THE SKIER SCRIBBLER
Becky Oliver’s Time at the Aspen School District Comes to an End
Eleanor Carroll, Staff Writer
To Assistant Principal Becky Oliver, working as an educator has always been an opportunity to lead with love and positively impact the lives of kids.
Both in and out of the classroom and offce, Oliver has always prioritized being there for everyone. For 18 years, she led Aspen’s Adopt a Family project, raising money to provide Christmas gifts for local families. In the building, she has worked to develop personal relationships with staff and students. Oliver’s goal has always been to make people feel welcome and loved by encouraging them. She will continue to do so next year, but just further down the valley.
On Feb. 3, 2025, Oliver sent out an email to parents and families announcing that, after 23 years of working in the Aspen School District, she would be leaving her current position and taking on a new one as Principal of Carbondale Community School. She will continue to serve as Assistant Principal for the duration of the 2024-25 academic year and embark on her new chapter beginning in July 2025.
The majority of Oliver’s time in the district was spent at Aspen Elementary School. She worked as a special education teacher for her frst three years and then proceeded to teach second grade for the next 14. In 2019, she switched to AHS and since then, she has enjoyed watching both her former and new students grow and navigate the world
as young adults. For Oliver, working in schools is an opportunity to impact the lives of students for the better.
“[I love that the high school is] an opportunity to really invest in the life of a kid before they’re off to that next stage of their life,” said Oliver. “I think we have a lot of kids who are in desperate need of someone to believe in them and love on them and encourage them and help them to know that ‘you got this’.”
Oliver is excited to create a meaningful educational experience for a new group of students. Developing relationships with new families is something that is nerve-wracking but also rewarding for her. The transfer will allow her to continue doing what she loves to do but in a way that is manageable for her well-being.
For the past year, Oliver has had to juggle some health issues in addition to her responsibilities as AP. Being assistant principal at AHS is something she loves; however, the time commitment of the job is extremely demanding. While she wasn’t initially looking for a new job, when the listing was posted for a Principal at Carbondale Community School three people sent it to her. This encouraged her to open her mind and apply for the position. Doing so was a leap of faith, but she is looking forward to seeing what it has in store for her.
“I’m excited and nervous at the same time to develop new relationships with families and be able to [support] a new
group of people, and for the opportunities that it’s going to provide me to love and support kids and education but also have balance in my life,” Oliver said.
Going into her new role as principal, Oliver’s goal is to foster a culture and community that she really believes in by creating a culture and showing up for everybody and making them feel welcome.
Oliver’s time at ASD has been full of meaningful memories and people that have deepened her passion for education. Two memories she cherishes the most are taking her second graders snowshoeing every year on her birthday and spending time with Sarah Strassburger, growing close to her through laughter and shared experiences. To Oliver, the district is a special place that has changed her life.
“I want to just add a thank you, to the students, staff, and the parents who have trusted me to be in their lives,” Oliver said. “I hope that when I leave, people remember me for the way I treated others. I hope that’s a legacy that I could leave in this school.”
O O
tanley ps, i o hop, a a sneakers, and drawers upon drawers of makeup products. In this day and age, we are constantly surrounded by the media: enticing marketing ploys, bright colors, eye-catching designs, and ly, perfect in encers all crafted to convince us we need a new pair of shoes or the latest viral perfume. In a world of opinions constantly being shoved down your throat, how do you decide...
DON’T BE FASHIONABLY LATE TO 2025
Page 6 hile was flled with leopard print - too much if you ask me - a new pattern is ready to dominate: polka dots. This classic print has been creeping into fast-fashion pieces, and while most sightings have been in simple blackand-white colorways, I’m predicting the real shift would be toward smaller, daintier polka dots in more playful colorways. Instead of bold, oversized...
If you grew up in America, your childhood may have been graced by the presence of a magical fairy appearing in the night to steal your baby teeth and leave a sum of money in return. The tooth fairy is a staple in many American ho seholds his a ical f re frst appeared in in the hica o Tribune when the author Lillian Brown proposed the fairy as a fun and...
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The Skier Scribbler’s Editors and Advisors
Editors-in-Chief: Quin Frisch, Gia Galindo Bartley, and Sara Kershow
Writing Editors: Owen Cruz-Abrams, Sydney Klausmann, Sara Michelin, Marley Rich, Haley Schmela, and Chase Slesinger-Hall Advisor: Sarah Ward
Courtesy of Lochlan Marsh
Aspen High School Girls and Boys Alpine Skiing Team won the CHSAA Alping Skiing State Championships on their home course, Thunderbowl, on Feb. 21, 2025.
The NCAA’s Proposed 2025-26 Roster Limits
Yale Gieszl, Staff Writer
Every year, about 1 in every 57 high school athletes go on to play in college at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 level. However, starting in the 2025-2026 academic year, D1 opportunities (not necessarily out of high school) will decrease by at least 4,739. The change has to do with a ruling in House v NCAA that allows schools to begin paying athletes directly. As a result of this ruling, the NCAA is considering limiting rosters in Division One sports to avoid future antitrust lawsuits surrounding the distribution of scholarships, direct payments, and NIL deals on college teams.
According to ESPN, the proposal will limit rosters by sport. For example, football rosters will be limited to 105 players, baseball rosters to 34, men’s and women’s soccer rosters to 28, men’s wrestling to 30, men’s basketball to 15, men’s lacrosse to 48, men’s golf to 9, and men’s hockey to 26 (other sports not listed). However, some sports roster limits are larger than current roster sizes, meaning that NCAA Division 1 opportunities will potentially be reduced by 10,000 if these sports do not expand to fll their roster limits.
Sports like football and baseball are disproportionately affected by these limits, where rosters will be decreasing by at least 10%. As a result, some coaches
of these sports are concerned that roster limits will diminish their abilities to practice, scrimmage, and fll in the spots of injured players. Furthermore, since teams will now be able to offer scholarships to all players, the era of the walkon is essentially over. In football, where around 9% of players are injured every year, scout team (a team mostly con-
sisting of 3rd or 4th string players that simulate opposing teams during practice) players may begin to fll the roles of injured players more often. This could make it more diffcult to run practices since former scout team players will no longer be able to play for the scout team, and there may not be another player to fll their role.
