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The Rampage 2270 Highway 133 Carbondale , CO 81623

Februrary 2017 Volume 10 Issue 5

Best Selling Author Speaks at RFHS

- Solana Teitler

“Books, art, music, reminds you not of death, but of the dignity of an individual,” author Azar Nafisi shared at Roaring Fork on January 17th. Through the Aspen Words Winter Words program, Nafisi spoke at the Aspen Institute and visited Roaring Fork High School. Nafisi,who is the author of three books, Reading Lolita in Tehran, The Republic of Imagination, and Things I have been Silent About, came to our school, speaking about her love for fiction, need for knowledge, and power to inspire change. Azar Nafisi grew up in Tehran, Iran, studied in Switzerland, and taught English literature at the university of Tehran. She quit teaching when she was forced to cover her head and instead began teaching controversial western literature to students secretly from her home in opposition to the Ayatollah. Her books all discuss the importance of fiction and knowledge in resisting oppression, maintaining democracy and forming morals. Nafisi wrote her books because of observations she made on cultural misperceptions. “Nowadays especially, when we think of others, we are thinking only of differences,” Nafisi explained, “Understand

Azar Nafisi Talking to a group of students. Photo by Kelsie Goodman.

ing others’ cultures is so crucial to connecting to one another.” Nafisi explained how even the geography of our homes can connect us. She said that the snow and mountains that characterize our valley brought her back to her city of birth: Tehran, Iran. “Nature, Nature itself links us to one another.” Nafisi says a majority of the world suffers from generalization. As Americans, we see a whole country of individuals only as they are represented by a single leader or story, and we dismiss horrible things we see as their “culture”. While understanding helps bring us closer together, Nafisi also explains how fiction connects us. “Fiction doesn’t generalize,” Nafisi said, “Fiction, as opposed to politics, focuses on an individual: on genuine people.” American fiction is different from any other, according to Nafisi, because it’s heros and heroines are regular people, and it humanizes a culture, making it something connectable and associable. Nafisi operates on the theory that there is nothing uninteresting in this world. Everything we encounter deserves to be learned about, challenged, and discovered. “Being alive means being restless” Nafisi states; “If you don’t take risks, you won’t be able to do a damned thing.” Nafisi, an agent of change herself, talked about the necessity

What’s Inside

Cutest Couple at RFHS Page 2

Azar Nafisi takes a photo with a group of students. Photo by Kelsie Goodman.

of knowledge to inspire advancement, and the place of criticism. “When you love something, you’re critical of it, because you want to make it better.” Nafisi explained as she described her inspiration for writing. Similarly, In order to change our world, the world we love, we need to criticize it, just like we criticize everything else we love. “You need to learn about the world because you are involved in the world and it is your world,” Nafisi states. In order to rebel, you need to have knowledge of your oppressor so you never become like them. “Resistance does not equal guns,” Nafisi elaborates, “These are not the threats. Who are the threats? The ones who think; the ones who say ‘No’.” Nafisi spoke about how american students see anti establishment as refusing to read an assigned book for class, when reading itself is anti establishment, and how these false ideas are stunting american growth. Nafisi’s message was that fiction, knowledge, culture, they help us define ourselves and learn what we must fight for. After speaking, she stayed to talk with a few students, signing books, exchanging emails, taking pictures, and giving book recommendations. It was an honor for Roaring Fork to host such an inspirational author, and hearing her speak made AP Language and AP Composition students rethink their views of the world.

X- Games Review Page 3

Battle of the classes Pages 4 & 5

The end of RFHS Football? Page 6 Courtesy Photos.

Feature

2 2 Rampage February 2017

Roaring Fork High School’s Cutest Couple -Mariana Cortes

Buckshot Berry and Maggie Eagleton

Reed Featherstone and Emily Henley

Josey Morford and Alec Sloan

Every year, near Valentine’s day, Roaring Fork chooses a few couples and votes on the cutest, which is then put on the Rampage and shared with the community. This year, Roaring Fork has continued its annual celebration and Emily Henley and Reed Featherstone have been chosen as the “2017 Cutest Couple” by the Rampage staff. Henley, a very enthusiastic senior, has been dating fellow senior Featherstone, since June 2016. Both Henley and Featherstone run most of the assemblies at Roaring Fork High School and it’s clear they have chemistry. Although, Henley and Featherstone haven’t been a couple for a very long time, before they started dating they were close friends. Here’s their story. A Blossoming Romance “You could say I’m a wimp. I wasn’t brave enough to ask her out. She was braver than I was,” smiled Featherstone. It was a regular Tuesday afternoon

