO; and Colorado Air & Space Port, CO,” Embery said.

Embery continued to complete the tedious process until his final flight to receive his license. “We touched down at the Colorado Springs airport and it was such an overwhelming feeling of relief,” Embery said.

“At this point I was safely off the runway, taxing back into the parking area, and we began reviewing the flight. We parked the airplane, and after some additional review, I was a certified private ilot!”

The feeling of being able to fly was a life-changing experience for Embery. “Actually, being able to ma-

neuver an airplane from the plains of Colorado thousands of feet above the sky to an 11,000-foot piece of pavement and smoothly touchdown is a gratifying feeling,” Embery said.

Embery has been dreaming of becoming a pilot from a very young age. “From the time I met him in sixth grade he has been interested in flying,” Lairden Rogge (12), Embery’s close friend, said. “We even wrote a song in seventh grade joking about Jack being a pilot one day.”

Embery had grown his love of flying by often traveling with his family. “I flew a lot with my parents and grandparents; whether I was visiting family or going on vacation, going through the airport and flying was always a highlight of the trip,” Embery said.

Now that Embery has his Private Pilot License he has several plans to continue this career in the future. “I plan to finish the remainder of my ratings–Instrument Rating, Commercial Rating and my multi-engine rat-

ing– all of which require the same if not enhanced rigorous training. After completing these ratings, I plan on building hours, eventually making me eligible to become an airline pilot,” Embery said. “I am going to take a year to fulfill all my ratings and begin the process of meeting my ATP hour requirements of 1500 hours, by simply flying as much as I can.”

Embery also plans on staying in General Aviation after he gets his dream job as an airline pilot. “General Aviation has such an amazing community,” Embery said. “There are so many fun opportunities. For instance, I look forward to being able to do fly-in breakfasts at small airports around Colorado to meet up with other like-minded people. I even hope to get my seaplane rating this summer just to add to my resume of experience!”

“I am super proud of Jack, and I am so excited to get to fly with him one day,” Rogge said.

Jack Embery (12) receives his certificate from his DPE after completing the Private Pilot’s License checkride.

Jack Embery (12) landing a PA-28 on runway 17L at KCOS airport with his mom and dad.

Zach Perkins Rob Embery

Jack Embery (12) flying a PA-28 over the plains of Colorado after a snow storm. A photo of Pikes Peak taken from a flight during sunset over downtown Colorado Springs, CO.

Jack Embery Jack Embery

Advice from Class of ‘23 Advisors

“Find

The struggles of college applications

In addition to a senior in high school’s busy schedule, the college application process is long, cumbersome and requires tremendous discipline. I have found that many students go into senior year with little warning or help on the truly rigorous and tedious college application process. Students at Manitou Springs High School must complete prerequisite courses using Naviance software during their first three years of high school to suggest career path ideas, connect them with counselors, and alleviate much of the workload as a future graduate decides what career to pursue.

While counselors at the school have facilitated college workshops and assisted all students with graduation requirements, college applicants must set aside significant time and dedicated focus to fill out an application. Counselors recommend students apply to five schools of their choosing, but for me, that number did not feel like enough options and variety. It’s also difficult to apply to universities you’ve never been to or have only visited once.

I had a big dream many seniors have of wanting to escape and go out of state to study. I enjoy Colorado, the City of Manitou Springs, my friends and family but I felt like I wanted to “spread my wings.” What I didn’t realize was in my dream there was also a reality of application costs for out-of-state and in-state applications for each submission. So even though

that “5” number felt too small, it was very realistic for many high school students’ budgets.

When considering budgeting, college is expensive and scholarships can’t always pay for everything. There are many scholarships out there for every college applicant that are mostly contingent upon academic success, GPA, family income, excelling in sports, diverse ethnic backgrounds and large essays that depend solely on the student’s willingness to apply themselves when searching for and applying. It’s important to fill out your FAFSA application as soon as it is issued to be sure you get all the available federal financial assistance before relying on college savings or private student loans. For students that don’t feel they have the grades or opportunity to go to a four-year university, considering the option of a community college might be a beneficial solution for saving money on tuition, fees and possibly boarding.

For students like myself that have taken multiple years of challenging classes such as AP, honors, or dualenrollment and done well enough to have a high GPA, it has been my experience that private institutions offer more scholarship opportunities than public universities. However, private colleges are normally much more expensive than public colleges, but because of this, they tend to offer more and larger amounts of scholarship opportunities.

Most students can apply to colleges and universities directly through their official websites. Still, I had a good experience creating a College Common App account and was able to apply to multiple institutions in the same place. At times tedious and overwhelming, I found this common application well worth the time and effort. When choosing this route, all applicants must write a common application essay with a limit of 600 words and may be asked to write others depending on the college they apply to. My advice is to look at both application formats because they most likely have different requirements and I encourage others to pick the one they are most prepared for.

Universities across the State of Colorado and many others across the country have veered away from the mandatory SAT and ACT scores requirements, while others will still accept them in your application process even if they aren’t required. This is a bit of weight lifted off of college applicants’ shoulders, but I recommend still studying for these tests and trying to get your best possible score.

