December 12 2014

Fairview High School 1515 Greenbriar Blvd.

Vol. 55 No. 2

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www.fhsroyalbanner.com Check out the online edition of the Royal Banner for real time coverage of school events, additional coverage of print stories, photos, videos, and more.

looking ahead: hopes for 2015 4 looking back: a year in review 5

The Royal Banner 14-15 Staff Editors in chief

welcome to colorado: america’s winter wonderland 8, 9

Alex Ray

Lucia Rose David Sachs Maddie Stachniak

Section Editors

an entertaining year: music and movies of 2014 10, 11

Student News Rachel Grushan Opinions Aleah Matthews-Runner Entertainment Varun Narayanswamy, Mike Sparkman Sports Ethan Kennedy Humor Maya Jayachandra Photo Matt Hise Copy Owyn Cooper Social Media Rachel Perley

ask anna 12 ‘tis the season to spend 13

Video Hannah Sheridan

Staff Reporters Laura

brack, hannah carande, ben gelderloos, anna

preobrazhensky, sage rose, josie russell, keren sneh, cameron walsh, alli williams, harrison young, isabel zuniga.

Courtesy Photos: Ceilia Tewey

Business

Adviser Sarah M. Zerwin For Subscriptions: Send $25 to Royal Banner, Fairview

High School, Room 339, 1515 Greenbriar Blvd,

Boulder, CO 80305, or contact us at alex.ray@fhsroyalbanner.com

About the Banner The Royal Banner Magazine is a 16 page news magazine. The Banner is written primarily for the over 2000 students attending Fairview High School and is distributed free of charge to all members of the school community. Accurate reporting of fact is the goal of the staff. Commentaries, opinion columns and letters to the editor are the expressed opinion of the author and not of The Royal

Banner and its Editorial Board or its adviser.

*Disclaimer: Under Colorado law, no expression made by students in the exercise of free speech or freedom of the press shall be deemed to be an expression of school policy. No school district, employee, legal guardian or official of such a district shall be held liable in any criminal action for any expression made or published by a student. The Royal Banner sells advertisements for publicity and to pay for printing costs.

We reserve the right to refuse to run any advertisement deemed inap-

2 | TABLE OF CONTENTS | fhsroyalbanner.com

better 2015 resolutions 14, 15

Hope is the eternal flame that keeps us going through good times and bad. Hope drives us to the highest heights and saves us from the lowest lows.

Fairview students use hope as a catalyst for all things in their lives. Whether they are hoping for snow or something new for the holidays. Hope has helped in the face of immeasurable sorrow and elated those experiencing joy. From our Royal Banner family to yours, we hope you have a great holiday season.

fhsroyalbanner.com | STUDENT NEWS | 3

Looking Ahead: Seniors’ Hopes for 2015

He and fellow seniors Preston Cates and Adam Lund let the men’s cross country team to 3rd place finish at state. They hope their success will carry over to the track next spring.

For many people, the beginning of the process is over. Students have dubbed new year signifies a fresh start. Whether this behavior “senioritis,”and it is as easy it be in the form of New Year’s resoluto catch as the name suggests. tions or simple wishes, everyone has an Regardless of senioritis, students would optimistic hope for the not-too-distant like to see some scholarly easing-up in future.

2015.

Seniors have many “I hope there will things to look forward “I want a unit of measure- be less tests next seto in the upcoming ment named after me. I’m mester,” commented year. Graduation, for senior Dusty Jaffe. thinking it would measure instance, is highly-anAthletic seniors ticipated by many up- heat.” -Will Chambers are looking to go out perclassmen. with a bang in their “I hope that second final seasons as Fairsemester goes by really view Knights. The quickly,” said senior Juliette Dean. talented basketball programs and the The second semester of senior year is girl’s soccer team will be worth watching infamously known for slacking off acain 2015, and many other sports teams are demically, since the college application looking to live up to the school’s victorious athletic reputation.

“I hope to have an excellent track season,” said distance runner Jacob Naber.

