The Skier Scribbler - March 2023

SKIER SCRIBBLER

Creative Minds Unleashed “Here”

By Ava Cherry, Editor-in-Chief

The Aspen Chapel Gallery’s current installment, “Here,” features the work of two Aspen High School seniors, Beckham Nettleton, and Michael Quintanilla.

“Here” is a showcase of life in the Roaring Fork Valley. The Gallery is open from 10 am to 5 pm daily and will be up until April 1. Photographs are available for purchase, their prices ranging from $75 to $100. Annually, the Aspen Chapel hosts eight galleries in conjunction with local artists. This free photo exhibit features artists well-known in the valley, such as

News

Earthquakes Devstate the Countries of Turkey and Syria

“Without warning, debris blurs your vision, and your mother screams your name, but the last thing you hear is the crash of your home and everything inside it collapsing... On February 6th, 2023, two major earthquakes hit on the border of Turkey and Syria. Gaziantep, Turkey, and Idlib.”(pg.2)

Kelsey Brunner, a former photographer for the Aspen Times.

After Aspen High School hosted an art show, Aspen Chapel Gallery’s Tom Ward and Michael Bonds reached out to Stephanie Nixon, AHS art teacher, in search of students looking to showcase their photography.

Both Quintanilla and Nettleton find refuge in the mountains, citing the outdoors and Aspen’s landscape as a source of inspiration for their work.

“It is really nice to be outside and listen to the water run or be in the calm of nature by yourself,” Quintanilla said.

Nettleton has seen Aspen from a

Opinion

Endangered Species : Talking Point of the Century

“Factors such as general habitat loss (deforestation), the release of carbon emissions, a decrease of genetic variation, temperature shift, unforeseen events such as volcanic eruptions, and other factors can influence the rate of endangerment.”(pg.4)

range of photographic perspectives, the majority of which cater to tourists. His work, however, is heavily influenced by his upbringing in the valley.

“I wanted to see [Aspen] in a younger kid’s perspective,” Nettleton said.

For Nixon, her students’ work reflects not only their growth as artists but also their adult perspective.

“They came back with the unexpected, because there is this stereotype of what high school boys are going to come back with, and they really surprised us with what they were paying attention to and what

A&E

Why I think Steve Sand is an Undercover Cop

“Steve Sand: a man full of smiles, laughter, and surprises. His ability to be a school business teacher and drive a Ford Mustang boggles my mind every day. We all know Steve as a business mastermind and pickleball champion; however, I have come to the conclusion that Steve is a triple threat…his final attribute being an undercover cop.”(pg.6)

they were looking at with texture and space, they came back with this huge sense of introspective maturity,” Nixon said, “We around here take a lot of it for granted, they were photographing [what] they don’t take for granted.”

Quintanilla became involved in pho=tography five years ago. What started as a hobby now guides his plans for the future. Next year, Quintanilla plans to attend CMC’s Isaacson School and enroll in their professional photography program. Nettleton does not have as firm of plans for after high school but is open to studying photography in college.

Photo by Maddie McAllister

A perfect view of Aspen, empty on a recent day.

Earthquakes Devastate the Countries of Turkey and Syria

Addy Christensen, Staff Writer

You wake up in the early morning hours, the ground shaking so subtly you think you’ve dreamed it. You check the time on the alarm clock next to your bed, 4:13 am. Now awake, you reluctantly toss over your covers to head to the bathroom. Yawning, you pass your sister’s room, then your parents, who are all sleeping soundly. Suddenly your apartment walls tremble violently and screams pierce the air. Pictures that once hung neatly on the walls crash to the ground and the dishes from last night’s dinner crack in the sink. Your parents come rushing out to the hallway, that’s when the ceiling gives out. Without warning, debris blurs your vision, and your mother screams your name, but the last thing you hear is the crash of your home and everything inside it collapsing.

On February 6th, 2023, two major earthquakes hit on the border of Turkey and Syria. Gaziantep, Turkey, and Idlib, Syria, which sit directly on the Anatolia and Arabian tectonic plates, saw the largest and most devastating destruction. At approximately 4:17 am that Monday morning, the first earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale caused apartments, businesses, office buildings, and homes to cave in. People were crushed by their belongings and buried under rubble from the fallen infrastructure. Another quake measuring 7.5 hit sometime around 1pm in the afternoon. As of February 24, over 47,000 people between Syria and Turkey have been killed.

These earthquakes did not come

highest poverty rates have seen the most damage and destruction. In Turkey specifically, the earthquakes damaged more in the western part of the country, which is known for its significant impoverish and socioeconomically challenged population. Because of past devastating earthquakes, buildings in Turkey are required by law to be built with earthquake-resistant materials such as steel or concrete, which can increase the cost of construction exponentially. Due to higher costs, many builders in western Turkey have by-passed this law. Many engineers in Turkey acknowledge that builders tend to ignore these safety precautions and believe they should be better enforced by the Turkish government. At the time of the most recent earthquake, only 1 in 10 buildings in Turkey fit the nation’s earthquake-resistant building code. The construction of these inadequate buildings and the intensity of these natural disasters has increased both collapse and death rates.

without

warning. Since 2019, there has been a steady and predictable string of earthquakes across Turkey, the largest one measuring in at 7.1 and 117 deaths occured in 2020. But the fact is, these large scale earthquakes are usually seen years or decades apart from one another.

