Issue 4 (Dec. 2018)

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Founded in 1919

The FCHS Student Newspaper

Dec. 20, 2018

Student Adopted pgs. 12&13

Debate Pro�ile pg. 4

Drag Queen Pro�ile pg. 9 Wrestler Pro�ile pg. 16

Help Homeless People pg. 21

Volume 100 Issue 4

3400 Lambkin Way Fort Collins, CO 80525 Phone: (970) 488-8199 Fax: (970) 488-8008

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News

Dec. 20, 2018

Spilled Ink

YEARS 18

1970

20

The Beatles break up.

OF SPILLED INK This year we are celebrating the 100th year of Spilled Ink by looking back at some interesting clips from past editions of the paper and comparing them to today’s culture and events.

At the end of the popular teenage movie “The Breakfast Club,” Brian reads his essay in which he pleads to Mr. Vernon that they all be seen as individuals. He rejects the idea that cliques should de�ine teenagers.

This 1975 Spilled Ink article echoes the �ilm. It seems as though students at FCHS were divided into three basic groups. The “Jocks” were the athletic ones. Trock wrote, “Jocks are usually liked by everybody, and those who do not like them, are often jealous. But the stereotype goes that Jocks

1971

Apollo 15 lands on the moon.

1972

U.S. planes bomb North Vietnam.

1973

The mobile phone is invented. the end of the piece, he suggests teenagers have the power to eliminate stereotypes by choosing not to stereotype others.

However, that hasn’t happened yet.

The stereotype of jocks is still present; people now call the “cowboys,” the “hicks,” and “freaks” have been replaced by “the park kids.” Animosity still divides us. But some changes are evident. We

are only interested in their physical condition, and cheerleaders.” The “Cowboys” were the farm kids. Trock describes people as stereotyping them as being interested only in “pigs, cows, and horses.” The “Freaks” were the rebellious outliers. “Freaks are often known as associated with illegal activities, long hair, and uncleanness,” Trock explained.

At

In modern America, teenagers do not hear much about war. On an average day, students are more likely to view articles concerning Trump’s latest “Smocking Tweet,” a project Cardi B is working on with FashionNova, or possibly a new song from Ariana Grande.

Tom Frye wrote this letter to the editor criticizing the government’s

decision to continue the Vietnam War. The war was one of the most controversial in history. Many students protested to express their opinion.

In recent years we have protested in multiple events related to gun violence, gender issues, and immigration law. On our own campus, we even had a “’Merica Day” protest objecting to an administrative

INSIDE THE INK

Amnesty Feature News pg. 5

Artist Pro�ile A&E pg. 6

Corrections: Spilled Ink has no corrections to report.

Woodworker Pro�ile In Depth pg. 11

have a less pronounced “popularity” hierarchy.

Jocks and cheerleaders aren’t as powerful as Trock portrays them in the 1970s, and people form friend groups that might �it some of the stereotypes, but they usually interact with each other w i t h o u t 1975 d i f � i c u l t y.

decision to cut a spirit day organized

by Student Council.

Though we have protested many other issues, it has been a long time since we have spoken out against a war.

Today, we prioritize news differently.

We are more likely to observe news on social media rather than in a newspaper.

According to the New York Times, Facebook is organizing news based upon what interests its users.

We don’t see war on our feeds as much because we are often more interested in topics closer to us.

Each time we follow a link to a

1974

Beverly Johnson becomes the first black model on the cover of Vogue.

1975

Bill Gates and Paul Allen found the Microsoft Corporation.

meme, or click on a YouTube video, the news we see changes.

Because the information we receive is directed by our preferences, our protests are more locally focused on topics such as immigration, Trump and gender rights because that is the news fed to us by social media. If we take time to read news beyond our feeds. We may be able to expand our opinions on more world news.

Roller Derby Pro�ile Sports pg. 17

1976

Jimmy Carter is elected the 39th president.

1977

The movie Star Wars is released.

1978

The world’s first test tube baby is born.

1979

Iranian militants seize the U.S. embassy in Tehran and hold hostages.

1970

Recognize all holidays Perspectives pg. 23

News

Spilled Ink

Dec. 20, 2018

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Teacher expresses creativity through decorations Sadie Buggle

Interact, Boosters to hold Cancer Symposium Kristina Howard

Staff Writer

Interact club and Boosters club will host a cancer symposium on Jan. 29, 2019. It will start at 6:30 p.m. and will be held in the McNeal Auditorium.

The event will feature panels with a variety of survivors, family members and nonpro�it organizations who will provide information about cancer, costs of medical care, and support systems.

“Every family in our community is some way touched by cancer, whether it be a neighbor, a coworker, a classmate, a teacher, or a family member, “interact club sponsor Christine Matthie said.

“There are ways we can make a difference and there are things we can do. There is something for everybody there that night.”

Class Rush to display curriculum options Hannah Blagg

Staff Writer Departments are putting on Class Rush Jan. 9-10 In the spine.

It will be from 11 a.m. to 2:50 p.m. on Wednesday and from 8-11 a.m. Thursday.

“It is very similar to club rush, only it is not clubs, it is departments and curriculum,” Assistant Principal Emily Dunn said.

Various departments will host tables to provide information about classes they offer. Students can attend to learn more about classes they want to take in the future.

“We do class rush so that students know all of the great classes at Fort Collins High School that they have access to,” Dunn said Class Rush is free and all students are welcome.

Solar picnic table installed in courtyard Roland Tomsic

Staff Writer

On Dec. 10, district personnel installed a new Sunbolt solar picnic table in the courtyard between the LTC and the commons.

This project was funded by environmental club with the money FCHS won in the Renew Our Schools competition last year.

“It is exciting that we found a purposeful, useful and valuable way to spend most of our ten thousand dollars that we won in the energy saving competition last fall— the Renew Our Schools competition,” Science Teacher Kristina Runde said. “We were struggling to �ind a good way to spend it. The initial plan was to put solar panels on the roof of the building, but we discovered that ten thousand dollars, when it comes to solar panels, isn’t very much.”

This table features a solar panel awning, USB ports and outlets for charging of electronics.

It will also provide some shade and shelter.

All students and staff are welcome to use it.

News Editor

An enormous poster of the periodic table hangs from the ceiling, covering the window in the back of the room. Posters stuffed with formulas and scienti�ic information cover the walls. The room is ridden with neatly-arranged tables and chairs. Science teacher Tamara Osborn sits at her desk, blue glasses perched on her nose. A wreath made of sponge animals hangs behind her, and a small poster titled “Anatomy of a Gummy Bear” is taped to the counter beside her.

Osborn has taught science at FCHS for 11 years. She refers to herself as the “utility in�ielder” of science because she teaches different classes annually, switching between Chemistry, ESS, and Biology. The broad �ield interests her because of the straightforward factuality behind it.

“I like to know how things work,” Osborn said. “I like to make good decisions, and I think understanding science really helps.”

Based on her love of the clear-cut and scienti�ic world, one may not guess her adamant passion for creativity.

Osborn takes part in myriad hobbies, and loves to develop her skills in many areas, including gardening, writing, 3D printing, and making clothing, which she has done since she was a child.

This time of year, one of her favorite ways to express her artistic side is through extravagant Christmas decorations. Osborn and her husband have been decorating for 30 years for holidays including Easter and Halloween.

However, their most elaborate display occurs around Christmastime.

“Christmas lights from Thanksgiving to the middle of January take over our lives,” she said. “He is so excited about them, and I love

Sitting by her stocking-covered �ireplace, science teacher Tamara Osborn laughs in response to a joke on Dec. 13. Photo by Sadie Buggle

to share that passion with him.”

Lights cover all sides of the house, lighting the walkway with a bright array of white trees and colored bulbs. The south side of the house features an “underwater Christmas,” complete with various sea creatures.

However, the main attraction is the display on their front yard that includes a variety of colored lights set to play with different holiday tunes through the program Light-O-Rama.

Osborn’s favorite part of having lights up is the reactions others have.

“People really enjoy them,” she said. “About once a year little kids show up and give us an award that’s completely misspelled but hilarious.”

The festiveness doesn’t end with the vibrant and various lights covering the outside of her home. Osborn also has a collection of Advent calendars, many of them displayed throughout her living room and most of them related to Playmobil, a German toy line that creates

lego-like action �igures. Each room and hallway of the house is also �illed with garlands, stockings, Christmas trees, and other assorted festive decorations.

Osborn’s animated passion for Christmas comes from her love of what the holiday represents.

“It’s the one time of year you can do nice things for people and nobody asks why because you aren’t expected to have a reason to be nice. It should be like that year round, but sadly, it isn’t,” she said.

“I just really like Christmas and the spirit of sharing with others, which is what the season is truly about to me. “

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Fort Collins pilot, cartoonist fought in WWII Molly Lubbers

Editor-in-Chief

77 years ago, news �looded the country that 19 American ships were damaged, 200 planes destroyed, and 2,403 were dead, according to census.gov.

The bombing of Pearl Harbor caused shock to reverberate in the bones of the populace. But the feeling Americans experienced can’t be fully captured in any history textbook or story.

The effect was clear though—at that time, this tragedy motivated a nation to rally behind the U.S. to participate in World War II; in fact, 600 men lined up to enlist at the recruitment of�ice during the �irst few hours after the attack in just one city, Birmingham, AL. In this wave of public support, Congress voted nearly unanimously in favor of joining the war, with only one dissenting vote across both chambers.

Dec. 7 became historic, remembered for this singular event that had such an impact on the country.

The untold story is that of the Americans already participating in the war effort—one of whom was Fort Collins native Bert Christman.

Christman’s journey started in Fort Collins; at just 13 years old, he became the man of the household after his father died. He started working to support his family; his

jobs included creating advertising art and being a paper boy.

Later, Christman would leave Fort Collins for New York to become an artist for the Associated Press.

The most popular comic strip they published was “Scorchy Smith,” a cartoon about an adventurous young man who loved aviation.

Christman was hired to draw this strip in 1936, and he was so invested that he did hands-on research.

While pursuing authenticity in his art, he visited airports and learned how to �ly a plane.

By 1938, Christman was ready to move on—he signed up to be an aviation cadet, and the training he had to complete was far more dif�icult than his previous experience. But even in this hectic time, he didn’t stop creating art. His most recognizable work was “the Sandman,” a character that in�luenced the comic book world heavily.