Looking Back: A Year in Review- 2014

By Rachel Grushan @RachelGrushanRB Photos by Wikimedia Commons and Matt Hise Hamas Launches Attacks Over 28 rockets are launched from Gaza at Israel by Gaza terrorists as conflict between Israel and Palestine escalates.

Crisis in Ukraine Conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues into 2014 as riots turn deadly.

JAN

Beating a Dead Horse The Denver Broncos lose to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII. Let It Snow-chi The 2014 Winter Olympics are held in Sochi, Russia.

FEB

4 | STUDENT NEWS | fhsroyalbanner.com

The Oscars “12 Years A Slave” wins Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

The Mystery of Flight 370 Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 goes missing, prompting the largest and most expensive search effort in history and sending the media into a frenzy.

MAR

Bring Back Our Girls Over 200 schoolgirls are kidnapped by a terrorist group in Chibok, Nigeria.

The kidnapping receives international attention as people everywhere pressure authorities in Nigeria to find the missing girls.

“I hope I get the megalodon in Hungry Shark Evolution.”

-Jesse Zhang Courtney Carter, an esteemed swimmer, is hoping for some success in the pool.

“My goal is to make state swimming,” she said.

The women’s swimming team features many dominating upperclassmen, like University of Buffalo recruit Julia Box. The team placed second at state last year, and aspire for another triumphant performance this time around.

The new year’s wish for athletic prowess is likely to be realized in 2015. In addition to track and swimming, the talented basketball programs, baseball team, and women’s soccer team will be worth watching.

Molly and Daryn Fairview votes Molly Marcus and Daryn Copeland as Prom Royalty, marking the first time a same-sex couple has won at Fairview. ◀

By Josie Russell @JosieRussellRB

Trouble in the Middle East The United Nations reports that 1.2 million Iraqis have been forced from their homes due to the terrorist group, ISIS.

New York, New York Age of Guinevere and Excalibur perform at the Lincoln Center in New York.

APR

Where No Man Has Gone Before NASA releases an image of the Hubble Ultra-Deep field, which includes the most distant galaxies to have ever been imaged by a telescope.

MAY

JUN

College, of course, occupies the minds of countless 12th graders. Their hopes for the new year often include getting some acceptance letters.

“The only thing I wish is to get into college,” said Emily Bollman.

Anthony Martinez’s aspiration for 2015 is “to get into the University of Oregon.”

With both college selections and and job applications in mind, Samani Upadyay said, “I hope I develop the ability to make decisions about my future.”

Post-Fairview life aside, there are some exciting upcoming events that the class of 2015 is sure not to miss.

“I hope Prom is super fun and cool,” said Maddy Haimes.

eryone can sympathize with.

Molly O’Connor said, “I just hope I’m happy!”

Senior Nick Lanzoni has many relatable goals for the new year. One of them is “to successfully conquer the two-meal take out.”

On a more serious note, he wants his new year’s resolutions to be permanent and impactful.

“My aspiration is to build something that helps people,” he said.

“I’d like to meet Miley Cyrus and the Kardashians.”

- Dusty Jaffe Although 2015 will turn over many new leaves for seniors, they still have some wise New Year’s wishes that ev-

◀

JUL

Oh Captain, My Captain Legendary comedian and actor Robin Williams dies at 63. #HandsUpDon’tShoot The shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, sparks national outrage.

AUG

Gun Safety Senior Kai Kloepfer is awarded $50,000 grant for his revolutionary “smart gun technology.”

Ebola The first lab-confirmed case of Ebola is reported in the United States.

SEP

Fairview Sports Dominate Fairview Football wins first round of the play offs on Halloween, continuing their undefeated season, and Varsity Tennis player Ignatius Castelino wins Player of the Year for Class 5A.

State Bound Varsity Volleyball and Mens’ Soccer go to their State competitions.

CMAS No Más Students organize mass opt-outs from the new standardized test and protest on the Ultimate Frisbee Field on the 13th and 14th.

◀

Es lebe Deutschland Germany beats Argentina 1-0 in the Fifa World Cup.

Making History Students in Jefferson County protest their school board’s decision to change the AP US History curriculum. ◀

Finding a Cure Fairview graduate Larry Zhang gives a talk on engineering micro-RNA to cure skin cancer at TEDxMile High.