Turkey and Syria saw the most recent ones in a span of only 9 hours. It was a shock to many and has been deemed by countries across the globe, the UN, and World Health organization one of the world’s most deadly natural disasters.

Areas in Turkey and Syria with the

Rescue workers have been pulling people from building debris for over a week. Many people in Turkey and Syria have spent over 200 hours in the wreckage without food, water, and other necessities for survival. The UN (United Nations) has donated over $397 million to provide food, medical care, water, and clothing to those affected. Others around the world have raised money and clothing through fundraisers, online platforms, and more to help the thousands of people who have lost their homes, belongings, and families to the earthquakes.

Despite Last Year’s Warnings, Ski Day Lives On

Blake Zilberman, Staff Writer

Last March, students were looking forward to a fun day of skiing. The administration had set a target attendance of 80% for the event to continue the following year. Unfortunately, attendance was only about 50% according to Itsel Zuniga, AHS Attendance Secretary. Therefore, as the attendance mark was not met, many students were disappointed that there would be no ski day the following year. However, ski day will continue for the 2022/23 school year, only with a higher attendance target of 90%.

On a typical school day such as February 14, the school’s attendance was 93% according to Itsel Zuniga. Given that the 90% attendance target is just slightly below the typical daily attendance, but nearly double ski day’s attendance from last year, this begs the question if the administration even wants the event to continue next year. Or if they set the attendance target aiming for this to be the last year of ski day?

The decision to continue ski day stems from the Student Senate. The administration realizes the importance of ski day, so they were able to strike a compromise with the student council. Tameira Wil-

son, who spearheads both ski day and the Student Senate said that the continuation of ski day was,

“100% due to the efforts of Student Senate,” Wilson said, “They [Student

Senate] were able to sell Sarah [Strassburger] on the idea to give them [the student body] one more year to try to get the attendance up,” She then continued to explain that, “Whether or not ski day continues next year is passed off to the student body.”

The school is also going to hold a Powder-Puff Volleyball game on ski day to further try to encourage students to participate.

Even if the aggressive 90% target is not hit, it is still important for students to attend ski day to show the school’s administration that the event is worth keeping and continuing into the future given that high student attendance will allow the event to continue onwards, showing that students are committed to school events and are willing to make an effort to keep them going.

Photo created by Blake Zilberman

AHS skier transposed in front of AHS.

Photo by Addy Christensen News of the earthquakes hit the media.

How the News Industry is Focusing on Trivial Topics

Fluff pieces have become more prevalent; important events are receiving less coverage due in part to desensitization to tragedy and a requirement to hold readers’ attention. In some cases, less reputable and trafficked news outlets resort to exaggerating the truth in order to keep readers on the page. According to Time, humans may have a shorter attention span than goldfish - these small fish are only able to focus for 9 seconds. With AHS and The City of Aspen severely lacking in diversity - 90% of the population identifying as being solely white - writing about provocative topics with an imperative for sensitivity can be difficult. News sources, including our own Skier Scribbler, are insufficient in depth and substance.

Studies suggest that the drop in attention span that this may be caused by either COVID, technology, or both. No matter what the cause is, this can affect readers’ consumption of news. While yes, it is true that our attention spans have gone down; is it really fair for writers to alter their articles to accommodate this? Shorter sentences are one way of compensating for a lack of longer atten-

tion spans. However, this does nothing but diminish the potential that articles have. News sources should not change their content to adapt to other’s incompetencies.

The front page of a newspaper typically offers the articles holding the most relevance and importance the coveted cover spot.

The war in Ukraine, the earthquake in Syria and Turkey, and Joe Biden - if you read the news frequently, you’re sure to have read multiple articles about each topic, all involving similar approaches and coverage. Realistically, reading about one topic over and over with few differing perspectives is not ideal nor desirable among readers. In the case of the war in Ukraine, continued coverage is important to continuously garner public support. However, with repeated coverage of a barely-changing situation that has a counterintuitive effect, readers will lose interest.

Seeing extremely similar articles on the front page of the paper for days on end hinders the importance of the remaining articles. Through doing this, readers may get the message that other

articles aren’t even worth reading at all - even if these other topics may be just as significant. Constant coverage of the same issue will not succeed in keeping readers attention, and certain topics will likely fall to the wayside.

