Aspen Middle School Mayhem - Issue 2

Created by Students in AMS Newspaper Club

Aspen Middle School

By Ember LaPenna

Mayhem

Volume II

Sloane Alexander Alex Brands Ember LaPenna Lorelei LaPenna Teodora Milinovic Sunny Morehouse Harry Spitteler Ryan Umansky Hailey Ward

January 2024

The Great Hannah Baker: Our New Art Teacher

Photo courtesy of Hannah Baker

AMS students hanging up their pieces of art to display for the class.

Hailey Ward, Editor-in-Chief Hannah Baker, the AMS art teacher, has had a lot of different jobs such as working in a coffee shop and working at a golf course. She also worked at an art competition in Grand Rapids straight out of college. And now, she works at AMS. Baker came to AMS at the start of the 2023/24 school year to work because she thinks that it is a great school with all of the outdoor programs and opportunities to work with the community. She teaches art for all grades, 5-8. In one of her 6th grade classes students worked on books about their happy places, a favorite place where they feel safe which are displayed at the entrance to the school.

Ember LaPenna is a 6th grader at AMS. She really likes doing art both in and out of art class. LaPenna loves drawing.

“I like the creative and fun projects that Hannah

comes up with and her vivacious energy,” LaPenna said. born and I think that skill can be developed as we grow LaPenna enjoys all aspects of the creative process. In up,” Baker said.

Baker’s class, she has had many opportunities to do projects.

“So far we have only done three big projects, but my favorite was probably the tunnel books, which I had a lot of fun making and planning,” LaPenna said.

Baker’s passion for art started similar to the way Ember’s did, in art class.

“I think my elementary art teacher made me interested in art. So I was probably in third grade. She was wonderful and she let us do a lot of very creative things,” Baker said.

Baker supports all students and believes that every student can become an artist, even if Photo courtesy of Hannah Baker they don’t think they can.

“I think everyone is an artist when they are Students exploring their creative side with acrylic paints.

The War In Israel

The war in Israel is mainly on the Gaza Strip, a small part of Israel. The Palestinians and Israelis have fought over that piece of land for many years.

The timeline of terror started after WWII after the British declared the country of Israel would be divided... (pg. 2)

The Eras Tour

If you didn’t already know, you would know Taylor Swift is one of the biggest artists in the music industry. Some say she IS the music industry. The Eras Tour is projected to become the first tour to make a revenue of 1 Billion dollars! (pg.4)

What Would Eddie Do

Eddie was on a boat called Hōkūle’a and left a voyage on March 16, 1978. It developed a leak 19 km away from the land. He tried getting help by paddling to the shore. Luckily, his crewmates were rescued, but Eddie’s body was never found. It was the most extensive Hawaiian sea and air search ever. (pg. 3)

January 2023

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A Detailed Account of the War in Israel

Sloane Alexander, Editor-in-Chief done things that hurt many

On October 7th, Israel was hit with a surprise attack from Hamas at a music festival causing conflict and devastation. This has caused thousands of deaths and millions were affected. On day three of the war deaths had risen to 1,200 and many hostages were being held by the terrorists, Hamas.

So, why is it happening?

Most people know of the war, but knowing what it’s all about is a different story.

The war in Israel is mainly in the Gaza Strip, a small part of Israel. The Palestinians and Israelis have fought over that piece of land for many years.

The timeline of terror started after WWII after the British declared the country of Israel would be divided into 2 parts, the Jewish state, and the Arab state. This agreement was made without both sides’ consent, the Israelis were ok with it, but the Palestinians did not want any Jews in Israel and disagreed with the belief that it is a home for the Jewish people. Eventually, the power in Gaza shifted from Arab rule to Jewish rule, but everything went haywire when Hamas, who is currently fighting Israel, won power in an election over the Gaza Strip. The Palestinians have two leaders, one in the West Bank and one in Gaza. Now with Hamas, a terrorist group determined to destroy Israel, in power, the fighting is constant. This has led to war after war and more than 4,000 deaths. Now Israel is telling Israelites to leave Gaza immediately because Hamas is on a deadly streak. It is important to remember that neither side is 100% terrible or 100% bad, both sides have

people. When we think of war, we always think of a good and bad side, but it is frankly not that simple.

Although this war is in Israel it has affected Jews everywhere with a spike in antisemitism since the attack. Even in places where you think there would not be hate towards Jews, there probably is. Even here people have made anti-Israeli and antisemitic comments, but it has also caused many Jews to band together and advocate, like the Unite 4 Israel in the valley and the event at the base of Ajax showcasing the human aspect of the hostages and war. Anyone can help out. If you hear anything anti-semitic say something to a counselor, you can donate to support kids on both sides or do other things that help, so we can make our school a safe environment for all students, no The Israeli flag. matter gender, race or religion.

Photo by Quintessa Frisch

January 2023

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Eddie Would Go Sunny Morehouse, Staff Writer Have you ever seen the car bumper sticker that says ¨Eddie would go¨?

Eddie Aikau was Waimea Bay on the island of Oahu, lifeguard and a big wave surfer. He had a passion for saving lives and big wave surfing, which he was terrific at. He was among the few brave people to paddle out when the swell grew, and Eddie would go. Eddie was on a boat called Hōkūleʻa and left a voyage on March 16, 1978. It developed a leak 19 km away from the land. He tried

getting help by paddling to the shore.

Luckily, his crewmates were rescued, but Eddie’s body was never found. It was the most extensive Hawaiian sea and air search ever.

