Vol 4 the rock may 9, 2008

the

rock Student Voice of Rock Canyon High School

5810 McArthur Ranch Road • Highlands Ranch, CO 80124 • 303.387.3000 Volume 4, Number 9 • May 9, 2008

Flinn Fowler ‘08, Ed Ferguson ‘08, Kevin Ludolph ‘09, Austin Fisher ‘09, and Andrew Hanshaft ‘08, march out to the ﬁeld before their playoff game against Columbine, May 2. Photo by Max Rowe

The last moments The players fought through the season believing in class, heart, and team. Turn to page 25 to relive their story.

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campus news

the rock 05.09.08

to put it brieﬂy Her turn

RUMOR MILL

• ACADEMICS • CLUBS • ACADEMICS • CLUBS • ACADEMICS • CLUBS • ACADEMICS • CLUBS •

You start ‘em, and we check them out

Rumor: There will be 130 seniors who

won’t be graduating because they do not have their community service hours turned in.

Toews scared, but returning to RC

Juniors Ashley Poulson and Matt Powell, part of the team that won the competitive eating contest held on April 30. Photo by Mary Brunson

STUDENT COUNCIL stuffing faces to get involved It all started with six teams of RC students, ready to eat. It ended with one triumphant threesome. The RC food eating contest this year included everything from choking down spicy buffalo wings, devouring hot dogs, guzzling down Otter Pops, crunching bags of chips and lastly, wolfing down entire cans of Coke. If that doesn’t sound like one serious stomach ache, nothing will. The groups had the task of eating all the food put in front of them the fastest in each round, and whatever team couldn’t finish or was too slow was eliminated. “Stuff your face!” screamed Jeff Happel ’09, from the other side of the table. And so that’s what the contestants did; stuffed their faces. Techniques like dipping the hot dog buns in water and smashing the bags of chips made everything easier to eat for contestants and also for students to get more involved. “This is a really fun way to get involved in the school and I can eat a lot,” said George Byrne ’11, a contestant in the food eating contest. In the end it was juniors Callan Gouger, Matt Powell, and Ashley Pulsen, who were the victorious winners of the food eating contest. Needless to say the winners were one stuffed group. Ashley Pulsen knows the feeling. “It felt like a balloon was exploding in my stomach!” Kayla Kallery

Cory Parrotino ‘08, getting his blood drawn in the Key Club sponsored Blood Drive. Photo by Max Llanes

FBLA state champions Chris Welden ’09, knew the answer to the question: “What does a keyboard do?” And now, he is going to Nationals for FBLA. He participated at State last week and placed third in technology concepts, in which participants took a 100 question multiple choice test on computer concepts. “The material the test covers comes naturally to me,” Welden said. “I feel pretty conﬁdent. I don’t think I’ll win but I hope I’ll place.” Dan Brewer ’08, also placed at State. He received 6th place but will not be continuing onto nationals. Kristen Scheirman

Erin Toews believes that it’s her turn now. It’s her turn to feel healthy, energetic, and alive. It’s her turn to stop feeling tired all the time, stop being sick, stop spending so much time in hospitals. The French teacher had been taking medication for a while. The first time she took the medicine, it helped. The second time she took it, she couldn’t breathe, at all. That’s when she knew something had to change. “I couldn’t breathe at all and I decided it just couldn’t go on,” said Toews. “I couldn’t just keep [taking the medicine.]” Toews has had ulcerative colitis for eight years. It’s an inflammatory bowel disease that causes the colon to become inflamed. The medicine she was taking was an anti-inflammatory drug that was supposed to help her. It ended up almost killing her. Her colitis has almost caused her to bleed to death several times, the last time in March, when she was forced to leave RC for treatment. Toews did not want to go on steroids, her other option to help with colitis, so she decided to get rid of her colitis completely. She had her colon removed a few weeks ago. She almost died again after her surgery. “There was a problem with one of my stitches and I went septic,” Toews said, voice shaking. “My dad saved me in the hospital because the nurses didn’t catch it.” The hospital managed to help save Toews from any worse harm; however, she has to have another surgery in a few months because of the problems with her stitches. According to her surgeon, she should be feeling 100 times better in 6 months. She will be able to come back to teach at RC in August. Until then, Toews is spending her

Fact or Fiction?: Fiction. As of right now there are 30 Seniors who do not have their community service hours in, and in order to graduate those seniors need to have their hours in by May 14.

