Skier Scribbler - December Issue 2020

THE

Established 2010 in Aspen,CO DECEMBER 2020 ASPEN HIGH SCHOOL

SKIER SCRIBBLER

Photo by Tessa Guthrie View of gondola and powdery trees on a white sky day on Aspen Mountain.

NEWS SkiCo restaurants response to COVID-19 SKIER

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only be 25 customers at one time allowed in the restaurant, with a person monitoring this from the front door. Bonnie’s will also have a grab and go feature, offering hot and cold drinks, snacks, or a slice of Bonnie’s Pizza. They will also offer burgers or hot dogs from a grill on warmer days.

Bonnie’s restaurant is also implementing a new piece of technology that will make sitting outside more comfortable for their customers.

Sophia Grieper, Staff Writer

With ski season approaching soon, Aspen-Snowmass’s 15 mountain restaurants had to start preparing for both skiers and mountains this winter. While each restaurant may handle COVID-19 a little differently, SkiCo has a few guidelines that all restaurants will follow.

Restaurants on the mountains will have to provide proper sigthe customers and the employees in the lines. Occupants of the restaurants will have to remain frequently touched areas will be cleaned frequently. Hand sanitizer will be provided and people will be required to wear masks, not buffs. On each table, there will also be signs indicating whether a table has been cleaned or not. Ski Co has also implemented touchless faucets in all bathrooms.

Brigitte Berrfelder, the owner of Bonnie’s restaurant on Aspen nie’s employees will have routine temperature checks and be any COVID-19 symptoms. If they have, that employee will not be allowed to come into work.

Photo courtesy of Garden Igloo USA instagram Igloo structure that will be used by many restaurants to make outdoor dining on the mountains safer and warmer.

igloo domes on the deck. Each dome will have one table that can accommodate up to eight people, and they will be available by reservation only. We will charge $50 to reserve them for 1 1/2 hours, with 15 minutes in between each reservation to clean and sanitize. There are three seatings a day: 9:30-11:00, 11:15-12:45, and 1:00-2:30,” Berrfelder said.

Berrfelder also said that she felt the summer really helped Ski Co prepare for this upcoming winter and make dining on the mountains a lot safer for the customers.

“I feel Ski Co is doing everything they can so not to spread the virus and provide a safe environment,” Berrfelder said.

Snow pack patterns over the last 10 years Hannah Popish, Design Editor

Snowpack is the heart of our ski town and the Roaring Fork Valley. It feeds our rivers and provides a good ski season.

However, over the last 10 years, the weather has been getting warmer due to global warming, and our snowfall has been decreasing.

every month.

Aside from skiing, the snow is helpful for providing water for lawns and our tap water. A lot of our water comes from the rivers and is directly fed by the snow melt. Without a good snow season, the rivers can run low.

According to the data collected by Aspen Snowmass, the graph shows that the snowfall used to peak an upwards of 15 inches multiple times between December and February. The data on 2019/2020 snowfall barely hits 15 even

Another graph shows the patterns and depth of snow over the course of one or two years. J2 ski has some valuable information on the patterns between 2018 and 2020. As seen in the data, snow reported by Aspen in the 2019/2020 ski

season reached 65in on February 26th, 2020, and the 2018/2019 ski season reached 122in on March 14th, 2019. To reference the year 2017, the blue line on depth of snowpack proving that in past years there is a lot more snowfall.

Losing snowfall also means a sub-

stantial loss of valuable water that is supplied to our rivers.The ecosystem and wildlife’s health can be damaged without a healthy supply of water to our rivers and streams. There are also a great number of people who use and rely on

the rivers who will also be negatively affected. Without snow the ecosystem struggles to provide water over the summer months, which is why it’s so important to know how much snowpack means to this community.

Under the circumstances of these warming conditions due to global

warming, snowpack is a crucial part of our community and ecosystem. Protecting our winters will keep our ski resorts open and our ecosystem healthy.

December 2020

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Lee Mulcahy: the artist vs APCHA

to be persecuted for being outspoken.

Ahistorical,” and “The City has threatened to cut off the gas, the water, and the electricity. Fine. I’ll paint in the daylight hours.” Mulcahy said.

Mulcahy has been banned from City Hall, Aspen Art Museum, and was originally banned from some SkiCo properties, but the court ruled that the SkiCo ban was unconstitutional. Mulcahy believes that his family has also been misrepresented by the media in Aspen.

“We realize many are over this eviction drama. None more so than us. We are super grateful that we live in a town with two newspapers. One newspaper has their false narrative: lawbreaking Mulcahy’s, good honest government. The truth is coming out: lawbreaking government persecuting a dissident artist,” Mulcahy said.

Tessa Guthrie, Editor-in-chief

community of Aspen bore witness to the dramatic story of Lee Mulcahy and his battle against APCHA, the Aspen Pitkin County Housing Authority and the City of be coming to a head.

Mulcahy won an affordable housing lottery lot from APCHA many years ago, and spent over two years building his home in Burlingame. The City of Aspen has a unique affordable housing system, as there are 3,300 affordable housing units in Aspen, with a town population of 6,800. Five years ago, APCHA declared that Mulcahy was unable to prove that he worked 1,500 hours per calendar year, which is a requirement to live in APCHA housing, and that he should be evicted for it. APCHA ordered to buyback Mulcahy’s home, at a price of over $1 million dollars, but Mulcahy and his Mother have declined, opting to stay in their home.

In response to the eviction, Mulcahy has sued the City multiple times, protested, and has made some threats; the most his house with his life, and that he would only leave the house horizontally, which caused the city to have fear of violence.

Mulcahy has an upcoming appeal in the Colorado Supreme Court as well as ongoing appeal in federal court after an APCHA loss in the United States Court of Appeals 10th circuit. Recently, the court in Aspen gave permission to the Sheriff to use forcible entry to complete a pre-closing inspection. However, APCHA later

Photo courtesy of Megan Tackett Lee Mulcahy and mother, Sandy Mulcahy, posing with sign in front of the Pitkin County Courthouse in 2019.

asked the judge to waive the pre-closing inspection, which caused even more Mulcahy was quoted in the Vail Daily an aggressor. If someone decides to attack their attack. It’s not complicated. Such an idea is far superior to the barbaric theatre that we’re exposed to on a daily basis. It was a big mistake granting the government the ability to use aggressive force.”

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hy unable to prove he worked 1,500 hours because he works untraditional jobs: he is an artist, and a caregiver to his mother, and he argues that his art and the building of his house for two years was his employment at the time. Since then, Mulcahy has continued his art as well as working in construction, and for Uber, but his family is still being evicted on the original claim.

“Artists and caregivers are part of the community. The arts and artists have always been fundamental to Aspen. Dis-

City brings interesting discussions about free speech and the questions of whether or not APCHA’s housing should create special requirements for nontraditional jobs. However, Mulcahy believes that his protest against the APCHA eviction order is necessary.

“I love and am devoted to this community. It’s home. In order to be the most human, you must serve something other than yourself. Civil disobedience is putting yourself in harm’s way to bring attention to a problem (APCHA’s tyranny) and affect change,” and “Society moves forward by acts of peace. Peacemaking and compromise are part of the essence of love which was the message of Jesus.”

