February 24, 2012

The

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Friday, February 24, 2012 Vol. 52 No. VI

Fairview High School 1515 Greenbriar Blvd.

Royal Banner Friday, February 24, 2012

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Table

In depth report: Basketball See

of

News: ................3

BVSD Prohibits Medication . . . . 3

Op/Ed: The

1A-4A

By ALEC PRONK

ON THE COVER: Senior guard Jonah Crespi takes the ball to the hoop against Poudre (PHOTO: BROWN).

courses

pullout section, pages

Republican presidental election continues to run

Contents New

News

most powerful weapon.

The race for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination has been shaped by an indecisive conservative base Rick Santorum swept all three states in the February 7th caucuses including Colorado. Santorum now trails front-runner Mitt Romney by a count of 94-71 delegates. Newt Gingrich is in third with 29 delegates, and Ron Paul trails far behind with eight delegates.

The primary cycle has mirrored pre-election campaigning with various candidates seemmingly gaining momentum and becoming the front-runner in the race. Every candidate had their moment of being the ‘front-runner’ from Michelle Bachmann to Rick Perry and even Herman Cain.

However, candidates have been weeded out, and Romney has remained steady atop the polls, for the most part. ‘Traditional’ conservatives have been searching for a strong opposition to Romney, and recently Santorum has benefited from that in the polls.

By this point in the primaries a candidate for president has typically been selected by general consensus. However, this election Republicans have yet to clearly select their candidate to oppose President Obama.

Candidates are preparing for the long haul as it appears the process will take much longer than expected.

Which Republican candidate would you vote for to run against Obama?

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Foxconn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Student Life: Artist

Based on results from an anonymous

poll of 23 Fairview students.

of the issue.

A Passion

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Fashion . . . . . . . . . 6

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Royal Banner Friday, February 24, 2012

3

Fairview offers new classes for the 2012-2013 school year

By ELLA JENAK

At the end of February, Fairview students will begin signing up for the classes will offer two new classes: Pottery & Sculpture 1 (A61) and Pottery & Sculpture they want to take in the 2012-2013 school year. While the majority of the class- 2 (A62).

The final addition to Fairview’s 2012-2013 course book is Spanish Reading, es offered will be the same as those offered in previous years, there are a few Writing & Communicating (F84). Although the name misleadingly suggests new additions to the course book that students could consider taking.

The newest class not only to Fairview, but to all of Boulder Valley, is Im- that it is a conversational Spanish class, the course is in fact for native Spanish provised Performance (course code LE10). This semester-long class will help speakers, not for students learning the language.

Many of next year’s classes, although they will not be new to Fairview, will be stage performers develop important skills restructured versions of current courses. such as character development, script writing, The most profoundly restructured and audience awareness, as well as allow stucourse will be Advanced Journalism, the dents to gain auditioning confidence. “From class in which the Royal Banner is writthe student’s perspective, it’s gonna be playing ten. This single course will be split into games every day that develop different aspects three new levels: Journalism: Newspaper of improvised performance,” explains acting 1 (LE2), Intermediate Journalism: Newsteacher Drew Keat. paper 2 (LE4), and Advanced Journalism: Although it seems offering a new course to Newspaper 3 (LE6). students would be simple, it is in fact a comThe current anatomy class will be plex and lengthy transaction. turned into Fundamentals of Anatomy In order for a new class to be added to the & Physiology (S15). The new anatomy Boulder Valley School District course book, class will meet the life science graduaa teacher from the department the proposed tion requirement, whereas anatomy did class would belong to must propose it to the not, making it beneficial to students district, who must accept the class then assign who register for it. it a name and course code to be used by all Performance class (taught by choir other schools in the district. “That’s quite a Mrs. DiGiacomo’s master schedule hanging in her office (JENAK). teacher Rochelle Gallup) will be the final process,” says assistant principal Sarah DiGiaclass to be altered for next year’s course como. book.

“Ron Revier taught it for years, but it was more a performance class, not But, even when a class has been added to the course description book it’s not an audition class,” says Gallup.

“The focus of [the new] performance class will guaranteed that it will run. “We might cancel one class to run another more be to prepare your audition book with 16 or 32 bars of every single style that popular course,” says DiGiacomo. you need.”

Students in the class will research shows, talk about college theater So, it’s imperative that students “choose carefully,” she stresses. After all, it’s the students who ultimately decide which classes are offered in the upcoming and music programs, and discuss how to find auditions in Colorado and how to talk to an accompanist. While it is technically a semester-long course, perforschool year.

There are also a number of courses that will be new to Fairview next year, mance class can be taken both semesters because there is always more music and audition skills that students can learn and practice. but have existed in the district course book for years.

There is only one brand new class to BVSD for the upcoming school year, New to the business department next year will be Technology in Business but there are many new and revised classes to Fairview that returning students (B70), Business Law (B44), and Desktop Publication & Computer Graphics could consider signing up for.

(B13). Thanks to the acquisition of a kiln, next year the visual arts department

BVSD prohibits students from carrying medications to school

By KERRY MARTIN

ownership of these pain killers and treat students as adults, trusting that they According to Boulder Valley School District policy, “no medication, prescrip- will be responsible and careful with medicine by only self-administering, not tion or non-prescription, may be carried by the/student to take on his/her own, sharing any sort of drugs, and making sure that the medicine fits the student’s i.e., in backpack or pocket, unless special arrangements have been made with medical needs. the school nurse consultant, family, and medical provider.” This means that Although the Fairview administration is cautious and aware that there are all medication, including ordinary painkillers like Tylenol and Advil need to be problems where prescription drugs are abused, they do not believe that there monitored and administered by the nurse. is a problem with Advil and are not worried But as it is unreasonable for the nurse to keep and store about any sort of misuse with these types 2000 bottles of Advil for every student who gets a headache of drugs. As long as the student body conthroughout the day, the line of what is prohibited and what is tinues to be mature and responsible with acceptable regarding medicine has been a little fuzzy for Fairhandling their own painkillers, Stensrud view students over the past few years. After taking a closer and the other staff will continue to look look at the district rules concerning medication as well as talkpast students that carry medicine and trust ing to some of Fairview’s administration, we were able to sort Fairview to make the right choices for their through the rules and make some surprising discoveries about health.

Fairview’s Advil policy.

BVSD policy also states that medication Because the BVSD policies apply to all schools in the area, such as inhalers and EpiPens are acceptable the district cannot legally permit students to be in possession to carry and self-administer with the apof medication; this approval would mean that everyone who proval of a physician and the school nurse.