Photo by Matt Hise

When the Knights Go Marching In The FHS Marching Knights take third at State, .2 points away from second.

OCT

Money for Change President Obama asks Congress for $263 million as a federal response to the conflict in Ferguson. The money would go towards the improvment of training and body cameras for the police.

You’ve Got Mail Seniors who applied early to colleges recieve their responses.

NOV

DEC

fhsroyalbanner.com | STUDENT NEWS | 5

Remembering

“Th and e w de ords ath do Mia n’t Gr go ace tog eth Mille er. r “

Mia

This playlist is everything I can say for the best friend I’ve ever had Not sisters by blood but by choice, Love you Mia.

Stella- All Time Low Savior- Rise Against Bulletproof Love- Pierce The Veil Jesus Christ- Brand New Sugar We’re Goin Down- Fall Out Boy Here In Your Arms- Hellogoodbye Lithium- Nirvana Sometime Around Midnight- Airborne Toxic Event Scar Tissue- Red Hot Chili Peppers House of Gold- 21 Pilots Like We Did- The Maine Love Your Friends Die Laughing- Man Overboard Never Saw it Coming- Tigers Jaw Mr. Brightside- The Killers

Photo by Celia Tewey 6 | MEMORIAL | fhsroyalbanner.com

The words Mia Grace Miller and death don’t go together. That’s because she was so full of life. I think about her laugh, her smile, and her finding the weirdest parts of people’s faces; their eyebrows, their cheekbones, and their noses and falling in love with them.

For Mia’s sixteenth birthday party, her mom and another friend planned a surprise birthday party for her.

The plan was for her closest friends, except that friend, to say yes to the party that Mia was throwing herself and at the last second cancel on her. Then her friend would lead her to the limo where we would all be waiting. When we did this, Mia saw us and looked so happy that we hadn’t actually cancelled on her.

Mia was beautiful, funny, and so caring. When she got into the limo; she didn’t demand that we go somewhere. Instead, she asked where we wanted to go.

Thinking about Mia is hard because I feel so happy to have had these memories with her, but at the same time all I want is to cry because she’s no longer here. It still doesn’t make sense.

When I think about Mia, I hold onto the amazing memories that I had with her. And wish that I could have one more. I miss you Mia.

“I think about her laugh, her smile, and her finding the weirdest parts of people’s faces; their eyebrows, their cheekbones, and their noses and falling in love with them.”

National Hope Line: 1.800.784.2433 National Prevention Lifeline: 1.800.273.TALK Boulder Help Line: 303.447.1665 CU Help Line: 303.492.1000 Memorial by Teagan Signorelli Playlist by Sydney Zellers

“Hope” is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul And sings the tune without the words And never stops - at all Emily Dickinson

Dear Fellow Students,

It’s 1:42am on a Thursday night, and I’m trying to figure out what I need to say to you about the nature of hope.

This is my senior year of high school.

And having gone to Fairview, 1:42am feels lonely yet certainly not unfamiliar.

Hope is the reason I am still here.

Now that I am nearing the end of high school, and the beginning of figuring out what the hell I want to do with my life, I realize it no longer does me use to lie. So here I tell the only truths I know: You are seen.

I see you sitting in the back of my math class. I see you trying to stifle your sadness as you walk through the studio door. I see what lurks under the long sleeves your wear. I see how you only pretend to eat your lunch. WE see you.

And you are loved.

For years, I never believed those two simple facts. In high school, it’s essentially implied that you will be confused and unsure; I can honestly say that I know how alone that can make you feel.

But I suppose the reason that I’m still here, simple as it is, is a hell of a good one. I simply had the hope that those things were true. That I was seen. That I was loved.

And looking around at all of you, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that it is true of us all. You are all genuine and I see your kindness daily. YOU are still here because you have hope.

Because the teachers, parents, counselors, friends, significant others and everyone else around you that you love find strength in the fact that you are

alive today and that you will be alive tomorrow.

