170309 Rampage

The Rampage 2270 Highway 133 Carbondale , CO 81623

March 2017 Volume 10 Issue 6

A Survey of Calculus: A New and Contested Addition to RFHS Math

What’s Inside

-Solana Teitler

Does the addition of another pre-calculus class increase effectivity Primarily, this change prevents students who begin high school in and understanding for students, or does it decrease opportunity, exmath 1 from taking AP Calculus. Despite this, McCullough believes pectations, and student productivity? At Roaring Fork High School that, “even the seniors who end up not being able to take AP Calcu(RFHS), the math lus, will be so much curriculum has probetter prepared ceeded as follows: for whatever math Math 1, Math 2, and classes they are goMath 3, after which ing to take.” the student has a Secondly, students choice between AP feel like the survey (Advanced Placeclass is another ment) Calculus, AP redundant hoop to Statistics, and Founjump through on the dations of College way to higher level Algebra. The curmath. “I feel like it’s riculum is changing, just extra work, and and beginning next it seems pointless year, if a student to put in that extra wishes to take AP effort for something Calculus, he or she you are going to will first take the repeat,” expressed Survey of Calculus sophomore Kendall class.

Bernot. Sophomore This new step in the Logan Erickson procedure is one that agreed, saying, has already been “We should have a successfully implechoice of whether Zoe Hanlon pictured above is a current AP Calculus student at RFHS. RFHS is in the process of changing its math curmented in Basalt or not we think we riculum by adding a new calculus class titled “Survery of Calculus”. Photo by Solana Teitler and Glenwood need the extra year schools, a change similar to some Roaring Fork has seen in previous of preparation or not.” years. Math teacher Melissa Reynolds explained that, “We have had The new Survey of Calculus class will be taught by the same teacher Calculus and AP Calculus as separate courses, combined courses, who teaches AP Calculus, Melissa Reynolds. Reynolds is looking and no AP at all.” However, the results of AP tests in Glenwood and forward to teaching this new class, and provided a more complete Basalt, where they do have a pre-calculus/ explanation of what this class will entail. survey of calculus class, shows the need for “I am planning on starting with reviewing an extra year of preparation, and Roaring the topics I have seen students struggle with “I think it is wrong that we Fork is now following suit. when they reach calculus. From there I will take our top math students, Wendy Boland, a RFHS math teacher probably go into some of the cool things that many of them bound for explained, “If you are going to be successget skimmed or dropped, and the last part of STEM careers, and rush ful in college calculus, you need to have a the class will be learning the basics of limits, really good understanding of algebra and derivatives and integration.” Reynolds, them through their math. trigonometry.” The survey of calculus like all other Roaring Fork Math teachers They then end up with a class would spend the first half of the year believes the preparation will better prepare gap year in their mathematsolidifying math students learned earlier and students and will make them more successdeepening their understanding and ability to ful. “I think it is wrong that we take our top ics. This gap is difficult to work with trigonometry and complex algemath students, many of them bound for overcome when they jump bra. The second half, as math teacher Katie STEM careers, and rush them through their back in at college level.”

McCullugh explained, would be dedicated math. They then end up with a gap year in to “introducing the concepts of calculus in a their mathematics. This gap is difficult to much friendlier way.” Ashley Hall, a senior overcome when they jump back in at college -Melissa Reynolds in AP Calculus this year, stated of the new level,” Reynolds said. Roaring Fork has addition, “I think it is definitely a good idea changed their curriculum several times in because I felt unprepared and behind taking AP Calculus right away, the past years, and despite differences in opinion, it is most always and it will be helpful for the students next year.” beneficial to students. We will see what next year has in store for However, there are some drawbacks to the new addition.

Roaring Fork!