The nurses’s office next to the senior lounge (BROWN). goes to school in Boulder Valley, from kindergarten to 12th Students wanting to carry these medigraders, would be allowed to carry drugs. cines or take prescription drugs at school are When asked about this medication policy, Fairview’s Principal, Don Sten- strongly recommended to contact the nurse and fill out a Medication Adminissrud, said that it would be reasonable for the district to change the policy to tration Authorization Form in order to discuss terms and conditions. make an exception and cater more specifically toward high school students, but Remember to be careful when self-administering any type of medicine and it might be unnecessary. Stensrud stated that the Fairview administration had always read and follow the directions on bottles or packaging as well as consult somewhat of a “don’t ask, don’t tell” attitude regarding the possession of Advil the school nurse or physician before taking any drugs. and other over-the-counter medicine. The staff is willing to overlook the

Royal Banner Friday, February 24, 2012

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The Royal Banner 11-12 Staff

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Print Editors-In-Chief: Eli Boonin-Vail Rachel Joyce Web Editors-In-Chief Alec Pronk Matt Sparkman

Section Editors News Leo Leong

Opinions Janet Chen Co-Features Paige Reisman, Megan Debruyn Entertainment Sam Rock Sports Matt Johnson Co-In-Depth Caroline Kruger, Miah Yager Copy Katie Steen, Eliana Goldstein

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Staff Reporters

Savarone Ammann, Kali Crossen, Alex Flynn, Sharone Goldman, Eliana Goldstein, Ella Jenak, Brian Lee, Paige Lindgren, Cason McHose, Kerry Martin, Jordan Myres, Jakob Olsen, Shoshana Pollack, Caleb Pykkonen, Piper Salvator, Katie Steen

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About the Banner

The Royal Banner Newspaper is a 12 to 24 page newspaper. 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.

Special thanks to Carson Kahn and Victor Chen for designing our front page logo. *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 inappropriate to the Fairview community.

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Op/Ed

Words: the most powerful weapon It seems Whoever wrote the graffiti has their own problems, if i n c r e d i b l y they feel the need to spread hatred. However, students r e d u n d a n t who have remained apathetic towards this cause have to to write played their part in dragging down this school. an editorial In order for the bullying to stop, we need to all stand about bully- up against it. It’s not just a matter of the bullies stoping. As stu- ping. We need to create a culture where it is not acdents, we’ve cepted. When you see someone bullying someone else, sat through please, please stop them. Whether it’s reporting the lectures and nasty writing on the bathroom walls to the administraoverly drama- tion, asking your friend to stop spreading rumors, or tized docu- not tolerating someone making fun of someone else, m e n t a r i e s . it is your responsibility to help change the way things We’ve re- are.

Sharone Goldman shared YouTube Even if you don’t mean to hurt anyone, it is easy to and Shoshana Pollack videos on our facebooks negatively impact others with both your words and about our peers feeling your silence. Even seemingly harmless snide comments driven to suicide because of harassment, and heard of can maim a person’s reputation and self esteem. Saying the statistics of bullied teenagers in the media. We’ve something offhandedly such as, “oh, I feel bad for her, pondered the quesshe’s so awkward!” is, face tion of what defines it, not you kindly voicing bullying, and held disyour deep concerns about cussions about what your peer’s well being. It can be done to comis you elevating yourself bat this act that can through cruel comments make one’s education and false sympathy. a miserable experiWe want those of you ence. who don’t bully to know Despite all of these that you can make a difattempts, bullying has ference. Stand up. Don’t not ceased to exist. In allow it to happen. Lets fact, in the digital age all work together to make it seems even more Fairview into a place prevalent because not where people can’t bully, a only does it occur at place where it’s not cool to school, such harassbe mean. Fairview should ment follows you be a place where it’s okay home. to be yourself, without This problem is fear of being bullied. The real. And until it only way that’s going to ends, we will not stop happen is if everyone, and speaking up about it. we mean everyone, makes Recently at Fairan active effort to change A letter left in the girls’ bathroom (DONATED). view, lockers and things. bathroom stalls have Copy of what was postbeen covered with disgusting comments, targeted at ed in the stalls in the girls bathrooms: specific people. The petty spirit behind this graffiti is a “Please Read. negative reflection on both the writers and our school.

As girls, we know the power of words. The ones that If your want to say something to someone, say it to will cheer up a good friend, brighten their day, bring their face. Oh wait, you can’t. You’re too busy hiding a smile to their face. But we also know which words behind your sharpie and maligning your peer’s reputa- hurt. tion with false statements. If you are so intent on holdThe unfortunate thing is, we use them. We put each ing a facade of kindness, try actually being nice. Stop other down. We shame each other. We call names. And using the real life version of formspring. even though we don’t fight with firsts, we know how Words have immense power. They are capable of to land a punch or beat someone down. It’s all in the hurting. And many choose to use them to harm others. words.

We are just talking to a few of you. The few of you It hurts. So why? Why do we hurt each other? who bully. Because something has to change. What Every 2 hours, a teenager will commit suicide bemakes you feel the need to hurt another person like cause of bullying. 43% of teenagers fear being harassed that? Sit down and think about why. Go look in the in school bathrooms. mirror. How would you feel if it had your name written That’s right here, ladies. on it, followed by, “is a slut” or “is fat?”

Words hurt the most. So please, take a moment and You don’t deserve that. Really, you don’t. But neither think. You could be one of the reasons behind somedoes anyone else. So stop. one’s suicide by writing “She’s ugly” on the stall wall.

Now we are talking to everyone.

I am your peer. I am in your class. This isn’t the adWords are not only capable of hurting. They’re capa- ministration. This is the girl sitting next you, asking ble of healing. Because not being a bully isn’t enough. you to please, please, stop.

Because not everyone has been a bully, but we’ve all Before you write on the walls, before your send that seen someone bullying. And most of all, because being text message, put yourself in their shoes. Be kind. Live apathetic enables bullying to thrive within our school. and Let Live.”

We’ve all stood by and done nothing, while someone intentionally hurt someone else with their words.

Op/Ed

Royal Banner Friday, February 24, 2012

5

All the things wrong with Foxconn Today’s world is filled with electronics. Currently, rate at the Shenzhen factory. Steve Jobs had addressed the suicides and treatment 2012 sits in the middle of a technological and digital of workers in several video interviews. Jobs described the situation of Foxconn revolution. Books and newspapers are being digi- workers in China, in general, as an improving effort on the side of the Foxconn. tized. Applications created by technological genius- Following shortly after the news publices of all ages, including many that walk the halls of ity of the abuses of workers, Foxconn “To what extent are Fairview high school, are changing lives daily. As all came out with a guideline for it’s prothings, however, technology has some major down- duction companies. we willing to go to The guidelines statsides. ed that each worker have our electronics is to work a six hour Apple opened the door to the usefulness and work day for six days made for us?” a week. Although, practical application of an electronic device. The this may have been a step in the right company began with the ideal that Apple should direction, after a year of enforcing Josh Brown be a leader in electronics. The electronics created by Apple this work schedule, only thirty eight percent of employers had complied with have become necessities in many scenarios including leisure- these terms, leaving sixty two percent of workers overworked against company ly use, in education, and even in the medical field. guidelines. Foxconn has yet to refute or give evidence against the allegations Foxconn, an electronic of harsh work conditions. Ismanufacturing company, sues surrounding child labor produces more than fifty are included amongst sevpercent of the world’s eral reports that show the output of electronics. cramped work spaces, and Their factory in Longalso highlight the allowance hua, Shenzhen in China, of several abuses to the emis the manufacturer of all ployees.

