September 2020 Issue - The Skier Scribbler

THE

Established 2010 in Aspen,CO SEPTEMBER 2020 ASPEN HIGH SCHOOL

SKIER SCRIBBLER

Photo by Oliver Semple Several colorful balloons take off from Snowmass Village on last morning of the Snowmass Balloon Festival.

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COVID-19 and its impact on college Hannah Smith, News Editor

A common goal among young people is to attend college and truly begin to discover who they want to be in life. However, that path of self discovery was altered by the repercussions that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on college and university students. As colleges everywhere are forced to find alternative learning routes, their students are being faced with campus housing complications, and a major shift in academic and social activity. Current situations at U.S colleges and universities According to The New York Times, there have been more than 81,000 additional coronavirus cases since late July. With the rate of cases climbing in the United States, more colleges and universities across the U.S are shutting down in order to prevent a further spread of the virus. Gaia Murphy, Jesse Lopez, and Lexi Ferlisi are all sophomores who’s colleges have sought alternative learning routes from the threat of spreading COVID cases. At Murphy’s campus, Brown University, several cases have already been reported. All three students have chosen to transition to online learning, and all three of their campuses are currently delaying the start of in-person education. Effect of campus shutdowns on student’s housing situations One factor differentiating the shut down of k-12 schools and the shut down of college campuses is that many college students had to move out of their on-campus residencies, leaving uncertainty about housing. The confusion surrounding whether or not students will be returning to in-person learning is creating chaos for housing decision making. “Some of my friends who are in California did have housing challenges. Students who live in Southern California were told in June that they would have to live off-campus before they knew anything about what school was going to look like in the fall so many of them found off-campus housing in Orange

Photo courtesy of Gaia Murphy Brown University student, Gaia Murphy, attending her classes virtually.

expecting to have in-person classes,” Ferlisi said. Murphy also experienced uncertainty with housing when her college initially shifted to virtual learning. “Originally I was able to get accommodations to live off-campus but still be in Brown housing. Once COVID escalated Brown rented out a bunch of different apartments and units throughout the province area, and so I was able to get that. But then, because now students may not be allowed to go back, I suddenly didn’t have housing,” Murphy said. Towards the beginning of the summer, a multitude of students were in the dark about what would happen with the college housing situations. By the time school began, there was still a general lack of information about housing, and some students were left scrambling to find a place to stay. The social impact of alternative learning on college students Transitioning to virtual learning has changed many student’s social lives by

preventing students from having in-person connections on campus. A large aspect of college is creating new connections with peers and professors, as well as exploring future pathways and figuring out who you want to be. Experiencing this social aspect through a screen can be challenging for students. “I think the transition to online classes has affected me in a negative way. I do not feel as connected to my professors and classmates. One of the big reasons I chose to go to Chapman was because we have such small classes where you can really get to know all classmates and professors and I feel like that has been taken away from me,” Ferlisi said. Lopez shares a similar view on the social aspects of attending college virtually. “The shift to online college has taken my opportunity to connect with my peers. Most of the time as a STEM major it is not uncommon to spend over 60 hours a week studying. These hours get especially hard when there isn’t anyone near you for support,” Lopez said.

Academic aspects of online college classes It is widely known that college classes are rigorous and more demanding than the typical high school courses. So, what is it like for college and university students to tackle these rigorous classes online? It entirely depends on the student and their learning style. Some students have found that virtual learning has proven to be beneficial to their learning experience. “From an academic standpoint, it hasn’t affected me as negatively as I was expecting just because I was someone who works really well when I am on my own. I was able to create my own schedule and be proactive without having to even really attend classes. But, the social interaction aspect of it has been challenging.,” Murphy said. Some students may thrive online, while others prefer in-person education. Every student reacts differently to the college rigor in an online format. However, one thing that does seem to gain the same reaction from many students is the effect this shift has had on students’ social lives. A hopeful outlook This pandemic has presented obstacles for students of all ages, and college students are facing challenges of their own due to this pandemic. From housing complications, to tackling the college rigor through a screen, these students have been persevering through many challenges. However, the social aspect has not been easy. Among all of these challenges, being deprived of that crucial aspect of forming new connections has truly changed the college experience. “I am really hoping that it will be safe to return to campus for the spring semester and get back to being involved in the community at Chapman. I think that the community is very positive and supportive at Chapman and I am missing that at home. I have been trying to attend virtual events for clubs and my sorority but it is just very different online,” Ferlisi said.

College Counseling’s transition to Post-Secondary Exploration Counseling Tessa Guthrie, Editor-in-Chief Starting in the 2020-21 school year, the well known Aspen High School College Counseling department will now be called the Post Secondary Exploration Counseling department, or PSEC. Also, the former Discovery class, hosted by the former College Counseling and taught to juniors, will now be called PSEC class. The name change also comes with many new changes to the PSEC course curriculum and the methods used for PSEC counseling. AHS PSEC counselor, Karen Hawkes, was an essential decision-maker in the discussion considering changing the program to PSEC. “Our goal with the name change, and the changes made to the former Discovery Class, was to ensure that all students feel like our office and services

are accessible to them, and support their various post-secondary goals — whether that be attending a four-year college, two-year college, technical/trade program, or entering the workforce or military,” Hawkes said. Some of the significant changes the program will feature are an increase in what the department offers. The PSEC department will still provide lots of resources and guidance when it comes to the college process; however, the department will also have services that will better serve the students of AHS and their diverse future plans. “We plan to work closely with Colorado Mountain College, Colorado Department of Labor, GlenX, and other local partner organizations to help our students access their services and opportunities for resources for career

development,” according to the PSEC department’s official statement. The PSEC class will now be a .25, pass/fail quarter course, rather than a .5 credit graded semester course to ensure that every student can take the course. Previously, there were problems with scheduling conflicts that made the Discovery class inaccessible to some students. In the new PSEC course, “Students will be walked through the entire post-secondary planning process, including self-exploration, college and certification exploration, Aptitude and Interest Inventories, Career Exploration, Common Application/Essays, Application Strategy, Test Prep, and Affording College/certification programs,” according to the PSEC department’s official statement. Mia Iocono, a junior at AHS who has

plans to attend college in the future, appreciates the change to PSEC. “I honestly think it’s amazing. AHS in the past has had an overly competitive environment around college. Making a change to help kid’s plans feel more accepted is amazing,” James Kelly, a senior at AHS who is beginning the college application process, also thinks that the switch to PSEC will benefit students at AHS. “I do think it’s valuable to help students explore different paths because college isn’t always the best option for people. Sometimes going into the workforce or attending community college is the most realistic because a college degree isn’t necessary for the field of work they want to pursue,” Kelly said.

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The media’s creation of mental illness stigmas