As for baseball, effective practice is
a concern even without injuries. Due to the nature of the pitching position, players can sometimes need 3-5 days of rest after pitching in a bullpen, game, or scrimmage. Specifcally, in the preseason, if a pitcher’s practice is held where most of a team’s pitchers throw a bullpen, the team now is without pitchers for a few days and therefore will not be able to scrimmage while the pitchers are recovering, taking away from valuable preseason practice time.
Another effect of D1 roster limits is a trickle-down effect. Now that some players with D1 talent will need to be cut, these players will likely try to fnd a new team to play on at a lower level. This means that D1 bench players will likely transition to the D2, D3, or JUCO levels, heightening the level of play at these levels, and possibly even improving funding for non-D1 athletic departments. However, for high school athletes with D1 aspirations, these roster limits and the trickle-down effects may lead to a new road to D1, where an athlete frst spends a few years at a JUCO, D2, or D3 college, and later transfers to a D1 college after they already have some college experience.
Although roster limits are not yet fnalized, it is true that college sports are headed in a new direction in order to allow student-athletes to be compensated for playing their sports.
The Colorado Wolf ’s Journey to Restoration
Araya Thompson, Staff Writer Wolves have been removed from Colorado since the 1940s due to large amounts of wild animals and livestock kills. The removal was part of a plan to relocate the wolves because ranchers in Colorado started to complain that they were targeting farm animals. To get rid of the wolves, people around the state started to shoot, trap, and poison them. The government then started to relocate. During the latter half of the 1800s, hunters killed most of the wolf prey, which included bison, elk, and deer. By the 1900’s less than 1000 elk remained in Colorado. In recent years the population has increased to over a quarter million. Now Colorado has a more sustainable habitat for wolves, including a suffcient amount of prey and extensive public land.
Over the past couple of years, some wolves have migrated into some parts of Colorado. In May 2023, the Colorado Park and Wildlife Commission approved the fnal Colorado Wild Restoration and Management Plan. To start this transition, the frst wolf was released on December 18, 2023, in Grand Country Colorado. Five more were then released in Summit and Grand Country.
After this, Colorado Parks and Wildlife planned to bring in 10-15 wolves from different packs around the country and release them in Colorado each year for the next three to fve years. While wolves are in Colorado they will be a part of of an Endangered Species Act. Even because of this plan, “the United States Fish and Wildlife Service” has started a rule-making process designed to give management fexibility by having
wolves be an experimental population. This would classify Colorado wolves as an “experimental” population and give Colorado Parks and Wildlife “authority to lethally remove wolves for management purposes.”
Oregon has helped many states with their animal conservational goals by transporting small amounts of animals at a time. Colorado has worked with the Oregon Department of Fish and
Wildlife to help with the wolf population. The introductory process included the Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff working with helicopter crews and spotter planes to capture and transport wolves. Before they were transported, the wolves were tested and treated for disease and collars were placed on wolves and were physically measured. For the safety of the animals, they were created in aluminum crates and transported by planes or trucks.
Some pros of adding wolves back into Colorado are they may provide a reduction of forage competition for livestock. They may also improve habitat and increase the populations of countless species. The presence of wolves in the ecosystems boosts biodiversity in plants, restores fsh populations by repairing habitat, and helps offset the effects of climate change.
Cons of introducing wolves include but are not limited to, harassment and depredation of livestock, herd dogs, and guard animals. Concentration of wild animals on private property may result in property damage due to hunters or people taking pictures of animals on the property.
Courtesy of Addy Christensen
A packed Rice-Eccles stadium watching the Utah Utes play a game in their debut Big 12 season.
Courtesy of Lucy McBride
Gray wolf roaming in the early morning in Yellowstone National Park.
SKIER OPINION
“Too Loud, Too Reckless, Too Ghetto”
Gia Galindo Bartley, Editor-in-Chief
“The revolution ‘bout to be televised, you picked the right time but the wrong guy,” Kendrick Lamar said while performing at the Superbowl. The line, a reference to the radical 1971 poem by Gil Scott-Heron, few over many watchers’ heads, as did much of the rich symbolism that Lamar conveyed during the 13-minute show.
While the show was full of energy and upbeat, many viewers failed to pick up on the message behind it - only commenting on the subtle jabs at Canadian rapper, Drake. Serena Williams’ cameo, where she crip-walked on stage during the performance of Lamar’s Grammy-winning diss track aimed at Drake: Not Like Us, was a main topic of discussion.
While fans saw this as an entertaining shot at the rapper considering the other former romantic link to guest performer SZA, critics thought it was inappropriate. Notably, former Fox Sports commentator, Jason Whitlock commented on the dance, comparing it to “cracking a tasteless, X-rated joke inside a church.” This backlash is reminiscent of William’s controversy in 2012 while doing the same dance while celebrating a win. Kendrick also brought special guest Samuel L. Jackson on stage as the character “Uncle Sam,” the historical personifcation of the United States. The real purpose of his character, however, wasn’t just to align with the “patriotic” theme. Jackson was actually chosen to play the character “Uncle Tom,” representing the criticism black people
face within their community to better conform to white America’s standards of what a “classy and dignifed” member of society should act, speak, and look like. It’s originates from the 1853 book by Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom’s
submissive, eager, and, most importantly, non-threatening to white people. Jackson perfectly executes this persona after yelling “Too loud, too reckless, too ghetto.” in response to the performance of “Squabble Up,” an energetic track
Cabin by In short, an “Uncle Tom” refers to a black person who seemingly rejects black culture altogether to be better accepted into predominantly “white” spaces. Lamar utilized the character “Uncle Sam” as a subtle play on the current stance of the U.S. Historically, “Uncle Tom” is depicted as an older black man who is happily
about Lamar’s musical success and dominance within the industry. Speculation was also made that Lamar chose Jackson as a guest because of the similarities to his role in the 2012 flm Django Unchained.
