The Skier Scribbler - October 2023

the

SKIER SCRIBBLER Volume 1

October 2023

Aspen High School

Golden Leaf Triumph: Barton Tofany Shines in Half Marathon Elsa Tullar, Editor in Chief

On September 23rd, 2023, 511 contestants including one of Aspen High Schools’ educators Barton Tofany set off on a treacherous trail run, adventuring 13.1 miles from Snowmass Village to the heart of Aspen, Colorado.

The Ute Mountaineer Golden Leaf half marathon, sponsored by Skratch Labs, Darn Tough, and presented by Adidas Terrex, is a trail running race that occurs in the Roaring Fork Valley once every year. This race is no ordinary 13.1 miles but contains over 1000 feet of vertical gain winding through the valleys and mountains of Colorado which presents a beautiful and new challenge for racers. Rated by Trail Runner Magazine as one of America’s 14 most scenic races and by the Colorado Runner as the Best Half Marathon, the Golden Leaf is one of the most beautiful foot races in the Rockies, especially during the fall season.

AHS teacher and coach of the high school track and field team, Barton Tofany decided to embark on this local challenge in order to push himself past his comfort zone as this was his first-ever trail running race. Tofany is an alumnus of AHS and has returned to teach science to students and continue on with Aspen traditions.

“When I was an athlete here at AHS, the cross country team always volunteered for it and I re-

Photo by Madelyn McAllister

Driving up Independence Pass during peak color season in Colorado can open one’s eyes and make someone’s experience truly special.

member one of the coaches when I was on the team ran it and it was really fun getting to cheer for them as they came over the finish line. Now that I’m back here coaching the cross country team I figured to give it a shot since it’s a pretty popular race in the area,” Tofany said.

Tofany ended up winning the Golden Leaf half marathon, beating 510 other competitive contestants during the longest endurance race he has ever participated in.

“A little over halfway through the race, I started cramping up and getting tired. I thought I could hear people cheering for the people behind me so I was

panicking that people were about to pass me and then I realized that it wasn’t people cheering, it was an elk bugling. It was really cool because I went from hurting and being scared that someone was about to pass me to realizing that this was a beautiful moment and something that I should be enjoying,” Tofany said.

Just three days prior to running the Golden Leaf Half Marathon, Tofany participated in Emma Coburn’s Elk Run 5K in Crested Butte, Colorado. The road on which this race is run gains about 9,000 feet of elevation in just 3.1 miles which Is quite an undertaking for all of those who participate. Emma Coburn for

whom the race is named after, is a 2016 Olympic bronze medalist who specialized in the 3000-meter steeplechase. The Elk Run is a fundraising event that supports local residents battling cancer and is in honor of Emma’s mother Annie who passed away in January 2023 after three years of battling stage four colon cancer.

Tofany ended up placing 14th against other Olympic participants with a time of 18:43.

After running this half marathon, Tofany has realized how difficult trail running really is, even for those who have been running for long periods of time.

However, Tofany has been able...

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News

Opinion

A&E

Table of Contents

ONLINE FEATURE: Kim Zimmer New Role at AHS

American Attentiveness Towards Judaism; Anti-Semitism, Anti-Israel, Anti-Education

10 Halloween Costumes for Groups

Sports........................................2

“Kimberly Zimmer is taking on the role of enhancing technology greatly at Aspen High School. She is taking it to a whole new level through her updated position as the co-director of learning and innovation. Her previous position, as a tech integrator, entailed being a resource for teachers in using...” (Online)

“The Anti-Defamation League reported 3,697 antisemitic incidents in 2022 across the United States. With 365 days in the Gregorian calendar, that accounts for roughly ten incidents per day - these are just the reported cases...” (pg 5)

“Halloween is just around the corner and it’s time to choose a costume. If you and your friends need some inspiration, here are 10 Halloween costumes for groups. A lot of these ideas are based on films and games, but others have nothing to do with that...” (pg 6)

News.........................................3 Opinon......................................4 A&E..........................................6

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October 2023

Golden Leaf Half Marathon 2023 Continued from Page 1...

He expresses his love of running and how important he believes it is to have the ability to see progression and growth in

NEWS

coach, I can watch my athletes get better.”

Tofany said. “Trail running is really hard because there is a lot of variation between races so it is harder for me as a coach to

Photo Courtesy of Barton Tofany AHS teacher and head track & field coach Barton Tofany receiving his first-place award at the finish line of the Golden Leaf Half Marathon at Koch Park.

something that you are deeply passionate about.

“This was my first trail running race and my first half marathon so I didn’t have a lot of experience with it but I can see why people like it. Trail runners think track is really boring but I think it is awesome because I can go to multiple races and as a

show my athletes their improvement and it is harder as an athlete to embrace the fact that they are getting better, even if they don’t see it on the clock. I love the idea of working hard and seeing an improvement, and because it is on a stopwatch you can see your hard work pay off in a very tangible way,”.

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AHS IB Psychology Pilot Program

Stella Iverson, Editor in Chief

Aspen High School’s IB Psychology program is one of 30 schools chosen to participate in an open book exam pilot program The study allows students to have a teacher create a ‘cheat sheet’ for their IB exams.

Sarah Ward, AHS IB Psych teacher tells us a little more on what exactly this entails. “ The paper one is part of the program, and we will be participating in an open book exam meaning that students will be able to go into the exam with essentially a note sheet,” Ward said.

Students who didn’t get to participate in the study are wondering if their work will be graded the same as the students who are allowed to have the note sheet.

Ward said, “So the curriculum is exactly the same. But all of these schools are essentially going to provide data to the IB to determine whether or not everyone will be able to do this in the future. The students who are participating in the study had to sign releases to participate and they’re going to be getting surveys regularly.”

Eileen Knapp, the IB coordinator for AHS,explained more on how the IB study is going to go.

“There’s the pilot group and then

there’s the control group. Not every student can bring their own unique piece of notes to the exam, but the students will prepare using that note sheet. The way IB is going to grade is grading them according to the same standards we need to reach the same objectives and show the same understanding analysis” according to Knapp.

AHS has many IB courses, so naturally the student body may wonder if this will extend to other IB courses, Knapp explained.

“So by 2030, the IB diploma program as a whole, is going to look very different with more flexibility and in this case, more open book exams, or that’s how they define open book exams and what they’re doing from right now.”

Knapp also talks about how they want to eliminate the memorization part of learning as much as possible.

“Maybe the language that they’re using is more accurate because they have that outlined in this specific study. Written clearly without memorization, and that’s truly what the IB is trying to do.” Knapp said.

In all, this new program could allow IB students to perform better on their exams and require less memorization with more core learning.

Countdown to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games Adeline Christensen, Sports/News Editor

“Next!” the ticket collector yells and motions for you to step forward. He quickly scans the ticket in your hand and bids a quick “thank you and enjoy the games!” in a still unfamiliar accent.

Stepping over the barrier between the outside city of Paris and the stadium, your breath hitches, and your eyes wander. People are conversing rapidly in a

hundred different languages but you hear nothing, the shiny new stadium seats, the bright country flags, foreign food, and sports gear all capture your attention.