Mulcahy said.

Affordable housing project moves forward Tessa Guthrie, Editor-in-chief

G.F. Woods Construction is currently building a new affordable housing complex on West Hallam Street. The project will consist of three buildings with about 5,800 sq ft total, and will feature seven size varying units. Part of the housing units will be in the historic house and former restaurant, Poppies, and the other in new construction.

Aspen has a unique affordable housing system created in order to serve the workers of Aspen. APCHA, the Aspen Pitkin County Housing Authority, holds lotteries for each affordable housing unit. However, each candidate for the tions: work 1,500 hours per calendar year in Pitkin County, live in the unit at least nine months a year, meet income requirements and asset limits. Additionally, applicants cannot own another residential property within the Roaring Fork River valley or the surrounding area.

Each year, residents of affordable housing units in Aspen are required to submit tax records and proof of income.

At the upper end of affordable housing, net assets can’t be higher than $900,000.

At the lower end, a family with two dependents, an annual income of $50,000 and net assets of no more than $100,000 can qualify to purchase a home. Current-

ly Pitkin County has vitality,” Woods said. about 3,000 affordable The City of Aspen also has housing units.

Because of Aspen’s rules. In order to keep the extremely high open city cohesive and respect the real estate market, the rich history of Aspen, many average person cannot construction projects working afford regular housing. with historic buildings have Recently, an affordto get creative. In this new able housing unit project for example, they will sold for $1.8 million. add in new plumbing, build This is because a 1.8 a basement under the historic million dollar house is house, and adjust to safety affordable in the eyes codes all while maintaining of Aspen’s housing. the integrity of the building.

Due to COVID-19 The other buildings in the risks in big cities, project facing the street will many people have have a slanted roof to match moved to Aspen from the historic house. While the Photo couresty of the City of Aspen one on the back will have a metropolitan areas.

Digital model of future afforadble housing project on W. Hallam Street. The pink The number of real house is the historic building and the blue houses are the additions. estate purchases this hidden from street view.

Construction, is hopeful that this project year has gone up by “Whenever we work on old will be a welcome addition to the com800% according to the city, which made structures in Aspen it’s always fun surgimunity. the market even more competitive. cally removing the interior wall surfaces “The new employee housing project The median sale price of a residential and carefully peeling back the layers property in Aspen has hovered around of time. Quite often we are opening up by allowing more working class to be $2.5 million for the last couple of years. walls that are over 100 years old,” and “I closer to the area they choose to be However, from May through August, feel very lucky and proud to be part of employed and increasing their quality the median sale price spiked to about $4 the preservation effort that will continue million, a 62% increase, creating an even of life. Creating pockets of employee to welcome people across the Castle housing throughout Aspen helps keep greater need for affordable housing.

Creek bridge and into our historic and Greg Woods, the owner of G.F. Woods the neighborhoods rich in activity and mining town,” Woods said.

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Parents struggle to keep up with online school is stressful is, you know, am I delivering solid content that’s not too much and not

Stella Iverson, Staff Writer

AHS students experience the challenges of online school daily, but along side them are parents also experiencing the struggles of online learning as their kids remain home.

In the Aspen School District, parents are watching their kids learn from behind a computer screen. This change in how students go about their daily lives has a direct effect on parents. Parents who are teachers are especially feeling the impact of this new change.

Karen Villabos, the principal and superintendent at Twin Rivers Charter School in Yuba City, California, has experienced many things with this new system of learning, including her stress levels being at an all-time high. Villalobos is also a parent of an 8th grader who attends Twin Rivers and a 10th grader at Sutter High School who are currently learning from home. way to put it. It’s been a long six months.

The staff that I work with, they’re some of the best teachers I’ve ever worked with. But the difference between our old school traditional school and coming into stress of not having that daily connection with students and not knowing that

too, you know, not overly rigorous, so the kids get totally framed out and don’t do anything. Many parents are feeling the pressures of online school, but some

Photo by Stella Iverson Mother, Lori Guilander, looks over her daughter Tessa’s shoulder while working on October 20. They are working together at their home in Carbondale.

they’re doing okay to the ability that we don’t have the same touch points every day to check in on students,” Villabos said.

Online school has affected parents in multiple ways, for instance, increased stress levels. Now that COVID-19 has stopped some residents from going to

‘Tis the season of senior struggles

work, many have to work from home or Keleher, a language arts teacher at Aspen Middle School, the workload is higher. don’t think necessarily the school part of it is any more stressful. I think that what

Students’ response to in-person learning Stef Wojcik, News Editor

Photo by Annika Nichols AHS application bell remains unrung in the commons.

Annika Nichols, Staff Writer than

‘Tis the season of stress, hard work, and eventually relief for AHS seniors ing into a complete pit of senioritis.

This year, the “sleigh bells” for graduating seniors don’t ring in the commons.

The bell instead merely sits collecting cobwebs.

Most college touring and visitsthis year are strictly virtual. Not being able to physically see the campus or meet admissions, staff, and other students makes it much harder for this year’s seniors to get a sense of where they may be attending school next year. AHS senior Pearl Soderberg talks about this unique experience.

“The hardest thing about applying to college has been the virtual college meetings and not being able to see schools in person. It makes it much harder to decide where I truly want to go and apply as I’m not getting an authentic experience of meeting people and seeing the campus,” Soderberg said.

Some students have found the application process this year to be better

expected. Senior Macy Hopkinson is pleasantly surprised by her virtual college application process.

“I would actually argue that remote learning is better for college applications because I don’t have the pressure of students asking me where I’m applying and talking about where they want to go, their GPA, SAT, etc. so I like that part of son said.

Among other steps in the college application process, the most iconic aspect of applying to college at AHS has been ringing the bell in the commons.

In previous years, it has been a congratulations for every senior and their hard to college.

“It makes me so sad that I can’t continue that tradition [of ringing the bell] as it has always been such a special moment for seniors, and it’s something I’ve looked forward to doing since a freshman,” Soderberg said Despite no bells ringing this holiday letters this coming year.

kids are also learning so they can help them more.” Keleher said.

“I’m unable to help my own kids with their schooling. So, sometimes when they’re struggling with something, I have to make the choice to work from home so that I can help them, and working from home can affect my teaching because sometimes my internet will cut out or. I have to, like, organize my class around the fact that I need to help my kid get logged into their meeting during class time like while I’m teaching, so it’s that balance between my own students’ clublike schedules,” Keleher said.

Villalobos has concerns regarding mental health because parents now have to adapt to this new change, and it is stressful.

“So mental health is probably one of the foremost reasons that most schools now we’re pushing to get back to school. The mental health of staff is rough. It’s not for the faint of heart,” Villabos said.

Aspen High School’s virtual learning system has become a routine for students – especially given the comfort of being at home and waking up later. However, October offered exciting change when son learning, followed by cohort 2.

AHS created a safe environment for students, teachers, and faculty members to return in-person and have even included free, fast-result COVID-19 testing. Though many progressive steps were implemented to keep the school open, the recent threat of an increase in cases, both in AHS and in the community, forced the high school to shift back to virtual mode.