The repetitiveness and similarities of the news can lead to two major issues. Some less reputable news outlets may resort to exaggerating the facts or attempting to pass opinion and inference as the truth in order to catch and hold the reader’s attention. But why would they have to exaggerate the truth in the first place? With how prevalent disaster is and how easily accessible it is through the internet, readers are often desensitized to tragedy. Constantly reading about Russian atrocities in Ukraine and the constant discovery of mass genocide of civilians make these acts of barbarity seem almost normal, although this is most likely the opposite of the news source’s goal. This is specifically seen when horrible acts of human savagery occur in other places where it is a more common occurrence. Readers will not be as affected as if it were closer to them, it seems almost acceptable

Editorial: Too Much Fluff, Too Little Substance Pickleball in the Valley

Beau Toepfer, News Editor

Originally published in Mountain Pearl Magazine on March 1

Since its debut it 1965, pickleball has slowly accumulated a strong following, skyrocketing in recent years, and becoming a beloved pastime for Americans and locals in the valley.

Pickleball has united players accross the country and locally here in the valley. It draws in players from all ages and walks of life, bringing them together under a shared pleasure for a competitive hobby. From teachers to students to grandparents, friendships and teamwork abound.

Pickleball was invented on a summer afternoon by a congressman and his businessman friend in 1965. The sport took a lot of inspiration from badminton, but quickly developed a unique set of rules and playstyles. The first tournament was held by 1976, but had yet to grow to a sophisticated sport. In 1984, a rulebook was published. By 2013, the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) grows to over 10,000 members. Over the next five years the sport grows exponentially, including nationally televised tournaments and a magazine. The name, which stems from a reference to the games creation

using mis-matched equipment from the shed, now prevelates most peoples vocabulary. A shared passion and surprisingly competitive community has sprouted, paving the way for new generations in the future.

In the Roaring Fork Valley a dedicated and talented community of pickleball players is flourishing. Many of the teachers in the Aspen School District are avid players. Several even compete competitively and play in tournaments. Some students have taken up paddles and a pickleball club has grown over the years. The community dynamic is powerful, and a strong sense of competitiveness exists within its members. AHS students like Haley Schmela immediately fell in love and made it into a favorite pastime.

“It’s very competitive,” Schmela said. “You wouldn’t think it but it’s really competitive group of people. My family and a couple other families would get together every Sunday, we would have dinner at the tennis courts and we would play pickleball all summer and we had tournaments.”

Most people got into pickleball seemingly by chance, maybe they wanted a new hobby or were invited by people they know. If you are just looking for a new hobby, you can find when and where people are

playing on the Roaring Fork Pickleball website. Families and friends are a major influence in pulling more people into the sport.

“My brother forced me down to the tennis courts one day when I didn’t want to, and then I realized that I had a passion for pickleball,” Schmela said. Besides students, a large population of adults in the valley play often, and they are always looking for more players. The recreational leagues work together with the rec centers to garner interest in players and to grow the community. Amy Roth leads a lot of the efforts here in the valley alongside her partner Karen Hawkes.

“We [Roth and Hawkes] are the pickleball ambassadors,” Roth said. “So we just really helped promote the sport and we help work along with the Rec Center to disperse information about where you can play in Aspen and Snowmass. Kind of be a cheerleader for the sport.”

As we can see in the diverse playerbase in the valley, pickleball really is for everyone. The quickly growing community has everyone from octogenarians to middle schoolers. It’s easy to learn and easier to fall in love with. With how widespread courts and players are becoming its an good way

because it occurs so often. News outlets may try and make an event seem more original by twisting one part of it - or in some extreme cases - fabricating parts of the story.

With some exceptions for the nation’s largest and most reputable news outlets, most of the headlines that prevelate local newspapers lack any depth. In a lot of smaller, corporate owned newspapers, journalists hold back from being provocative. Unfortunately in some of the cases this is a result of reporters having to be careful to avoid warranting backlash from higher-ups in the organization, against the foundation of journalism. In other cases, including for many journalists on our own Skier Scribbler, the effort required to write an investigative and provocative article is trumped by the ease and excitement of a fluff piece. Simply writing surface level reviews or attention grabbing, funny pieces, will be better received by readers and takes minimal effort. Provocative pieces won’t always be the most attention grabbing.

to get out and meet new people and get some exercise.

“One of the things that I love about it is you can be out there playing and there could be somebody in high school and then someone that’s up into their 80s that are playing.” Roth said. “It’s super inclusive. I just

love that, grandparents can play with their grandchildren. Moms and dads can play with their kids. You can play with your contemporaries. It’s a sport for everybody.”

Endangered Species: Talking Point of the Century

Rylee Smith, Staff Writer

As of 2023, there are more than 42,100 species on the IUCN Red List, threatened with extinction. IUCN’s list was created to help to gain insight into the health of the world’s biodiverse environments. Losing these species is detrimental to their crucial role in the food chain, nutrient cycling, and countless more roles.

It is critical to head toward a state in which species’ living standards reach a humane level. The ecosystems and species of our world are in the midst of mass extinction and resource deficit, which are shifting not only the stability of our climate but every life form.

ACES(Aspen Center for Environmental Studies) Education Director, Andrea Aust, explains the importance of conservation.