McBride Internship Page 2

Slam Poetry Workshop Page 3

The Teenage Brain Pages 4 & 5

RFHS Baseball Page 6

Contact us at rframpage@gmail.com

Feature

2 Rampage March 2017

Students Across the Valley Take on Africa -Trinity Potter

Photo by Nick Penzel

John and Laurie McBride, two locals in the valley, have created a wonderful opportunity for high school students in the area. They created a two week long internship on the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Northeastern Kenya where students will spend their time camping and experiencing everything Africa has to offer. “We have 12 precious days when we are surrounded by the sights, sounds, the smells, and drama of one of the most awe inspiring ranges of wildlife found anywhere on Earth. We spend our days observing and learning, meeting with and then reflecting on what we have seen and how it relates to our own lives and the future of this planet. Camping out at Lewa and getting to know the Kenyans who work with and guide us each day, especially as they have such a profound knowledge of the terrain

and wildlife, is something few people anywhere ever get to experience throughout their entire life,” says Aaron Garland a proud mentor that attends the trips.

Throughout their time in Kenya, students will encounter all sorts of wildlife and meet locals that will demonstrate the love they share for their community. In addition to collecting many memories from the trip, students will gain a love for the conservancy and everything in it. Max Slack, a graduate of RFHS who participated in the McBride Internship in the summer 2014, described his experiences from the trip saying, “My favorite memory from the trip was seeing the lions and visiting with the local kids. It changed the way I saw for the better because it gave me the outlook that there’s so many less fortunate people in the world compared to us and it made me appreciate what I have.” This summer the dates of the trip are July 15 through 29. The fee is $2,000 which includes airfare and is less than a third of the normal cost it would take to go to Africa. Students have already sent in their application along with a let-

Courtesy photo

Photo by Eryn Doherty

ter of recommendation on January 13. The students attending the trip this summer have already been alerted and given a $500 deposit on February 17. Students attending the trip come from schools ranging from Aspen High School all the way to Coal Ridge High School. Along their journey they will have to participate in required readings, daily journal entries, and daily discussions to further expand their education and knowledge on their home for the two weeks.

“The strength of the McBride Africa Internship is that it challenges students to do a lot of their own thinking around the current status of wildlife conservation in one of the most critical and highly prized areas for wildlife conservation in the world,” says Garland. Overall this trip is an excellent experience for any high school student in the valley that teaches you new life skills and furthers your education.

Senior Spotlight: Eduardo Yanez -Mariana Cortes

Photo by Mariana Cortes

Eduardo Yanez, a senior at Roaring Fork, reflects on his past years as graduation nears. Yanez made a drastic life change when he transferred from Carbondale Community School (CCS) to RFHS. Everything changed when he first stepped into RFHS because he started to care about his education, and he started taking situations more seriously; subsequently he started paying attention and collaborating in class.

Throughout his high school years, Yanez hesitated from participating in social activities. “I was the shy kid. I didn’t talk. I didn’t attend any basketball games or other sporting events.” Although Yanez was shy, he did participate in one sport -- baseball. When entering high school, he made it his goal to be committed and participate more, so Yanez decided to join the baseball team during his freshman year.

Yanez’s high school experience has taught him many things, but it specifically taught him how to be a good person. “Be patient because not all things go the way you want them to,” he claims. Yanez included that it is also important to be passionate about what you are doing. “Commitment gives and shows a better result of your hard work,” he says.

Yanez knew his grades were struggling, so he started paying more attention in class, attending more classes, and being involved in the learning.

Working harder helped him overcome the negative mentality that he had previously held, and helped him take life more seriously for the good of his future.

As graduation nears, Yanez thinks about his career interests. He was planning on studying computer engineering; however, he might have to change his plan because he does not meet the requirements to enroll in the program. Although he is still uncertain, Yanez believes that he will attend Colorado State University (CSU). He has found that CSU offers a strong computer engineering program and many of his friends will attend CSU as well. “It will be easier to make the transition since I would know most people there,” included Yanez.

Yanez is still working hard throughout these last days he has left in RFHS. “I had a mentor Fabian Rico who has helped me through the process of high school,” laughed Yanez. Yanez will be enjoying his last days of high school with his friends.

Feature All this Snow and Still No Snow Day? -Daniella Rivera

Winter has struck the Roaring Fork Valley, leaving many students, parents, and teachers wondering what the requirements are for the district to cancel school due to inclement weather. The process to decide whether or not to call a snow day is lengthy and the Roaring Fork Schools transportation department takes several factors into consideration.