Rumor: Our school has the most national merit ﬁnalists than any other school in the district.

Fact or Fiction?: Fiction. While we don’t have the most national merit finalists out of every other school, we do have eight finalists, when we had three last year. time at home, walking, resting. Sometimes during the day, she breaks down into tears, to release the poison. At night, she prays that she won’t die. She prays. It helps. “I’m scared I’m going to die,” Toews said. “But I know I won’t. I almost have [several] times already so why now? I’ve always been a fighter. I have a fire in me and it burns, burns, burns. I’m not going to die. I’m going to be at RC in August.” She is pushing herself slowly so she can become healthy for the first time in her life. Everyday, she thinks of her students at RC. “Oh my gosh, I miss the moments where I feel like I’m going to go crazy and then someone makes a funny joke and all you can do is roll with laughter,” Toews said tearfully. “I miss everyone so much.” Toews is ready to be done with this. She is ready to feel good. “I can’t wait to come back,” Toews said. “When I teach, I have a lot of energy. Just being alive for the first time, feeling so good. I’ve been tired all my life. It’s my turn now.” Kristen Scheirman

A student sanctioned trip to Jump Street in Arvada, starting at 3 p.m. Meet at the school at 2 p.m. for carpooling. Jump Street is a 30,000 square foot building ﬁlled with trampolines. Everyone is invited, though attendance is optional.

Tuesday, May 20:

The Senior Banquet Starting at 7 p.m. at the Marriott. You need to have made a reservation to attend this event, though if you’re lucky, there may still be space available for students and family. Business casual dress is required. Dinner is provided. Jack Kennedy and Mackenzie Guest ‘08, are the speakers. The debut of the senior video will also be that night.

Nelson is training to be a professional UFC ﬁghter. Fact or Fiction?: Fact. Ash is training and has participated in two professional ﬁghts and has won both of them. He injured his neck but is planning on beginning training again in two months.

Rumor: Principal Kim Rauh will not be our principal next year because she has taken another principal position for a Douglas County School.

Fact or Fiction?: Fiction. Rauh will be here for the next year, and has no plans to switch in the near future.

Rumor: Yearbooks will be distributed next Wednesday during access.

Fact or Fiction?: Fact. The yearbooks have already arrived and are being kept under close security until the unveiling of them next Wednesday. Compiled by Jennifer Prusse

RC PARKING LOT more demand, same supply With only 407 parking spots in the Rock Canyon student parking lot, and approximately 750 juniors and seniors next year, parking permits will be given out to students on a first come, first serve basis. Parking permit forms have been handed out to all of the juniors and seniors during class, and once they are turned in to the office they will be put in a folder in sequential order. “After the first semester next year, sophomores can have a parking spot, if there are any left,” said assistant principal Gregg Sheehan. “All seniors will definitely get a parking spot if they meet the requirements on the form we handed out during their classes.” A few of the requirements that each student has to meet in order to receive a parking permit are maintaining a minimum of a 2.0 GPA, being covered by insurance, and avoiding disciplinary issues throughout the school year. A parking permit application can be picked up in the front office. Mandy Shapiro

senior week schedule Monday, May 19:

Rumor: The new security guard Ash

Wednesday, May 21:

Senior Fun Day! A BBQ is going to be held at Rock Canyon starting at 4 p.m. Seniors only, no parents. There will be live music from Static Rebellion, outdoor games, the class video and “Most Likely To...” awards will all be happening Wednesday.

STUDENT COUNCIL you elected them STUDENT BODY:

Friday, May 23:

Graduation! It begins at 9 a.m., but seniors need to be at the school at 8 a.m. to be bused over to Shea Stadium, where graduation is being held. Family and friends coming to the ceremony will need tickets to be admitted.