“Every species has its niche in the environment… its job to do and eventually when you lose too many of those jobs and organisms, there is a tipping point in which an ecosystem will fall apart,” Aust said.

The absence of these species is the absence of imperative ingredients to life and the possibility of loss is increasing through human lead causes, which can shift a habitat’s ability to fully restore itself. As of 2023, the extinction rate is escalating 1,000 to 10,000 times faster, pointing back to the impact of humans on sustainability.

Adam McCurdy, the Climate and Forest Director of ACES, equates the loss of species to a Jenga tower, “Where you can pull one thing out, and it’s a different tower now, but it’s still stable. However, when you pull enough of them out, the tower falls apart, and you no longer have that stable state which results in a collapse.”

When species become endangered, this impacts both the biodiversity and all the other species which relied upon their existence.

Factors such as general habitat loss (deforestation), the release of carbon

emissions, a decrease of genetic variation, temperature shift, unforeseen events such as volcanic eruptions, and other factors can influence the rate of endangerment. Over time, both the frequency and intensity of these occurrences have begun to increase.

These changes not only influence the obvious species such as Blue Whales and Black Rhinos but every little organism, such as the fungus may go unseen, yet have remarkable importance.

“The other two causes that get less attention both involve humans and the movement of species and pathogens. Invasive species are one as we are really rapidly accelerating the rate at which species move around the globe,” McCurdy explains.

When pathogens or species move into

an ecosystem that has not adapted to it being present, this can also pose a threat and a net loss of biodiversity.

With the aim of mitigating the many threats toward species of plants, animals, and other species, the Endangered Species act of 1973 was passed.

A study by PeerJ examined the effectiveness of this legislation, which found that it has prevented the extinction of roughly 291 species and saved 99% of species.

Other legislation such as the Natural Environmental Policy Act, Clean Water Act, and Clean Air Act have also had influential impacts on the health of several environments.

“Even with certain updates, these legislative acts provide the framework of how we continue to engage in environmental protection.” McCurdy said, “They have done a lot of good, yet I believe that we can still look at them and recognize that they’re not perfect. They are very reactive as opposed to proactive, in the sense that we wait until a species becomes threatened before we take any action whereas if we were to focus on habitat protection and preventing things from ever getting to that point, we begin to protect the things that we cannot see.”

In some cases, environmental conservation is not always an attainable standard for many individuals. People must have the ability to make choices. It is also important to recognize that legislation and the need for environmental conservation can fall directly on the nation, environmental value system, and one’s capability to be environmentally friendly based upon varying circumstances.

“When we think globally, there has to be some type of agreement between nations. We have to think about all the species that migrate and need to have habitats protected in all these different countries through international waters. We have to talk about the protection of a habitat rather than just a species,” Aust explains.

Although these issues may appear unchangeable, we still have time to mitigate these consequences through widespread education and awareness. Through access to information in technology and environmental organizations, such as ACES, Gen Z has the ability to make others aware of and vocalize for the species, absent of a voice. It is also important to recognize that change begins with individual action, which can bloom into something greater.

“It’s not a top-down, it’s a bottom-up [shift when change happens],” McCurdy said.

It begins with us and has the opportunity to expand to the power-holding legislators and branch out within the common culture of the world. It is within both our obtainable reach and our perpetual responsibility to conserve the threatened species of this generation in order to preserve the natural environment, for generations to come.

It is easier said than done to both live the values at which we promote. Yet, through awareness, understanding, and choice, we can give these species one more chance to build back up. One more chance to restore what human activities have exploited. One more chance at life.

Antisemitism On the Rise

Andie Sherman, Staff Writer

Antisemitism has become an increasingly pervasive issue in the United States, with a rise in hate crimes against Jewish individuals and communities. This particular form of hatred has gained momentum recently, with politicians, musicians, and athletes propagating this hateful rhetoric through various media platforms. However, the increase in antisemitic incidents goes beyond mere headlines, reflecting a concerning trend.

According to the 2021 Audit of Antisemitic Incidents 2021 | ADL conducted by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), anti-semitic incidents in the United States reached an all-time high of 2,717 cases. This was the highest number on record of antisemitic incidents since ADL began

tracking them in 1979. On average, there are seven or more antisemitic incidents per day in the United States, a striking statistic that illustrates a 34 percent increase in incidents that include and are not limited to assaults, harassment, and vandalism.

However, the issue of antisemitism in America is often only brought to the attention in the media when it aligns with a particular partisan narrative. This is usually characterized as either neo-Nazi bigotry stemming from white supremacists or criticism of Israel and anti-Zionism. The incidents recorded by the ADL are often neglected and overlooked by the media because they do not align with a particular political agenda that journalists and the public can easily process and

understand.

