Estes Park High School MOUNTAINEER

ESTES PARK TRAIL-GAZETTE • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2016 • PAGE 9

Estes Park High School

MOUNTAINEER ‘The Power of Costume’ Brings Star Wars to Denver

By Megan Miller

Would Princess Leia be the same princess we know without her white dress or golden bikini? If the Emperor didn’t have a dark, oppressive cloak, would he still seem to be the enemy the universe has come to fear?

Costumes include many aspects of art, and the costume world of Star Wars (1977), a movie created by George Lucas, can be explored through the display cases and exhibits of the Denver Art Museum in Denver, Colorado.

Over 70 original costumes from all seven Star Wars movies are featured in the “Power of Costume” exhibit, along with 300 other items and props from the movies. This exhibit opened on Nov. 13 and took approximately three years to plan, prep and create. It will remain open to viewers until April 2, 2017.

“We’ve always wanted to do something like this,” said Christoph Heinrich, director of the Denver Art Museum. “Star Wars is probably one of the most impactful and most beautifully...done works of our time. Yes this is an art museum show, it totally shows what creative minds can do, and it shows as well, in this most wonderful way, how a team of creative minds can work together on something that becomes really one thing that is so much bigger,” said Heinrich.

Organizers believe the exhibit will help support Colorado’s economy and bring tourism to Denver.

“I think what’s great about this show is it is still a very high intellectual component, but it’s going to reach out in a very broad way across our entire community,” said Governor John Hickenlooper.

Star Wars is popular is because of its original and powerful story and its ability to create relatable characters. Sets and costumes add the depth that the movie needs to make

By T. A. Rustin

Courtesy photo

Carrie Fisher’s costumes from Return of the Jedi.

it a believable story that happens in an entirely different galaxy.

“At the heart of Star Wars is this mythology that really is what I think roots it,” said Laela French, director of the Archives at Skywalker Ranch.

“It’s the hero’s journey that is reimagined and retold by George Lucas in a really spectacular and new way.”

“The Power of Costume” exhibit explains how costumes are created to provide life-like conditions to the movies. Ian McCaig, the concept artist for the Star Wars prequels and The Force Awakens, is one of the people that works hard on developing characters and costumes on paper.

“In costume, it’s really important to know that costume comes from character and character comes from story,” said McCaig.

After George Lucas approved concept designs, they were sent to costume designers like Trisha Biggar.

Then, those people picked out the best fabrics they could find and brought the costumes to life.

“Costumes are extremely impor-

tant in telling a story, especially a story like this that’s a fantasy film,” said George Lucas. “Costumes in any kind of film are very important in defining the character, in defining the culture, in making things feel realistic.”

Lucas wanted to convey the idea that the universe he created is extravagant and diverse and full of possibilities.

“Being in the costumes themselves and having the strange makeup and hair really made me feel different, and when you feel like a different person, it’s easier to act like a different person,” said actress Natalie Portman, who portrayed Padme Amidala in the Star Wars prequels.

Whether someone is a hardcore Star Wars fan or a lover of the fine arts, “The Power of Costume” is an exhibit meant to bring success, publicity, and culture to the city of Denver. Exhibit hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays. Tickets are $5 per student and $21 for adults. For more information, go to denverartmuseum.org.

Opinion

The Un-United States of America

By Grace Yvonne Mechem

In the aftermath of our presidential election, we must not forget the morality that our country was founded on and the fact that we live in a country where decisions come from a three-branch government and not a dictator.

Fear is rational in this day and age with the way the American people are acting. The country could not be any more divided at this point in time, and it saddens me to see the country I’ve grown up in become a place where my

friends and family and even people I do not know feel unsafe.

We must remember, however, that the hate that has come from Donald Trump becoming our President Elect is not coming from the government. We the people of the United States of America . . . we are the ones ruining this country.

By wanting Trump to fail at the job he has been selected for, you are wanting the President of the United States of America to fail. We are citizens of America and we are therefore wishing ill upon our-

selves and millions of others who call this country home.

There are good presidents and bad presidents in the history of America, and there will never be a consensus over who falls into which category.