Shortly after his success with

“Sandman,” Christman was recruited to join a mission in Myanmar and help form the �irst American Volunteer Group to help China against Japan. He arrived Sept. 15, 1941, and was confronted with dif�icult living conditions, but he still found time to preserve his experiences with an illustrated diary he named “Logan’s Log.” After Pearl Harbor occurred, training stopped and the troops were mobilized. Christman’s squadron— dubbed the “Panda Bears”—went to defend Rangoon. By Jan. 4, Christman had already been shot down and hospitalized once, and on Jan. 20, he wrote a letter to the editor to his former boss at the AP. Cleared from censorship, the letter was published. The parallels between his art and life are overwhelming to consider; he opened it with, “Things are getting hot here. Even Scorchy Smith would be satis�ied.”

Tragically, he died just three days later, right after expressing at the end of the letter that “when ‘this’ is all over, I’m sure I’ll be content to sit at a drawing board and pen my experiences and those of my friends in an authentic aviation comic strip.’”

Unfortunately, we will never be able to see what that comic book would have looked like.

But what we can do is remember the people who fought in WWII, and think about their stories.

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Dec. 20, 2018

News

Spilled Ink

Face to Face

Eccentricity, debate de�ines student Italia Caro

Sports Editor

String intertwined between his �ingers to create a star as his yo-yo swung back and forth below his hand; he drew people to him with his intricate tricks.

Since the time he used to be informally known as the “yo-yo kid,” he has developed other passions and talents.

Now he might be known better as “hat boy,” sporting his gray fedora, a shimmering purple sequined newsboy cap, or a faded newsboy cap with a white and orange koi swimming in a cobalt blue river.

Sophomore Aidan Lane’s passion for such displays has evolved into an interest in impressing other with words.

This is L a n e ’ s second year on the Fort Collins Speech and Debate Team as a Lincoln-Douglas (LD) debater.

“Lincoln-Douglas is the philosophy of debate, so we dig into moral philosophy, we look at the theoretical frameworks, value and a criterion that help us to weigh the morality of different propositions,” Debate coach Jason Clarke explained.

Before beginning LD, Lane connected to the basic aspects of debate, so he joined the team freshman year.

“I got into debate primarily because it looks fun and I always enjoy a sort of argumentation,” Lane said.

In debate, Lane found more just argumentation. than “Most of the friends that I’ve made are involved with speech and debate,” Lane explained. “They’re all highly intelligent people and it’s really fun with them.” having conversations

Sophomore Aidan Lane’s diverse collection of hats covers him. Photo by Molly Lubbers

Debate also offers Lane practice for his future ambition.

“I would like to go into law after school,” he said. “I think I want to go into some form of international law.”

To get there, Lane focuses on improving his abilities in debate. He prepares for tournaments with research, practice and dedication. When he competes at tournaments, he performs with his own style.

“I would say that he’s has more of a philosophical style, instead of an aggressive style or an over-the-top public speaking style,” Clarke said. “He’s more interested in the arguments and kind of reasoning through the logic of it rather than the games part of debate.”

Just as he is wearing different, colorful hats, Lane is ready to debate both the negative and af�irmative sides of an issue.

“I don’t really have opinions on the topic to because I’m required prepare for both sides,” Lane said.

At tournaments, Lane is able to work with the ups and downs of a conversation.

He is also aware of the maneuvers he must take in a debate in order to create a compelling argument.

“The most important thing is the ability to identify the arguments you need to make and when,” Lane said.

With his abilities in debate that he’s gained in his two years, Lane has created a good impression.

“I mean, he’s a great kid! It’s been awesome to have him on board the team. He’s you know, just kind of getting started out, so he’s learning, and it takes a while to learn how it [debate] works.

But he’s really coming along. I’ve seen tremendous progress from him. I think he’ll be a really good debater,” Clarke said.

Lane’s interest in debate is not limited to learning the skills and the topics.

“I feel like I do place a large amount of value in conversational ability,” Lane said. “The ability to rant about things.”

Lane poses with his stack of hats surrounded by debate posters. Photo by Molly Lubbers

Lane practices his Lincoln-Douglas debate case. Photo by Jenny Nguyen

News

Spilled Ink

Dec. 20, 2018

Separated at the border

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Amnesty raises awareness of migrant, refugee situation Emily Fox-Million

Guest Writer

In detention cells in San Diego, asylum seekers wait. After �leeing their homes, often due to persecution related to religion, race, or nationality, they come to America to �ind refuge, but �ind themselves imprisoned.

People entering the United States are being arrested, separated, and deported. This is the reality for some international immigrants to America who are �leeing wars, torture, or looking for a new start.

Every year, the FCHS chapter of Amnesty International chooses a topic to focus projects on in order to raise awareness or fundraise.

This year, they chose Migrant Rights.

“Amnesty is a club �ighting for human rights,” senior Julia Yax said.

“We look at a bunch of different things. Our focus this year is Migrant Rights, but there are tons of things that you could focus on like gun control and LGBT rights.”

Because it is an issue important to the local community, Amnesty chose Migrant Rights from a list of eight possible topics on Amnesty International’s of�icial website.

“It’s just such a big human rights issue,” Yax explained. “We need to get away from the treating people like they are just statistics, or they are all criminals, and the fear mongering that is going around with all of this. We just need to treat them like people that are �leeing crime and hostility and threats, because that’s who they are. They

are just coming here to be safe.

We just need to recognize that.”

Amnesty recognizes the issue is controversial, and Yax said the main goal of any campaign is awareness and encouraging community members to open their minds to opposing opinions in healthy dialogue. To begin the conversation, the club hosted a Dec. 13 screening of “Separated: Children at the Border” produced

by Frontline. The feature �ilm shows many sides of immigration through personal accounts and stories.

“We all watched it before we set it up for everyone,” Yax said. “But it gives a lot of points of view—not only from immigrants but also people who are against immigration, people who are border patrol of�icers.”

After the jumpstart-�ilm event, Amnesty is planning a week dedicated to Migrant Rights in spring. Yax encourages interested students to take part in the project.

“We are going to be having announcements once that week comes up next semester,” she said. “Be a part of those events.

“If you want to join Amnesty,” she added, “we meet after school on Monday and sometimes Wednesday during common lunch in P107—just show up.

We are all super welcoming and hilarious and [club sponsor Elaine] Holmes is awesome. So, if you want to be a part of it, be a part of it. No judgment.

We are all here for human rights.”

Top left: Seniors Nate Cano and Helen Yoseph take notes on information regarding refugees. Bottom left: Students ask questions to clarify their understanding of migrant-rights issues. Top right: Students gather in a classroom to watch a �ilm about separation at the border. Bottom right: Elaine Holmes, adviser of the Amnesty Club, presents on immigrant rights. Photos by Molly Lubbers.

Write for Rights Every year near International Human Rights Day, which takes place on Dec. 10, thousands of people around the world send letters or emails to people that they’ve never met, usually a respected member of the government.

These letters are used to help convince government officials to take direct and moral action to release people who have been imprisoned for standing up for their rights and/or expressing their opinion, as well as to end other human rights abuses.

During the week of Dec. 10, Amnesty International club asked students to sign some of these Write for Rights Letters.

Awad

This year, Amnesty International at FCHS has chosen to support Awad, who has faced harassment because of her involvement in human rights activism.

She is the founder of the initiative Sudanese Women Human Rights Project.

Awad faces harassment and threats due to her human rights activism, as she continues to support human rights in Sudan. Sudanese officials and Egypt have threatened to deport her because of the work she does.

Currently, Awad is seeking resettlement in America. She registered as a refugee in 2013, but the case is still being processed 5 years later.

Ways to Help

Sign the petition that urges the Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Cairo to accelerate processing for Awad’s resettlement: https://act. amnestyusa.org/page/295 0 9/action/1 To see Awad’s case study and other ways you can help, visit https:// write.amnestyusa.org/wp-content/ uploads/2018/09/P4893_W4R2018_ Casecards_USA_Final_lowresweb.pdf You can also help the Amnesty organization itself by donating in order to keep the program running and allow them to continue their work in helping people who are part of the world’s most pressing human rights crimes.

Information gathered by Sadie Buggle; source: https://write.amnestyusa.org

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A&E

Dec. 20, 2018

Photographer demonstrates creativity, aspires to pro career Italia Caro

NoCo Honor Bands concert to occur Jan. 19 Ayra Ra�iq

Staff Writer

Band students in Northern Colorado are coming together to host the annual Northern Colorado Honor Bands concert, on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019, at 4 p.m. in McNeal Auditorium.

The concert is a collaboration among schools in Poudre and Thompson Valley school districts.

“We want our students to have the opportunity to work with other talented musicians and to work with some of the nation’s best conductors,” Band Director David Miles wrote in an email to Spilled Ink. “This year the NoCo Wind Symphony will be conducted by Emily Threinen, Director of Bands at the University of Minnesota School of Music. The NoCo Symphonic Band will be conducted by Dr. Charles West, a professional solo clarinetist, conductor, Grammy Awardwinner and former conductor of Orchestras at Virginia Commonwealth University.”

Tickets for the concert are $5 for students, and $10 for adults.

Lambkins Got Talent to showcase student skills Hannah Blagg

Staff Writer

Student Council will host Lambkins Got Talent on Jan. 25 from 7-8:30 p.m. in McNeal Auditorium.

The talent show is an annual event open to students. Proceeds from ticket sales will go to support senior Rylee Vogel’s little brother, Jayce Vogel, and Campus Security Of�icer Mark Larkin’s son.

“It is supporting these people in need at our school,” Student Council Secretary Roie Karni said.

“It is also a good way to support these Lambkins and to see some cool skills. It’s just fun to watch your fellow students show what they’ve got.”

The event will cost $3 with an activity card and $5 without it.

Students to sing at All State Choir Concert Roland Tomsic

Spilled Ink

Managing Editor

The annual All State Choir Concert will be held on Feb. 2, 2019 at the Buell Theatre in Denver. 21 FCHS choir students will perform at the conference. The musicians will sing a variety of pieces.

“A highlight for the kids so far has been that the mixed choir is doing an arrangement of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ which will be pretty cool, and the treble choir’s director is a pretty famous Russian director and she has picked out a few pieces in Russian which is pretty uncommon for choral music,” Choir Director Kaitlin Miles said.

Adult tickets will cost $22 at the door and $18 online. Students/children (under 18) and seniors older than 65 will cost $20 at the door and $16 online.

A&E Editor

She’s navigating her way through Old Town with a camera in hand, watching the people walking around carefully before zeroing in on a man with a jacket covered in signatures.

She stops him for a picture.

She can also be found standing in front of students, asking questions for yearbook, as well as snapping photos for adoption portfolios.

Junior Brigid Florian focuses on the creative freedom she �inds in photography. Her love for the art shows through the effects presented in her photos.

Florian’s interest in photography was sparked in eighth grade, during a Technology Student Association event on digital photography. Starting with a digital camera from eBay, she has now upgraded to a camera with multiple lenses.