According to the Roaring Fork Schools website, when there is inclement weather, the Roaring Fork Schools transportation department starts the process to determine whether or not to hold or cancel school that day at 2 a.m. Members of the department remotely view cameras outside of the schools in multiple communities to determine how bad the weather is at each location. Bus drivers check out routes and snow plow drivers relay first-hand reports. The decision cannot be made based on the conditions in one place within the district however. The snow conditions in the valley vary from Glenwood to Basalt.

Thereafter, the department of transportation contacts emergency service dispatchers to get information pertaining to the status of the roads all throughout the school district as well as getting out on the road and experiencing the conditions firsthand. Plowing departments in Garfield, Pitkin and Eagle counties are contacted to determine the plows’ ability to clear the roads and bus routes throughout the storm. The

transportation department also contacts the district maintenance department to get updated about road conditions and school plowing.

Based on all the information received, the Roaring Fork Schools transportation department makes a recommendation for closure or delay to the Roaring Fork School District (RFSD). Again, this is only a recommendation. The district has the final say and comes to a decision regarding school closures by 5:30 a.m. In the end, the cost of a snow day has no effect on the decision. The snow team is focused on the conditions and safety of students and faculty from all around the valley.

While some students have recently questioned on social media whether or not the district actually cares about student safety, the district’s snow team does take teen drivers into consideration. The decision, however, cannot be made solely on the skills of individual drivers. Snow, ice, and slush are common in Colorado this time of year, so it is important that anyone getting behind the wheel of a car practices driving in these conditions.

Ultimately, the decision to call a snow day is not an easy one, nor is it taken lightly. Information about how the district determines a snow day can be found on the Roaring Fork School District website: http:// www.rfsd.k12.co.us

Slam Poets Hit the Workshop at RFHS -Iliana Castillon

RFHS students pose with professional slam poets. Courtesy photo

Poetry has grown to be a big part of the culture at Roaring Fork High School (RFHS), with regular performances at the monthly community meetings and a creative writing course offered to students.

In February, Mercedez Holtry, a professional slam poet, held a poetry workshop during school hours in which students could participate. Adam Carballeira, an english teacher at RFHS, hosted the workshop in his classroom and encouraged all of his students to participate. Students who took part in the workshop had a chance to showcase their poems in front of the entire student body at RFHS. Holtry is a traveling artist who has worked with students in the Roaring Fork Valley for a few years along with Logan Phillips and Myrlin Hepworth, who are also professional slam poets. Holtry enjoys her time leading the workshop and spending time

with students at RFHS, she states “I learn from them [students] all the time, students are people and students are going to have different emotions, they’re going to have different problems and come from all different types of walks of life. If there’s one thing I’ve learned it’s that poetry can bring these different students together and really unite them and allow them to support one another because they’re so excited about listening to each other. What I’ve learned as a teacher is that if you manage to bring students together in one room they’re going to listen to each other and they’re going to go out into the world and listen to others as well.” During the week long workshop the room was filled with a diverse group of students, some who don’t speak to each other on a regular basis, who all share a common love for poetry.

Seniors Isak Resnick and Jenny Rios both took part in the poetry workshop and enjoyed taking part in the performance. Resnick states “The experience was really unique. The poems were all so personal and I wasn’t really expecting that. It really let you know what had happened in other people’s lives and how they were affected by it, because just by looking at them I would’ve never thought that they had been through something like that.” The performance at RFHS allowed students who did not participate in the workshop to learn something new about their peers by listening to them speak. Rios states “I thought that it was a very good experience and helped me share a part of myself with the school.”

Overall the poetry workshop and performance were a success at RFHS, and students look forward to participating in one next year. It was a interesting and positive experience for all students both in the audience and on stage.

3 Rampage March 2017

RF’s Annual Talent Show: What’s to Come?

-Kloe Lee

Carley Moravek performing. Courtesy photo

Roaring Fork High School’s (RFHS) annual talent show is just around the corner and students from all grades are getting ready to showcase their individual talents. On April 5th, from 6:30 to around 8 p.m. the school will be packed with talent and entertainment. Come and watch the incredible show in the Roaring Fork High School Auditeria!