On February 15, a gunman shot two jews in Los Angeles as they left religious ceremonies from two different synagogues in the same predominantly Jewish community. Across the country in Montgomery County, Maryland, public schools have reported nine antisemitic incidences of swastikas drawn on desks and students allegedly making comments about “burning jews.” These acts of hate have multiplied since Graffiti reading “Jews Not Welcome” was discovered spray-painted outside Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, Maryland, in December of 2022. A similar incident occured at Aspen High School in the fall of 2022. Swatisikas were drawn in different places in the high school building.

It is clear that antisemitism remains a significant issue in the United States, one that requires greater attention from the media, politicians, and society as a whole. While some of the incidents may be driven by neo-Nazi groups and white supremacists, it is important to recognize that antisemitism can take many forms and be fueled by a range of ideologies. Criticism of Israel and anti-Zionism can also serve as a mask for antisemitism, making it crucial to differentiate between legitimate criticism and discriminatory rhetoric. To combat antisemitism, it is necessary to address the root causes of this hatred and work to educate people on the dangers and harms of prejudice.

Artwork by Rylee Smith

It is imperative that we act now for our environment.

The Mysterious World of Social Media Through Generations

Elsa Tullar, Staff Writer

The generational divide draws a line between the overwhelming concept of old and the new, where technology takes over and is involved in everyday life, where personalities develop, diversity increases, and new groups of activists are being educated, and where change is the future.

From baby boomers born in 19461964 to the new Generation Alpha born in 2012 or later, the generational customs have changed drastically. The shift from handwritten love notes to

careless posts thrown out for the world to see has marked a turning point in human development. On January 1st, 1983, the first iteration of the internet was launched by Vinton Cerf and Bob Kahn. This life-changing development marked the start of a new era. The idea that this newfound phenomenon held the potential to communicate back and forth with friends and family directly was a mind-blowing concept at the time. As technology and the internet have developed, the potential to abuse this privilege has led society into a dark hole of addiction. The Information Age, which began in the late 20th century, was marked by the development of computers and the internet. These technologies enabled the creation, storage, and sharing of vast

amounts of information and led to innovations such as e-commerce and social media. This marked the drastic shift from encyclopedias to the World Wide Web. The Information Age also saw the rise of artificial intelligence and machine learning, which have the potential to transform the way we work, learn, and communicate in the future.

Advanced technology such as social media apps, instant communication, and even artificial intelligence has been one of the most significant changes in our society. These changes can be both positive and negative, however, it has significantly impacted how we live our everyday lives. Generation X was the first group of people exposed to the invention of the household computer. Platforms such as Prodigy, a chat room to connect with community members, were the start of online communication. Household computers were considered a luxury during the mid-1900s; however compared to technology today, there is a vast difference.

For the past 20 years, the way we consume different types of media has changed significantly. In the early 2000s, many technology firms were still focusing on developing more efficient methods of communication. However, this simple idea of video calling and texting transformed into advanced media options beyond these traditional outlets. By gravitating away from original communication platforms, companies started creating websites where communities had a place to connect and share common interests and ideas. These advancements were the introduction of what we now know as social media.

Prior to the launch of Facebook and

Instagram, Myspace was launched on August 1st, 2003, by Tom Anderson and Chris Dewolfe, the first social network to reach a global audience. In 2004, fewer than 1 million people were on Myspace because social media was brand new, and simple forms of communication were still being used. In February 2004, Facebook was started in Cambridge, Massachusetts, by Mark Zuckerberg, Eduardo Saverin, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes, all of whom were students at Harvard University. At this time, society started discovering the mysterious world of social media. By 2018 Facebook had over 2.26 billion users, with Youtube closely behind at 1.90 billion.

Although this newfound world of social media has been life-changing and now influences our everyday lives, society has to be aware of the effects it has on our brains and the misleading information that it has the potential to disperse into the world. Past generations, such as Millennials and Generation X, still view social media as a convenient platform. However, Generation Z and Generation Alpha have grown up surrounded by new technology and view it as a necessity to everyday life. By being aware of trustworthy media outlets and not constantly relying on our phones and discovering activities that don’t involve technology, we can continue to use social media in a healthy way.

Fashion Trends You May Not Have Known Were Set By the Black Community

Sara Michelin, Staff Writer

While Black History Month was in February, that does not mean black history isn’t relevant anymore. So here is a brief history of six popular fashion trends at AHS that represent Black cultural influences in fashion.

A popular fashion trend in AHS is hoop earrings. This style of earrings originates from Nubia and Ancient Egypt. It started to get popular again in the 1960’s through celebrities like Nina Simone and Angela Davis. Gold hoops remain a staple in the Black community, as they often symbolize coming of age for black women.

Another common trend seen at AHS and influenced by the black community is acrylic nails. This trend first became popular in the 1960’s with appearances from Donyala Luna, and Dianna Ross. Acrylic nails have always been popular in the beauty industry, but long, intricate nails were popularized by the black community.

Tight tops and oversized bottoms are another fashion trend that is popular at AHS. In the 1990’s black celebrities like Aaliyah, a famous American singer and actress, and a group of three girls who called themselves TLC were the first to

make the tight top and baggy bottoms an iconic staple.