Apple products as well as Other reports have covelectronic products from ered the protests by the Samsung, Windows, Dell, families of suicide victims; and other companies. victims that have jumped off However, most of the the top of the Shenzhen facpublicity about the Shentory building because of the zhen factory surrounds abusive work conditions and Apple and the production harsh punishment for under of Apple products. delivery. In 2010, fourteen Foxconn’s Shenzhen workers committed suicide factory employs almost at the Shenzhen factory. So half a million people, many workers have commitmany of whom are resited suicide at the Shenzhen dents of the Shenzen facfactory that Foxconn has put tory. The concerns of huup nets all around the factory man rights groups lie in campus. The inhumanity of the working conditions of this situation is apparent: the employees. these workers are so devalMike Daisey, an actor ued that they are meant to aware of the relationship be like fish, caught in a net if between Apple and Foxthey try to escape the harsh conn, became very inand cruel abuses of their emterested in investigating ployers. the work conditions that In agreement with Daisy’s employees endure in Foxdissertation of the situation, conn’s Shenzhen factory. one must ask, how could Neither Apple nor FoxApple not know? This is no conn would speak about longer the question, however. working conditions to DaThe question is, why hasn’t isey, so he stood outside Apple done something? the plant with a translator.

Apple would rather share Daisey found that many their successive feat of selling workers pushed fourteen thirty seven million IPhone and sixteen hours of work 4 units within a three month in one work day. While time period, than talk about Daisey was in Shenzhen, how each IPhone was put toa woman died while workgether by workers who may ing a thirty four hour work have been working as many shift. In an interview on as sixteen hours a day, six Many apple products are manufactured under oppressive labor conditions (ILLUSTRATION: ZOE POLANDO) CBS news program Sunday days a week, so as to meet the Morning, Daisey spoke about his experience at the Shenzhen factory. pressures of the high-demand for this popular Apple machine. 25-year-old Sun “In my first two hours of my first day at that gate, I met workers who are 14 Danyong committed suicide in 2009 after reporting the loss of an Iphone 4 years old,” Daisey said. “I met work- prototype. What sort of work environment are these people being subjected ers who were 13 years old. I to in which a young man is forced to commit suicide so as to avoid physical or “I met workers who were 12. met workers who were 12. Do verbal abuse from his employers?

Do you really think Apple you really think Apple doesn’t Apple has achieved their goal of leading the computer, smartphone, and tabdoesn’t know?” know?” The truth is, Apple let markets. This, however, begs the question, are these beautiful machines does know. Apple knows worth the human cost? To what extent are we willing to go to have our electron- Mike Daisey about the increasing suicide ics made for us?

Royal Banner Friday, February 24, 2012

6

Student Life

Artist Of The Issue:

Laura Whitaker

By KATIE STEEN

Royal Banner: What’s your favorite art class you’ve taken at Fairview and why?

Laura Whitaker: I’d have to say IB Art, because I’ve gotten to create lots of things that I never would have had the chance to if it was a set course with set class projects. I really got to explore ideas that I had.

RB: What are your main interests outside of school?

LW: I really like volunteering; I do a lot with Youth Global Leadership. I volunteer a lot in the community in general. I also love working with different artists and I’ve done several internships. There was one at Southwest Art Magazine; I got to meet with the art director, which was really fun. I also love yoga! I have the yoga club here at Fairview, which I started, and that has been a lot of fun for me.

RB: What are your plans for art in college?

LW: I was thinking of going into art therapy, because I really like working with kids. I have also considered double majoring in art and elementary education and becoming an art teacher. If I decide to do something else, art will always be a hobby of mine, and maybe I could sell Artwork by Whitaker (LAURA WHITAKER). my art but not be a full time artist.

RB: Tell us a little bit about your work with jewelry.

LW: Jewelry has always been my hobby, and actually I found out recently that I got a Gold Key award in Scholastics for my jewelry portfolio. I made one necklace where I took pieces of a mirror to make it looks kind of dangerous, I don’t know if anybody would actually wear it, but… it’s art. The whole collection was inspired by ice and accents of Victorian lace. That means I’m going to Nationals for Portfolio in Scholastics, so that’s pretty exciting!

RB: How do you use your love of art to reach out to the community?

LW: I mentor a fifth grade girl who is very sweet and has good talent, but definitely needs some guidance. With a lot of art you have to slow down and see the whole picture; I help her with that.

RB: What’s your favorite color?

LW: Right now, I’d have to say a teal blue.

RB: What do you think the biggest influence for your art is?

LW: I’ll be taking a walk, or simply just sitting, and all the details and the obscure things I see are the ones that inspire my art.

RB: If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

LW: I want to go backpacking in New Zealand. That’s my goal before college is over.

Passion for Fashion collects and donates Prom attire

By JOSH BROWN

According to coordinator of the Cheyenne River Youth Project, Heather Steinberger, a high school prom dance should be amongst one of the most memorable experiences for a teenage girl. Steinberger has been working with Fairview for the last ten years on the Dear Santa Letter gift and toy drive.

This year, the Cheyenne River Youth Project has come to Fairview with a new project. Steinberger introduced the project in a speech to Student Council on February 9th; she calls it Passion for Fashion. The project consists of a donation process that allows girls on the Wounded Knee and Eagle Butte Native American reservations to have formal wear for a fashion show and prom dance put together by the Cheyenne River Youth Project.

Steinberger explained that all the dresses, hair and beauty supplies, shoes and accessories are collected and set up in a warehouse. The girls, from many different communities and backgrounds, are put into groups upon entering the warehouse to spend the day trying on their the donated wears. Steinberger described the day to be a sort of fun shopping day, where the girls can try on any style and any look, and feel good doing it.

The goal, Steinberger said, is to allow girls to realize their beauty and recognize their self confidence. The project is meant to bring girls together.

“We believe every American should have the one opportunity to experience a memorable prom.” Steinberger says. This fits in with the confidence piece as well. Steinberger described the process of choosing a dress, and getting makeovers (pedicures and manicures, as well as hair styling) to be an empowering act.

Steinberger said “We saw girls that, upon entering the warehouse, were shy in their groups and not very outgoing, leave at the end of the day with their heads held high, feeling more proud and confident.”

Sara Decker, a senior at Fairview will be taking on the month long process of collecting donations. Decker recounted Steinberger’s words that the Passion for Fashion program also acts as an anti-bullying campaign: “The idea is to create a sense of security in the girls, so that they don’t feel the need to put others down by pushing their insecurities onto their peers.”

Earlier in the year, Fairview showed it’s true colors by serving more than 1,200 children and teens on the Native American reservations in South Dakota with

donations of clothing, bikes, games, and health supplies during the Dear Santa Letter gift and toy drive, a project also headed up by Decker with the help of the Steinberger and the Cheyenne River Youth Project.

“Fairview has proven itself to be a great benefactor for the Cheyenne reservation in South Dakota,” said Steinberger. She explained that this year, Fairview will be the only high school in the country to donate the dresses, shoes, makeup, hair supplies and other accessories needed for the shopping day and fashion show.