when Henley and Featherstone decided to spend some time together at the movies. While watching Finding Dory, they shared popcorn and watched the movie in silence. After the movie finished, they decided to go and take a walk around River Valley Ranch where they both got on the swings and quietly enjoyed one another’s company. As the swings slowed down, Henley looked at Featherstone and asked him out. He accepted instantly without a second thought. Most Awkward Moment No love story is complete without a bit of comedic relief, and Henley and Featherstone’s love story includes some awkward moments. When asked about their most awkward moment, one specific experience quickly came to mind. Henley’s job was to kiss another guy in the play “Boeing Boeing.” When the day of the play came, Featherstone went to see

the play. “I watched Emily kiss another guy. It was pretty awkward. It was not comfortable and it caught me off guard,” included Featherstone. In complete discomfort, Featherstone stayed and watched the rest of the play. What they Appreciate About Each Other “I like her eyes and smile, I like how she’s really creative. She’s funny, I feel comfortable with her. And she’s pretty cute,” said Featherstone. Henley included her thought as well, “Reed is reliable, caring, funny, and puts up with all of the nonsense.” Even though this couple has had their difficult times, they have made their relationship last by communicating verbally and trying to prevent situations beforehand. Runners-up for the cutest couples include Alec Sloan and Josey Morford, and Maggie Eagleton and Buckshot Barry.

Political Cartoons by Fabian Rico

All political cartoons reflect the views of the artist. If you have editorials, artwork or other content you would like to see published in the Rampage, please email the rampage at rframpage@gmail.com.

Feature

3 3 Rampage February 2017

Roaring Fork’s Nordic Skiiers Take the Slopes -Rex Hamilton & Aiden Foote

Courtesy photo

One of the best parts of living in the Roaring Fork Valley is the outdoors. This area offers everything from mountain biking to world class ski racing. One of the local favorites is nordic, or cross country skiing. It appeals to so many people because of the sense of wilderness, the joy of gliding around on snow, and the exercise that comes with it. However, not everyone has the opportunity to try cross country skiing due to expensive equipment and lack of experience. Here at Roaring Fork High School, teachers Matt Wells and Wendy Boland offer students the chance to try nordic skiing. Started four years ago by Matt Wells, Wendy

Boland, and Hadley Hentschel, the Nordic club is a weekly, voluntary, and free trip to Spring Gulch for a ski adventure. Every Tuesday right after school, students get dressed in snow pants, jackets, gloves and hats and gather equipment to load up the minibus and to head to the trails. According to Wells, “The biggest obstacle is being able to get and have gear for kids to use. One of the things that keeps people from skiing is that they either don’t have the gear or they don’t really know where to get it.” These students probably would not be able to ski because it’s hard to obtain or rent gear in Carbondale. All of the various skis and boots were either donated or passed down by graduates headed for college in warmer climates. Nordic club has been a success thus far this school year. RFHS freshman Claudio Orellana says, “It’s fun to get out and ski with friends outside of school.” Many of the skiers have little if any experience, but Wells says it makes the experience more fun. He states, “I love getting students who have not either had the opportunity to nordic ski before, or just kids that want to go out and ski and have fun in a noncompetitive way.” He expresses that speed and ability do not matter, but rather what matters is if the kids have a smile on their faces, and students certainly do! Students have expressed how much fun they have with nordic club, even when they struggle and fall in the snow. Several of the students stress that skiing is definitely challenging, but they enjoy it. Freshman Luis Sanchez says, “Maintaining balance while go-

Courtesy photo

ing downhill is definitely a challenge.” Sophomore Emmanuel Madrigal explains,“When you are going down a hill, and there’s a turn, it’s hard not to fall!” All the students have had a wonderful time even when they were covered in snow on the ground with a face full of powder. Nordic club continues to meet each Tuesday because, as Wells explains, “We live in this amazing place with a world class trail system at Spring Gulch, and it always surprises me how many people have not nordic skied, so we get kids out and show them it’s fun, pretty, peaceful, and such a cool activity to do.”

