Volume 1
SKIER SCRIBBLER
October 2024
The Youth Adviosry Team: An Opportunity to Spearhead Change in the Aspen Community
Sara Kershow, Editor-In-Chief
During the 2024-2025 school year, teens in the Aspen School District will have the opportunity to hold a paid position on The Youth Advisory Team.
The Aspen-Pitkin Healthy Futures Collation was created, attempting to improve the lives of young people in the Roaring Fork Valley. It is a group of 12 sectors that commit to coming together and working on the enhancement of young lives, specifically in regard to substance abuse. The Youth Advisory team is under this coalition with the aim of giving young people a voice in their future and an opportunity to be involved in projects. The student leader of this team is Cade Feast. There will be an application for this program due to the limited number of spots available. Funding for this program comes from a national grant of $125,000 and this number is matched by other sources.
Sand described this team as the youth pillar of the Aspen-Pitkin Healthy Futures Coalition. Youth in this program will have the opportunity to spearhead projects meaningful to the team as well as give the Coalition feedback regarding their programs and projects aimed towards protecting kids from mental health and substance abuse.
“I want to create something that’s more meaningful, both for the Coalition, but
also for the kids themselves, so they can come away saying, I did this, I learned stuff, I met different people. I got paid,” Sand said.
Aspen Family Connections Director, Katherine Sand, works directly with struggling families in the valley. Sand understandswhat it is like raising children in Aspen as her two children graduated from AHS in 2021. She created The Youth Advisory Team to give teens in the valley a chance to combat substance abuse and mental health issues.
“It became really obvious to me that we weren’t doing enough…The work that really prevents people from getting into situations that are complicated or stressful, on their mental health, their family situation, or on their child’s ability to succeed in school,” Sand said.
There are only about 15 positions available on the team, and Sand anticipates more interest than that. After the initial application, there will be a conversation – not an interview – between Sand and the applicants, where the commitment and intentions will be discussed.
“I’m actually more interested in giving voice to all kinds of young people, including those who aren’t conventionally [the ones] who have a voice in our community. And it’s more about building confidence, building trust, [and] improving the community,” Sand said.
The application is open to all current Aspen Middle School and Aspen High School High School students, especially those who feel that they want to make a difference in the community. Aiming to let all young voices be heard, the goal is to create a team of diverse youth from all different backgrounds.
“I don’t want to be like a resume tick box, it’s not like that, I want people who really want to make a difference,,” Sand said.
Students on this team will have access to all data from Healthy Kids Colorado, and have the opportunity to use it to create positive change. The Youth Advisory Team aims to compel the culture of Aspen’s youth to be healthier, happier, and safer.
“I have absolute faith that young people, young people can make this a better community. I have absolute faith in that, and I think that’s why this program is really a program of optimism,” Sand said.
“ Whether presented in the format of news, opinion, or other, the media’s coverage of tragedy, specifically regarding headlines, reveals a harmful pattern: the tendency to blame victims for the violence they endure. Victim blaming is...
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The Skier Scribbler’s Editors and Advisors
Editors-in-Chief: Sara Kershow, Quin Frisch, Gia Galindo Bartley News/ Sports Editors: Owen Cruz-Abrams, Chase Slessinger-Hall Opinion/A&E Editor: Sara Michelin
Advisor: Sarah Ward
Aspen High School
Photo by Gia Galindo Bartley
On Aug. 24, 2024, a street preformer on Beale Street, Memphis, TN soars over six squating AHS students on the Missippi Civil Rights ExEd, led by teachers Sheri Smith and Kim Zimmer.
How to Set a Positive Example: The Importance of Safety Around ASD Buses
Hallie Zilberman, Staff Writer
Due to recent schedule changes across the district, the Aspen School District, which includes the Aspen Elementary, Middle, and High schools all begin at 8:00 AM and end between 3:15 and 3:25
PM. Unlike the past few years, students aged 5 to 18 all arrive and leave campus at the same time and on the same bus routes.
High schoolers have collectively created a trend of avoiding the official
sidewalk, and walk on the road from the High School down to the Middle School parking lot, where many students park or get rides. This road is generally designated for school buses, so any students using it as their walkway are at risk of
being in the way of the buses.
This could create a serious safety issue for younger students who are less visible to bus drivers. Jolaine Pfeifer, AHS Registrar, works bus duty daily.
“Now that all the schools start at the same time, we have lots of little kids,” Pfeifer said, “Little kids are followers, so if they see older students walking in the middle of the road, they’ll start following them.”
Kids are like sponges, and as Pfeifer explained, younger students tend to imitate older students, following their behaviors and etiquette. Because of this, elementary students often find themselves weaving in and out of the school buses and walking on the road rather than the sidewalk. This can pose pressing safety concerns, and interfere with our many ASD buses and drivers. Pfeifer, along with the other bus duty staff, repeatedly remind students to walk on the sidewalk and make way for the buses.
“We always get about a dozen kids who just walk in the middle of the road and they’re not listening. It’s usually either with their heads down with phones or headphones on,” Pfeifer said. According to ASD administration, it is vital for ASD students to be aware of their surroundings by refraining from walking in the middle of the road. This will improve the safety on campus and maximize the efficiency of our school buses.
Ron Speaker’s ‘MEM’orable Scholarship
Gia Galindo Bartley, Editor-in-Chief
“Dream Big,” says Ron Speaker about the Michael E. McGoldrick Scholarship he is launching this year. The award will carry out the vision of his friend and mentor who wanted his legacy to be the start of someone’s bigger story. McGoldrick was a multifaceted person.
While fundraising and teaching at his high school alma mater, Lakeside School in Seattle, McGoldrick met two students interested in computer science. They wanted the school to invest in a computer so they could learn how to use it. At that time, computers were teletype machines that could take up a whole closet. The school did not yet have one. The boys said they could use it to organize the school’s mailing lists. Michael found a way to get Lakeside a computer and ultimately allowed these students to use it at night. Michael let the two sneak in through a window since students were not allowed in the admin area after hours. They took turns sleeping on a cot. McGoldrick later invested in a company the two boys started. The two students were Paul Allen and Bill Gates.
“His story is the Forrest Gump of the finance world. He was caught in the Six-
Day War. He was the first professor on the U.S.S. Universe. He worked on the New York Stock Exchange and Chicago Board Of Trade. He picked up hippies and flipped hot stocks on his way,”
Speaker says.
Michael had a passion for all things learning. Before he died in 2021, a few years back, he entrusted Ron with making sure his money was allocated in a way that would best fit his aspirations and life. In honor of McGoldrick, Speaker created the MEM Scholarship, a $100,000 award that will cover all four years of college for three recipients annually. This includes tuition, books, supplies, a new computer, and room and board. Students applying must be residents of Colorado or Washington State.
This year’s seniors – the Class of 2025 – will be the first cohorts in this pilot program.
“The MEM scholarship isn’t necessarily for the most academically gifted students, but for students with interesting stories to tell,” Speaker said, describing how the scholarship’s grantors are going to be looking for those seeking new experiences, students with big dreams that don’t necessarily have the means to
act on them.
“The idea is to dream big, you know?” Speaker says. “Imagine you’re dreaming of attending King’s College at Cambridge, and how excited the foundation would be to say, ‘Wow, look at that dream they have. We helped them succeed.’”
The MEM scholarship is a $100,000 scholarship that will cover all four years
of three recipients’ college careers. This includes tuition, books and supplies, a new computer, and room and board. Students applying must be residents of the states of Colorado or Washington throughout their entire junior and senior years and have a 3.5 or above as well as a 1200+ on the SAT and/or a 28+ on the ACT.
Photo by Sarah Ward
The AHS class of 2025 sits in the black box for a college-focused class meeting.
Photo by Hallie Zilberman
Students avoid the Apen School District crosswalk while exiting school.
Democracy at Work in Student Liaison Program at AHS
Eleanor Carroll, Staff Writer
One of the many topics of debate in the presidential election is whether the state of democracy in the United States is in jeopardy. The Aspen School District sees the democratic process through the election of members of the Board of Education as well as in its own schools’ student senate selections.
Democracy in part is about bringing different voices to the conversation and can involve compromise and solution-finding.The democratic process also can be seen playing out in the student liaison program, led by Tameira Wilson, which allows two students per grade to attend and have an active voice at school board meetings. Each liaison’s term starts at the beginning of their junior year and lasts until the end of their senior year. The liaison’s job is to share student voices and opinions at school board meetings about various issues or policies and bring back information from those meetings to share with the student body. Along with that, they expand the board’s view of issues before they vote to enact new policies and make decisions. Throughout this program, the students selected as liaisons develop a greater understanding of how board meetings function while taking a leadership position amongst their peers.
AHS Senior, Treven Ward, one of the current liaisons, has been working with the school board for the past year and will continue to for the duration of this year. Since starting as a junior, being a liaison has taught him many leadership and communication skills.
“I’ve developed the ability to collabo-
rate with peers and administrators which has taught me the importance of responsibility, as the topics discussed impact not just me, but rather the entire student body. It’s also super rewarding to see the input that we give taken into account during the decision-making process,” Ward said.