To develop her skills, Florian took both photography classes offered at FCHS. In Creative Photography, she was given room for assignments, allowing her to grow her own process and style.

“Mrs. [Tara] Lanterman would give us an assignment and she’s like ‘go make your own assignment.’ It wasn’t really structured. She gave us some ideas on what we could do– and that’s where the People on Film came from,” Florian said.

Light display offers brief holiday fun Jack Hunter

People on Film, Florian’s project, was black-andwhite street photography similar to the environmental portraits found in the Humans of New York gallery.

Through classes, Florian acquired the technical abilities she uses for yearbook, an organization she has been a part of since she was a freshman. This year, Florian is an editor, overseeing the development of the yearbook and taking photos, writing captions and descriptions.

Over the years, Florian’s subjects have ranged from still-life pictures of chairs to pictures of the different and weird. She looks for anything or anyone who catches her eye.

She takes something that can be insigni�icant and turns it into a magni�icent piece of art.

Florian also does adoption portfolios and real estate photo shooting on the side. These projects are a taste of a job as a professional photographer, an aspiration Florian has for herself.

“My ultimate goal is to be a photojournalist and work for National Geographic or just freelance from company to company,” she said.

The creative freedom and control Florian has offers her the opportunity of presenting everyday objects in a new light.

Florian explained, “I think the coolest part is from something so simple you can make something so big.”

Head Graphic Artist

When I was a kid, the Woodward Inc. complex on Drake hosted a holiday light show. Set up alongside a drivable path so families could ride through to admire it, for a couple of years, it was my favorite part of the holiday season. I remember pressing my face against the car window as we slowly moved through the circuit, mesmerized by colorful strands of lights shining outside, glowing through my fogged breath on the glass like so many fallen stars. It felt like we had entered some otherworldly place, and though my family eventually stopped going, those memories stuck with me long after it shut down.

Luckily for children growing up in Fort Collins now, the Spring Creek Gardens on Centre Avenue have reused some Woodward displays and have carried on the annual lightshow tradition. Our staff, seeing it touted on the city’s website as “back and better than ever,” decided to visit as part of a festive staff review.

The lights looked like an indistinguishable mess from far off,

A&E Editor Kelly Warden and Editor-in-Chief Molly Lubbers admire the lights in the trees at the Gardens at Spring Creek . Photo by Roland Tomsic

Staff Review

but once we approached and started to walk along the path, it became clear hard work had been put in to make uniquely eye-catching displays, from �lower and food gardens to koi ponds and dinosaurs.

Not only was everything set up near the path, allowing some interaction, but most were 3-dimensional, as if the lights had been wrapped around pre-existing sculptures. It added depth and realism to the designs that was truly impressive to behold, especially for wide-eyed young kids brought there by their parents.

Though the display was wellcrafted, a good deal at $5 (the suggested donation for adults), and offered many great photo opportunities, our staff found it fun, but only momentarily entertaining (less so for those of us that don’t get into the holiday spirit until the end of the month). However, it was clear to see the younger attendees present were enamored the way I was when I was little—they were laughing, shouting, and running ahead of their parents in infectious joy. The Spring Creek Gardens may not be worth the time for our age group, but it’s doing its job for the little ones of Fort Collins just �ine.

7

A&E

Dec. 20, 2018

Spilled Ink

Singing Christmas carols, the Cantabella choir practices before the Holiday Gift Concert on Dec. 13. Photo

by Roland Tomsic.

All I Want for Christmas Is You Intro Lyrics Quiz Directions: Fill in the blank with the missing words. Answers are flipped upside down at the end.

I-I-I don’t want a lot for There is just one I need I don’t about the presents the Christmas tree I just want for my own More than you could ever Make my come true All I want for Christmas is , yeah

G I F T

Answers: 1. Christmas 2. thing 3. care 4. Underneath 5. you 6. know 7. wish 8. you

O F

Junior Neena Malcom looks at one of the carols that Cantabella will use when they sing to students around the school. Photo by Roland Tomsic

M U S I C

On Dec. 7, students prepare for “Caroling for Cans,” a fundraiser by Tri-M where they carol for money or food to donate to the Food Bank.

Photo by Kelly Warden

Q&A with junior Neena Malcom Q: What got you into singing?

A: So I’ve always loved music. My dad said I started singing before I could speak. So, I started choir as early as I could.

Q: What is your opinion about caroling?

A: I think it is really fun. I like listening to the same song in different spaces around the school or just moving from the choir room to the auditorium. It’s a new space and the same harmonies sound different and I think it’s really cool.

Q: Do you like singing holiday music and why?

A: I do. So there is this joke that the choir kids start their holiday music at the beginning of the year, which is kind of true, and like obviously you’re like, “Oh I’m so done with singing the same song over and over again,” but I really enjoy it and I think it’s so much fun.

Q: What is your favorite Christmas song?

A: I like “All I Want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey. It’s so good—iconic.

Information gathered by Molly Lubbers and Jennica Travis

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Dec. 20, 2018

A&E Wide Awake!

by Parquet Courts

MUSIC OF THE MONTH

3rd Place

Until this year, Parquet Courts existed for me as nothing more than the band behind one or two songs on a playlist. I liked their sound, but not enough to Jack Hunter listen to a full LP. “Wide Head Graphic Artist Awake!” changed that.

The album begins with an attitude that speaks for Playlist itself. Carried by classic, driven, warm-sounding LVL 100 - Lingua Nada guitars and a joyous bass line, singer Andrew Savage Cute Thing - Car Seat Headrest calls out in a deep voice: Total Football - Parquet Courts “We are conductors of sound, heat, and energy/and I bet Tea-Soaked Letter - Anna Burch that you thought you had us �igured out from the start.”

Acetone - Vundabar Parquet Courts comes SPRORGNSM - Superorganism across almost as though they’re soapbox preachers Paranoiac Intervals - of Montreal backed by an electrifying mix of indie rock, art punk, and funk.

Black Cat 13 - Peach Kelli Pop The messages they carry are Satan in the Wait - Daughters political, but far more thoughtful than any other rock album I’ve Rottweiler - IDLES heard. Savage has much to say about the world and gives Nobody Knows (2018) - Joy Again worthy topics the unadulterated Now Only - Mount Eerie anger they deserve—but instead of wallowing in nihilism, he �inds Why Didn’t You Stop Me? - Mitski positivity and often tackles topics Me and Michael - MGMT in a fun, tongue-in-cheek way. It’s a danceable political punk album.

Come Up with Me - Guerilla Toss The band is at their best when they pick up the tempo with Savage’s thoughts propelled by instrumental momentum.

In an age of playlists, this album To access the playlist digitally, open the Spotify app is a testament to the power of on your phone, and click the “Search” button on the the format. A distinct sound, and bottom of the screen. Then, click the camera icon in energizingattitudecreateacohesive, the upper right of the screen, smart, and exciting work of art. and point your camera at the Spotify code to the left.

Spilled Ink Twin Fantasy

by Car Seat Headrest 2nd Place

I don’t know if I’m blinded by how much I love this band or if they really can do no wrong, but Car Seat Headrest’s Will Toledo has released two versions of Twin Fantasy—2011’s “Twin Fantasy (Mirror to Mirror)” and this year’s “Twin Fantasy (Face to Face)— and they’re both masterpieces.

The original is my favorite album of all time. Through hopelessly unprofessional production and his unstable, teetering vocals, Toledo navigates a doomed juvenile romance, but leaves room for listeners to connect on a deeply personal level. It’s a special album, and the cult following it’s amassed attests to that.

After signing to Matador Records and enjoying massive career growth, Toledo decided the timing was right to rerecord and re-release it.

Though the tracklist and the core song structures remain the same, the polish applied to this version of the album left me in shock. Combining the original’s distortion-driven sound with Toledo’s improved sense of production and structure, the band sounds grander than ever.

As a set, the two versions bridge the gap between the chronicle of a confused, overwhelmed, hopeless romantic teenager and the outcome: his growth, re�lection, and rebirth. Toledo seals off this chapter in fantasy: “Pour one out, whoever you are,” he murmurs, “these are only lyrics now.” It is the perfect non-closure this story deserved.

Snuff

by Linuga Nada 1st Place

Snuff blindsided me in October.

I never guessed some foreign band would come out of nowhere with my favorite album of the year, but Lingua Nada is anything but predictable.

Lingua Nada is a German (but English-singing) band, fusing several musical styles including artpop, punk, emo, and math rock. This eclectic combination of sounds paired with the band’s dense approach to songwriting and instrumentation amount to a sprawling, exhilarating, and unpredictable record.

The �irst song, “SVRF Party,” presents a variety of musical elements, balancing out to overwhelm but not burn out the listener. It packs several musical sections into its runtime, employing roaring rhythm guitar, skittering lead riffs, lush and atmospheric reverb, and vocals ranging from soft and calming to deafening and vocal-cord-mutilating.

The overall approach to production, playing with vocals and guitar the way EDM musicians play with digital synthesizers, with effects and �ilters added, is unlike anything I’d previously heard. The lead guitarist is highly skilled; his intricate riffs in tandem with off-the-wall musical touches make each song near-intoxicating.

The album’s pacing is nontraditional but satisfying, transitioning from banger to slower track, eventually slipping into three beautiful closing tracks—neontinged and haunting, almost sacredsounding, like hymns from the neon cyber-synagogues in the desert waste of some dystopian future.

Spilled Ink

A&E

Dec. 20, 2018

9

Drag proves important to sophomore’s identity Molly Lubbers

Editor-in-Chief

“It’s Raining Men” blares in the background as she twirls and �lounces across the room, creating her own storm with her movements. When she pauses, the fabric of her dress whips around her as wind might, as if she’s in the eye of a tornado of her own making—and perfectly comfortable in it. Her red lips mouth the words “leave those umbrellas at home” and she lets the intensity behind her stare linger before �luttering her eyelashes and moving again.

Her �ierce personality is re�lected in her name—Sinnamon Cleopatra Chase—but behind the make-up, wig, and dress is sophomore Auden Henning.

For him, drag isn’t just a form of art, but something important to his identity.

The �irst time Henning wore make-up was extremely public; it was applied it his middle school lunch room. According to Henning, some people accepted it or ignored him, but others were negative.

“There were some guys who were my friends, and one of them called me disgusting, and they left the room,” Henning said. “They went into the hallway, which was a little bit sad, because one of them was a close friend, and he told me, ‘get away from me while you’re in that.’”

Despite the reactions, Henning was compelled to try full drag. He thrifted dresses, borrowed makeup, and clipped scarves to his head until he was able to buy his �irst wig.

Part of drag is cultivating style, but another piece is the performance. When he practices at home, he focuses more on the latter.