Cohort 1 was given a half week before AHS Principal, Sarah Strassburger, sent out an email regarding the return to online classes. Strassburger mentioned in the email that the health and safety of families are most important. Some students are apprehensive about returning to virtual learning after experiencing the school’s closest solution to reverting back to normal.

Bryce Cordts-Pearce, a senior at AHS, was in cohort 2 and was very fond of being back at school.

“I really liked how I was able to see to do work,” Cordts-Pearce said. “I found that the cohort system was fair and I think it was a good step in the right direction.” dents to test out the in person experience of the hybrid model. Though she thor-

the need to shut down.

“Interacting with teachers and peers was so nice and I learned much more in-person. I like being with others that I don’t typically see outside of school,” Halferty said. “I am a little bummed that in-person only lasted for a little bit, but I am glad the school is taking extra precautions to keep our community safe.”

In an attempt to reopen the school, the next obstacle that AHS must face concerns Thanksgiving and winter break, where students travel and visit family members, possibly increasing their exposure to the virus.

“I don’t think that we will be able to open, especially in full capacity. People want to be back in a “normal” setting but I don’t think that is possible because many people travel,” Halferty said.

Michaela Kenny, an AHS sophomore, wants to return to in-person learning after the holidays, but she would be most excited if the cohorts could be combined.

“If we went back to school, I would like for everyone who wants to return to go back together,” Kenny said. “I feel like this would make it easier on the students as well as for the teachers.”

Though the future of how AHS will operate is still uncertain, students are hopeful to return back to in-person learning, and even make the spring term somewhat similar to normal living.

“I was really excited for this school year, and many people were too, but the we learn and it limits what we can do,” Kenny said. “I am still hopeful that we can return and proceed with the in-person learning!”

NEWS

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Adoption rates: did they rise in valley during quarantine?

Katelyn O’Callaghan, Editor-in-Chief

Amid the udder disaster of 2020, and physical contact is scarce, screen,” Vullers said knuffelen in Dutch, is the latest -

get disconnected from nature and animals, but

by boosting oxytocin, the hormone -

to stay healthy and happy. Spending time

helps humans create bonds, regu-

beautiful and quiet and

restoring that connecPhoto courtesy of Alika Bassi Alika Bassi’, freshman at AHS’s new puppy.

as an increasing number of farmers therapy.

Photo courtesy of Koeknuffelen’s Facebook page Woman and man cuddle with cow at the Noord Empe farm.

in Applied Animal Beand Austrian scientists

and promote social bonding, creating a soothing and comforting experience.

2014 after learning about it from other farmers.

lands.

saged, or petted them.

At the Mountain Horse Farm in

of Americans considered getting a pet during quarantine. Adoption and

They also ask that people do not hug

including in our Roaring Fork Valley.

Nadia Thornely, a freshman at AHS, adopted her dog during quarantine.

“People often tell me it meant more to them than they had expected it to. They

sessions are especially popular among the younger generations due to the effects of technology.

said.

it’ll help us throughout quarantine. And anything. [Quarantine had] a really big impact of getting him,” Thornely said.

The Thornley’s, among many others, pet. Seth Sachson of the Aspen Ani-

80 and, understandably, many of them

Ava Thornely, Social Media Specialist

dog, Lucci, a Bernese Mountain Dog – Poodle mix.

be the experience one needs to bring joy, relaxation, and amoosement into their

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Mandy Hendriks, a Dutch journalist,

At the beginning of quarantine, Jen Heartly, a local parent of a 7th grader,

ging sessions, farmers stress the impor-

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situation and great experience for both,”

Clare Irvin, Staff Writer

The Aspen Thrift Shop had closed due tine, and as they completed their spring cleaning, the lack of accessibility of the -

“The Thrift Shop team is really if they are comfortable coming back to

donate, but they need to be super picky -

tion the shop is taking.

Many Aspen High School students and teachers enjoy shopping at the Thrift Store but are unable to go during the

excited to hear the Aspen Thrift shop

suggest adopting. their hands. They’re spending more time more,” Sachson said. “So, although it’s been a horrible time, for many it seems

gatherings to no more than 10 people

and third Tuesday of each month.

due to the health and safety concerns come lost in the last 8 months in order to member since 2014, is the head of the including Beth Wille, Rae Lampe,

Ellen Walbert and Diane Wallace, the shop’s co-presidents, said that “the staff

Margie Throm, decided to postpone the

just stuck,” Walbert and Wallace said

tirelessly to re-open, but safety is their

shop open to the public Thursdays and

Sarick said.

noticed that that that has taken place.” extra time once had is decreasing, and it of a puppy.

a photo of them as a student or someone Thornely said. school logo. This has grabbed the attensaid.

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days and Fridays.

When the Thrift Shop has re-opened, community members can drop off clothing donations on Wednesdays

gets busier.

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donating, click here or go to Aspenthriftshop.org.

Heartly said.

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‘The Rising Star’ Service Award Aspen’s crown jewelry maker educated young woman who has been The Rising Star’ award, is a prestiblessed to grow up in Aspen, so I know gious honor bestowed upon and earned it’s my job to take on these types of leadthrough one’s unwavering commitment ership roles and to share my view points to serving his/her community each fall. and to be that voice for the community, Here in Aspen, this award was presented especially the minorities,” Ortiz said. to Lupita Ortiz, an Aspen High School Although Ortiz’s work is far from Senior, for her participation in many done, and her commitment to serving organizations around the Roaring Fork Valley. Such organizations include: The Shining Stars Foundation, various food drives, the Buddy Program, and the Citizen Grant Review Committee. Which all rely on volunteers like Ortiz and take with large time commitments. With this impressive list of accomplishments and the obvious dedication this type of volunteering takes, it is clear Ortiz is willing to do more than most to receive this accolade.

One of many reasons Ortiz has been recongized for this award is due to her above-and-beyond work with these groups. Not only does Ortiz participate in these various activities, in some, like The Shining Stars Foundation, she has Photo couresy of Lupita Ortiz taken on the leadership role and responOrtiz poses with her ‘Rising Star’ award, earned sibility of club president. through multitudes of community service.

“I’ve had a couple people in my life pass away from cancer and these kids Aspen and the valley as a whole is just have the most amazing stories of perminet, gaining recognition for her anyone I’ve ever met. All the kids shine time and efforts is important. It is not the such a bright light and I want to build main purpose of her voluntary work, but those relationships, that’s why I really it does allow for more opportunities in want to serve in this foundation rather the future. than just join the club,” explained Ortiz.

“It feels really cool to be recognized Ortiz wants to represent minorities and for my work. I never really thought I young women in leadership positions would be receiving an award for this. I and prove the multitude of accomplishments that are achievable for everyone I won a couple days later. It’s so cool with the right mindset. that everyone notices what each indi“When I served on the board of Counvidual in this community does,” Ortiz ty Commissioners this year, one of the stated.

“I’m very thankful. I think the more members was that they were all caucaI’m involved and the more people I sian men and women in their mid 50s, meet, the more connections I make, and 60s, and 70s, that have all lived in Aspen it’s always better to know more people most of their lives. So I always wonand gain new experiences and to have dered ‘How can I bring a new perspecnew conversations. It just grows my tive or outlook to these various boards and clubs when participating?’ I am an better leader,” Ortiz said.

