me 62, Volu n io it d E
001-001_2-01037_000.indd 1
2
3/3/22 10:22 PM
002-003_2-01037_000_thisonefr.indd 2
There are 10 differences. Answers will be released on fhsroyalbanner.com.
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE! 2
The band plays at the Boulder/Fairview game on 8/27/21. photo and edits by mia anderson
february 2022
3/3/22 3:48 PM
CONTENTS 4-5
Fairview Astronaut & College Commits
6-7
Euphoria Returns & Substance Society
8-9
King Soopers Reopening & New COVID Variants
10-11
Transfer Students
12-13
American Individualism
14-15
Spiderman & SNL Fairview
16-17
Spotify Wrapped & Tyler, The Creator
18-19
Staff Favorites & Credits
royal banner
002-003_2-01037_000_thisonefr.indd 3
3
3/3/22 3:48 PM
FEELING SKY
HIGH
Fairview alumna becomes the first Black woman to live and work on the International Space Station.
I
n 2006, Jessica Watkins was a student at Fairview, dedicating her time to her studies and her dream of one day becoming an astronaut. In April of this year, she will become the first Black woman to live and work on the International Space Station. Watkins has always had an incredible variety of achievements and interests, even when she was just a teenager. Before she grew her skills to the professional level and became the renowned astronaut she is today, Watkins was an accomplished student at Fairview, participating in a variety of activities such as basketball, soccer, and track and field. Fairview Athletic Director Rod Beauchamp was Watkins’ coach when she attended Fairview, and to this day, he can vouch for her athletic ability. “Jessica was humble, a team player, always working to improve her game, determined, and strived to be the best she could be for herself and the team,” said Beauchamp. “Additionally, on the basketball court, there was no one who was on the floor more than her. Whether she was attacking the basket, taking a charge, or diving for a loose ball, she always ended up on the floor.” Along with her awe-inspiring sportsmanship, Watkins seemed to be at the top of her class during her time at Fairview. Beauchamp said, “Jessica was an excellent student who set the standard for her peers.” As a big supporter of Watkins and her dreams, Beauchamp always knew that she
4
004-005_2-01037_000.indd 4
would get where she wanted and believed that Watkins knew her destiny, even as a high school student. “Her teammates and friends were well aware she wanted to be an astronaut, and they had no doubt she would. She declared that she was going to be one of the first people to land on Mars,” he said. Although she hasn’t made it to Mars yet, Watkins has achieved some pretty sizable accomplishments, from earning All-American honors at Stanford for Rugby, to being an instrumental person in the planning for the rover named “Curiosity.” “I am very proud and in awe of her accomplishments, but not at all surprised,” said Beauchamp. “From a teacher and coach, it is extremely rewarding to see our former studentathletes achieve their goals and can follow their passions.” Beauchamp is not the only one inspired by Watkins’ accomplishments. Senior Stevie Chen, who is the leader of the Fairview Science Bowl team, believes that Watkins is instrumental in bringing diversity to the field of science. “Because science is all about being “empirical” and “unbiased”, I think diversity in STEM is something that’s glossed over a lot. People like her are really awesome in STEM, not only as an inspiration to aspiring kids and scientists, but also as a fresh perspective to their respective fields, especially on the ISS,” Chen said.
story by julia frank design by mia anderson
Watkins started her career as an astronaut in the same place that we go to school every day. On the same basketball court that we play on, she dove for the ball, worked hard, and played even harder. Her achievements are proof that with a lot of hard work and determination, you can go anywhere you want in life. Beauchamp said, “She will no doubt inspire many young Black girls and women that they too can reach their passions and goals. Quite honestly, I would believe that she is an inspiration for anyone that goals and dreams are possible with a commitment to hard work and ability to persevere.”
february 2022
3/3/22 10:21 PM
REACH FOR THE STARS
on
Seniors share excitement over early college commitments.
story by annika aumentado design by mia anderson
Julianne Jones
Dartmouth College “I chose Dartmouth to swim because I had built a really great relationship with the coaches and it has an absolutely beautiful campus.”
Karolina Bank University of Missouri “I am committed to swim at the University of Missouri. I am super excited to be a part of the amazing family there! I love the coaches and current swimmers.”
Claire Lao
United States Military Academy West Point
“Having constantly visited the U.S. Air Force Academy from a very young age (near CO Springs) as a sightseeing destination, I was immediately drawn to its beautiful campus, and was exposed to life as a university student at a military service academy.”
Gabe Springer Stanford University “I committed to Stanford University for baseball, and I chose Stanford because I feel it provides the best opportunities for me both academically and athletically.”