Shortly after, Jackson asks, “Mr. Lamar, do you really know how to play the game?” Referring to the “American
game, “ where people in this country have to “play” to get ahead. Lamar furthered the symbolism of ‘the Game’ by turning the foor he performed on into a PlayStation controller. The words “GAME OVER” were also displayed in lights, concluding the performance. A stand out was the remark made by Lamar near the conclusion of the show; “40 acres and a mule, this is bigger than the music.” This sentiment begins to remind fans about the complex meaning behind his work.
More specifcally, This is a reference to the promise made to formerly enslaved Americans after the abolishment of slavery in the mid-1800s; stating that each formerly enslaved family would receive forty acres of land, and a mule to begin a new life being fnancially independent. These same reparations were never acted upon however, as President Lincoln’s successor, Andrew Johnson, reversed this promise when he stepped into offce. Lamar also had black backup dancers dressed in red, white, and blue outfts, all of which were black. At one point during the song HUMBLE, dancers created an American fag that was split through the middle with their bodies - possibly commenting on the fact that our nation is currently signifcantly divided.
Many criticized the “political” nature of his performance; however, Lamar made a bold choice to use the superbowl as a platform. Kendrick Lamar is a rare example of an artist who uses their infuence to spread a message and get it across successfully.
What a Mass Deportation Would Mean for You
Sara Michelin, Writing Editor
One of President Donald Trump’s major promises during the 2024 presidential campaign was to conduct mass deportations of immigrants who are living in the U.S. illegally. Just three weeks into President Trump’s second term, Americans have witnessed a frenzy of arrests and deportations, separating families and removing important workers.
As of Feb. 3, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted on X that their agents had arrested 8,768 people, which is approximately 4,384 people a month, and about 150 a day. Continuing at this rate would lead to over 52,000 deported immigrants by next year, but these numbers are not high enough for ICE and President Trump. According to an article by NBC News, the ICE acting Director Caleb Vitello, told ICE agents to aim for 1,200 to 1,400 arrests a day. Yet, that is not enough for President Trump, stating he wants to deport “millions and millions” of people, in the same article. Deporting 1 million immigrants in a year would be 2,700 immigrants each day.
If this trend continues, prices could rise 9.1% by 2028, the opposite of what President Trump promised to do
throughout his campaign. Prices could rise signifcantly because 70% of farm workers are immigrants, where 40% of that 70% are undocumented. If we continue to deport workers, we could lose up to 225,000 agricultural workers and 1.5 million construction workers.
The Joint Economic Committee (JEC) has estimated that if deportation rates continue to rise, deporting one million people each year (2,700 immigrants each day) until there is no undocumented population, could cost us a 4.2% to 6.8% loss in GDP. To put this in perspective
for you, the economy’s GDP lowered 4.3% during the Great Recession.
Not only will the loss of these immigrants cost the US money, but the cost to actually deport these people is an exorbitant amount. According to the American Immigration Council (AIC), deporting one million immigrants per year would cost $88 billion. The sum of the $88 billion is divided between arrests, ($7 billion), detention camps, ($66 billion), carrying out legal processing, ($12.6 billion), and relocating these immigrants, ($2.1 billion).
In the midst of this confusing and scary time, Tharyn Mulberry, Aspen School District’s Superintendent, continues to promise a safe environment at ASD for its immigrant students.
“I urge our community, state, and national leaders to respect and uphold the principle that schools should remain safe havens for students. We owe it to our students, our community, and our profession to rise above the noise and act in their best interest,” Mulberry said.
To read more about this developing story, please visit www.skierscribbler. com.
Photo by Araya Thrompson
Gia Galindo Bartley and Areysi Galvan watching Kendrick Lamar’s Superbowl Halftime show.
Photo by Sara Michelin
SKIER OPINION
It’s (Been) Time to Cancel Kanye Your Incompetence is Not a Weapon
Hallie Zilberman, Staff Writer
I haven’t listened to a Ye song since 2022. Once one of my favorite artists, he no longer populates my personal playlists after I erased every trace of him from my Spotify app.
Formally known as Kanye West, Ye has been openly antisemitic since 2022. This obvious, sickening behavior prompted me to eliminate his work from my life. Yet Ye continues these antisemitic actions, which draw attention to himself and his beliefs.
In October 2022, Ye tweeted, “I’m a bit sleepy tonight but when I wake up I’m going death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE.”
This tweet marked the beginning of Ye’s antisemitic rampage via Twitter (now known as X) and elsewhere. He has directly denied antisemitism, claiming it to be “just some bullshit Jewish people made up to protect their bullshit.”
On Feb. 10, Ye’s X account was deactivated – with a retained 33 million followers. That’s more than twice the global Jewish population of around 15.7 million in 2023. This suggests that, when considering Ye’s X fanbase, there are at least two antisemites per every Jew. 33 million people continued to support Ye after years of blatantly idolizing Hitler, praising the Nazis, and encouraging antisemitic stereotypes. 33 million people saw his disgustingly dystopian behavior and ignored it entirely.
Below is a list of some of Ye’s antisemitic quotes:
“I’m a Nazi”
“I’m going to normalize talking about Hitler”
“Hitler was soooo fresh”
“I LOVE HITLER. NOW WHAT BITCHES?”
“ANY JEWISH PERSON THAT DOES BUSINESS WITH ME NEEDS TO KNOW I DON’T LIKE OR TRUST ANY JEWISH PERSON AND THIS IS COMPLETELY SOBER WITH NO HENNESY… I’M NEVER APOLOGIZING
FOR MY JEWISH COMMENTS”
“Stop dissing the Nazis”
“I can say antisemitic things and Adidas can’t drop me”
“I prefer my kids knew Hannukah from Kwanzaa. At least it will come with some fnancial engineering”
After telling people that I no longer listen to Ye’s music, they often respond with, “Yeah… I like his music, though, so…” or, “But you’ve got to separate the art from the artist.”
Cancel culture, though often taken to the extreme, has fallen unacceptably short in this instance. Why have numerous celebrities and infuencers lost everything - their jobs, money, and careers - after their inappropriate behavior, yet Ye has maintained immense popularity? Popular country musician Zach Bryan, for example, experienced extreme backlashes when accused of “emotional gaslighting.” With the same standards as those concerning other forms of hatred, Ye would’ve been canceled years ago.
This is a duality that should not be tolerated.