Jenny Ellis, Staff Writer

Emily Kinney, Editor-in-chief

Whether art or Spanish is your passion, local artist Kate Flynn wants you to pursue it. Flynn, a six-year resident at the Red Brick Arts Center, creates and sells jewelry. It was not always clear to her that art could be her profession, however.

Throughout high school, Flynn was many art courses as possible, even opting to complete an art-based independent study. However, when she entered Boston College, she chose to pursue the PreMed track and received a degree Photo Courtesy of Kate Flynn in Biology and Environmental Studies, Kate Flynn, a local artist in residency at the Red believing that those subjects were “more Brick, poses in her studio. useful in the ‘real world.’”

“By the end of sophomore year I realized wonderful work environment,” Flynn said. that my true passion was art, but it was Although the Red Bricks doors stayed too late to change majors. After graduatopen to artists during the Coronavirus paning in 2009, I decided to forego medical demic lockdown, they did not remain open school and moved to Aspen instead. It was to the public. This closure hurt Flynn’s through my lifestyle in the mountains that business, as her studio in the Red Brick I discovered my love of jewelry making,” doubled as a salespace. Undaunted, Flynn Flynn said. developed a strong online presence, turning Flynn discovered jewelry making in high to Instagram and her website to continue school when she worked as an apprentice selling products. During the pandemic, to a maker who was just getting started.

Flynn honed her photography and editing After leaving college, Flynn created her skills to effectively market on her website. own jewelry making company, Mineral “Ultimately, COVID caused my busiand Mine. This company, which started as ness to suffer in a lot of ways, but also a way to make extra money for rent, soon pushed me to work harder in areas that morphed into Flynn’s full time job. paid off. I’m incredibly proud of how far “For 5 years I made jewelry alongside my website and Instagram have come my raft guiding, ski instructing, and retail this year, and without COVID, I may not jobs; by 2014, my jewelry business had have refocused so intently on these areas,” Flynn said. pursue jewelry-making full time. I became Being an artist, while not without its a resident artist at the Red Brick later that challenges, is incredibly rewarding for year, and have never looked back,” Flynn Flynn. Tasks like bookkeeping are easily said. overshadowed by the joy of jewelry makAs a resident artist of The Red Brick, Flynn is provided with a space to create joy in creating to not ignore their passions. and sell her work, as well as a place for her “Follow your heart if art is calling you… to grow as an artist and create connections I’m now a career artist with a science within the community. degree I’ve never used, and I wish I could “I love being in a building that offers an tell my 18 year old self to major in my true immediate artist community - the option for collaboration and ‘coworkers’ who are be more valuable!” Flynn said. experts in so many mediums provides a

ASD hires new Human Resources Director, Daniel Blumberg On September 21, 2020, the ASD board of directors unanimously approved the hiring of new human resources director for Aspen School District, Daniel Blumberg. The board of directors chose Blumberg for the position after a nationwide search with a hiring committee consisting of teachers, staff, administrators, and board members.

Blumberg has wide-ranging human resources experience in academic and corporate settings. Blumberg has a masters degree of Business Administration from East Carolina University and a bachelor’s degree for science in Business Administration from the University of Arizona, Eller College of Management.

implementing new business strategies and processes that were in support of a culture of collaboration and diversity.

He also was ECU’s director of human resources information systems prior, at which position he oversaw enterprise-wide human resources projects and designed technology-based systems and analytic tools.

Blumburg joins the new leadership team led by ASD’s new superintendent, David Baugh. This team has been working diligently to meet the ongoing challenges that COVID-19 has brought upon the school district. According to the press release sent to all AHS staff on October 19, 2020, Baugh believes Blumberg lines up perfectly with what

Human Resources. Most recently, he worked as Assistant Vice Chancellor of Human Resources Operations at East Carolina University, identifying and

our district at this time. He will help us navigate COVID-19 pandemic issues and revise and improve our procedures

Kayla Tehrani, Buisness Manager

and protocols. He understands how best practices translate to change, while respecting the uniqueness of our district.

The bottom line is that we are in the people business, and our students and rative approach and front-line experience in public education human resources,” Baugh said.

Susan Marolt, president of ASD’s board of education, also discussed Blumberg in the press release. She sees Blumberg’s hiring to be of great significance to this situation. Marolt believes Blumberg’s educational experience in human resources helps usher in a new era of leadership that takes the nuts and bolts of the education of students into consideration during these unpredictable pandemic times.

“Dan’s educational experience in HR operations and strategic planning as well as business administration provides a

diverse perspective and is very relevant to our community’s evolving needs.

Streamlining processes and procedures will advance our prioritization of a culture of collaboration that will be embraced by our students, teachers and families,” Marolt says.

Talita Garcia, who is the Human Resources Specialist for ASD, feels that it will be nice to have someone new to share responsibilities with, and to have certain things that each of them will do to support ASD staff.

“Now that he [Blumberg] has begun in his position, we plan on having a little table that we will send out to all staff that to this person so that it’s clear, because there has been some confusion and a lot of question marks in the past around what it is that HR does in general,” Garcia said.

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Aspen Equestrian Team Season Update horses she has drawn.

Emily Kinney, Editor-in-Chief

With riders competing in classes ranging from varsity open equitation to junior varsity beginner equitation, the Aspen High School Equestrian team is off to an excellent start this season. The team is well on its way to qualify for Interscholastic Equestrian Zones, and riders’ spirits are high.

The Interscholastic Equestrian Association, or IEA, provides horseback riders from across the nation with the chance to compete in equestrian shows.

They do so in a unique way: at each IEA show a rider attends, they “draw” a horse from an available pool, to which each attended team adds horses. This ensures that any rider, regardless if they own a horse, can compete. Sometimes they have ridden this horse before, but most of the time, they are paired up and compete with an animal they have never worked with. This provides a challenge for riders; however, the Aspen Equestrian Team has proven repeatedly that they are able to handle it.

Hannah Yeary is a senior at AHS and team captain of the Equestrian Team.

Yeary is enjoying her last season with the team, regardless of the obstacles presented by drawing unruly horses and COVID-19 restrictions, such as not being able to stay at shows after her division to cheer on her teammates.

“My IEA season has been pretty good

some tough horses, so I didn’t place in Regardless, I am really enjoying all of our shows because it is fun to be with our team again,” Tullar said.

Riding for the AHS Equestrian Team gives athletes more than just an opportunity to compete; the team helps riders develop relationships with one another, as well as the ability to experience personal growth. Sophomore Alex Rosenberg has experienced this personal growth during her time competing in IEA. challenge for me with riding, but I feel like every season I gain more and more With one show remaining before Zones, the AHS Equine Team remains Photo Courtesy of Elsa Tullar positive about their chances of qualifyMembers of the Aspen Equestrian Team after a show last year. ing and excited about having the chance so far. I have had some really great pen Equestrian Team are close to qualito ride. Tessa Andrulatis is in the ninth draws, and some challenging, but that’s fying for Zones. Elsa Tullar, a freshman grade, and while horse shows can be what makes it fun. I am really enjoying at AHS, competes in the Varsity Intermestressful for her, she is excited with her being a part of such a big team this year diate 2’ Division. Tullar is one point, or with members from all across the valley, and Canter class this year. which is a vast change from our high ing for Zones, and is proud of her team school team of 5 people last year,” Yeary for winning Reserve Champion at their “I’m enjoying the experience of being said. second show. Even with this success, she able to ride different horses and being Many individual members of the Aswith my friends,’ Andrulatis said.