RFHS’ Student Council works hard to put together the event every Spring and this year senior Carley Moravek has taken on the large task of overseeing this year’s talent show with the help of several of her peers. Moravek took first place at last year’s talent show and is excited to see all of the preforms that are soon to come. “Being in the talent show really made my stage presence blossom and now I have a lot more confidence when I sing!” Said Moravek when asked about her experience in the talent show for the past couple years. There will be tons of new talent that we have yet to see, but also fantastic, familiar student performances from past years. “My goal for the talent show this year is to help others open up to the possibilities of performing and to help them become more confident and outgoing on stage.”

RFHS encourages students to come tryout and get involved in the show.

Numerous students have already begun to prepare their planned performance for April. This year performances will range from dancing to singing to entertaining skits from students of all grades. “Last year was so awesome! We had such a variety of acts - everything from stand up comedy to tap dancing. I am really excited to see the new acts kids will come up with and I hope that we get even more kids signed up this year.” Said Bella Ulrych, a junior who is very active in RFHS student council and is helping Moravek out with the talent show this year.

Make sure to add the talent show on April 5th from 6:30 to around 8 p.m. to your calenders and get excited for the amazing night that is soon to arrive once again!

4

FOC

Rampage | March 2017

Teenage development: what beha the difference between the teenage and the adult brain Teenage behavior is often described as reckless, indifferent, and impulsive, however, there may be a reason for this behavior. Due to constant brain development during the teenage years, there are scientific reasons for the differences in behavior amongst teens and adults.

The teenage brain differs from the adult brain starting with the region of the brain used in identifying the appropriate response to a number of situations.

The frontal cortex is the part of the brain that controls rational thought processes including emotion, impulse and judgement responses, as well as organizing information. Unlike adults, the frontal cortex in the teen brain has not fully developed. In contrast, the amygdala, the part of your brain that controls immediate reactions such as fear and aggressive behavior has already developed.

The differentiation in the development between these two sections of the brain determine how often teens and adults use these respective sections. A psychologically stable adult will use the frontal cortex more often, allowing them to evaluate risky situations. This leads to rational, balanced decision making. On the other hand, the teenage brain relies on the amygdala to make decisions. They make their decisions based on emotion, and will often not factor the consequences of their actions into their decision making. This explains teens’ often hasty reactions to stressful situations.

The teen and adult brains both react to stress the same. Many teens and adults suffer from chronic stress which comes from perceived threats that allow the HPA switch in our brain to flood both the brain and body with cortisol and noradrenaline.

These hormones can have detrimental effects to our psychological well being. Stress overloads the already immature prefrontal cortex in the teenage brain and makes it difficult to think clearly. Stress in adolescence can also lead to mental illnesses such as depression and schizophrenia if the teenager has a predisposition to it.

RFHS students’ largest distractions My biggest distraction when I am trying to do homework or work at school is noisepeople’s side conversations or any kind of noise.

-Taylor Carney When I’m doing homework, my biggest distraction would be my phone, I’m usually already Snapchatting people when I start my homework, and I want to continue the conversation.

-Alexa Fiscus Sometimes when I have a lot of work to do, I get so overwhelmed that I don’t do it. I’ll usually go hang out with friends or watch a movie.

-Eryn Doherty

Stress Levels in Teens vs Adults Average Stress of U.S. Adults on a Scale of 1-10: 5.1

Average Sourc Stress of U.S. Teens on a Scale of 1-10: 5.8

According to the survey, Teens felt the most stress from pressure to perform well, and parents while adults felt the most stress from work.

Data from a survey by the American Psychological Association in 2014 about daily stress levels.

CUS

Rampage | March 2017

5

avior can we blame on the brain? the best ways to study and the science behind them Space out your study sessions over a long period of time: instead of having one, long intensive studying session, study throughout the day or week in one hour intervals How it works: brain synapses translate memories in the hippocampus more efficientlly when they are used at one-hour intervals. In long cramming sessions, only one set of synapses is being used, vs shorter study periods over a longer time where multiple synapses are being used.