I started applying to schools in late July for universities in Arizona and Montana. I didn’t know at the time that there was a difference between “early decision” and “early action” applications. Early decision enrollment commits a student to a binding

contract and they are required to attend that college during the term they applied to early action enrollment applications are a lot more lenient and non-binding, but students get the acceptance decision back earlier than regular applicants. All schools and universities around the country have different dates to release admissions decisions. Instead of getting a big or small letter in the mail like back in the day, students now receive an email and sometimes if they are accepted virtual confetti!

After acceptance to hopefully multiple universities like mine, the true struggle is finding passwords, usernames and links to accept or decline admittance to each school. Once high school seniors pick their future dream college and where they will reside for the next four years, the institutions will require more information about their current grades, GPA and the level of classes a student took during their last year of high school. So don’t give up before you graduate or admission to your school of choice might be revoked. It’s important to prepare yourself for a future college workload that may be more intense than what you’re used to at Manitou Springs High School.

Best of luck,

Erica Sherwin

“Success in life depends on your level of effort.”

-Mr. Jeck

“Don’t be afraid to change your mind.”

-Ms. Santos

and lean into work that is satisfying.”

-Mr. Walker

“Perfection is overrated.”

-Ms. Lee

“Join the Navy!”

-Mr. Blocher

“Do not take life too seriously.”

-Mr. Housley

What did you want to be when you grew up?

S E N I O R A S P I R A T I O N S

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Kai Thomas takes the next step into his career

By Morgan Flannery

Senior, Kai Thomas, has the opportunity to learn about vehicle mechanics and work with cars as a part of his class schedule. He is enrolled in Manitou Springs High School’s Career Start program, giving him the chance to get his foot in the door of job opportunities straight out of high school.

Thomas has had an interest in vehicles throughout his childhood, making the class a great fit for his interests that the typical school day does not include. “When he was little, we always had cars,” said Hannah Rouse, Thomas’s mom. “We used to have this box of super old cars that were given down to us by his grandma and Kai was always interested in how they worked.”

Sports cars and mechanics are a popular interest among MSHS students. “One of my best friends since the seventh grade really liked cars, and he got me into them,” said Thomas. He finds a common ground with many of his friends through his deep interest in cars and has also met new friends through Career Start.

Thomas attends the classes during the first two blocks of the school day at Pikes Peak State College. The program allows him to develop

his skills with vehicles and work hands-on with projects, something he has been interested in for years.

“Around about 3rd or 4th grade Kai started playing around with lawn mowers and other electronics. He would start taking them apart and playing with them,” Rouse said. Thomas’s class offers hands-on learning. “They give you an example of a part, and then they have a bunch of broken-down cars. So, you go into this garage, and you find that part, take it off, inspect it, then you put it back,” Thomas said. His class had different units on brakes, transmissions, and it even had an electric car come in that he got to work with.

“I heard about the opportunity from a sign in the hallway,” Thomas said. He is planning on going into the automotive field after high school, and Career Start is a way to gain experience and learn the basics in a college environment.

The Career Start program is geared towards students wanting to go straight into the workforce after graduating. Alisha Strupp, a MSHS counselor who promotes and works closely with Career Start said, “I love Career Start so much, because I think it really gives kids an opportunity who don’t fit the traditional goal of wanting to go to a four-year college.”

They offer 16 different programs, including Automotive Collision, Diesel Power Mechanics, Welding and Firefighting.

MSHS covers all costs for the program, while also providing transportation to and from Pikes Peak State College, although Thomas prefers to drive himself. Career Start has students from other surrounding high schools, spanning from Cripple Creek High School to Cheyenne Mountain High School.

Career Start’s vehicle program has been motivating for Thomas, as it is a topic that he’s passionate about and can actually see himself doing as an adult. It gives him the chance to meet new people interested in the same things he is, creating an environment he collaborates in, while completing engaging projects. “He does love his classes. He gets excited. He likes that he’s learning about things he can use for his career, and he gets to be more hands on,” Rouse said.

Seniors leave their artistic legacy

By Sadie House

As the school year is coming to a close, a few Manitou Springs High School seniors have chosen to dedicate the last of their time to leaving behind an artistic legacy.

An assortment of colorful geometric shapes will soon coat the large SILC Building windows in a prism of light. The unique building has long been a staple of the MSSD14 District and will continue to welcome students for years to come.

Sami Benge-Kulzer (12) and Emily Waite (12) have been working on making their project a reality for the past few weeks. After multiple years in the Manitou art program, mistakes are no longer a road block, but a vital part of the process. “I really like it. It’s engaging, especially when so many of us are just ready to be done,” Benge-Kulzer said. “I’m excited to go to class and do the project.”

Motivation is often in limited supply for seniors, and pursuing art has allowed many to see the school year through to the end with creative purpose. For some, artistic opportunities will go even further in college.

Lindsey Hinshaw (12) plans to pursue Studio Art at Fort Lewis College. “I kind of started doing art as a hobby, but now I’m trying to experiment with it more on a professional kind of side,” Hinshaw said. “It’s a good outlet.”

Hinshaw has been working on silhouetted wooden cutout, commissioned by a Western Heritage event. The nature of the piece has allowed Hinshaw to better connect with and understand Native culture, especially as it is historic to the Manitou Springs area.

“I wanted to emphasize Native aspects in Western heritage, and the aspect of the landscape,” Hinshaw

said. “I’m going to do pronghorn and buffaloes, I’ll have the face of the moon and constellations, plants that have medicinal properties.”