Promptly after his frst public antisemitic comments in 2022, I eliminated anything related to Ye with zero hesitation. There is no reason that millions of other people should continue to support him in his music and merchandise. In this case, separating the “art” from the “artist” ultimately benefts the artist, especially when there’s a plethora of other artists to support with respectable values. By supporting Ye, his fans are defending the antisemitic, misogynistic, and racist systems he believes in.
I have despised Ye for years, yet my hatred continues growing. His Super Bowl 59 commercial led its viewers to his offcial Yeezy website, selling a singular item - a T-shirt with a large Swastika on it, sold for $20.
Many likely purchased the item before
Sara Michelin, Writing Editor
When someone intentionally, or sometimes unintentionally, shows that they are incapable of performing a task, it is known as weaponized incompetence.
Sometimes this behavior is known as strategic incompetence, which forces the other person to take over and do the work for you. This calculated laziness is typically performed by men and takes place between partners and coworkers.
Imagine you are in a group working on a project and your partner says to you, “Oh, I’m so bad at making slideshows. Could you prepare the presentation for tomorrow morning? You always make them look so good.”
Photo by Hallie Zilberman
being shut down several days later.
After all, Ye has 21 million followers on Instagram, 67.1 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and 33 million followers on X (his account was reactivated shortly after its removal). This is a disturbing number of fans considering his conspicuous disregard for the very principles of society.
On Feb. 7, an American Jewish Committee (AJC) statement responding to Ye’s recent antisemitism said, “Hate, left unchecked, only multiplies.” I agree wholeheartedly.
The lack of control regarding Ye’s behavior, plus his immense fanbase, makes a dangerous pair - one that results in an unhealthy amount of antisemitism increasing worldwide. Though sadly not unprecedented, the world remains unsafe for Jews. The prevailing disregard for Ye’s actions only exacerbates further antisemitism, posing an even greater threat to.
Racism, sexism, and homophobia, along with other forms of hatred, generally have a zero-tolerance standard in 2025. Antisemitism, however, is constantly ignored and dismissed.
I am stunned that this has to be taught in 2025, but evidently, it does; hatred should never be ignored regardless of who is targeted. Racist comments should be treated as sexist comments, which should be treated as those that are homophobic, antisemitic, and otherwise distasteful comments - no hate speech should be condoned.
It’s time to cancel Kanye. It’s been time to cancel Kanye.
This kind of manipulation can be incredibly frustrating for the victims. While yes, they are getting a complement for their amazing slideshow presentations, they are given additional responsibility as a result of the uneven task distribution.
The mental health of the victim whose partner is weaponizing their incompetence can be affected severely. Victims frequently feel abused and unappreciated, which causes them to distrust their own judgment and expectations. When these emotions build up, it can lead to increased anxiety and emotional exhaustion. Feeling taken advantage of and burnout may result from this behavior as well.
Weaponized incompetence in a relationship is especially harmful when performed around children. It can create a toxic environment and give unrealistic ideas about how relationships work. It leads children to believe that one parent is more reliable than the other.
Whether you consciously or subconsciously weaponize your incompetence, it is very harmful to the victim. Recognizing the signs and addressing them promptly is crucial for maintaining healthy interactions and personal well-being. Open communication, setting clear expectations, and promoting mutual respect, can work towards creating more balanced and supportive environments.
A collage of multiple antisemitic Tweets/X posts by Ye from over the years.
Photo by Sara Michelin Chase Slesinger-Hall displaying his weaponized incompetence of his ‘inability’ to take photos for his articles.
SKIER OPINION
The Overconsumption Epidemic
Luna Murray, Staff Writer Stanley Cups, TikTok Shop, Samba sneakers, and drawers upon drawers of makeup products. In this day and age, we are constantly surrounded by the media: enticing marketing ploys, bright colors, eye-catching designs, and bubbly, perfect infuencers all crafted to convince us we need a new pair of shoes or the latest viral perfume. In a world of opinions constantly being shoved down your throat, how do you decide who to listen to?
Ever since the introduction of online shopping, it has become abundantly easy to press ‘buy’ without thinking about the consequences of your purchases. Now with the addition of a 20-something infuencer with botox convincing you that a moisturizer will get you looking the same as her, spending habits are out of control. With this increase and interest in new-meaningless products, people are so obsessed with becoming their TikTok feed that they fail to recognize the serious ramifcations of online shopping and overconsumption. Landflls overfowing, overuse of natural resources, labor exploitation, and environmental stress are all serious problems that have become overwhelming in the last few decades. These problems are not slowing down in the new generation, especially with the rampage of social media.
While I’ll admit TikTok can be a useful app for expressing yourself, fnding recipes, learning guitar, and keeping up to date on the latest news, using social media to infuence your purchases creates an unhealthy cycle of spending habits. Just because Alix Earle is wearing skinny jeans does that mean you now have to? The constant exposure to infuencers and advertisements blurs the line between genuine recommendations and paid partnerships. One minute you’re scrolling, the next you’re convinced that you need yet another water bottle or lip gloss to achieve the peak “clean girl” aesthetic. But after you click the “buy now” button and unbox your latest fnd, what happens? You may use it for a week or two, maybe even a few months, but more often than not after the post-buy high fades you are left with a cluttered room and empty bank account. Companies have been using the same manipulative psychology techniques for decades, and these techniques continue to spiral out of control. By capitalizing on FOMO - the fear of missing outbrands and infuencers create a false sense of urgency and necessity, all of which convince you to buy into their latest ploy. Limited edition drops, countdown timers, and “last chance” sales all manipulate consumers into believing that they need to act immediately, even if the
product doesn’t serve any real purpose in their lives. While the rush of dopamine that accompanies a new purchase is feeting, the consequences of excessive spending can be long-lasting, and create a perpetual dissatisfaction with what you own.
I myself have fallen victim to these scams, as almost everyone else has. Sol De Janeiro body mist that resembles burnt popcorn, a whitening mouthwash that set my gums on fre, and pimple-vanishing serums that somehow accentuate my blemishes even more, are just a few of the pit traps I have fallen into due to social platforms. It is nearly impossible not to fall into those
traps if you are on social media, but it is important to recognize the beauty in high-quality products. The $4 crop top you bought off Temu is going to end up in a thrift store or landfll in four months, further fueling your addiction to buying unnecessary items. Instead of falling into the dazzling trap of cheap, trendy items, invest in timeless, good-quality staples. There is nothing wrong with owning a few hoodies instead of a closet full, and wearing a pair of shoes until they are worn through. Going back to basic staples will improve your life, help the environment, heal your bank account, and repair the constant desire to always be trendy.