A Reflection on This Year’s Winter X-Games

-Iliana Castillon

Attending the Aspen Winter X-Games has become an annual tradition for many in the expansive community of the Roaring Fork Valley. Some students at Roaring Fork High School (RFHS) skip attending school in order to have more time to spend at the games. Those who go to the event have the opportunity to watch the various winter sports competitions, attend concerts, and receive complimentary sponsored merchandise. For a single, magical weekend every year, the Buttermilk Ski Mountain is completely transformed. This year, artists Bassnectar, Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals, The Chainsmokers, and G-Eazy performed, headlining the event. The winter sports include Snowmobile SnowCross, Snowmobile Freestyle, Snowmobile Best Trick, Snowboard SuperPipe, Snow BikeCross, Snowboard Big Air, Snowboard Slopestyle, Ski SuperPipe, Ski Slopestyle, and Ski Big Air. On Friday the concerts kicked off with a bass-full EDM show performed by DJ Bassnectar which created a happy head-banging crowd. Smoke machines and lasers helped set the energetic mood. Saturday afternoon Anderson .Paak & the Free Nationals serenaded the crowd with a set that smoothly transitioned from Hip-Hop to R&B. The crowd was fairly calm and did not get out of hand but the audience continued to enjoy themselves and dance to the band’s music. Gio Ortiz a student at RFHS who attended the show states “It looked like the crowd was having a great time, everyone was vibing and enjoying themselves.” The artists even gave the audience a chance to listen to their new unreleased single.

Overall Anderson .Paak and The Free Nationals gave a spectacular show and did not disappoint. The Chainsmokers, an electronic music duo who have raked in millions of plays across numerous music platforms, performed Saturday night and drew in a huge crowd inclusive of all ages from around the valley and even the state. The duo kept the sold-out crowd alive and raging through the extremely cold

Anderson .Paak performing. Photo by Iliana Castillon

temperatures. Though the Chainsmokers kept the aggression in the crowd at bay for the first portion of the concert, they soon lost control and were forced to end the show early for the safety of the audience. More than 6,000 X-Gamers attended The Chainsmokers’ concert and most found themselves with some sort of injury by the end of the night. “It

started out pretty chill, but once you got into the heart of the crowd, things started to get really rough. If my friends or I had fallen over in the crowd, no one would have probably helped us get up,” said Bella Ulrych, a junior at RFHS who attended two of the four X-Games concerts this year. Sunday afternoon G-Eazy, perhaps the most anticipated artist of the weekend, preformed. The hour-long concert was well worth the $35 price. He made sure to connect with the crowd and keep them involved in the live performance. He performed many of his hit singles and even gave a sneak peek of his new album. The audience was energetic and continued jumping through out the hour long show. G-Eazy made sure to include flame displays in his performance to keep the crowed entertained. G-Eazy ended his show with a performance of his most popular song “Me, Myself, and I” leaving the audience in awe as he walked off the stage. When it comes to sports, the SuperPipe is one of the crowd favorites and draws in the largest amount of people. Specifically the Women’s Snowboarding category, ever since last year when 14 year old Chloe Kim took both the gold medal and title as the youngest to ever win the Women’s Snowboarding SuperPipe category. This year Elena Hight took the gold, the oldest to ever win the Women’s Snowboarding SuperPipe category, followed by Xuetong Cai who took silver, and Chloe Kim who won the bronze medal. After a successful X-Games weekend, preparation and anticipation for next year’s games is already underway.

News

6 Rampage February 2017

Stepping Stones: Student Support Center of the Roaring Fork Valley - Daniela Rivera

Stepping Stones, a drop in center in the Roaring Fork Valley, helps teens improve various aspects of their lives by providing a network of support. Monday through Friday, all 14-21 year olds are accepted and assisted with anything from laundry to homework to applications to staying healthy. In 2013, president and founder, Kristen Nelson began with the idea for Stepping Stones as a safe place for teens by informing the community, students, and teachers about the need for guidance and support for teens in the Roaring Fork Valley. In 2015, the program was established officially, and it has

Photos courtesy of Stepping Stones

only gained strength since. On average, the Stepping Stones house gets 23 students a day. Executive director, Kyle Crawley explained how the majority of students coming into the center are juniors and seniors because many of the programs they offer tend to cater to the needs of upperclassmen. Stepping Stones offers extensive application help, work advice, and tutoring for graduation, but these are not the only services this program provides. The program is able to adapt to each student’s needs; for some students, the goal is a hot meal and a safe environment, for others it is help with school or a place to make friends and have fun. All activities are open to all students at all times; to participate, one simply has to sign up. The program also makes an effort to include recreational activities every month. Activities include skiing and snowboarding, swimming, hiking, or exercising at Roaring Fork Valley’s multiple recreational centers. Several local companies and organizations support Stepping Stones; this year, Aspen Valley Ski Company generously donated fifteen lift tickets to give students the opportunity to ski or snowbaord this winer season. Other activities offered by Stepping Stones are more independent. For example, twice a week, Stepping Stones arranges for any participants who need it to get a haircut, and they provide clothing and jackets to teens in need. Stepping Stones also supports teens