and uninformed. It’s not as common Katelyn O’Callaghan, Editor-in-Chief as other illnesses, but it’s as common Whether it was watching Norman as red hair,” Emma stated. “We have Bates stab his mother to death in the also been let go from jobs because of shower in Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, it. Once employers find out about our reading articles that dramatize and disorder, they get scared.” demonize mental illness, or seeing Not only does media create stigma, posts on social media that romanticize but it can also influence people with depression and anxiety, most have mental disorders to mimic unhealthy seen mental illness portrayed inaccucoping mechanisms and behavior. rately in the media. “Shows like 13 reasons Why According to Hopkinson Medicine, showed depression and suicide in an 1 in 4 adults suffer from mental illextremely unhealthy and glamorizing ness. Despite millions struggling with way. Because of that, a lot of those mental health, there are still numerous individuals repeated what they saw stigmas. The media plays a significant in that specific T.V. show,” Ellis said. role in creating these stigmas, often While disorders like D.I.D, bipolar, portraying mentally ill people as vioand schizophrenia are demonized lent, psychotic, and unpredictable. In reality, only 3- 5 % of violent acts are Photo by Katelyn O’Callaghan in the media, anxiety and depresattributed to individuals with mental A representation of the media creating mental health stigmas through its portrayal of mental illness. sion are often romanticized on social One highly stigmatized mental illness for over 40 years. Hansen specializes in media. Many users create posts that illness. In fact, people with severe is Dissociative identity disorder (D.I.D). many highly stigmatized disorders and depict mental illness in an enticing or mental illnesses are ten times more likebelieves that part of the stigma stems glamourous manner. Often they are porly to be victims of violent crime than the The disorder is a severe form of dissociation, a disconnection in a person’s from fear. trayed as quirky, trendy, beautiful, and general population. thoughts, memories, feelings, actions, or “Mental illness isn’t something you unique, ignoring the reality and seriousHolly Ellis, a psychiatrists and nurse sense of identity. It is characterized by can see. It’s not like a heart condition ness of these illnesses. practitioner, has worked extensively in two or more distinct personalities that or a bruise or a cut. The media taps into “Romanticizing something that’s very outpatient and inpatient programs. She continually have control over a person’s people’s fear and into harmful stereoreal and a struggle for a lot of people has experience in treating an array of behavior. D.I.D stems from several types, which creates so many problems is doing society a disservice. Severe mental illnesses, including depression, factors that include, but aren’t limited to, for people with mental illnesses. They depression and anxiety are absolutely anxiety, schizophrenia, behavioral issevere trauma and repetitive abuse. are denied jobs, social acceptance, and debilitating. This downplays the sesues, and bipolar disorders. Throughout Soleil, a person who suffers from even mental health care in fear that they verity of these mental illnesses and the her career, Ellis has witnessed a positive D.I.D, is an active member of the online are violent and murderous,” Hansen said. struggles people have to face every day,” shift in the culture surrounding mental D.I.D support community. One of her Emma experiences the effects of Hansen said. illness. However, she believes that more alters, Emma, who was in control at stigmas associated with D.I.D in her Education and awareness are essential work needs to break stigmas with less the time of this interview, believes that everyday life. Many psychiatrists do not to break the harmful stigmas and stereocommon mental disorders. many stigmas surround the disorder due consider D.I.D to be a mental illness, types associated with mental illness. “There has been a major shift in the to the media and society’s general lack despite its recognition in the DSM-5, “We need to educate people on differlast decade to be more inclusive, which of awareness about D.I.D. a manual for assessing and diagnosing ent types of mental illness- not just the includes mental illness. We are more “A lot of people follow an older way of mental disorders. more common ones. We need to stop accepting of anxiety and depression thinking. Some believe D.I.D is caused “As a system, we have other mental demonizing mental illness in the media. because they are more common, and dehealth struggles besides D.I.D, so we We need to reflect on how our behaviors picted in a more positive light in the me- by demonic possession,” Emma said. “Media portrayal has not helped, with have been turned down for treatment and actions towards mental illness affect dia,” Ellis said. “We get less accepting the idea of a murderous alter just waiting because we are too complex of a case. others and integrate them into sociwhen these disorders get more extreme. Even though D.I.D. is recognized in the ety,”Emma said. ”People with mental Though we have made progress, the door to come out.” Nurse Practitioner and owner of the DSM-5, psychiatrists have told us that illness are people, not monsters. They is still quite closed on more stigmatized practice MindBodySoul Psychiatry, we couldn’t have D.I.D. because it’s not are not dangerous; they are struggling. illnesses such as bipolar, schizophrenia, real, or it’s very rare, which is not true We need to be treated with respect.” and any other psychosis type diagnoses.” Tink Hansen, has worked in psychiatry

Inappropriate Zoom behaviors prompt stricter security and guidelines for online learning Ava Cherry, Writing Editor During the second week of online learning, Zoom bombing and the use of hate-speech and images in class prompted stricter security measures and guidelines for Zoom calls. In the preceding weeks, a few AHS students, predominantly underclassmen, decided to air inappropriate and distasteful background images including a swastika and the new white power symbol – in which fingers form a w and a p – changed their names to racial slurs and other profane words, and made racist and derogatory statements in chats. Some of these students joined zoom through secondary, non aspenk12.net affiliated Zoom accounts to present blatantly racist and anti-semetic messages, “anonymously.” These students may have seen online classes as a means to covertly act unsuitably. Screen recordings and screenshots, however, provided the AHS administration with efficient and accurate records

of distracting and derogatory actions, allowing them to identify students and the severity of their misbehavior. Joey Dziedzic, one of the Spanish teachers at AHS, dealt with a student who logged into one of his Spanish III Zoom calls on two separate logins. This student then flashed a white power symbol on their unidentified account. This student, among others, likely viewed their chauvinistic actions as somewhat harmless antics. “I don’t think young adults realize how this has some long-term consequences [in terms of] their schooling and letters of recommendation,” Dziezdic said. AHS vice principal, Becky Oliver, believes that students are being emboldened by the ability to hide behind a screen, which has increased the amount of racism presented in class. “We don’t believe the whole school has a systemic racism problem, but we have some students feeding into [racism] in a[n] inappropriate way,” Oliver said. Oliver, who has a direct role in the

discipline of bigoted and disruptive students, prioritizes educating students about the severity and harmfulness of their actions. Oliver has asked students if they “would stand up in the middle of class and say what it is you are unmuting yourself and shouting or putting in the chatroom?” Often, students responded with no. Josh Berro, one of the AHS guidance counselors, also stresses the importance of empathy. “Some kids don’t know what it’s like to belong to a minority group or come from a religion or a race that is different from the majority of people where they live,” Berro said. On an individual level, students will receive a warning for distracting behavior, suspension for derogatory or racist behaviors, and possibly expulsion for a second case of degrading or bigoted conduct. A new set of guidelines has been set following recent misbehaviors: Cam-

era’s must be on during online classes, students that fail to comply with this rule may be marked absent (unless there are extenuating circumstances), in all zoom calls there is now a mandatory waiting room, in order to login to classes, students must use an authenticated aspenk12.net zoom, students are no longer allowed to change their names, backgrounds must be one of the default zoom backgrounds or a solid color, if students have a profile photo, it has to be of themselves, and in some classes, chat restrictions have also been implemented. Sarah Staussburger, the principal of AHS, hopes students are aware that “any derogatory commentary, racial or otherwise, is unbecoming of an AHS student, as well as a violation of the student code of conduct. We will not tolerate behavior that targets or demeans others. We live in troubling times, and I hope that our students can come together to support one another rather than tear each other down.”

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ICE nurse alleges forced sterilization in Irwin County detention center Katelyn O’Callaghan, Editor-in-Chief

On September 14th, ICE nurse, Dawn Wooten, filed a complaint to the Department of Homeland Security, alleging that the Irwin County Detention Center performed hysterectomies on several women detained in the center without their consent. Wooten provided a detailed account of the center’s forced sterilization to Project South, an institute to eliminate poverty and genocide, and to the Center for American Progress, a nonpartisan policy institute. Both institutes issued a formal complaint to the Department of Homeland Security, calling for an investigation into the center’s health care practices. In the report, Wooten refers to the gynecologist at the facility as “the uterus collector.” “Everybody he sees has a hysterectomy - just about everybody,” Wooten claimed. “He’s even taken out the wrong ovary on a young lady.” According to Project South, they received numerous complaints from immigrant women expressing concerns over the detention facility’s high rate of hysterectomies. One detainee at the center claims she spoke to five women at the facility who received hysterectomies between October and December 2019. According to her, the women “reacted confused when explaining why they had one done.”

Photo courtesy of Jeff Amy Dawn Wooten speaking at a news conference on September 15th in Atlanta.

“When I met all these women who had had surgeries, I thought this was like an experimental concentration camp,” the woman told Project South. “It was like they’re experimenting with our bodies.” Wooten and other nurses at the facility also questioned the number of women undergoing the procedure as well as their ability to consent to it. “These immigrant women, I don’t think they really, totally, all the way understand this is what’s going to happen depending on who explains it to them,” Wooten said in the report. Despite these allegations, according

Trump ban on WeChat and TikTok Sophia Grieper, Staff Writer

On Friday, September 18, the Trump administration stated that they would be banning the United States from using the social media app TikTok and the communication app WeChat demanding that these apps be taken off all Google and Apple app storefronts. According to the Washington Post, the ban on WeChat and Tik Tok was set to start on Sunday, September 20, and would not allow new users to download the app or current users to update the app. In addition, WeChat users will not be able to wire money in and out of the U.S. However, further restrictions on TIkTok usage were set to take place on November 12. Trump and his administration have been planning a ban on TikTok since August 6. This is because the Trump administration view TikTok and WeChat as threats to national security as they believe that China may use these apps to take user data. They also believe that China may use that data to “threaten the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the US”, according to the US Commerce Department in Friday’s statement. However, this all changed on Saturday, September 19. According to the New York Times, on Saturday, President Donald Trump gave his stamp of approval on a business deal between ByteDance, the China based company that owns TikTok, Walmart, and Oracle. The NYT article states, “The deal, which must still gain formal U.S. ap-

proval, would create a new U.S.-based company, TikTok Global, in which Oracle, an American software maker, and Walmart would own 20 percent, placing more equity in the service into the hands of American companies and investors.” The ownership of the new entity, TikTok Global, would be made up of 53% American investors, including the 20% stake between Walmant and Oracle and the current American investments in ByteDance. Due to this business deal, the United States Commerce Department agreed to postpone their plan to remove TikTok from app stores on Sunday night for one week. According to another New York Times article, on September 20, Judge Laura Beeler of the United States District Court for the Northern District Of California ruled that WeChat restrictions be delayed. Judge Beeler stated that she came to this decision because of concerns that the plaintiffs had that the restrictions violated First Amendment rights and concerns that removing WeChat would shut down the main form of communication for the Chinese community. According to a Justice Department Spokeswoman, in response to this ruling, the United States government could appeal to reverse the decision. While nothing is permanent and there are still court rulings and decisions to be made as to whether TikTok and WeChat will be definitively banned or not, as of right now, both have remained available to their users.