“Right now, what I do, if there’s a song I like that’s sung by a woman, I’ll sing it or lip-sync to it in my living room at 2:30 in the morning,” Henning said.

Most drag queens create a persona; Henning goes by Sinnamon and uses she/her pronouns while in drag, though he admits he is still developing his aesthetic. He mainly models himself after the women he knows and admires and automatically becomes more feminine in drag.

“Something weird about drag is once you’re in it, you don’t even realize it, but you sort of develop a persona,” Henning said. “You’re already doing something that’s taboo a little bit and so it brings

out the part of your personality that maybe you don’t bring out too often.”

The difference between how Henning acts and how Sinnamon does is distinct, but a common thread of boldness remains. Henning is sharp and passionate, willing to say exactly what he thinks in a frank way. But Sinnamon’s presence �ills whole the room; she commands your attention and is almost hypnotic when she moves.

Every gesture feels deliberate, making you want to watch what she’ll do next.

And when Henning is in public in drag, he doesn’t hold back. According to him, it’s been freeing, since it forces him to be completely open.

“You literally have no choice but to put everything out on the table in front of strangers, and people you know, and people who like you and people who hate you,” Henning said.

“You just have to throw it all out there.”

Last year, Henning came to school in full drag because he decided to perform the role of Juliet during his English class’s reading of Romeo and Juliet. He felt con�licting emotions surrounding the experience.

“The feeling of walking through the halls in a dress and wig and make up is a very, very unique feeling. Because you get the personal thing of I’ve accepted myself and I’m OK with showing myself to the world, and then you get the part of, ‘everybody’s staring at me; I want to curl up and die.’ It’s kind of a lonely feeling too, because you’re kind of dying to be around people so you have a bit of a shield, but it doesn’t stop people staring at you,” Henning said. “I wanted to bring to light that the people who do drag more, they do that all the time, and they feel that feeling all the time constantly.

To the people who �ind it weird, try to remember that when we just walk out in public like that and you’re not at a drag show, try to understand that’s what we’re feeling whenever you look at us and whisper about us.”

For Henning, drag is foremost for himself, not the people around him. He doesn’t care whether or not you like him. He’s found con�idence through the art, and refuses to apologize for that.

“Drag de�initely helped me accept myself more. You learn a lot about yourself when you’re not yourself,” Henning said. “You bring out a part of yourself that you didn’t know was there.”

Sophomore Auden Henning’s Make-Up Process

Photos by Molly Lubbers

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Dec. 20, 2018

In-Depth

Spilled Ink

Senior �inds satisfaction through volunteer work Rebekah De Priest

During a Key Club meeting on Dec. 12, senior Jaden Goldfain makes a dog toy for Caring Canines, a nonpro�it that trains therapy dogs. Photos

by Molly Lubbers

Close to her Heart

Goldfain expressed how this is Staff Writer another reason she has chosen to continue volunteering. To The smell of freshly baked sugar her, the payoff and impact she cookies, cut out in multitudes of sees in the lives of those she has festive shapes, wafts gently through helped, and the way that affects the air. Carolers go door to door them throughout life, is powerful. allowing their voices to resonate “Knowing that whatever you do, with the joys of the holiday season. even in the smallest capacity will have Hooves beat the streets with a set reoccurring actions, will be a ripple rhythm and children laugh with glee effect throughout maybe their entire as they are pulled in a horse-drawn life, maybe a week, but it’s going to sleigh. The spirit of giving has arrived. be a lasting impact,” Goldfain said.

Giving is just one of the aspects of She has also seen the impact volunteering senior Jaden Goldfain volunteer work has had on her. has come to adore. With the holiday Goldfain has developed a sense season thickly layered over the of sel�lessness that helped shape hearts of many this time of year, her sense of character and Goldfain makes a point to give back in�luence within her community to her community. Volunteering as she continued volunteering. has aided in discovering a sense “It helps you let go of your burdens of sel�lessness and wonder for of your ego and opens your eyes to the lives of others, driving her the world around you,” she said. to continue her work to bring Goldfain also recognizes that happiness to those who need it most. volunteering has its downsides.

Goldfain, who has been “You don’t always get the volunteering since middle school, gratitude or the immediate effect began with her youth group that you are hoping for,” she said. through a project called Serve Out “And that is kind of hard when you go Loud. The experience of giving to out and you do something, and they anyone who needed her help within just act like you �illed in your quota.” the community was what willed Goldfain admits situations such her to continue volunteer work. as those may be disheartening at “I continued it just because I the time but encourages herself absolutely love it,” she said. “I love the to look at the bright side of things. community, I love getting involved in “You just have to keep in mind the community, meeting new people that no matter what you do you’re and seeing how I can help them.” helping,” she explained. “And She also understands there is it’s going to help in the capacity a need within the that you never imagined.” c o m m u n i t y, As the colored lights a n d adorn each house and bells chime in the frosty air, there are a select few who are unable to feel the holiday It is student led and teaches cheer. Goldfain leadership skills through meetings, takes notice of projects, and elections. these people and makes it Key Club strongly values her duty to re�ill compassion, inclusion, and their mugs with the warmth of dynamic people. holiday spirit.

Key Club is based in 38 “It does bring them joy,” she said. countries.

“And to know that Information gathered by you’re a part of making Kelly Warden; source: Christmas something that keyclub.org it hasn’t been for someone in a while, it’s really special.”

Key Club Fast Facts

Editor’s Note Kelly Warden

A&E Editor

Close: Little distance between; (of a person or relationship) on very affectionate or intimate terms; to cover an open space.

As 2018 ends, the people of Fort Collins are surrounded by the manifestations of the word “close”.

Familiar images occur around us or enter our minds. The remaining mahogany leaves fall into the cold grasp of freshly laid snow as one season shuts its doors, closed until the next year. Families end the night near �lickering hearths, huddling together for warmth as Christmas music plays faintly.

Finals draw near as the semester comes to a close. December is the epitome of closing, yet the end is where it all begins.

On this page, a senior works to bring the community closer together and give people joy. As people become closer with each other, the holidays feel more pleasant overall.

Page 11 focuses on a hard working FCHS woodworker. By thinking out of the box, he manages to create wonderful items, such as a box with hinges that blends seamlessly when closed.

The centerfold encompasses the hardships of foster care and the relief of �inding the family meant for you. A student shares her story of �inally being able to feel close to a family she can trust and love. Not only that, but language arts teacher Tiana Song shares the process of bringing a new child closer through the adoption process.

Lastly, inspired by his kids and the stories he reads to them, social studies teacher Jason Powell closes those children’s books and begins to write some of his own on page 14. As a teacher who educates others in history, he aims to incorporate that in his book as well.

What does it make you feel like to volunteer?

Iris Li Freshman

“It makes me feel good that I can help people out and also not be sel�ish. You also learn skills to be with people, and to care for people.”

Elaine Ye Sophomore

“It makes me feel that I am being kind of a little bit generous.

It makes me feel good to help someone in need, and it also makes me humble as a Christian.”

Abe Kanda-Olmstead Junior

“It makes me feel like I am helping people. It’s humane; if I was in a person’s position when I need help, it would feel really good to have someone there to help me.”

Brayden Mione Senior

“Volunteering I think is important because it’s important to help out the community and it makes me feel good about myself and know I’m helping someone out.”

Spilled Ink

In-Depth

Dec. 20, 2018

11

Cutting it Close Woodworker feels pride through projects, products Roland Tomsic

Managing Editor

The hum of a lathe turning a dense block of pine rings through the air. Standing, towering over it closely and carefully applying pressure to the stock, senior Jack Behrman chisels it into the shape he desires.

Behrman has been woodworking since he was in the fourth grade but has been helping his father with carpentry jobs around the house since he was a toddler. He is in Woods Three, the highest-level woods class offered at FCHS, and he is working on quite a few projects. “ R i g h t now, I’m just making a tiny wooden box, a bit quieter project, s o

nothing too interesting, but I’m still enjoying it,” Behrman said.

“I’m trying to make it a little over complicated for myself. I’m trying to make it a challenge.”

For the holiday season he has also been working on some bigger projects as Christmas gifts for his family; one of the largest of these is an African bloodwood end table. But, he is using his favorite tool, the lathe, to make the majority of presents.

This attention to detail is a pretty common thing for Behrman’s work and he executes it quite well.

“The box I’m currently making—I cut 45 degree angles in all the joints so I have really nice but-ups, I’m making it out of a single board so the grain connects perfectly and it looks like I wrapped the board around— that’s what I’m going for,” Behrman explained. “I’m also doing a hinge thing on the top. I used a router to make a little indent in the top so that I can hide the hinges in perfectly.”

Different than most carpenters and wood working hobbyists, Behrman typically doesn’t start by sketching his product.

It’s more a mental process for him.

“Usually what I do is kind of start with an idea, see a couple of things that I like, and �ind a rough draft of what I’m going to do in my head,” Behrman said. “I don’t do a lot of planning actually like I should. I just kind of go for it and go with what looks right along the way and that is how I usually end up with my best end product instead of really trying to strictly go off of a drawing because that usually ends up looking pretty bad.”

Recently his con�idence levels with his work have risen to a point where he feels poised enough to sell little projects he has been working on like screw driver handles or other bits he turns on the lathe.

His process works for him and creates products he enjoys making.

“My favorite part is just coming out with something that I’m proud of and that I can show off,” he explained. “Knowing that I started from a random block of wood and made something that looks really beautiful, nice, and quality, then I don’t mind showing off or even selling some of my stuff and putting my name on it.”

Upper left: Using a router, senior Jack Behrman makes practice pockets for the hinges he will inlay in his current project, a box. Upper right and bottom: Behrman sands the joints on his box to smooth the glue that seeped out during his glue-up. Photos by Roland Tomsic

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Dec. 20, 2018

In-Depth

Close-Knit Family

China

Spilled Ink

Democratic Ukraine Republic of Congo

Q&A with English teacher Tiana Song about adopting a child from South Korea Q: How did you come to the decision to adopt?

A: “My husband and I both have always talked about the possibility of adoption, and we’ve been together for always been something we’ve wanted to do. With my health issues that I’ve had in the past, I was lucky—I ha have my own biological son. And, recently, over the course of the last two years, we have tried to have a seco medical reasons and complications we were faced at a crossroad of do I go down IVF, and fertility treatments kind of stuff, or do I decide to adopt, and it was very easy. As soon as they told me, ‘The next step is you need all this fertility treatments’ and such, I as very adamant that that wasn’t what I wanted to do. We were very qu ‘No, adoption is the right thing for us.’”

Q: Why did you decide to adopt a child from South Korea?