Photos courtesy of Stepping Stones

by providing them with health care opportunities such as doctor’s appointments and glasses. Stepping Stones is based out of a house, which is located in Carbondale at 1010 Garfield Ave. There are three staff members working at the house 3:006:30 from Monday through Friday, and Wednesday from 12:00-6:30. In the summer, when there is an increase in free time, there is also an increase in student attendance, the hours are extended slightly and activities expand to include rafting, hiking, and camping. Stepping Stones continues to work hard toward its mission in supporting youth throughout the Roaring Fork Valley. For more information on this organization, please visit http://steppingstonesrfv.org/

Are Independent Studies Still Needed at RFHS? - Ruby Fuller

In high school, students often do not have the opportunity to pursue their unique interests due to limited course offerings, and thus those students often opt to participate in an independent study. However, is the option for independent studies changing at Roaring Fork High School? Graduation requirements have been changed for the future, resulting in declining needs for independent studies. As of school year 2017-2018, a new graduation requirement, CapStone, is being implemented. The implementation of this new project might reduce the importance and availability of independent studies. The administration feels the reason and interest for an independent study would be the same for students’ CapStone projects. In many ways, CapStone projects achieve the same purpose as independent studies, but CapStone projects also enable students to explore these topics in a more supported and creative format. Many students benefit from independent studies because of the time allotted. Sage Williams, a freshman at RFHS, uses her independent study to pursue her passion of figure skating. Williams strongly believes that she has excelled this year in her figure skating career because of the independent study

Sage Williams photographed by Carolyn Williams

RFHS has granted her. Williams added she is very thankful for her independent study because, if she wasn’t given one, she would be having to take a P.E. class which wouldn’t benefit her or her skills the way this independent study has. Williams hopes to continue to take advantage of the privilege of an independent study for the rest of her time at RFHS. She hopes the CapStone project does not replace her independent study because it allows her to spend critical amount of time training in Aspen with skating coaches and peers. Williams could, of course, use figure skating as her CapStone project, but she prefers her independent study because her training is based in Aspen, and her independent study provides her time to not only skate but for transportation as well. Capstone could potentially limit the time she has available to train. Although the idea of independent studies is shifting, students like Williams are hoping to continue pursuing this unique and valuable option. The addition of CapStone to graduation requirements will cause many changes to RFHS students’ high school experiences and the change in importance of independent studies might be one of these things. Only time will tell how these changes will look at RFHS.

Sports

7 Rampage February 2017

What is the Future of RFHS’s Football Team? -Lillian Peery

Football and high school are like peanut butter and jelly; they always seem to go hand in hand. However, for the 2017-2018 school year, Roaring Fork High School (RFHS) faces the possibility of losing its football team, primarily because of a lack of interest in the typically popular American sport. Since the 1940’s, Roaring Fork High School has had a football team. However, interest in football from RFHS students has dwindled over the years. Currently, the school only has 16 players committed to the team. The coaches for the football team have been hopeful that bringing in a new head coach will inspire more students to join the team. Athletic Coordinator Marty Nieslanik describes how he plans on doing this. “I think it’ll come from the coaching,” he responds when asked if there are things that can be done to save the football program. “If we get a good guy who knows what he’s doing and has a lot of experience, and [the possible future coach] does. If he takes the job, then I think he could come in and generate some interest in football.” While the football team has not always been at the top of the league, RFHS Friday night home games have become community events. Nieslanik explains the importance of the football team to him personally and to the rest

students. If there is no RFHS team next year, the following year’s seniors and other students who are still interested in playing football will have to play with the Basalt team. However, Roaring Fork High School will not be the first high school to lose their football team. Other schools in Colorado such as: Colorado Academy, Florence Crittenton High School, Emily Griffith High School, Stapleton High School, Green Valley Ranch High School, and many more have also lost their football programs. The loss of the RFHS football team would be felt by all members of the community, from graduated alumni, the team fans, the student body, current players, and future RFHS students. “The [football] program is definitely worth saving.” Nieslanik said.