People around you are bursting with excitement, they discuss their favorite events, who they are cheering on, and what they plan to do while in Paris. You can’t believe that you are actually here.

For years you’ve dreamed of this mo-

The infamous symbol of the international sports comeptiton; The Olympic Rings.

ment, to be here at the Olympic Games.

The four-year countdown until the 2024 Summer Olympic Games is almost over. In approximately nine months, the highly anticipated and viewed sporting events will be held in Paris, France July 26th - August 11th. Hundreds of thousands of spectators, athletes, coaches, family members, and friends will flock to the newly constructed Paris Olympic

Graphic by Trey Morrissey

Stadium beginning in August 2024. They will be there to participate, encourage, and watch the renowned world sports competition. Millions more will tune in via streaming services like Peacock TV, NBC, and radio.

The French Government has been preparing for this event since the 2017 announcement of the Paris 2024 Games.

Recent initiatives include cleaning up the Seine River, construction of a stadium, and creating new experiential ticketing packages for spectators attending the Olympics next year.

Athletes who are attending the 2024 games have trained an average of 25 hours a week for multiple years. This all in preparation for their shining moment, an opportunity to perform for millions.

Over 10,500 athletes from 80 different NOCs (National Olympic Committees) will be competing in events such as swimming, tennis, volleyball, and more.

There are a total of 45 sports included in the 2024 Olympic Games. Sports like surfing, sport climbing, and skateboarding, are some of the new and introduced sports being represented at the competition. Fans of each NOC will be cheering long and hard over this three-week-long competition.

The games are sure to be an exciting period and event for all to watch, no matter if you are attending in person or watching from the comfort of home. Here’s to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games!

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October 2023

NEWS

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Aspen High School’s New Water Filtration System

Rylee Smith, News & Sports Editor

Water. An interesting component to this Earth. But lately, it’s been a menace upon the concrete dent in our beach.

Supposedly a pond yet there are about five tablespoons of water there. It’s time to get down to the bottom of this puddle.

Construction has been both a friend and a mystery here at Aspen High School.

Many people constantly asked “when

will this be done,” or “ how long will this take,” and finally the glorious, long-awaited beach was open only to discover what appeared to be an unfilled pond. This poses both a burden and an open opportunity for anything to fulfill such open space. The question is...What was it meant for? Now before we get to the actual bottom of this, let’s talk about theories.

The new water filtration system on the beach.

Theory number one: Over the summer, the construction at Aspen High School went smoothly. A beautiful pond was built in the shape of a kidney bean with water filling every corner of its space. A beautiful sight to see and a pond was just what we needed for aesthetics. Until one night, a pack of deer met a sudden case of dehydration. One thing led to another and suddenly the water once in the pond became nothing more than a distant memory.

In hopes of mitigating the impacts on top of lost water, the school district adapted and created a filtration system to clear out excess deer backwash.

Theory number two: The swim team decided to move locations over the summer and thought it would be a good idea to swim in the pond. While practicing for the upcoming season, the number of waves and people surpassed carrying capacity, ultimately draining the ‘pool’ to what we see now. Needless to say, it never looked the same. The district once again adapted and created a filtration system to Photo by Rylee Smith get rid of the leftover chlorine.

Theory number three: Some students do not have time in the morning to finish getting ready so, in staying true to the tradition of outdoor ex-eds, students chose to bring a Nalgene and toothbrush to school, using the pond as their own personal sink.

This could reasonably explain the small amount of water there.

The Truth: Now let’s get down to what it really is. This year-long construction project is none other than a water filtration system.

Science teacher, Haylen Gonzalez-Pita commented on her understanding regarding the newly finished project.

Referred to as the ‘kidney bean’, Haylen explained, “it is part of the sustainability initiative of Aspen School District. So as water moves through the system, it goes through a series of filtration layers in order to be clean on the other end.”

She went further into explaining bond project updates given out in June of 2022 and commented, “The district has a funding of 2.1 million dollars dedicated to what they’re calling ‘sustainability’,” which is ultimately what is seen through this system.

Overall the water filtration system can play an important role at Aspen High School yet, a dried up pond is also an interesting story.

Pandora Expansion Comes to Aspen 2023-24 Ski Season Araya Thompson, Staff Writer

This 2023-2024 winter,a new ski terrain is opening. The expansion in this terrain is the first huge addition on Aspen Mountain since 1985. Originally the addition was named Pandora but has recently been changed to Hero’s as a tribute to a number of people who helped with the development of the terrain. The names of some of the trails are also attributed to people who have contributed to the growth of Aspen Mountain. One of these names is “Mike Drop”, for Mike Kaplan, a recently retired CEO. Some other trails are named after historical figures, including Aspen’s first female ski instructor, Elli Iselin and 10th Mountain Division soldier, Percy Rideout.

Hero’s will be 153 acres on the north side of Aspen mountain, with the addition being the mountain’s biggest growth since they opened the Silver Queen Gondola in 1985. They placed this new addition specifically on the western side of the mountain making it the perfect place to hold snow in seasons with less natural snowfall. Hero’s will raise Aspen Mountain’s skiable terrain by more than 20%, with three gladed areas, four cut trails and nineteen new chutes. This also includes extending some existing runs like Walsh’s and Kristi. The inclusion has added 1220 vertical drop as well as getting rid of the tough hike out at the bottom. The addition gives expert skiers

a lot to celebrate but there are many new additions to help the intermediate skiers with more groomed runs.

Hero’s is part of a four mountain master plan to update each of the mountains at least once a decade. The proposal for the Hero’s development was planned to be included in the 2017 plan, but was pushed back from technical zoning concerns. The expansion is not huge in terms of ski resort expansions and may even be considered on the smaller side compared to skiable additions in the past. The addition will also improve the skier circulation and limit the crowding around the Ajax chair. The updates on the mountain started summer of 2022, with cutting the trees for the new runs and lift construction following close after as well as the addition of new snowmaking lines. Some of the removed trees were sent to a nonprofit Farm Collaborative to create a new building at the campus at Cozy Point Ranch. Otherwood was sent as firewood to the residents on the backside of Aspen Mountain. A goal for Skico this season is to focus on learning more about the control of avalanche risks on the new terrain. So this winter season when the gates to Heros is closed, ski patrol is asking people to stay out so they can successfully and efficiently learn the ins and outs of the new terrain.

There have been some concerns about

the effects of the environment and how the expansion will affect wildlife, but Aspen Ski Co. has emphasized these concerns during the project by making sure that the expansion will, in some ways, be beneficial for the forest’s health, in no way harming the elk that live in the area. Although there have been precautions put in place for the definite health of the environment, critics say that the expansion should be “assessed through a wider environmental lens”.