Steinberger noted that as the organization builds and grows, they look forward to adding a program that will be catered to the boys on the reservation.

“Coming out for a pick-up game of basketball at one of the local youth centers has always been an attraction for the boys,” Steinberger said, “however, a formal event, like the fashion show we put together for the girls, tends to be less appealing to them.”

The main items that the organization is looking for include nail polish, hair spray, headbands, curlers and straighteners, dresses, shoes, and tights for the girls and tuxedos, ties, shirts, jackets, slacks and shoes for the boys. Items can be donated to the boxes located in the main office through March 2nd. Donations can also be made through the Cheyenne River Youth Project website: www.lakotayouth.org.

(Photos: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS).

l l a b t e k s a B

Royal Banner Friday, February 24 2012

In-Depth

1a

s f of

y a Pl

Second Round Sweet Sixteen

Friday Tuesday

State Championship

Great Eight Final Four

March 10th

22-1

March 2nd March 8th

Royal Banner

2a

Friday, February 24, 2012

Royal Banner

In-Depth

Knights use third quarter to dominate opposition

F

Senior

Jacob Lorentzen

F

Senior

G

Senior

Holden Killeen

G

Senior

Jonah Crespi

G

Junior

Brent Wrapp

One of two three-year varsity players, Lorentzen brings a strong offensive game to the Fairview frontcourt.

Lorentzen can score with his back to the basket or he can face up and hit the long-range jumper.

By MATT JOHNSON

None are having more fun than the team’s Big 5, composed of LorentFairview: 397. Opponents: 267. zen and four guards: Brent Wrapp (9.0 points, 6.2 assists per game), Shane The numbers don’t lie.

O’Neill (13.3 points, 6.3 rebounds per game), Jonah Crespi (8.0 points per These two figures denote the third quarter point differential between the game), and Holden Killeen (9.7 points per game).

Fairview boys basketball team and their opponents. Never scoring less than However, it is not only those five running the whole show for the Knights.

11 points and never allowing more than 19, the one-loss Knights have domi- This year’s squad has considerable depth, as the team features a talented nated in their favorite bench that seems quarter. to realize its role “I think it’s a mental- as sparkplugs. ity we’ve had over the “Off the bench, past couple years that we we help the startexpect to be good in the ers out,” says Arethird quarter,” says Frank hart, who averLee, Fairview’s 15th- ages 5.1 points per year head coach. “Our game coming off kids carry that out, and the bench. “They they’ve been exceptional start off the game in the third quarter this and we bring in year.” the same intensity, After all, with two state that same enerFinal Four appearances gy—and we keep it in the past four years, ex- up. We really keep ceptional is nothing less the score [close] than the expectation for if not lead it, so Lee and his program. that’s part of the The Knights’ incendi- whole thing.” ary play coming out of “We have great halftime speaks to the deal of depth,” Lee fact that the 2011-2012 said. “I think anyJonah Crespi dribbles against Boulder. (BROWN) Knights are nothing body can pick anymore than another Lee- one else up. If you look at each game, I think a different player has stepped coached team—aggres- up.”

Senior forward Shane O’Neill drives the ball sive, hard-nosed, never Arehart’s and Lee’s words echo in truth, considering eight or more players against Poudre. (PHOTO: BROWN) ready to lose, and always have scored in 18 of 23 games this season. Bench players Gibson Faronewilling to do what is nec- Collins, Alec Pronk, and Arehart keep the frontcourt anchored, while Caleb essary in the second half to win.

Pykkonen fills in as a very capable guard.

“I think it’s just the fact that we come out strong every game and play Lee will need his starters and replacements firing on all cylinders if the defense hard,” said senior forward Jacob Lorentzen. “We really turn it on #1-seeded Knights hope to do what the ’09-10 and ’10-11 teams could not— in the third quarter, and teams can’t usually reach the Colorado 5A State Final Four and win deal with that very well.” the state championship.

This propensity for stellar third-quarter “I think one of the huge keys is that we win play has strongly contributed the Knights the turnover battle, that we have fewer than the being near-invincible this season. Their only other team,” Lee said. “That’s one of the most blemish a 70-55 loss to Mountain Range in important statistics there is. I think we have to the first game of the season, the Knights believe that we can get the job done, but these have developed a team-first philosophy kids have faced some talented teams up to this based on awareness from individual players. point and have always gone with the mindset that “I think they’ve shown a great team ego,” they can compete with them.”

Lee said. “I think they’re more concerned Lorentzen believes that his team playing the [with] the outcome of the game than they way it has all season will translate to success in are with what they do individually. the tournament.

“We have trust in each other, and I think “I think we’ve got to just keep doing what we’re [the players] are focused on the things they doing,” he said. “We’ve got to keep playing deshould be focused on [for] a team game.” fense hard, and not let them do what they want Lorentzen, averaging 11.2 points, 5.7 reto do. We’ve got to do what we want to do.” bounds, and 2.5 blocks per game this season, And with some more third-quarter magic from says the tight-knit team atmosphere is a rehis team, Lee could coach his squad all the way freshing change from last season. into mid-March.

“Last year wasn’t the greatest,” he said.

“They think that they can do well and they’ve “We were angry with each other all the time. Junior guard Brent Wrapp walks the ball up the floor. proven that they can do well,” Lee said. “They (BROWN) This year we seem to be getting along all the expect to do well.” time.”

And they should--exceptional is the expecta“We laugh a lot,” Lorentzen’s fellow senior tion. forward Jay Arehart said. “It’s a lot of fun. Playing on the floor is fun, winning is fun. Everything about it is just really fun.”

Wouldn’t you have fun, too, if you were riding a 22-game winning streak and winning those games by an average almost 22 points per game?

3a

Friday, February 24, 2012

Killeen is in his second year as a starter on varsity for Fairview basketball. Killeen averages ten points per game and is a tri-captain for the Knights.

Off the bench G

Senior Caleb Pykkonen

F

Senior Alec Pronk

Pykkonen is a deep threat off the bench that can provide an immediate scoring threat for the Knights.

In his second year coming off the bench, Pronk provides a defensive lift and is not afraid to take a charge.

G/F Senior

A three-year starter for the Knights, O’Neill is arguably the best defensive player in the state of Colorado. An adept offensive talent, O’Neill can get to the basket and draw contact as well as anyone.

Shane O’Neill

Crespi is perhaps the Knights leading threat from behind the threepoint line. Crespi averages 8.0 points per game and has come on strong as the season has progressed.

In his first full season on varsity, Wrapp worked his way into his role as starting point guard. A jack of all trades, Wrapp recorded a triple-double against Horizon and is an extremely proficent rebounder and defender.

Jay Arehart

Always a threat to dunk, Arehart brings an athletic lift to the floor when he checks in.

C

Senior

Gibson Farone-Collins

A deft passer, Farone-Collins looks to facilitate as well as score in the post.

( ALL PHOTOS: BROWN)

Girls Basketball Royal Banner Friday, February 24, 2012

4a

By PAIGE LINDGREN AND PIPER SALVATOR

Heading into playoffs, the girl’s basketball team has high hopes for a deep playoff run.