To combat falling into this cycle of spending, adopting mindful shopping habits can be essential. Ask yourself: do you really need the product? Will I still like it in fve months? How often will I use this? These questions are all important in recognizing if you actually need and love the product you are buying, or if you need to be de-infuenced. Breaking free from the cycle of overconsumption isn’t about depriving yourself of things you want. It’s making more meaningful choices about what you are buying. Resisting the pressure of outside opinions and instead prioritizing quality and sustainability will lead to more freedom and intentional living.
Put Down Your Phone, Get a Hobby
Sara Kershow, Editor-in-Chief
During the Jan. 18, 2025, 12-hour TikTok ban, for most of which I was asleep, I found myself wondering what people did without phones. Were they staring out windows earnestly, creating genuine human connection, dying? In the absence of the main component of my phone addiction, I decided I needed a hobby, something to distract myself from the constant noise coming from every
corner of the earth.
Societies have utilized the art of the hobby, or productive leisure, to distract and defect from the scary realities of our world. Beginning during the Industrial Revolution, when work hours were cut, hobbies gained popularity as a way to feel productive when they had nothing else to do. Hobbies picked up again during World War II when many wanted to ease their minds, which were con-
stantly muddled by the terror of the war. Most recently, in 2020, when the future seemed to be on the fritz and unemployment and confusion plagued the world (pun intended), hobbies returned stronger than ever, and social media intensifed their prominence.
The constant input of content from our phones does make it seem like everyone has a hobby, and is good at it: Tik-Toker Nara Smith’s homemade bubblegum, BookTokers reading 200 books in a year, and DIY after DIY all make hobbies seem more common and acc than they are
A hobby may be a crutch to get off phone addiction, similar to how a vape or a Zyn is a crutch to quit smoking. Although riddled with capitalist history, the art of a hobby is still a better option than doomscrolling fve hours a day. Many see hobby culture in America as too extreme, promoting the notion that being idle is wrong and that to have success, you must constantly be doing something. At times, this can become toxic and could lead to burnout.
Having nothing to do outside of school or work besides scrolling on your phone could also lead to burnout. It’s vital to have something to throw yourself into, to realize your creativity, and to get off your phone. Hobbies have been tied to happiness and improved overall well-being. A hobby could be anything really — reading, skiing, sewing, crocheting, playing tennis, thrifting, baking, cook-
ing, hiking, gardening, and reading The Skier Scribbler are just some examples. Hobbies are often seen as a marker of economic status. When people are wealthy, they have more time to dedicate to hobbies and improve their skills. Many common hobbies are associated with high-class society, like tennis, skiing, and traveling. Additionally, some common hobbies come with economic barriers; if you want to start sewing, you must get a sewing machine, which could cost upwards of $300; if you want to garden, you need space to garden, which is impossible for many living in apartments or other small spaces. These factors make hobbies sound pretentious and elitist, potentially deterring people away from their benefts.
There are ways to get into hobbies that aren’t as expensive. Finding hobby supplies at thrift stores is a great option; they often have fabric and sewing machines at a lower price. If you want to garden, you can fnd space at a community garden or create an herb garden in your kitchen. Some hobbies also don’t have a high upfront cost. With crocheting, for example, all you need is yarn, a crochet hook, and a YouTube video. If you utilize your local library, reading is free.
In 2025, while it seems that the world may be burning around us, put down your phone, forfeit your doomscrolling, and get a hobby.
Photo by Sara Kershow
An array of hobby materials, including journals, yarn, a Kindle, a camera, books, and a sewing machine.
Photo by Luna Murray
AHS senior girls pose with their water fasks, following in the footsteps of microtrends.
It’s Time to say Bye-Bye, Bed-Head
Marley Rich, Writing Editor
People are constantly looking for the magic fx for everything, so what if I told you that you could fx practically every insecurity from your shoulders up?
Silk pillowcases are taking the internet by storm. Their supporters promise a multitude of benefts for skin, hair, and health; that you will feel now like the soothing feel of a silk pillow, and some that you will feel for the rest of your life like the prevention of wrinkles and hair breakage. There is no doubt that these silk pillowcases feel more luxurious during the night, but do they really live up to all of the claims?
Let’s start with the hair benefts. The one I fnd most attractive is the frizz/ bed head prevention. A silk pillowcase’s smooth surface prevents friction which supposedly leads to less frizz and tangles. Since silk is less porous than fabrics such as cotton and linen, it is also supposed to help your hair maintain moisture. This prevents breakage and leaves your hair looking shiny and bouncy.
Similar to hair, your skin also benefts from less friction and more moisture. Less friction leads to less development of wrinkles since your skin is not being
stretched and pulled every which way. The silk also helps to hydrate your skin. Which is important around here!
A beneft that your hair doesn’t gain is the soothing feeling of the pillowcase. Since silk is smoother than other fabrics it irritates skin less, so a silk pillowcase is supposedly a good option for people with sensitive skin or who are prone to irritated skin or acne.
A less publicized beneft is that a silk pillowcase is less likely to make you sick. Silk is hypoallergenic and non-toxic, but contrary to popular belief it is not actually antimicrobial. Silk tends to absorb fewer particles from your skincare, and room. This means that it is less likely to hold on to things like dust which could trigger allergies. Since silk is naturally breathable it can reduce allergy symptoms too. Many silk pillowcases are also certifed to be nontoxic, meaning they are free of harmful chemicals, toxins, and other irritants. There is also an argument to be made that silk pillowcases increase sleep quality. Everyone knows the feeling of laying in bed trying to fall asleep and you realise you are too hot. The obvious next step is to fip your pillow over to the cold side, but then…that side
is also warm. The insult “I hope your pillow is warm on both sides” has also been increasing in popularity due to the uncomfortable sensation. Due to their light, breathable, and natural fbers, silk pillowcases are incredible at regulating temperature, leading to a pillow that has two cool sides.