A: “Being Korean myself, we felt that we would be able to help that child still be able to understand their core identity, essentially their roots a came from. My family is Korean and Anthony really likes the culture and for that one reason it seems like a good fit. The second reason is that has a huge cultural social stigma with women who have babies out of wedlock. You cannot be a single mom in South Korea; you will be ostraci son or daughter will also be ostracized. That touched Anthony and I. I understand the cultural expectations; I am American but my father’s an i and those cultural norms don’t shock me, unfortunately. But it really breaks my heart because you already have an orphan going through a lot then on top of that they think ‘The reason why I’m an orphan, is not because you couldn’t take care of me but because this was the only option Q: How does your son feel about the decision to adopt a sibling?

A: “We’ve been very open with him and talked about it a lot. He’s a normal 4 year old and thinks it’s going to be this flowery experience but I think all siblings will probably understand that once he has this kid invading his room and using his toys, he might have a different opinion. But he’s super excited. At 4 you don’t understand time, so he’s very confused why it’s taking so long; he really wants his Korean brother.

He tells everyone he’s going to have a Korean brother, because we don’t know the child’s name right now.”

Top 5 Coun Americans Ad

Each leaf represents a child adopted

Spilled Ink

In-Depth

Dec. 20, 2018

13

Above: Senior Avi McCaffrey sits on her bed, which is her favorite place to be in her room. Photo by Molly Lubbers

Student �inds hope for future, changes life after adoption Molly Lubbers

Editor-in-Chief

Approximately 135,000 kids are adopted in the U.S. annually, according to adoptionnetwork. com. Senior Avi McCaffrey was one of these children a few years ago, when she was adopted by her family at age 15.

For most of her life, McCaffrey hasn’t had the control she wanted over her circumstances. As she was growing up, her mom and sister were both invested in drugs, and the whole family was homeless. In �ifth grade, McCaffrey’s teacher noticed she got on the city bus alone, and she followed her; through this, she found out what was

South Korea

r ten years. It’s ave learned—to ond child. For s, and all that d to go through quick to say

and where they South Korea ized, and your immigrant, t of things and n you had.’”

India

ntries dopt From

d from each country in 2016.

Graphic by Jack Hunter; source: adoption.com

happening and reported it.

After that, McCaffrey became a ward of the court, and since then, she’s moved through various foster care families or group homes—not because of disciplinary problems, but simply because of how the system works. She didn’t know how long she would stay in one place, and it never felt like she actually had a family.

In addition, being a ward of the court meant McCaffrey lived under many restrictions.

For example, she wasn’t allowed to bike to school by herself, or ride in a car driven by someone under 21.

What was most disconcerting, however, was that she didn’t feel like she mattered much to the people who were making choices for her.

“I felt like a statistic, really, like they probably don’t even know my name; they just see, ‘Oh this person needs to know if somebody can come help her get her permit, we have to send someone to do that,’” McCaffrey said. “It’s not, ‘Who would like to take Avi to go get her permit.’

You’re just another face.”

Stacked on top of all those challenges was the knowledge that most kids past 13 years old are not likely to be adopted.

“Every time I heard it, it made me feel so unwanted, which is weird, because I’m a very self-secure person,” McCaffrey said. “Just hearing that families in general just don’t want me was hard. And just being passed around, it didn’t seem like anyone genuinely cared.”

All of this changed when someone she met in the foster care system, who wishes to remain anonymous, asked McCaffrey if she would

want to live with her family.

The adjustment period took some time; McCaffrey was accustomed to worrying only about herself, but now has learned how to communicate with her parents. She’s also bonded with her two little sisters, who were adopted as well.

“With living in group homes or having foster siblings, it’s not the same as having ones that you genuinely bond with. It was weird, because all the sudden they were coming to me to talk to me about my day. I was, like, woah, that’s weird—my other siblings, I didn’t even think they knew my name,” McCaffrey said. “It’s just the little things, like [my sister] asking me to drive her to the mall with her friends; I just think it’s so cool that I can do that. Like wow, she’s trusting me to go take her and her friends to the mall.”

Being adopted also provided her hope. Before high school, she didn’t even know what the word college meant. And when she was still a ward of the court, she didn’t view it as an option. Now, with her own hard work combining with the support from her family and teachers, she’s been accepted into the University of Alabama.

“I didn’t even think I’d make it to high school, so after high school, I didn’t even think about it. I’m really proud just that within my family, I’m the �irst person to go to college.

Everybody on the outside who was like, ‘Oh, Avi’s going to turn out like the rest of her family.’

Like, no, I got into college; I had the grades to get into college and I made it through high school,” McCaffrey said. “It just felt really empowering and I think that also strengthened my love for myself, that I’m resilient enough to do things despite all the odds I was faced against.”

Plans for the Future

Senior Avi McCaffrey plans to major in Special Education at the University of Alabama. Her parents bought her this elephant ornament because it is the university’s mascot.

Above is an FCHS teddy bear. When McCaffrey helped coach the Unified cheerleading team, she confirmed she wanted to work with those who have special needs.

McCaffrey’s peer counseling acceptance letter is tacked in her room.

That’s just one activity she’s involved in at school. She wants to become a teacher to “be the person for others that I didn’t have growing up.”

Photos and information gathered by Molly Lubbers

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Dec. 20, 2018

In-Depth

Spilled Ink

Close the Book Proust Questionnaire This samples questions from Proust’s Questionnaire, which has a variety of questions meant to reveal someone’s personality. Social studies teacher Jason Powell attempted to answer them in the perspective of his character Avery and the real-life inspiration of his son.

What is his idea of perfect happiness?

He likes just like running around and is a super-energetic kid. My goal was to show his energy and show his want to learn, so that’s probably it.

What is his greatest fear?

In the book his greatest fear would be not being able to go to school and learn the material. The other day Avery was sick and he really wanted to go; he was so mad.

Which words or phrases does he most overuse?

‘Are you kidding me,’ and ‘Gosh darn it.’

Where would he most like to live?

Fort Collins. He loves our town.

Information gathered by Molly Lubbers

Social studies teacher writes children’s book series inspired by own children Alex Ellmer

Staff Writer

Prepping for the day, in the quiet halls before students start to show up, he gets his materials ready for class. Laughter starts to �ill the room as kids joke with the teacher before class starts. As students walk into class, music �ills the room and halls to energize them and get them ready to learn.

When he mentions lost families in war, his true raw emotions come out to show the students his thoughtful engagement in history.

Social studies teacher Jason Powell’s passion for history has inspired him to create children’s stories in his free time.

“I wanted to write books for children to learn about history, but also I wanted to use my degree to better my career and become an author as well,” Powell said.

Four years ago, when Powell’s second child was born, he started reading more and more children’s books, and he decided to create his own. The interaction with his kids and the stories he was reading helped form his idea.

Powell wanted to push his creativity level and his boundaries with writing to come up with the idea of a series. Inspiration for his series of books was found throughout the household.

“I do imagine my own children reading these

books; in fact, the protagonists in the story are my own children,” Powell said. “I want my children to read these books and see themselves in the characters’ lives when they read the stories before going to bed. I hope to see my own children reading these stories and wondering if they will notice it’s them.”

Powell’s series of books includes two younger children as the protagonists.

The kids in the story travel from decade to decade in the 1900s to the 2000s. This series will include artwork involving the scenes of the storyline.

The protagonists in the story are modeled after his own kids including different adventures for them to share.

“My characters are a 7 and 5 year old.

The older brother goes to elementary school while the younger one can’t yet go,” Powell explained.

“Every night before they go to bed, the older character shares what he learned in school. While trying to go to bed, they wake up in a different decade to learn more about history in their dreams, as they come home with the day winding down, are waking up for the next day.”

Teaching U.S. and World history has helped Powell come up with the idea of ten books focusing on one decade per book.

“I wanted to write books that I enjoy,” Powell said, “and that I had knowledge about already.”

“I want my children to read these books and see themselves in the characters’ lives when they read the stories before going to bed.” social studies teacher Jason Powell

Typing on his computer, social studies teacher Jason Powell works on the draft of his children’s book. Photo by Molly Lubbers. Graphic by Jack Hunter

Sports

Spilled Ink

Dec. 20, 2018

WHERE WE STAND

15

Ranking

Varsity Basketball (Boys) Ranked: 11 Wins-Losses: 1-4

Girls Basketball

9

Varsity Ice Hockey Ranked: 3 Wins-Losses-Ties: 1-1-1 Varsity Swimming & Diving (Girls) Ranked: 3 Wins-Losses: 0-2

Points for: 298 Points against: 308

Overall Win Percentage: .500

Varsity Wrestling Ranked: 6 Wins-Losses: N/A

Next Game: Jan. 8 at Fort Collins High School

Graphic by Jack Brecheisen and Jack Hunter

Vaping impacts athlete performance Rebekah De Priest Staff Writer

Smoking is not a healthconscious habit, and much is being done within the community in an effort to make smoking a thing of the past. But for roughly 30.8 percent of high school students in 2017, vaping has taken over smoking’s place, according to Healthy Kids Colorado.

This “healthier alternative” may have lasting effects on users’ physical and mental health, which can become a problem for athletes, according to an article on thesportsdaily.com.

Though there is currently little research related directly to vaping, some studies have connected the habit to respiratory and heart health decline, especially when the liquid contains nicotine.

Bethany Condon, the FCHS alcohol and drug counselor, explained there has been a major rise in vaping among high school students in the past four years alone. It has even

replaced marijuana as the second most experimented with substance high school students use at 31 percent.

“That’s about a third,” Condon said. “So that comes out to 600 kids in our school.

Just over 600 kids in our school, statistically, vape.”

Vaping is still relatively new. Because of this, it’s hard to determine the effects vaping will have long-term. There is one side affect of vaping scientists have been able to conclude though, according to Condon.

Popcorn Lung, Condon said, is a condition �irst seen in workers who made microwave popcorn bags.

When inhaling the oils that lined the bags, their lungs developed an increase in scar tissue. This led to symptoms such as bronchitis, asthma, and chronic coughing.

“The doctors, the scientists, are seeing a comparison between what youth are experiencing in their lungs, with an increase in scar tissue and bronchitis and coughing and asthma is a very similar

condition to the microwave popcorn workers,” she said.

Conditions such as Popcorn Lung have negative effects on all who develop them because of vaping, but student athletes who vape are hit even harder by the habit’s effects. Athletes’ damaged lungs cannot take in much-needed air. This is critical when considering the lungs work nearly nine times harder while exercising, according to the National Center for Biotechnology.

In addition, Condon said, student athletes she has counseled have claimed to have a hard time during practice both mentally and physically. They report that while running and other physical challenges are made more dif�icult, they also have a harder time �inding motivation to participate.