royal banner
004-005_2-01037_000.indd 5
5
3/3/22 10:21 PM
E
A review of HBO’s hit show Euphoria
uphoria to me isn’t more than an overdramatic mess with a huge budget. While it is fun to watch the flaws surface, especially during the second season where it gets insanely chaotic, what makes it more disappointing is that almost everything except the plot is great, but it almost feels neglected compared to things like the cinematography and acting. The show follows the protagonist Rue (played by Zendaya) and other students at her high school. Rue uses excessive amounts of drugs to cope with her depression, which all comes from her drug dealer and friend Fezco. Right before her junior year, she meets and starts dating a girl named Jules, and the plot basically follows from there. The other students are all believable as characters and each have distinct traits to their personalities. Cassie is soft and kind but also naive, Nate is calculated and a complete psychopath, Maddy is a control freak and has absolutely no filter, etc. Because of the cast of side characters, Rue is occasionally forced to act as a narrator and peer into the students at her high school’s lives which usually will begin during their childhood giving a lot more depth to their individual stories. For me, this is where the show shines. It shows you that you really don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes in someone’s life. That is one of the most important ideas the show brings to the table. Cassie, for example, having a drug addict dad or McKay’s dad asking too much of him and being too hard. This makes the characters feel real and fleshed out. The side characters being so intriguing also happens to be one of my biggest complaints about the show. The side plots are more enticing than the main one between Rue and
6
006-007_2-01037_000.indd 6
story by jaden carda design by noah edelman
Jules, which gets repetitive, even in the first season. If you’re caught up with the show you know that Rue has relapsed again and is back with Jules. It feels like they’re repeating the same mistakes again in Season 2 just so they can learn the same lessons. The side plots with characters like Nate, Maddy, Cassie, and others don’t really do this in the second season and they stay entertaining all throughout the first and second seasons. Euphoria’s version of high school is complete fantasy. This is definitely intentional and is a huge part of what makes the show so entertaining. However, in certain parts I cannot help but think it’s a little too much, and I lose some hope of relating to the characters which should be the most important part of a show like this. It doesn’t completely break the show though, as even though some of the things that will happen to the characters are terrible, I could never hope to relate to them. Euphoria does a good job of displaying how a character feels towards a specific event. My one biggest complaint with Euphoria mostly stems from the second season. The plot seems to spin out of control and too many giant events occur too quickly one after another. Also, when I said the show’s high school being a complete fantasy didn’t break the show, that did not apply to the second season. It’s too unrealistic and it puts me off. There is absolutely no time for you to catch your breath, and I wish there was more restraint and more focus on the pacing. Season 2 also throws a few new characters (Faye, Travis, and Laurie) into the mix and makes them out to seem important just for them to be cast to the side. Dominic Fike as Elliot is the only new character that I feel has been utilized well at this point in time. The characters from the previous season are also all acting out of character. In the previous season they made Cassie to be soft, emotional, and non confrontational where Maddy was extremely chaotic. In the second season they switch roles and Maddy is fairly tame and Cassie is the one starting all of the issues by the finale.
Nate too is acting unusually soft which is a weird transition considering the first season painted him to be nearly emotionless and he acted almost as the antagonist of Euphoria. Kat gets the worst treatment out of every character this season, with nearly no development throughout all 8 episodes. On a positive note, the presentation in Euphoria needs to be praised. Every single shot in this show is beautiful, and visually it beats out any show on TV right now. It even tops most movies. The soundtrack is also great and an important part of the show, as a few of the episodes are named after a song that’s featured. The visuals and sets are easily the best part of Euphoria, and in the second season the crew take this to new heights. I personally love it, and I think it fits with the chaotic nature of the second season, even though I don’t like what’s going on in the story. People might say this show glorifies drug use and unhealthy relationships, but I actually disagree. I think seeing the things the show brings to light (like drugs and unhealthy relationships) won’t change anything. Teenagers are always going to be doing stupid things, and I think it’s unfair to blame it on one show. If anything, I think Euphoria does the opposite. The second season especially does an incredible job showing how damaging things like drug addiction are to everyone around you. Euphoria undoubtedly does have a huge cultural impact today, but I think if anything it might point people away from drug use. Euphoria is a guilty pleasure for me. I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t look forward to the newest episode every week, but I could pick apart the show for hours. It’s deeply flawed and a lot of the time it just makes me roll my eyes, but it’s a joy to watch. I wouldn’t consider myself to be in Euphoria’s target demographic, so I have somewhat of an outsider’s perspective. I’m sure it hits harder for other people who are closer to the subject matter, but Euphoria is a show I watch more to kill time than something I actually want to sit down and enjoy for the plot.
february 2022
3/3/22 9:52 PM
Substance Society
What kind of relationship do students actually have with drugs? story and design by noah edelman
A
solemn plaque lurks near a classroom door in the 600 hall that proclaims Fairview’s new “tobacco-free campus, effective August 1, 1989.” A hyperlink on the Fairview website leads to a 2018 district-made slideshow titled “information on vaping.” Sessions of Fairview’s 2022 Reset Day addressed “marijuana and mental health,” exploring the effects of high-potency THC in adolescents. This permanence of anti-drug content concludes for us that there was never, and potentially never will be, a definitive solution to student drug abuse. In the past, and still today in schools nationwide, armed police officers stationed in learning environments combated the issue from a purely punitive perspective. The increasing militarization of the police combined with socioeconomic disparities forged what is now known as the “school-to-prison pipeline.” In 2022, there are one thousand young citizens committed to Colorado’s Department of Youth Corrections. Refreshingly, a Colorado student’s chance of incarceration is much lower