Ski Co. officials asked Scott Fitzwilliams, the White River National Forest Supervisor about how he would address the issues this could cause the environment. At the meeting Fitzwilliams said that the Forest Service review ended with the conclusion that Photo Courtesy by Araya Thompson there are and will continue Snowboarder enjoying the snow on Aspen Mountain. to be minimal effects to may affect the elk during the summer. the local wildlife and no disturbance to Some other impacts that are more perthe wetlands. There may also be some manent will be access to roads, lifts, and benefits from the logging on the Eastsnowmaking pumps and ponds. All other side of the mountain and impact on the effects will be temporary.

161 acres of ground covering foliage that

SKIER

Opinion

The Stereotype of Homecoming

October 2023

Lauren Kinney, Social Media Editor

Homecoming, the day no one forgets.

In the United States at most highschools, homecoming is a large part of the year.

The ninth through twelfth graders get the homecoming jitters. The school swarms with questions about dates, dresses, and themes. The idea of homecoming is magical and everyone hopes it will be better than last year, but in reality it only gets worse. Most components of homecoming are overwhelming as well as over hyped. I know the struggle that is not talked about and instead swept under the rug.

Finding the Perfect Outfit: The stress of finding a fantastic outfit is real. The dance theme is very hard to find in a dress. How does one find an outfit that fits the theme of “Out of this world”? Even though the travel to space is short, I still do not think you could find a fitting outfit. Even if you decide to go off theme, you still need to find a special dress to capture the special day.

You don’t wanna repeat the classics from last year, but your shipment from Lucy In the Sky is not gonna come in time.

Finding your Ideal Date: All of a sudden the homecoming sea-

son comes around, and everyone wants a partner. Although everyone is in the market for one, dates seem hard to come across. The school goes back in time to middle school dating when everyone is scared of each other. Your friends attempt to set you up with people that they think would be a “good” match, but in reality you would rather go alone.

The Ask: Once the whirlwind of finding a date is secured, the ask if the next big thing.

The classic move is to do it during lunch in the commands so everyone knows your personal life. The claps and the

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endless cheering make it all that much more memorable. Also you might get asked in the privacy of your own home which could be good or bad. Regardless of the ask, the photo after is always has awkward tension.

The Homecoming Week Itself: The whole week leading up homecoming is filled with themes and “fun” games. The themes get tackier and tackier every year. Some themes are impossible to shop for, and you might as well go to your grandma’s lunch club and borrow some statement pieces from them.

Is Dance as we Know it Dead?

age of 65. Maybe it’s because dance was Since the beginning, Aspen has been a thing before technology became preva culture-rich community full of music, alent, so it brings a sense of nostalgia. festivals, and dance. In March 2020, Maybe younger people are not acquaintduring the pandemic when the entire ed with the value of dance performances. valley shut down many people believed that Aspen’s culture would never be the same. Over time, the music and festivals came back but the last to reemerge from the pandemic was dance. Since 1991, Aspen has had a resident dance company: Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, founded by Bebe Schweppe. Aspen Santa Fe Ballet then became a world-renowned touring contemporary dance company, but when Aspen Santa Fe Ballet laid off all of its full-time dancers for good, the future of dance in Aspen was uncertain.

After Covid, the world of dance was forever changed. There was a 100% decrease in ticket sales because going to the theater during Covid was not the wisest thing to do, ballet companies were not receiving any income, and dancers suffered the consequences. Almost 80% of dancers filed for unemployment during the pandemic and 50% were still unemployed in late 2021. The popularity of dance has been going down since the rise in technology, but Covid 19 pandemic exacerbated this. The importance of culture has been dropping significantly, so what many are asking is: why should people care about the death of dance if dance was already dying? Dancers have never been paid a fair living wage for the work they do, while it’s been proven that dance is the most physically demanding job in the U.S. followed Aspen Santa Fe Ballet school students after class. up by professional athletes. It’s all about what people want to watch, and for some reason, people don’t want In short as an aspiring dancer, the future to watch dance. of dance is scary.

As a dancer myself the steady decline Dance companies were not the only of support for dance has been concernexample of dance that shut down during ing. If I ever attend a dance performance the pandemic. All dance schools and the majority of attendees are over the studios were closed and dance training Sara Kershow, Staff Writer

in person was halted. Many pre-professional dancers brought out their at-home barres and ballet floors and trained in tiny rooms on Zoom. This created a loss of hope for many dancers and caused

not 100% true. Since 2020 the world of dance has been slowly resurrected.

There are still many who have always been large supporters of dance companies and continue to show immense support for the struggling industry.

The former Aspen Santa Fe Ballet dancers came together in 2021 and created an entirely new company called Dance Aspen, since its creation they’ve brought in many amazing choreographers and put on many performances. Additionally, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet launched its Fund for innovation in dance and has brought many world-renowned dance companies to Aspen, the most recent being Complexions Contemporary Ballet.

Nevertheless, the general public is still clueless about what happens in the ballet world. However through TikTok and ever-changing fashion trends, ‘ballet core’ has become one of the most popular fashion styles of 2023, additionally on TikTok many ballerinas have been sharing how they use their pointe shoes, elevating the awareness of dance. This is making many young people want to attend a ballet or dance performance, pushing the art father into a direction of longevity.

So basically it’s up to you to bring back dance even stronger than before the pandemic and support the many dancers, choreographers, and teachers who share their love for dance with the world every time they perform. As much as dancers dance for themselves because they love the art form, they also dance for the audience, sharing the love and passion dancers have is one Photo by Sara Kershow of the most important parts of a dancer’s job. Take a look at the upcoming winter seasons for Aspen many aspiring dancers to quit.

Santa Fe Ballet and Dance Aspen. Going Although lots of evidence points to to the ballet is not just for the old and the death of the dance world, and there cultured, and I speak for all dancers, is no hope for it ever to come back, students to professionals, seeing a dance because no one cares about culture performance means so much more to the and all dancers are unemployed, that is dancer than you could ever imagine.

October 2023

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American Attentiveness Towards Judaism: Anti-Semitism, Anti-Israel, Anti-Education

concentration camps, and extermination had learned about the Holocaust it was Quintessa Frisch, Editor-in-Chief camps, such as the Warsaw Ghetto, Maj- rushed through and did not accurately The Anti-Defamation League reportdanek, and Auschwitz-Birkenau. explain the depth to which many events ed 3,697 antisemitic incidents in 2022 Before this trip, I thought I knew more happened. Antisemitism appears more across the United States. With 365 days about the Holocaust than I did. I was ex- prevalent at Aspen High School than in the Gregorian calendar, that accounts pecting and prepared to learn a lot more many are aware of. From what I have for roughly ten incidents per day - these and gain new experiences, especially by noticed, the majority of antisemitism are just the reported cases. I don’t doubt experiencing the sights myself, but I rethat I have witnessed at school has been that this already immense number is an mained shocked by the amount I did not Holocaust-related, with instances rangeven larger amount in actuality. Anknow about the Holocaust. For a week ing from swastikas in the bathrooms to tisemitism in the United States is on the straight, we visited countless sights. offensive jokes or remarks. While there rise. According to the Anti-Defamation Whether it was museums, memorials, is never an excuse for antisemitism, I League, there has been a 36% increase cemeteries, or camps, it continuously think it would be fair to assume that an in antisemitic incidents in the United became harder throughout the week. I increase in Holocaust education would States from 2021 to 2022. had never been in a situation in which I directly correlate with a decrease in Although not always the case, there is a direct correlation between antisemitic and anti-Israel incidents in the United States. There was a surge of antisemitic incidents in May of 2021 amidst the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Out of the 387 incidents occurring during May 2021, 297 occurred during and after May 10, when military action emerged and violence broke out in Israel, Gaza, and surrounding areas. With a reported 148 percent increase in May 2021 to the previous year, the correlation between antisemitic incidents in the United States during times of Israeli tension is evident. Not every American Jew is a Zionist; however, whether Zionist or not, most American Jews have had no influence over Israeli politics in their life.