to ICE, only two hysterectomies have been performed at the detention center since 2018. Dr. Ada Rivera, the medical director of ICE health services, issued a statement addressing the accusations asserting that the procedures could not have happened without full consent. “To be clear, medical care decisions concerning detainees are made by medical personnel, not by law enforcement personnel,” Rivera said. “Detainees are afforded informed consent with a medical procedure like a hysterectomy.” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Joaquin Castro, House Majority Leader

Steny Hoyer, and Senator Cory Booker called on the Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general, Joseph Cuffari, to investigate the accusations. “If true, the appalling conditions described in the whistleblower complaint – including allegations of mass hysterectomies being performed on vulnerable immigrant women – are a staggering abuse of human rights,” Pelosi said in a press release. “The DHS Inspector General must immediately investigate the allegations detailed in this complaint.” ICE officials agreed to cooperate with an investigation but denied the mass hysterectomies. In a statement by the Center for American Progress (CFAP), Jamille Fields Allsbrook, the director of women’s health and rights at CFAP, spoke on forced sterilization regarding U.S law. “Reports of mass hysterectomies and medical neglect in ICE detention are horrifying but sadly not surprising. The United States has a long and sordid history of reproductive coercion and forced sterilization, particularly targeting Black, Latina, and Native American women as well as women with disabilities and incarcerated women,” Allsbrook stated. “These racist, eugenicist practices are often sanctioned by U.S. law, which to this day allows for the sterilization of anyone deemed ‘unfit.’”

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Hybrid learning a success AHS hosts virtual college at AES and ACS admissions meetings Hannah Smith, Writing Editor In the typical year, college admission representatives from across the country travel to visit high schools and connect with students who are interested in attending the represented colleges. With travel currently limited, the in-person interactions between high schoolers and college representatives cannot be fully replicated. However, high schools such as AHS have found ways to continue to have these valuable communications virtually. According to AHS post-secondary counseling, there are more than 40 virtual seminars scheduled between now and October. The continuation of connecting students with admission reps is crucial, as it helps students in their decision making regarding post-secondary schools. College counselors also attend to guide both the students and the admission reps through the meeting process. AHS post-secondary counselor, Charlie Laube, participates in these virtual college conferences in hopes of maintaining the goals that in-person visits sought to achieve. “I look at [the goal of these meetings]

ondary office manager, is optimistic about the shift to virtual seminars between students and admission reps. “This is something that kids didn’t really have access to in previous years. At the college fair, maybe there is a long line of students waiting to talk to the rep [the students] are frazzled. So, in a way, this [moving to virtual seminars] is a positive outcome of this change. There’s more one on one access between students and their admissions reps,” Morrison said. This virtual experience, for admission representatives, of hosting these tours virtually has also proven to be more beneficial than disadvantageous. Admission representative of Union College, Rachel McNeil, appreciates the newfound flexibility and one on one time. “It makes our schedule so much more flexible to not have to actually travel to a place and drive between schools. You can dedicate more time to being able to sit and meet with students at times that work conveniently for them. I think that [with] the students that I have talked to over zoom, the conversations have been longer and more in-depth than they typically are

Photo courtesy of Casey White Students at Aspen Community School learning outside on campus as part of the Hybrid Learning Model that has been implemented at ACS and AES.

as a two-pronged approach. One is that we just want students to get familiar interacting with admissions representatives. To be able to humanize the person who’s probably going to be the reader of your applications is a great opportunity to make an impact and see them as the individuals they are. And then of course the second is to gain knowledge of the school itself. So relationship building and acquiring knowledge,” Laube said. Many students benefit in the ways Laube discussed, and there is an average attendance of 1 to 5 students in each online visit. These online visits will give the student attendees an informative overview of the college via photos, videos, and a more in depth look at the student body. This aids students in deciding whether that campus is the right fit for them. These meetings have exhibited successful outcomes and even unpredicted advantages to the switch over to virtual meetings. Susanne Morrison, post-sec-

when I’m in person,” McNeil said. Overall, the transition to virtual interactions between students and college reps have been a success at AHS according to McNeil, Laube, and Morrison. Thanks to the coordination between college counselors and admission representatives, students are still able to fully get this experience and acquire knowledge about schools they are expressing interest in. COVID-19 may disrupt in-person interactions; However, it has not dampened AHS’s ability to persevere and find new ways to give students the tools they need to be successful after high school. “I would want students to know that they should definitely take advantage of this opportunity. It’s a great way to learn about schools and it’s also a great way to connect with the admissions rep. Kids, just take advantage of it,” Morrison said. *Information about accessible college tours can be found through Scoir and the 11th and 12th grade google classroom pages.

Photo by Hannah Smith Rachel McNeil giving AHS students a college tour Harper Alexman, Staff Writer

The Aspen Elementary School and Community School implemented the Hybrid Learning Model at the beginning of the school year, and the experience has been positive, according to teachers, students, and school leaders. The Hybrid Learning Model at both schools, which includes in-person instruction in classrooms as well as remote learning at home, employs a cohort system where students are in small groups in classrooms and ride buses in these cohorts, and utilizes campus space and outdoor areas to allow students to be far apart. The plan allows students to experience the benefits of in-person education while learning in a safe environment. Michael Hayes, the executive director of Compass, the non-profit which runs the Aspen and Carbondale Community Schools, feels the process was important to the success of the model. “The process was long and challenging, but also rewarding,” Hayes said. The creation of the plan began in June with school leaders and included guidance from public health officials, as well as feedback from the Compass board, teachers, staff, students, and families. “The way that we created our plan was based on values, and the most important value to us was that we decided to return to in-person learning to the greatest extent possible, given public health conditions and other changing information,” Hayes said. Garry Pfaffmann, who is a teacher at ACS, feels that this model has allowed students to be engaged in conversations and learning and that strategies such as Jamboards or Breakout rooms are helpful in making meaningful connections with students who are at home. “In that way, I’m trying to bridge the gap between kids who are at home, along with the kids here at school, just so that it is not two separate groups that never interact,” Pfaffmann said.

Pfaffmann also feels that smaller class size has allowed students to feel connected. “Being in a classroom is really great. The kids get plenty of attention, and the learning that can happen at school on those days is fantastic,” said. Watson Miller, a 7th-grade student at ACS, feels that in-person education is valuable to learning. “I like being in school a lot better, because there are teachers there to help, and it’s more efficient than just online,” Miller said. Chris Basten, the principal of AES, feels that the plan has been a positive experience so far, with new strategies like the first-ever student orientation week. “I do know that there was a huge energy shift in our school when we were finally able to see our students and their families,” Basten said. “We’ve got very small cohorts of kids, who I think are really experiencing again that joy of being back in school, and I know our teachers are very excited to be doing in-person learning again with elementary students,” Basten said. Basten added that teachers, staff, and the community have been especially important in creating and implementing the hybrid learning plan and that although there have been many challenges because of COVID-19, it has also had some positive impacts. “We’ve really kind of flexed or utilized this entire campus… It’s been really fun, the teachers love it and the kids seem to really be enjoying it too.” Basten said. “So that’s it. And that was something that we’d hoped to do a couple of years ago at the building. We thought, you know, we live in one of the most beautiful locations in the world. We have this beautiful campus. Let’s see if we can utilize it and unfortunately, it took a pandemic for us to start to realize that, but that part of it has been really fun,”

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Suicide prevention month: how to support your peers Ava Cherry, Writing Editor

Trigger Warning: discussion of suicide and suicidal ideation September, National Suicide Prevention month, sheds light on the leading cause of death for Coloradans aged 10 to 24 according to the Colorado Sun. From 2016 to 2019 teen suicides in Colorado increased by 58% according to Colorado Public Radio and Dr. Linda Genen of the United Health Foundation. These statistics reveal that a generally taboo subject, sucicide and suicidal ideation, need to be addressed. Mellisa Siegle L.P.C., of Conundrum Counseling, finds it crucial to destigmatize discussions about mental health. “Having a month that is about bringing [suicide] to the public consciousness and learning how to talk about it, is super important,” Siegle said.