today than in previous administrations. Not only is this due to the removal of school resource officers (SROs) in various school districts, but it also owes a lot to the ongoing legalization and decriminalization of various psychoactive substances statewide. Colorado has been in the process of changing the culture around drug use and treatment, and this mentality is finally making its way into schools. One thing that has been slowly revolutionizing judicial involvement in academic environments is restorative justice. State-funded “second-chance” initiatives and emphasis on alternatives to youth incarceration have shifted the focus from correction to treatment. Regrettably, many students become aware of restorative justice and its benefits only when charged with an actual crime. However, it’s much closer than you think. BVSD Nurse Consultant Kim Kennedy is site-based here at Fairview, and her position is funded by Colorado’s progressive marijuana legalization and tax distribution system. Being both a registered nurse and having a master’s in counseling, Kennedy is an unsung hero of an unknown side of Fairview. “I don’t think a lot of people even realize why I’m here,” Kennedy admitted with a smile. “I’m not here for discipline, I’m here as a resource.” In typical Fairview fashion, many students are unaware of the mere existence of treatment resources offered by the school and the district, and fewer are aware of the actual role they play in our community. I came to learn that her job was purely treatment-focused, rejecting previous administrative doctrines focused on suspensions and arrests. Kennedy maintains what she describes as a “strong open-door policy,” encouraging any student who is seeking assistance or information to simply walk into her office directly adjacent to
“People just want to be understood.” Thalia González
royal banner
006-007_2-01037_000.indd 7
the senior lounge. Ms. Kennedy and I helped each other put the pieces together, in a moment that I think encapsulates a missing link in Fairview’s student/ admin/teacher relationship dynamics. “There was just a complete disconnect. Nobody even told me that they’d switched to [restorative justice],” Kennedy said. There is something to be said about the necessity of restorative justice in Colorado, and nationwide. Prominent restorative justice advocate Thalia González discussed progressive judicial solutions in an interview with The Colorado Springs Gazette: “Recidivism is one thing, but what we really ultimately want is thriving productive adults in our community. Doing [restorative justice] in earlier stages in a care-based society is how we work for that to occur,” said González. “People just want to be understood.” Bridging the ever-burdened administration and struggling students, Kennedy’s responses highlighted an ongoing process of healing every member of the Fairview community is experiencing: “I also think our students and our community [are] very resilient, have been through a lot, and have persevered in spite of it. I think everyone should remember that better things are coming.” Kennedy identified student substance-use issues as a good indicator of general well-being in our community, citing spikes in students she’s treated during COVID, the King Soopers Shooting aftermath, and administration scandals. “I’m sure some of these kids need more than just a meeting with me, though. I’m glad I’ve had the opportunity to see them,” Kennedy added. It’s getting easier to believe that. I have been inspired and impressed by how dedicated to making changes Fairview students have become.
7
3/3/22 9:52 PM
Grand Reopening How a tragedy is changing King Soopers
A
lmost 11 months after immediate closure following the March 2021 shooting, the King Soopers in the Table Mesa Shopping Center officially reopened February 9th. Since its close, the store has been a memorial, then a construction site: after the removal of flowers, notes, signs, and other pieces of remembrance decorating the fence in front of the store, the building began to undergo a massive remodeling process. “We know that the building is just part of what makes this store so special and that restoring it is another step in the journey as we continue to rebuild and heal,” said Joe Kelly, president of the King Soopers branch of the Kroger chain, in a recent press release. The store had previously been open in South Boulder mostly uninterrupted for 49 years. Following the makeover, the branch faced another challenge many businesses face in 2022: shortages on staff. Though the grocery chain stated approximately 50% of workers employed at the store at the time of the shooting would be returning, an estimate on the reopening date was delayed as the store organized recruiting and hiring events. The reopening was then delayed from its original January 20th date by a massive strike by Kroger employees in the area spanning Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs. 77 stores and 8,400 employees were affected. Though the fight over living wage for minimum wage workers is central to the debate, other factors lengthened discussions, according to United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 press releases. “King Soopers is still not committed
Clockwise from top left: King Soopers donates $500,000 to Boulder County Wildfire Fund during Grand Opening Ceremony of Table Mesa location. photo by eliana knode, Complete interior remodel, including the pharmacy. photo by eliana knode, The new flower and balloon display. photo by eliana knode, Police presence was constant during renovations and opening. photo by ayen ball
to ensuring a safe workplace, protecting healthcare benefits for workers, or withdrawing numerous concessionary proposals designed to replace existing employees with gig workers,” said Kim Cordova, UFCW Local 7 president, in a press release on January 18th. However, the union and the grocery chain reached an agreement a few days later. “After months of negotiations and after our members walked out on strike,” Cordova said, “We have reached tentative agreement with King Soopers
What do you think about the reopening? Vivianne Oata (9) I think King Soopers is definetly a more affordable option for high school students. But there is a certain amount of stress that goes into going back there since the tragedy.
8
008-009_2-01037_000_ #3.indd 8
story by lily nobel design by eliana knode
Meghan McCutchan (11) I’m not sure how to feel about it, but my house is very close to it and we had to go to Whole Foods which is very expensive. I haven’t noticed anyone being excited about it though.
that addresses the Company’s unfair labor practices and ensures that our members will receive the respect, pay, and protection they warrant.” As of February 9th, the store is officially again open for business. ““I’ve been looking forward to this day for a long time,” said store lead Sheri Boseman at the reopening ceremony. “We were strong before. We continue to build our strength. We’re stronger than ever,” she said. “All I ask for is peace.”
Ava Wolff (9) My whole family says I’m banned from going in, but I’ll probably go anyways. I feel like if they do a memorial or something it won’t be a big issue after the renovations.