“While we have always seen a rise in antisemitic activity during increased hostilities between Israel and terrorist groups, the violence we witnessed in America during the conflict last May [2021] was shocking. Jews were being attacked in the streets for no other reason than the fact that they were Jewish, and it seemed as if the working assumption was that if you were Jewish, you were blameworthy for what was happening half a world away,” said ADL CEO and National Director, Jonathan Greenblatt.

As antisemitism seems prevalent throughout the entirety of the United States, it is no surprise that it shows up in Aspen and the valley - specifically at Aspen High School. Whether it is hearing offensive statements walking Photo by Quintessa Frisch by, watching students draw swastikas The Israeli flag waving on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem on July 31, 2023. in class, or seeing them marked on the walls of the bathrooms, it makes me wonder, are people really this blatantly had to continuously process new, heavy antisemitism in the school district and antisemitic, or are they just uninformed emotions without a break. With the inoverall. and ignorant? adequate amount of Holocaust education According to the American Jewish This summer, I went on a United that Aspen High School offers, I wonPopulation Project Data by the SteinSynagogue Youth (USY) program that dered if the week would’ve been easier hardt Social Research Institute, 1.4% traveled to Israel and Eastern Europe. to get through and comprehend if I had of Colorado’s population is Jewish - in With about 40 kids, we visited Poland, more realistic expectations.

Aspen, there is not an exact percentage Germany, and the Czech Republic The Holocaust education in the Aspen of Jewish residents. When I was talking before spending about a month in Israel. about my summer plans prior to my trip In Eastern Europe, most of our time was School District is insufficient - I don’t think it would be reasonable to say that to Israel, I received mixed emotions and spent learning about Jewish culture beresponses. fore and after the Holocaust in larger cit- throughout the entirety of my time in Aspen, I have spent more than 5 or 6 When talking to Jewish people, I ies such as Prague, Warsaw, and Berlin, days learning and being educated about tended to get more positive reactions. as well as the villages and towns in bethe Holocaust. The few moments that I People were excited for me; they asked tween. Additionally, we visited ghettos,

what sites I would be seeing, what I was looking forward to, and which program I was going with. When talking with non-Jewish people, about 90% of reactions came across as less enthusiastic and insincere. It seemed as if people were curious about why I wanted to go to Israel but were afraid to ask - to me, this overlapped with anti-Israel views.

Many Americans are in disagreement with The Israeli Government. The political state of Israel has been unstable since 1948, when the State of Israel was established - on the same day, the State of Israel was recognized by U.S. President Harry S. Truman. Since 1948, Israel has been under immense pressure from surrounding nations, evidently in constant conflict.

This summer, the Knesset reduced the power of Israel’s Supreme Court judges.

Previously, the idea of “unreasonableness” was used to overturn policies by higher governmental authorities. The decision this summer implemented fear that Israel would turn into an undemocratic state. Protests were vibrant in Israel throughout the majority of the summer, before and after the Israeli Parliament’s decision.

Considering that this evokes more democratic power in Israel, this is conceptually similar to the ideologies of many American Democrats. One would think that this would encourage support for the Israeli Government on behalf of the United States. However, many Americans’ views on Israel seem to be solely based on their views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. According to Gallup, there is a partisan divide regarding the support of Israel - Democrats tend to lean away from Israel and towards Palestine instead.

“After a decade in which Democrats have shown increasing affinity toward the Palestinians, their sympathies in the Middle East now lie more with the Palestinians than the Israelis, 49% versus 38%,” Gallup reports. “Today’s attitudes reflect an 11-percentage-point increase over the past year in Democrats’ sympathy with the Palestinians. At the same time, the percentages sympathizing more with the Israelis (38%) and those not favoring a side (13%) have dipped to new lows.”

Republicans show higher support for the Israeli Government; 66% are in favor opposed to the Palestinian government, according to the Pew Research Center. Considering the crowd of people I talked to, the majority of the group were seemingly Democrats, or just considerably left - the anti-Israel responses I received aligned with this research.

Although not every anti-Israel person is antisemitic, the relevance of antisemitism in the United States is not up for debate, and a lack of education does nothing but contribute to this - specifically, a lack of Holocaust education.

October 2023

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opinion

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Ten Unique Halloween Costumes for Groups Sara Michelin, Staff Writer

Halloween is just around the corner and it’s time to choose a costume. If you and your friends need some inspiration, here are 10 Halloween costumes for groups. A lot of these ideas are based on films and games, but others have nothing to do with that. Read this article to get costume inspiration for this year’s Halloween!

Barbie and Ken Grab your pink clothes, because after the huge success of the Barbie movie starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, Barbie might just become a popular costume idea this year. The various styles of Barbie and Ken, like their black and pink cowboy outfits, can be a creative way to dress up as a couple this year. There are plenty of warm outfits for Aspen’s cold Halloween.

Men in Black If like your school work, you procrastinated a Halloween costume, Men in Black is a good last-minute costume.

Raid your dad’s closet and throw on his finest black suit, tie, and sunglasses to recreate this iconic look.

Mario and Luigi Mario and Luigi are a nostalgic duo.

If you’re going to be Mario, you’ll need a red crewneck, denim overalls, The signature Mario hat, and white gloves if you’re extra chilly. The Luigi costume is very similar. You’ll need a green top, rather than red, as well as the Luigi hat.

Frat Boys If you need a funny costume idea, Gia and I are recruiting Members to join our Halloween frat. All you’ll need is khaki jorts, a polo shirt with a loose tie, sunglasses, a backwards hat, high white socks, and Birkenstocks or any type of slides. Add a red solo cup to really pull the look together.

The Scooby Gang This group costume is very flexible.

You can go as a pair of the characters, or the whole group. You’ll need someone to dress up as Shaggy, Velma, Daphne, Fred, and Scoobert (scooby) Doo. Winnie the Pooh Whether you are planning on dressing up as a duo, or a group, Winnie the Pooh is a flexible idea, just like the Scooby Gang. There are plenty of characters to pair up and choose from. You could

simply buy onesies on Amazon to create this costume. It’s a warm and comfortable option.

Subway Surfers I’m sure everybody has played Subway Surfers at least once. For Ticky, you’ll need low-rise baggy jeans, with red boxers underneath, a black belt, a white tank top, a red beanie, black glasses, and white shoes with a green accent.

the little attire you need. Your group will need to get hard hats and construction vests. Add a gallon water jug to really look like you belong.