Ward is looking forward to continuing to grow as a leader throughout the program and to working with the new liaisons who have started this year. Colby Vanderaa, the other liaison for the class of 2025, says that school board members appreciate hearing from students on the ground. Last school year, when the board was working on implementing a new phone and Chromebook policy, the liaisons provided insight to board members that helped guide their decision.
“We would all like to assume that our board is fully conscious of what is happening within our school, but when it came to a lot of the productive uses for both cell phones and Chromebooks, they were largely unaware and were essentially running on the assumption that all teenagers use their phones for social media and distraction,” Vanderaa said.
The board recognizes that many of these new policies may need to evolve over time.
“We are currently working on some solutions with the board about some of the complaints about Chromebooks, but there have yet to be any changes since we’re still in the brain-storming phase,” Vanderaa said.
The role of student liaisons is continuing to shape how the board approaches
decisions with new technology policies coming to the school district this year. Christa Gieszl is president of the school board. Three years ago, after winning a seat on the Board of Education in the November 2021 elections, she joined the board with some understanding of her responsibilities, which continue to grow. For example, the cellphone policy was originally supposed to be a district-wide decision but was ultimately left up to each individual school. Prior to that, the liaisons presented to the board their feedback on the issue.
“They spoke well, a number of them came, and it did affect our policy decision making. There was a push by the superintendent [Dave Baugh] at that time to really make a district-wide telephone ban. We heard the student liaisons -- they had some really good points -- and determined these needs to be addressed before we as a school district would support a district-wide cellphone ban. The ban that did end up in place did not come from the school board but through the different schools themselves,” Gieszl said.
Besides the cellphone and Chromebook changes, the liaisons have come to the board to express other concerns and issues to improve the school, not always directly addressing policy. As a part of her CAS project, Brooke O’Sullivan, one of the liaisons for the class of 2024, presented to the board about composting and recycling, an issue the board was unaware AHS had.
Towards the end of the 2023/24 school year, Yale Gieszl spoke to the board about the science behind the theory
that earlier start times are harmful to students (Yale Gieszl, a sophomore, is a son of Christa Gieszl, the board president). While liaisons are the primary student-presenters at meetings, the board welcomes non-liaison students to express concerns they have to the board. In her board role, Christa Gieszl has control over meeting agendas, sets the pace and tone of the meetings, and makes it a priority to have student voice whenever the board convenes.
“I make sure that the student liaisons feel invited. I’d like to keep everything we do very transparent so people don’t feel like decisions are made without their power, their input, or in some kind of dark chamber without them having say,” Gieszl said. “I really just want to encourage everybody to continue to be involved in the student liaison process and Student Senate and all that you guys do, because I do think that it does matter.”
So far this school year, there have been two school board meetings where the newly appointed liaisons, Jax Hartley and Chloe Axelman, have started to get a feel of the process. Axelman is excited about this opportunity and is eager to bring fresh perspective into the board room for the next two years.
“I think it will be interesting to see how the school board works and I am looking forward to being able to communicate issues and understand why things happen in the school. It will be interesting to see decisions being made and see how student voice plays a part in decisions,” Axelman said.
Aspen High School’s Top Athletes and Their College Recruitment Journey
Houston Benvenuto, Staff Writer
As graduation approaches for the class of 2025, many AHS student-athletes are at different stages of the recruitment process. This journey is both exciting and challenging. Aspen’s top athletes have learned lessons from their experiences and they have valuable advice to offer other athletes looking to improve their game and compete at the next level.
Lacrosse Player - Haley Schmela Haley Schmela is a dedicated lacrosse player from the class of 2025 who began her recruitment process during the summer of her sophomore year and continued through her junior year.
“That summer is the best time for lacrosse recruiting,” Schmela stated. Schmela began by sending out over fifteen hundred emails to coaches across the country to a variety of colleges and universities. She emphasized the importance of getting in contact with schools early in the process. Additionally, she believes that playing for a club team is essential for anyone hoping to be recruited.
“Coming out of Aspen, the level here is not nearly as competitive,” Schmela said. Players need to find opportunities outside of their local school teams to gain exposure and improve their skills against better competition.
Schmela reflected on her experience playing for Team 180, a high-level club lacrosse team known for its strong collegiate recruiting.
“A couple of years ago, they had the number one recruit for the class of 2024,
so playing on a team with that reputation attracts coaches to come to your games,” Schmela said.
In addition to playing club lacrosse, Schmela gave advice on the importance of staying in contact with coaches and being proactive.
“Be persistent with the schools you want to go to and never stop reaching out to your top choices,” Schmela said. Schmela encourages aspiring AHS athletes to put their names out there as much as possible, to showcase their talent, and to try out for more competitive teams. This will help them gain a deeper understanding of their sport and what it takes to play at the next level.
Football Players - Henry Hurd and Alec Slessinger-Hall
Henry Hurd, a standout 2025 AHS football captain and Brown University commit, shared that starting to reach out to coaches early was a big part of his success.
“I began reaching out to coaches a couple of months before my junior year,” Hurd said.
It was about making connections, to begin with, but he started having serious conversations after his junior year football season when his highlights and stats were the best they had ever been. Additionally, Hurd advocates for a strong academic work ethic.
“Grades are super important… keeping those up gives you way more options,” Hurd explained.
Academics can open opportunities that athletic talent alone might not. With his
4.6 GPA and high ranks among football recruits in Colorado, Hurd received offers from various universities including Notre Dame, Princeton, and Northwestern.
His strategy to get these offers was to strictly focus on the schools he wanted to attend and build relationships with their coaches. This personal connection made a significant difference in the recruitment process for him. Choosing Brown University felt like the right fit for him, significantly due to the connections he made with the coaching staff.
“They showed me love first, and their offense is perfect for me,” Hurd said.
He is excited about joining a program that aligns with his goals. His advice to younger athletes is to work on improving their skills during their freshman and sophomore years, and once they feel ready, they should start reaching out to coaches during their junior year or whenever they feel confident enough to
take that step.
Both Hurd and his fellow teammate Alec Slesinger-Hall, a highly recruited football defensive end, emphasized that Twitter, recently rebranded to X, is the best platform for communicating with coaches. Slesinger-Hall decided to create a Twitter account at the beginning of his junior year. His social media effectively made a connection with coaches as he is soon making a visit to Drake University to scout their football team.
“I started following and messaging coaches with my highlight tape.” Slesinger-Hall made sure to include his grades, height, weight, and athletic achievements in his messages to help him stand out against other high school athletes.
“For some sports, showcases and camps are really important, but getting your name out there as much as you can is key,” Slessinger-Hall advised.
Courtesy of Alec Slesinger-Hall, Henry Hurd, Haley Schmela
From left to right, Alec Slesinger-Hall kneeling down while listening to AHS Head Coach Eric McCready, Henry Hurd posing with Brown University head coach James Perry, Haley Schmela active in AHS girls lacrosse game
SKIER OPINION
Headlines to Healing: The Media’s Harmful Role in Victim Blaming
Quintessa Frisch, Editor-in-Chief
Headlines are the first piece of information presented in an article. Not only do they attract interest, but they expose and introduce the public to matters, framing a narrative for the following story. Whether presented in the format of news, opinion, or other, the media’s coverage of tragedy, specifically regarding headlines, reveals a harmful pattern: the tendency to blame victims for the violence they endure.
Victim blaming is a psychological and social phenomenon where responsibility for a crime or misconduct is attributed to the victim rather than the perpetrator. This tendency is especially pronounced in cases of sexual assault and domestic violence, where the media frequently emphasizes the victim’s choices or behavior, suggesting that they essentially ‘deserved’ their trauma and that they catalyzed the event.
Considering that, according to the 2019 National Crime Victimization Survey, an American is sexually assaulted every 68 seconds, this severely traumatizing subject is unquestionably preva-
lent. Yet, media headlines are interfering with sexual assault being understood as such. This is best defined as rape culture, in which sexual violence is excused, and in some cases, glamorized. Healing or moving on from traumatic events is never easy - perpetuating a cycle of victim blaming decreases the chance of people coming forward with their stories, which assists in the perpetrator avoiding accountability.
“Of all victims who experience some form of sexual assault, 75% experience victim blaming,” wrote Myrthe van Gestel, public safety officer for Fairspace, an organization dedicated to creating inclusive public spaces. “Moreover, we know that developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after sexual violence is more often explained by victim blaming than by the event itself.”
There is no excuse for these indisputable impacts. It is the abuser’s choice - 100% of the time - to carry out sexual assault, no matter what the victim is wearing, if they are intoxicated, or any other excuses that are commonly used to avoid blaming the perpetrator.
“ As 91% of rape or sexual assault victims are female, this sustains gender biases against women. When the media chooses to frame their headlines to loosely condemn a perpetrator’s actions, it advertises to readers sexual assault in a way that harmfully propels this bias forward.
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The media is referred to as ‘the fourth branch of government,’ its heavy influence over society is undeniable - especially in mainstream newspapers with
larger audiences.