In addition to her cutout, Hinshaw has been collaborating with Amelia Hamilton (12), studying Fine Art at Oregon State University, on a Manitou mural. The pair drew inspiration from the cascading, mountainous view from MSHS.

“It’s very Van Gogh, very swirly,” Hinshaw said.

Hinshaw and Hamilton have employed several different techniques in creating their mural. Approaching a piece so large not only changes the scale, but the perspective and approach of the artist. Many factors are in play when executing a piece so expansive, 12 by 7 feet, from layering to minute detail to graphics to specific style.

“We focused on impressionism and that kind of style, not very hyper re-

alistic, just our impression of Manitou,” Hamilton said.

The completed mural will be hung at the Townhouse Sports Grill, found on Manitou Ave., therefore cementing a radiant and picturesque legacy of the MSHS experience for students of the past, present and future. “It’s fun getting to leave something behind,” Hamilton said. “Knowing that something I created will be in Manitou for a while is a cool thought and boosts my creative confidence.”

Kai Thomas (12) took the opportunity from MSHS to begin a concurrent enrollment program through Pikes Peak State College to begin his next steps in becoming a mechanic.

Hannah Rouse

Lindsey Hinshaw (12) and Amelia Hamilton (12) stand in front of their Manitou mural.

Sadie House

Madison Cavender digs deep into her roots

By Sadie House

Revitalizing a dead language is not typically a staple of childhood, but for Madison Cavender (12), it is one of the many pieces comprising her rich cultural identity. From powwows to entertaining winter stories to royalty, Cavender has experienced it all.

Cavender’s family history within the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, pronounced my-am-uh, traces deeply through her mother’s side of the family.

“We were forcibly removed from the land we were given in Kansas to where we are now in Oklahoma,” Cavender said. “My tribe originated up in the Great Lakes region. Ohio, Indiana and some parts of Canada, like Quebec, is where our tribe originated from.”

Forced removals by the U.S. Government and Native American boarding schools with the intention of eliminating all Native culture have unfortunately led to the deconstruction of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma and many other tribes. Cavender has been working towards revitalizing her Miami culture and the Myaamiaataweenki language, pronounced mya-mya-te-wengay, both at home and out in her community.

“It’s something that is different about me than everyone else,” Cavender said. “Most kids can’t say I grew up going to powwows. I grew up learning another language that died.”

Easy access to common words and phrases of the Myaamiaataweenki language can be found in the Reminder’s App on Cavender’s phone, as well on the sticky notes placed all over her house serving as reminders of what certain items are.

No one is yet fluent in Myaamiaataweenki, a fact of history that Cavender and the other members of her tribe have been working passionately and diligently to change

Cavender’s family visits Oklahoma every June to partake in the events of their tribe. Language camps are a vital part of Cavender’s experience, practicing immersion by only speak ing Myaamiaataweenki for a certain amount of time without any English.

“We started out with five minutes and got up to half an hour with each of us leading at times,” Cavender said.

Cavender finds even more success speaking the language at home with her family. “There have been times that I have done it on my own with my family, and I have lasted over an hour speaking just the language,” Cavender said. “I can have entire conversations with my mom in the language which is incredibly cool.” Cavender’s summer spent with her tribe consists of many festivities, including powwows, delicious food, with fried bread being a personal standout for Cavender, and an assortment of games and dancing. Delaney Bartko (12) has come along with Cavender to these events twice before, having the exciting experience of dancing alongside Cavender and her family.

“They have these huge drums that they beat on and the wardrobe is incredible,” Bartko said. “My favorite part was the outfits, because they had a lot of really cool outfits with really bright colors.”

As she was a visitor, Bartko wore a visitor shawl with bouncing tassels

lining the bottom during the dance. Bartko was impressed by the beadwork and regalias, all handmade by members of the Miami Tribe. “Everyone pretty much knows everyone, it’s one big community,” Bartko said.

Alongside the powwow, the Stomp Dance is always a highlight for Cavender, as well as for her sister, Katie Cavender (8).

“I most look forward to dancing and learning more about my culture,”

Katie Cavender said. “My two favorite dances are the Shawl Dance at the powwow and the Stomp Dance at the bonfire.”

The Stomp Dance is a traditional dance performed in an alternating pattern of men and women. Women are shell shakers, having condensed milk cans tied around their legs, and men are callers, meaning they sing.

“Stomp is so much fun and it’s a lot of fun to listen to,” Madison Cavender said. “It sounds beautiful.” Cavender also had the honor of be ing elected Junior Princess during her freshman year. As Junior Princess, Cavender had the responsibility of being an ambassador for her tribe and reaching out to her community.

given that she will be a voting mem er of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma next year.

“Next summer when I go out, I’ll be able to vote on these important things before I’ll be able to vote in our U.S. election,” Cavender said. The revitalization of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma has come a long way, now having their own Cultural Center and amassing enough turnout for a gigantic Annual Meeting. Cavender is currently one of over 5,000 members in her tribe.

“When my mom was a kid and my great grandma would go to meetings, they had 50 members and they would end up with a potluck at the post office,” Cavender said. The Miami Tribe of Oklahoma as it is today is only possible through the commitment and care from Cavender and the others of her tribe. Cavender’s generation especially has been paramount in revitalizing Myaamiaataweenki.