Teletubbies This costume is a simple one for a group of four. There are multiple ways you can dress up as the Teletubbies, but the most comfortable one is simply getting a onesie. But if you feel like putting

bow tie, and a brown hat. The golden ticket is not required, but it is encouraged! An Oompa Loompa costume can be done in a lot of different ways. If you want to go all out, you’ll need to get orange body paint, a green wig, brown and white striped socks, a brown longsleeve, white pants, suspenders, and finally, white gloves.

With these costume ideas, hopefully,

Comic on everyone forgetting Wednesday Addams, and everyone becoming Barbie for Halloween, instead of Wednesday.

Artwork by Treymon Morrissey

To recreate Jake, you’ll need a baseball white cap with a red brim, a red t-shirt under a gray hoodie with a denim vest, paired with jeans, and white shoes. Carry a spray paint bottle to really complete the look.

Construction Workers This costume idea works for a group of any size. It is easy to execute, given

in more effort than that, you can get big t-shirts or hoodies that correlate with the Teletubbies’ colors and add a silver rectangle to the bottom of it. Don’t forget the headband with the shape on top!

Willy Wonka and his Oompa Loompas Beyond the khaki pants your dad might already own, you’ll need a red blazer,

this year we can retire those cat ear headbands and witch hats. Now that you’ve read this article, there’s no excuse for boring costumes. Whether you take inspiration from this article, or you already have a costume planned, make smart choices this year.

gives you instant OCD. I hate to be the vibe killer, but this topic needs to be addressed. Why does one feel the need to create gaping holes into a pumpkin in an attempt to make it look like a witch? Once you create the gaping holes you must stick your hands into “guts” and pull them out individually.

The guts are slimy and have the texture of a dirt worm.

I can not fathom how in other countries their decor consists of Roman buildings and famous artwork, but in the

United States, we chose to value a cutopen pumpkin.

In order to persuade my point a little further, think back to your trick-or-treating days (maybe some of you are still in them). Imagine yourself running up to a front door and knocking, waiting for someone to come out with candy. During this waiting period, did you ever care to glance at the pumpkins down below?

Did you ever think to yourself “Wow that pumpkin is a beautifully carved pumpkin” I know you’re thinking ‘No”.

Please do not lie.

With my point being made, I think there needs to be an initiative for change around this tradition on Halloween. Why don’t we begin to let kids take more than one piece of candy? We could even just leave the pumpkins in the pumpkin patch. I truly believe that abolishing pumpkin carving would create a shift in the aura of Halloween.

Hot Take: Pumpkin Carving is Stupid Lauren Kinney, Social Media Editor

October 31. A day some look forward to, and some dread. On this day Americancitizens scramble to create the most “unique” Halloween costume. But in reality, the same ten outfits are on repeat.

Once dressed in your costume, you proceed to trick-or-treat on people’s porches. On every porch, there is a pumpkin.

Not just an orange festive pumpkin. But a pumpkin with uneven cuts and juice spewing out from all sides. One may call this fun, but I refer to it as the object that

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How to Remember the 21st Night of September

Gia Galindo Bartley, Opinion and A&E Editor

The school year has finally begun, and fall is right around the corner. As autumn leaves and temperatures fall, September always seems to be the time that gets everyone excited for the new year.

Here are a few ways to make everyone’s favorite night of the month (courtesy of Earth, Wind & Fire) one to remember.

Go Stargazing While the 21st does fall on a Thursday, that doesn’t mean the fun has to be cut short. Whether you choose to drive up Independence Pass, find an empty field, or just sit out on the porch, look up! If you want to look out for constellations, a few that are visible this month are Aquila, Cygnus, and Capricornus. Remember to bring a blanket and jacket, though, as the average night temperatures for the month sit in the low forties.

Fall Baking Be honest, who doesn’t love staying in and eating baked goods? Exactly. Search through Pinterest and make a shared board with friends, pick out a couple of cute recipes like Taylor Swift’s Chai

Bryson walking through Aspen, CO in September, 2023.

Cookies or something from your parents’ old cookbooks, and go shopping for ingredients. Put Gilmore Girls on in the background and enjoy some tea while you wait!

Photo by Gia Galindo Bartley

Movie Night Invite over some friends, pick out a few fall movies everyone loves, and cuddle up and enjoy the perfect chill night. Fan favorites include The Edge of Seventeen, When Harry Met Sally, and

You’ve Got Mail. ( Or Perks of Being a Wallflower and Dead Poets Society; if you’re in your feels, I’m not judging.)

Bonus points if you combine #2 and #3.

Backyard Camping While not the most conventional, the 21st falls during the school week, so you have to work with what you’re given.

Take the tent out of storage, pull out the sleeping bags, and enjoy the fresh air.

(Without leaving the comfort of your home!) You can’t camp without some fireside snacks, so don’t forget to try out some Stovetop Smores. (Don’t knock it till you try it).

See Where the Night Takes You Get dinner at your favorite restaurant and find other activities to fill your night!

Let go of any expectations and just leave the house. (Night drives to Taylor Swift are a personal favorite.) Channel your inner book character and live life to the fullest for a night; say yes instead of no, and see where it takes you (safely of course.) Or combine all five on the list and attempt to wake up for school in time the next day!

The Experience of a Teenage Girl in the 21st Century

Gia Galindo Bartley, Opinion and A&E editor,

Girlhood. A term sweeping every girl’s phone and soon, the world as we know it. But what is “Girlhood,” and what does it really mean to be a teen girl in this day and age?

Girlhood is crucial because it represents the experience of a teenage girl in a way that hasn’t been done before; Girlhood is for women, by women.

While many may see this as just another silly trend, it is much more than that.

Girlhood is a movement. Girlhood is finding beauty in the small things while still acknowledging the struggles of being a woman all at once. Women finally have a community online where they can express themselves freely and connect with other experiences like their own, while still holding that individuality that is essential in this day and age, considering the “mob mentality” many online take on.

A few online creators are significant contributors to girlhood and its popularity. One major player is Drew Afualo, who started the comedy podcast “The Comment Section” where she touches on many feminist issues while scrolling through TikTok comments, this podcast has had major success. She is now a well-known name throughout the internet. Afualo, who got her start by responding to misogynistic comments and videos on TikTok while receiving her fair share of hate, now has over 7 million followers on the platform. Afualo, who is of Samoan descent, is also a huge voice for POC women within the movement, which in part has to do with her major success.

This is not to forget the countless musical artists who contributed to girlhood even before the term was popularized.

These are artists such as Lana Del Rey, Erykah Badu, Taylor Swift, Fiona Apple, Mitski, Lorde, And many more. Music is a huge part of girlhood. To listen to a song and say to yourself, “Wow, this is exactly how I feel,” is an essential part of the female experience (of any human experience, really). There are also numerous visual and performance artists that also contribute to the feminist movement. One of the most famous performances starting a new wave of feminism is Rhythm 0 By Marina Abramović in 1974. In this performance, Abramović placed 72 items on a table; among those items were perfume, lipstick, a knife, and a loaded gun. She placed herself in the middle of the room, and for 6 hours, the audience was at liberty to do anything they wanted to her, leaving them only with the phrase, “During this period, I take full responsibility.” During this time, she allowed the audience to dehumanize her completely.