Some liked Barack Obama, some didn’t. Some liked George Washington, some probably didn’t.

Some liked John F. Kennedy, some didn’t. It is as simple as that. Most do not care about the opinion of others, but merely care about themselves simply surviving.

Ninety percent of us stu-

dents at Estes Park High School could not even vote this year. So it does not make sense for there to be so much unrest and headbutting throughout our hallways.

As teenagers we cannot change a thing. For a sixteen year old to defend Trump to the point of putting someone to tears, or for another sixteen year old to do the same for Clinton is pointless and unethical.

America is falling to shambles around us. No matter how much one protests and fights and hates, it isn’t going to remove See UN-UNITED, pg. 10

Charities spread the holiday cheer Christmas.

Bright Christmas has been helping families since Tis the season to give to 1984. Jean Austin, founder all those in need. Bright of Bright Christmas, Christmas and Blue Santa thought of the idea in 1973. are two Estes Park chariShe was wrapping presents ties that aid the community for her five children when during the holiday season. she realized there were Estes Park schools are other kids who needed involved with Blue Santa gifts, too. Austin and her by donating canned foods helpers were totally anonyto the program, and Bright mous when they first Christmas helps elementa- helped the families. ry, middle and high school “It’s a great story, and it students’ families during shows what a great com-

By Megan Miller

Trail Gazette welcomes the Estes Park High School Mountaineer

munity this is,” said Austin, who received the Philanthropy Award for Enduring Services this year. “Bright Christmas is a program that people really like to be involved with,” she said.

When a family can’t afford to buy Christmas presents for their children, Bright Christmas steps in and gives assistance. “We do probably close to one hundred dollars worth of food per family,” said Austin.

“It helps to boost families who are in need during one of the hard times of the year,” said Mark Miller, manager of the Estes Park Golf Courses.

Miller hosts Bright Christmas at the golf course’s clubhouse so the program can collect all of the food, boxes, and gifts.

Families in need sign up at Crossroads and are assigned to sponsors, or See CHARITIES, pg. 10

The Trail Gazette began publishing in 1912 as the Estes Park Trail. Some years later, the Estes Park Gazette hit the newsstands, but the two papers soon merged. Beginning in 1928, the Trail Gazette began including the newspaper of Estes Park High School, The Mountaineer, in its distribution on a regular basis. The students wrote about their school, the town, and anything else that interested them.

The relationship ended in 1956; I do not know why.

(Research assisted by the Estes Park History Recovery Project.)

As a former student reporter, and a writer for nearly 50 years, I know the value of learning to

write quickly and well.

There is no better way to learn efficient writing that to write for a newspaper.

The high school currently publishes The Mountaineer on-line, but old-fashioned print has more impact; plus, the reporters can clip out their stories and send them to grandma.

Starting today, and continuing in the future, the Trail Gazette will again be publishing The Mountaineer and distributing it with the Trail Gazette.

The student reporters are supervised by Dan Copeland, and Dan West and I are helping with the editing.

We look forward to working with the students and invite our readers to appreciate their efforts.

Moana: Not Your Average Disney Princess young Moana, voiced by Auli’i Cravalho, the daughter of the village chief on a Disney’s new animated small Polynesian island. movie is absolutely amaz- Moana’s people descend from voyagers and sailors, ing. Between the daring but the people decided the journey, the hilarious characters and emotional sea was dangerous and stayed on the island. Moastoryline, John Musker and Ron Clements’ “Moa- na is drawn to the sea na” has emerged as one of from a young age and just wants to be beyond the the best Disney movies reef, but it is forbidden. yet.