Thursday, May 22:

Senior Breakfast and Graduation Rehearsal at 9 a.m. in the Commons. Attendance is mandatory to this event. Honors Assembly in the Gym at 7 p.m. It’s invitation only, to recognize everyone receiving honors. Ellen Verkler, will be speaking, along with Chris Page. The class valedictorian and salutatorian will be announced.

President: Sarah Classen Vice President: Quinn Hart Secretary/Treasurer: Suzie Wagstaff

SENIOR CLASS:

President: Becca Gibbens Vice President: Madalia Maaliki Secretary/Treasurer: Allie MacMahon

JUNIOR CLASS:

President: Kelsey Kreuger Vice President: Jody Hunt Secretary/Treasurer: Carissa Zabor

SOPHOMORE CLASS:

President: Stefan McLaren Vice President: Dalton Spanbauer Secretary/Treasurer: Jessie Puccini

Seniors Heather Reiman and Cori Perkins are shocked upon seeing a hamburger, left in a basement for three years, that didn’t rot or get eaten - even though a mouse tried to eat through the box at the 9 Health Fair on April 30. There were exhibits about smoking, sun damage, drugs, and nutrition. Photo by Chelsea Long.

rc teachers say goodbye We’re losing four teachers this year. Here are some last thoughts, as well as future plans.

Going home

From class to raft

Spanish teacher Christine Breen started teaching here at the age of 21. Now only three years later, she is leaving a place that feels like her home. “I feel like I grew up with the students here at Rock Canyon,” Breen said. “When I first started here, I was only five years older than the students.” Breen will be leaving RC for love. This fall she’ll move to Boise, Idaho where her fiancé, Josh Nichols resides. Both Breen and Nichols love being outside, and Boise is the perfect place to be outdoors. “On weekends, when it’s nice, we’re outdoors,” Breen said. “We go rock climbing, hiking, biking, and take pictures. It’s neat.” Breen and her fiancé recently purchased a raft and hope to incorporate rafting into some of their other favorite outdoor activities.

The passion that Breen has for outdoors extends to teaching as well. As a child, she spent two years in Mexico and when she returned she had new ideas for Spanish. She has made Spanish applicable and interesting for her students. Earlier this year classes ﬁlled out job applications in Spanish and are now learning how to speak to a street vendor. Paisley Morrison

‘Third time’s a charm’

It’s not just a rumor anymore: Spanish teacher Cate de la Garza is leaving the foreign language department after promising to for the past three years. The reason for her hesitancy is a good one, though. “Rock Canyon is a wonderful place,” she said. She realized this after she started looking for other jobs last summer. “I had interviews at.. places, but I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving.” In the end, the hour long commute from downtown Denver to Highlands Ranch ﬁnally made the decision for her. “I’ve made the commute for the past few years, and I’ve decided it’s time to work closer to home... especially with the rising gas prices,” she said with a smile. “I want to keep teaching. I love teaching,” she said. She plans on teaching English as a second language in downtown Denver. “I think that’s something Denver

Anyone walking around the hall with him would notice he seems to know everyone – but he’s only been here for a year. Jeﬀ Jelskey grew up following his older brother to social studies competitions and watched him win. Jelskey’s took his brothers success and molded it into his passion. Jelskey has been teaching for sixteen years but he hasn’t always been inspired by school. High school was not very successful for Jelskey. He and his friends were no interested in school because they knew they could drop out and make sixteen dollars an hour, so that’s what they did. “School wasn’t for me, so I dropped out,” Jelskey said. After some time Jelskey was able to ﬁgure his life out and eventually got into college. He found himself

needs. I haven’t started looking [for jobs] yet, but we’ll see what opens up in July.” “This has been a very hard decision for me,” she said, “It’s very diﬃcult to leave. Having a senior advise class makes it easier, because this time they are leaving too. That was a big part of it. The third time’s the charm, I guess.” She and her husband are looking forward to becoming “urbanites”, as her husband’s oﬃce is also in Denver. “The only reason I’ve made this decision is because of the drive,” she said. “Leaving Rock Canyon will be very hard.” Susie Typher