That strength, that hope, can be cultivated through basic human connections. By talking to the lonely kid in your math clas. By letting your friends or counsellors know that 1:42am has started to feel a little too lonely. By never being ashamed or afraid to feel your feelings.

As a school, we have experienced tragedies. But we have experienced them together, and felt them as a community. We are imperfect, but we are stronger than we think.

The only thing I can honestly say to any of you is that it is simply possible. It is possible to recover from depression, loss, family trauma, and anything else the world decides to heap on you. It is possible to wake up tomorrow and be happy that you are still a human being alive on this earth.

So there are possibilities. Chances to prove something. To see and be seen.

To love and be loved. This is what I can say about the nature of hope.

It is not something that drives the bad away, but rather the certainty that your happiness is not only deserved, but a possible reality.

And I see that to be true in every last person in this school. Thank you for proving that to us all.

Best, Maddie Stachniak Editor-in-Chief

Photo by Celia Tewey fhsroyalbanner.com || STUDENT STUDENT NEWS NEWS || 55 fhsroyalbanner.com

Welcome to Colorado, by: Matt Hise @mattsbanner

It’s that time of the year again, ski season is upon us. Every November Coloradans ready their gear, wax their boards and wait anxiously for the snow to come. Colorado is home to some of the best skiing in the country and now is when the resorts open their gates and show riders what they can expect from the upcoming season. Here is a review of what you can expect coming in.

Vail Resort, Vail Colorado.

Time from Boulder 2 hours Average rating: 4.5 out of 5 Vail Resorts offers more than 5000 acres of skiable terrain and bolsters an average 354 inches of snow per year. Vail is rated as one of the best ski resorts in the country and offers a wide variety of activities.

Cost: $110 per full day adult lift ticket

Keystone, Keystone Colorado Time from Boulder 1 hour 40 minutes Average rating 4.3 out of 5 Keystone offers a vast amount of skiable terrain. With 3 mountains, and 0 lifts servicing more than 130 runs keystone offers a vast skiable area suitable for all skill levels. Keystone is also famous for some of the best night skiing around, ski all day, grab some dinner, then ski all night.

Cost: $98 per full day adult lift ticket

Winter Park, Winter Park Colorado Time from Boulder 1 hour 45 minutes Average rating 4.5 out of 5 Winter park is a prolific resort in the Rocky Mountains. The resort itself offers fine dining 5 star 5 star resort living and stunning skiing on an extensive area of skiable terrain. Winter Park also offers a top notch ski school for those just learning to ride.

Cost: $99-103 depending on holliday dates per full day lift ticket

Breckenridge, Breckenridge Colorado.

Time from Boulder 1 hour 55 minutes Average rating: 4.5 out of 5 Breckenridge offers 187 runs with 34 lifts. Breckenridge averages 353 inches of snowfall per year and offers one of the longest runs in colorado, the 4 O’clock trail running 3.5 miles from summit to the town of Breckenridge, CO. Cost: $112 per full day adult lift ticket

Eldora, Nederland Colorado Time from Boulder 40 minutes Average rating 3.5 out of 5 Edora is the closest resort to Boulder.

Although the resort is small it offers a fair variety of terrain for beginner to advanced intermediate. Eldora is small now but plans to expand the resort are in the works. If you want a skiing experience less than an hour away Eldora is the place to be.

Cost: $69 per full day adult lift ticket

8 | SPORTS | fhsroyalbanner.com

Aspen Snowmass, Aspen Colorado Time from Boulder 3 hours 45 minutes Average rating: 4 out of 5 Aspen may be a long way from home but it offers exceptional skiing. With an average of 271 inches of snowfall per year Aspen offers great snow year round. Aspen also offers one of the highest rated ski schools in the state.

Cost: $218 per 2 day adult lift ticket

Photos from Wikimedia Commons

,

America s Winter Wonderland.

by: Cameron Walsh @cameron.walsh16

F

Photo Credit: David Sachs

Info from Wikipedia

or students here at Fairview and along the Rocky Mountains, skiing and snowboarding is a natural part of life. And then there are those that take skiing to the next level.

Take Emma Gann, a senior here at Fairview, who takes skiing from a fun hobby, to a competitive level on The Nederland High School Ski Team.