Aspen Swim Team leaps back AHS admin handles possible in the pool despite COVID-19 practice shutdown for sports Maya Lesham, Staff writer While the high school season has not yet begun, AHS swimmers are working together with the Aspen Swim Club to dive back into the pool. COVID-19 has back onto the schedule, but swimming space, construction that is taking place in the Arc, and the inability to wear a mask while in the water.

This year’s high school season, although delayed, will start January 4th, 2020, and will continue until March 4th, 2021. The coach of the school team, Katie Keel, plans on taking the utmost precautions to keep her students and herself safe during these times. In preparation for the upcoming season, high school swimmers have been training with the Aspen Swim Club over the summer. During practices and meets masks will be worn until swimmers step on the block, and regular sanitations will be made.

“Safety will be top of mind this season, and I will take all precautions I can to ensure my team’s safety,” said Katie Keel.

Changes to the swim team are not all safety and COVID-related. The team and coaches have reported already seeing a difference in team dynamics

due to COVID-19 Swim, a team sport, relies and focuses on the technique on an individual scale, but requires a strong team bond in order to excel. Emily Kinney, a senior on the swim team and Skier Scribbler editor-in-chief, gives her opinion on the shift in team dynamics.

“Team dynamics have experienced a positive shift this year due to the intense training the team endured this summer.

We didn’t have any meets, so we were able to come together as a team and just work hard for the sake of working hard, which boosted camaraderie for sure, as all had the same goal,” Kinney said.

Bonds between teammates and coaches have gotten stronger because of COVID-19, and this virus has caused another change to swimming. Both the school and club team have had to implement shorter practices and fewer people in the pool at a time due to Coronavirus, so this year’s focus zooms in on player communication and focuses less on technique because of the shortened pool time.

“We’ve all gotten a lot closer and bonded a lot more since [the pandemic] started because we’re all going through the same thing together. We’ve got along a lot better and just come together a lot more as a team,” Tehrani said.

Kayla Tehrani, Business manager

Despite the current increase in COVID-19 cases and the winter weather approaching, the Aspen High School administration is working diligently to keep sports practicing while following CHSAA and Pitkin County guidelines. Many sports in seasons B, C, and D are at risk of having practices shut down depending on the number of cases in Pitkin County and the recent snowfall.

Outdoor sports such as soccer and football practices are being shut down because of the snow. They are no longer able to practice on the turf, which means they will have to practice inside. On top of that, both outdoor and indoor sports don’t have access to the gyms because they are being used for classes during hybrid learning.

Although these sports are not allowed to ignated start date for their season, they are still running optional voluntary training and workouts with their coaches. Even though athletes have this option, weather, as well as COVID-19, could be stopping them from participating.

Martha Richards, the AHS athletic part of her job right now is communication to both parents and students. At this point, Richards is unable to get students inside to train based on both Pitkin County and our school’s health status.

“But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to, and that I’m not working really hard every sure that these teams are prepared for their season. And that’s really, really important to me,” Richards said.

Richards believes that it’s critical to have

everyone prepared for their seasons, and to get people inside to work on their strength and conditioning so that they can perform well in their season. She hopes there will be a way to get sports training, and wants to stay “cautiously optimistic.” Richards also sees voluntary training as a critical part of sports’ training because they should start to learn their plays and what they do, and be able to train before the actual season starts so that they are in shape and ready to play by when that time comes.

“I like to think of it as the coaches providing opportunity, rather than, you know, mandating a practice, which they can’t do at this time of year because we’re in an off season by CHSAA rules,” Richards said.

Although Richards is the athletic director, ultimately, the superintendent, David Baugh, and the assistant superintendent, Tharyn Mulberry, would have to give Richards the green light to start practices.

Sarah Strassburger, AHS principal, is also a decision maker.

At this point, all administration is trying training, or to start training in some cases.

Right now, the task in place is to move the teachers that are teaching in both gyms out of them so that the athletes can train there.

Additionally, Richards has devised a plan and protocol for the weight room. Strassburger believes the weight room protocol will begin the Monday after break, being November 30.

“Starting Monday after break, everyone will be able to use the weight room. Not like a free for all, but whether we’re hybrid or remote. The only way that that’ll change is if the county tells us we can’t do something,” Strassburger said.

SKIER

December 2020

Politics

Vice President in America’s ‘herstory’ Oceane Jones, Staff Writer The 2020 elections will go down in our state senator, Sarah McBride, elected to trict and Ritchie Torres representing New no gay member of the US Congress, it goes to show how the government American people. However, the social and racial barriers in the government broken these elections, the Vice President-elect of Kamala Harris is the most substantial, as South-Asian and black Vice President, but The election of Kamala Harris as Vice President of the United States is a historical moment for all of women and mankind, regardless of what party one is the daughter of immigrants to an Indian mother and a Jamaican father. She was raised to be the powerful woman that she is today with the hope of inspiring a new generation of female leaders. “My mother had a saying: ‘Kamala, you may be the you’re not the last’” said Harris-and this future vice-president. Harris became the President since the Declaration of Independence was signed 244 years ago.

Throughout ‘herstory’, or history feminist perspective, American women en’s right to vote, continued for over 100

vice-president came into existence in 1789, there have been exactly 48 Vice President. Out of those 48 vice-presidents and 231 years of the vice presidency, all have been presumed straight, white men.

When Kamala Harris starts her term as Vice President on January 20th, 2020, the United States of America will truly show the magic of democracy to represent all of the American people.

Growing up as a girl in a progressive family, I was raised to dream beyond the gender barriers of my time, such as the lack of female leads in everything from politics to sports. As of age 8, I wanted to be President of the country that I knew and loved, the United States of America. My parents not only encouraged me but also fostered my dream inspiring me to become politically active by learning where I stood on issues. I went to protests and marches for issues that I believe in most, such as the Women’s March and Black Lives Matter Movement, and learned the power of the Bill of Rights and freedom of speech. Vice President-elect Harris is a role model and icon for me, and all the women in America who dream of making a difference in the world through politics.

Harris has proven that there is a future for women in politics, even in some of the highest and most powerful roles in our federal government.

The election of Kamala Harris marks a new era for the dreams of little girls across the country, sending the message that yes, you too can hold high positions of power in this country and can be judged based not on your beauty but rather your brains. Nonetheless, our work 2024!

PAGE 8

Donald Trump is a sore loser

Courtesy of howeypolitics.com Hannah Smith, News Editor

On November 7th, Joe Biden was declared the next president-elect of the United States. Trump’s response to Biden’s lead was, well, a bunch of false, misleading statements and tweets, followed up by a nice round of golf.