Outside of games and practices, athletes can be affected by the choice to vape in numerous ways. Condon explained it may become harder for these students to focus in the classroom, and many are ditching to

�ind time to vape. Parents and friends are also affected by the students’ choices.

“Families can be really stressed out by their child’s vaping,” she explained.

“Friends sometimes get worried about their other friends that vape and that can sometimes put tension on a friendship or a relationship.”

To avoid these consequences and stresses, Condon recommends �inding a better alternative to vaping. Many of the students she counseled who reported vaping said that it was used as a coping mechanism for them to wind down from the hardships life can bring, but there are more healthful options.

“Connection, joining clubs, activities, friendships, volunteerism—all of those also produce the good chemicals in your brain,” Condon said.

If a student is thinking about quitting vaping, there are many resources at hand.

Condon has an of�ice in Student Services, and support groups are available online.

Vaping Fast Facts - E-cigarette aerosol can contain toxic metals - Vaping nicotine can damage your blood vessels - The CEO of a top e-cig brand said other e-cig manufacturers used flavorings “to attract children.”

- If you vape you’re 4x more likely to start smoking cigarettes - 1 JUUL pod = 20 cigarettes worth of nicotine

=

Information gathered by Kelly Warden; source: truth.com Graphic by Jack Hunter

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Dec. 20, 2018

Sports

Spilled Ink

Top left: Sophomore Joe Connor has a teammate in a hold during practice. Middle left: Connor and a teammate face off. Bottom left: Connor focuses on the mat. Top right: Connor sits for a photo. Bottom right: Connor helps with a demonstration.

Changed attitude drives wrestler to improve to succeed and move on to the next level ‘cause they make sure I’m eating the A&E Editor right food and they always have healthy Self-described as a student once food in the house during the season,” notorious for his bad attitude, he said. “I’m really thankful for them.”

Sophomore Joe Connor used to relish From ensuring he maintains a the attention. Now, however, he healthy diet to paying for all his aims to be a leader and role model sports, his family supports him no for other student wrestlers. His matter what. In turn, Connor aspires drive begins with his feet on the mat to live up to the hopes of his parents and ends with his will in his hands. and even his wrestling coaches.

Connor was one of two Fort However, such feats don’t come easily.

Collins wrestlers who made it to “As Coach said, day one of practice, the state competitions last year. ‘Anyone who comes in here and A determined athlete, he sets thinks they’re going to have a super himself up for glory as long as fun time or anything, you can leave those he cares for believe in him. now, because it’s not supposed to Hard working and empathetic, he be a fun sport,’” Connor recalled. especially appreciates his family.

Head wrestling coach Mark Moser “I’ve always felt like I owe it to them said Connor is an example for all Kelly Warden

the wrestlers, stating he is “intense, motivated,” and, “very driven.”

His coach also sees the ways Connor acts as a role model off the mat.

“As far as Joe, even more importantly than just wrestling, is the fact that he’s a good kid,” Moser explained.

“He’s got a great character; he always has good grades, he’s good at school, he’s a good example, and he’s a good person. That’s something I’m trying to make for all the wrestlers here.”

Connor has been working to become someone others can look up to and speak of not in a negative manner, but a respectful one. He strives to be the wrestler others notice and admire, especially when entering a match.

Like any respectable athlete, Connor aims to be a person worthy

of his status. He puts in plenty of effort to be the person he hopes to be.

However, such dedication resulted in the decrease of his physical health freshman year. To meet the ideal weight for his weight class, Connor said he lost a lot of energy which only served to hinder rather than help his performances.

This year he strives to learn from his mistakes and become a better wrestler. This means taking responsibility for his own actions.

“With wrestling, when you lose it’s all on you. You can’t hide behind your teammates; you can’t make any excuses,” Connor said.

“Once I set my mind to something, I’m going to get it done and I’m not going to quit until it’s over.”

Spilled Ink

Sports

Dec. 20, 2018

ROLLING ON OUT

17

Sophomore earns national ranking in roller derby Sadie Buggle

Sophomore Gia Arelio skates around the rink, attempting to pass members of the rival team. Photo courtesy of Anthony Najera

News Editor

Not many can say they �ind a digni�ied comfort in playing a sport that is so active and full contact.

Even when covered in padding and sporting clothing colored purple and gold, her feet tied tightly into a pair of roller skates, sophomore Gia Arelio has found a home on the roller derby rink.

Arelio has been a part of the FoCo Spartans Junior Roller Derby Team since she was nine years old. She �irst watched the movie “Whip It” and was instantly intrigued by how rough and dynamic the sport was.

Arelio is her team’s jammer, and practices at least twice every week.

Roller derby is a competitive sport that consists of a series of short match-ups, called jams, in which there are �ive people on the track per team. One person on each team is designated as the jammer. The jammer wears a star on her helmet and is the only one on the team that can score points. Points are scored by lapping members of the opposite team. The other four members of the team are called “blockers,” and their goal is to stop the other team’s jammer from scoring. The game is full contact and widely known for its aggressive nature.

The FoCo Spartans have been ranked nationally for junior derby leagues, and are a traveling team, competing in locations such as Washington, Oregon, Texas, and California. The team includes players from ages 7 to 18, but players begin to play competitively when they turn 13. Arelio is very close to the other girls on her team.

“I love my team,” she said. “My

teammates have come and gone.

I’ve been a part of the team for 6 years, and one of the hardest parts is watching my teammates turn 18 and age out. We were ranked second in the world for a while, but then we lost a bunch of our best players because they aged out. I still keep in touch with a lot of them.”

As Arelio has been a part of the roller derby community for a while, she has watched it change, grow and develop. As the sport has progressed, more pressure has been added and the sport has become increasingly more competitive. Additionally, Arelio has felt the need to be better since she became one of the youngest sponsored athletes in the nation, joining the “HitSquad Sponsored Athletes” after a sponsor saw her play.

“Now, there’s a lot of pressure to be good that wasn’t really there when I �irst began. People from all over the world know who I am and who our team is. We’ve played teams from Canada and Brazil and the players have known who I am just because of my sponsorship. I feel like I have to up my game now,” Arelio explained. The sponsorship has allowed her to rise in the derby world, which she calls “a small, underground community of athletes.”

Though she has been part of this community for so long, Arelio hasn’t tired of the dynamic sport.

Part of this continuous passion is her love of not having a strategy like most jammers. Instead, Arelio likes to do what comes naturally, and that changes every game.

“I love how unpredictable it is,” she said. “It’s such a thrill. You hear the whistle and you start shaking with adrenaline. You get in your position and you just…go for it.”

Arelio pushes her way through the pack of blockers to score points for her team. Photo courtesy of Anthony Najera

sics a B y b r e Roller D

Pack: The largest group of in-bound blockers Jammer: Point scorer for the team Blocker: Positional skaters who form the pack to block the opposite team’s jammer Pivot: A blocker with extra responsibilities and can become the jammer The star: The jammer helmet cover with two stars on both sides The stripe: The pivot helmet cover with one stripe down the middle Passing the star: The action of passing the jammer status by passing the star to the pivot Information gathered by Italia Caro; source: rules.wftda.com

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Dec. 20, 2018

Sports

Spilled Ink

Winter inspires athletes in sports Editor’s Note: Each blurb is titled with a different winter sport and describes a student who participates in it.

Nordic Skiing Alex Ellmer

Snowboarding Roland Tomsic

Staff Writer

Carving down the mountain, snow spraying everywhere, senior Gabe Ellis is a recreational snowboarder.

“I like snowboarding because it is a rad thing to do outdoors with my friends,” Ellis said.

“Slashing pow and learning new tricks is always a good time.

I just enjoy the atmosphere.”

Snowboarding has been an every-weekend event for Ellis for the past few years.

“I started snowboarding when I was like seven years old and took a little break of about four years and I’ve been back at it for the last three seasons,” Ellis explained.

For the past three years he

Staff Writer

Pushing across the grooved track, snow falling on the trees around her, sophomore Sarah Oberlander fights through the pain to get to the finish line.

Oberlander is a competitive Nordic Skier who wants to explore new ways to exercise with kids her age.

“I like Nordic Skiing because it gives me a chance to meet new people who also have the same interests as I do,” she said.

“Pushing my boundaries and competing in races is always fun and exciting.”

S k i i n g has been a part of Oberlander’s life for years and she continues to expand her knowledge

has learned many things and enjoys continuing to learn. Every weekend is like a present, according to him.

“My favorite part is definitely powder days because you get fresh tracks and its just super fun to just cruise turns and have a mellow day at the resort,” Ellis said.

This year he wants to get as many days in as he can at the resort and so far is off to a successful start.

“I snowboard usually at Breckenridge and Keystone every weekend I can,” Ellis said. “I’ve already had eight days this year and I’m heading up this weekend for my ninth and I’m super stoked.”

of the sport. Oberlander participates on the PSD Nordic Ski Team which consists of about 40 kids from the district.

“I started alpine skiing 13 years ago and heard about the new ski team, so I decided to give it a chance,” Oberlander said.

For the past couple years, Oberlander has had family members compete nationally for Nordic and wants to someday expand in a sport she can work hard in.

“My goal is to compete at state this year and ski my hardest to find new ways to exercise while enjoying the outdoors,” Oberlander said.

This year she wants to connect with other kids her age who also enjoy the same interests.

“I want to meet new people who find it exciting to compete against each other in an individualized team sport,” Oberlander said.

“I want an activity that can bring joy to my life while working hard and exploring my boundaries.”

Figure Skating Alex Ellmer

Staff Writer

Gliding across the ice, cool air and calm music surrounding her, junior Alena Zhu sets up to complete her best routine yet.

Zhu is a competition figure skater who wants to stay active while doing something that she likes.

“My favorite parts of skating are probably the feeling of accomplishment when I get a new jump or spin, and performing is fun to me,” Zhu said.

Zhu has traveled for many competitions including regional competitions in Texas but has stayed more local recently. With many options for success, Zhu trains to complete her major goals. For many years, she has been figure skating and has

accomplished great successes.

“My goal for the longest time was to pass my two gold tests, senior free skate and senior moves in the field, to become a US Figure Skating double gold medalist and I recently did that in April,” Zhu said.

Zhu credits he family with being there for her when the sport is challenging.

“My family had been very helpful skating because it is such an expensive sport and they’ve paid for all my expenses and given me so much support going into tests and competitions,” Zhu said.

This year Zhu wants to grow in her sport while continuing to train with discipline.

“My goal is to keep improving and learning new jumps with a focus on the ability to train and stay fit,” Zhu said. Zhu hopes to continue to compete and train in a sort that has brought joy into her life.