Especially this month, it is important that you check in the mental health of your friends and loved-ones. Josh Berro, one of the AHS guidance counselours, described the signs of someone experiencing suicidal ideation (considering the idea of suicide). “Extreme changes in sleep and eating patterns, [being] withdrawn from social life, sudden mood swings, and asking questions like ‘what would life be like without me,” Berro said. Amanda Smith Fierstein M.S.W., a Hope Center Outreach and Education Coordinator & School Clinician, advises that we “Stop, Look, and Listen,” for behavioral risk factors in people potentially undergoing suicidal thoughts, especially if there are new stressors in their lives. If you are noticing a combination of these signs in someone, it is important that you do your best to aid and be there

for them by starting the conversation. By starting a difficult conversation, you are demonstrating empathy, compassion, and enough care to notice when friends are acting in an off way. Fostering a sense of connection most often has a positive impact on those experiencing suicidal ideation. “[Those experiencing thoughts of suicide] feel like it’s their last option; they feel like they’ve lost hope, and they don’t see another way out. When someone reaches that point, it is really important for their friends and loved ones to be able to reach out,” Fierstein said. Although you may take it upon yourself to support friends, it is important that people going through thoughts of suicide receive professional help, as the average citizen is not equpped to handle such crises. “If you think your friend is suicidal,

you need to encourage your friend to see a counselor,” Berro said. In order to work towards a society in which the subject of mental health carries no stigma, empathy and understanding must shape conversations around topics such as suicide. It is important, for example, to understand possible causes of suicidal ideation. “Most people that experience clinical depression have [had] some sort of suicidal ideation,” Siegle said. The desire to commit suicide is fleeting. “Completing [a] suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem,” Seigle added. “People that have attempted suicide and survived almost universally say that the moment they took that step, they really regretted it, they wanted to live, they wanted to see what was next and what could get better.”

Screams at screens: AHS students adjust to online learning Ava Thornley, Social Media Specialist

From Tuesday through Friday, starting at 8:05 A.M., Aspen High School students log onto Zoom or Google Meet for a 7 hour school day. Students are staring at a screen for all except two of those hours and are asked to act as if they are in regular school; this includes cameras on, and wearing appropriate clothing. After three weeks in school, students are beginning to see side effects of being

on the screen for so long. These include being drained/tired and having bad headaches. After school students are on screens even more because of homework. This screen time is making it hard for some students to stay motivated and on top of their work because they have to rest and restart their brain. AHS senior Lyida Styslinger finds it tedious to be on the screen. Online learning has been especially difficult while

taking her theater and choir classes. “I think it should be like how online school was in the spring where we had to do our assignments on our own and then submit them to Google Classroom later. Personally, I think it’s a waste of time to go on Zoom everyday when I could just get the work done on my own then be done,” Styslinger said Last spring ,online school consisted of optional office hours, teachers were flexible, and some forgot to even take attendance. Now, kids are required to have their camera on and come to classes everyday on time. An AHS freshman, Bridger Thompson, feels that classes are too long. “Each class be shortened to 60 minutes, like the online learning plan intended at the beginning of the year, instead of 75. It is really hard to stay focused after being on screens all day,” Thompson said. The two hour lunch break is a time to regroup and step away from screens or even go outside. However, some students use this time to finish up homework, similar to how people would stay in for SAC during lunch. These students either have overwhelming amounts of

homework or have after school activities that would cause them to stay up late finishing homework. This is why AHS junior Bella Haneman appreciates the five minute breaks. “I like when teachers give us breaks during the long classes; they will either separate us into individual breakout rooms or even let us log off and join back for a reflection before class ends,” Haneman said. Students are finding specific classes extra challenging in an online format, such as math, because it can be hard to see the teachers’ work, history because there can be lectures or discussion that can be tedious, and choir because the computer can lag or be choppy. Students are overcoming online challenges in their own ways, finding what works best for them. This includes putting their phones across the room, wearing blue light glasses, emailing teachers about concerns, and sitting at a desk. Thompson, Haneman, and Styslinger all agree that teachers are trying their best and when they post on Google Classroom and email reminders, it is much appreciated.

Photo by Ava Thornley Bridger Thompson looks at his screen during online learning with his blue light glasses.

September 2020

SKIER

NEWS

Introducing the new teachers of the 2020/21 school year

Kayla Tehrani, Business Manager Amy Coyle Amy Coyle will be teaching Spanish at AHS. Coyle has been working at AES for the past 12 years, and is now returning to AHS. Before employment at AES, she was teaching Culturally and Linguistically Different learners, as well as Spanish, at AHS. Coyle taught Spanish and English at RFHS in Carbondale prior to working at AHS. Coyle is most excited to reconnect with the high schoolers, as well as dig into one specific subject. Many of the sophomores she has now were the same students as those in her first grade class 10 years ago. Adam Cheney Adam Cheney will be teaching Social Studies at AHS. Cheney grew up in and around Williamsburg, Virginia before going to college at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. After teaching in Virginia for 7 years, he traveled the globe to places like: Ankara, Turkey, Belgrade, Serbia, and then to Aspen where he now resides. Cheney is excited to work with the staff and students at AHS. He is also excited to immerse in the nature surrounding him, but is nervous to get back on the mountain as he hasn’t skied in about 19 years. Jamie Evans Jamie Evans will be teaching English at AHS. Evans is an AHS alumna, and previously taught at AMS She was most recently teaching at an independent school in Tacoma, WA. Evans missed the sunshine and the good snow while she was gone. Evans is most excited to see her students in an actual classroom and to have in-person learning and believes it’s a strange world to create relationships and community online. Evans is also excited for ski day (if that happens). Julie Trahon Julie Trahon, originally from Massachusetts, is now an art teacher at AHS. When she started looking for a job, she decided that she would view this experience as an adventure and would be open to moving anywhere. She feels very fortunate to have found her position at AHS, as it is ideal for an art teacher. Moving to Aspen, Trahon is most afraid of encountering bears. Trahon has traveled to 13 countries and 21 states, not including the ones she’s driven through. She is excited to see what the future holds for her – hopefully not bears, and wants to see what her students are capable of . Haylen Gonzales Pita Haylen Gonzales Pita, a new Science teacher at AHS, was born and raised in Aspen. She too went through the school district, and graduated in 2007. She went on to study Environmental Science, and Atmospheric and Oceanic Science at CU Boulder. She graduated from Boulder in 2007, and moved to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. She moved back to boulder to get her Masters in Education, and taught at Erie High school for three years. Gonzales Pita now resides back in Aspen.Her

father, Kirk Gregory, was a legend in the Social Studies department and retired a few years ago. Gonzales Pita loves ex-ed, the close community, and the access to outdoors and open space for labs. She also is excited to work with the teachers in the science department. In her life, Gonzales Pita has been bit by a falcon, bat, cat, dog, and a goat, but she still loves animals. Taylor Pass Taylor Pass, who grew up in Orange County, California, is a Special Education teacher at AHS. She went to college at San Diego State University, where she got her bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She moved to Aspen almost three years ago and has worked as a Special Education Paraprofessional at AHS for a majority of that time. Since she moved here, Pass has coached gymnastics in Aspen and was a competitive gymnast growing up.Pass is most excited to continue the relationships with students and staff that she has made over the past three years. Alex Reginelli Spanish teacher Alex Reginelli returns to AHS after leaving to teach in Europe for the 2019-2020 school year. He came back because of the virus. Reginelli came to Aspen to try to ski 100 days in a season, and although he never did reach that number, he stayed. Reginelli is the most excited to be back and working with all of his colleagues again and to be able to contribute to the World Language department in a meaningful way. Reginelli is pretty sure he is part dinosaur, because he has little ridges on his ears, and thinks that it is dinosaur genetics. SCIENCE! Abby Mansfield Abby Mansfield, our new School Psychologist, just moved to Aspen from Kentucky. She was drawn to Aspen by the sense of community and, of course, the mountains. She is also very active and enjoys the hikes Aspen has to offer. Mansfield is most nervous about navigating the virtual learning modeling and being able to keep students engaged. She believes establishing rapport and connections with students is most important. When Mansfield was a child, she was told by a doctor that she had three kidneys instead of the two. Later, when it was discovered that she only had two, she was disappointed because she was planning on donating the spare one. Dianna Evers Diana Evers, a Portland, Oregon native, is a Speech and Language Pathologist. She has lived in Colorado for 8 years. She taught in South Korea and Japan after college and now lives in Glenwood Springs. She believes the commute to work is worth it to be able to be with her students and help them with communication skills. Evers is most nervous about understanding the high school bell schedule, as it has changed a few times over the past few years. Evers is also a 2nd degree black belt in Taekwondo.