“I started ski racing when I was seven; the interest came from my mother. She raced in college and taught me how to ski,” said Gann.

The Nederland High School Ski Team encompasses all of BVSD, people from across the school district ski Slalom and Giant Slalom. Gann is one of the captains of this Unified Team.

“On the high school team, my goal has been to make state and the varsity team,” Gann said, “I have done so in the past three years and hope to do it again this season.”

“The last several years the girls’ team has placed first and second in some of the different divisions.”

Starting in early November, the ski team begins practice from 2:00 to 4:00 with practice and dry land before the snow sets in. Then, the team dons their gear and heads up to Eldora and across the state in competitive racing.

“When we go up to Eldora we set up our own courses and train through those,” Gann said, “we mostly practice through in-gate training.”

For those new to Colorado and skiing, Slalom and Giant Slalom are a set of events where skiers will race down a slope, attempting to ski in between sets of flags. In Slalom, the vertical drop ranges from 180-220 m. In Giant Slalom, the vertical drop can range between 250-400 m.

“We lost a lot of kids last year that graduated, but we got a lot of new kids from Fairview, which is really exciting,” Gann said.

With the signs of winter quickly arriving, students will be heading up to the mountains to hit the slopes, and you can be sure that the Nederland Unified High School Ski Team will be hard at work. fhsroyalbanner.com | SPORTS | 9

AN ENTERTAINING YEAR:

2014 has been a great year for entertainment fans. While trying to sort through all of the great movies, songs, help too. Over 40 Students were asked polled on music and media. Below we have a list of our top five movies, s

By Varun Narayanswamy an

SONGS

Rank 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Rank 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

FHS

“Anaconda” (Nicki Minaj) “Blank Space” (Taylor Swift)

RB

“Heart is a Drum” (Beck) “Now Hear In” (Cloud Nothings) “Stoic’s “Never Ship” Catch (John Me” Powell) (Flying Lotus) “Never “Do You” Catch (Spoon) Me” (Flying Lotus) “i” “The (KenSky Bedrick hind the Lamar) Flag” (Owen Pallett)

FHS

“Arrow” “New Girl” “The League” “Avatar: Legend of Korra” “Gotham”

Taking first place, my top song of 2014 is Beck’s “Heart is a Drum.”

On “Heart is a Drum,” Beck gets creative with his folk-rock template, turning what could be an acoustic ballad into a driving, upbeat rock song with a touch of psychedelia. The song seamlessly transitions from part to part, and proves Beck’s talent at songwriting.

Second place goes to “Now Hear In” by Cloud Nothings. Combining punk intensity and speed with pop melodies and the jangle inherent in the sound of such bands as R.E.M. and My Bloody Valentine, Cloud Nothings show the merit in paying tribute to the artists who inspired them, and sound surprisingly original all the while.

In third place is “Never Catch Me” by Flying Lotus. As if the ingenious jazz-fusion-meets-electronic style of Flying Lotus wasn’t enough, Kendrick Lamar guest raps on this track preoccupied with and simultaneously celebrating death. Expertly picking apart humanity’s fear of death until it appears trivial through high speed verses, Lamar showcases a combination of profundity and outrageous talent. Backing Lamar is an instrumental reminiscent of some of the more jazzy tracks off of “Good Kid, m.A.A.d. City.” One can only hope that on his next album Kendrick will be backed by instrumentals as good as the ones Flying Lotus puts out routinely.

RB

“Arrow” “Flash” “Gotham”

“American Horror Story” “How to Get Away With Murder”

10 | ENTERTAINMENT | fhsroyalbanner.com

TV SHOWS

Action, adventure, mystery and comedy are unlimited in the popular show, “Arrow.” When playboy millionaire Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) reappears after his boat crashes five years previously, the world goes abuzz. But he’s not quite the same. He’s a rich kid by day but a superhero by night, catching wealthy villains who are using the poor to their advantage and committing horrible crimes. “Arrow” finished its second season this year and has recently began the third. This show is really amazing. If you have any free time this break, this is the show to see.