february 2022
3/3/22 10:30 PM
The Omicron Variant:
What to Know How Omicron is sweeping the nation story & design by eliana knode
O
ver this summer, there were a few months where it felt like the pandemic we had all been living in was coming to a close. The Boulder County mask mandate was temporarily lifted, and vaccination rates were increasing. Shortly after, that feeling went away. In light of new COVID-19 variants, many people are retreating back to the same fears and questions we had when the pandemic started. The latest COVID-19 “variant of concern,” according to the World Health Organization (WHO), is named Omicron and was first identified in the U.S. on December 1st, 2021. The World Health Organization DirectorGeneral, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, warned countries to take this strain seriously. “Omicron is spreading at a rate we have not seen with any previous variant,” he said. “We have learned by now that we underestimate this virus at our peril. Even if Omicron does cause less severe disease, the sheer number of cases could once again overwhelm unprepared health systems. [...] So what can we do? It isn’t whether to mask or vaccinate, we need to do both.” Colorado’s fourth Omicron variant case in less than two
weeks was detected in Garfield County, on December 15th. Cases have also been reported in Arapahoe, Boulder, and Jefferson counties. The majority have been breakthrough cases in vaccinated people. Their vaccination status may be a large reason why their cases were so mild, according to health officials. As high school students, our trust is put into school administrators and district policies “I do think that the vaccinations and mask mandate our school district is recommending is helping us.” said Fairview freshman Shawn Moriarty. As more variants are identified and populations question the effectiveness of the available vaccines, we are left asking, “What next?” 1. Vaccinate, and encourage others to vaccinate and get a booster if eligible. 2. Mask in social settings that you cannot social distance — especially around unvaccinated people. 3. Isolate if you have been in contact with anyone you think may have been exposed to COVID-19. World Health officials all agree: if we band together and do these three
royal banner
008-009_2-01037_000_ #3.indd 9
things to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our greater community, we will be another step closer to normal. Many Fairview students are startled by the possibility of going back online “I honestly don’t think we will go back online, but online vs in-person school I definitely prefer. So I hope these variants won’t change anything.” said junior Matthew Motsinger. In Colorado, we are fortunate enough to have a full vaccination rate of 65.2% and 71% in Boulder. Everyone eligible for a vaccine should get one regardless of the numbers; there is no evidence that Omicron will be the last COVID-19 strain, and the best way to stop the spread of this virus is through vaccination and booster shots.
9
3/3/22 10:30 PM
“I’m very very glad I transferred“
A change in scenery Students new to Fairview discuss how the change made their lives better interviews by julia frank design by julia frank
Sebastian Gold 10
Liam Baartman 11
Nina Imamura 12
Ralston Valley -> Fairview
Legion Collegiate -> Fairview
TJ High School -> Fairview
decided to transfer from there because I wanted a fresh start and better opportunities. I heard Fairview was a college prep school and Ralston Valley wasn’t as much of an opportunity type school. I’m very very glad I transferred because of the community and educational system. Fairview and Ralston Valley are very different schools because Fairview is a hardcore college prep school and the community surrounding it is way better than Ralston Valley because Ralston didn’t have open campus and was very strict with their rules.
had to transfer here from South Carolina because of my dad’s job. I chose Fairview High over Boulder High because I already had friends going here and I generally enjoy the people that go to Fairview. There are big differences between Fairview and my old school, such as my old school was a private school and there are a lot more kids at Fairview but I really like it at Fairview because the bike team welcomed me with open arms. I’m super happy with my decision to transfer here as I’ve made lots of new friends and had some great experiences.
he main decision to transfer was my family hoping to move to Boulder at some point during my high school career. My mother attended Fairview and it was my dream high school when I was younger so when the opportunity arose, I immediately said yes. Students at Fairview are so incredibly driven to graduate and attend college which creates an amazing environment to learn in. I would say that I’m extremely happy with my transfer, although I still don’t know many students, I have found a community at Fairview that I really love with people I enjoy being around.
I
10
010-011_2-01037_000.indd 10
I
T
february 2022
3/3/22 10:37 PM
Much needed adjustments Why former Fairview students decided to transfer out interviews by julia frank design by julia frank
I Analinda Anderson 12 Fairview -> New Vista
Grace Reivich 12 Fairview -> New Vista
decided to transfer because I didn’t feel like Fairview was the best academic fit for me. I struggled with getting help with my classes and didn’t feel like I had the best environment around me when I was in a classroom. I also didn’t have a great experience with the sports teams at Fairview and felt like it wasn’t a comfortable environment as well. A big reason I really decided to transfer from Fairview was the racism I experienced at the school. I never felt completely comfortable with the people around me and I just didn’t feel like I was understood as someone who is a different skin color as everyone else. My new school is way way smaller than my old one. It only has 200 kids in total, so it feels like everyone knows who everyone is. I’m happy with my transfer in the sense that it’s a better academic environment for me.
D
uring the second half of my freshman year I was in a really bad place. The counselor suggested a plan that they would call me down to their office once a week to check on me and see how I was doing and how they could support me. There were no weekly check ins. It wasn’t until a few months later when someone very important to my family, who was also a student at Fairview committed suicide, was I truly angry. The life of a student was lost and the school seemingly turned the other way. After seeing how the students were treated and how major issues were handled I realized that I needed to leave. Leaving Fairview has been one of my best decisions I have ever made. I have finally felt what it is like to wake up in the morning and be happy to go to school, a feeling I didn’t think was possible during my time at Fairview.
I Morgan Srednick 12 Fairview -> Boulder
transferred for a lot of reasons, mostly because I was just genuinely unhappy. I wasn’t happy with the transfer at first because by the end of my semester at Fairview, I had made a bunch of friends and loved Fairview and didn’t want to leave. In retrospect I am glad I switched cause I decided to embrace school spirit and have fun. There’s a totally different vibe and different kinds of people at Boulder high as opposed to Fairview. There are different traditions and different sports team triumphs. I miss winning football.
I Noah Miller 11 Fairview -> Colombia
am transferring from here, to Gimnasio Campestre which is a school in Bogota, Colombia. I went to Bogota initially this winter visiting a friend that lives there, and I grew to really love the place. So during my trip, I started talking to my parents about possibly moving there for a semester abroad, and they agreed. I’ll be living there for the next 5ish months. Gimnasio Campestre is an all boys Catholic school which is the main difference between Fairview and Campestre. I feel like it will be weird to be in an all boys school because half my friends are girls, but at the same time there will be other activities where I can meet other people. Ultimately my main goal of this exchange is to experience other cultures and be able to speak other languages to further my ability to communicate with anyone.
royal banner
010-011_2-01037_000.indd 11
“I transferred for a lot of reasons, but mostly because I was genuinely unhappy.”