Lisa Overbeek Lisa Overbeek, who was born and raised in Holland, Michigan but moved to Harbor Springs, Michigan with her husband 18 years ago when they got married. is an ESS Teacher. It has always been their dream to live in a mountain town. Overbeek is very nervous about driving in Colorado because the roundabouts are new and confusing to her - and everyone else. Before moving to Aspen, Overbeek and her husband used to own a bicycle shop in Charlevoix, Michigan. Mary Loomis Mary Loomis is a new English teacher at AHS. Originally from New England, Loomis spent the 2019-2020 school year earning her English teacher’s license at the Eagle Rock School in Estes Park, Colorado. During her time working at Outward Bound, she fell in love with the Roaring Fork Valley. Loomis is ecstatic to have arrived at AHS. Before becoming a teacher, Loomis was an organic vegetable farmer. Christin Kay Christin Kay is an Interventionist at AHS. Kay is returning to AHS after a brief hiatus. She previously taught English at AHS for seven years, and she has lived in the Roaring Fork Valley for about ten years. Kay loves the students and the community at AHS. Even though it’s a weird year, Kay feels most of the teachers are still feeling positive and willing to roll with the punches. If not in school, Kay can be found outside hiking, camping, skiing, biking or paddleboarding. Christina Flores Christina Flores is teaching English, as well as Spanish for Heritage Speakers at AHS. Flores was born and raised in Aspen. She did her undergraduate at Kenyon College in Ohio, and graduated in 2017. Flores then moved back to Aspen and worked in retail, until the job for a longterm substitute opened up. She took the job and ended up teaching for the entire year. She was hired as a full time teacher this year. Flores dabbles in Bryology. She is a huge fan of mosses. She is very drawn to their tiny details and resilience, and appreciates looking at them through a hand lens, though she believes her identifying abilities are pretty basic. Amy Mishkin Amy Mishkin, grew up in Marblehead, Massachusetts, and brings her skills as a Speech and Language Pathologist to AHS. She moved to Colorado to attend CU Boulder, and hasn’t looked back since. After college, she came to Aspen, seeking powder and mountain summers. After working at AVSC, she decided to continue to work with this community and got her Master’s degree from NYU. This is her ninth year living in Aspen. Mishkin is nervous about the fact that she is shorter than so many of her students – so don’t hold it against her. When Mishkin isn’t working, she can be found in the outdoors skiing, biking, and camping.

PAGE 7

What are students doing during the 2 hour break?

Photo by Jenny Ellis Alice Collins (left) and Bo Melton relax on a deck during the two hour lunch period.

Jenny Ellis, Staff Writer After two 75 minute classes in the morning, students are given a break to relax and get off screens. AHS administrators anticipated this desire and decided to add a break from 10:40 to 12:40 to give students a chance to reset and check on their mental health. With so much time on their hands, it can be difficult for some students to find productive ways to fill it. Whether it be catching up on school work, so one can go to sleep early, or going outside to play Spikeball, many students have a list of their favorite lunchtime activities. If students are feeling uninspired and don’t know what to do with their time, here are some options. Alice Collins, an AHS junior, enjoys connecting with her friends to keep the social aspect of her mental health flourishing. “During the two hour lunch, I’ve been going out with friends. It’s nice to have the extra time to spend with people since we don’t have the social interaction that we normally would in regular school. Other than that, I’ve been using the extra time to work on art, as well as working out if I have the motivation,” Collins said. Lupita Ortiz, an AHS senior, thinks finding a balance between relaxing and having a constructive success-based schedule for lunch is very important. “I think it is important to get off our computers and phones during our two hour break. Although I also think it should be used to start and finish homework, I split up my time. I go on a run or walk my dog and then come home and work,” Ortiz said. An AHS senior, Maya Abraham, has a daily routine when it comes to lunch time, and although it is simplistic, it is enjoyable. “I like to go hiking with my dog, go out to lunch with friends, catch up on homework, or relax,” Abraham said. Most people are comfortable and enjoy doing familiar things, but different ideas can spur fun new routines for students to mix it up. Here is a list of potential lunch activities: catch up on homework, meet up with friends, grab some food, meet a teacher, go on a short hike or run, play with pets, golf or play a sport, call a relative, go on an adventure, cook something creative at home, or even take a nap.

September 2020

SKIER

SPORTS

PAGE 8

Activism for racial equality Emily Kinney, Editor-in-chief

Photo by AHS Yeabook team Charlie Williams playing football in 2019.

Tyler Ward and Charlie Williams moved to Calabasas, California in response to COVID-19 restrictions for better chances at recruitment Kayla Tehrani, Business Manager

COVID-19 has affected many high school athletes by causing cancelations in sports events, restrictions to playing at all, and most importantly, college recruitments. Former AHS students Charlie Williams and Tyler Ward were especially influenced by this because of their football careers. Charlie Williams, a junior, moved to Calabasas, California in July. Williams wanted to try something new, and had a recommendation from the coaches to go play at an elite football program. Williams plays as a wide receiver, as well as an outside linebacker. Tyler Ward, a senior, had the opportunity to play quarterback at Calabasas High School in LA and felt it would be a good opportunity for him to play football at the highest level available in high school. Ward left Aspen because

he needed to be in a better place for recruitment. For Ward, moving was mostly a decision based on his football career. Calabasas High School is one of the best football programs in California, and they have gotten a ton of players to Division 1 programs. For both Williams and Ward, plans for their school year have changed. Williams made the decision to come back to Aspen and enroll in an online school with a school that he is more familiar with for the first semester, but plans differently for the rest of his high school career. “I want to possibly move back out there for the second semester when it clears up more and I think next year I want to play there and be able to have a full season,” Williams said. He hopes to eventually play at the collegiate level. Ward was heavily affected by the virus because of his college recruitment

process. His plan was to explore colleges and get more exposure to different collegiate programs for his future, which he is unable to do now. “It [the virus] hurt my recruiting with colleges as I could not attend their camps, take unofficial visits, and they could not come to watch me throw or evaluate me,” Ward said. AHS football head coach, Travis Benson, also thinks that it might be difficult for Williams and Ward to figure out a way to play in college because of COVID-19. Many are unsure as to how recruitment will happen this year, which is bringing a sense of insecurity to the players. “It has taken a hard toll on those wanting to take their careers to the next level because of the uncertainty with the situation,” Benson said.

Activism for racial equality continues to permeate most aspects of American culture, and the world of sports is no exception. As sports return to television and to the forefront of many people’s interests, athletes are standing up for their beliefs regarding the Black Lives Matter movement and systemic oppression of people of color. Athletes standing up for what they believe in is nothing new. Examples of athlete activism include Tommie Smith and Juan Carlos holding up a black fist in a human rights salute at the 1968 Olympics or Muhummad Ali protesting the Vietnam war; while these actions were unpopular and frowned upon at the time, these men are now revered as some of the best athletes and activists to come from American sports. Tom and Becky Jager are figureheads in American sports both for their athletic accomplishments and their activism. Jager held the world record for the Men’s 50 Freestyle for over 10 years and won seven Olympic medals, with Becky coaching him to that point. However, they are also known for their activism in athletes’ rights with an emphasis on women’s rights. “I absolutely believe that [the athletes] have the right [ to protest for their beliefs]. They have a voice, they have the stage, and there’s a long tradition of it,” Becky said when asked her thoughts on the current athlete protests. “Athletes have earned their voice; they deserve to express it… they did not just wake up one day where they are now. Players worked very hard to get there.” Tom agrees that athletes are entitled to sharing their opinion, but warns that athletes should not feel obligated to do so. “It is your choice [to stand up for your beliefs]; it is everyone’s choice. I think some atheltes feel like they have an obligation, and that’s good because they probably would’ve [been an activist] anyway. I think athletes do [fight for their beliefs] at different times. If the social awareness is big, like in 1968 or currently, then that athlete begins leading that group [movement], with such examples as Kapernick,” Jager said. Standing up for their beliefs often ends up hurting athletes more than helping them. In the case of Ali, his protests cost him his eligibility to box. The Jagers, though they believe athlete protests are undeniably effective in raising awareness, know that there are struggles associated with them. “There’s a great saying: he who shakes the tree doesn’t get the apple. The people who are activists realize that. [The media] asks you, ‘is this going to affect you?’ and you respond that, ‘no this is actually going to hurt me, but it is better for the others,” because that is ultimately what ends up happening. It hurts the people who stand up and shake the tree,” Tom said. While the challenges may be numerous, Becky and Tom encourage athletes to continue standing up for what they believe in. “Just do it. Stand strong in your conviction, but know that it could hurt you,” Becky declared. Tom echoed her sentiments, stating, “some of these athletes become hero status in life… because they were actually true to themselves in the moment. They never changed; it’s just the moment in society that changed. And so if you’re true in that passion and in that leadership, then it will withstand the test of time.”