“Seeing how my generation has been able to bring this back, it’s pretty incredible,” Cavender said.

Madison Cavender dresses in her traditional regalia. She gave a presentation to Trevor Robbins US History classes last year.

Sadie House

Ethan Anderson

Senior Assassin, a tradition here at Manitou and most other high schools in the area, has been underway for Manitou seniors since April 3. MSHS has participated since the 2021-2022 school year. Senior Assassin is a game where teams of two seniors choose to compete with other teams to get the most “kills” and remain the last team standing, earning them a cash prize.

Joseph and Emily Waite (12) are in the lead with the most kills. “My strategy for remaining in the game would be playing it low but also being really sneaky with my attacks,” Joseph Waite said. “I prefer a pistol because it’s small and effective. You know, I can hide it and they won’t suspect me.”

If there is still more than one team remaining on May 12, as it is seniors’ last day, the game will end and the team with the most kills will win.

Senior Assassin

By Angela Rowe & Morgan Flannery

The rules to participate in the game are listed on the MSHS 2023 Senior Assassin Instagram page. Each week, teams are assigned a target team for them to kill. In order for a kill to count, it must be caught on video; and players must kill both members of a team to fully eliminate it.

Certain safe zones apply when players are at practice, work and school. Players are immune when wearing swim goggles on their head or neck

A new update to the rules, as of April 25th, allowed for 17 individuals to get out. This rule states that goggles must be warn on your face to act as a safety defense from getting out.

Additionally, there is one randomly generated purge day throughout each week, where immunity goggles do not protect players and each group is fair game. “On purge

days, I avoid going somewhere for lunch; or really just if I’m not going to kill someone on the first day out, I’ll just play it safe and go home,” Joseph Waite said.

The price to participate in the game is $5 per person, making the grand prize $260. A new addition to the game was recently added that will up the grand prize, as participants can pay $10 or $5 to place a team/ player to a ‘bounty board”. This board would make anyone in the game able to “kill” the listed targets, although swim goggles will still protect the target.

Ayla Flett, a MSHS senior runs the game as she determines the rules, assigns targets, runs the Instagram and picks purge day. Setting a strict and straightforward set of rules was very important to the game, as it kept the participants on the same page and allows the judges to strategically approve/decline “kills”.

“Student Council Senior Class Secretary picks the targets since she is not involved in the game,” Flett said. More than half of the seniors are participating, and to keep the teams and participants at peace, a senior who is not participating picks the teams by randomizing the list of current teams.

All seniors are allowed to participate, giving a great way for the graduating class to come together as the year comes to an end. “Watching students get competitive and play against each other has been so much fun,” Flett said.

“Everyone has a great time and it is a fun way to end the year,” Flett said. Seniors are excited to see the outcome of the game as they attempt to win, and cannot wait for the last day.

Stay safe, everyone!

Grace McCumber & Sami Benge- Kulzer

Evan Scherr & Lairden Rogge

Grace McCumber & Sami Benge-Kulzer

Finnian Dufford & Amelia Hamilton

Emily Waite Emily Waite

Emily Waite Emily Waite

Seniors gather for a final Prom

By Emily Waite

Manitou Springs High School’s prom night was held on Apr. 21, 2023 at the Briarhurst in Manitou Springs, CO. It was themed “Tangled in Time” with a reference to the Disney movie, “Tangled.” The room was filled with balloons, vines and candles to get the students into the Disney experience. An assortment of appetizers were available, including a mouth-watering chocolate fountain to dip either strawberries or marshmallows in.

The outdoor courtyard experience fit the theme just as well, allowing a quiet space to recuperate from the energetic dance floor. Adorned with hanging, glowing lights, and intertwined with vines, a wooden pergola was set up for attendants to take memorable pictures.

The dance had a large turn out with lots of energy from the students.

“The room was smaller, so everyone was closer to each other,” Tyler Maloney (12). “It was cool, everyone had a lot of energy and was having a lot of fun. One of the best dances I have been to.”

The Prom King and Queen was announced towards the end of the night. Upon entering, students were able to cast their votes. Maloney and Ayla Flett (12), alongside Luke Do

negan (12) and Payten Smith (12) won prom court.

The crowns were given to Evan Scherr (12) and Madrid Mack (12). “Evan’s name was called first, so I was really nervous someone else was going to be named Queen and that would’ve been really awkward,” Mack said. “When my name was announced, I was just so excited.”

Scherr and Mack have been together for about a year and half. This was a very special, unexpected moment for them. “I was pretty surprised I won,” Scherr said. “I actually voted for Tyler. I love Tyler.”

The memorable night began to wind down with the help of DJ Brandon Lutz, providing a playlist of electric songs as the senior class stood in a circle singing and danced together one last time.

“Being together with all of the seniors was really special,” said Maloney. “It made me pretty emotional, because I am going to miss everyone a lot. But, it felt good and I think it is a way to end the night.”

Haley Hutter, Ava Christian, Kaleena Jones, Hailey Huyser, Bailey LeGere, Lexi Murphy, Michaela Boring, Grace Allen, Erica Sherwin, Madrid Mack, Grace McCumber, Gabriela Santoro, Norah Jorstad, Ayla Flett, McKesson Rhodes, Lily Glass, Cassidy Kuzbek, Emily Waite, Lauren Reed, Sami Benge-Kulzer, Jack Embery, Joseph Waite, Lairden Rogge, Kaden Graves, Evan Scherr, Evan Yount, Connor McKeown, Andrew Rhodes, Tyler Maloney and Preston Rhodes take a group photo at Garden of the Gods club before the 2023 Prom dance.