One person cut off her clothes, another cut her neck and quite literally drank her blood, and finally, around the end of the performance, a person placed a loaded gun to her head, wrapping her fingers around the trigger in pursuit of a reaction from the artist. This prompted a fight throughout the audience due to the interference of many who believed it had gone too far. As the performance ended, Abramović walked through the crowd, finally showing a reaction after 6 hours of complete detachment. Many in the crowd who had done these things

to her couldn’t stand to interact with Girlhood is the shared experiences that her and promptly left after seeing her shape who we are and who we become. come “back to life.” “The experience I It reaches past the silly tiktoks like “girl drew from this piece was that in your dinner,” but isn’t solely the struggle only own performances, you can go very far, women experience daily. The influence but if you leave decisions to the public, of girlhood has made the internet a you can be killed,” Abramović said in place where women feel included and reflection of the piece. understood rather than the constant Performances like Rhythm 0 fuel criticism that pits women against each the feminist movement; while Mariother. Girlhood isn’t the solution to these na’s work pushed the limits of social problems, but it’s most definitely a look commentary, the meaning and intention at a brighter future. of her pieces resonate deeply with many women. This is why art of all kinds is crucial to the community surrounding girlhood; the commentary on these issues is not insignificant in the slightest. In fact, a study

by RAINN states that 1 out of every 6 American women have been sexually assaulted in their lifetimes. And a devastating addition to that statistic is that 66% of those cases account for women Photo by Gia Galindo Bartley aged 12-17. Items found in the backpacks of AHS girls.

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Aspen Tree Carvings: A Silent Threat to Nature’s Beauty

Greta Holton, Staff Writer

This fall of 2023, the iconic yellow leaves of the Aspen trees are predicted to be seen less and less. As the population decreases and the mountains become more sparse, the “hopeless romantics” who carve hearts into trees (it is not as romantic as you think) unconsciously become cereal killers.

When living in a highly visited mountain town, it is common to see the natural beauty being mistreated, especially when hiking the local trails and being surrounded by a future graveyard of Aspen Trees, bleeding out sap from carvings. It may seem cool to put your initials with those of your long-distance, low-commitment, casual significant other onto a tree, but from everyone else’s perspective, it is not. In reality, tree cuts are very similar to humans. It is the same as a cut to the human arm, opening a portal for infection.

Depending on how deep the cut is, it may disrupt the cells below the bark, phloem, and xylem that are responsible for transporting water, sugar, and other nutrients throughout the tree. Carving or other bark damage can cause the tree to starve to death due to this cellular disruption. Overall, it kills the living organism that literally holds up the town of Aspen.

Carving on trees is another form of graffiti, except for the fact that the carvings are permanent and cannot be undone. Whoever carved on the tree

has forever changed the scenery and the course of the entire ecosystem. Another factor is the chain reaction that starts once other visitors see these carvings and think it is alright to carve on the trees. Which leads to more damage and eventually the deaths of multiple living organisms.

Aspen bark is not like the bark of a pine tree Douglas fir or any other conifer. Their white trunks don’t have a protective, rough shield. It is noticeable that even your fingernail can penetrate the top layer of bark, easily breaking that green layer of chlorophyll. Which is a natural delicacy to many creatures, including a slew of beetles. Aspen Borer beetles are known for attacking Aspen trees. They target stressed trees to lay their eggs in cracks and crevices of the bark. The injury is escalated by the larvae feeding on the inner wood of the trunk. Their tunneling weakens the wood and allows the invasion of canker and decay.

According to Utah State University, “An opening in the bark is an opening for fungi”. Healthy bark is resistant to infection. In general, fungi infect a tree through dying twigs, cracks at branch unions, or access made by insects. It grows first through the wood and then into the bark, killing cells as it spreads into healthy tissue. The fungus continues to colonize the tree and eventually girdle it. Girdling is killing a tree without actually cutting it down, in the case of

beetles and fungi. Many trees are connected through an underground fungal network.

These networks can spread diseases one tree has incurred from the damage to the bark from carvings. On most trees, the bark will scab over similar to human skin. All factors eventually leading to the death of the Aspen tree within three to eight years.

In all seriousness carving on trees can get someone into trouble, and possibly arrested. Technically as of right now, there is no specific law against carving initials in a tree.However, there is a law against vandalism. And that’s what carving initials in a tree is. Especially illegal in US National Parks and National Forests, as well as other protected spaces. Vandalism punishable by fines of up

Photo by Greta Holton to $500 and even jail time.

Human induced carvings on local Aspen Trees in the Roaring Making someone look even Fork Valley. less cool after they decided literally not be possible. Especially livcarving a tree is a romantic date idea. ing at a high altitude, towns do not have Trees do not deserve to be carved on a large amount of oxygen. Why make it for the enjoyment of others. They are the even harder to survive for all living orfoundation of Aspen’s ecosystem as well ganisms? Spread awareness and prevent as several other communities around the tree carvings. If you see any “hopeless country. Trees provide so many aspects romantics” carving a large heart into a for local ecosystems (like oxygen) and tree, educate them on the murder they if all the trees disappeared, life would are committing.

Challenges of Shorter Attention Span Among Teenagers seconds, and the attention span has decreased by about 25% from the year 2000 to 2015, meaning that the attention span in 2000 was about 12 seconds. We can partially blame this on social media.

Scrolling through TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, playing video games, etc., has taken up much of our time.

Some students dove deeper into this topic and thought of some possibilities on why teens have shorter attention spans. Story Rondeau is a Senior at AHS. “When I was younger, I used to watch hour-long YouTube videos and not get bored; now, when I scroll through TikTok, I start to get bored while watching a 15-second video,” Rondeau said.

Our technology gives us everything we want to know

Photo by Olivia Cook at the touch of a button.

AHS advanced journalism class attempting to stay focused.

Search engines allow people Olivia Cook, A&E Editor to access information within The average attention span of a human a few seconds easily. Social media fuels is shorter than a goldfish, according to our brains whenever we feel it necesYour Teen for Parents. Various students sary. So when a person is off their phone have difficulties engaging in one thing and has to focus on something, such as for an extended period, and the ability to somebody talking to them or working on focus slowly degrades among teenagers. a project, it is easily sidetracked because According to The Treetop Therapy, the it takes more time and effort than quickaverage human attention span is 8.25 ly looking at something on their phone.

Haylen Gonzalez-Pita, an AHS science teacher, describes why most teachers are stern about using the phone pockets because it takes away from learning time.

“Cell phones and social media’s purpose is to hone in on what distracts people, so there is no way I am going to win a student’s attention between me and what is on their phone.”

Other than social media, some other aspects contribute to attention loss. Not getting enough sleep can broadly impact how long our brains process information.

When students do not get the recommended 8-10 hours of sleep, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, it discourages the body from wanting to do a task, especially if they are not emotionally engaged.