The Seattle Times, for example, covered a story of a man who killed his five children, allegedly due to an argument and eventual breakup with his wife. Instead of placing responsibility for the dead children on the man found guilty, the article immediately asserted gender bias within the headline, stating, ‘Breakup ignited dad’s deadly rage in Graham.’ Placing the focus on the breakup itself, rather than the man who independently made the choice to murder his family, distorts public perception and aids in encourageing the audience to comply by gender biases.
By reframing headlines and narratives to prioritize accountability for perpetrators and support for victims, we can challenge the harmful dynamics of victim blaming and foster a culture that prioritizes justice and healing, espeically among the majority of victims that are women. The responsibility lies with all of us - media producers, consumers, and activists - to create a safer, more supportive environment for survivors of violence.
Beware of the Bears: Increasing Encounters in Aspen
Sara Michelin, Opinion/A&E Editor Bear encounters are on the rise in Aspen, and I am one of those numbers. On the morning of September 16, 2024, I was met with pure fear inside the comfort of my home. A bear had leisurely walked into my home through the front door.
When my cat growled and ran into my
cat, so not much can spook him.
My dad walked down our hallway into the living room after hearing the sound of glass breaking, and saw a large black bear standing by our dining room table. I immediately went into shock when my dad yelled, “bear!” My parents locked themselves in their room, and I locked myself in mine. I was alone and vulnera-
it. The bear sniffed around, didn’t smell anything yummy, and found an exit. I like my room to be extremely cold to get cozy under my covers, so I typically have my window open throughout the night. The bear pushed my window screen out, climbed out of my window, and onto my back porch. The sliding door to go onto the porch is in my parents room, so we have a very clear, and quite intense view of the bear.
My porch is on the second story, so the bear had trouble climbing down. After multiple attempts, the bear, thankfully, found its way down, climbing down a slim Aspen tree off to the side of my porch.
After 10 grueling minutes of fight or flight, I felt like I could breathe again. The police arrived, but the bear had wandered off. My parents and I immediately assessed the living room, expecting it to be filthy, but to our surprise, the bear had only a stick of butter that we stored in a butter dish on the
Although the situation was terrifying, all we could do was laugh about it and be so incredibly grateful that our house wasn’t violated and destroyed.
My dad, especially, was grateful our house wasn’t destroyed, because on Aug. 22, 2024, a mother bear and her two cubs broke into my dad’s kitchen in the Willow Creek Bistro in Highlands. The bears were there from 3:00 to 5:00 in the morning, eating every sweet thing in the fridges. That bear family was channeling their inner Winnie the Pooh.
On Sept. 5, 2024, I slammed the
brakes when a bear ran across the highway near Truscott and on Sept. 6, I witnessed another bear walking across a road near Basalt without a care in the world.
On Sept. 8, 2024, a mother bear was shot and killed in Willits. Its two cubs had to be rescued and relocated. The situation could have been prevented by a simple loud noise, but instead, it escalated, to the mother bear being shot while trying to flee to a tree.
Each one of these encounters emphasizes that we have invaded the bear’s space and they are not invading ours. Yes, it invaded my home, but technically, this valley was its home long before humans got here.
Although the bears are much more active than I have ever seen before, it is not for no reason. They are starving and it is not easy to meet their dietary needs during the fall. Bears need 20,000 calories a day in the fall for their hibernation when the leaves fall off and the snow starts to fall. They are simply trying to get as much food into their bodies as possible to survive.
The best thing we can do is follow the City of Aspen’s Bear and Wildlife page. It is there to help us reduce encounters and save the bears from euthanization. Do not be afraid to report a bear encounter. According to The Aspen Times, “A common misconception is that reporting a bear encounter will lead to the bear being euthanized or relocated. Gonzales and Xaiz, however, assured that this is not the case. The primary focus is on removing the opportunity for bears to access human food.”
Photo by Sarah Ward
SKIER OPINION
Ten Tips to Note When Preparing for Your Next Test
Hallie Zilberman, Staff Writer
Taking a test is a universally uncomfortable, stress-inducing experience, particularly when you don’t feel well prepared.
As the 2024/25 school year takes off, tests will undoubtedly come, if they have not already. Studying for these tests can feel like an unrewarding task, but that doesn’t have to be the case. If you feel that you never get the results you deserve, you could simply be studying poorly.
Below, I’ve curated a list of what I deem to be the 10 most valuable tips to study for a test.
Use Class Time Well
It’s important to remember that the process of studying for a test begins during class. For example, taking organized, thorough notes will likely help you later when studying for a test. Additionally, simply paying attention in class will go a long way. It’s generally easier to learn from your teacher in class than to attempt to teach yourself everything at home.
Note Taking
On the topic of taking notes, a key study method is reviewing past assignments, notes, homework, and papers. Remember that your teacher presumably taught you what they did for a reason. Be sure to review everything from the test’s unit, class, or topic - don’t disregard or assume that you won’t be tested
on something. 3
Break Up Larger Topics
It’s easy to feel intimidated by big, vast topics. To feel more com-
for the style of test you’ll be taking. If you don’t know, ask your teacher. By knowing this, you can cater your studying to the style of test you’ll be taking,
fortable with these, it’s helpful to break them up into smaller subtopics. Do this by first writing down everything you need to know, followed by writing down the more focused subjects within the bigger ones.
Know What to Expect Don’t walk into a test unprepared
preparing yourself for the test itself. If the test you’re taking is multiple choice, be aware of any concepts or vocabulary you’ve confused in the past. Your teacher may be aware of this, and use it to trick you, or test how well you truly know the material. If the test you’re taking will have
written answers, it’s easy to waste your time erasing your work, trying to come up with quality, concise ideas. To avoid this, consider practicing writing answers down with a time limit to prepare for realistic testing conditions.
Memorization
If you often struggle to memorize information or concepts for a test, try creating acronyms, rhymes, stories, or songs related to the topic. These methods give you something catchy and memorable that can help to later spark your memory. According to AHS psychology teacher, Sarah Ward, your short-term memory can only hold 7 +/- units of information at any given time. By condensing a large topic into, for example, an acronym, it allows you to hold more information, as you’ve reduced the number of units to remember.
Many people enjoy chewing gum while studying, but they might not realize that it can have notable benefits to your memorization. According to State Dependent Memory, if a person consumes information in a specific mental or physical state, they will later retrieve the information the easiest if they are in the same state. This means that if you chew gum while studying for a test and then chew gum while taking the test, it could help you remember what you memorized when studying...
Continued on Pg. 8
AHS Senior Passes on Secrets for School Success
Greta Holton, Staff Writer
Dear Freshmen,
Welcome to Aspen High School! You are officially at the top of the school food chain, but still have a lot of learning to do. As you begin this exciting journey as a Skier, I want to share some crucial advice to help you not just survive, but thrive during your highschool years. Trust me, learning from the experiences of those who have walked the halls before you can be life changing. Here are some pointers to keep in mind. I have first hand experience with as you navigate high school life:
Respect Your Teachers
It might be tempting to jest with or complain about teachers, but remember: don’t be rude to your teachers. They talk and gossip just like we do. Building a respectful relationship with your teachers can help you in more ways than one, from getting extra help to struggling less in class. Do not forget that your teachers are actually human and have lives just like you. They are not just paid amusement park workers to make your experience enjoyable, you play the same part that your teachers play in your life. You absolutely do not want to be THAT kid. Avoid Parking at the ARC
will outsmart you every time. You don’t want to leave school only to discover a $75 ticket waiting for you on your car. Save yourself the stress and look for parking elsewhere, even if it means getting to school 30 minutes early for a rim spot… we’ve all done it.
Food Stops for Sports Travelers
For those of you involved in sports, always make sure to find your way to Chic-Fil-A in Grand Junction when traveling for games. This is your only chance within a 2-hour radius of Aspen. Speaking of traveling for sports, be extra cautious with your gear—make sure your uniform is packed before you’re two hours away from school in the middle of nowhere. Being unprepared can really ruin the day.
Lunchtime Logistics
Just because the school claims it’s heated does NOT mean you’ll feel heated. Bring at least five jackets. The temperature can fluctuate, and it’s better to be prepared for the cold than shivering through class. Layering is your best bet for staying warm. It is not just cold, some classrooms feel like the Sahara Desert… If seasonal depression kicks in mid-february, take a staycation to Sheri Smiths room to sweat it out. Once again, layers are key.
Participate
This piece of advice is strictly following YOLO ideology. Do everything and experience everything because you are only here for four years and those years will fly by. Dress up for field day, shred on ski day, attend every game in the student section. Don’t miss the energy and excitement at the football games. Make sure to hold on for dear life when you hear, “Ohhhh we’ve got our hands up high, our knees down low” or “What about, what about, what about the color shout?” If you are not securely anchored to the ground you will end up two rows in front of you with four people in a dog pile. it’s a great bonding experience with classmates and a way to show your school spirit. Hold on tight and enjoy the ride!
2 3 10 5 6 9 8 1 4 7 1 2 4 5
Field Day can create some of the best memories of high school, so put your heart into it.
Choose Your Friends Wisely
Surround yourself with good people who lift you up; you never know who might be in your wedding one day. The friends you make in high school can have a lasting impact on your life, so choose wisely and make sure they do not drag you down.