PAGE 9 SKIER SPORTS Running their mouths: an update on the cross country team September 2020

Runners (from left) Edie Sherlock, Stella Sherlock, Kylie Kenny, Michaela Kenny, Coach Chris Keleher, and Macy Hopkinson jump for joy after race. finished tenth. The woman Skiers also Maggie Woodrow, Senior: For me, it’s Emily Kinney, Editor-in-chief

Cross country season is well and underway despite the COVID-19 pandemic that has put a halt to other fall sports under the Colorado High School Activities Association guidelines. Regardless of challenges presented by COVID, the entire AHS cross country team has proven to be a dominant force. AHS seniors Kylie Kenny and Kendall Clark finished in the top-10 females and George Beck finished in the top-10 males for their 5K races in an August 29th cross country meet at Crown Mountain Park. The team then traveled to Hotchkiss, Colorado on September 5th where they won the meet. Kenny placed first in the female 5k, followed by teammate and sister Michaela Kenny, a sophomore, in second. Runners Edie Sherlock and Macy Hopkinson, both seniors, placed fourth and fifth, respectively, and Stella Sherlock, a freshman and sister of Edie Sherlock, placed seventh. On September 12th, the varsity boys and girls competed in the Tiger Invitational, where senior Christain Kelly placed eighth for the boys 5K. Runners Kylie Kenny, freshman Elsie Weiss, and Clark, placed fourth, ninth, and tenth, respectively. The junior varsity team also competed on September 12th at the Demon Longhorn JV meet. Sophomore Anders Weiss finished fourth, freshman Sasha Forman finished seventh, and senior Caden Klein

placed well, with senior Ruby McBride racing to second and sophomore Natalie Wesner finishing in eighth place. The Skier Scribbler checked in with a few runners to see how this season has been for them. What are you most proud of in terms of accomplishments, either individual or team this season? Mino Khan Farooqi, Freshman: I am able to run much farther since I started practicing with the high school team. Christain Kelly, Senior: I’m most proud of breaking 17 minutes in a 5k, as well as having a stronger boys team compared to the past couple years. Michaela Kenny, Sophomore: I am proud of how I have been doing as an individual, but I think that the team has had a pretty strong time, both boys and girls. What has been your favorite part of the cross country season so far? Macy Hopkinson, Senior: The camaraderie and spirit that everyone brings to the team. Cross country is such a crazy sport, but we all share a powerful bond for doing it. Audrey Corcoran, Senior: Even though we are social distancing and wearing a mask, it’s so nice to come all together and still feel like being part of a team, [as well as] being together through this time! What has been the biggest challenge this season for you or the team as a whole?

been getting the motivation to run and to push past the health issues. Taiga Moore, Senior: Trying to be fast. Stella Sherlock, Sophomore: Our team is usually a really close team. Before COVID, every Friday before a race, we would get together and have a pasta dinner, and other things like that. Now, due to COVID, we can’t even run in big groups as a whole team. If you are new to the team, why did you decide to join? Are you enjoying cross country? Bridger Thompson: I have been doing cross country for all four of my years at the Aspen Middle School, and I decided to join the team this year and see what it is like. So far, it is interesting and fun at the same time. Christain Kelly: I joined cross country because the mountain biking season was canceled, and it seemed like a fun team, as well as a good thing to keep fitness up for the winter season. If you have run cross country for multiple years, what are some of your favorite past memories, and if you are a senior, what are you going to miss most about this team? Michaela Kenny: I [ran cross country] last year, and I always loved the post-race bus rides and pre-race pasta dinners. Edie Sherlock: I would say that personally my favorite memories have been

bus ride home, or the spaghetti dinners on Friday. The one that I am most fond of is probably my freshman year when we were coming home from the Ouray race… after we got on the bus, we all went to City Market and bought double stuffed Oreos, fried chicken, and all of the junk food that we wanted and just laughed and listened to music and had an amazing time with our fellow teammates; it was really one of the biggest bonding experiences that I’ve gotten to have on the team. Macy Hopkinson: I will miss adventure runs (just follow the leader (being Chris) wherever he leads you), night runs, state memories in hotels, singing songs as a whole team on the bus, spaghetti dinners every night before the race, lively Snapchat group chat, and making it to State at Regionals my freshman year when we beat Basalt by 1 point. Maggie Woodrow: My all-time favorite part about ANY season would have to be the adventure run! Sometimes it’s the occasional night runs, but especially the team dinners where we all really get to bond. I’m defiantly going to miss the community of runners. “It’s not crazy if we are all doing it!” Stella Sherlock: The bus rides home from races were my favorite. We would always stop and load up on junk from City Market. And all experiencing the pain of the race together.

Boys Tennis - On the Road to Victory Stef Wojcik, News Editor

Aspen High School boys tennis has been having a positive season, despite the uncertainty of the future of fall sports. Out of the nine matches, including the Lowry Bishop Tournament in Grand Junction, the team has won eight matches. In nine matches, Aspen competed against the classic rivalries of Basalt, Steamboat, and Vail. Eleven varsity players travel to matchAHS boys tennis team poses for a photo after their winning matches against Vail. es - three singles players and four doubles about competing and winning, although tice and during travel, social distancing players - and based on each of the individthat is a big part, it is more about the with the other team, separate balls for each ual scores, a composite team score decides memories and fun times you have with team, mask on until entry onto the court, the overall winner. As tennis matches are your teammates. The bus rides, cheering and separate rows for seating on the bus. unique in that they fulfill both an individual and practices make it a team sport because Though there is a shift in the way the seaand team aspect, many of the players have we all have fun with each other. It is just son runs, Christian Kelly, the number one won their personal matches to contribute like being on any team; everyone’s efforts singles player, has an optimistic outlook on to the team score. For example, the team’s recent match against Vail was a full sweep, matter and it is up to you to help the team,” how to adapt positively. Cortz-Pearce said. “At first, I was disappointed that this with all seven sub-teams beating Vail. Every fall sport has had to adjust was the turnout of my senior season. And Though the scores say a lot about the based on the state regulations regarding while there are some team traditions that success of the boys’ season, Bryce CortzCOVID-19, especially when teams travel can’t happen, the virus has presented an Pearce, the number one doubles player and compete. The tennis regulations, adopportunity for leadership because every- partnered with Lukee Tralins - believes ministered both by AHS and CHSAA, are thing is so new and different. Overall, it is that the comradery is more valuable. as follows: symptom screenings pre-praca good learning experience and the other “Tennis in high school is not so much

seniors and I have been able to lead the team through these tough times with our previous knowledge and experiences from past years,” Kelly said. The team only has the state tournament left but, reflecting on the season, Steve Sand, the head coach, is proud of how the boys adapted to the conditions. “There are more hoops to jump through before practice and matches, and it does take some extra time and effort, but at least we are getting outside and we are all happy to be playing tennis.” Sand said. “I’m going to miss the six seniors on the team. I have seen them improve and mature over the last four years.” Based on the turnout of their past matches, the boys should be successful at the state competition, especially because of the bond that they have formed given the circumstances. “We have been working on some new strategies during practice that are improving our gameplay. I’m really excited to see how far we go this year,” Cortez-Pearce said.

September 2020

SKIER

OPINION

PAGE 10

Disposable or fabric masks: our current fashion dilemma AHS is blasting off Annika Nichols, Staff Writer

The most obvious fashion statement today is something we never would’ve expected six months ago: masks. Masks encourage people to cover their faces. You now have the option to wear a simple disposable mask or invest in a fabric mask. Both prove effective but are fabric masks superior to disposable regarding fashion and ecofriendliness or vise versa? Specifically in the town of Aspen, picking your mask is equivalent to picking your ski clothes. No one knows who you are when skiing unless you have an outfit that stands out, just as no one knows who you are while wearing a mask unless you choose something that stands out and trademarks you as an individual through playful colors and lively patterns. You may also be a fashionista who matches all masks with your wardrobe, more power to you, own the pandemic. With a disposable you can go for a

more normalized blue or white. It’s are not biodegradable masks, what you under the radar and will get you through are doing is littering. Quit being careless a grocery run undetected, looking like about your waste, even in the middle of every other person. Not trying to blend a global pandemic. It’s nice being able in? Go for a funky fabric mask with to buy disposable masks in bulk, yet some stand-out pattern. Maybe you’re it’s easy to only invest in a couple of going out to socially fabric masks and just re-use them. distance and party with Reusing them may even save you a your friends six-feet pretty penny or two. apart outside and you’re Ultimately, the choice is up to trying to stand out. you. Whichever mask you chose Masks, in general, can will prove effective and that is the be bought just about most important thing about choosanywhere you go. You ing a mask today. Although I find may have also experifabric masks to be the better pick, enced your mother buyit is your job to evaluate both and ing boxes of disposable decide for yourself. Whichever you masks, along with the Annika Nichols choose, don’t let it end up on some other essentials for sursidewalk on the side of the street or viving a pandemic: hand sanitizer, and in the trash after a single use. Disposable toilet paper. Disposable masks are bemasks are not single use masks like singinning to even take over the plastic bag gle use plastic, try to get at least a solid population, outnumbering them on the three grocery store-runs out of that mask. streets. You use it one or two times then Better yet, buy in a fabric mask you’ll you throw it in the trash or a sidewalk want to re-use and won’t just toss aside. and forget about it. Disposable masks