Graphics by Jack Hunter

Spilled Ink

Perspectives

Dec. 20, 2018

19

BUTTING HEADS -Affirmative action helps the less fortunate -Helps people out of their born-into economic situation -Gives students a chance to reach their full potential -Provides students with an opportunity to go to college

-Affirmative action hurts admission rates of Asians -Everyone deserves an equal opportunity -Students do not always have equal opportunity because of their ethnicity -Affirmative action policies should consider a student’s individual success

Af�irmative action combats inequity in college admissions

Kelly Warden A&E Editor

Growing up, I was surrounded by those with no opportunity, those who grew up poor and discriminated against in the slums of Lancaster, California. Since moving to Colorado, the surface seemed pleasant, but beneath it all still lie hidden prejudices.

To �ight this, some colleges are taking af�irmative action. Senior Elijah “Petey” Willis says this program would help students like him who are trying to get into universities. It’s a policy that favors those who suffer from prejudice and inequity, especially in educational or professional situations.

It is a way of helping less fortunate people who were not born or gifted the opportunities many others have.

“It gets more people out of their born-into economic situation and most people don’t leave that, so if you’re giving them a leg up, thanks, the economy needs that,” Willis said.

The discrimination minorities face is traced to the segregation and cruelty that af�licted them in the past. Because small ethnic groups were treated poorly within the last 60 years, they have been

placed in the lowest class of society’s hierarchy. Since then people have been making leaps in gaining minority rights, but haven’t fully overcome the classism, sexism, and racism of the past.

According to the American Psychology Association, 39 percent of African-American children and 33 percent of Latino children are living in poverty. Not only that, but African Americans earn only 72 percent of the same wage a Caucasian male makes on average. Overall, it is dif�icult for families of ethnic minorities to pay for college.

As seen actively in charter high schools in Lancaster, many AfricanAmerican or Latino students must work a job to help support their family because their parents’ wages aren’t enough. They often take care of their siblings as well. Not only does this make it hard to save money for college, but it hinders their attempts at getting grades good enough for college admissions or decent scholarships.

Because of this dilemma, many students lose hope of attending college at all. This usually results in a vicious cycle. Not only that, but blue-collar jobs are so undervalued that society does little to improve the lives of those who take the jobs no one else is willing to.

However, with colleges like Harvard implementing af�irmative action, there is a good chance more students will apply to colleges and even graduate.

All in all, af�irmative action will help the populace become more equal by giving students the chance to reach their full potential and should be welcomed by schools everywhere.

Af�irmative action laws can discriminate, need revision

Ethan Fang Guest Writer

In October, hundreds gathered on Harvard University’s campus carrying signs with messages including “discrimination in the name of diversity is wrong.” These passionate protests came amid recently unveiled data that top universities, have been setting unof�icial quotas and primarily discriminating against Asian American students. Now under judicial scrutiny, Harvard Faces a lawsuit upon which the Justice Department commented that they have “failed to carry its demanding burden to show that its use of race does not in�lict unlawful racial discrimination on Asian-Americans.”

The unfortunate disenfranchisement of millions of Asian Americans as well as other groups by the mechanism of af�irmative action is an unacceptable reality that must be dealt with through legislative revision.

At the time of its conception, the law received acceptance on the grounds it was a necessary counteraction to the historical oppression of speci�ic groups.

Today, however, many argue af�irmative action is causing collateral damage to groups such as Asian Americans.

“Af�irmative action undoubtedly hurts the admission rates of Asians,” senior and current valedictorian Nathan Sima said. Studies comparing college admission rates on the basis of race have shown stark differences in what is expected from students. An African American student with an SAT score of 1000 has admission chances equal to a white student with a 1310 or an Asian American student scoring a 1450 according to research done by the National Study of College Experience.

While the Supreme Court no longer backs the idea that righting historical wrongs is something the government should undertake, Sima suggests “the bene�its of af�irmative action do outweigh the harms so long as they continue to promote the equality of opportunity and not the equality of outcomes.” Af�irmative action still functions as a needed force for promoting the diversity of development but requires changes that cater to contemporary needs.

Everyone deserves an equal opportunity to get higher education which is why rather than dogmatic attachment to race or gender, af�irmative action policies should consider the accomplishments of students within the context of the opportunities to which they have had access.

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Dec. 20, 2018

Perspectives

Spilled Ink

Retail workers deserve respect from customers during holidays

Retail Industry Fast Facts Jack Hunter Head Graphic Artist

On average, retail sales workers make less than $22,000 annually.

45 percent of service sector workers do not receive paid holidays.

More than one quarter of low-wage retail workers are in poverty.

Let’s be honest, the holidays can be a stressful time of year. Starting mid-November and lasting until the end of December, just about everyone is in a rush to get something done: planning holiday meals, buying gifts, getting decorations; the list goes on.

However, no matter how strung-out one gets as a consumer, it’s important to keep in mind that one group of people de�initively has it the worst: retail workers.

Retail is already a tough enough line of work as it is.

In addition to dealing with customers constantly, employees are also often expected to work several jobs within their job, especially at bigger stores—cashier duty, stocking shelves, and working the �loor are all tasks regularly expected of them. When traf�ic picks up during the holiday season, all these jobs get much harder.

Senior William Jenkins works at King Soopers, and though he’s used to handling busy moments as a cashier, he notes that the business is near-constant around this time of year.

“During the holidays, it really picks up,” Jenkins

said. “We’re pretty much busy the whole day.”

Some country-wide statistics re�lect this change as well. According to Constant Contact, 55 percent of U.S. consumers plan to visit stores on events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and though online retail sales continue to climb yearly, Shoppertrak’s 2017 analytics showed that instore retail sales are falling at much slower rates.

Though more business is good for stores, retail workers must work harder to keep up with the unusually high pace, not to mention other complicating factors like training seasonal hires. The environment is undeniably exhausting, and often made worse by the attitudes of disgruntled customers.

“People are stressed, and that makes people do things they wouldn’t normally do. You just have people yell at you, often,” Jenkins said.

Employees on the �loor are the �irst to be blamed and berated by customers when issues arise, though they are rarely responsible and likely unable to solve the problem.

Granted, busy environments can lead to mistakes that do need reconciliation on the customer’s part, but often angry customers are looking for answers that low-level employees don’t have.

So, keep in mind this holiday season: while overcrowded stores, messy departments, and long lines can be obnoxious, the people behind the counter are dealing with it for upwards of 8 hours a day for two months straight. If you’re patient, work with them, and treat them with kindness, this season will be a little easier for everyone involved.

“People are stressed, and that makes people do things they wouldn’t normally do. You just have people yell at you, often.”—senior William Jenkins

1/4 of annual retail sales occur during the holiday shopping season

The sales industry is one of the least unionized in the U.S.

The average age for retail workers is 37.7 years old.

Information gathered by Mackenna Rowe; sources: mic.com, careerarc.com, deloitte.com

Spilled Ink

Perspectives

Dec. 20, 2018

21

“I’ve volunteered to do photography just to help raise awareness and for more fundraising to get more resources for people that are living on the street.” - Gary Stricklin “I’ve been trying to understand the whole phenomenon of homelessness and one way to get a little more understanding is getting involved in some way with what’s going on.” - Tom Linnell

“I work here [the gear room at the Murphy Center] on Monday mornings and I’ve worked here for about 2 to 3 years. We get a line on Monday mornings and everybody’s very polite. People are afraid of homeless people. I’ve had a panic button, the only times I’ve used it is once or twice when people had seizures. Never had any problems of any signi�icance.” - Fred Schrekinger

“I think it’s important to help people that are experiencing homelessness because they’re our neighbors, they’re our friends, they are our family members. They are people that are often vulnerable.”

- Homeward Alliance Development Director Pam Brewer

“[The Street Dog Coalition] helped us out a lot, free vet checks and stuff like that, kept [our dog] in good health and all the resources are actually pretty helpful. We actually just quali�ied for housing and so we’ll hopefully be off the streets here in a couple of weeks.” Tim Carger “It’s a bene�it to help a lot of homeless people, and I’ve been in their shoes at one point and now I’m not. So I just come to be a part of the community.” - Tara Carger Volunteers and community members participate in the Mission to Hope Walk from Catholic Charities to the Murphy Center on Dec. 8. Photos by Molly Lubbers

Community should offer help to homeless people

Molly Lubbers Editor-in-Chief

16 percent of Fort Collins’ homeless population is under age 18, according to Homeward 2020’s Point in Time Count survey in 2017. That doesn’t even include the youth who don’t have stable homes but are couch-sur�ing with friends—it likely is a higher number.

Most people have had an interaction with a homeless person at some point, perhaps without even realizing it. But what students may forget is that homelessness is an issue that affects people surrounding them in their classes, and it is something that they should be concerned about.

Without compassion and understanding, there will be no solution to the problems homeless people face. It’s vital that the community come together to support them, especially right now. As it gets

colder, the need for resources rises, and everyone should contribute to helping homeless people; otherwise, some may not survive this winter.

Sometimes, people resist helping people who are homeless because there is a stigma surrounding them. However, senior Quinn Kane, who has volunteered with Homeward Alliance for the past two years, has seen that the stereotype of homeless people is inaccurate.

“A lot of people think that homelessness comes from poor decisions that you made, and that you got yourself into that situation. Most of the time that’s not even close to being true; a lot of times it’s a series of events that just happened way too close to one another, like a divorce and then they lost their job, and then a family member died, and so many things happened at once that it was hard to absorb the shock of that, and it resulted in homelessness,” Kane explained.

“I think there’s a lot of stigma that homeless people don’t care or don’t want to be helped, but once you’re behind, it’s really hard to get ahead.”

This stigma can come from a people being scared of homeless people. But they need help, not fear, from the community.

“You have one slightly off interaction

and then it kind of alters the view of everyone, but I think it’s really important to not let that happen,” Kane said. “A lot of it is also the unknown—people don’t understand the situation, and then they’re afraid of what they don’t know.”

It’s crucial for community members to educate themselves on the realities homeless people face, and then to view their situations with empathy.

When people avoid the problem or don’t take action to understand, homelessness becomes harder to �ight.

It can be easy to shift from hurting homeless people to helping them.

It can even be in switching a simple action. For example, many are guilty of averting their eyes while they walk past someone homeless on the street. They may feel bad they can’t give money to someone pan-handling, but consistently being passed in the street without acknowledgement is incredibly damaging to the psyche of homeless people. By offering a smile or hello, that feeling of being ignored might be diminished.

That said, most people can give money—they just refuse to do so. Many are worried that if they give money to someone homeless, it will be used for a bad purpose, like drugs or alcohol.