If a person is unwilling to participate in a task, it is harder to complete it successfully. This relates to why students might lose attention or start going off task while in a lecture.

A teacher at AHS, Kate Korn, stated, “It depends on how you interact with students in your lessons; if you are just standing up and lecturing, you will probably notice a lack of attention.”

On the other hand, students will stay occupied longer when they are interested in an assignment. Gracen Rogers is a Senior at AHS. “I notice that classes I am interested in and apply to my everyday life are much easier to focus on for a longer time, rather than classes I do not find as interesting,” Rogers stated.

As a school, we need to consider the amount of attention students/staff have and link it to the ability to get work done efficiently and effectively.

“From my perspective, if I am bored with what we do in class, the students will also be bored. So if I am engaged while teaching, I know that students are more likely to be engaged,” said Gonzalez-Pita.

Students have expressed ways teachers can help prepare kids for their class. If students agree to try their best to focus when appropriate throughout lectures or quiet work, starting the period with a few minutes of free time, whether it is to take a few deep breaths, socialize with peers, or get out their supplies, would be beneficial to the rest of class time.

Building a trusting relationship between teachers and students to respect their hopes for a few minutes of free time at the beginning of each class will fuel the expectation to stay focused throughout the rest of the class.

Only time will tell what is going to happen with the development of attention span and how technology will affect our generation and those to come.

This concept leaves some nervous for the future. Jessica Vesey, a Senior at AHS, feels this, “If iPhones have only been around for 16 years and the human attention span is already decreasing, it is scary to think about what the next generation is going to be like.”

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Parking at Aspen School District The Whopper Theory Olivia Cook, Opinion and A&E Editor

As we get into the flow of the 2023/24 school year, seniors are eager to park in the lot. After being warned, ticketed, and booted, seniors get to park at school without worry. Many spots are open for seniors with parking passes, but some students have concerns about the logistics.

Students were able to register for a pass on August 3rd. Maria Eshelman, AHS administrative assistant, sent an email stating that a $75 fee was required to receive a pass along with filling out a Google form. All students must do is stop by the office, state their student ID number, grab their pass, and go.

This year, there was a “first come, first serve” system, meaning whoever was to purchase a pass first got one.

However, there is another aspect to that approach. Seniors are not guaranteed a spot this year, it’s whichever students get to the lot first will get a spot this year. Some seniors are getting angry about this order, feeling like since we are not guaranteed a spot, it will make it easier for students without a pass to park in the lot. However, many spots are left five minutes before school starts, so there is nothing much to worry about.

Jessica Vesey, a senior at AHS, says,

“Being able to get to school and not have to worry about fighting for a spot on the rim is such a relief.”

The process has been running smoothly, although some sneaky juniors have been trying to finagle a pass. Unfortunately, they do not realize that the codes on the passes connect to students’ license plates; therefore, no one can put a pass up in their car and get away with it if it does not belong to them. Juniors who park without a pass will soon face the stickers pasted on their window that require an army to take off successfully.

Additionally, students need to remember that there is NO parking allowed in the AHS lot. That is even more dangerous than parking in the lot without a pass (teachers are very protective over their spots). According to an announcement at a staff meeting, there will potentially be a gate at the AHS lot, ensuring no one tries to park during and after school hours, and teachers will have a code to enter the lot.

So finally, attention to all juniors and seniors without a pass: ticketing will officially start on Monday, September 18th, 2023. So make sure to hang your pass on the rearview mirror to be clear and visible to the parking/ticketing department.

Haley Schmela, Staff Writer

In my sixteen years of life I discovered a rule of thumb. I created this from a creamy chocolate coated ball with a crunchy malted center, commonly known as the whopper. The whopper is usually a controversial piece of candy.

You either love it, or hate it;rarely do you find the people who can enjoy them on the occasion. This theory isn’t good or bad. It is just made to categorize, and better understand those around you.

So let’s begin with the amazing group of people who enjoy Whoppers, I may happen to fall into this category.

These people are very well rounded, just like the perfect chocolate ball. They find themselves always ready for an activity, anchorman watch party, and a dad joke. While these qualities are desirable, those who do like whoppers dont go without their flaws. The procrastination that comes with it can get very stressful, but it’s nothing that whopper lovers cannot overcome, as we worship competition.

The unworthy, commonly referred to as the people dislike whoppers. This group is filled with go getters and brilliance. They’re always ready for a math problem, or to tell someone I told you so. They have a superior feel, that can

be discouraging. Yet, I found that they are sweet, kind and empathetic (when they wanna be). They are hard workers, who appreciate good attention. If you ever need advice this is the person you should go to.

Last we fall in our final category.

The most rare of the bunch. I wouldn’t say these people relate to either category previously mentioned. unless you’re me, and you choose whoppers as your dessert from the candy aisle, this group of people only likes them when a friend offers one up. They love their time spent at home with company, but they can’t go without a house party for too long or they won’t know what to do with themselves. These people are usually in good spirits with the occasional,“I dont know whats wrong” look on their face. If you need a good time or a laugh I would definitely take this person up on their offer to hangout after school.

After hearing my wise words, go try out the Whooper theory yourself and see if it matches your friends. This theory works 87% perfect of the time.

The Contagiousness Sonorities of Aspen Stella Iverson, Editor-in-Chief

The seniors’ final year is approaching.

June 1, 2023, they will cross the stage in The Music Tent. Some seniors may dread the day, and others cannot wait.

The first semester of senior year is said to be the most stressful time of high school, but once the second semester rolls around, it is a breeze. The biggest issue facing some seniors today is the stress of college applications; for others, it is the talk of the seniors “giving up on their work” when the second semester comes around.

Tessa Guilander is a current senior at AHS. “I feel like senioritis isn’t as much of students giving up on their schoolwork. I think it’s just in prioritizing their future outside of high school. And I feel like a lot of students get blamed for lacking in the career or the academic part of their senior year when in reality they spend a lot of their time focusing on progressing their academics in college and other things,” Guilander said.

Along with the stress of college some seniors feel as though their traditions are not being respected.

“Another thing I don’t like is how disrespectful the juniors are to the

seniors, for example, parking in the parking lot. I think it’s really unacceptable,” Hect shared.

On the other hand, seniors are very happy to be the oldest and school and they look forward to the senior traditions yet to come.

“I like being a part of our grade and getting to participate in activities that you’ve looked forward to for many years is really exciting like senior sunrise. I honestly like the respect from the teachers. I feel like you gain a lot more respect, as a senior,” Hect said.

A big aspect of senior year is the amount of freedom one gets but this year the rules have changed and seniors are only allowed one free period in their schedules and students don’t think this new rule is fair, like senior Zoe Sinclair.

“I don’t really, I’m not a fan of scheduling things, how you can only really have a free period,” Sinclair said.

Now when it comes to college applications seniors are well aware it is fast and approaching, so please everyone don’t bring it up.

“I don’t like how much everyone’s talking about college because it stresses me out. And it makes me feel behind and unprepared,” Amelia Hect said.