Days have passed since Biden won the election, and Donald Trump has yet to concede. According to National Geographic, “President Donald Trump has given every indication that he won’t accept the result. Trump also has refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power.” accepted the election’s outcome, he has provided plenty of unsupported claims of an illegitimate 2020 election. Trump has excessively claimed that this election was rigged, illegal, full of fraud, etc, without evidence. He is using this incessant talk to shield the reality that he has lost the 2020 presidential election.

Within the last few days on Twitter, Trump has posted countless tweets about the election such as: “BALLOT COUNTING ABUSE”, “WE ARE MAKING BIG PROGRESS. RESULTS START TO COME IN NEXT WEEK. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”, and “WATCH FOR MASSIVE BALLOT COUNTING ABUSE AND, JUST LIKE THE EARLY VACCINE, REMEMBER I TOLD YOU SO!” The excessive use of caps lock and less than hourly posting comes off as desperate. It should be noted that two of the three tweets have been labeled

by Twitter with “This claim about the election fraud has been disputed”, meaning that Twitter has acknowledged the falsehood behind these claims. Not only did Twitter dispute the tweets, but they also linked evidential articles as to why these claims have been disputed. One

link leads to an article headlined, “Voter fraud of any kind is exceedingly rare in The false claims don’t stop with Twitter. At a press conference on November 5th, Trump makes multiple claims that he is winning, and that many legal votes were actually illegal.

“If you count the legal votes I easily win. If you count the illegal votes, they can try to steal the election from us,” Trump stated at the conference.

Not only has Trump provided no evidence that this election was illegitimate, but there is not evidence elsewhere of an illegitimate election. He claims that late ballots counted after election day are illegal, however, Ballots counted after Election Day are legitimate as long as they were cast on or before November 3, as per state-by-state rules.

Anyone spending this much time yammering on would need a breather, and Trump did just that. Shortly before the election outcome was released, Trump traveled to the Trump National Golf Club to play a round of golf. The fate of his presidency was unannounced, so he decided to swing some clubs. Maybe his advisors wanted him away from Twitter, as his tweets most likely were causing him more harm than good with their falsehood.

It is clear that the former president has remained in denial over the election results, even avoiding the initial defeat by doing something he felt he could win not an actual loss, rather a miscalculation. This inability to accept the election outcome makes Trump a sore loser. Loss hurts, but showing respect and being humble towards the winner is what makes someone a good sport, and a good person.

December 2020

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Politics

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Election litigation and its importance their voter base. Aronchick was quick to note that this observation

Emily Kinney, Editor-in-chief Even though countless news sources and high-level republicans recognize Former Vice President Joe Biden as the new President-Elect, President Donald Trump has yet to concede the election. President Trump is instead focusing his efforts on 16 different lawsuits against states where he claims widespread voter fraud caused his loss. The New York Times has called these allegations of

candidate and is just a noticing from his time in election litigation.

“There are candidates who bring litigation because they want to show their supporters they’re are candidates who bring litigation because even if they lost, they want to put some kind of cloud out there because they intend to run again for some

of President Trump’s cases have already been denied or dismissed from court.

It is not unusual for candidates to look for something to attribute their losses to, and they often choose to blame the election system, doing so through litigation. Over

said.

As cases regarding the most recent election continue to be brought to court, Aronchick advises his fellow Americans to do two things: get educatPennsylvania attorney Mark ed and remain patient.

Aronchick has seen many canWhile recounts might didates refute how elections add time onto when the are run. These complaints winner of an election is are occasionally brought to announced, Aronchick court, and have ranged from stresses their importance President Trump’s allegations to a fair election and of widespread fraud to the commends the people constitutionality of the ballot orchestrating the election layout in the Gore v. Bush processes in each state. election. Aronchick, of law Photo by Emily Kinney Aronchick also stressed Though unlikely, lawsuits regarding the election could reach the Supreme Court. the importance of underSegal, Pudlin, and Schiller, election illegitimate. standing the workings believes that these challenges litigation, and that’s not helpful. It’s not “In my experience over the decades, of elections, whether that be reading up helpful from a public point of view, it’s on the electoral college or understandwhen they improve the legality of elecnot helpful for the integrity of the elecated rumors and unsubstantiated stories ing what election litigation its outcome tions. However, Aronchick argues they than are substantiated,” Aronchick said. mean. can be detrimental when unfounded.

Refuting election results, both in and While non-elected candidates often “When allegations about impropri“There’re a lot of misplaced chalout of court, often starts in misconcepturn to the courts in hope of a recount or ety or fraud are made, people, general lenges because when somebody wins tions about how the election process was contest to have election results reexamvoters, and the population should be [an election], and somebody loses, that conducted. Aronchick emphasizes the ined, Aronchick suggests that sometimes demanding to know facts, not just the alfrequently bears a lot of explanation and candidates bring lawsuits for other legation, of what’s actually happening,” unfounded assumptions about why [they importance of looking into claims about election misconduct before declaring an reasons, such as publicity or maintaining Aronchick said. lost],” Aronchick said. “Sometimes those

Amy Coney Barrett: the threat to human rights Ava Cherry, News Editor

Amy Coney Barret, the new Supreme Court justice replacing late Justice Ginsburg poses a threat to American democracy and civil liberties.

Barrett’s past rulings indicate that she cannot be an inclusive or objective judge, towards people of minority religions, races, and sexual identities.

At the beginning of her career as a judge on the Seventh Circuit, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Comfor segregating its workplaces by race.

Barrett voted against accepting this case at the appellate level. Her vote asserts that she agrees with the lower court decision to uphold a racist practice that violates Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Justice Barrett apparently accepts, against historic legal precedent,

that ‘‘separate but equal’ can exist.

On the second day of Barrett’s Su-

change over time and it’s not up to me to update it or infuse my own policy views into it.”

This statement presents hypocrisy, as Justice Barrett holds a distinctly Catholic

wrote, “Judges cannot-nor should they try to-align our legal system with the Church’s moral teaching whenever the two diverge. They should, however, conform their own behavior to the Church’s standard. Perhaps their good example will have some effect.”

If Judges are the instruments of the court’s decision making, and their own behavior, according to Barrett, should conform to the church’s standards, then they are, in fact, aligning the legal system with the church’s moral teaching. By failing to exclude religious morals from the rulings in her cases, Barrett is contributing to the erosion of the separation of Church and State, thereby, infringing upon First Amendment Rights. This is no surprise, since, the so-called originalist,

rulings.

In a 1988 Law review article, Barrett

Amendment grants: freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, and protest.

ciary Committee Chairman Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., asked Judge Barrett to appears to be wedded to her self-image as a judge.

“In English that means that I interpret the Constitution as a law,” she said in response, “and that I interpret its text as text, and I understand it to have the meaning that it had at the time people

Additionally, Barrett has been open in her condemnation of a woman’s right to choose and rights for the LGBTQ+ community, demonstrating her inability to be an objective judge for all people, not only those she tolerates.