Have Hope For Snowdays
When there’s snow in the forecast you better believe you are expected to always put a spoon under your pillow, flush ice cubes down the toilet, and wear your pajamas inside out. These little traditions can sometimes lead to unexpected rewards from Cam, making winter a bit more exciting and the skiing extra fluffy.
When the time comes and you finally get the license you’ve been dreaming of, do not risk parking at the ARC. Each morning, parking enforcement is on high alert, and trust me, they
Yes, I know it sucks that you cannot leave campus. However, network with the upper classman and take advantage of your friends to out source food. If you plan on getting lunch from Big Wrap, call ahead! If you want to grab lunch AND make it back to school on time, ordering in advance is a must. Just call Babs and she will hook you up with your order. If you walk in late to class with lunch your teachers not only will want a bite but will give you a look of “are you serious.” Dress for the Extreme Weather of Classrooms
Get Involved in Field Day
When Field Day rolls around, be in it to win it! Trust me, those homecoming tickets are sacred. Participating whole heartedly in events like
Club Fair Strategy
Finally, when you attend the club fair, don’t join 10 clubs. It’s tempting to get involved in every activity, but it’s better to focus on a few that genuinely interest you. Balancing the Pickle Ball Club, Model UN, FBLA, and aviation, is not possible. Life is all about balance, Libra or not, everyone needs variety in their high school lives with sports, school, AND clubs as the cherry on top. Make sure you keep your priorities straight when it comes to making decisions outside of school time.
Photo by Hallie Zilberman
AHS Sophomore, Julian Plessett, studying on Sept. 20, 2024.
Your Voice, Your Power: The Importance of Voting
Sara Kershow, Editor-in-Chief
I remember where I was on most of the election days in my lifetime. In 2012, I was in my kindergarten classroom - I didn’t understand what an election was. In 2016 I was in reading class, and my friends and I were discussing the results. In 2020, I was driving past the movie theater and saw on the Apple news app that Biden had won. My memory of these important dates is interesting considering that I am not a very political person. Why don’t I remember where I was for every leap day or Olympics, those happen every four years too. Even in my unpoliticized 5th-grade mind, I knew how important election day is to our country and democracy as a whole. This year, I am dreading the election - this time it’s because I have FOMO. I am exactly 25 days short of turning 18 and being able to vote in the 2024 presidential election on November 5th. The class of 2025 (my peers) will be the youngest group of voters in the upcoming election. In the current political climate, I feel it is more important than ever for my voice to be heard. Although I am unable to vote in this election, I encourage my peers to vote and exercise their crucial role in society. When the election comes up in conversations with my peers, I have alarmingly heard the sentiment , ‘I don’t think I’m gonna vote this year.’ Although in most cases, the two people running may have flaws, it is still important to educate yourself and vote for the politician who aligns most closely with your morals and values.
According to The United States Cen-
sus Bureau, in 2020 only 51.4% of people ages 18-24 cast their vote, the lowest out of all age demographics. At least 80 electoral votes are attributed to people ages 18-29. It is vital for young voices to be heard in this election because many of the issues being voted on determine our futures.
Going into an election freshly 18 without a good sense of who you are is scary. It can be daunting to choose a candidate that aligns with your values when you don’t even know what your values are. A common sentiment this time of year is ‘ educate yourself’ but what does that mean, and how do you do it?
Firstly make sure TikTok is not your only source of information. Social media can be a good starting point, but is riddled with misinformation. Using websites like Ballot Ready and Vote Smart you can find information about all the candidates on your ballot. These websites also give guidance on how to obtain a mail-in ballot or absentee ballot, and other election facts. Make sure to do research and vote up and down the ballot. Elected officials in local offices make more of an impact than you might think. It is not only incredibly important for young people to cast their vote, but also for women. Women only got the right to vote in 1920, barely 100 years ago! So many of the issues being voted on in this election specifically per-
tain to women. This year, use the voice that women just over 100 years ago did not have, and stand up for what you believe in.
Let’s say you’ve decided to cast your vote in the 2025 general election, you have done research on both candidates and know who aligns with your political beliefs. It’s time to register to vote! Registering to vote makes you eligible to cast your ballot. You can register online, in person (contact your local election office for details), or by mail. In Colorado, if you register at least 8 days before election day, you will be eligible to
receive a mail-in ballot. You are eligible to register to vote up to election day but keep in mind there are different deadlines for different types of ballots. Exercising your right to vote is a privilege that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Not only is the future of the U.S. in your hands but also the very foundation of democracy. No matter how insignificant your vote might seem, your voice will be heard.
The Skier Scribbler encourages you to responsibly consume and critically think about media regarding to the election, and cast your vote on Nov. 5, 2024.
When I Was: A Letter on Antisemitism
Quintessa Frisch, Editor-in-Chief, Hallie Zilberman, Staff Writer
When I was in 5th grade, I first learned the horrifying significance of a swastika.
When I was in 6th grade, a kid at a summer camp I attended created a swastika out of building blocks.
When I was in 7th grade, I found a swastika-covered math binder belonging to a peer of mine.
When I was in 8th grade, I came across
a swastika carving in an AMS playground tree.
When I was in 9th grade, I discovered a swastika drawn on the door of a school bathroom stall.
We are now in 10th and 12th grade and have not gotten a break from antisemitic microaggressions. Last week, we noticed a pre-algebra packet covered in swastikas on a desk.
This week marked a year since the largest killing of Jewish people since the Holocaust. We remain 7,000 miles away from the locations in which these acts of terror took place – nevertheless, we are impacted daily by antisemitic rhetoric in the hallways, on social media, and among our peers. We have noticed excuses for the failure to condemn Jew-hated, namely pardoned by a ‘lack of education.’
Yet, witnessing an ASD teacher laugh at a student put their name as ‘Hitler’ in a class Kahoot in 7th grade leads us to believe that ‘purposeful ignorance’ is a much better-fitting description – a ‘lack of education’ is an absurd label for the highly-educated staff in our district.
Consequently, we are left wishing for a day in which it is considered ‘stating the obvious’ for us to declare that the acknowledgment of all minorities is necessary for strengthening our students’ identities – the recognition of hatred toward one minority does not take away attention from another. Yet, it is no secret that antisemitism is commonly overlooked in our school district.
It is the responsibility of our teachers, staff, and administration to educate themselves on hatred and harmful speech
or actions toward students’ identities. Our noticed scarcity of this standard begs the question: How are teachers supposed to educate their students on antisemitism if they themselves are ignorant of its impact? With thirteen years in this district, we can confidently attest that they are unable to do so – this has a significant impact on the harmful behavior of students and, accordingly, feelings of fear among our student body.
We immensely respect the Aspen School District’s mission to create an educational environment built on inclusivity, equity, and an ‘unwavering commitment to making safety for all students and staff.’ However, as long as antisemitism fails to be condemned, ASD falls short of its mission.
As one year since October 7, 2023, has passed, the significance of a supportive Aspen community remains as crucially important as ever. The Jewish Student Union aims to promote community through inclusion and safety, and we kindly ask that if you witness any form of antisemitism, whether written, oral, or other, you take the time to educate others on the substantial impact hatred holds on our student body in the Aspen community.
Photo by Sarah Ward
To honor the hostages in Gaza, a table was set up during a Jewish solidarity event held on Nov. 9, 2023, in Aspen, Colorado.
Photo By Sydney Kalusmann
Haylen Gonzales-Pita’s computer adorned with stickers, including a I Voted sticker from a past election.
SKIER OPINION
Friendships: The Beauty in Building Relationships
Josie Jacobs, Staff Writer
As we walk the halls of AHS, we are blessed with many people with whom we may be acquaintances, friends, or even have romantic relationships. Our social patterns lie five days a week at a minimum within the bounds of our 529 student population.
In a world of 7.951 billion people, how do we know who to pick to enrich our lives to the fullest? It is troubling to begin to grasp the number of possible relationships we can form in a lifetime. With hundreds of students at AHS alone, the potential for connection is vast. Yet, as we have all experienced, relationships — whether friendships or romantic can be just as discouraging as they are rewarding. So, how much effort should we put into forming these relationships, how hard should they be to maintain, and when is it time to move on?
Biological Impact
On a biological level, relationships profoundly affect our bodies and brains. When we have healthy relationships, our brains go through positive changes. For example, they release oxytocin, often called the “love hormone,” and increase dopamine, which is associated with happiness. These neurochemicals reinforce feelings of closeness, trust, and overall well-being. Oxytocin is released during positive social interactions such as hugging, laughing, and having meaningful conversations. It fosters trust, strengthens social bonds, and promotes feelings of closeness and safety. This hormone is key in friendships and romantic relationships, helping reduce stress and promote emotional well-being. Similarly, dopamine, the brain’s rewarding chemical, is released when we experience something pleasurable, like spending time with loved ones or
achieving a goal. This chemical is closely linked to feelings of happiness and motivation, reinforcing positive behaviors that strengthen our relationships. In a healthy relationship, these neurochemical responses create a cycle of positive reinforcement: the more we engage in fulfilling connections, the better we feel, and the more we seek out those connections. While these bonds can lift us up, unhealthy or toxic relationships can catalyze the opposite effects. Prolonged stress from difficult relationships leads to elevated cortisol levels, the stress hormone. Cortisol is meant to warn the body and help respond to stress, but when it is constantly elevated, it can have detrimental effects on both mental and physical health. High cortisol levels can lead to anxiety, depression, difficulty focusing, a weakened immune system, and an overall feeling of burnout. Recognizing warning signs is vital to understanding when a relationship may do more harm than good.