11
3/3/22 10:37 PM
Individualism and Subcultures - A Travis Scott Analysis story by pyper alexander design by annika aumentado
A
subcultures. People bonded over their “alternativity,” even if their alternativity presented itself differently. That’s what mosh pits were, a space for people (who didn’t fit in with the conventional American image) to come together, to feel an energy with people who
ast r o
t the Astroworld Festival on November 5th, 2021, rapper Travis Scott held a concert which resulted in the death of ten attending fans. Eight victims died at the venue, crushed by the crowd surrounding the stage, all of whom were trying to get closer to Scott during the performance. Two died later in the hospital due to injuries sustained in the mosh pit, and more were injured. With 282 claimants, Scott now faces a two billion dollar lawsuit over the deadly show. While the videos of Scott eerily humming as bodies are pulled out of the crowd are jarring, is he the one to blame? He claimed to be unaware of the severity of the tragedy, yet video evidence suggests a lack of effort to cease the obvious chaos and havoc that littered the venue. In tragic moments like these, when familiar events go haywire, it is easy to place the blame on authority figures, or people in positions of power. Many people expressed opinions that it was his event, he should have controlled the situation. It’s easy to point fingers at one person as opposed to a whole crowd of people, but the fact is, no one did anything. While Scott should have immediately stopped the concert after he knew something was wrong, and should have been able to get the situation under control, the situation should never have occurred in the first place. The tragedy at Astroworld is not the fault of one person, one crowd, or one genre of music. Rather, it points to a much larger cultural issue in the United States, the American obsession with ‘individualism’. To properly examine the tragedy in Scott’s mosh pit, we must first understand the context of where moshing originated: California’s hardcore punk scenes in the 80s. This isn’t to say that the only people at these shows identified as hard core punk, the scene wasn’t exclusive to a specific alternative genre, it was a place for anyone “alternative.” Throughout the 80s to early 00s, this was true for most alternative scenes (emo, punk, ska). Young adults and adolescents from a multitude of niche subcultures were widely welcomed within other adjacent
12
012-013_2-01037_000_converted.indd 12
w
d l r o
shared their views and experiences.
People bonded over their “alternativity” So what kind of energy is found in a mosh pit now? Stressful and chaotic?” said senior Bitsy Hayes. “The question is kinda wack, there’s not really an energy of connecting with the people around you. There’s not a lot of dancing, but a lot of pushing, people are more interested in
getting to the front of the stage as close to the performer as possible.” While most people don’t find themselves in mosh pits comparable to the extremes seen at Astroworld, a general lack of empathy and basic consideration for those around seems to be the new norm in mosh pits.
february 2022
3/3/22 9:58 PM
How did mosh pits change from interactive relationships within the crowd to a collection of individuals all separately attempting to connect with the performer? Instead of participating in the surrounding crowd, everyone tries to differentiate themselves or stand out from the crowd, hoping the performer will notice them. The rise of the internet might account for this change, as it drastically changed the participation and presentation of mainstream “alternative” culture. Before the internet introduced a plethora of new means of communication, there were few ways for people who didn’t identify with mainstream culture to interact with people who looked, acted, or thought like them. When alternative scenes (shows, venues, centers) started popping up, it was one of the few places for “alt” people to hangout and bond with other alt people. The purpose of alt subcultures was to create a community for people who could identify with each other, while collectively rejecting mainstream ideas. The harmony obsessed hippies of the 60s rejected the war, the sensitive emos of the 80s rejected the toxic violence in popular metal rock scenes, etc.
It was about unity, the very thing that most alternative cultures now lack. In the past 15 years, with online spaces like TikTok, Tumblr, and MySpace, alternative people could interact with other alternative people with whom they identified with. These online communities grew and the need for physical communities began to shrink as people had instant access and connection to other alternative people. Because alt people could interact with other alt people as frequently as they liked, the abundance of alternative representation led to increasing invalidation within their personal “alt” identification. As alternative looks started becoming more socially acceptable and common, the presentation of “alt” became more competitive. This ideology worked its way into mainstream culture, and more people grew conscious of their desire to display their own uniqueness. The internet created the obsessive phenomenon of “being different,” then complemented that with a widespread cultural rejection of “being basic.” Suddenly everyone wanted to stand out, whether it was by establishing that they had “listened to an artist before they were popular,” or by gatekeeping something that made them feel special ( brand of clothing, type of makeup, name of a song). This was all in an attempt to do one thing: differentiate themselves from others. The word alt is almost an oxymoron because of its mainstream presence.
Collectively rejecting mainstream ideas.
This is the main difference between the alternative subcultures that invented moshing and “alternative” countercultures now. A differentiation from mainstream society as an individual versus as a community. In the past, people who didn’t identify with
The internet created the obsessive phenomenon of “being different”
royal banner
012-013_2-01037_000_converted.indd 13
what was culturally conventional at the time would seek out a community of people whose views they did align with. “Alt” people individually rejected certain aspects of their society (politically, economically, socially), then, with other people who shared their same rejection, they would visually separate themselves from the norm. They (the respective subcultures) stood out from society, not as individuals, but as a collective. Now, ideas of what is “alternative” are largely dependent on how an individual differentiates themselves from whatever their town, city, or state deems “normal.” It puts the responsibility on the individual, for them to present themselves as unique and different from everyone else, especially those around them. And presentation, in a world where social media dominates a majority of social interactions, is everything. With a high pressure to present oneself as an individual unique from everyone else, American society has conditioned its participants to only care about or even consider themselves. Understanding this, the tragedy at Astroworld starts to make more sense. People cared more about their own experience and how close they could get to Travis Scott than the fact that they were literally killing the people around them to do so. And Scott cared more about his concert, than the people in the audience that were (according to his knowledge at the time) “possibly injured.” Americans’ obsession with individualism manifested in a collective lack of ability to regard other people, a lack of ability to even consider something other than oneself, and it resulted in ten individuals’ deaths.
