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