Second, “New Girl” is one of the funniest shows I have ever watched. It doesn’t matter what you think. Everytime I watch an episode, I find myself crying from laughter. “New Girl” is a story show about Jess Day (Zooey Deschanel) who one day walks in on her boyfriend with another woman. Afterward, she moves into a room with 3 very funny guys: Nick, Schmidt, and Winston. This show can sometimes be inappropriate but overall, this show is amazing. I would for sure give it a thumbs-up.

Finally, is a show that some would consider a kids show. This show started out with a series with three seasons followed by a following series now on it’s fourth season.

It is none other than “Avatar: Legend of Korra.” The sequel to the hugely popular show “Avatar: The Last Airbender” this show is full of comedy, action and the supernatural. In a world where there are people who are able to harness the power of different elements there is a single special individual. The avatar, a person who can control all of them.

Korra, the newest Avatar has to learn to control her abilities and keep balance in the world. Easier said then done. There villains on every turn and she must muster all of her strength to bring them down. An amazing show to be sure I would give this show an eleven out of 10.

ngs, albums MUSIC AND MOVIES OF 2014 and TV shows it was hard to pick the top five movies of the year. So we asked for your

ies, songs, albums and TV shows along with reviews of the top three and Fairview’s top five choices. my and Mike Sparkman

ALBUMS

This year, my pick for best album goes to “Benji” by Sun Kil Moon. Rarely does an album focused largely on death with sparse instrumentation and slow tempos maintain the listener’s attention over its entirety, but Mark Kozelek, better known as Sun Kil Moon, accomplished this feat with his most recent album under this moniker, “Benji.” Rather than wallowing in the inherent gloom of the deaths of those that he knew, Kozelek reflects on the lives of these late friends and relatives with somber, understated, and tuneful songs. What warrants the listener’s attention is the frankness of the lyrics, the absence of metaphors, which ends up serving the songs because of Kozelek’s aptitude at storytelling. Sure, these songs are sad, but never without purpose, and ultimately they are both humbling and uplifting.

Taking second place is Cloud Nothings’ “Here and Nowhere Else.” Cloud Nothings originated as a project started by Ohio college student Dylan Baldi during his free time, but soon evolved into an eminent alternative rock group with obvious roots in 80s and 90s underground rock. However, despite these obvious leanings towards such groups as Mission of Burma and Sonic Youth, Cloud Nothings has consistently put out refreshingly original music for the past few years, and their newest album, “Here and Nowhere Else,” continues this trend.

Third place honors go to “Morning Phase” by Beck. Over the past twenty years, Beck has proven himself as an artist with astonishing versatility, releasing a multitude of albums that span several genres, without ever wearing out his welcome. His newest album has been touted as his return to the folk-rock that he so skillfully displayed on his 2002 album, “Sea Change.” “Morning Phase,” however, is not simply a throwback to Beck’s former accomplishments. It expands upon the laid-back, drowsy sound of “Sea Change” and brings more universal lyrical themes, as opposed to the starkly personal lyricism of “Sea Change.”

Once again Beck displays what makes him such a unique artist, and does so with a seamless blend of new and old.

MOVIES

Taking the top on both my list and the Fairview list is “Guardians of the Galaxy.”

Based off of the Marvel Comic this movie is the perfect combination of humor, action, romance and sci-fi. Peter Quill’s (Chris Pratt) is a space thief. That is until Peter steals an orb with enough power to destroy a planet. But, with something that powerful everyone wants it. Peter soon becomes the number one target for Ronan, a leader of the powerful race the Kree. In order to bring him down, Peter will put together the Guardians of the Galaxy. Together they become an unstoppable force who can take on Ronan and the Kree army. If you haven’t seen this movie it is highly recommended by the entire school of Fairview.

Coming in place for number two is none other than “22 Jump Street”. A sequel to the movie “21 Jump Street” this movie was just as good as the first. Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) after dealing with their first case are the baddest pair around. They could take down any high school. But the game has changed and this time they aren’t find a high school drug lord: they’re finding a college one. With more humor, action and bromance than any movie you’ve ever seen, this movie will have you laughing the whole way through.