Lettuce hems are a popular style at Brandy Melville. This style is a beginner sewing technique that gives the seams a frilled or curly edge finish. Stephen Burrows, an African American designer created the lettuce hem in the 1970’s.

Monogram prints have been attempted by luxury brands like Louis Vuitton for decades. However, they didn’t become popular until the 1980’s when Dapper Dan, an African American designer applied ink to clothing through a fine-mesh screen to

with his design.

At AHS, many people are seen with athletic sneakers on. In the 1970’s, Black celebrities from basketball players to hip-hop artists changed sneakers from

being used for athletic purposes to popular everyday shoes.

This is a reminder to appreciate where the trends you participate in come from and to value cultures other than your own.

create the logos. Dapper Dan then styled rappers

Sara Michelin

Arcyrilc nails, a style inspired from and created by the Black Community, spotted at AHS.

Photo by Elsa Tullar

A timeline of technology advancements and events over the years.

What The Muic You Listen To Says About You Listen To Says About You

Stella Iverson, A & E Editor and Oliva Cook, Staff writer

We all know and love music, but what does your music taste really say about you?

Country

First up we got good ol’ country. Country music often tells a story, usually about love, or your dog, or your truck, or loving your dog and your truck. This makes it a popular choice for hopeless romantics and recent single people. Country listeners regularly go to the rodeo every Thursday and enjoy the roping events with their trusty sidekick Brian Vargas. Country fans are outgoing, hardworking, and always down for a good time. People can always count on them for advice - even if they are just quoting a song.

Top Hits

Next, we have today’s top hits A.K.A. the radio. You’re driving in the car and are too lazy to connect to bluetooth. others don’t like your music, or are afraid other people will judge you. These songs are all types of different genres. You are generally a chill person and no one has anything against you because you’re just too classic. You like what the rest of the world thinks is popular.

Old Music

If you like old time music (before the 2000’s) you are an old soul. You are independent and don’t feel the need to keep up with fashion trends. But you still tend to have the best style out of your friend group. If you regularly listen to Motley Crue, then chances are you have your volume at 100% and act as though

you can hear people when they talk to you but in reality, you have no idea what they are saying.

Rap

If you like rap, you don’t pay attention in English class but you secretly know more about literary devices than what meets the eye. Teachers are never able to see your true potential because you always mess around in class or have your headphones on. You are always asked to take out your Airpod that you specifically put in the ear your teacher couldn’t see. If you regularly listen to rap, specifically Lil Baby, Drake, or 21 Savage, you are a basic listener.

EDM

If you listen to EDM, you wish you were 21 and able to club, but you can’t. You have probably sustained multiple concussions due to aggressive headbanging. You either wear a lot of tie dye clothing or fishnet tights that cover the entire length of your body. If you’re a true EDM fanatic, your dream is to go to a Subtronics concert.

EN LOS BOLSILOS

Jazmin Soza Ortega, Asistente Escritora

Se ha organizado la ley desde el primer día de clases hasta el último día del año escolar a lo largo del tiempo , lo que no se ha respetado o quizás lo que aún no se ha discutido de manera relativa , no es un juego es una regla de comportamiento y seguridad en el salón los teléfonos al inicio de cada periodo hasta el final del periodo deben permanecer en los bolsillos que están colocados detrás de la puerta o en algunos casos de algunos salones sólo se encuentran en la pared se requiere entrar a la aula y después de colocar el teléfono en el bolsillo asignado , donde debe permanecer el resto de la clase , lo que no está entendido para algunos estudiantes es que lo toman antes de que la clase termine por completo pero también hay consecuencias por la primera vez que te quiten el telefono ósea los maestros de cada salón a la primera te lo quitan pero se te regresa al final del día, la segunda vez lo mismo se repite pero en algunos casos que la clase sea importante como por ejemplo biología , algebra , matematica , “etc”.

El teléfono será retirado y llevado a la dirección donde lo vas a recoger al final del día bueno pero a la tercera vez se llevará a la dirección y te lo darán hasta que llegue un responsable como tus padres o algún familiar la cuarta vez no te lo darán por una semana completa .

Hay 36 números que es lo máximo de estudiantes que pueden estar en algun salón estos bolsillos tienen un espacio ancho por si tienes dos teléfono meterlos ambos juntos alcanzarán esto es para que no te distraigas de la clase mucho más en un examen está prohibi-