One negative of silk pillowcases is their price tag. While there are many luxury brands gaining popularity, there are a surprising amount of silk pillowcases being sold on Amazon for less than $20. Next, I will walk you through my experience with two pillowcases at different price points.
I am very grateful to have received two silk pillowcases for Christmas this year. One is from a more high-end brand called Blissy and the one from an Amazon seller.
Opening the two cases on christmas morning, Blissy’s packaging was signifcantly nicer and came with more care instructions, while the Amazon one came in a plastic bag. They both felt smooth. The Amazon case seemed to be thicker while still being more see-through than the Blissy one. Before using either of the pillowcases, I washed them with cool water. After the frst wash, they were
still about the same in terms of smoothness.
After sleeping on them for about a month I can say that I have seen and felt an improvement in my hair and sleep quality, but not my skin. I have always had acne and there will always be ups and downs. Sometimes you have clear skin and then sometimes it fares up. It is hard to measure over the course of the last month if the pillowcases have truly made a change. If they have it isn’t very noticeable.
I wake every morning with fewer tangles in my hair and I notice less damage when I have to sleep with my hair still wet. Both pillows feel luxurious and soothing on your skin during the whole night.
From the past month of experience I can confdently recommend a silk pillowcase in general. In terms of how much to spend, I am surprisingly happier with the Amazon one. After the second wash the Blissy one became less smooth and is more wrinkled. The Amazon one appears to be holding up better, making it more comfortable to sleep on. Therefore I recommend an Amazon silk pillowcase over the more luxurious brands and cotton pillowcases.
Don’t be Fashionably Late to 2025
Quintessa Frisch, Editor-in-Chief
If you saw a TikTok comment in the past year calling someone a “Microtrend Final Boss,” chances are that the person on your screen is wearing ballet fats, cheetah print, or barrel jeans. It is no secret that the most extreme of microtrends necessitates an understanding of what “mob wife aesthetic,” “glazed doughnut makeup,” and other of 2024’s confusing labels could possibly mean. 2024 has turned into 2025. New trends are bound to emerge, and while there is no way of knowing what that implies, we can only predict. With no credentials besides a crippling addiction to thrifting and Vogue, here are my 2025 fashion predictions.
Lots of Polka Dots
While 2024 was flled with leopard print - too much if you ask me - a new pattern is ready to dominate: polka dots. This classic print has been creeping into fast-fashion pieces, and while most sightings have been in simple black-andwhite colorways, I’m predicting the real shift would be toward smaller, daintier polka dots in more playful colorways. Instead of bold, oversized circles, expect to see delicate, micro-sized dots that add a subtle touch to outfts. These tiny polka dots evoke a vintage charm reminiscent of 1940s and 1950s fashion and will likely appear on everything from fowy blouses to midi dresses and even sheer tights. If animal prints were the go-to for maximalists in 2024, small polka dots are their 2025 counterpart, offering a softer, more refned take on the trend.
Don’t (or do) Suede the Small Stuff
Leather has had its moment, whether it be pants, jackets, or other garments. And while leather is essentially a timeless textile, 2025 might be the year suede makes a strong comeback - we’ve already seen suede jackets, but I predict a continued focus on handbags. Suede has been popular with jackets and boots, especially with the famous Birkenstocks Boston Clogs, and jackets, but expect more soft, slouchy bags that channel a vintage, effortlessly composed energy. While suede typically manifests in brown-grayish shades, navy blue suede is stunning and deserves its moment. The Row’s Margaux Bag has been questioned about being a new Birkin, and while replacing the’ Birkin Bag seems virtually impossible, maybe suede will become the new leather.
Personalization is in the Bag
Speaking of the iconic Birkin Bag, Hermes, the bag’s designer, is comparatively recognized for its silk scarves. Recently, we have seen people wrapping silk scarves, whether by Hermes or others, around their bags, giving them a more personalized and customizable style. Jane Birkin, who the timeless bag is named after, is often credited with decorating or accessorizing her bag, helping to popularize the trend of bag charms, which have further been commercialized through other brands’ products, such as Free People and Anthropologie. As this is both a relatively cost-effective and economically friendly way of switching up your wardrobe
without having to invest in a new handbag, I predict that this form of personalization will spread to shoes, jeans, and whatever other pieces one desires. We’re all a little tired of the endless fast fashion and the constant demand to buy the “new best thing,” and I think personalization of clothes and items that we already own is an excellent way to upgrade our wardrobes without replacing them, whether it be through scarves, embroidery, or any other creative means.
Flip-Flop Frenzy
As much as you didn’t want to see fipfops on the list, trust me, I didn’t want to write about it. Nevertheless, fip-fops will have their moment in the summer of 2025. Most may be reminded of these sandals as a sacrifce of fashion for practicality - although fip-fops arguably do a terrible job of keeping sand out and yield an unforgiving tan line - I think a new era of fip-fops will arise. A few years ago, Kim Kardashian was seen wearing $450 fip-fops out in public, which I would say mirrored those of a nail salon. This outft caused quite a stir, and while I cannot say that I endorse this
trend, I can, unfortunately, see platform fip-fops making a resurgence, all the more with rhinestones and gems. All I ask is that if you are willing to partake in this fip-fop frenzy, save yourself by not pairing them with any type of denim jeans. Whether it’s wrapping a silk scarf around your favorite item, indulging in a soft suede bag, or decorating your wardrobe with polka dots, fashion is gearing up to keep us on our toes - especially if fip-fops really do make a comeback (I’ll be holding my breath). As we march into 2025, let’s leave the microtrends and fast fashion behind and embrace the power of personalization. Only time will tell if my predictions will make glamorous revivals or make us delete old photos of ourselves in a few years.
Photo by Quintessa Frisch
A handbag with a charm, tassel, and lace showing a customizable way to personalize an item.
Mice, Dogs, and Fairies, Oh My!