LEGOs are something we all loved in our childhood. Heck, most of us still think they’re awesome. So when the “LEGO Movie” got released guess who rushed to the theaters?

We high schoolers. Filled with action, comedy and romance this movie will be amazing no matter how old you are. Emmet Brickowski (also Chris Pratt) is an everyday person in the LEGO world. He likes the trending music, the trending TV shows and really anything that’s trending. In other words he’s the exact opposite of a hipster. This all changes when he meets Wyldstyle (Elizabeth Banks). She is a one of the last master builders (someone who’s a master at building) and she explains how the world isn’t as perfect as it seems. Now with his trusty crew Emmit must undergo a journey to save the planet.

Rank 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Rank 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

FHS

“1989” (Taylor Swift) “The Endless River” (Pink Floyd)

RB

“Benji” (Sun Kil Moon) “Here and Nowhere Else” (Cloud Nothings) “CLPPNG” “Morn(Cliping” Phase ping) (Beck) “The Joy “You’re of Dead” Motion” (Flying (Animals Lotus) as Leaders “In the “In Lonely Conflict” Hour” (Owen (Sam Pallett Smith)

FHS

“Guardians of the Galaxy” “The Fault in our Stars” “Boyhood” “22 Jump Street” “Birdman”

RB

“Guardians of the Galaxy” “22 Jump Street” “Lego Movie” “Boyhood” “Let’s be Cops”

fhsroyalbanner.com | ENTERTAINMENT | 11

AskAnna

T

Anna’s dog, Peef

Anna Preobrazhensky Send me your questions at anna@fhsroyalbanner. com

QUESTIONS: Hi Anna, My girlfriend and I have been dating for about 3 months now. Christmas is coming up and I don’t know what to get her. She loves food and movies if that helps at all.

Thanks, Cocoa Butter Kisses Dear Cocoa Butter Kisses, How about a gift card to her favorite movie theatre? A gift card to her favorite grocery store? Buy her some of her favorite movies, some of her favorite candy bars, and have dinner with her favorite dishes. “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” (combining both food and movies) would be a fun movie to watch together.

I hope that helps!

Anna

12 | OPINION | fhsroyalbanner.com

December 2014

his November I turned 18. When I tell people this I get different responses. Some people say “oh lucky!” others, “you can vote now!” and “you are an official grownup!”

Yes, all this is true. But honestly, that’s not what I think about.

Turning 18 for me is a milestone. I am extremely happy to be here alive and healthy.

Growing up I never saw myself this far. Yes, I had hopes of what I would like to do but I never actually saw myself as a grown up girl soon to be graduating high school (aaaaahhhhh). For me I could never look ahead too much. I don’t even like to make plans too far into the future.

I hated the possibility and was afraid that I wouldn’t be here to do everything I had planned to do. Whenever people asked me about my future I couldn’t answer them and it was an extremely sore subject for me. I closed my mind to anything that had to do with the future.

My parents were there for me. Though they understood my fear, they always told me that you can’t turn your back on something just because you’re afraid. No one really knows when the end is going to be. That doesn’t mean they hide in bed and say, “I’m afraid to get up because I don’t know what’s going to happen.” You have to be strong and believe.

This is really good advice that I had trouble accepting. I was stubborn and told everyone to leave me alone. And unfortunately those many times when I got into the hospital, especially the most recent stay, just made things harder for me.

But here I am now. An 18 year old girl. I have made it this far. And yes I can not see into the future but that does not mean I should turn my back on it. I will live each day and year as they come. I will make plans. I will live my life.

Yes, life is very scary, but if you hide and don’t do anything with your life you won’t be able to do amazing things. You won’t get anywhere hiding from everything. Embrace life and don’t be afraid to do things and make plans.

Hi Anna, Do you think it’s okay to curse? If not, is there any times when it would be appropriate?

Thanks!

Dear Anonymous, Personally, I do not approve of cussing. It is a poor way of showing your emotions, and there’s no reason to do it. Write a letter, count to ten, calm down.

Sincerly, Anna

Dear Anna, As a girl is it okay to date somebody a grade younger than you?