American society has conditioned its participants to only care about or even consider themselves. 13
3/3/22 9:58 PM
Man, That Was Depressing
Spiderman: No Way Home is heartbreaking story by john kowalski design by hannah derounian and tessa moskoff
U
ntil recently, I’ve never paid much attention to the hype surrounding the Marvel Cinematic Universe. When Avengers Endgame came out, I didn’t bother to see it, finding it incredibly difficult to find a reason why people were raving over a superhero film. Pretentious, I know. But, as of the past couple of months, I’ve caught up with the MCU, watching each film in its long saga. The epic fights, clashes of “good and evil” between cosmic beings, and the humor have finally made me understand why the universe is so loved. But Spider-Man: No Way Home is special. It made me feel emotions I didn’t think I could feel for MCU characters. I warn you, reader, this is not a spoiler free review. So please, don’t read ahead if you haven’t watched the film. It’s worth a viewing. The interaction between the various characters in the film is stunning. Observing Tom Holland, Tobey Maguire, and Andrew Garfield talk with each other is awesome, and is really cool fan service. Each of the villains in the film, who arrive after Doctor Strange casts a failed spell to make everyone forget who SpiderMan is, are a bit shallow. They don’t have terribly many lines, and in many ways, this film
14
014-015_2-01037_000.indd 14
almost gives off the vibes that Avenger’s Endgame does. If you’ve watched each of the respective films that the characters are from, then you understand the references, the jokes,
each other about their own universe. This film, as stated before, made me feel emotions I didn’t think I could feel from an MCU film. When Peter walked into the
everything that’s given to you is understood. However, if you only go in with the surface knowledge provided from a wikipedia page lookup of each of the six Spider-Man movies in the Raimi and Webb trilogies, then you won’t get these references. The jokes will fly over the head of the typical audience viewer (maybe, depending on if they’d watched the previous trilogies) and it may get fairly confusing. Luckily, the film makes up for this in its conversation, where each of the characters talk to
school and literally EVERYONE turned around to stare at him, I could feel the tension in the air. The trope of Peter slowly walking through the hallway and while the students stared at him felt overused and cliche. This is Spider-Man for God’s sake! Why does he put up with it? Why not jump up, yell, or say something at least? I could feel myself wincing in my seat, watching the slow, tedious walk through the hall. This was something the MCU had never made me feel. Awkwardness, tension in the most unlikely of places. Intriguing, I thought. This could mean something for the film. And then Peter gets his college admission letter back. No go. And then rejection, again, again, and again. It’s
awful. You can see him and his friends slowly lose hope over time. Peter feels so terrible for what he’s done, what he’s ruined, and you can just feel through the screen his pain. The choreography of the final fight is really intriguing. When the Spider-Man’s are swinging around at first, you feel confused. “What’s going on, who is who?” is the thought that comes to mind when watching the scene. It feels confusing. But that’s the point. When Tom Holland SpiderMan regroups the Spidermen and gets all of them to work in sync, suddenly everything changes. You can tell each Spider-Man apart, each with his own talents, pitfalls, and characteristics that makes him who he is. Yet again, this film makes me feel more emotion than other MCU movies. At the end of the road, while the world is being torn apart, Spider-Man and Doctor Strange make a deal. Peter Parker will be forgotten by everyone, in the multiverse, to stop the impending doom of earth. Peter reconciles with his friends, both old and new, and then allows Strange to cast the spell. And this is it. He attempts to reconnect with MJ and Ned at a cafe, before realizing he would rather not reveal to them who Spider-Man is. He gets an apartment, puts his things down, and then puts on
february 2022
3/3/22 9:58 PM
Knights Camera Action story by lolly patwardhan & sakura steinbarth
the Spider-Man mask, before jumping out a window and swinging into the night, having forever lost his identity as Peter Parker. This movie affected me in a way that many others didn’t. I cried in Endgame when Tony died. But this movie made me feel a different emotion than that. Peter chose to forego his entire life, everything he wanted, because he wanted to protect his friends. In exchange, he is completely off the books, and the world forgot who he is. When I stepped out of my chair in the theater, the one thing I could say was “Jesus, that was depressing”. Getting dinner later that night, all I could think about was the film, and the consequences of that single action. “What happens next? What’s going to happen to him? What if he needs to show his drivers license, what if someone catches him as Spider-Man? What happens next?” These thoughts are incredible. Not a single other movie in the MCU made me ponder the fate of its characters more than this one. And due to that, this film gets a 10/10 from me. Not because it’s perfect. But because it made me question the fate of a fictional character, in a fictional universe, that goes by the name Spider-Man.