“Hopefully [we’ll get] to the Great Eight and Final Four, possibly even playing for a state championship,” said head coach Rod Beauchamp.

The Knight’s finished with an overall record of 14-9. They ended 9-7 in league, putting them in 5th place overall.

Sarah Kaufman is the leading scorer for a balanced offensive attack with 8.7 points per game. Hannah Hyde, Sonia Ghosh, and Georgina Ryder also contribute on a consistent basis.

Their defense fuels their offense with either full court pressure or half court trapping. This allows for many steals and leads to low scoring games for their opponents with an average of 38.8 points per game.

“My height is definitely a factor,” Ryder said, as she averages two blocks per game.

The Knights do not expect to face opponents much tougher than they have already faced in the challenging Front Range League. Three teams in the Front Range league are ranked in the Denver Post Top Ten, Monarch, Legacy, and Horizon.

The Knights are not ranked in the top ten, but they have beaten highly ranked Legacy, and have competed well against other top teams.

“We’ve had a hard league, played good teams, and so I think we should be set going into playoffs,” said Ghosh.

The seven seniors have played a big part in this team’s success. The starting lineup has shifted throughout the season, however contributions from these seniors has been consistent.

In-Depth

According to Coach Beauchamp, the seniors have “great leadership, several with varsity experience, and [they] understand what it takes to win games and go deep into the playoffs.”

Guard players have rotated in and out of the starting lineup as Meghan Higgins and Julia D’Amico begun the season as starters and now come off the bench. The rotation of guards includes Higgins, D’Amico, Kaufman, Betty Yi, and Katie Kuosman.

The Knights have the talent to compete with most teams in the state. They have many capable shooters, strong ball handlers, and lots of height.

“We really have all the pieces to being a successful team,” said Coach Beauchamp.

However, they have had spells of struggle throughout the season.

Losing to rival Boulder High (8-12) was perhaps the low point of their season. Their other seven losses have come against quality opponents.

This tough regular season has prepared the Knights for postseason play.

They earned a five seed for the tournament and a opening round home game against Brighton (10-13) this past Wednesday. If they won that game they will face Ralston Valley who they lost to earlier in the season 46-38.

(BROWN).

Royal Banner Friday, February 24, 2012

Entertainment

OSCARS

By ELI BOONIN-VAIL and SAM ROCK

7

JOIN SAM AND ELI FOR AN EVENING OF LIVE TWEETING OF THE OSCARS ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26 @SAMJROCK

INTRODUCTION

The Oscars: glitz, glam, and bombast. Perhaps the nation’s most celebrated back-patting ceremony, the Academy Awards are indisputably the most reputable awards in the film world, so much so that its fellow award ceremonies are by now only valuable as a pretext for the Oscars. The Academy, composed of the nation’s premier filmmakers, bestows its shiny golden idol to an awe stricken Hollywood annually.

Critics and cinephiles, despite their many differences, join together in a love-hate relationship with the Oscars. Most will openly dispute the credibility of the academy’s interests and question the validity of an award for a subjective art form, but they’ll bet on, fret over, and watch the Oscars all the same.

@BOONINVAILABLE

OSCAR GAMES

Aside from being fabulous, the Oscars are also extremely long and incredibly boring. For those of us with poor (human) attention spans, games are a good way, and possibly the only way, to stay awake through the whole thing. Betting on who will win is a good start, but there’s tons of fun to be had at the expense of the awards.

HEISENBERG: The Oscars are a case study in uncertainty. While humongous epics like “Gladiator” and “Titanic” will sweep the awards one year, more obscure outsider films like “The Kings’ Speech will win out the next. When playing Heisenberg, an Oscar watcher can use this uncertainty to his advantage. Points scored multiply when you place your bets on unpredictable underdogs, while safer bets will only yield small rewards.

WHO’S DRUNK?:

Though there’s no real official way to keep score or win, this game can still make for a bearable Oscars viewing. When the camera pans out to famous celebrities, call out when you see one who appears inebriated in the facial region.

FOOT IN MOUTH:

More of a pre (or post) Oscars game than a viewing one. Compete with your friends to find the dumbest interview response made by a celebrity on the red carpet. Whoever can find the dumbest one wins. People well versed in YouTube will have the upper hand.

STATLER AND WALDORF:

Warning: this game is only for veteran Oscar viewers who have watched many ceremonies and have followed this year’s films intently. The game is played by dressing up in old man clothes and impersonating Statler and Waldorf, the legendary curmudgeonly Muppets. Prize goes to whoever has the best zinger of the evening. Dohohohoho.

BEST PICTURE

A quick disclaimer: Our selections are not who we think will win, but simply which film most merits the crown of “best,” a slightly ridiculous title to bestow on any film. The reason for this is that we couldn’t care less what the academy thinks. In addition, we have excluded all other categories because they are boring. Sorry.

ELI’S PICK: “THE ARTIST”

SAM’S PICK: “THE TREE OF LIFE”

“The Artist” does not exist without its predecessors. Its characters are archetypes and its plot thoroughly conventional to the point of predictable. It is unoriginal in the best possible sense. It’s an homage, a pastiche, a tribute, a love poem written to the moving picture.

The cinematography is marvelously graceful yet subtly minimal. Shots engulf the characters in their surroundings, turning a simple chance meeting on a staircase into an elaborate charade of marching office drones. The film’s approach to light is fascinating. Stage lights turn, film projectors blast, and fire crackles with more color than one would expect from a black and white film. Perhaps most masterfully done is the editing, which mimics earlier Hollywood techniques of conserving film by using as few shots as possible. Many sequences appear to have been done in one take, with just two or three camera positions.

And in its own way, it’s charmingly bold. That a silent film produced in the 21st century should gather such attention and respect is a testament to the film’s power and daring.

Though the film has done nothing new, it has combined the successful techniques of the old in a fabulous display of showmanship and storytelling.

But I’ve also heard wonderful things about “Hugo.”

It’s pretty unlikely that “The Tree of Life” will win Best Picture at the Oscars (due to its polarizing experimental structure), but I have to admire a film that comes so close to capturing the universal spirit of humanity in one swoop.

Set primarily in director Terrence Mallick’s hometown of Waco, Texas, but not excluding shots of deep realms of the cosmos or recreations of the beginning of earth, this film tries to get it all down.

Mallick’s fifth major directorial release in over 40 years earns full points for visual tastefullness. Critics have compared “The Tree of Life” to Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey,” for several reasons: the dialogue is fairly sparse, the visual effects were spearheaded by the same man who worked with Kubrick, and its handheld-camera cinematography mimics “2001”’s better moments. “The Tree of Life” is in good company stylistically, no doubt.

“The Tree of Life” isn’t all just style though. While many beautiful films are dominated by cynicism and pessimism, “The Tree of Life” demonstrates that life is truly beautiful.

Aside from just the visual treat that it is, “The Tree of Life” wonderfully illustrates through its fractured narrative that love, honesty, and forgiveness are the three most important components of leading a good life.

However, Martin Scorcese’s “Hugo” gets some of these same points across pretty well too.