Best Zoom backgrounds

Kaelyn Kroeger, Writing Editor

In the age of digital classes, adding a little zest to your daily Zooms can be a little spark of entertainment both for yourself and your classmates. Zoom is an app that has become one of the most popular amidst a pandemic. The application has artfully and generously included the option to change your background and Members of the Journalism class uses backgrounds in their Zoom call. make it appear may not be any,” Martin said. as if you are somewhere else. We’ve unfortunately grown accusSomeone who has effectively utilized tomed to the unmistakable lack of said backgrounds is AHS Head Boy emotion and lack of feedback that we Jeremy Martin. Martin has used backexperience and (admittedly) adhere grounds such as burning houses and to from our screenshots of amusing pictures of his school chums school peers. on each “I have a couple different backZoom call grounds but some of my favorites are a and Google dance floor, a roller coaster, the Krusty Meet. We all Krab, and a photo of my own face,” know how Martin said. treacherousTo add a Zoom background, click the ly awkward arrow next to the button labeled “start the universal video” on top of the screen. Then, click refusal to “choose virtual background” and then talk amongst upload any photo from your computer Kaelyn Kroeger ourselves on and use it as a background. Zoom calls “There are also a couple of reasons can be, accompanied by the muted, why I like backgrounds, it can give blank screens. people a greater sense of privacy on You can be creative and funny in these zoom calls where otherwise there

Photo by Kaelyn Kroeger

Zoom calls by including backgrounds that range from scenes of your favorite TV shows, pictures of vacation spots you wish you could travel to, funny screenshots off the internet, pictures of you or your friends, or any beautiful landscape from your camera roll, as long as it’s not too distracting. Everyone could use a little personality on their Zoom calls, so take advantage of the app’s capabilities to better your experience during the tragedy that is remote learning. Anything you can use as a backdrop to spice things up a bit can create that small shift in environment to refresh the mind and provoke some personal tomfoolery. “It adds a playful and fun element to Zoom calls”, Martin said. “It’s a good way to break up any awkwardness in a breakout room, and it’s a lot of fun to experiment with.”

with Rocketbook Kayla Tehrani, Business Manager

This year, AHS did something new and gave each student and teacher a Rocketbook. The Rocketbook was given to students as a means of taking notes without wasting paper, as well as providing legible scans of homework in a timely and streamlined manner. The Rocketbook is essentially an erasable notebook. One is given an erasable pen, specifically a Pilot Frixion pen, and can write on this book and erase it as would happen with a regular notebook. When they’re done with an assignment, one can scan it through the app. In the app, one is able to assign one of the seven symbols to certain places like their email, different folders in your google drive, etc. Once an assignment is sent, students can simply spray water on the Rocketbook and wipe it clean with the towel provided. Many students like to use the Rocketbook because it is paper free, thus making it environmentally friendly. Students also find it easier because all notes are accessible through Google Drive. Other students don’t love the Rocketbook because they like to write things down and be able to physically flip the page and see what they wrote, so the Rocketbook method doesn’t work for some. The Rocketbooks that teachers receive are different from the ones the students have: teacher’s rocketbooks are structured differently. Teachers use their Rocketbooks more for planning and scheduling of classes and meetings. Of course, there are some disadvantages to the Rocketbook. Many students, as well as teachers, have a set way of doing things. Students have a habit of how they like to take notes and do assignments, and teachers have certain ways they plan classes and write down what they need to do. For some people, this change has been difficult, so they aren’t using the Rocketbook. While there are disadvantages, there are also a few advantages of using the Rocketbook, one of them being that it is environmentally friendly. The Rocketbook is reusable, so people aren’t buying and using so much paper. It is also an easier way for teachers to check work and grade assignments, especially when school is online.

Kayla Tehrani

SKIER

September 2020

OPINION

PAGE 11

Editorial: a tribute to RGB American public should eat Jeff Bezos in a celebratory feast

Photo Courtesy of roarlocal.com Jeff Bezos depicted as the Devil.

Tessa Guthrie, Editor-in-Chief

Jeff Bezos, the CEO of Amazon, should be consumed by the public in a grand feast. Bezos is currently the richest person in the TESSA GUTHRIE world, with a net worth of $184.9 billion. Bezos makes $2,489 each second, in comparison, the average full time worker makes $876 a week. Bezos is also known to exploit his workers. Despite Bezos having more money than he could logically spend in 20 lifetimes, he gives less to charity annually than other top billionaires, including Warren Buffet, the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, and Bill Gates, the CEO of Microsoft. Bezos became a billionaire in 1997, and from 2000-2017 he has given away a measly $68 million, which is .10% of his personal wealth. In contrast, Gates directed 22.2 percent of his wealth during the same period. Warren Buffett donated a whopping 71.1 percent of his wealth to charity between 2000 and 2017. Mackenzie Bezos, Jeff Bezos ex Wife, has given more money away than Bezos annually, at $1.7 billion a year, while being worth $59.3 billion. Bezos’ largest donations include: $10 million to the Museum of History and Industry in Seattle 2011 and $15 million to Princeton’s Neuroscience Institute. Also in 2012, he donated $2.5 million to Washington United for

Marriage. In 2018 he donated $2 billion to fund education programs for the homeless. Finally, in early 2020, Bezos donated $10 billion to fight climate change. So let’s make a list of what Jeff Bezos could easily fix with about ¼ of his personal wealth: According to the Huffington post, it would cost about $20 billion for the government to effectively eliminate homelessness in the United States. Joel Berg, CEO of Hunger Free America, has calculated the cost of ending hunger in the US at $25 billion. For $10 billion dollars, he could remove 526,315,789 pounds of plastic from the ocean Bezos could pay $55 million dollars to fix Flint Michigan’s pipeline. For $500 million, he could fund the buy back program for gun reform. Bezos could easily solve some if not all of America’s most pressing, crippling issues; However, he chooses to hord his growing, unnecessary personal wealth. He is the emiptime of greed and gluttony. Because of his actions, the joke that society should “Eat Jeff Bezos,” arose on Tik Tok as people exposed his malicious behavior. If a person has privilege, it is their responsibility to help the less fortunate. While he has an incredulous amount of privilege as an extremely wealthy white male, he often turns a blind eye to those suffering in his own country. It is my opinion that the public should eat Bezos to symbolically share his wealth because of this selfishness. Bring your forks and knives people, we’re gonna eat.

She was a champion of creating gender equality; the United States could not retain the title “The Land of the Free’’ without the work of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. In order to repay RBG for her years of effort in creating “free-er” America, the American people must fight to make her final dream, as told to her granddaughter Clara Spera, a reality. And what is this dying wish? “My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed,” Bader Ginsburg is quoted as saying. Ruth Bader Ginsburg entered Harvard University in 1964 after graduating at the top of her class from Columbia two years previously. While there, Ginsburg was asked to justify her “taking away a spot from males at the prestigious Harvard University” as one of just nine women in a class of 550; regardless of the limited support from administration, she then went on to graduate top in her class from Columbia University in 1959. This experience at Harvard was not the last time Ginsburg faced gender descrimination, however. She was unable to find a job fitting for her qualifications during the 1960s but received a position as a clerk for the U.S. District Judge Edmund L. Palmieri through the help of her Columbia professor. Following a two year stint with Judge Palmieri, Ginsberg moved to Sweden to pursue research into the Sweedish Judicial System. Her time in Sweden is said to have prompted Ginsberg to become a gender equality advocate; while there, she noticed that 20% of law students (as compared to the United States’ 5%) were women, and this caused her to question the American system for gender equality. Another defining moment in Ginsburg’s time in Sweden occurred when Ginsburg read a quote in a magazine; the quote “men and women have one principal goal: that of being people,”heavily influenced Ginsburg’s litigation career. Following her time in Sweden, Ginsburg taught at both Rutgers and Columbia Universities and became the first woman to earn tenure at Columbia. After experiencing a lower income on the basis of gender at Rutgers, Ginsburg began handling cases brought to her by the American Civil Liberties Union. While with the ACLU, Ginsburg established the Women’s Rights Project in 1972 and fought for gender equality. Ginsburg was involved in 34 cases Supreme Court cases, argued six, and won five with the ACLU. A notable victory included Reed vs. Reed, which gave women the right to be administrators of their estates, and for which Ginsburg wrote a brief. In the courtroom, Ginsburg argued in front of the Supreme Court in cases such as Weinberger v. Wiesenfeld, Duren v. Missouri, and Frontiero, most of which Ginsburg used examples of discrimination against men in to gain support from the Court. These wins provided all genders with the right to support