In a case involving prisoners who were injured and terrorized by guards shooting buckshot above their heads, as a means of keeping order, Barrett ruled against rett opposed the majority of the ruling, choosing to disregard the prisoner’s 8th Amendment rights, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. Moreover, she denied the legal precedent which deemed that “the right of access to the courts is an aspect of the First Amendment right to petition the Government for redress of grievances,” as ruled by the Supreme Court in Bill Johnson’s Restaurants, Inc. v. NLRB in 1983.

December 2020

SKIER

OPINION

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Jewish holidays deserve respect background and many of them, like me, are children of immigrants.

In an article from the Denver Post by Johnny Diaz, a writer for the New York Times, verbal and physical harassment, as well as some violent attacks against Jewish people have risen. “In its annual audit, the A.D.L. (Anti Defamation

In Judaism, rest is not taken lightly.

During Shabbat, it is required that you take it easy and refrain from any hard work. On other, more religious holidays, it is tradition to spend time with family and take a break from work. Teachers have to use one of their personal days if they want a day off for holidays and students must be formally excused. Not work on the holidays or spending the next week and weekend completing my assignments, but it also seems blatantly rude and unfair that Aspen High School gives Christian holidays off and does not require parents to call in. Microaggressions like these contribute to the nationwide scale of more extreme and violent antisemitism. By having only certain days off, people are taught that some holidays need the utmost attention, whereas other holidays are less of a pricatching up on assignments, rather than spending time with family.

I have the perspective of someone -

incidents in 2019, an increase of 12 per-

Maya Leshem versity, and a small town with a few minorities. Being a new resident in Aspen coming from NYC has shown me how different places in the US treat other communities. Being surrounded by little pockets of culture in such a dense city was my normal. I was used to having all holidays off whether they are Jewish holidays, Muslim holidays, Chinese holidays, etc. This should be the norm.

Each of my friends have a different

in 2018,” said Diaz.

What people don’t realize is that Jews have been persecuted for thousands of years ago. It has not been enough time for it to be funny to make “Jew jokes’’ and it never will. By AHS not putting attention on their Jewish community, and not taking awareness of our needs just like they do for other religions, they are just adding to the notion that it is okay to be ignorant and disregard Jews.

Religion should not have academic consequences. I don’t see how it matters that NYC has a larger Jewish population because no religion should ever be

and Judaism is recognized all over the world as a major religion. Aspen needs to do better.

In an article written in 2015 by Meredith C. Caroll in the Aspen Times, she addressed the issue of Ex Ed being scheduled to fall on Jewish Holidays.

This issue is not new in AHS and Aspen as a whole. “If the school tiptoes around Christmas and Easter, the same sensitivity should be shown to the Jewish calendar. There may be fewer Jews than Christians in Aspen, but the religious observations of both should be treated with equal deference,” Caroll said.

Athletes were allowed to be excused from Ex Ed because of sports, but students who wanted to celebrate Yom Kippur with their family were not able to be excused. Why does AHS take priority over sports rather than religious holidays? Teachers, staff, and students need to be seen and treated with fair intentions. “No Aspenites are asking for the Jewish holidays to be declared school-free, just for considerably more consideration during the major holidays,” Caroll said.

We can’t vote, but we can still make a change in the election

Harper Axelman As high school students who aren’t yet old enough to vote, it often feels like we’re watching from the sidelines during election season as voters decide our future. It was especially frustrating in 2016, when millions of people did not vote. To me, it felt like they were throwing away their voice in the election.

This year was different: voter turnout was higher than it had been in 50 years, and Democratic candidate Joe Biden got the highest number of votes for a presidential candidate in history, according to the Associated Press. The record-shattering turnout was the result of grassroots organizing — a resounding message to use our voices to advocate for those who need to be heard and who cannot vote.

In this election, high schoolers like me found a way to motivate others to use their voice. Senior Tessa Guthrie, president of the Aspen High School Young Democrats club, said she was inspired to be involved in politics during Donald

Trump’s presidency and wanted about our democracy,” Martin said. to make a change in this election.

Youth organizing led to historic “The choices that politicians turnout in this election, especially make are going to affect youth, among the young voting bloc. Reespecially my generation, the search by the Center for Information most,” Guthrie said. “Lately I feel and Research on Civic Learning and like they haven’t been making Engagement (CIRCLE) at Tufts Unigood decisions for our generaversity found that with more than half tion and for the future, just kind of all eligible young voters turned in of for short-term and individual their ballots this year —compared to interests.” roughly 45% in the 2016 election.

Guthrie also added that it is im“While that’s a great statistic and portant to recognize that politics one that I think is worth celebrating, affects the human rights of many it’s also important to note that young people, even though some are not people still vote at a lower rate than directly impacted by politicians’ any other age group,” Martin said. choices.

“Voting is a simple and effective way “Mostly I got involved because to make your voice heard in America, I felt like it was really importbut it’s important to understand that ant to help people around me, especially because I’m extremely change.” privileged and my school has a That may be an encouraging thought great education and I’ve been refor high schoolers who aren’t yet elially fortunate, but a lot of people gible to vote. Martin said students can aren’t,” Guthrie said. still get involved by writing letters to Social media also gives Gentheir local, state and federal represeneration Z a unique and powerful tatives and by working with organizatool to organize and make a tions dedicated to the issues they care change, even when we are not old about. enough to vote.

“Change doesn’t start and end at the “I think it’s really easy to get ballot box,” Martin said. “There’s still involved nowadays, especially a long way for us to go.” because we’re all pretty much experts in social media — we Photo by Emily Kinney This piece originally ran in the Social media campaigns, like this one run by an AHS student, Snowmass Sun as a part of the “Teen know how to do our research if help organize teen voting. we take the time,” Guthrie said.

Spotlight” program.

West Slope Youth Vote. The non-partisan, “Our opinion really is valued student-led campaign aims to inspire high During the academic year, the Snowand I think it should be valued in today’s school students to be politically active society.” mass Sun publishes a monthly “Teen across the Colorado Western Slope.

And young people can make an Spotlight” column written by a student “Because most high school students impact, by inspiring others to use their journalist from Aspen High School, part aren’t of legal voting age, politics might voice. Student representative Jeremy of an ongoing collaboration between the not feel relevant or important — but the Martin, a senior who currently serves Sun and the AHS Skier Scribbler. This truth is, whether we like it or not, it’s cru- column, by sophomore Harper Axelman, as head boy at AHS, collaborated with cial that we stay educated and conscious fellow students to organize a rally with

December 2020

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OPINION

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Ski culture of Aspen vs. Editorial: COVID-19 respect surf culture of Hanalei

Ski and surf culture align as a result of the laid-back yet passionate culture that fosters stoke and radiates positive vibes.

There are a few distinct parallels between Aspen, Colorado and HaKaelyn Kroeger nalei, Kauai due to the cohesion of their

Wearing a mask is not only a CDC regulation, it is also a common courtesy and a form of respect for the safety of all community members. Though the

down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hawaii opened its state back up to tourism on October 15, about 6 months after the rest of the US opened, giving them their own long “Hawaiian offseason”.

When I asked a local business owner if being locked down for so long was detrimental to her business, she responded with “do you want to know a secret?

I loved it!”.