Sydney Klausman, Writing Editor
If you grew up in America, your childhood may have been graced by the presence of a magical fairy appearing in the night to steal your baby teeth and leave a sum of money in return. The Tooth Fairy is a staple in many US households. This magical fgure frst appeared in 1908 in the Chicago Tribune when the author Lillian Brown proposed the fairy as a fun and magical tool for parents to encourage their children to lose their baby teeth. However, the Tooth Fairy was not the frst of her kind. For many years before her, other cultures around the world have had their own way of dealing with children’s discarded teeth.
Take France, for example: Similar to America, when a child loses a tooth, they place it under their pillow. But instead of the Tooth Fairy, a mouse named La Petite Souris -- French for “The Little Mouse” -- appears under the cover of the night, rolling a coin and maneuvering herself under the child’s pillow to exchange the coin for the tooth. And if you have been a good little child, La Petite Souris might even bring a bill instead of a coin. While this might seem odd to an American, someone from a Spanish-speaking country might not be as surprised.
In nations, such as Spain and Mexico, they have their own version of La Petite Souris named Ratoncito Perez. The mouse received this tooth-stealing ability in 1894 when author Luis Coloma was commissioned to write a story for the 8-year-old King of Spain, Alfonso XIII, who had just lost his frst baby tooth. Ratoncito Perez lives in Madrid with his family in the shoe box. Each night he scurries through the city pipes to fnd children who have lost their teeth. Once he locates a child sleeping with a tooth tucked under their pillow, he retrieves the tooth and replaces it with money or a toy.
However, in some cultures, there is no magical critter coming to retrieve your teeth; instead, there are interesting practices that supersede the loss of a baby tooth. In Central Asia when a child loses a tooth, it is wrapped in meat or fat and fed to the family dog. The thought process is that by feeding the tooth to the dog the next tooth that grows in will be strong like a canine. But what do you do if you don’t have a dog? No problem, bury your tooth by a tree in hopes that the adult tooth will have strong roots like those of the plant.
Another tradition in countries such as India, China, Vietnam, and Korea is tossing your teeth in the air or throwing them on the ground. If the tooth comes from your lower jaw you are supposed to toss it in the air or onto the roof and if it’s from the upper jaw, you must throw it on the ground. This is so the next tooth will grow straight toward the old one. Make sure you don’t mess up or you might end up with a crooked smile.
To Infnity and Beyond The Screen
Haley Schmela, Writing Editor
Walt Disney was more than a triple threat. The American, animator, director, producer, screenwriter, voice actor, philanthropist, and entrepreneur, never limited himself to one specialty. Disney transformed many childhoods into lasting nostalgia and has masterfully left behind advice, explanations, and wisdom within his cinematic features. For instance, Pinocchio taught us that lying will get you nowhere, Alice In Wonderland showed the magic of curiosity, and Tangled introduced the beauty of stepping outside of one’s comfort zone. Of course, I didn’t realize these meanings until I got older, yet, I believe that was Disney’s intention all along.
My favorite Disney movie growing up was Toy Story. The action-packed, bittersweet tale of two toys, and their adventure to ensure happiness for their owner Andy, has held a special place in my heart for as long as I can remember. The franchise brought me many laughs, memories with my brothers, and even tears, as I refuse to ever watch Toy Story Four again after it broke my heart. After
understanding the underlying meanings in Disney’s flms, I thought it would only be fair to analyze my favorite and look back on what it has taught me over the years.
Toy Story has grasped many mature topics, and morals to slowly, and creatively implant in the minds of younger generations. The frst movie grapples with the concept of change. The bottom line is change is scary for everyone, whether it’s a new menu at your favorite restaurant, or a toy space ranger stealing all of the attention that had once shined on you–everyone fears it, cowboy Woody more than anyone. Woody, unwelcoming to new possibilities, and ever refusing to be changed, became territorial and developed a fear of the unknown. Once Woody stopped denying the new environment and instead began to experiment with his new company by engaging with the world around him, he saw not only his friends but also himself in a new light. Woody taught us that it takes an act of courage to let go and embrace what is new.
“To infnity and beyond”, is one of the
most recognizable Disney quotes of all time, spoken by Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen). Although a fun saying, and representation of strong friendship among the two characters, this saying has been used by philosophers and mathematicians around the world. To be optimistic and move forward, or in other words, the sky’s the limit. Disney designed this movie to highlight the idea of following your passions, if a toy space ranger can fy, or “fall in style” then you shouldn’t limit yourself to anything. Go outside, explore, fnd what it is that makes you happy, and test your limits to infnity and beyond.
Disney flms, although it has only taken me a decade to realize, have shown me more words of advice than I have ever received or learned on my own. I do feel that modern Disney does not have the same effect and eternal glow that the classics have, I do hope that Disney continues to carry out Walt Disney’s legacy and keep creating playful, engaging words of advice, for I will always appreciate it.
The Diference a Decade Makes
Marley Rich, Writting Editor
Now that we are a few months into the year 2025, I have been seeing people on social media point out similarities between the frst couple of months of 2025 and 2020. Events such as the California wildfres in both years and the startling information of a new respiratory virus in China. My personal favorite, however, has to be that both 2020 and 2025 started on a Wednesday, leading our calendars to spell out “WTF” for the frst few days. Can you get a worse omen than that?
The parallels to just fve years ago had me wondering if there are any similarities between 2025 and another year. 2015 came to mind simply because it was just ten years ago. I would also say that 2015 is one of the frst years that I really remember in detail. Below, I am going to remind you of a few trends and historical events that happened in 2015.
Let’s start with some world events, German fight 9525, Hurricane Sandy, and the 2025 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
German Flight 9525 was a fatal crash of an Airbus A320 in the Alps. The fight was from an airline named Germanwings. There were no survivors. The crash was caused intentionally by the pilot who had been struggling with mental health. While this is not the same, it reminded me of the January 30, 2025, DC collision where an American Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet crashed into a UH-60 helicopter.
While Hurricane Sandy is not the worst hurricane or even the worst one the United States has experienced, it is one of the most destructive and remembered ones the US has experienced. While in 2025 we have not experienced a hurricane yet, scientists are predicting
that there will be three major storms this year.
Even though there are no Olympic games this year, people are still talking about the ones from this summer and how Los Angeles will be hosting again in 2028, similar to the games hosted in 2015.