But by not trusting homeless people to make �inancial decisions for themselves, people perpetuate the problem. People should give directly to homeless people, without any conditions attached to it. Making moral judgment on people and consequently not giving money is the opposite of being truly ethical.

For those who can do even more to help, donating and volunteering at local organizations is extremely bene�icial.

“Donations are always a super good way to help that doesn’t require a lot of face-to-face interaction; it’s really behind the scenes. It’s super, super bene�icial because then people have other work to do and can distribute all of that, and it usually goes directly to the people within two to three days,” Kane said. “Volunteering places, like the soup kitchen, is a really great way too.

It’s super fun to work there, and you get to interact with a lot of homeless people, which is very inspiring and eye opening and humbling.”

This year, make sure not to ignore homeless people and their plight; a problem never disappears just because people pretend not to see it. Instead, educate yourself, avoid judging homeless people, and help them in all the capacities you can.

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Dec. 20, 2018

Perspectives

Spilled Ink

Holidays other than Christmas deserve equal acknowledgement, respect in school settings gets behind in schoolwork.

She doesn’t expect the district to cancel school days that con�lict with Jewish holidays. However, she believes some changes could be made to more properly recognize other religious holidays.

Sadie Buggle News Editor In states all over the U.S., students are given two weeks off of school during December to celebrate Christmas with their families. Although many people in the United States that are Christian and celebrate Christmas, a very large population of Americans is excluded by American school systems from being excused from school during their own holy days.

Schools should respect holidays other than Christian holidays and work to accommodate the schedule for those who celebrate holidays like the Jewish holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the Hindu holiday of Diwali, the Islamic holiday of Eid, the Chinese Lunar New Year, and many more.

It is a school’s responsibility to respect holidays important to other religions and cultures and allow them to celebrate, for celebrating is as important to them as it is to Christians.

Sophomore Maya Karni was raised in a Jewish household, and the relationships she formed through the religion were most impactful to her.

“Judaism for me is important because of the family aspect.

All of my family is Jewish and from Israel,” Karni said. “I don’t necessarily believe in all of it, but being Jewish brings me closer to my family and my siblings. When you �ind someone else Jewish, it’s much easier to understand each other and bond over something right away.”

From a young age, Karni was taught the importance of faith and religion. Karni is not allowed to go to school during the �irst couple of days of Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah, which means she sometimes

Major Holidays December through January Hanukkah began

“I think the most important thing is just to acknowledge that other holidays exist, and maybe be aware that there will be students absent,” Karni said. “If possible, teachers could maybe adjust what you’re covering in class or the homework if it’s possible.”

Junior Tali Forsyth, who was also raised Jewish, agrees with Karni.

Forsyth doesn’t usually take school off for Jewish holidays but instead celebrates afterward, meaning her evenings are completely �illed and she doesn’t have enough time to �inish her schoolwork. However, Forsyth said the most important part of changing how school systems treat religious minorities is respect and acceptance from teachers who are willing to work with students to make up what they miss.

“I think it’s super important that teachers just be understanding when students email them or tell them that they’ll be missing class because they’re celebrating a holiday,” Forsyth said. “Being understanding when students reach out to you is one of the biggest things a teacher could do.”

Staff ignorance of religious traditions and holidays doesn’t affect only Jewish students. Hindu, Islamic and Chinese students, as well as many others, celebrate holidays that don’t correlate with the school calendar. These students deserve to have time to celebrate

their unique and diverse traditions just as much as Christians deserve time off to celebrate Christmas.

To deprive them of that freedom is stripping them of their cultures and identities. Recognizing nonChristian holidays would be a step in the right direction to having equality through faiths and communities.

Dec. 2 and ended the evening of Dec. 10

Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the second century B.C. Hanukah is often called the Festival of Lights. The holiday is celebrated with lighting the menorah, games, traditional food and gifts.

Kwanzaa began Dec. 26 and ends on Jan. 1, 2019

Kwanzaa is a holiday that combines aspects of several different harvest celebrations. The holiday has 7 core principles.

Bodhi Day is Jan. 13, 2019

Bodhi Day is the day when Siddhartha Gautama gained enlightenment, becoming the Buddha.

To celebrate Buddists meditate and decorate a fig tree in colored beads and lights on this holiday.

Information gathered by Italia Caro; source: www.bbc.co.uk and www.history.com.

Consider others when writing, drawing in snow When snow begins to fall and the cold begins to set in, a different mood takes over at school. Some are happy to see the snowfall and others become annoyed by the cold and wet that follows it.

Some students hope for a snow day to stay in and enjoy the warmth, and others play in the powder.

But, lately, when school stays in session and snow is on the ground, students have been taking such play to an inappropriate level.

Writing and drawing in the snow can be fun, especially because our two-story building allows a good view from above. Though many of the snow artists draw typical innocuous designs like hearts and flowers, others have created offensive pictures and words.

True, the First Amendment gives us the right to free speech. Free speech is important; however, there is a fine line to be drawn when speech becomes offensive or potentially harmful to others in a professional workplace. The freedom we have is important and we need to protect it by being accountable when we exercise our rights.

STAFF ED We must understand we are here to get an education. Countless studies show students who feel safe and comfortable have a better chance of accessing educational opportunities. No one should have to worry about reading hateful messages directed at them, and no one should have to worry about seeing harassing images.

We have a responsibility to keep our school safe for everyone, and not all of us are living up to it.

We need to realize our actions can hurt others, even if we see what we are doing as a simple “joke.” It’s serious when slurs or words like “AIDS” are carved into the snow; it is not hard to understand that it is not funny and it is not something that should be taken lightly.

In addition, what we do reflects on the school.

Most of the messages currently conveyed are

childish, and if we want to be treated like the young adults we are, we should not be acting like middle-schoolers. We are better than that, and we should also realize that we are not the only people in the building on a given day. Every day we have guest speakers, substitutes, school board members, community volunteers, and future students with parents walking through the halls of our school. Immature pictures and language reflect badly on us and such expressions should not be what our school is known for.

Our motto is “where excellence is expected.”

That goes for the grades we strive for, what we attempt to achieve in sports and the arts, how we behave in the classroom, and how we treat others— even on the simplest level of a snow drawing.

The next time the flurries begin to fall, consider lifting others up with words of compassion, or artistic pieces that could brighten their day. Don’t pile more troubles on students for an immature gag or hurtful word, but rather give them something to look forward to in times of stress.

Perspectives Poaching By the Numbers Spilled Ink

Over 100 million animals are reported killed by hunters in the U.S. annually.

An average of 96 elephants are killed in Africa daily for their ivory.

People poach 38 million animals from Brazil annually. The majority are birds that become illegal and caged pets.

been Over 1 million seals have killed by hunters in Canada within the last five years; about 97 percent of them are under three months old.

Graphics by Jack Hunter. Information gathered by Mackenna Rowe; source: animalmatters.org

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Dec. 20, 2018

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Editor’s Note Mackenna Rowe

Perspectives Editor

Opening with graphic content of illegallykilled rhinos, the Instagram account @ Karmagawa posted a video that went viral, to raise awareness of rhino poaching.

Animal poaching is when an animal is killed illegally and is an issue that should be taken seriously. According to animalmatters.org, approximately 30,000 species per year, about three per hour, are being driven to extinction.

Rhinos are not the only animals that are becoming endangered do to poaching.

Tigers and leopards are hunted for their skins, elephants are hunted for their ivory tusks, sharks are caught for their fins, and many other animals are affected.

Animal Matters also reports that more than 100 million animals are killed by hunters in the United States each year, and even more worldwide.

Those interested in Combatting illegal hunting can look into the work done

by Karmagawa. You might also want to support the World Wildlife Fund, which is a fundraising organization for the global conservation movement found at worldwildlife. org.

Another organization, the International Clyde Anti-Poaching Cares Organization, forms effective strategies to prevent poaching, and can be found at iapf.org.

3400 Lambkin Way, Ft. Collins, CO 80525

Editors

Molly Lubbers...Editor in Chief Sadie Buggle...News Editor Kelly Warden...A&E Editor Miles Rodriguez...In-Depth Editor Italia Caro...Sports Editor Mackenna Rowe...Perspectives Editor Roland Tomsic...Managing Editor

Photographers

2018-2019

(970) 488-8199

Staff Writers

Hannah Blagg Rebekah De Priest Seraphina Discoe Alex Ellmer Anna Hunter Jenny Nguyen Ayra Ra�iq

Kristina Howard

Graphic Artists

Jack Hunter...Head Graphic Artist Jack Brecheisen

Adviser

Anne Colwell

Editorial Policy

Spilled Ink is published nine times yearly by the newspaper staff of Fort Collins High School, 3400 Lambkin Way, Fort Collins, Colo. 80525, (970) 488-8199. Member of the Colorado High School Press Association, American Scholastic Press Association and the National Scholastic Press Association. Recipient of the Quill and Scroll, George H. Gallup Award in 1996 and 1997, and awarded First Place with Special Merit in 2001 by the National Scholastic Press Association. Columns are the opinions of writers only. Unsigned editorials re�lect the majority opinion of the Spilled Ink staff. Nothing in Spilled Ink should be considered the opinion of Fort Collins High School or Poudre School District (PSD). Schoolsponsored publications written by students are encouraged to freely and creatively express their views subject to the limitations of PSD Board Policies and state law (PR--la0431, Colorado Revised Statutes 22-1-120) Spilled Ink reserves the right to edit letters to the editor and to deny publication to any letter. Letters may be published on Spilled Ink’s website. Letters must be signed, and are limited to 300 words.

24

Dec. 20, 2018

The Backside

Spilled Ink

As this year comes to a close, what is your favorite memory from 2018?

Mason Lang Senior

“My favorite point of 2018 was when I went on a trip to England and Ireland with [my friends] Avery and Julian. We got to see so much stuff and it was an awesome time and it really opened my perspective.”

Kyle Norman Junior

Jessica Miller Senior

“I guess the assemblies were pretty cool.”

Ruben Gutierrez Sophomore

Dominique Chesson Junior

“I really enjoyed when “I joined cross country this year, and “Probably meeting new I went to DCON for Key it was awful, but all the people were friends; it’s great meeting amazing and I think I’m going to new friends.”

Club.” remember that the most—just being able to be close with people I never would’ve gotten close to before.”

Naomi Coutina Sophomore

“Being in the same class as a lot of my friends because its really rare to be in a class with a bunch of friends.”

Amelia Johnson Freshman

Caleb Cripe Freshman

“De�initely my �irst “Probably just �inally being homecoming. It was really in high school and not cool getting to be a part of middle school anymore.” that whole thing and kinda getting to experience that for the �irst time.”

Spilled Ink is a seven-year All-Colorado, Hall-of-Fame Newspaper 2010-2011

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