Royal Banner Friday, February 24, 2012

8

Got

Entertainment

? watch these shows Sparks fly at pops rehearsals

with contributions from ELI BOONIN-VAIL, RACHEL JOYCE, PAIGE REISMAN, SAM ROCK, KATIE STEEN, and MIAH YAGER

Thank God for Netflix. With all these fancy iPhone apps, abacuses, and insta-macn’-cheese consumption occupying our time, there’s just no way to ever find the time to watch the best of television, when it’s on television. Here are some of our favorite shows that are the best at satiating boredom and increasing procrastination. - SR X-Files // A show for true believers, “The X-files” is a work of suspense and scifi that pays homage to its predecessors while finding a way to break new ground in a genre constrained by triteness. It’s not just a show for fans of sci-fi, it’s a show for fans of television. - EB Breaking Bad // A delicate balance of classic suspense and philosophical quest, this enthralling account of the meth cooking, former high school chemistry teacher Walter White will have you glued to the tube. (If you want to see another AMC original, try Mad Men) - SR 30 Rock follows the life of Liz Lemon, a writer for a fictional SNL-type show called “The Girlie Show with Tracy Morgan,” and her never-ending conquest to balance her chaotic personal life with the tumultuous nature of her job.

Her quirky mannerisms and ridiculous co-workers make this one of modern TV’s most irresistible treats. - SR Monk // Adrian Monk is a brilliant detective working in San Fransisco whose obsessive compulsive disorder leads to an awkward social life, but a sky-rocketing success rate when solving crimes. Sort of like Sherlock Holmes with OCD, Monk is a lovable character and the show is interesting and always fun to watch. - KS

Scrubs // The word “Sit-com” is derived from situational comedy (WHO’DA THUNK IT???) and in this case, the situation is medical students at a hospital and the comedy is hilarious characters and goofy fun all around. Boom. - KS Psych // Shawn Spencer and Burton Guster are best friends who start a psychic detective agency called “Psych,” despite neither of them actually having psychic abilities. Taking a comedic spin on crime dramas, this show follows the team’s ridiculous antics as they solve mysteries in a successful, albeit unconventional, way. - KS Bones // A crime drama that is original, not too gory, and has a lovable (not to mention attractive) cast of characters, Bones is definitely a people-pleaser worth watching. - KS Monty Python’s Flying Circus // This absurdist British sketch comedy show from the 1970s will have you on the floor laughing in no time. If you’ve never seen Monty Python, please do the world a favor and start watching. Some of my all-time favorite sketches, are found in episodes 8 (“Full Frontal Nudity”) and 33 (“Salad Days”) if you’re looking for somewhere to begin. - KS Gossip Girl is set in the Upper East side of New York, centered on the most beautiful, filthy rich, conniving teenagers. The nonstop drama is complemented perfectly with the trendy music and exquisite style. - PR Arrested Development follows the story of the wacky, wealthy Bluth family, who have now fallen in hard times. Starring a host of fabulous character-actors including a young Michael Cera, this well-loved show is coming back after being canceled in 2006.

Now’s the time to catch up before the new season comes out! (Note: If you love AD and are looking for something new, try Better Off Ted!) - KS Vampire Diaries // Elena, Stefan and Damon will experience twisted obstacles and crazy love triangles as the writers add more twisted roles to newcomers.

As each season goes the plot will thicken to enemies, to witches, and to finding true love. - RJ & MY

The Office // The first few seasons of this mockumentary that follows traditional boring office life are everything you could ask for in a sit-com. The characters are all uniquely funny, the dynamics are to die for, and there is even a bit of romance that will make even the most macho of men go “awww...” - KS How I Met Your Mother is our generation’s “Friends,” and I can promise it is every bit as hilarious, endearing, and amazingly addictive. Starring Neil Patrick Harris and Jason Segel, this traditional sitcom is a love story in reverse. Ted Mosby is telling his kids the story of how he met their mother, only it’s taking him a VERY long time. In the meantime, all of Ted’s stories about his tight-knit group of friends living in Manhattan and having various adventures unfold, each one funnier than the last. Be warned, however, for there are a few possible side effects of watching this show: temporary loss of connection with all other living creatures, sore throats from too much laughing, and possible blindness in both eyes. (P.S. It’s worth it!) - KS

By SHOSHONA POLLACK and MIAH YAGER

Pops show is different from anything else the theater department produces. It’s not your typical musical—it’s a collaboration of music, dancing, and performing, woven together to create an entertaining show. Said Cassie Mocek, a member of stage crew, “Pops is a big collaboration of acts that the students make up and put together, and it’s centered around a theme. They don’t really connect at all, it’s just a continuous set of different acts and dances and singing.” Josh Rivera, a soloist in the show, said, “We all have our own ideas, so we have to cram together in one space and make a product.”

Everyone agrees that the Pop show is a great experience. The shows this year is called “On Broadway!” consisting of only pieces from musicals. “I love Pops. It’s a different experience than the other shows.

The play is really down to earth, the music is really stressful. Pops is a good mixture. It’s a really good experience,” said Mocek. Said Mattie McGarey, a member of the cast, “it’s a lot of work but really fun.”

Last year’s theme was “Hollywood.” Many people enjoyed it but there are definitely advantages to the “On Broadway” theme. “Last year, since the theme was movies, it wasn’t entirely set for a stage, because movies aren’t supposed to be on stage. The staging was difficult. Musicals are meant to be on stage,” said Tim Driscoll, a performer. “This is a production that makes sense to everybody.”

Throughout the show, the musical theater songs range from slightly country to hinting at pop. Each number prepares for sparks to arrive, and everyone agrees that Pops is really interesting, unique and different. Nancy Ross, a solo member said, “it’s been pretty great.

This year it’s Pops themed, and incorporating the stuff from the actual show and the stuff that we want to put in has been interesting.”

Besides the amazing numbers there is the set. It is really simple, but very complicated to move around. Drew Keat, the theater teacher and manager of crew, said, “it’s going to fit together really well. The set is a series of platforms with a couple of triangle platforms put in there for the purpose of step,” said Keat. “We move the platforms around for different angles and different looks, but it’s pretty minimal.” Imagine being behind the scenes moving things and painting things. Mocek, Mathews-Runner and Casey Davis and many others work behind the scenes.

The crew works just as hard as the cast. According to Keat, “We put in about a month straight of working four days a week, we took Wednesdays off. And we worked from right after school until 5.30, building set. We have also been putting a lot of work in in the tech class.” Wow, that is hard work, but in the end it well pay off with their talents being shown.

“You should come see Pops, because on top of the lack of clothing that women will be wearing in the show, there will be a lot of very good talent up on stage. It’s gonna be a really good showcase of all different genres of theater. I think everyone... will appreciate it,” said Ross.

“It’s a fantastic experience,” said Rivera. “It’s very alive and electric, and you will leave the performance completely satisfied”.

Everyone has put in a whole lot of hours to accomplish something simple and sweet. Said Mocek, “it’s really an interesting experience.

Not only is it fun to be in, it’s also fun to watch... There’s just all these ideas that come out of it, and you learn about all these new songs that you like, and new twists on songs, which is really interesting.”