Study in different places: Rather than studying at your desk or in your bed, switch

up your studying places. Go to the library or a local coffee shop.

How it works: New scenery will create new associations in your brain and make it easier to recall information during a test.

Take Mid-day naps:

How it works: there is a correlation between brain wave activity and memory consolidation during sleep. Try to average 73 minutes.

Study under quiet conditions:

How it works: people are able to recall information better when they study in the same noise environment that their test will be in ie.) if you are going to be taking your test in a quiet environment- study in a quiet environment

Pre-testing: quizzing yourself on material before you’ve looked at your notes

How it works: “Taking a practice test and getting wrong answers seems to improve subsequent study, because the test adjusts our thinking in some way to the kind of material we need to know.”

Source: Open Colleges

ce: can stock photo

Drugs and alcohol: a grey area Because the teen brain’s reward system is extremely active, teens are more susceptible to drug addictions. According to the National Institute on drug abuse, the percentage of students who have tried illicit substance increases between 8th and 12th grades, from 21.4% to 48.2%.

Because teens are more driven by rewards than children or adults, they struggle to resist the rewards that drugs and alcohol offer. However, drugs and alcohol present a serious risk to the premature brain. Source: Brain Facts

8.3

Percent of students have used cocaine

39.2

Percent of students have ever used marijuana

63.4

Percent of students have ever drank alcohol

Statistics come from the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey and are accurate for the Roaring Fork School District.

Opinion

6 Rampage March 2017

Shape Up or Ship Out: The Truth about the Vending Machines - Lilly Peery

The forgotten and unused vending machines sitting in the main hallway by the school gyms of RFHS are a waste of space and serve no constructive purpose.

In order to actually benefit people and cater to students’ needs, the vending machines should house a larger variety and selection of food and drink.

The only apparent benefit of the devoid-of-use vending machines is that they are costing the school nothing, for there is nothing to restock. In fact, the whole “restocking” process most likely consists of the tedious and pointless task of taking out the current bottles of water and Gatorade, inspecting them, and placing them back in their original spots. Additionally, the lack of food means there are no looming threats and deadlines concerning expiration dates and rotting food. Conveniently, another cost-benefit for the school is the fact that with the lack of use of the vending machines, the possibilities of the equipment breaking and racking up extra charges is highly unlikely.

Across the hall from the vacant vending machines is a newly installed and much more frequently used drinking fountain, where both students and faculty members of RFHS can fill their personal and environmentally-friendly water bottles for free. The irony of the matter is, for an environmentally-conscious school, RFHS seems to be hurting the environment

with the large amount of plastic bottles that take up space and promote the constant manufacturing of the plastic bottle. The point of the drinking fountain is to decrease plastic manufacturing by encouraging the use of water bottles. The vending machines are contradicting the point of the FREE drinking fountain with its constant use of plastic bottles. On top of that, the vending machines are very rarely used because students prefer to walk across the hall and use a free drinking fountain as opposed to spending $1.50 or so to buy a bottle of water.

In a survey conducted by the Rampage, 89.1% of RFHS students believe that the vending machines should offer more food and drink options. Offering more options is believed to benefit both the students and the school in a variety of ways. Some of the benefits for the students would be to boost their energy with food, therefore making them more productive and able to learn faster and grasp concepts better.

Others believed that functional and appealing vending machines would eliminate the choice of ditching classes in the search of food if there were an easy, reliable food source available at the touch of their fingers. As far as benefits for the school goes, the most obvious is the income the improved vending machines would generate. High school students always seem to be hungry, and working vending machines

would be very popular, creating an additional profit for the school. Theoretically, these profits could go towards supporting extracurricular activities such as the World Travelers Club and Model UN. All in all, the possibility of working vending machines seems that they would only benefit the school.

As of now, the unused hunks of metal sitting in the main hallway of RFHS should either shape up, or ship out.

Photo by Lilly Peery

Springboard: Helpful or Harmful?

- Hannah Bingaman and Chelsey Serrano

In 2013, Roaring Fork High School (RFHS) implemented a new language arts curriculum titled SpringBoard. Since its introduction, students and staff have had varying opinions toward the material.