See MOANA, pg. 10 The story introduces

By Allainah Meulener

Historical drama Flight is a page-turner sive act of violence. At his moment of decision, he finds himself shot back Flight is a must read for through time, resurfacing those interested in histori- as a FBI Agent in the Civil Rights era. But that’s only cal dramas. This entertaining and engaging nov- his first stop through his eye-opening journey el follows Zits, a Native through moments in American teen in foster care, as he learns lessons American history. He continues his journey, pausof good and evil. ing briefly to inhabit the The journey of Flight’s consciousness of various young hero begins as he’s See FLIGHT, pg. 10 about to commit a mas-

By Hunter Phillips

Thescon: More than just an acting conference

By Max Wolter

The 52nd Colorado Thespians Conference, or Thescon, is a gathering of 5,000 high school acting students from across Colorado who come together in Denver to celebrate performing on stage. The conference includes workshops, indi-

vidual events, and 5,000persone sing-alongs.

This year, 18 members of Estes Park High School’s Thespian Troupe 7284 attended the conference, along with Thespian Director Jordanne Bradley.

The workshop include such topics as “Stage Combat: Hand to Hand See THESCON, pg. 10

PAGE 10 • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2016 • ESTES PARK TRAIL-GAZETTE

Thescon from page 9

Flight from page 9

Techniques,” “Swing Dance 101,” and “Hollywood 101 and the Art of Screen Acting.”

“It was a great way to expand your horizons and to learn so many different things,” said senior Noah Bielmaier. “For example, I learned how to Salsa and Swing dance, and that was super fun.”

Along with workshops, there are also nightly events that are performed on the main stage of Bellco Theater.

Thescon 2016 began with some controversial “interpretive dancing.”

This was followed by some spoken word poetry presented by the state thespian officers, and was finished off with some free-form rapping from the master of ceremonies, Molina Speaks.

“I would say the opening ceremonies this year were very unorthodox,” said senior Luke Soguero.

“They were very odd, to say the least. Also, the rapping was a little bit drawn out. But you know, they tried to show all different art forms, and I appreciate that. It was different, but creative.”

In addition to students, college recruiters also attend Thescon to promote their programs.

“Thescon to me is an experience to figure out what you should be looking for if you’re really thinking about majoring in theater in college,” said

people: a child during the Battle of Little Big Horn, then as an Indian watching pilot a plane in the 19th Century. Zits completes his journey by returning to his own body, a changed man, with an adopting family.

Today’s teens can relate

senior Jacob Bielmaier. “It helps get you ready for auditions, getting into college productions, and becoming a better performer. Being there for the past three years, I’m excited for any auditions that I’ll do at CSU, and I feel Thescon has really prepared me for that.”

While it helped some students in their professional life, others had more personal experiences.

“It was honestly such a bonding experience,” said senior Eric Johnson. “I’ve been friends with everyone who went [to Thescon] for a long time, we’ve always been good friends. But spending that time with them outside of a school environment really helped us all find more that we had in common with each other.”

For senior Cole Hansen, Thescon served as a good last hurrah to his high school acting career, and his senior year in general.

“This was a good way to finish it off. I do wish I had gone other years, but I’m happy with it as a whole. Thescon, as an event, wasn’t nearly as fun as the memories made there,” said Hansen.

Thescon is an annual event sponsored by the Colorado State Thespians, https://cothespians.com.

Next year’s conference will be held December 7 to 9, 2017.

Flight is an unpretentious novel. It is a narrative, but without all of the added unnecessary drama, it is stripped to its core. There are not many detailed descriptions of things like landscape; instead, the descriptions are what one would expect from a 15year-old kid. The character’s views are to the point, and are easily understand-

able by modern teens.

Alexie’s command of language is strong and consistent throughout the novel, and its format is easy to understand.

Overall, Flight is a great way to travel through time.

If you are looking for a novel with some history in it, but from a fictional perspective, Flight is the book you may be looking for.

na struggles with wanting to be on the ocean, riding the waves, and chasing the horizon, but her family heart is gone, all life starts won’t let her. It is simply to die. Moana learns that forbidden. Lots of teenagshe was chosen by the sea ers and adults alike across to put the heart back with the world feel the same Maui. thing. Wanting more out of Throughout her journey, life, and knowing exactly Moana learns friendship what you want, just not and patience but also knowing how to get there. things like how to sail a Unlike Snow White, Cinship and measure the stars derella, and other Disney from Maui. “princesses”, Moana is The emotional side of more adventurous and the movie is what really does not focus on the “hapgrabs people and pulls pily ever after” scenario. In them into the story. Moafact, Moana doesn’t fall in

love at all. The character just follows her heart and to save her island.