F
ilm has been one of the most popular art forms and methods of storytelling. Looking into the industry itself, from photographers and actors to visual artists and choreographers, anyone of any artistic talent can be of use. One of the many reasons that film is such an intricate industry is the amount of passion that goes into it. Fairview’s Filmmakers Club focuses on nurturing the love of the craft. “The only way that you can do film as a student, especially in Colorado, is by just finding other students who love film and making it with them and just that’s how you kind of make your connections. So we kind of wanted to make a place at Fairview where we could start those kinds of connections as well,” said senior Olivia Savidge, an aspiring actor. As a notoriously cutthroat industry, film is hard to succeed in, and is largely founded on networking and connections. “The thing they teach you is it’s not about who you know, it’s about who knows you” said senior Francisca Bastias Diaz, who is an aspiring screenwriter and director. Building a network is an integral part of film. There are a few ways to achieve this. Bastias Diaz claims that simply talking to people is the most effective way to get them in your network. The interviewees all agreed that film school is not necessary (with the exception of many tech jobs), though college is possibly the best way to build a network for film careers. “Acting is another thing you don’t necessarily need to go to school for,” said Savidge. “One of the main reasons I’m going to school for acting is the connections.” Film, like any industry, is systematically built against marginalized people. Women and people of color struggle to be directors, get roles or get pay comparable to their white male counterparts. According to the Center for the Studies of Women in Television and Film, “In 2020, the majority of films (67%) employed 0 to 4 women in the roles considered. 24% of films employed 5 to 9 women, and 9% employed 10 or more women. In contrast, 5% of films employed 0 to 4 men in the roles considered, 24% employed 5 to 9 men, and the remaining majority (71%) employed 10 or more men.” Aspiring women in film, like senior Macy Friday, have witnessed and faced adversity first hand. “I’ve seen many other girls that I know who make films just kind of be pushed to the back of a film set, handed a boom mic, and just told to, like, be quiet,” said Friday. Adversity doesn’t stop any of these people from shying away from the industry, though. Most people in the film industry are deeply passionate about their work through this art. “What it goes down to really with filmmaking it’s just a lot of people that are very passionate about storytelling,” said Bastiaz Diaz. The pursuit of film is compelling enough to keep aspiring film students inspired to create. “I’m fully expecting to be living in a closet for the rest of my life, but honestly I don’t care, as long as I’m doing what I love,” said Savidge. royal banner
014-015_2-01037_000.indd 15
15
3/3/22 9:58 PM
Spotify Wrapped
The annual music phenomenon, in numbers story & design by noah edelman
Spotify Wrapped came out on December 1st, showing personalized music statistics from the 2021 year. It shows you how many hours of music you listened to and your top five artists, songs, and genres. Check out some stats below:
407,000,000 92,000,000
Statistics courtesy of Spotify, CPR, The Pudding, and other independent analysts
users
songs
Ever wondered who the world’s top artists are? Check out the top four, ranked by number of streams:
1
2
3
4
85,770,000 streams 69,790,000 streams 57,610,000 streams
51,060,000 streams
Time to bring it all back home. Here are Boulder’s three most popular songs of the year, in two particular orders:
1 Drivers License 2 good 4 u Olivia Rodrigo
m
char l a i erc
Com 16
016-017_2-01037_000 NOAHS COPY.indd 16
ts
3 streets Doja Cat
lic
Loc
ub al p
oll
op radi
gt eLeg n t s t u e fas k ion W e a t o e a r oe Indic enese B L o w e sJapa tches & Th s i e a b i nd Jon h w C 2 1 3 ura D
february 2022
3/3/22 10:49 PM
s ion t a c
CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST Get to know Tyler, The Creator’s new album
T
yler The Creator released his sixth studio album ‘CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST’ on June 25, 2021. He started making music in 2011, then featured in a group called Odd Future in 2012. CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST is very raw and unique. Each song is poetic and tells a story. “I like that it’s like poetry with a beat,” said a student, Ella Mueller. Honestly I think that is the best way to describe it. Listening to the album in order from start to finish tells an amazing story and makes you think deeply about his life and his experiences and what he’s gone through. Tyler did such an amazing job writing the album and in each song he expresses his emotions in a vulnerable and raw way. You wouldn’t look at Tyler and see an emotional guy who talks about his feelings, and this album gives you a deeper look into him. ‘CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST’ was nominated for the BET Best Hip Hop
“Tyler did such an amazing job writing the album and in each song he expresses his emotions in a vulnerable and raw way.” Album of the Year in 2021, the album is very different compared to other albums nominated for this category and is not very stereotypical for a rap album, though as soon as it was released it immediately hit number one on the charts. There are so many different emotions and feelings brought up throughout the album. The album is authentic,tells the story of his life. Like how he moved out for the first time, the relationship he has with his mom and romantic relationships he went through. It allows you to get to know him. In the beginning of ‘MASSA’ he says, “The
greatest thing that ever happened to me was being damn near 20 and leaving Los Angeles for the first time.” Throughout the album he talks about his life and mindset after moving and how much it has changed. Tyler was writing this album when the Black Lives Matter Movement was becoming super relevant in society. Tyler is a very prominent Black artist in the music industry and never voiced his opinion on the BLM movement. The intro to ‘MANIFESTO’ he says, ‘ Lil white b**ch gon’ say ‘You need to say something about that.’ ‘You
“His lyrics have matured and he really found his music style.” about being in love with someone but just being friends. It’s just so beautifully written and there is a story being told that’s not often told.