Cassidy Kuzbek, Haley Hutter, Bailey LeGere, Hailey Huyser, Ava Christian, Kaleena Jones, Lauren Reed, Grace Allen, Madrid Mack, Erica Sherwin and Lexi Murphy all take a photo after getting ready.

All the boys decide to take a photo with Connor McKeown, Joseph Waite, Kaden Graves, Evan Scherr, Lairden Rogge, Jack Embery, Tyler Maloney, Andrew Rhodes, Evan Yount, Preston Rhodes and Jordan Somogyi.

During the Prom dance Annika Kuzbek, Cassidy Blechman, Cassidy Kuzbek, Khristian Sanders, Grace McCumber, Lily Glass, Ayla Flett and Emily Waite take a 0.5 photo on the dance floor.

Tyler Parratt, Elanor Fugate, Izabel Tennant, Keria Kassim, Avery Tews, Rebecca Davis, Elsa Lowe, Sadie House take their senior Prom girls group photo.

Jennifer Kuzbek

Emily Waite

Christy Davis

Dylan Jardin

Cassidy Blechman

Madrid Mack committed to MSU Denver

By Erica Sherwin

Madrid Mack, senior at Manitou Springs High School, announced her official commitment to play Division Two womens soccer at Metropolitan State University of Denver on Tues., Nov. 15th. Madrid Mack has been playing girls’ soccer for the past 12 years and has always dreamed of advancing her soccer career to the collegiate level. Her constant efforts, commitment to long practices and non-stop schedule have been rewarded with almost a full athletic scholarship and granted her the ability to stay in-state while continuing her academic pursuits.

The university is located on the Auraria Campus in downtown Denver, CO., and the women’s soccer team competes in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. “She loves the big city scene,” Evan Scherr (12) said. “And playing in a place that is in the center of our state’s capital is perfect for her.”

Madrid Mack is planning on studying biology for her Bachelor’s degree at MSU Denver, which has an advanced program geared toward success in the field. “I enjoy all sciences but mostly biology and the program opens up many job opportunities that I find interesting,” Madrid Mack said.

Madrid Mack is currently playing for a Colorado Springs soccer club called Pride Soccer Club, and she is on a team that is a part of the Elite Clubs National League. The team is named the U18 Pride Predators 04/05 girls team.

ECNL is a highly competitive league that hosts national soccer tournaments around the United

States for the best girls’ and boys’ soccer teams in the country.

Pride Soccer Club plays in the ECNL Northwest league, competing against multiple teams from Colorado, Utah, Oregon and Washington. “I have enjoyed all the previous traveling experiences, especially last year’s San Diego showcase,” Madrid Mack said.

This year Madrid Mack will also be traveling to Nashville, TN. and Austin, TX. for national showcasing events, after announcing her official commitment to MSU Denver.

On the Pride team that Madrid Mack plays for two other players, Monica Yoder and Kailani Nuhn, have decided to officially commit to MSU Denver.

“It will be nice to see familiar faces at my new home for the next four years,” Madrid Mack said. Most of her other teammates have committed to universities around the nation to continue their athletic and academic careers, including two Divi sion One commits.

Madrid Mack started her soccer journey at a young age with her family but specifically with her father’s encouragement, help and

love of the game. “She grew up in a house where soccer was always encouraged,” Benjamin Mack said.

“It was pretty natural for her to want to compete.” Benjamin Mack is a biology teacher at Manitou Springs High School and the longtime coach of both the boys’ and girls’ soccer teams. He grew up playing the sport in Anchorage, AK.

and continued to play in college at Colorado State University-Pueblo, where Madrid Mack’s sister Brooklyn Mack also played women’s college soccer. Benjamin Mack and her mother, Lisa Quintana, have assisted both of their daughters in the difficult soccer world of competitive recruitment.

“Madrid is coachable, that’s why she’s gotten to where she is,” Benjamin Mack said.

It takes a lot of time and effort involving communication and consistent athletic performance to be successful in the college recruitment process. “A heavy part of my commitment happened in the summer so, at times, it would be hard to get back to a coach right away,” Madrid Mack said. “Narrowing down a whole nation of colleges to find a good fit was difficult.” With another college in northern California showing extreme interest, Madrid has decided that being in-state is the best fit for her personally. “She has such a great work ethic, she deserves all she’s gotten,” Scherr said.

Madrid Mack has to finish her timeconsuming club season before taking on the Manitou Springs High School girls’ season this spring. In the past two high school seasons, Madrid Mack has earned multiple academic all-state pins, all-conference awards and was Tri-Peak Player of the Year during her sophomore season. She even received a first-team all-state award last year to recognize her success. That is just a brief summary of all the recognition Madrid Mack has received.

“High school is relaxing and overall fun in my opinion,” Madrid Mack said. “I’m most excited for hopefully making the playoffs and doing well there.”

As a returning captain and reliable team leader, her success on and off the field is inspirational to many of her teammates. “She’s impacted my life in such a positive way,” current teammate Cassidy Kuzbek (12) said. “She is always someone I can go to for anything.”