Loneliness and social isolation can be as damaging as chronic stress. Loneli-
ness triggers feelings of physical pain in the same brain areas activated by actual bodily harm. This response is a biological reminder that humans are inherently social creatures wired to seek out and maintain connections. Long-term isolation can increase the risk of depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders and can even affect cardiovascular health.
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Adults with strong social connections have a reduced risk of many significant health problems, including depression, high blood pressure, and an unhealthy body mass index (BMI)”. We experience reduced stress, improved self-esteem, and even longer life expectancy in healthy relationships. These biological effects emphasize how powerful human connections can be emotionally and physically.
Personal Identity
While we often focus on our relationships with others, the most crucial relationship in your life is with yourself. High school is when we are supposed to
figure ourselves out, so we must take the proper steps to grow into who we want to be. Personal growth sometimes means stepping back from relationships that no longer serve you or recognizing when certain relationships hinder your personal development. You must prioritize your personal growth even when it feels difficult. Once you can take the step to understand yourself and what you need from the people around you, it will help you cultivate relationships that are healthier and more fulfilling. Actionable steps such as engaging in self-reflection, pursuing hobbies, and setting personal goals can enhance your self-awareness and, in turn, will help you identify qualities you value in platonic and romantic relationships. Taking the time to invest in yourself strengthens your self-esteem and prepares you for healthier future relationships.
Growing Together
At their finest, relationships are about mutual growth. The key relationships in your life are the building blocks of your character development. A healthy relationship allows both individuals to grow in positive and supportive ways. You challenge and support each other in reaching your goals while making space for personal ambition. Growing together means evolving as individuals while maintaining the connection that initially brought you together.
This article has been modified to fit the print edition of the Skier Skribbler. Please visit www.skierskribbler.com for the full article.
Behind the Scenes of Flight Delays at the Aspen Airport
Owen Cruz-Abrams, News/Sports Editor
Last weekend, I flew out of Aspen Airport (ASE) to Denver (DEN) - a simple, 22-minute flight. That is twenty-two minutes plus delay time on the ground which, last weekend, totaled to more than two hours. It was not just this one United Express flight in the afternoon of Sept. 13 – in fact, ASE is the second-most delayed airport in the country.
The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), which is “the preeminent [federal] source of statistics on commercial aviation,” has been collecting data on flight delays since June 2003. On average, in the 21 years since, one
third of all Aspen Airport flights have been delayed by more than 15 minutes. At first glance, it would seem likely that these delays are because of Aspen weather (e.g. snowstorms). Extreme weather delays are a category on the BTS’s data - but they only delay 1.8% of Aspen flights, less than 1/50. This is significant - only 0.6%, or less than 1/100 of Denver flights are delayed by extreme weather, so three times as many Aspen delays are extreme-weather related compared to Denver. However, 1.8% of flights delayed due to weather is not very high, nor does it it account for the majority of delays out of ASE. This
begs the question, if extreme weather is not causing an absurd one-third of all Aspen flights to be delayed, then what is?
Theoretically, the National Aviation System (NAS) also delays flights due to non-extreme weather conditions - but only two out of every 100 Aspen flights fall into that category. NAS delays (all causes, not just weather-related delays) account for one out of every seven delayed Aspen flights - but BTS statistics show that only 43% of all NAS-caused delays are due to Aspen weather. This is higher than the national average (27%) but not significantly so - Denver Airport
sees 42% of its NAS-caused delays because of weather. Added together, all weather delays (including non-extreme weather) at ASE only delay one out of every 25 flights. 51% of all delays attributed to the NAS in Aspen are due to airport volume - that is, being unable to fly because there is no sky/runway space. This means a lack of space at the airport causes one out of every 50 flights to be delayed. Private and commercial flights receive the same level of prioritization in Aspen, but there is still not enough space to always accommodate all flights. Continued on Pg. 11
Photo by Sarah Ward
5 seniors enjoy eachother’s company in the Black Box Theater after the first class meeting of 2024.
SKIER OPINION
Junior Year is NOT for the Weak
Chase Slesinger-Hall, News/Sports Editor Junior year is often said to be the hardest year of high school. I was constantly belittled about how I “won’t survive.” However, did I listen to any of the advice given to me during my underclassmen years? Absolutely not. I figured: “Oh, I’ll just lock in and it’ll be super light!” about a month into the year, and I’ve failed two math tests, I have a C in Spanish, and I’m surely the farthest behind in my CAS and EE course (for IB Diploma).
IB Diploma is a path that rising juniors can take, requiring six IB classes, and three of them must be HL (higher level). Additinally, students need to take CAS and EE junior year, and TOK their senior year. I’m overwhelmed with work everyday, and it doesn’t help going to a two hour tennis practice after school everyday. By the time I’m home from practice, all I want to do is go to bed. Because of this exhaustion, I don’t have the energy I need
league, and I just don’t feel smart enough for it. The academic pressure is intensifying more rapidly everyday. On the first day of school, my IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS) teacher, Brent Maiolo, said “you guys are growing up, no late work will be tolerated.” He followed this with “IB is more rigorous than what you’re used to, but you have to adapt and overcome.” Adapting, sure, overcoming, so far, no. Along with all of this, I’m doing dual enrollment, not for one, but two courses. Now, they aren’t extremely difficult classes, but they are very task oriented. What I mean by this is that the classes I’m dual enrolled are Yearbook and Advanced Journalism, both of which I am an editor for. In my yearbook class, I was assigned twenty pages to edit, all of which are from students who have not been in the yearbook before, therefore making the editing process more meticulous.
However for journalism, editing hasn’t been the issue, it’s been writing these damn articles. As I write this, I am sitting in my previously mentioned ESS class, on a short Wednesday, cranking out an entire article. Is this my fault? Yes. but am I also being hammered with tons of work from all of my teachers? Yes.
For one of my HL courses I need for the IB Diploma, I chose to do IB History HL. This isn’t a bad class to take. I’ve always liked history. It’s one of the things I’ve always been interested in and like learning about. However, being the primary speaker in our very first debate was not one of the smartest decisions I’ve ever
made. With Mr. Reed constantly interrogating me with questions that I don’t even understand how to answer every 20 seconds, it made this speech almost impossible. I heard the words “point of information” come out of his mouth thirteen times in the seven minutes I had to talk. However it wasn’t just him hitting me with the interruptions, it was my classmates on the side arguing in opposition to me. I like history, just not the difficulties that come with it.
As a student in IB Diploma, I’m supposed to have a free period, but did I take that opportunity? Of course not! Why would I? Because of all the work I need to do? A simple break for once? For some study time? Instead I decided to become a peer tutor, as a student who barely passed his freshmen year.
While I don’t see myself dropping IB Diploma anytime soon, the courses I chose definitely have a lot more rigor than I originally expected. It’s different than freshman year civics and sophomore year Honors U.S Histories & Cultures. But, if I really think about it, it’s different in a good way, setting me up for success for my education post-highschool. I’m secretly glad I’m challenging myself; it’s giving me an opportunity to make up from my mistakes I made during my freshman year when school wasn’t a priority of mine in any sense.
So, to the sophomores who may find themselves considering IB courses, IB Diploma, or dual enrollment, take these harder courses at your own risk, don’t underestimate the diploma, and try to balance out your sports, schoolwork, and time with family and friends. Remember where your values lie, and however hard you may think she grades, don’t take Ms. Wilson for granted.
Testing Tips Continued From Pg. 5
Hallie Zilberman, Staff Writer Flashcards
Making flashcards is a classic study method - and for a reason! Flipping through these cards and potentially saying the answer out loud requires repetition and true engagement of the brain.
While Quizlet or other online flashcard techniques are efficient, as well as portable, there are noteworthy benefits to handwriting in relation to memorization. In simple terms, physically writing requires more of the brain to activate than typing on a keyboard does. So, the next time you decide to make flashcards, consider closing your Quizlet tab and pull out the old-school notecards to better your study process. It is also helpful to review the cards you don’t know, rather than continuing to review what you do know. Once you feel that you’ve mastered a certain card, take it out of the pile. This ensures that you understand everything and don’t create a false sense of what you know.
Be the Expert
Trick or Treat or Smell My Feet
Sydney Klausmann, Staff Writer
Imagine if there was a day every year when people just gave out candy for free! Well, what if I told you that this day actually exists and it’s called…drum roll, please…Halloween! Some people may know this, in fact, I would bet if you asked anyone 12 and under, they could tell you the exact date. Although, recently, most teenagers seem to forget the days’ true meaning, opting to party instead of the traditional trick or treating. This is just wrong! Technically, you can party any day of the year, but there is only one day where you can receive pounds of candy for no cost at all. It’s time for a change. This year everyone under 18 should be out in their neighborhoods and knocking on doors. With prices on the rise, candy is more expensive than ever. Just the other day, I saw a bag of Nerds Gummy Clusters candy going for $7.00 dollars. An article by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the price of candy in 2023 had risen a whopping 39.7% since 2013. On a day where adults are handing out sweets with the simple expectation that you’re wearing a costume, we must seize the rare opportunity. If the candy itself doesn’t convince you, then think about just how much you’ll save when instead of buying an overpriced treat from the cafe, you already have Halloween candy at the ready.
may sound foolish, it is important to be actively engaged when studying. A lot can happen in the subconscious, which is an example of your brain not processing information adequately. By talking and explaining information out loud, you’re activating your brain effectively and properly engaging your brain - this ultimately forces you to think deeper and truly understand the information.