do el uso del teléfono , en algunos casos que el salón de clases no tengan estos bolsillos importantes se les pide mantener el teléfono dentro de la mochila o en las bolsas del pantalón y no sacarlo en ningún momento si el maestro encargado del salón no se lo permite puedes esconderlo mientras lo usas pero no debes usarlo si te llaman la atención por primera vez , ya dicho estos bolsillos son azules con rayas celestes , con fondos amarillos y los numeros grandes y blancos para plena vista no traen letras pero si estan los numerós del uno a el treintaseis con un espacio amplio y puden medir aproximadamente seis espacios asia ariba y seis espacios un poco pequeños hacia abajo , contienen cuatro agujeros en la parte más arriba para poder ser pegados en la pared del salón de clases eso lo hace ver de forma rectangular hacia arriba facil de describir. El teléfono si puede ser usado en el almuerzo o en el tiempo libre pero en la hora de clases no, esta es una regla de high school . Pero en la primaria de middle school los teléfonos se colocan en una caja donde no puede ser tomado en el almuerzo ni en el tiempo libre donde es más estricto según Sarah Graver se quita en la primera clase y se puede recoger solo al final del día en la escuela según Sarah Graver dice que a los estudiantes que se les encuentre el teléfono se les quitara y lo tomará al final del día pero no hay castigo leve como si el mismo estudiante lo vuelve a hacer no se lo quitan por una semana ni le informan al padre o responsable de familia eso es más sencillo pero menos tiempo de atención al dispositivo.

Why I think Steve Sand is an Undercover Cop

Haley Schmela, Staff Writer

Steve Sand: a man full of smiles, laughter, and surprises. His ability to be a school business teacher and drive a Ford Mustang boggles my mind every day. We all know Steve as a business mastermind and pickleball champion; however, I have come to the conclusion that Steve is a triple threat…his final attribute being an undercover cop. Due to my new discovery, I knew I had to interview Steve to get more information. I gathered my materials and went across the hall to speak with Mr. 911.

I sat down with Sand to discuss my questions and prove he was hiding his secret job from AHS. My question made him pause and feel slightly uncomfortable.

“Steve, have you always been a highschool teacher?”

Sand quickly answered “No.”

This one-word reply made me skeptical of the reliability of his response.

The following question I asked Sand was so simple and easy to answer, yet seemed to cause him stress “ What do you do after school?”

“I walk my dogs.” This answer raised suspicion because I have never once heard Steve say he had dogs, except if I recall I think that he said he was in fact a cat person. I felt as

though the topic of him being a pet owner would have come up on the week we spent together during ex ed. He must have left out

up my questioning because Steve is a prime suspect. “ Steve, would you say your favorite dessert is a donut?”

recently.”

His answer to the next question I asked was almost prime evidence that was in fact an undercover cop. “Do you like club law?”

“ Yes, I saw it in action in the morning.” I was so confused on what he meant by morning because club law always meets at lunch. He must have meant he uses the club law statements as he pulls speeding cars over in his Ford Mustang, which is the perfect type of cop car.

that his dogs were actually named K-9 and law enforcement. I then asked a follow up question. “ Do you walk your dogs to the police station?”

He answered, “ No, I haven’t been to the police station.” He suddenly ended his sentence. I then said “since…”

“Ever.” He said as he winked discreetly.

I was on the verge of a discovery. I kept

“No,” he replied, as he shut his computer with a lockscreen of a chocolate sprinkled donut.

I was still doubtful of Steve’s answers as I saw him whipping his clammy hands on his sweaty forehead.

“Steve, do you travel often?”

“Naaahhh” he first said and then quickly added a few t’s and then said, “...as much

“What would you say if you were to arrest someone?” I asked. Steve was very quick to recite the entire first half of the Miranda Rights. “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be held against you in the court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you.” He stopped so I could not catch on to his secret career. Steve’s answer to all my questions proves that he is in fact an undercover cop and is trying to bust students at AHS for cutting in the lunch line and parking in his electric vehicle spot. And now that I think about it his police costume on Halloween seemed to look a little too realistic. Hopefully I do not get arrested for exposing Steve Sand’s true identity, and instead, be invited to the next car chase with Cam.

Photo by Lindsey Waldeck Steve Sand Lurking

Photo by Haley Schmela Stella and Oliva Listing to Drake

How the Clothes We Wear Are Reminicent of Our Past

Lauren Kinney, Social Media Editor

Fashion trends are constantly changing, and often come full circle. All of the sudden, something in the back of your middle-aged mom’s closet is the most trendy thing. Trends from the past are becoming the new “it” item one must wear to get an invitation to New York Fashion Week. One of the most important rules of fashion is followng the current fashion trends. The fashion industry is always interchanging, and by allowing the new cycles to reappear, it does not break the cycle of fashion. Jeans

One trend in particular that is so familiar to us today is mom jeans. These were first popular in the late 1980’s early 1990’s. Prior to these coming back, the only things that were in stores were skin-tight skinny jeans, but now baggy, and more comfy-able jeans are in style,. The jeans your mother wore in highschool might be worth finding, because they could be twinning with a celebrity.

High waisted jeans are also highly prevalent in the fashion industry. They first became a trend in the 80’s and late 70’s. With the comfort of mom jeans, they are seen left and right. Crop tops are an essential in the Gen Z’s closets

and are normally paired with these jeans. Disco Attire

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to attend a disco in the 70’s? Luckily for you, you most likely have the necessary attire at the tip of your fingers. Have you ever worn circular sunglasses on a beach vacation to feel as if you are a local, and always meant to be a surfer? If you answered yes, you are 50% there. These glasses were first

Are Your Dreams Telling You Something?