Pops opens Febuary 29th and plays through March 3rd. Tickets can be purchased online, or at the Fairview box office starting February the 28th. Tickets are ten dollars for evening shows and eight dollars for matinees.

Firefly // Joss Whedon created and wrote this brilliant captivating science fiction show that everyone, not just the typical comic-con goer, will love. “Firefly” is an Emmy-award winning space western in which a renegade crew travels on the outskirts of the solar system, trying to stay under the radar of the oppressive, all-powerful government. You owe it to yourself to watch the measly fourteen episodes that ran before the show was canceled (queue millions of fans screaming their heads off), and I guarantee you will rush to watch the film based on the series, “Serenity,” which can also be found on Watch Instantly. If Firefly were to have run for twenty seasons with seven movies it still would have been unjustly canceled. - EB & KS

Royal Banner Friday, February 24, 2012

Entertainment

By PAIGE REISMAN and guest writer DYLAN MCKINNEY

When I drive down the street in my crappy high school car, sub bumping harder than elephants on Valentine’s Day, people miles away are shaking their fists high with eyebrows furrowed, ready to yell about “darn kids and that noise they call ‘music.’” This is the moment I realize I’m awesome. My music isn’t created by people in their late 90s singing about their tractors, blue jeans and uncomfortable love for their livestock, nor is it “playas” with bad grammar singing about their various promiscuous adventures in “da club” with a “shawty”. In fact, my music hardly completes one sentence by the time the song comes to a close. That’s not the point of my music.

The point is the thundering bass, the drawn out drops, the catchy synth melodies, and the fact that when these things combine they form a sound unlike anything in any other genre, in which the listeners find it impossible to not twitch rhythmically.

I understand why people dislike electronic dance music aka EDM. There’s no guitars or instruments found in an orchestra or jazz quartet. For the most part, it lacks heartfelt lyrics and when you listen to it out of your laptop’s unsubstantial speakers, it sounds like a skipping record combined with grinding machinery gears, maybe mixed with some music from the classic Super Nintendo games of 1990.

When it comes to EDM, the artists only fully shine during a live show, where they’re mixing in real time, creating womps and suspending the drop by gauging the audience.

Since nearly every EDM artist began their career as a DJ, they thrive on the party atmo-

& & M M D EED

9

DDuubb ssttee pp

sphere of a live audience. Meanwhile, country and rap artists make many errors while they play live, because when they record they get as many takes as they need to reach perfection. Then there’s the awkward moment between songs where everyone applauds after the heartfelt, possibly pitchy rendition of the least-known song on the album that, truthfully, not a single person knew the words to anyway.

If I wanted to listen to a heartfelt song and wave my cell phone in the air, I’d do it in the comfort of my own room where I’m not overcrowded by the droves of chubby, emotionally needy women who wipe their tears on their cowgirl hats and wave their cell phones in the air in unison, probably feeling right at home among the other cows.

Similarly, if I wanted to get spat on by a random gangster (or even worse, a wannabe college boy with a voice whinier than Justin Bieber’s)....I wouldn’t.

Point being rap music never translates well in a live show. Rappers can’t enunciate well as gallons of sweat pour down their faces, so when I watch them live I can close my eyes and imagine a toddler babbling equally incoherently. And then I remember I paid 3 hours worth of pay at work to see this. The live, ever changing sets that EDM artists put on are nonstop music, where they can take any song and morph it and mash it together with your other three favorite songs to create something bigger and better. When I go to an EDM concert I know I get my money’s worth.

EDM wins. Not because it is the most quality music, or the most emotional or relatable, but because it is the best to party to, the best to dance to, the best to have a good time to, the best to drive to, the best to yell to....now DROP THE BASS.

By MEGAN DEBRUYN

By SAVARONE AMMANN

Battle Of

The Genres

Rap

Country

Being that there are very few souls remaining in the lovely little city of Boulder who truly appreciate some good ol’ Brad Paisley anymore, I know that I am fighting the losing battle when it comes to country music. This sad reality is becoming increasingly more evident upon my observation that the majority of my friend group refuses to blast anything through their over-sized headphones except the mashed-up, head-banging sort of music (if you can even call it that) which is so dirtied with dropping beats and barbaric noise that it is impossible to either sing or dance to. This growing epidemic of teenagers and the obsession with dubstep and crap--whoops I mean rap, is plaguing today’s youth with a lack of knowledge on genuine music.

Now maybe I am biased due to my mid-western roots, but what I don’t understand is people’s outright hate for this genre of music. I can understand the distaste if all you’ve heard of a country style song is “Devil went down to Georgia” by Charlie Daniels. That’s how I felt about all vegetables after a bad experience with asparagus. But I soon realized that I shouldn’t let one green and yellow monster whose stench lingers for days after consuming it ruin carrots or broccoli for me.

You may not be into dirt roads, hunting dogs, and worn-out cowboy boots, but if you listen closely to the lyrics, you’ll come to find that country songs for the most part have a much deeper meaning. The reason I love country music is because each song tells a story. Take “These Boots” by Eric Church for example. While the title makes it appear that Eric is going to sing about his old pair of cowboy boots, a closer look at the lyrics proves otherwise. The boots symbolize his journey through life and the mistakes he has made as well as the challenges he has conquered. I could go on and on about Darius Rucker’s song, “It Won’t be like This for Long”; a piece written through the eyes of a father watching his little girl grow up as well as “Stuck Like Glue”; a fun, up-tempo love song by Sugarland. The point I’m trying to make is that country music is relatable and timeless. It applies to people at any stage in their lives and can be enjoyed by all ages.

Not all country music is slow and painfully heart-wrenching either. We do have some dance music but instead of rapping about hooking with “shawtys”, artists like Jake Owen and Jason Aldean make music about carefree summer nights and having a good time out with the people that you love and care about.

And as far as rap goes, how can anyone possibly find that garbage inspirational? Before you go hog-wild bashing on the lack of depth to country lyrics, try listening a little bit closer to the message conveyed by your oh-so-precious rap. In his recent hit song “Love the Way You Lie” performed with Rihanna, Eminem spits a rhyme claiming that: “If she ever tries to f***ing leave again, I’ma tie her to the bed and set this house on fire.” It’s a pretty close call but I think I’d prefer an uncomfortable love affair with my livestock rather than an abusive relationship with a guy who sings about longing to set me on fire.

And you can imagine the thrill of ladies everywhere upon hearing the lyrics to “Let’s Ride (Strip Club)” by the Game as well as Snoop Dogg’s hit “Explosive”. I won’t go into detail but both raps demoralize women with their poorly rhymed verses about sleeping around with a different “hoe” every night.

I’ll admit it, dubstep is fun to slow- motion fist pump to...but that’s pretty much the extent of what it does for me. After listening to it, all I am left with is a headache and the unsatisfying need to regurgitate it in song form when we all know that “womp womp ech ech ech ba dubba dubba wompity womp” clearly was not meant to come out of the human mouth.