After Eddie’s death, the Hawaiians started saying that “Eddie would go” because he went for it to paddle out to get help to save the people on the boat. He would go and jump off that boat because he wanted to keep other people safe,not just himself. He also went into big waves to charge it. And that’s why people say

¨Eddie would go¨. A surf competition in The first event was held Sunday, February 21, 1986. was held in memory of Eddie Aikau and his passion for bigwave surfing. It was the biggest surfing event ever in history. The surf competition It is held at Waimea Bea, known for cliff jumping in the summer, and is also called “the rock” by local Hawaiians.

I have jumped off ¨the rock¨ and recommend the spot the experience was unbelievable crystal clear water fish coral on the othe side of the rock. And

in the winter, hard head, 40ft waves that will give you the sea’s wrath opened.

The contest is hard to go on because the waves have to be 40ft or more, but the waves are usually 30 ft or less a lot of the time, but when it is a full moon and the air is drifting hard, the waves are gnarly. The waves can be the most horrifying waves you have seen. Boards are broken cuts from the waves but these waves Eddie surfed and for his memory, we will continue this tradition.

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Why The Whole World Wants to See Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Harry Spitteler, Staff Writer

The Taylor Swift Eras Tour is quite the spectacle. I went on July 15 in Denver, CO, and it was just… amazing.

If you didn’t already know, you would know Taylor Swift is one of the biggest artists in the music industry. Some say she IS the music industry. The Eras Tour is projected to become the first tour to make a revenue of 1 Billion dollars!

When she performs at a stadium, she is performing in front of a sold out stadium of 70,000 people.

I talked to Lily Milton, who went to Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, to see the Eras Tour. She rated her experience at the Eras Tour an infinity out of 10.

Her favorite part of the show was all of it. Overall it was an amazing experience for her. She loved the sets of each era and the songs of each era.

The Eras Tour stage spans 80 yards of a football field. Imagine standing at one end of a stage and seeing 80 YARDS of a stage in front of you!

Another person I interviewed was Channing Keating, who saw the show at Empower Field in Denver CO. She described her experience as a life-changing experience. She said she absolutely loved it. Her favorite part of the show was seeing Taylor in person and her costumes for each era. Clean and The Archer would be her ideal surprise songs.

Photo by Harry Spitteler Taylor Swift performing at her Eras Tour Concert in Denver, Colorado.

Taylor Swift just finished a 52 show on her US leg and another 4 shows in Mexico City, Mexico. She is now on a 2 month break until November at will perform in South America before going on the rest of the world tour.

The last person I had a chat with about the Eras Tour was Izzy Poole, who also went to Empower Field in Denver. She described her experience as really good and thought Taylor’s performance was amazing. Her opinion is that the show is amazing. Izzy said that the best part of the show for her was when the big snake slithered across the big screen at the beginning of the Reputation portion of the show. Izzy’s ideal surprise songs would be Run and Welcome to New York.

Wesley Lodal went to the Eras Tour Movie. She said her favorite part of the movie was the Red era and all of the costumes. Her ideal surprise songs would be Shake it Off and 22. She thinks the in person concert would be better.

The Eras Tour is a record breaking tour.

With the 44 songs on the setlist, spanning 17 years of her music career, it is an incredible show. When she gets back on the road she will be going to Latin America for about a month, then taking another break, before going to Europe and Asia. The tour ends in 2024 and I find it crazy that she is on the road for a YEAR AND A HALF! Overall, The

JAS Aspen 2023 Recap of the Best Performances Dora Millinovic, Staff Writer One of the most iconic celebrations in Aspen. The attendance is more than that of Food and Wine! Jas Aspen is a festival in Snowmass celebrating jazz.

This year, Grace Potter, The Lumineers, The Foo Fighters, and Old Dominion are just some of the iconic jazz bands that came. The quality of the music was top notch, and the singers were mostly famous celebrities.

Hailey Ward isa sixth grader at Aspen Middle School and attended all three nights of the Labor Day experience. She said many things, but one of the most notable was seeing two of the singers perform together.

“I think it’s a unique experience because there are a lot of stands and the music is live. Billy Idol and the Foo Fighters did a performance together, and you couldn’t get that anywhere else.” Ward said. She also loved staying up late and dancing.

That’s what I call a concert experience.

If the food seems more interesting though, don’t worry. Many vendors came and there were lots of options, even with dietary restrictions. White house pizza came, along with Francesca’s Pasta Market & Empanadas. There were also many shops selling interesting things, most of them with colorful LEDs. The most interesting part though was definitely when The Lumineers lead

singer, Wesley Schultz, came through the crowds. Many people obsessed over the fact that they touched him or that they were on the cameras. Famous celebrities are the perfect people for fussing over.

There were different squares for each type of person, like a standing area in the very front and a peaceful hill in the very back. There was even a stage extension ready for use if the singers wanted to get closer to the crowd. Sixth graders and younger can get in at half the price, for an experience that you can not find anywhere else.

But, there are some negatives. JAS is implementing a new policy that people have to bring clear bags to the concert so the insides can be visible. Also, the prices are rising. Inflation is making the ticket prices skyrocket, but more popular celebrities are coming. Also, being outside can be a perk, but when thunder and lightning hit, then it’s not so fun.

JAS can be rough during weather catastrophes, but the concerts can be really fun though. JAS earns a lot of money though, even through the negatives.

Where is all that money going?

JAS Aspen is a non-profit organization, which means they don’t keep the money. Instead, the money goes to their musical education program. Their whole purpose is to preserve jazz in the valley, and throughout the state of Colorado.

Since their goal is to make an impact throughout Colorado, there are more options than just the festival in Aspen Snowmass. JAS is a set of festivals that

are three to four days long all throughout the state. Everything JAS does is tailored to the customer, thus making it an experience nobody would want to miss!

Photo by Dora Millenovic A JAS performer singing at the Snowmass concert in 2023.