-Cougar Town Hi Cougar Town, I would say no, grade older or younger, it’s best to stay with your own class. A couple months age difference makes sense, but with a whole grade different, people will have different maturities.

Anna

Back in early November, snow had just fallen outside, but the inside of King Soopers appeared to be Santa’s workshop, getting an early start on the season.

“We’ve… seen an intense commercialization of the holiday,” said a King Soopers’ shopper, “it’s more secular than spiritual these days.”

Mickey Mouse advent calendars, chocolate packets wrapped in ribbon, candy cane packages “‘Oh! It’s Christmas decorafilled with Rotions’... but then you realise that los, Reese’s, and Hershey Kisses Halloween hasn’t happened yet line the holiday and you feel kind of weird about aisle at King it.”

Soopers.

In a small sec- -Brooke Garbarini tion of the aisle, closest to the front of the store, are Halloween items, with a sign that reads “Save 90%”.

“Sometimes you’re thinking ‘Oh! It’s Christmas decorations, I mean it’s winter time, so it’s getting colder’ and you think ‘oh it’s great, because it’s Christmas time and that’s wonderful,’” said junior Brooke Garbarini, “but then you realise that Halloween hasn’t happened yet and you feel kind of weird about it

‘Tis the Season to Spend

Photos by Celia Tewey

By @RBAleahMR Aleah Matthews-Runner ‘cause there’s another holiday in-between. Two more holidays really, because Thanksgiving.”

When stores put out winter holiday items more than a month before the actual holiday, it perpetuates over-consumerism and, in the long run, has created a holiday season focused on spending money rather than spending time with those you love.

Over consumption leads families to over spend and to purchase items that are useless, such as plastic toys and ornamental decorations, simply because presents have become such an important part of celebrating a winter holiday.

“I haven’t really gotten a gift that’s not useless,” said junior Kentaro Umezono.

Advertisements and mass holiday consumerism lead to a large accumulation of unnecessary stuff. The best way to counteract this is to buy less and give more.

“I definitely have a lot,” said senior Sydney Chinowsky, “in terms of how much of it I use, I try to go through regularly and donate stuff, but there’s obviously still stuff that I either keep for sentimental value or just because I’ve forgotten about it.”

Yet for many students, holiday decor so early in the year doesn’t even affect when they buy presents.

“I don’t start thinking about [gifts] until December,” said junior Maddie Crowley, “and I don’t start buying things until a week before Christmas.”

Even though ads and social norms try to promote over consumerism, this holiday season, share the gift of love with those around you, and learn to appreciate your family and what you have, instead of shopping and wishing for things fhsroyalbanner.com | OPINION | 13

better

2015 Resolutions

By Maya Jayachandra // @mayajayachandra

Everyone knows that New Year’s resolutions are the most useless, ignored rules humans have ever come up with. In fact, if someone resolves to do something in the new year it’s pretty much guaranteed that they won’t do it. With that in mind, here’s a list of better, possibly more realistic resolutions you can make to give yourself that false sense of productivity.

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Happy holidays!

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

Eat more junk food.

Overly complicate life.

Quit reading books altogether.

Squander life savings at King Soopers Starbucks.

Lose all pencils to abyss of school hallways.

Stop exercising after a week of carefully planning out a schedule for the entire year.

Develop poor(er) time management skills.

Forget everything you learned first semester.

Fail to teach self how to play bagpipes.

Create more bad habits.

Embarrass self in front of peers and/or family members.

Make bad first impressions on college reps.

Overload self with too many deadlines at once.

Be the type of person you’ll look back on in six months and grimace at.

Put off figuring out what you want to do with your life.

Promise yourself you’ll be more a organized and functional person.

Break that promise.

Communicate via passive-aggressive sticky notes in lieu of texting.

Stop lying to your grandmother about her cooking.

Have more 2AM staring contests with your cats.

Accept that your one friend in that one class doesn’t actually know your name.

Get your hands on a copy of SkyMall and actually buy that one thing you’ve had your eye on since you first sat down in an airplane.

fhsroyalbanner.com | HUMOR | 15

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