Aspen and Hanalei are nearly identicalconcerning the high and possibly

are becoming more strict, they are guidelines to help minimize the spread of COVID-19 and protect our community. Even so, people are entitled to their own beliefs and opinions regarding the pandemic.

Though COVID-19 guidelines and laws may have been contentious, it is important to be considerate of others while still staying true to one’s own beliefs. Complying with the stated county regulations and abiding by are altruistic acts that can protect the greater population of people who do, or don’t, believe in the standard protocols.

Everyone should base their decisions on respect and compassion to maintain the closeness of our community.

With winter approaching fast and the expected onslaught of tourists, wearing masks and containing the spread is more bers of the community, not just the most vulnerable, is kindness at work, and people who wear masks on a daily basis, despite their own personal beliefs, are truly helping the Aspen population. Different behaviors are appropriate within different settings and, currently, wearing a mask in public is common decency, an exhibition of humanity, and the law. act that demonstrates concern for the lives of others. There is power in feeling validated, but there is an even greater power in protecting others.

The Oxymorons

Photo by Kaelyn Kroeger An afternoon on the beach in Hanalei, Hawaii

impeccable balance, endurance, and athleticism. Skiing takes stamina when skiing moguls, going hard on a powder day, or hiking the bowl for those tasty paddling out and ducking under several sets of waves, possibly getting caught in the impact zone, which can be an exhausting endeavor.

Aspen locals love offseason as it allows for a break from the physical collateral damage and emotional exhaustion imparted by tourists. Out-ofstate visitors from places like Texas and California tend to anger local citizens with their inability to drive around in the hustle and bustle of on season downtown, lack of respect for the wilderness and wildlife, and lack of understanding of being a respectful and aware pedestrian.

The same behavior can be found in Hawaii, especially a small town like Ha-

unreasonable prices offered by local businesses, shops, and restaurants, profiting off of the pockets of rich visitors.

It may not be as prevalent in Hanalei as it is unlike Aspen’s infamous high-end and luxurious atmosphere. However, on a recent trip to Hanalei, my sister and I got excited when we saw some cute tie-dye shirts hanging outside of a local shop, but were immediately driven out when we read the price tags as $50, a price Aspen businesses would likely dub reasonable. On the same token, lo-

By Emily Kinney

disregard of cost by wealthy visitors.

While these two towns are incredibly diverse in terms of geographical features, location, size, and population, there is an unmistakable resemblance that make Aspen and Hanalei comparable. The sheer beauty and joy of living that permeates them draw people in to enjoy the amazing ski or surf cultures.

Photo by Kaelyn Kroger An afternoon skiing on Aspen Mountain.

December 2020

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NEWS

PAGE 12

al; however, every chess match was designed by Garry Kasparov, the best chess player in the world. This keeps viewers with limited chess knowledge on their toes trying to understand the genius behind each game of chess.

The story takes place during the Cold War and many of the top players are Russian. Harmon travels to Russia to compete among the greatest chess

Annika Nichols, Staff Writer

To all of the passionate chess players out there and those who don’t even know what a pawn is, here is the show for you.

The limited series “The Queen’s Gamtop 10 streamings. The storyline is interwoven with intriguing plot lines for seven exciting episodes.

This series is based off of the novel “The Queen’s Gambit” by Walter Tevis, which takes place around the time of the Cold War. The storyline follows the life of Beth Harmon and her journey as an orphan, her struggles with addiction from a young age, and her brilliant talent and passion for the game of chess.

Most people are thrilled watching a touchdown or watching their favorite athlete win a gold medal in the Olympics, not watching as a player moves their pawn to B3. This is an aspect that keeps the storyline unique. The story -

Harmon is not only a pioneer for travelling to Russia during the Cold War, but she is also unique as she is one of the only women in a world of chess, and she rises to the top.

If you’re looking for your next series to watch, The Queen’s Gambit” is it.

Don’t let the fact that you know little about chess scare you away. If you’re the type who enjoys watching a genius at work, a woman who excels among a world of men, or a story about a person Photo by Oceane Jones who faces a lot of hardships, this is the show for you.

dodie “Cool Girl” debuts upcoming album Aja Schiller, News Editor

Known for her light melodies starkly contrasted with deep and powerful lyrics, dodie has amassed just under 2.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify length album in March of 2021. dodie announced the album by releasing a series of videos on her YouTube channel, doddlevloggle, and knit the letters to the album title in a hangman-esque fashion.

Build a Problem will feature twelve new songs, which is a shift from her previous EPs, composed mostly of songs that had already been on her YouTube channel.

As a prequel to Build a Problem, dodie entitled Cool Girl.

Cool Girl has a continuous melody that isn’t musically complicated, which is a shift from her previous songs that incorporate more diverse background music. Strings and harmonies are added throughout the song and the intonation of her voice dynamically changes background music while coming to a crescendo towards the end of the song.

This song tells a story about a girl, assumedly dodie, changing herself in efforts to be

with someone. The lyric, “cool girl / will be different / I’ll be quiet / I’ll be easy,” is repeated throughout the song and illustrates a strange power dynamic in the relationship. The entire song is up for a larger narrative once the full album is released.

Perhaps this song is a social commentary on the expectations of women, or maybe it’s just a song about unrequited emotions. Either way, dodie has brought another beautiful song into existence and You can anticipate the March release of Build a Problem and it’s currently available to preorder at https://www.dodie.co/.

Grand Army review

Due to the nature of these more graphic and potentially triggering parts of the show, certain sensitive viewers may want to proceed with caution or watch with a trusted adult.

The majority of the cast in Grand Army are up-andcoming actors, allowing for the audiences’ full and complete immersion in the show with no prior biases towards the actors roles in other shows. This aspect allows for a deeper connection between the Photo by Jenny Ellis watcher and the cast.

Along with that more The “Grand Army” original series that is accessible from the technical aspect of the show, the general producJenny Ellis, Staff Writer tion quality is impressive with scenes in many realistic and diverse locations.

Army, created by Katie Cappiello and With only nine episodes it is great to released on October 16, 2020, follows a group of teens living in Brooklyn and either binge in a day or draw out over a week to truly savor the short series. their journeys to survive adolescence.

The newly released series is aimed at young audiences, as it contains relatable issues facing modern day teenagers. Set in a large public inner city high school, many events and lessons important to the “Gen Z” age group.

This show is perfect for the fast paced and adventurous viewer, due to the many twists and turns and quickly moving storyline. In the pilot, a bomb goes off close to the Grand Army High School, where the characters attend, Although the show is mostly light hearted and funny, it also contains scenes regarding everyday struggles like the presence of social media or

dodie’s new album will be released in March 2021 and features “Cool

like sexual assault and drug addiction.

the watch. As a viewer, one will most of the Grand Army High School by the end of the series. The triumphs and downfalls each teen in the show faces really do shed light on the somewhat turbulent reality of being an American teen in 2020. But it also displays the potentially lesser known problems that minority groups, poverty stricken, or sexually confused kids have to deal with, allowing for education and understanding to viewers who can’t directly relate to said disadvantages. Grand Army is perfect for viewers who keep in mind all the good and tough parts of this show and how it might affect them, but also for anyone looking for a laugh.