The main question that has arisen from the debate regarding the effectiveness of the SpringBoard text is whether or not the material covered is the right balance to satisfy student wants and student needs.

SpringBoard is sold by College Board, an organization that also markets Advanced Placement and SAT college entrance exams. It is College Board’s instructional program in English Language Arts and Mathematics for grades 6–12 and has been used increasingly in middle schools and high schools for over a decade. As the SpringBoard website states, “The program is built on this core belief: When teachers are supplied with the best materials, methods, and professional support, student success follows.”

SpringBoard’s foundational principles are centered around an Understanding by Design model (UbD). The two key ideas of UbD are teaching and assessing understanding, while also designing curriculums backwards by starting with an end goal and then figuring out the necessary steps to achieve the goal. Through the UbD model, SpringBoard aims to “challenge students to uncover the meaning of a text on their own.”

While it has been noted that the material in SpringBoard has its merits, an anonymous teacher states, “Some students dislike SpringBoard so much, they claim they are failing because of it.” Likewise, English Language Development (ELD) teacher Mary

Courtesy Photo

Kate Deacy expresses, “I’ve often found that I have to create a lot of lessons outside of SpringBoard because it lacks support for ELD students. At the same time, the readings prompt deeper thinking, which is beneficial.” While teachers may see negative aspects of SpringBoard, there are positive aspects as well.

The readings are used in lessons, but it is questionable if teachers find the lessons from the text to be effective for their students. English teacher Adam Carballeira said, “I think that the text they’ve chosen is good; the stories and poems are good. I don’t use a lot of the activities, but we use the text as a place to start our conversation.”

When asked about his opinion regarding the SpringBoard textbooks, junior Ralph Good says that, “sometimes it’s kind of boring, but it also helps with understanding, and is relevant to what we need to be learning.” It appears some students do believe

that the SpringBoard text adequately achieves state standards, while others do not. Countering Good’s statement, senior Fabian Rico says, “I really didn’t like SpringBoard. It just seems too structured and it doesn’t feel like I am learning much.” In addition, sophomore Kendall Bernot states, “I feel like parts of it I learn from, but overall I don’t learn as much as I could.” Clearly, some students do not support the use of this text, but is there a text book students actually do like? Carballeira says, “I don’t know if there’s any textbook out there that people would be like, ‘Yeah, I love this textbook!’ People like to not like textbooks.”

Along with these opinions, students presented solutions on how they would like to see SpringBoard be improved. Rico thinks that teachers should do more of their own lessons, and SpringBoard should, “have more projects, and change the activities to incorporate more journaling, so students can express more of their own thinking, instead of just reading lame texts.” Other students voiced similar suggestions.

Overall, while the SpringBoard textbook works to meet state standards and incorporates effective and interesting readings, it has failed to satisfy students.

The text has presented a lack of support for ELD students as well as too stiffly structured language arts units. Along with a sense of hindered learning, students have also felt that the text has been overtly boring. The search for a text may have to continue, but in the meantime, perhaps SpringBoard is the best RFHS can get.

Sports

7 Rampage March 2017

RFHS Basketball Season Ends with a Swish -Gaby Santana

With both varsity basketball teams wrapping up their season on a positive note with huge wins against Aspen, students and athletes are excited for the teams and anticipating next season. Unfortunately, the Lady RAMS came up short with a 9 point loss against Moffat, disqualifying them from the pigtails tournament. Nonetheless, this game against Moffat was the best game the Lady RAMS have played this year, proving that they can truly compete against one of the top teams in the league. Recently, the Roaring Fork boys’ basketball team hosted a pigtail game against Cedaredge with the final score of 72-44, leading the boys into the district tournament. In the district, the boys’ team placed third earning themselves a chance to enter regionals and possibly enter the state tournament. Go RAMS! The Lady RAMS are sad to say goodbye to 7 seniors this year who leave behind a well-paved path for future basketball success The boys are saying goodbye to 4 seniors who left the team with a bright future. As the seniors rap up the final season, they leave us with some of their final thoughts and feelings.