“He indirectly references the Black Lives Matter movement in the intro of this song and is implying that even though he is a relevant and popular black artist does not mean he needs to speak up on BLM.” need to say something about Black [Lives Matter].’ B**ch, suck my…” He indirectly references the Black Lives Matter movement in the intro of this song and is implying that even though he is a relevant and popular black artist does not mean he needs to speak up on BLM. From my perspective, these lyrics are pointing out the expectations we have for Black artists and the pressure we put on them to speak on these issues. Because this has become a very relevant issue in society. Even though these issues are important and relevant these artists and influences shouldn’t feel obligated to speak up on them. “CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST’’ is very different compared to his other albums, in the way that it is a lot more intimate and very poetic. You can really see his growth as an artist while writing this album. His lyrics have matured and he really found his music style. In the song ‘WILSHIRE’ he tells a story royal banner
016-017_2-01037_000 NOAHS COPY.indd 17
story by ava hardy design by noah edelman
17
3/3/22 10:50 PM
Controversial Opinions I don’t like Toy Story, or Shrek." ---Mia Anderson
“This is the book that made me like reading.” Books that won't disappoint you, according to Fairview Publications staff
“I don't think Timothee Chalamet is cute. He looks too old for his actual age” ---Ellie Hein "Pre-ripped jeans are dumb. Ah yes, let's buy a broken product at a premium." ---Owen Hunt “The show Friends is overrated. I couldn’t get through Season 2. It’s so boring.” ---Nik Sahami "Halsey is so annoying. Everything she does is annoying." ---Macy Friday “Daniel Caesar is better than Frank Ocean. Daniel Caesar's voice is just so much better." ---Noah Edelman "I like soggy cereal. Cereal is cereal." ---Isabel Fisher
18
018-019_2-01037_000.indd 18
Cadillac Desert
The Silent Patient
The Stand
Fantastic Mr. Fox
It's an informative narrative describing water out in the Western United States. The book is put together well, showing how the many bureaucracies of the US government get us water in Colorado and other states. It also shows how little water there is. It's incredible that Denver is as big as it is, with the lack of water. Fascinating read.
It's a murder mystery with a very unexpected ending. Each of the main characters carry their own heavy backstory that is slowly revealed through their own perspectives. I liked being completely surprised at the end and then looking back at all the details that I missed building up to the conclusion.
It is a really interesting story, following multiple storylines of people in fictional pandemic that kills 98% of the population. It's over a thousand pages long, but I finished it within weeks and couldn't put it down. Probably the longest book I'll ever read, yet it's easily my favorite. This is the book that made me like reading.
A light and fun read that is sure to bring nostalgia to all those who experience it. The characters are well crafted, the drawings well illustrated, and the story timeless. Although it's not particularly challenging, it's a perfect novel that's sure to invoke joy. Roald Dahl has never written a bad book!
Kristen Sheng
Jasper Hale
Pyper Alexander
John Kowalski
f e b r u am r yo n2 t0h2/2y e a r
3/3/22 10:02 PM
Editors-in-Chief
Contributors Lily Nobel
Hannah Derounian
Macy Friday
Sa Steinbarth
Eliana Knode
Mia Anderson
Jaden Carda
John Kowalski
Ava Hardy
Annika Aumentado
Lolly Patwardhan
Pyper Alexander
Sophomore, p. 14-15
Junior, p. 8-9
Senior, p. 6-7
Julia Frank
Noah Edelman
Julia is a senior, and this is her third year working with the Royal Banner. Along with journalism, Julia enjoys skiing, playing piano and guitar, and working at a local puzzle shop. She loves telling stories within Fairview and is excited to be working with a great group of writers to create the Royal Banner.
Noah is a senior, and this is his third year with the Royal Banner. He enjoys making music, taking photos on his disposable camera, and spending time with friends. Noah is passionate about covering the diversity of the Fairview community, and enjoys seeking out and telling the stories of students.
@julia.s.frank
Junior, p. 8-9
Senior, p. 6-7
Junior, p. 16-17
Section Editors
Business
Politics and World Affairs Lily Nobel
Business Manager: Claire-Maria Broaddus For Subscriptions: Send $25 to Royal Banner, Fairview High School, Room 339, 1515 Greenbriar Blvd, Boulder, CO 80305, or contact us at fhsroyalbanner.com/contact
Student News Farah Ahmadova Opinion Eliana Knode National Sports Zev Cohen Copy Editor Tessa Moskoff
Senior, p. 2, 4-5
Sophomore, p. 14-15
Sophomore, p. 12-13
@noah.edelman Senior, p. 14-15
Arts, Culture, and Media Annika Aumentado
Senior, p. 14-15
Senior, p. 12-13
Website Feature Jackson v. Dobbs: Case Summary
About the Cover This issue's cover was designed by Noah Edelman. Junior Gabriel Staehelin was selected as the winner of the Cover Art Competition, and their beautiful photo of the Colorado mountain landscape is the focal point of this issue's cover.
Read this article at fhsroyalbanner.com
About Us
*Disclaimer
The Royal Banner is a 16-page news magazine. The Banner is written
Under Colorado law, no expression made by students in the exercise of
primarily for the over 2000 students attending Fairview High School
free speech or freedom of the press shall be deemed to be an expression
and is distributed free of charge to all members of the school commu-
of school policy. No school district, employee, legal guardian or official of
nity. Accurate reporting of fact is the goal of the staff. Commentaries,
such a district shall be held liable in any criminal action for any expression
opinion columns and letters to the editor are the expressed opinion
made or published by a student. The Royal Banner sells advertisements for
of the author and not of the Royal Banner and its Editorial Board or
publicity and to pay for printing costs. We reserve the right to refuse to run
adviser.
any advertisement deemed inappropriate to the Fairview community. royal banner
018-019_2-01037_000.indd 19
19
3/3/22 10:02 PM
In the mood for a love song?
Follow the Publications staff’s love playlist!
020-020_2-01037_000.indd 20
3/3/22 10:03 PM