“Moana” truly is one of the best family movies because it is comical and yet mature. Her hysterical animal friends and superhero sidekick can make any audience laugh. “Moana” really is a perfect family movie.

Reel Mountain Theatre is currently playing “Moana.” For showtimes, call the theater at (970) 5864227 or go to http:// www.reelmountain.com/ showtimes.

to some of the struggles Zits faces. His battle to be approved of and appreciated by other kids his age is a common adolescent struggle, making Flight a novel some readers can relate to on a personal level.

Despite its conceits,

Un-United from page 9 Moana’s island is dying and the only way to save her people is for her to go on a journey with a demigod, named Maui, voiced

by Dwayne Johnson.

Maui’s tragic backstory reveals that he feels that he is not good enough for the mortal humans, so he tries to make up for it. He steals the heart of a great being to give to the humans so they can create life itself. But when the

Un-United from page 9 Trump from office. No matter how much you say he isn’t your president, he still will be.

You do not have to like him. You do not even have to listen to anything he says. But the executive office is decided by the country as a whole. There isn’t a way to please everyone, but there also isn’t a reason to be selfish enough to want Trump to fail.

It is all about the appeal to the people. As it so happens, the appeal of Trump trumped (excuse the pun) Clinton’s this time around.

Yes, Clinton got the popular vote, but that just isn’t how our government works. This has happened before, where a candidate won the popular vote but lost the election. There is no reason for the government to change it up now just to please the losing party.

We are the generation that will soon take charge of this country. We will either go down as a gener-

that everyone thinks like one. In the political world of two parties, the majority of politicians must identify ation of good-doers or unas some party. doers.

Do not fault the party as We are at the point in a whole. Do not decide American history where based on platform. It is we will make it or break it. about the people. EveryIt seems the political thing must be about the parties are splitting, dividpeople, politicians and citiing this country in half. It zens alike. Love the indiis time to ask ourselves if viduals and hate the indiwe want to be the generaviduals. tion that carries on hating Do not hate Trump the differences others because of some of his have, or if we want to be supporters. Do not hate the ones to respect each Clinton because of some of other, grow together, and her supporters. Don’t love one another. unfriend. Don’t discuss.

In times where we are Let’s put it behind us. Let’s afraid and we are divided, work with what we have. we must put aside the poliLet’s choose to better ourtics and realize the facts. selves instead of hold a The country cannot grudge for the next four change in a snap. People years. cannot be forced out of the It’s ridiculous to see the country within days or actions of some people as weeks. A wall can’t be put of late. It’s disgusting to up in a few months. hear and see this hatred.

Amendments and laws Trump is not as bad as already approved cannot some think, and Clinton be stripped away. isn’t either. Clinton conWe have a three branch ceded to Trump, and now government to make sure Trump is beginning to do such things don’t happen. his job. He has had many Even though the branches good interviews, and is are dominated by Republisupported by many. Clincans that does not mean ton wanted to win, and

Charities from page 9

them.

“The most rewarding thing about Blue Santa is helping people within the community,” said Officer Curt Plassmeyer, the school’s resource officer.

“Being able to deliver the things we collect directly to the families and seeing the gratitude they have is what I am most excited about.”

The high school is involved with Blue Santa as students annually donate at least one can of food to the program so the Auxiliary Police can distribute the food throughout the community.

Bright Christmas and Blue Santa are good exam-

ples of what a community can do to support everyone.

Christmas can be hard for people to afford, but Estes Park makes sure that everyone can enjoy a cold winter’s holiday with presents and family.

For more information on Blue Santa contact Estes Park Police Captain Corey Pass at 970-577-3828 or cpass@estes.org. For more information on Bright Christmas call Jean Austin at 586-2035 or Nancy Greg at 970-481-4390. Bright Christmas is in need of sponsors, microwaves, vacuum cleaners, dishes, glasses, bedding, and bathroom towels

Collins’ main path to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. Meanwhile — at least until this threat of significant delays ing into the new year. measure came about — The Senate is expected to due to funding shortfalls, local officials wonvote on the resolution later and I’m proud the spending dered where money for the bill will pave the way for this week, according to follow-up phases of conprogress on the remaining struction would come from.