from the government while caring for a minor, the right to have women serve on one’s jury in Missouri (and consequently other states), and to benefits for families from the US Military. Ginsburg’s influence on gender equality did not stop at the end of her time with the ACLU. Appointed to the Supreme Court in 1993 by President Bill Clinton, Ginsburg penned the decision in the United States v. Virginia, effectively deeming segregation in state-funded schools on the basis of gender unconstitutional. Ginsburg also played a large role in the Supreme Court even when she wasn’t in the majority; when the Court started to lean more conservatively in 2006, Ginsburg’s dissent in the Ledbetter v. Goodyear case helped lead to the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. Signed into law by President Obama in 2009, the act amended the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and allows one who feels that their paycheck is lessened due to discrimination on any basis to file an equal pay lawsuit every time they receive a lessened paycheck. Ginsburg also took a firm stance in a dissent against the 2013 Supreme Court ruling that altered the core of the 1964 Voting Act. Ginsburg wrote that changing aspects of the law is that were working is “like throwing away your umbrella in a rainstorm because you are not getting wet.” It was her strong dissents and ability to convince Congress to pass new laws that Ginsburg rose to be a household name in defending equal rights for all Americans. Following Justice Ginsburg’s passing on September 18th, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell “pledged to work with President Trump and support his agenda, particularly his outstanding appointments to the federal judiciary.” While unclear about the timing of a Senate vote on a Trump-appointed replacement to Ginsburg, this message is almost directly going against the position Senate Republicans took in 2016 about appointing a Supreme Court Justice to replace Justice Antonin Scalia. Republicans argued that, because 2016 was an election year, the newly elected President should have the honor of appointing a Supreme Court Justice. This meant that Republicans blocked a confirmation hearing for President Obama’s nominee, allowing President Trump to appoint Neil Gorsuch to the court. In order to truly commemorate Ginsberg’s legacy, Americans must honor her wish of not allowing a new SCOTUS appointment until after the 2020 Election. This is not a partisan issue; it is an issue of respecting the final wishes of a woman who empowered so many. In order to do this, it is vital that we reach out to our legislators at the number below and remind them of the actions of the Senate in 2016, Ginsburg’s dying wish, and why Ginsburg is invaluable to the freedom Americans have today. Use your voice and rights to fight for what you believe in- the Notorious RBG would have wanted it that way. NATIONAL LEGISLATORS FOR ASPEN + SNOWMASS, COLORADO Senator Cory Gardner: (202) 224-5941 Senator Michael Bennet: 202-224-5852

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Sweetdark by Savannah Brown review Aja Schiller, News Editor

Photo courtesy of @savbrown on Instagram Sweetdark is set to be released on October 8th and is currently available for pre-order. This book marks the third publication in Savannah Brown’s portfolio.

In the past few years, minimalist poetry books with silky covers and delicate drawings on every other page have taken over America. Rupi Kaur, Caroline Kaufman, and Courtney Peppernell, are just a few authors whose books have sold by thousands and appear to be mainly marketed towards young women. Youtubers have also hopped on the poetry trend. Among others, Gabbie Hanna and Trisha Paytas have both released their poetry collections which have been met with harsh criticism, but from these ashes rises another breed of poet: Savannah Brown. Savannah Brown started her poetry career over six years ago, publishing her work on Youtube and then printing her first book in 2016, Graffiti (and other poems). After gaining quite a bit of attention for her slam poem, What Guys Look for in Girls, she continued her Youtube career and still occasionally posts videos updating her viewers on her mind and life. Brown has also published a novel, “The Truth About Keeping Secrets”, published March of 2019, that has been met with generally positive reviews. Savannah Brown was lucky to have started her writing career as poetry books became a larger trend across America, but luck isn’t what makes her new poetry collection, “Sweetdark,”stand out. Sweetdark is Savannah Brown’s next poetry book that is set to be released early October. The book explores many different

themes, such as death, growing, and love, with an existential and drastic tone that colors each poem in varying shades of doom. The thing that sets this book apart from other mainstream poetry books is that Sweetdark takes an emotion/event and magnifies it perfectly in a cluster of metaphors and elegance. Reading the poems in Sweetdark feels like pouring sweet cream into a cup of dark coffee or walking barefoot over shattered glass. Brown not only captures beautiful moments in her life, but she also vividly writes them on paper. The word choice in Sweetdark is another attribute that makes the collection sound so well put together. Every word is precisely chosen. Each use of figurative language is like a sword slashing through the air in a bold, clean strike that has the reader thinking hard about the meaning while also admiring the beauty of the poem. Every new page brings a fresh poem and each tells its own individual story. The poetry that is in Sweetdark reads like a snapshot in time and feels like the reader is intruding on intimate moments that Brown never meant to exploit, but rather meant to write into history. Set to be released on October 8th, Sweetdark is highly anticipated and adds another masterpiece to Savannah Brown’s portfolio. Signed copies of the Sweetdark can be pre-ordered on her website: https://www. savbrown.com/sweetdark

Tony Hawk new video game review The impact of deceased Chadwick Boseman over that result in a maximum amount of Skateboarding has been around for points. decades, and the most recognized skateAnother feature of the game is players boarder is Tony Hawk. Hawk founded his can choose from a select group of profesown skateboard company, Birdhouse, in sional skaters from around the world to 1992. Hawk was the first to complete the explore each map and try new tricks. This “900” (two and a half rotation spin) during includes legends such as Eric Koston, Bob the 1999 summer X Games. On top of Burnquist, Steve Caballero, Tony Hawk pushing the sport forward with tricks nevhimself and newer professionals, for er done before, Hawk has inspired many instance Nyjah Huston who is a 10 time X kids and adults by doing what he loves as game gold medalist. a career. Overall the remastered version of The same year as landing the 900, Hawk Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1 + 2 is a classic came out with his video game, Tony reimaged, with hours of unique gameplay Hawk’s Pro Skater, on PlayStation, Ninand creativity. Although this game was retendo 64, Dreamcast, N-Gage, and Game leased during a pandemic, it could produce Boy. Developers included Neversoft, Trea new generation of skateboarders, as the yarch, Natsume, and Ideaworks Game Stu- original game did over 20 years ago. dio. The game sold over 5.3 million copies by 2007 and helped inspire the next generation of skateboarders by showing the level of creativity and freedom you have while skateboarding. Twenty years after the release of Hawk’s first game, Tony Hawk pro skater 1+2 was released on September 4, 2020. The new version of this game is anticipated to sell at least 5 million copies worldwide if not more. The user friendly game has around 19 different maps which can be virtually skated for hours on end. The free skate option allows for unlimited creativity in any of the locations, from riding around San Francisco to skating a 360º ramp in Mexico, made famous by Hawk himself. Each map consists of different terrain and features unique to the area. For example, the hangar map includes planes and Photo by Brenon Reed helicopters which the user can do tricks Flipped skateboard featuring graphics. Brenon Reed, Staff Writer

Sophia Grieper, Staff Writer

Chadwick Boseman died on August 28, 2020 after suffering from stage 3 and 4 colon cancer since 2016. While Boseman has acted in many shows and movies, such as 42 and Get On Up, he is most known for his role as King T’Challa in Black Panther. Boseman’s role in Black Panther has inspired many, as his character was one of the few leading black superheroes that many black youth and adults looked up to. Alongside his character KIng T’Challa, Chadwick Boseman also inspired many. Andrew O’Day reflected on Boseman’s legacy in a Radio 1 Newsbeat interview with BBC News. “The fact that he was actually Photo courtesy of Courtesy of @chadwickboseman African - and had an African ac- Chadwick Boseman, who died of Stage IV Colon Cancer on cent - was another reason for me August 28, 2020. to be proud of where I’m from: so it didn’t really matter where you were to be black, to be African,” said O’Day. from as a black person, Whether you’re The setting of the movie and how Africa Nigerian, South Africa, Kenyan, Ghanawas portrayed in Black Panther was also ian, you can see a piece of your culture in refreshing to many black and Indigenous the film.” O’Day says. people of color (BIPOC). Many are used Regarding Black Panther 2, rumors to seeing the negative parts of Africa have been circling that King T’Challa will portrayed in movies and in the media, die off-screen, leaving his younger sister however, Black Panther showed the Shuri, played by Letitia Wright, to take opposite. The film is set in a strong and over his role and responsibilities. Howevtechnologically advanced fictional nation er, Kevin Feige, the head of Marvel Stucalled Wakanda. dios, and Ryan Coolger, Balck Panther 2’s In addition, according to Andrew O’Day, director, have only confirmed their plan to “They encompassed the whole of Africa refocus the film onto Shuri.