Madyson Ryan, Staff Writer

Scientists and psychologists tell us that dreams reveal critical aspects of ourselves. Dreams are a reflection of your recent state of mind, future possibilities, and changes that you have experienced. Believe it or not, your mind’s unconscious wandering could say a lot about your personality. says Edinburgh-based dream psychologist Ian Wallace states, “Dreams don’t happen to us, we happen to them.” Below is a list of dreams that we all have most likely experienced, and what they mean.

Being Chased : You’re anxious about something. You can’t seem to shake what’s behind you, chasing after you through these thick walls. You may possibly be worried about an upcoming event, or even avoiding something you don’t wish to face head-on. It could be a relationship quarrel, a new upcoming opportunity, or just a nasty feeling nagging at you. What are you avoiding?

Falling: Dreaming about falling tends to signify a loss of control over an important situation. Dr. Nereida Gonzalez-Berrios, M.D., a certified psychiatrist, states, “It also indicates fear, terror, and anxiety that comes out of losing grip over significant things;” The feeling of falling may represent a sense of helplessness. Often, tension is to blame.

Flying: Flying tends to represent freedom in dreams and an unconscious desire to free yourself from your problems. When you’re flying freely in your dreams, it seems to indicate that you could go anywhere. Your dream flight may be sending you a message that nothing is impossible. Don’t let this hold you back.

Showing Up Late : This dream can indicate that you are suffering under a weight of expectation that you feel

you’re unable to live up to - whether in employment, from themselves, or in a relationship. The lateness represents an inability to reach the level expected of you.

Partner is Cheating: To dream that your significant other is cheating on you also indicates your fears of being abandoned. Your subconscious is concerned about the future and whether your significant other will be there for you. Maybe you’re even waiting for your partner to show signs of commitment, or they aren’t giving you enough of their time or attention.

Death : You’re onto a new chapter. Death in dreams can indicate some kind of change or ending you’re dealing with in your real life. The subconscious shows us a non-specific change in the form of death so we can better understand the finality of it. We can let go of that change which we no longer need so we can grow and embrace what is coming in the future.

Teeth Falling Out: If you have a dream about your teeth falling out, this may indicate that you’re dealing with some kind of loss such as an abrupt end to a relationship or a life change. This dream can also be accompanied by the feeling of being out of control and unorganized in your current state of life.

Naked in Public: You may have pent up anxiety about revealing, or have revealed your weaknesses or secrets. It indicates that the dreamer needs to consider whether these secrets are worth keeping and why being weak scares us. You’re showing signs of vulnerability; you feel some aspect of you is exposed to ridicule or disgrace.

Our dreams tell us a lot about ourselves and our personal well being. Now next time you’ll be able to decode your wild dreams.

introduced in the 20’s but made a comeback in the 70’s. They reported due to highly influential people such as John Lennon and Janis Jonplin. Attending a concert and need shoes? I know for a fact you have purchased or at least highly considered white boots. You think you are one of a kind, and I’ll be stopped at the concert when in reality they will be dark brown in two weeks or less. These two items are now seen as a norm and are a part of the recurring fashion cycle.

Return of Past Trends

Trends from 20-30 years ago are suspected to return. But in the current day, they are returning faster than ever. This can be seen in our history with an example from Dior.

According to L’officiel, “Christian Dior did the same. In 1947, the designer created and introduced a revolution called the New Look. It was a collection that was

inspired by the 1860s - many models were dominated by a narrow-girded bee torso and elegant bust and hips highlighting sexuality. This image gave rise to the cult of the sand clock figure. Dior’s inspiration for this collection was the women after the Second World War who had worked while the men fought and lost their gentleness and femininity in the process. He created a kind of an antidote for the modest worker’s style and revived the nobility of femininity.

Classics

Veering on the safe side of fashion, there are always the classics that never go out of style. For example, stripes and polka dots allow you never to be failed or looked down upon in the fashion industry. These can be elegant items to your basic streetwear items as well. Having a closet with classics allows for diversity and the abilityto layer, with a few staple pieces. Save your old clothes that you think are ratchet at the moment. They will return, and you can thank me later for making you keep them.

AHS Monthly Crossword

Thanks for reading The Skier Scribbler! We are a student-run paper out of Aspen High School, and strive to report news with integrity and justice. Feel free to contact us via our adviser, Sarah Ward (sward@aspenk12.net), or by mail to Skier Scribbler Editor, 235 High School Road, Aspen, CO 81611. We appreciate your feedback and devotion to your local paper. If you’d like to see more articles from our students, as well as broadcast journalism, visit our webiste at skierscribbler. com, or scan the barcode to the right :)

Océane Jones

Students pose to show their respective styles.

Océane Jones

Local teen rocks 2000’s style shades.