What students are most likely to remember from 2015, would be the trends. Some of the clothing trends I still see in our school on a daily basis such as athleisure and white sneakers. Some trends we have let go of are long vests and furry keychains.
The most notable trend that I person-
ally remember from 2015 is the infamous dab, a dance move that involves bringing a bent arm to your face and extending your other arm straight to the side. While dabbing didn’t end in 2015, it defnitely seems out of date now. I was surprised to see that not much has changed in the last fve and ten years. Another thing that amazed me was how much I was able to remember from 2015. As a high school student I am now more aware of the world than when I was in elementary or middle school. I am curious to learn what I will remember from 2025.
Photo by Chase Slesinger-Hall
Gia Galindo Bartley and Sarah Ward pose in front of the 2014-15 and 2015-16 graduating photos.
Girl Scout Cookies are America’s Staple
Chase Slesinger-Hall, Writing Editor
Every year, as winter comes to an end, and spring is on the horizon, an unnoticed but highly anticipated phenomenon takes place: Girl Scout cookie season! For over a century, these cookies have been dominant in the sweets industry, and staples of the American culture. And not only that, they do this while promoting youth entrepreneurship in the Girl Scouts. Among the Girl Scouts’ echelon of favors, their most consistently soldout and popular favors remain the same-Thin Mints, Samoas, and Tagalongs. Despite that, how do they really rank? Here’s my personal review of these three cookies.
But frst, an honorable mention, which did not make the Girl Scouts’ list of top three best sellers, Adventurefuls. These brownie-inspired cookies with caramel-favored creme with hints of sea salt are seemingly magical. Adventurefuls are immensely underrated. Whenever I think of Adventurefuls, I imagine them quoting Kendrick Lamar, saying “F**k
the big 3, it’s just big me,” attempting to establish dominance with the opposing cookies, even though they’re not in the “big 3.”
Without further ado, in frst place, undeniably, we have Thin Mints. Thin Mints are the cookies that resonate with both nostalgia, and tastiness. One of my frst memories is from when my brother and I were around 5 and 6 years old, trying to climb on eachother to reach the box of Thin Mints hidden on top of a shelf my parents had stashed to keep away from us. Even as a kid, I had taste. The crisp, minty, and chocolatey combination in this cookie makes for a perfect and irresistible bite. Thin Mints have the perfect crunch. A satisfying noise, and a favorful after-taste that makes the cookie almost impossible to refrain from eating the entire box (or 2) in one sitting (speaking from experience). One of the most amazing things about Thin Mints is their out-of-this-world versatility. You can eat them right out of the box, freeze
them for a crunchier aspect if that’s your thing, or even pair them with another sweet treat like ice cream for a diverse favor palette. Whether you’re one of the people who claim to not like Thin Mints in order to be different, or a day 1 lover, there’s an evident reason as to why Thin Mints are the top-selling Girl Scout cookie every year.
Coming up in a (not-so-close) second, are Samoas, also known as Caramel DeLites. Samoas are for the people who think they’re being healthier than the Thin Mint lovers because they have a little bit of toasted coconut. But guess what? For every four Thin Mints, you’re consuming 161 calories, but for every two Samoas, it’s 142. I rest my case. Samoas aren’t horrible, but you can’t eat very many a time due to their existentially sweet favor. The Samoas’ description can sound like a dream: vanilla cookies coated in caramel, sprinkled with toasted coconut, and laced with chocolate stripes. But this can be quite misleading.
When people buy Samoas, it’s really just because the Girl Scouts are sold out of Thin Mints. They’re too messy, the caramel sticks to your teeth, and the chocolate seems to melt as soon as you pick it up. While Samoas are still a solid cookie, they don’t come close to the respected hype of Thin Mints. Samoas are honestly just for the granola people of our world.
The third top-selling Girl Scout cookies are Tagalongs. Tagalongs are said to be crispy cookies layered with peanut butter and covered with a chocolatey coating. This would sound delightful to someone who could eat peanuts… which isn’t me (I have a peanut allergy. Not funny).
This article has been modifed to ft the print edition of the Skier Scribbler. Plesase visit www.skierscribbler.com for the full article.
The Horoslope
Gemini (May 21st-June 20th): Today you may notice a friend or loved one is struggling. Take time today to comfort them and by doing so, your relationship will grow stronger.
Tonight: Listen
Virgo (Aug. 23rd-Sept. 22nd): A big change may be happening in your life. If so, continue to persevere and appreciate the permanent aspects of your existence.
Tonight: Hug someone
Cancer (June 21st-July
22nd): Things may have been feeling stressful and out of control for you. Today sit down and make a plan. Organize your thoughts and visualize your goals.
Tonight: Journal
Leo (July 23rd-Aug.
22nd): You may be feeling trapped or overwhelmed. Today spend time in nature. Find a quiet outdoor space and rest there.
Tonight: Look at the stars
Aquarius (Jan. 20th-Feb. 18th): Go with the fow. Follow your gut instinct and don’t stress if plans change. Be fexible and today will be generous.
Tonight: Cook
Pisces (Feb. 19th-March 20th): Today is a day to move. Release any restlessness you may feel through physical activity. Something as simple as a walk can cause great relief.
Tonight: Stretch
Sagittarius (Nov. 22ndDec. 21st): Take today as a day to relax. You deserve some me time. Look into yourself and see what you fnd, don’t bother yourself with the stress of uncontrollable things.
Tonight: Take a bath
Scorpio (Oct. 23rd-Nov. 21st): Today you may notice that things will go your way. Your luck is a little high today. If you’ve been contemplating something, today would be a good time to make a decision.
Tonight: Check your fnances
Libra (Sept. 23rd-Oct. 22nd): You may have found yourself spending large amounts of money recently. Today refect on your purchases and evaluate what is really necessary in your life. Be appreciative of what you already have.
Tonight: Practice gratitude
Capricorn (Dec. 22nd-Jan. 19th): Excitement is in the air! Change is coming your way, and while it may be stressful at frst, things will end in your favor. Tonight: Create something
Taurus (April 20th-May 20th): Recently you’ve been on a steady path. Stay consistent with the pace you're at in life. Don’t become overeager and you will continue with this constant content.
Tonight: Rest