This techno diarrhea of our generation cannot be considered music. The dictionary definition of music requires that it draw an emotional response of some kind to be qualified. The only way that dubstep could ever make somebody emotional was if they were mourning the loss of their mail shredder that was recently hit by a garbage truck.

In conclusion, I urge you as the reader to take a second look at the music you listen to and maybe try giving country another shot to land a spot on your iPod. You may be surprised with what you hear. Then again, cowboy boots and a flannel may not be your style.

Rap: A story told quickly and thoroughly combined with excellent beats, sounds, and rhymes in a fascinating and meaningful way.

Rap music is an art, a means of self expression, a story, and an excuse to morph words into a string of impeccable rhymes. If you argue that Country music or Dub-step is better, then you are simply blinded by horrific noise, and a boring set of words played over and over.

Just to clear things up...do any of us live in the country? No!, we live in Boulder in a city where normal music is played. I have no care for the description of a tractor or a truck. Not that trucks are only used in the country but they are fairly normal and nothing exciting enough to sing about. If I want to see a truck I will step outside and look at one, there is no reason to write meaningless words about a truck and try to make it resemble human emotions and love. If I told my girlfriend she was as beautiful as a truck I am almost positive she would not be flattered at all. Country music’s dull guitar played again and again with guys rambling on about their farm is completely unreasonable and utterly irrelevant. Country is boring, and deserves no more words in this article so I am going to stop.

Dub-step sounds okay, if only it took any skill whatsoever. If you want loud sounds side by side and deep bass then put a monkey in a sound room and let him turn all the knobs, you very well could have just successfully created the next big Dub-step single. Dub-step could be compared to rap if you replaced the smooth words of rap with electronic sounds. My TV and cell phone make electronic sounds when they are turned on, they do not, however, combine everyday words into a larger picture and deeper meaning. Thanks Dub-step for only sounding like a TV or the power up of a cell phone.

Big L, Biggie Smalls (Notorious BIG), Tupac, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Easy E these guys are innovators and pioneers of mixing true story telling with music. Their effortless rhymes matching with beats and melodies is a joy to the ears. Take Big L for instance who grew up on the streets of Harlem, he raps about his life and experiences that makes perfect sense. Not only does he tell his story but implements rhymes that make your jaw drop and think “how did he do that?!?”. Or Biggie who inspired many young rappers today with his smooth tone, rich voice, and rhymes that were never thought of before.

Almost everyone knows the timeless album The Chronic by Dr. Dre (and if you do not you are a rare person) who features rappers like Snoop Dogg, and Nate Dog. This album revolutionized the rap genre and introduced a new spin on “Gangsta Rap” to the world.

Rap can be whatever you want it to be: funny, serious, true, etc. New rappers discuss world issues through their fast paced songs such as Flobots. This unique group utilizes rap to portray a message and an opinion on serious issues.

Country can be decent if it wasn’t so predictable, and Dub-step can sound good for a “pump up” song, but the ideal genre has got to be Rap. Graphics: Wikimedia Commons Photos: Megan DeBruyn

Royal Banner Friday, February 24, 2012

10

Sports

McGraw makes most of opportunities, qualifies for state

By CALEB PYKKONEN

In sports we experience ups and downs. Teams cannot perform at their best year in and year out, and sometimes seasons are simply bound to be less successful than ones prior.

We don’t have to look far to see instances of this in our sports world; Tiger Woods, once the best golfer in the world, has fallen off the map recently.

The once-powerhouse Indiana and UCLA basketball teams have not been as good as they once were for years.

Heck, if you were to visit The Dungeon last year you would have seen a Fairview basketball team playing at a much lower level than the two years before, in which the Knights went to the Final Four twice.

But, there are players that hold teams together, those who work hard every day to make the best of in-between years; years that entail rebuilding of a program. Senior Conner McGraw, offensive lineman on the Knights football team and one of the few seniors on the Knights wrestling team, is a perfect example of one such player.

McGraw has been on teams performing at the top level (both in football and wrestling) and teams that are not so hot, and this year’s wrestling team could have been one of the downs in his career. However,

Female Athlete of the Issue

Lacey Smith At the Colorado state swim meet, Fairview Junior, Lacey Smith, earned 5th in the 100 freestyle and 6th in the 400 freestyle, a strong performance against tough competition.

“I am pretty happy with it, because I did better than last year,” said Smith about her performance.

This year Smith achieved her goals at state, making it in the top 8 for both of her events. Although the team as a whole did not do as well as last year, Smith did better at this year’s meet than in the past.

Even though the high school season is over, Smith will continue swimming on the RallySport team, a team she has been swimming with since 7th grade.

“I definitely want to swim in college but I haven’t looked too much into it,” Smith said about her future in swimming.

The state swim meet was very successful for the Fairview swim team. Senior Smith poses for the camera (BROWN).

Kourtney Fosse finished third in the breaststroke. Julia Box, Berkley Gamble, Zoe Verhoeven, and Fosse, Fairview’s medley relay team finished fifth, setting the school standard.

By ALEX FLYNN and KALI CROSSEN, PHOTOS: JOSH BROWN

McGraw has worked his hardest to make the most of what has been a “rebuilding” year, and he now finds himself in contention to place at the State tournament.

McGraw has also kept a positive outlook through his season, and he has enjoyed the winning that he has experienced. “I’ve had a lot of winning, and I have felt pretty good about it,” says McGraw when asked what he thinks of the year.

Despite his success and his position as a senior, the humble McGraw said he doesn’t think of himself as one of the wrestling team leaders.

“I don’t really consider myself a leader. I saw [Kevin Lohndorf] and Andrew [Bedell, the wrestling team captain] as the leaders.”

Nonetheless, McGraw’s success this year has certainly been a great lead for the team to follow, and his charge to the state tournament is something the underclassmen can look up to.

Conner McGraw has made the most of his senior football and wrestling seasons, making news most recently for being a state wrestling qualifier (BROWN).

Male Athlete of the Issue

Jonah Crespi The success of Fairview’s varsity boys basketball team has been recognized lately and people are excited about the ongoing winning steak. Athlete of the week, senior guard Jonah Crespi, has been acknowledged as a key component to their success.

Crespi admits that, “our defense is what sets us apart from other teams,” and may contribute to the wins. He also says that, “we always try to work harder than everybody else” in the league. The team’s effort is paying off and we may assume that the next couple of games will end in Fairview’s favor.

The playoffs are this upcoming week and Crespi has said that he is, “excited to play against some of the top teams in the state.” Currently, Fairview is ranked 6th in the state with Regis, Denver East, Chaparral, Highlands Ranch and Arapahoe ranked above.

Crespi attributes his skill to playing club basketball for years excluding last year due to an ankle injury. All of the ligaments in his ankle were torn and prevented him from playing last summer.

Crespi shoots the ball (BROWN).

The four consecutive years of basketball that he played at Fairview allowed him to further develop his skill.

This year the Varsity team is set apart from years in the past because the boys have “been playing together since 8th grade,” and “know how to play together,” Crespi says. The team is organized and knows how to win. “The pieces are there for us to make a run in the playoffs,” Crespi says.

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