Lyndsay Hansen -Something I will miss the most with playing for Roaring Fork is just wearing the jersey and being part of such an awesome team. And a team that loves each other so much and all the bus rides. Just playing sports is what I’ll miss the most.

-Yes it has definitely changed me me as a person because it’s taught me so much. It’s taught me multiple things about life and how to get along with your teammates. And how to be responsible.

Hayden Bernot -I would describe my basketball experience as exhilarating, hooperific, fun -Being part of any team changes you in ways you don’t even notice. It teaches you a number of important life skills.

-I’m gonna miss this team Courtesy Photos

- Gabriela Santana

Jassiel Petetan -This year against grand valley when I hit the game winning shot to win our first league game. It was pretty amazing -I will miss the crowd cheering us on while we are going 110% and the coaches yelling at me when I’m not doing anything right - Yes it has it has taught me to depend on my teammates, I use my teammates as people I depend on on and off the court and it has taught me be a better leader.

Jasmin Lopez -The best moment was in my junior year of basketball when we were beating Basalt in overtime and senior year of beating Gunnison at Gunnison. And the Weld Central tournament in Denver that was fun good team bonding.

-Yes, I’m more of a better teammate and friend I think. From playing sports for Roaring Fork it’s taught me a lot of lessons. There have been a lot of bumps in the road and we’ve all overcame them and I’ve learned a lot from it.

- I wouldf describe my basketball experience as really exciting but also bittersweet. Playing with this team was a lot of fun!

RFHS Baseball Team: Ready to Step Up to The Plate - Rex Hamilton

It’s that time of year again when Roaring Fork High School’s (RFHS) dedicated baseball players lace up their cleats and bust out their bats for the 2017 baseball season. Students and staff in RFHS are ready and excited for the upcoming season, which coaches and players expect to be successful.

In the past few years, the baseball program has been underperforming in comparison to the rest of the league. One possible reason for the team’s poor record is that there have been no senior baseball players for two years, but this season the team is dominated by juniors and seniors who plan to change their losing record to a winning record.

The RFHS baseball team is ready for a successful season with the leadership of seniors Aldo Pinela, Hayden Bernot, Jake Kelly, Axel Palomera and Taylor Carney, as well as juniors Ralph Good, Drew Broadhurst and sophomore Dawson Kuhl. Head coach Marty Madsen, who has been head coach of this team for 6 years, was clearly excited about the upcoming season, saying, “We’re really set up to compete this season. We should be in almost every game because we didn’t lose anyone to graduation last year.” Madsen says that all nine of the likely starters have been playing varsity ball since freshman

year, so they have been playing through the tough losses together. “Having everyone back is a huge plus. They were playing against guys that were older than them [last year], but now they are starting to play at their age level, so I have really, really high hopes.”

Several of the players expressed their excitement for the upcoming season as well. Junior infielder/ pitcher Ralph Good states, “We’ve all been playing together for a long time, and we’re all friends so that creates a special bond. I’ve been playing with Drew and Dawson for nine or ten years, and that creates good chemistry during the games because we all know each other so well.” One of the team leaders, senior first baseman Hayden Bernot says, “The last few years we’ve been struggling, but this year is [going to] be a good year to pay attention because we’re [going to] be alright.” Bernot also states that the home games are a lot of fun because “Kids with school spirit come to support, which is awesome, and we even get some old time community members at the games. Carbondale support is a huge help to the team.”

The players also have a great relationship with Coach Madsen, and vice versa. Bernot says that,

“He’s awesome, really outgoing and he makes baseball fun, no matter the score.” According to Madsen, “This season is really for those guys, not me. Especially the seniors. I really want them to have those great senior year memories of winning and having a great time playing ball.”

Madsen anticipates a strong winning record, somewhere in the neighborhood of 13-6. He strongly advises everyone to come watch, especially because every game is totally free.