Don’t Procrastinate
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Another way to commit something to memory is by teaching it to somebody else. Not only does this force you to review and think about the topic, it ensures that you’re able to articulate it and that you truly understand it. Additionally, if the person you’re teaching it to asks you questions, it may force you to think deeply into ideas you hadn’t considered yet. If you don’t have a friend or family member to teach the topic to, simply talk to yourself. Although this
Don’t procrastinate and leave your studying to the night before, even if you think you study well under pressure. You will psychologically retain information more effectively by spreading your studying out over the course of multiple days or even weeks. Encoding information into long-term memory takes repetition, meaning that cramming studying into one night is ineffective, as the brain won’t have enough time to perfectly encode the information. Because the shortterm memory has a restricted capacity of what it can remember at one moment, committing information to the long-term memory allows you to remember as much information as needed. Memory is highly dependent on repetition. The more something is done, the more it is understood and remembered.
Reducing Stress
A productive study-session will be impossible to accomplish if you’re not in the right state of mind. If you’re feeling distracted or preoccupied, you can help to center yourself by trying breathing exercises. If you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, consider get-
ting some fresh air by taking a walk or simply sitting outside for a few minutes. Out of Sight, Out of Mind
In order to be in the right state of mind, it’s vital to eliminate any distractions. You can do this by distancing yourself from the source of your absentmindedness. If you continuously catch yourself listening in on a nearby conversation, find an empty space where you’re far from other people. If you notice that you keep looking out the window, move away so that you’re nowhere near the window.
Another way to help focus is by listening to music. Studies show that listening to music while studying helps to improve focus and concentration, calm the mind, and even improve the overall achievements in high-pressure environments. The best genres for studying, research shows, include classical music and nature sounds. Classical music helps to strength en the brain’s neural networks, as well as lower blood pressure and trigger concentration. Ambient nature sounds, such as rain noises, creates a calm, relaxed backdrop for your rigorous learning.
Though finding the motivation to study for an upcoming test can be insufferable, the results tend to pay off. By thinking, “I already know I’m going to fail, so there’s no point in studying”, you set yourself up for failure. Studying properly will only ever increase your chances of success, and it often improves your ultimate results.
On the topic of rare opportunities, childhood makes up approximately 23% of your overall life Soon, these carefree days will be gone and replaced with long work hours, bills, and many more adult responsibilities. Instead of trying to grow up as fast as possible this time should be cherished. Many adults often reminisce about missing the “good old days.” Soon, you are going to look back and wish you spent more time doing “childish activities” such as trick or treating. Trick or treating is the perfect way to savor your childhood. Eat pounds of candy while you still can, dress up with your friends, and bond with your neighbors. Halloween is the perfect holiday for harmless pranks and fun, and it should be savored by experiencing it rather than not being able to remember it by the time you wake up on November 1st. This Halloween, I hope you consider dressing up and trick or treating with your friends, whether it be to save money or just have some innocent fun. If you do choose to party, I suggest you start off the night by going from door to door before your festivities begin, and, most important of all, be safe. Happy Halloween!
Sydney Klausmann, Staff Writer
Halloween History: The Salem Witch Trials
Whether it be the mysterious woman with a black cat, a figure flying through the air on a chilly night, or an old lady with a crooked nose and green skin, the tale of ‘the witch’ is one that is hundreds of years old with the first witch hunts occurring in France during the 15th century, where someone could be accused and killed for being a witch. Accusations of witchcraft, conspiring with the devil, and witch trials first began in medieval Europe in the 14th century and continued all the way into the 17th century. Consequently, in the 1600s when pioneers started coming to the United States and developing colonies in the New England area, the belief of the supernatural, evil, and devil-like powers was strong.
In the rural community of Salem Town, Massachusetts life was bleak and difficult. In the wake of the British war with France that took place in the American colonies, the Puritans lived in fear of attacks from the Native American tribes which dwelled in the dense forests’ that surrounded the towns’ borders, and disease and illness ran rampant during the time leading up to 1692. The Puritans needed a reason to explain their recent hardships, more specifically, someone to blame. Therefore, when the nine-year-old daughter of the Puritan minister of Salem, Betty Parris, and her 11-year-old cousin Abigail Williams started to behave strangely, hysterically screaming and exhibiting aggressive convulsions, a doctor that was called to the house diagnosed them with ‘bewitchment’. Following the diagnosis, other girls in the town started to display similar behavior and eventually a group of young girls accused three women of bewitching them. Two of the accused, elderly and poor Sarah Osborn, and homeless woman Sarah Good adamantly denied their guilt during their trial where the courtroom was filled with the convulsing and
ill young girls who all pointed the blame at them. Sadly, both women died. Sarah Good was sentenced to execution and Sarah Osborn died in jail due to the poor conditions.
However, the terror did not stop with Good and Osborn’s convictions. The third woman accused, Parris’ slave Tituba, eventually confessed and went on to accuse many other women who supposedly conspired in witchcraft with her. She likely made this decision to avoid conviction and possible execution. After these accusations, a widespread panic ensued in Salem and the surrounding towns. To settle this spreading hysteria other witches needed to be found and captured. During this time the judicial system was so overwhelmed that a special court was developed, called the Court of Oyer and Terminer, to try cases of witchcraft for Suffolk, Essex and Middlesex counties. From the first case in 1692 to the
very last in 1693 a total of 18 people were killed and 150 were accused. The majority of the accusers were young girls similar to Abigail and Betty, which some may see as odd. However, there are many possible reasons for why they claimed to be bewitched and went on to accuse their neighbors of these crimes. Medicine and science was exceptionally insufficient at the time, but modern day scientists and doctors believe that one cause for these ‘bewitchment’ symptoms is the fungus ergot which can be found in grains such as rye or wheat, and can cause delusions, vomiting, and muscle spasms. Some other explanations for these behaviors are undiagnosed mental health disorders like PTSD, attempts to get help and recognition from the community regarding troubles like extreme poverty, and deliberate fraud to ruin the reputation of en-
emies. The targets of this type of fraud were prominent families, or members of society, typically women, who were straying from the strict patriarchal social norms of Puritan society.
Some of the people hung for the crime of witchcraft were churchgoing members of society while others were more on the fringes and outspoken. Rebecca Nurse, for one, was a grandmother who regularly went to church, she was hanged on July 19th, 1962. Dorothy Good, the 4-year-old daughter of Sarah Good, had her mother executed for witchcraft and then was held in jail herself for the same charge!
You might be wondering, how did they decide if someone was “guilty” of witchcraft. Aside from typical court proceedings like testimonies and witnesses, these communities had some strange test to see if a person was conspiring with the devil. One was the Swimming Test, where the accused was stripped to their undergarments, bound, and tossed into a lake or pond. Witches were supposed to have rejected the sacrament of baptism so then the water would reject their body, so if the accused floated they were a witch but if they sunk they were pulled back up to the surface by a rope. This lead to many accidental drownings and false guilty verdicts as someone can simply hold their breath and then they will float. Another odd test was Marks, it was thought that a person would receive a mark after making a deal with Satan, so for this test the accused was stripped and searched. Moles, scars, birthmarks, sores, supernumerary nipples and tattoos were all things that could count as these marks and “verify” that they were a witch.
Many people know about the Salem witch trials but most don’t know the complex narrative behind this interesting event, so pat yourself on the back for learning some spooky history during this fall season!
Time To Get Cozy: My Favorite Fall Films
Luna Murray, Staff Writer
Aspen leaves turning yellow, pumpkin spice lattes, and the start of school. For many, these are the tell-tale signs that fall is upon us, however, for me, I know fall is here once I start re-watching the same comforting films that feel like autumn in a blanket. Over my 17 years of living, I have watched my fair share of movies. Romantic movies, adventure, coming-of-age, comedies, short films, and documentaries became a constant form of comfort in my life, as well as a love language. Sharing my favorite movies with the people I love has become a way to share a piece of myself, and shed insight into the way I think. In the spirit of sharing - here is a list of my all-time favorite movies that are the ultimate form of comfort for fall.
Little Women (2019):
and eager to learn, and life after they have all grown up and gone their separate ways. This movie is perfect for the transition from autumn to winter, as well as a must-see coming-of-age story.