Gardner’s office.

“I welcome the inclusion projects.”

Sections of the roadway Polis called the inclusion were washed away in the of much-needed disaster relief funding for Colorado of the money “a significant floods that stormed road projects in the continu- victory for Colorado.” through Northern Colora“The funding allows us to do in September 2013. ing resolution. Without it, repair U.S. 34 and other the Colorado Department A temporary road was built of Transportation predicted roads and highways in a rather quickly. Some comway that prepares us for the munities in the canthat it could take up to 20 years to receive the funding next natural disaster,” Polis yon, such as Glen Haven, said in a statement. “When are still rebuilding. necessary to permanently the Colorado delegation repair our infrastructure The Colorado Departsticks together, we can damaged from the 2013 ment of Transportation facmove mountains, and deliv- es a backlog of more than floods,” Gardner said in a er the resources our resilprepared statement. ”The $250 million in infrastrucient communities deserve.” ture projects across the significant boost in emerThe multiphase rebuild of state that are related to the gency relief funding is centhe highway has it more-or- flood, according to Gardtral to the completion of the less shut down to through- ner’s office. The money in U.S. 34 project and other the continuing resolution critical repairs to Colorado’s traffic until Memorial Day. could jump start the work. roadways. It eliminates the The road serves as Fort

CDOT officials were quick to praise the effort of the Colorado delegation.

“It as Republicans and Democrats actually working together in a great way to do great things for Colorado,” said CDOT spokesperson Jared Fiel. “This allows us to move forward with the next three construction packages (on U.S. 34). We will be setting timelines coming up, now that we know the funding’s secured.”

Fiel said the permanent repairs, which are focused on making the highway more resilient in the face of future floods, originally were expected to be finished in three years. He said he doesn’t think the delay in funding will significantly affect that timetable.

Loveland Reporter-Herald writer Craig Young contributed to this report.

people in the community willing to help. Then the sponsors go out and buy items based off of what the family needs.

“It is part of our responsibility to help others in the community who need it,” said Miller.

Many gifts are requested from the families. Items ranging from stuffed animals to bikes to beds, sponsors provide whatever is needed for the children.

Along with the presents, families are provided one or two boxes of non-perishable food.

“Some of the sponsors do amazing things like buy them trundle beds for their children or vacuum cleaners and microwaves,” said Austin.

Blue Santa, supported by the Estes Park Police Auxiliary, is another charity meant to help those in need. Blue Santa’s mission is to help the disabled, homebound and elderly people of the community.

Non-perishable food, personal hygiene items and presents are collected to give to those who need

U.S. 34 from page 1

Cryptoquote answer on page 12

Obama supported her . . .

But both of them are to the point where they’ve accepted the facts.

I respect the office of president, no matter who upholds it. I want this country to do better. I want to see people come together. Maybe it is just me, but I do not understand how people can be so wanting of Trump to fail and how they can despise him so much. Any reasonable citizen would value this country we live in and would want him to succeed so we can all succeed.

Perhaps it is idealistic and perhaps America is too far beyond repair. If I were to vote, I would vote for unity and for peace. I would vote for the violence, the protests, the hatred, and the disrespect to cease. I would vote for this country to become better, and I believe every American citizen needs to take a hard look at the USA and decide what they can do to make this country a place where we can keep assuming the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

ESTES PARK TRAIL-GAZETTE - FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2016 - PAGE 19

Estes Park Trail-Gazette is looking for experienced freelance journalists willing to cover a variety of topics and take photos for the stories you write. Preference given to writers who know AP Style and will to commit to stories each week.

Prefer writer to be living in Estes Park, but will consider local areas within Larimer County. This is a part-time position with no benefits. The right candidate will be paid per story.

Send resume and writing samples to: dwest@eptrail.com Be sure to put in subject line "Writer application".

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