Entertainment Gems of the Valley: Thomas Lakes Trail

-Hannah Bingaman & Chelsey Serrano

In today’s tech-tied world, there are few places where one can truly take a break; however, the Thomas Lakes Trail is one of these incredible places. With tall pines and aspens dominating the mountain side and the rocky terrain, this twisty trail contains some beautiful sights. From the clumps of green moss to the names carved into the bark of trees, there is no view quite like the one that exists at the of Thomas Lakes trail. With clear blue waters, the sights this trail provides are sure to take your breath away. All in all, this is a must-hike trail.

How to get there: Travel South through Carbondale on Highway 133 towards Marble for 1.4 miles. Take a left at Prince Creek Road, and continue for 6 miles until you run into a fork in the road. There you will take a right and continue for another 2 miles. The trailhead is located ¼ mile from Dinkle Lake.

10 Things NOT to Do on April Fools’ Day This Year April Fools’ Day is the one day every year people all over America get to plan their most mischievous hoaxes to execute on innocent friends. Pranks may be as simple as rearranging everything in someone’s drawers and cabinets while they’re asleep or as elaborate as dressing up in the scariest costume they can find and popping out at the most unexpected time to scare someone senseless. As the years have passed, the pranks have gotten even more creative, though not always in a positive sense. Here’s a list of 10 things NOT TO DO on April Fools’ Day. 1. DON’T tell someone you love or like them. That’s just cold. No one ever wants to experience the misery of heartbreak, especially if they found out it was just for a fun prank. How embarrassing.

2. DON’T pull any death pranks. They are not as funny as you think they are.

They are traumatizing.

3. DON’T pull any pregnancy pranks. What a gamble those types of pranks are! You could even end up with a reaction that could ruin the whole relationship.

4. DON’T let someone wake up to sharpie on their face. It may be funny for the first 5 minutes, but after you get your few good laughs in, the person is not going to be able to remove it from their face, resulting in them spending the rest of the day in a bad mood. Was the 5 minutes of fun worth it?

5. DON’T call 911 on someone just to confuse and startle them. Along with stressing out the person, you’re also taking advantage of pilice, who have better things to be doing.

6. DON’T invite people to a non-existent party at someone’s else’s house. Not only will you just create an overload of awkwardness, but you will also be messing up someone’s plans since they could have been doing something better with their day.

7. DON’T pull pranks that may stain someone’s clothes. As well as ruining someone’s day, the clothes will also be ruined forever. It’s not funny once the person realizes that.

8. DON’T perform any pranks that involve drugs. Spiking someone’s drink can get out of hand and definitely end badly. It’s not a risk you want to take.

9. DON’T switch someone’s shampoo with nair. If you want to indulge yourself in the wrath of someone, who is now unwillingly bald, by all means go for it. But otherwise, don–’t do it, it’s evil.

10. DON’T attempt to Saran-wrap someone’s car. You have to have fun while setting up a prank right? And spending an afternoon saran wrapping someone’s car is not really worth your time. Let’s be real, people have places to be.

Guess the RFHS Staff

What to do: Thomas Lakes trail is 7.2 miles round trip, through trees and open meadows. The trail is open to hikers, bikers, horseback riders, and is dog friendly. The end of the trail greets you with an incredible view of Mt. Sopris and a crystal blue lake that in the warmer months is a great place to cool off. A first-come-first-served campground is also located at the end of the trail. Those who want more of a challenge can take on the rocky terrain to the top of Mt. Sopris where they can see the best views in the valley.

Word to the wise Whether you plan on just hiking to the lakes, summiting Mt. Sopris in one day, or spending the night in the campground and summiting the next day, an early departure is suggested to avoid the afternoon heat and thunderstorms.

Rampage Staff

-Ruby Fuller

April Fools’ Day is supposed to be a silly and entertaining day, so be smart and don’t ruin the holiday for someone. Remember, no matter how funny the prank seems, you may have to face the wrath of your victim sooner or later.

Courtesy Photo

8 Rampage March 2017

Answer to the previous issue: Ms. Goodman

Editors in Chief Elle Derby Tavia Teitler

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

Journalists Mariana Cortes Aidan Foote Ruby Fuller Tyler Gruel Rex Hamilton Liam Laird Fer Munoz Lilly Peery Daniela Rivera Gaby Santana 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.