Good Will Hunting:
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This is one of my favorite films of all time created by one of my favorite directors. Based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott, Little Women follows the story of four sisters navigating life, love, and sisterhood in the 19th century. Meg, Jo, Amy, and Beth March are sisters experiencing life and coming of age together. From putting on plays in their living room for their mother, and bickering about clothes, it feels as though you are with the March family in their home, growing up alongside the girls. You watch as Jo moves to the city and becomes a writer, Amy travels to Paris to study art, Meg settles down and creates a family, and Beth remains at home in solace. This movie will always have a special place in my heart because it delicately and poetically shows the passage of time, and how growing up happens in the blink of an eye. Director Greta Gerwig does a fantastic job of establishing a difference between life when all the girls are still young, vulnerable,
Another timeless classic movie that I believe everyone needs to watch at least once. Matt Damon’s character, Will, is navigating early adulthood in Boston where he works as a janitor in MIT. After solving a seemingly unsolvable math equation, Will is discovered by a math professor who encourages him to explore his talents and apply himself, however after Will has a run-in with the police, they reach a deal to build him a better life as long as he attends sessions with a therapist. Sean Maguire, played by Robin Williams, directs Will as he combats with mental health, poverty, social and love life, while becoming a father figure and mentor to him. The level of impressive and moving acting by every member of the cast adds so much depth and meaning to the message of this film, accentuating the importance of truth, relationships, resilience, and second chances.
Fantastic Mr. Fox:
Wes Anderson is known for his creative and innovative directing style, which is expertly showcased in the 2009 movie, Fantastic Mr. Fox. This stop-motion movie follows a cunning and witty father fox while he seeks adrenaline, excitement, and a way to provide for his family through stealing from three of the biggest and most important farmers. After successfully pulling off multiple stunts to trick the farmers and steal their goods, he is eventually caught, leaving his family, friends, and community in danger. This movie ex-
plores the idea of embracing your animal side while simultaneously portraying the ugly face of greed. Anderson has mastered the idea and production of quirky yet comforting characters to complement his use of vibrant, warm colors. This movie is a perfect watch for fall, both consoling and stimulating the audience at the same time, keeping you engaged and absorbed all the while.
Dead Poets Society: I know I have said it for more than half of these movies, but this film is truly one of the best pieces of visual media out there, and probably my favourite movie ever. Based on the book by Nancy H. Kleinbaum, this movie is set at Welton Academy, a prestigious all-boys private school in Vermont. Respect, tradition, honor, and discipline are the four pillars of the school, leaving little to the imagination about the rigor and severity of the academics and social life. Todd Anderson is a newcomer to the academy, and after living in his brothers shadow for his whole life, he begins to learn about branching out and creating his own life as he meets a new group of friends and a new English teacher, Mr. Keating. In Mr. Keatings English class the boys learn to “seize the day”, and fill their life with poetry, love, and beauty. This movie reflects the beauty of friendship and growing up, as well as discussing the societal pressures students are faced with and how they impact and influence mental health. The incredible acting by Robin Williams and Robert Sean Leonard amplify the remarkably true message about the importance of taking time to study and appreciate art in your life.
Knives Out: To me, this is the quintessential fall movie. It has everything you could want out
of a film; mystery, a star-studded cast, great pacing, spectacular cinematography, and an overall intriguing and exciting storyline, making this the perfect movie to watch with your friends, family, or on a night alone. This movie follows the Thromby family - a wealthy dynasty head by Halrlan Thromby, a writer and entrepreneur who is swarmed by greedy family members using his money. When Harlan dies, the whole family gathers while mysterious Detective Blanc investigates the obscure death, making every person in the dysfunctional Thromby family a prime suspect. After Harlan’s will is read, leaving characters stunned and confused, chaos ensues taking the plot through twists and turns, while keeping the audience encapsulated at every second. This film creates the perfect fall ambiance through every curveball and grand reveal and leaves you wanting more long after you watch it. When I watch a movie it stays with me. The costumes and editing allow me to romanticize my own life, the characters bleed into my soul, and the soundtracks and cinematography fuel my passion for film and beauty. As I watch more and more movies, I am able to go back and curl up with my favorites and remember what emotions they created and why I enjoyed them so much. Each of these movies evoke warmth and nostalgia through their stories, scenery, and characters, making for a perfect fall atmosphere.
This article has been modified to fit the print edition of the Skier Scribbler. Please visit www.skierscribbler.com for the full article.
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Images
Fanciful representation of the Salem witch trials, lithograph from 1892.
The purpose of the Mississippi Civil Rights ExEd is to teach students about the parts of U.S history that havent been taught in depth. This experience has helped create a more mindful group of students aswell as bring more awareness about the differences in culture. AHS students started the trip in Memphis, Tennesse and traveled around historical sights in the Mississippi Delta for three days.
All Photos by Gia Galindo Bartley
MISSISSIPPI
Below: The Daisy building opened in 1913 and, since then, has been the home of various events. Historically, Beale Street served as one of the only business and entertainment centers for African Americans all over the south. The Daisy Building was used as a concert hall despite its small size.
DESIGNED
CI V I L GHTS: R
A PHOTO ESSAY
Photo Above: The group walks into Rendezvous, a barbeque restaurant that has served Memphis, TN, since the 1940’s.
Photo Left: The Lorraine Motel sign in Memphis, TNnow home to the National Civil Rights Museumis the location where Martin Luther King Jr. was shot.
Photo
Photo Above: The group walks through the Talahatchie Flats in Greenwood, MS. The cabins in the area used to be home to sharecroppers, including Sylvester Hoover, founder of the Delta Blues Legend Tour company.
Photo Above: Freshman Adi Fanguy (left), Senior Stela VerHey, Co-Leader Alexis White, Junior Eliza-Marie Pfeifer, and Junior Karina Del Leon Gonzalez smile for the camera in front of a mural created by local artist, Brandon Marshall.
BY: QUINTESSA FRISCH, SARA KERSHOW, GIA GALINDO BARTLEY
Paralympics: Breaking Barriers, Then and Now
Araya Thompson, Staff Writer
The Paralympics is an opportunity for athletes with a variety of disabilities to compete at a worldwide level.
The International Paralympic Committee, which is based in Germany, was founded in 1989 by neurosurgeon Ludwig Guttann. During the games, athletes are divided into groups dependent upon their impairment, which includes amputee, visual impairment, spinal cord injuries, and cerebral palsy. Within each of these groups, the athletes are additionally divided into classes based on the extent and type of impairment.
The Paralympic Games began when Guttann organized a sports competition for British World War II veterans with spinal cord injuries. These games took place in England in 1948. The second Games, which took place in 1952, also included athletes from the Netherlands. In 1959, Rome held the first summer quadrennial Olympic Games for athletes with disabilities, and in 1976 the Winter Games were held in Sweden. The first Paralympics that took place at the same venue as the Olympic games was during the Seoul Olympics in 1988. Many of the sports that are a part of the games are the same as the Olympics; archery, badminton, track and field, cycling, powerlifting, and volleyball, for example. The only difference is that sports equipment may be modified for the Paralympics.
At the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, there were many firsts for paralympic athletes and their countries. Argentina’s Gustavo Fernandez, a wheelchair tennis player, made history as the first South American to win a Paralympic medal in his sport.
“I think it was, for me, the best Paralympics I’ve experienced in my life,” Fernandez said in an interview with the International Paralympic Committee on September 10, 2024. “The
This year at the Paralympics there were a record number of female competitors, and featured around 4,400 athletes from a record 168 delegations. “ “
organizers and the French people did an amazing job, making us really, real
provement over his 2020 performance, where he received silver and bronze medals for his shooting.
pressure than ever shooting her bow at the Paralympics compared to her other -
ual Compound Open. Two days
doubles partner. Female athletes competed in more medal events than ever before. The Paris 2024 also included 167 National Paralympic Committees, up to 96 Neutral Paralympic Athletes which were 88 from Russia and 8 from Belarus, and with an eight Refugee Paralympic Team.
The USA female wheelchair basketball player Rose Hollermann is a three-time paralympic medalist. “These Paralympics have given me a lot of pride for women’s sports. I think this is the most competitive Paralympics I’ve been to. It’s my fourth (Games) and to see that one through eighth (teams) can be competitive to each other, I think it’s exciting for Paralympic sport and women’s sports,” said Hollermann in an interview with the International Paralympic Committee on September 10, 2024.
During the 2024 Paralympics, the Republic of Korea’s Park Jinho won two gold medals. This was an im-
bronze in the mixed team event, because of Davi’s achievements, Para archery was the first medal for India in Paris 2024.
Hunter Woodhall from the USA won his first Paralympic gold medal in the 400m T6w final in France on Friday, September 6th. After his win, he ran to his wife Tara Davis-Woodhall, making them one of the most viewed relationships of the Olympics.
Catherine Debrunner beat the world record holder in the Women’s 5000m T54, one of the six events she competed in at the Paris Paralympics. By the end of the games, she won five gold medals and a silver medal making her the athlete to win the most medals in the sport in Paris.
The Paris 2024 Paralympics was very successful for many athletes and countries. The addition of the Paralympics really impacted the inclusion of all including a very large range of ages especially in this year’s games.