Entrepreneur Ethan Orr’s business takes off

By Angela Rowe

Manitou Springs High School senior, Ethan Orr, started building his business last school year. His interest in being an entrepreneur and his love for marketing sprouted his fascination with selling merchandise.

He came up with the idea of Wake, an eco-friendly water bottle company that was up and running in less than a year. “I’ve always wanted to go into business, and I’ve been try-

ing to figure out a way,” Orr said. “I looked up stuff, and I saw water bottles.”

A simple spark as small as getting informed on how much base products cost and how much profit one can make gave Orr the idea to sell water bottles. But it isn’t as easy as one would imagine. Orr spent half a year filling out legal paperwork to set up a website and be certified to sell merchandise legally. When Orr faced the challenge of how hard it would be to start his own business, he didn’t give up. He kept at it and did everything as perfectly as possible to reach his goals.

“He’s so determined, has great motivation, and is a very hard worker,” Matthew Barton (12) said. Barton is one of Orr’s closest friends who works under him to help market and sell water bottles for Wake.

Almost every day last year, Gabrielle Waters, the high school Media Center Tech, Librarian and Environmental Club Advisor saw Orr working on building Wake on the Media Center computers. “I asked him to be in the Earth Day Celebration last year,” Waters said. “I was surprised that he was starting a business as a teenager.”

Last year during the Earth Day

celebration at MSHS, Orr and Barton set up a table in the Media Center featuring Wake. “I sold my first water bottle there,” Orr said. “I wrote a note saying thank you to the person.”

Orr wanted to make his water bottles different from others. He first focused on the design. “The design itself is different,” Barton said. “The size is 20 ounces, so the bottom fits perfectly in a cup holder. I would compare Wake water bottles to a Hydro Flask in terms of the high quality.”

Orr also wanted his bottles to be

Madrid Mack (12) officially committed to play soccer at Metropolitan State University of Denver on Tues., Nov. 15th.

Erica Sherwin

eco-friendly. He uses eco-friendly material and shipping packaging and donates 10% of all sales to nonprofit organizations to help clean up the ocean.

Orr and Barton posted two video advertisements the day Wake’s website was up and running, and both surpassed 1000 views in one night. They strive very hard to ensure Wake is recognized by their demographic everyday with different marketing strategies. “Marketing is one of my biggest strong suits,” Orr said. Orr used to use Google Ads, but now he is more focused on digital marketing, like Instagram.

As Wake starts to naturally grow on its own, Orr is starting a second business to fasten the amount of income he will receive, so that Wake can be expanded to hoodies, apparel and more merchandise. “We realized it was going to take way too long to build up the profit to do that, so that’s where the second company comes in,” Barton said. Orr has achieved so much at such a young age and all his peers are sure he will go off to do amazing things as well as Wake. “I want to be an inner conglomerate, which is someone who owns a business that distributes to all the continents on the planet,” Orr said.

Finian Dufford’s film nominated for Best Documentary

By Dalton Gates

Finian Dufford, a senior at Manitou Springs High School, created a documentary with Youth Documentary Academy. The film was a runner-up for the Best Documentary at the AllAmerican High School Film Festival this year.

YDA is a program started in 2013, exclusive to the Colorado Springs area, that helps high schoolers to create documentaries about their unique lives. “It was started by a man named Tom Shepard, who is a documentary filmmaker who splits his time between here in Colorado Springs where he grew up, and also in California,” Wendy Harms said. “Tom started YDA because he wanted to empower teenage people around documentary filmmaking in this program, which runs in the summer, for about eight weeks.”

Dufford worked with YDA to create a documentary where he could showcase and give the spotlight to his story. “It’s my experience with OCD and how meditation helped me go through that. But with this film, it’s a little bit different,” Dufford said. “Around halfway in the film. I kind of do this interview, where it’s me a few months later. And I kind of talk about how I changed a little bit and how meditation did help me and honestly, how it didn’t, or how I don’t meditate anymore, just because I want to be honest.”

Dufford’s documentary, “Breathe,” was created under unusual circumstances for the YDA program. Going from one to two summers of the program. “My YDA experience was a little weird because I applied to YDA right before COVID, and so when I got accepted, it was COV-

ID,” Dufford said. “My first year of YDA was just us on Google meets, talking about documentary filmmaking, watching documentaries, talking with each other and learning how to interview people. My Second summer was actually making the film I wanted to make.”

While working on his documentary, YDA helped Dufford throughout the whole process. “It was definitely collaborative with YDA, because there were other students that helped film mine, I helped film some other students’ things too. There were times where they said, ‘Listen, we can’t make this part happen because we just don’t have the time and the resources,’” Dufford said. “So, it was kind of an outline scenario where they weren’t too controlling. They still let me have freedom, just with limits.”

Asher Evans (12), a friend of Dufford, has seen his friend’s progression throughout the course of this documentary. “Congratulations,” Evans said. “I know you’ve worked hard on it.”

Now that Dufford has finished his documentary, he has the perspective to look at his film and see how he feels about it. “I like everything I’ve made, whether it’s a drawing or a film, I’m proud of it. But with this one, it almost feels like a little bit of a love hate relationship,” Dufford said. “When I first started making it, I was super into it. Then over time, that feeling kind of dwindled, and I felt like I wasn’t telling the story I wanted to tell anymore. That’s why there was a second interview because it didn’t feel like something I wanted or what I thought I was go-

ing to make.”