Photo by Stella Iverson Seniors cozy up in blankets during Senior Sunrise.

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Top Three Fall Reads of the Season from Book Enthusiast: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRaue, The Selection, Wildfire

Addy Christensen, News & Sports Editor

It’s a dark and stormy night, lighting crawls across the sky as thunder rattles the world around you. The wind howls through the trees, blowing leaves of red, green, and yellow throughout the backyard. It’s a wondrous sight, not quite the storm to be fearful about but one that excites. You scan the clouds as they turn the sky gray while mist rises from plants and earth. You think, bed with a cozy blanket and steaming mug of hot cocoa is the perfect place to be. Against the roof the rain patters, seeming more soothing than anything else. At the tap of a button your fireplace turns on, blankets encase you in a snug cocoon, a sigh escapes your mouth as you close your eyes. Soon they snap open, realization setting in. As nice as this is, one thing is missing; the perfect fall book.

Nothing is better, especially in the fall, than getting cozy and cracking the spine on a brand new book. That familiar new page smell engulfs you in worlds beyond your imagination, transports you to places you’ve never been, and illustrates love stories everyone wishes were real.

Books encapsulate and correspond to the feelings of each season, most importantly books are key to achieve the ultimate fall aesthetic. There are thousands, millions even, of amazing titles out there, waiting to be read. I know, from personal experience, that it can be hard to narrow down your book list to a couple or even find one book that captures your entire attention. Here are a few of my own and others fall favorite reads to get in the spirit of the season.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

by V.E Schwab Have you ever wondered what it would like to live forever? Personally, I would travel to as many countries as I could, read a million books (obviously), play professional soccer, and who knows what else, the world would be mine.

But what if no one remembers who you were?

Through the pages of The Invisible LIfe of Addie LaRue V.E Schwab’s pen transports you to a beautiful little French village and straight into the life

Lots of fall favorites to read at the local book store.

Photo by Addy Christensen

of Adeline LaRue, bringing the idea of everlasting life to the reader’s attention.

Addie, as her friends and family affectionately call her, is plagued by the idea of tradition and wants to experience the world. But as it is 1714, Adeline realizes there is no way to make a living on her own or even get an education. The plot quickly thickens when Adeline meets Lucifer himself, after running away from her home, her life, and everyone in it.

Luc and Addie strike up a deal which leaves Adeline to live for centuries and live out her cursed life throughout the

world, ending up in New York City.

The quaint setting, the details of the seasons and places Addie travels through, and imagery give the book an almost cozy feel and connotations of autumn.

This is a perfect read for those who love a dystopian novel with hints of romance and mystery.

The Selection by Kiera Cass (series) Ok, hear me out. Imagine the Hunger Games combined with the Bachelor with a smidge of Dance Moms and a splash of every Disney princess movie ever made.

“Super”, I can say without hesitation that fathers are in fact heroes.

Their heroic acts come in many forms.

To start, they love to announce how early they wake up. We get it, “The city needs saving”. Next, They have a spider sense for any and every light in the house. Don’t worry the dads will turn them off, even when you need the light to study for your chemistry final. And lastly they will always warn you when a reality TV show is bad news, and they will be sure to watch it from afar, with a bowl of popcorn, just to make sure you

are “okay”.

Setting all jokes aside, any man can become a parent, but it takes an extra special person to be a “Dad”. My father was the first man I knew, and the first man I loved. He continues to teach me right from wrong, but will always be there for me even when I make a mistake. He fixes what’s broken, he laughs when I fall, and he is sure to work hard so my family will be great. And I know that my favorite part of my day is when someone tells me “ You are just like your father.” I wouldn’t have it any other

I mean come on! Let me guess, you’re already sold?

Yep, I knew you would be.

Kiera Cass’s five book The Selection series is an amazing beginner novel for young adult readers or even advanced ones who want a fragment of nostalgia in their lives. The reader follows the journey of America Singer through a lengthy and brutal process entitled ‘the Selection’ from which girls from across the nation of Illea compete for Prince Maxon’s love but also a chance at becoming princess. There is a love triangle, themes of family and friendship, and drama to the max(on). Haha, see what I did there.

This is the perfect binge read for those looking to curl for days on end with cups of tea and a mountain of blankets. You’ll scream, cry, and laugh all at the same time, maybe even (gently as possible) hurl your book across the room.

Wildfire by Hannah Grace DO I EVEN NEED TO ELABORATE! All Icebreaker fanatics (aka Me), run to your nearest Barnes and Noble, Target, or local bookstore. This new read has been talked about more times than I can count and the day of release has in fact been on my calendar for months.

Author Hannah Grace released her second novel and stand-alone addition to the Maple Hills classic on October 3rd, 2023. Russ Callahangn makes a larger appearance in this contemporary romance and Aurora Roberts makes her own debut. Romance is nipping at the characters heels throughout the book as it follows them from their school UC Maple Hills to their summer camp jobs.

Creating an unlikely pair, leaving the reader behind with lots of smiles and giggles.

This book is the perfect new fall release for the hopeless romantic, those who want to transport themselves back into summer, and of course fellow hockey fans.

And there you have it folks, top three books to read this fall. There’s a genre, author, and book out there for everyone.

Happy fall and happy reading!

Not all Heroes Wear Capes: A Tribute to Unsung Heroes Haley Schmela, Staff Writer

When it was time to pick a new article topic for the paper’s issue, I was puzzled. I wanted to write about something funny, cool, and overall just amazing, but writing an article about yourself isn’t something most people wanna read.

So I was stumped again. What’s great?

What’s amazing? And then it hit me.

Fathers are nothing short of superheroes. Well, minus the powers, the toned muscle, oh and the cool outfits. Okay, maybe they come across as more of a sidekick. While all fathers might not be

way.

So to all Dads, I am proud of you.

While we may have outgrown your lap, I know we will never outgrow your hearts. So continue to care, continue to laugh, and continue to slowly figure out social media. And never stop growing, because we will always look up to you.

And to my Dad, Thank you for the love you have given me and everyone else around you. You are the hardest worker I know. Happy Birthday, 50… I mean 37 has never looked better.

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Sunrise to Sunset in the Roaring Fork Valley Maddie McAllister, Head Photographer

The beautiful fall drive down from trailhead #8320 gives you the opportunity to see the fall colors start peaking.

The 5am drive on 82 can easily give you the opportunity to see the Roaring Fork Valley glow up as dawn rises from the black midnight darkness.

A photo of the bright yellow sunrise hitting a 1996 Jeep Cherokee; with Mt. Sopris brightening up the gorgeous landscape behind it.

This stunning landscape of Aspen Mountain in the bright, early

A core memory of mine is waking up at 4am to see a picture perfect sunrise right of the Roaring Fork Valley.

A view of the last bit of sun in Basalt lighting up the few clouds in the dusk sky.

A perfect sunrise starts with the Colorado flag flying high on a brisk fall morning.

October morning is an amazing way to start of the day.

The sun hitting the bright yellow school bus makes the bus blend in with the Aspen Trees surrounding it.

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