Behind the Scenes of Flight Delays at the Aspen Airport
Continued from Pg. 7
In addition to weather, more than 10% of all flights out of ASE are delayed by alleged ‘Air Carrier Delays’ - which the BTS defines as “due to circumstances within the airline’s control (e.g. maintenance or crew problems, aircraft cleaning, baggage loading, fueling, etc.).” In addition, 7.3% of all flights out of ASE are delayed by the incoming aircraft’s late arrival. This number does not account, however, for next-day flights delayed by the last flight the night before. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires pilots to rest for 10 hours after their last flight of the night before they can fly again. This is best illustrated using an example.
A plane scheduled for arrival at 10:00PM touches down in Aspen at 10:30. From the time that flight ends, the crew must rest for at least 10 hours before they are permitted to fly again.
Let’s say the morning flight the next day is nine hours from then - that plane must be delayed an hour so that the crew can rest. It is unclear how the BTS logs crew rest-related delays - but they are likely “Air Carrier delays”, as it is the fault of the airline that they do not have an additional crew available to fly. In addition, Aspen Airport is an airport for which all pilots must receive Special Pilot-In-Command (PIC) qualification. Why? The “Mountainous terrain in [the] immediate vicinity of [the] airport,” according to the FAA, requires “special procedures.” Therefore, even if a crew is available, they may not have the extra certification needed to fly into the airport - causing a delay until a certified crew can be found.
Only 5% of flights out of DEN are delayed by “Air Carrier Delays” - showing that, in Aspen, a flight is twice as likely to be delayed by the airline as in
Denver. This may be due to the design of the Aspen Airport - which, in fact, is in violation of FAA terminal-to-runway space regulations, meaning the FAA is forced to limit the size of planes that can land at ASE to avoid a terminal incident. These delays could also be due to the availability of extra resources (more pilots, mechanics, etc.) at a large airport such as DEN - but no matter the (speculative) cause, it is obscene that airline errors cause 1/10 of Aspen planes to be delayed.
In addition, one out of every 16 Aspen flights will be canceled every day. (On a given day in February, for example, this means that two flights are likely to be canceled.) In addition, 3% of flights are diverted. While the Bureau of Transportation Statistics does not release cancellation causes, many Aspen flights are canceled due to weather - meaning nearly one out of every 10 Aspen flights
does not reach its destination on time because of mountain weather patterns. This still does not account for nearly two thirds of all delays - but, compared to other airports, Aspen’s non-weather delay categories (diverted, air carrier, etc) are not significantly higher. So what does this tell me when I am waiting in the terminal for two hours? Maybe it is the fault of the airline (10% likelihood) or the flight the night before getting in late - but really, the majority of Aspen flights are not delayed. Humans tend to remember the one time something goes wrong a lot more than they remember all the times it did not. So yes, maybe the airlines could marginally improve their operation in Aspen. Maybe Aspen could work on building a more weather-agnostic flight systembut really, the next time I am delayed, I will just try to remember all of the times I was not.
The Roaing Fork Valley: A Biking Paradise
Marley Rich, Writing Editor
Whether you are flying down Deadline, sending it off of features on Valhalla, climbing to the top of the Crown, or cruising around Prince Creek, there is no denying that the Roaring Fork Valley is home to some of the best mountain biking in the country, especially for beginners. Throughout the valley, there are over 400 miles of mountain biking trails with a wide range of skill levels. The valley’s impressive trail networks are renowned not just locally but also internationally. In 2020, the Roaring Fork Valley earned a gold designation from the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) for mountain bike destinations - a prestigious honor not to be taken lightly. There are only six gold-rated centers worldwide, four of which are in the United States, making The Roaring Fork Valley the first gold-rated center in Colorado. “The Ride Center™ designation represents IMBA’s recognition of large-scale mountain bike facilities that offer something for every rider. From backcountry adventures to shuttle-served gravity trails (where you get a ride to the top instead of climbing, and just descend), and from expert-only to family-friendly, you’ll be able to ride for days and encounter the best mountain biking has to offer” says the IMBA website. There is no doubt that this perfectly encapsulates the Roaring Fork Valley. The RFV offers a multitude of cycling disciplines, such as road, cross country, and downhill. In addition to the trails, the biking community is really what makes the valley so special. There is a diverse group of individuals of all experience levels coming together from up and down the valley to embrace the outdoors. Aspen Cycling Club, the valley’s local racing club, hosts races throughout the summer with age categories ranging from “5th grade” all the way to “+80”. They also host mini MTB races for younger riders in 1st to 8th grade. Roaring Fork Cycling, also known as RFC, is a local nonprofit that aims to get youth in and around our valley on bikes. They have numerous after-school programs for middle schoolers and summer programs for athletes ranging from 3rd to 6th grade focusing on XC. They even offer BMX racing starting with young children on balance bikes called strider riders. There are also many high school opportunities. Riders in the high school age group can join the Enduro or Pinnacle XC team or attend social rides. In addition to all of their programs, RFC also offers private coaching. The program is not only dedicated to improving young riders’ skills but also their confidence and connection to the outside world. Joining a new sport can be scary, but RFC is determined to make biking as welcoming as possible. The woman behind youth and community engagement in the sport is Kristen Heath. She is both the Managing Director of ACC and the Executive Director of RFC.
“I mean, any sport that you do you’re not going to go to the steepest, tallest
mountain first, you know, It’s baby steps along the way of learning how to control the bike and then building on those skills And then suddenly you’re doing so much more than you ever thought you were capable of doing. And it just gives you a feeling of so much freedom. And just the immersion of being out in nature is really therapeutic.” Heath said.
Heath moved to the valley in 1997 with a mountain bike her parents had gotten her after she graduated college. She began riding in the valley with little experience.
“I had no idea how to mountain bike. Never did it before. And I just loved it, but it was definitely a lot harder than all the trails were like government, and there was nothing smooth and flowy. And pretty much every time I went out, I crashed hard” Heath said. For a while Heath switched to road biking and then began riding mountain bikes again with her kids.
“RFC offered free middle school programs, and I signed both kids up for them. Megan kind of went kicking and screaming, and I told her that she had to do at least one session. And after the first session, she said she was mad at me because I didn’t get her into mountain biking sooner” Heath said. Heath then began volunteering at every ACC Wednesday night race when her daughter started racing. Then the nonprofit asked her to start working for them. Heath then got involved with RFC when her son, Liam Heath, was put on the waitlist for a summer program.
“‘How do I get him off the waitlist?’ I said, ‘What are you missing?’ And they said, ‘We’re missing coaches’. And I said, ‘Well, Sign me up. I’ll coach.’” Heath said.
“ACC reached out to see if I was in-
terested in running RFC as well as ACC and it all kind of fell from my interest in biking and supporting the kids, it’s just so much fun and so rewarding” Heath said.
Today, Heath can still be seen working with both nonprofits, coaching and giving hand ups at Aspen-Basalt races, or riding her favorite trails such as Glacier and Buckhorn. For many local athletes, RFC was one of their first introductions to mountain biking. Isla Rich is a freshman at Aspen High School and racer on the Colorado High School Mountain Bike League Aspen-Basalt team.
“When I was like six or seven I started mountain biking with RFC’s summer programs. I didn’t have much mountain bike experience before RFC. I liked how it was social while still being an individual sport,” Rich said.
In addition to empowering local youth riders, RFC has also started a Women’s Clinic that aims to create an encouraging environment for women of all ages and skill levels. To make mountain biking more accessible in the Roaring Fork Valley, RFC hosts many fundraising events to be able to offer scholarships and equipment to those in need. “We’re really trying to be considerate of how expensive everything is, which is why things like the Eat, Drink, Give fundraiser are so essential because we need community support to be able to finance a lot of these free community outreach events,” Heath said.
On October 23, RFC is hosting its annual Eat, Drink, & Give fundraiser. The event will take place at 6:00 pm at the Tipsy Trout in Basalt. There will be the opportunity to socialize with others in the community, a silent auction, a raffle, and food. Adult tickets cost $50 featuring a taco bar and child tickets are $25.
There is also the opportunity to purchase a ticket for a coach. Roaring Fork Cycling administers the Aspen-Basalt High School mountain biking team, which competes in The Colorado High School Mountain Bike League. The season has four races plus States in the fall and practices together 2-3 times a week.
“I think it’s pretty special that we get to be together. Because in every other sport we’re competing, like Basalt and Aspen are competing against each other, and in this sport, we’re working together,” Heath said.
In addition to riding with Basalt, Aspen athletes are able to connect with other athletes from other schools in the valley like Roaring Fork High School, Colorado Rockey Mountain School, and Glenwood Springs High School. Glenwood Springs High School Junior and member of the Glenwood Dirt Demons and RFC Pinnacle XC team Grace Anson has been competing in the league since her freshman year.
“The best part of the season is hanging out with my friends and I would tell anyone nervous about starting to race just go in, have fun, and don’t take it too seriously.” Anson said.
The Roaring Fork Valley is not just a mountain biking destination; it is a vibrant community that nurtures passion, fosters growth, and connects individuals through the love of biking. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider, there’s a place for you here. Students of any level wanting to explore the valley’s trails and the sport of mountain biking should look into RFC programming. To help support the program, community members can attend the Eat, Drink, and Give fundraiser on October 23rd.
Courtesy of Mary Ellen Moore
Aspen High School freshman Isla Rich racing the Colorado High School Mountain Bike League course in Fruita.