Myah Hindshaw (12), another friend of Dufford, has seen him grow and is proud of her friend. “I was really impressed. It told an interesting story, and it was something that I didn’t really know about him,” Hindshaw said. “It was really cool to see him tell that story that he’s passionate about.”

At the All-American High School Film Festival, Dufford’s documentary was nominated and was a runnerup for the Best Documentary award with Rose Nseya; only being beaten by Manitou Alumni, Olive Van Eimeren. “I feel very honored and also a little weird to be nominated for the award,” Dufford said. “It was just a big shocker and it felt sweet.” Wendy Harms, a teacher and introducer of YDA for Dufford, has watched him grow up into the person he is today. “I’m proud of him. I’ve known him since he was little and I love watching Finn on stage,” Harms said. “Bringing some of that sensibility into his filmmaking, I think

he’s charted a really great path of where his trajectory is going.”

With Dufford’s documentary now behind him, he looks ahead to his future prospects. “Right now, I’m doing a capstone where I take photos of Manitou for its 150th year anniversary. That’s the main project I’m working on right now,” Dufford said. “I’m probably going to go to MSU in Denver to study film and media production.”

With Dufford moving on from this point in his life, he thinks about when he was starting in the filmmaking world. “For any high school student that wants to make a documentary, I would recommend YDA,” Dufford said. “If you don’t have that option, then all you need is a camera, a little bit of good sound, and some natural lighting to make a really good observational documentary. Talk with your friends or find a good story.”

Finian Dufford (12) is an aspiring filmmaker who has other interests in theatre, art and photography.

Dalton Gates

Matthew Barton (12) and Ethan Orr (12) hold the water bottles that started their successful business.

Emily Waite

Always Been a Mustang

The Manitou Springs High School senior class is officially graduating in May 2023. Ever since the students in this class were little, this year seemed so far away. After almost 15 years of hard work, the dream to graduate high school has now become a reality.

The 30 students in this graduating class have been a part of Manitou since kindergarten and over half of the 96 graduates have attended elementary or middle school here. “We’ve been sheltered in our small community and matured with these same students,” Cassidy Kuzbek (12) said, “I can’t wait to see all of us spread our wings.”

By Erica Sherwin

These students have grown up with one another in this community as neighbors and classmates. Their positive interactions with one another will forever impact their future selves. For many, this will be the first time that these students will branch out beyond the Manitou boundaries onto new and exciting adventures. Whether it’s college, military, or moving directly into the workforce these superstar Mustangs will surely leave a mark on the world. Ayla Flett (12), a long time mustang since kindergarten said, “I am going to miss my time here at Manitou. I enjoyed all the connections I’ve made. There are some incredible people throughout my

time here who have shaped me into the person I am today.”

Even the students who transferred to the school more recently, like Evan Scheer (12), have been welcomed into Manitou’s very accepting school environment. He has made authentic and “real” relationships with the school district’s staff and his classmates. This was proven by him being voted Manitou Springs High School Prom King 2023 after only two years of attendance at the school.

Seniors will never forget the bonding moments, like lunchtime and advisory period, when students are able to interact without having a

filter; joking, laughing, connecting and making meaningful and lasting memories. “Just growing up with lifelong friends and talking about everything at the tables in class can’t be replaced,” Andrew Rhodes (12) said. It’s been a long ride for all the 2023 seniors who feel like exiting high school has happened “way too fast”. They are anticipating a beautiful graduation ceremony and a short summer of hard work and some play. As each senior graduates, earns their wings and takes flight, the true challenge will be to remain connected either via social media, during holiday breaks or road trips to visit each other.

Connor

Erica

Students who attended MSSD14 since Kindergraten through 12th grade: Delaney Bartko, Sami BengeKulzer, Jesse Brinski, Kenzie Connors, Rebecca Davis, Finnian Dufford, Landus Engledowl, Asher Evans, Ayla Flett, Ki’Ara Flores, Nathan Gardner, Lily Glass, Theron Heim, Sophia Hyman, Kaleena Jones, Norah Jorstad, Katherine Kovats, Cassidy Kuzbek, Finn Lovell, Elsa Lowe, Madrid Mack, Amber Malone,

McKeown, Aidan McQuagge, Kaley Moore, Charlie Morgan, Dylan Peat, Andrew Rhodes,

Sherwin, and Nicole Wickes.

Ethan Anderson

Rebecca Davis prepares for a life of music after high school

By Dalton Gates

Rebecca Davis, senior at Manitou Springs High School, has participated in many honor bands, joined many leadership committees and plans on pursuing a career in Music Education, specifically to become a high school band director.

Davis has been playing the clarinet before high school, even in middle school, and is still improving and learning within the band on other instruments. “I started playing clarinet in fourth grade, but I started band in sixth grade,” Davis said. “I currently play clarinet and bass clarinet proficiently and I’m learning alto sax and tenor sax.”

Davis’ expanding knowledge in band has moved her further than only participating in high school accredited band and into honor level bands and being surrounded by their dedicated participants. “You get to hang out with a bunch of other dedicated musicians and it’s just a completely different experience from people who are just in band accredited at high school,” Davis said. “It’s people who care about their instruments, care about what they’re doing and are willing to dedicate an extra amount of effort and time.”