Courtesy Photos

of the community. “We don’t get a lot of fans, you know. But there are some people who still don’t have kids even in school and they’re coming out just to watch the kids,” he says. “When I was a senior we won the state championship here at Roaring Fork. I think it’s important to a lot of people, not only to me, but to other past alumni [as well]. I know they would hate to see the football program die.” Not only will a loss of the school’s football team impact community morale, it will also greatly impact

February Sports Events Calendar Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Girls/Boys Basketball Home VS. Gunnison

Saturday

Girls/Boys Basketball Home VS. Delta

Aspen Boys Ice Hockey Nordic Skiing Home VS. Columbine Club races in Frisco

Girls/Boys Basketball Girls/Boys C-Team Home VS. Vail Chris- Basketball tian Away VS. Moffat

Basketball Play-offs Begin

Girls Soccer Begins

Girls/Boys Basketball Girls/Boys Basketball Home VS. Cedaredge Away VS. Aspen Boys Ice Hockey Aspen Boys Ice Hockey @Columbine @Mountain V. VS. Aspen

Boys Baseball Begins

Entertainment

Gems of the Valley: Redstone Coke Oven Historical District

-Frankie Harrington By Frankie Harrington

The Car Crash Diaries

-Trinity Potter

The harsh road conditions of the 2017 winter have brought an epidemic to many students at Roaring Fork High School (RFHS). As the nights got colder and everything started to freeze, so did our roads, and with that, they became more dangerous. Among the many fender benders that occurred this winter, Corey Johnson, Kristin Page, Layne Crisp, and Eric Torres have dried their tears to share their car crash stories.

Photo Photo courtesy courtesy of of wikimedia Wikimedia

If you’re looking for a short drive to a beautiful place, go check out the Redstone Coke Ovens! Built in the 19th century by the company Colorado Fuel and Iron, these ovens are amazingly still intact today. The Redstone Coke Ovens were almost torn down in order make a gas station, but luckily they were declared a historical landmark and were preserved by the town of Redstone. These beautiful brick ovens are truly a one of a kind experience that are a great past time and a short drive away. Go check them out, and afterwards, stop by the Redstone Inn for some great food! How to get there: The Redstone Coke Oven Historical District is located at the intersection of State Highway 133 and Chair Mountain Stables Road just outside of Redstone. Stop by and take some spectacular pictures! What to do: Take your time to check them out! Drive up to Redstone and park off Highway 133, make sure to get out of the car and walk around the spectacular brick ovens! Word to the wise: These ovens are best to see during the day, so you can get the best look at the beautiful stonework.

Kristin Page: “On a Friday night, I went to babysit up in Old Snowmass (Capitol Creek Rd.) with a friend without the prior knowledge [that] the mechanic didn’t actually switch my tires at the shop I went to in November. At three in the morning in negative 19 degree weather, we were on our way home and took an icy turn going twenty miles per hour and ended up in a ditch bumper first. After the shock of the crash, we looked back to find a tree in my driver’s side back window. After an hour of waiting and having barely any service to call for help, my dad ended up coming to get us. The next day we recovered my car safely and I still drive it, as usual.” Corey Johnson: “I was driving to school when a car slid through a stop sign coming straight for me. Neither of us were able to stop so we were forced to collide into each other. The other car is currently being repaired and my car is totalled.” Layne Crisp: “After school, my friends and I went to Subway and were heading back to the school when someone in front of me didn’t use their turn signal while turning and stopped abruptly in front of me. I had to slam on my brakes as well as the guy behind me, which put me in a car sandwich. There were no injuries luckily, but my truck’s totalled.” Eric Torres: “I was by myself and I may or may not have taken a corner too fast when a deer jumped out into the road. As any other person would, I swerved out of the way. I tried to get control, but couldn’t and a few moments later [I] found myself in a ditch between two trees while a third tree fell and went through my windshield. My truck is totalled, but I’m safe, which is all that really matters.” We are glad to say that none of our Rams were severely injured, but that doesn’t mean that you could’nt find yourself in a similar situation. Use extra precautions to ensure safety while operating a vehicle, especially in the winter, like wearing a seatbelt, not speeding, and of course, avoid-

ing texting and driving. We encourage all students to follow proper safety procedures on the slick roads as winter comes to a close and we move into the slush of spring.

Guess the RFHS Staff

Answer from precious issue: Adam Carballeira

Photo By Eric Torres

8 Rampage February 2017

Rampage Staff Editors in Chief Elle Derby Tavia Teitler

Editorial Staff Feature Editor Eryn Doherty News Editor Kloe Lee Focus Editors Elle Derby Tavia Teitler Sports Editors Liam Laird Solana Teitler Entertainment Editors Iliana Castillon Trinity Potter Copy Editors Hannah Bingaman Iliana Castillon Kloe Lee Chelsey Serrano Solana Teitler

Journalists Iliana Castillon Mariana Cortes Aidan Foote Ruby Fuller Tyler Gruel Rex Hamilton Frankie Harrington Lilly Peery Trinity Potter Policy Statement: Published 8 times a year, the student newspaper of Roaring Fork High School is a public forum, with its students’ editorial board making all decisions concerning its content. Unsigned editorials express the views of the majority of the editorial board.