Davis’ put all this hard work and effort into her music, in and out of high school. Davis’s family, friends and teachers are proud of her accomplishments, especially band teacher David William. “I think it’s amazing. She works really hard and practices,” Willams said. “She definitely deserves the accolades.”

Davis hasn’t stopped playing in bands in high school and honor bands; she has this year now begun conducting her peers in her symphonic band class. “It’s pretty nervewracking at first, but you get used to it, everyone is super nice,” Davis said. “The most intimidating part is thinking about how your director is criticizing you and how your director thinks you’re doing. But the students are really awesome and really supportive. It’s great.”

Friends like senior Elanor Fugate, who haven’t been under her conducting or have little to no band experience in comparison, are very impressed by her dedication and talent.

Rebecca is a great leader with a lot of musical talent, so I know she’s an exceptional conductor,” Fugate said. “She’s really passionate about it too; she lights up with excitement any

Bittersweet Cherries

By Elanor Fugate

time she tells me she gets to conduct that day.” With Davis’ high school life coming to an end, she looks to the future and what she is going to do. “I’m attending Western Colorado University and getting my degree in music, so I can be a high school band director,” Davis said. “I just love band and I can’t imagine my life without that sense of community and that form

Someone please shatter the clock. Someone please squeeze it like it’s squeezing my throat, squeezeittilthenumbersbulgeoutbeneaththefaceandit e x p l o d e s into a thousand suspended moments, into glass shards hanging just low enough to be cherries ripe for plucking.

Cherries upon tasting that maybe aren’t quite ripe, more Bittersweet:

The last grand stand of a languishing tree, last cherries before it’s chopped. They fall upon my head with each blow of the ax. Last.

Last.

Last.

of musicianship. I just can’t picture myself being able to pursue music if I choose a different career field. Just being a musician is much more important to me than anything else. I can’t imagine my life without that sense of community and that form of musicianship. I just can’t picture myself being able to pursue music if I choose a different career field. Just being a musician is much more important to me than anything else.”

Last first, flitting over tiles from classroom to classroom, caught in the novelty of return, Last tongues of flame, last sun-spurred parade, Last crowded stands of littered popcorn and unified ripples of restless eager hope, Last holiday—last chicken and pilaf and garlic mashed potatoes, last sparkling tree and stockings stuffed to bursting, last yearly signpost pointing ever onward, Last huddle of helping hands and spirited smiles in service, last burst before the torch is passed, Last curtain call, last sword fight and swoon, last stuffy dressing room cooled by sweet laughter, Last breath of grass and sun and ball underfoot, last “Family on three,” last bus ride pumped with passion, Last sweaty, silly, let-down of a dance and joyful immortality of laser-lit grins, Last paper, project, test, last anxious circles etched in graphite, Last day.

Last goodbye.

Last cherry, clinging to the branches with stubborn, resolute reluctance.

I’m begging you, someone please shatter the clock. Shatter it before the hands reach time to move on, before that last cherry falls, and the tree groans under the weight of its barrenness. Shatter the clock before it cycles round again and spring brings forth new blossoms. Shatter the clock, but maybe leave it ticking, just in case next year’s harvest tastes as sweet.

Rebecca Davis knows how to play both the Clarinet and Bass Clarinet, and is learning both Alto and Tenor Saxophone for the upcoming Spring Musical.

Christy Davis

Mustang Sports Photography

Senior Artwork

“Arizona” by Maggie Ganser

“Greed” by Lindsey Hinshaw

“King Gizzard” by Amelia Hamilton

“Earth First” by Lindsey Hinshaw

“Monk” by Finian Dufford

“Charcoal Skeleton” by Finian Dufford

“Growth” by Kat Kovats

Letter from the President

Dear 2023 seniors,

Wow. What a ride we have been on. From freshman year, coming in with curiosity, optimism, anxiousness, and excitement to ending the year stuck at home doing classes over a screen. After graduating from middle school and stepping into the halls of high school, this was the last thing we all had expected. Instead of the high school experience we all anticipated, we got something completely different. But, we continued on. Sophomore year, not being able to be at the school on the same days as some of your friends. Homecoming, football games, clubs, student sections, events, and all the things that make high school so exhilarating were taken away from us.

But, we continued on. Then as junior year came, the year that everyone dreads, our high school experience started to come back. Friday night lights, dressing up on spirit days, games against our rivals, and even the homecoming parade. High school finally began to feel as normal as high school can get.

I cannot believe it is the year 2023. The year that we have been waiting for since teachers in elementary school would call us “the class of 2023” when we didn’t even know what that meant. But, we made it. It is finally us. We finally got to the top of our school, the top dogs. We finally got a senior schedule consisting of about 5 free blocks. We finally got to use the excuse “senioritis.” And we finally get to be the ones to walk down the field while getting handed our diplomas. It is our year. The year we begin the next step in our lives. This class is a special group of people who are bound to do great things. If we can get through a year wearing masks and carrying around awkwardly large plastic shields, then we can get through anything. I am so proud of every single person in this class. I know you all are going to do amazing things no matter where the future takes you. It has been in honor being by your side as a friend, teammate, classmate, and president. I love you all so much and I am hoping the best for you all in the future.

Cheers to us... the class of 2023!!

Ayla Flett