Uturn meets every Friday night @ 7:00 PM at Timber Trail Elementary www.coolyouthgroup.com

...a ministry of Solid Life Christian Center

coming up

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excelling in history again. It didn’t go unnoticed by one of his history professors. “I never thought I would teach but a professor pulled me aside and told me I should teach history,” said Jelskey. Jelskey is leaving Rock Canyon for home, Casper, Wyoming. “I was so fortunate to work in such a progressive, intensive and talented place” said Jelskey. “The faculty and students here have been phenomenal.” Paisley Morrison

Grade ten to grade eight

At his ﬁrst staﬀ meeting while going over emergency procedures, Andy Levine made a scene. “People were getting inquisitive and coming up with unlikely scenarios like what if there was a cougar outside and a tornado was coming our way.” So Levine asked “What would we do if there was a zombie insurrection and UFOs attack the school?” Of some of the memories of Rock Canyon this one stands out. But when Levine leaves to teach at Legend High School next year, he will remember and miss his students. “It was a hard decision and came down to the juniors. I started at the same time as they did so there is a connection,” Levine said. “I will miss my room although I was going to lose

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9-10 Check out the spring comedy, “Lend Me a Tenor.” It starts at 7p.m. both nights. There’s no better way to reduce your A.P. test stress than laughing all night long. 9 Tired of Starbucks? Then grab a cup of delicious coffee before you go to “Lend Me a Tenor.” Head on over to DAZ BOG Coffee, on Castle Pines Parkway. 25 percent of the proceeds made from 5p.m.-9p.m. go to the RCHS Athletic Department Scholarship fund. 13 Mother’s Day. Grab your mom a bouquet of ﬂowers and don’t forget to tell her how much you love her.

English teacher Andy Levine helps Mckenzie Markey ‘10, during Honors English. it anyway.” He is excited to be able to help start something, but at the same time is apprehensive about teaching the eighth grade before he can teach high school. “I remember me when I was in the eighth grade, and I wouldn’t want to teach me.” Levine said. “It’ll be a good challenge and a nice change of pace.” Jennifer Prusse

25-28 Brighten your life. Head downtown. The Downtown Denver Arts Festival is going to be taking place all day at the Denver Pavilions. Free admission and a chance to see gorgeous art? How could you miss it? 28 Death Cab for Cutie is playing at Red Rocks at 7:30p.m. Like their newest songs? Now’s your chance to hear them.

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fine arts

the rock

05.09.08

Q&A

Annette Marsden Choir teacher

Works of art

DCSD crowns many RC winners

After recieving superior ratings at the Jazz Festival, Choir performed their “Broadway and Beyond,” musical showcase on April 26. the rock asked Annette Marsden how it went.

The District Art Show was held on April 22, where we had 8 winners. Here they are, along with their award winning art!

Emily Lauren Johnson ‘10 Gray ‘11 Honorable mention in

the rock: What is a showcase and have we done it before? Marsden: A showcase is like a variety show. It has singing and dancing. This is our third. In the ﬁrst one, the kids didn’t know what to expect and how much time it takes. It’s really the second successful one, and we had over 100 kids participating, which is a lot.

First place in Traditional photography

the rock: What was sung at the showcase? Marsden: Broadway pieces from Jaclyn Hyde, Children of Eden, Beauty and the Beast, Chorus Line, Cinderella, Gypsy, the theme song from Civilization Four the video game, and Mask Of Zorro. I liked Babayetu. It was the closer and we did it to candle light, we did it just for effect, and it was fun! We had four big candles on the stage and all the kids came in and circled the audience. They had candles in their hands and everyone blew out their candle at the exact same moment and the house went dark.

Alessandro Bello ‘10

the rock: What were some highlights of the event? Marsden: We did a song called Somebody to Love which was originally recorded by Queen and that was fun, because the kids dressed like a gospel choir in robes and sang it like a revival choir. There were some really great solos this year too. the rock: How did the showcase work? Marsden: First, we come up with a theme. There is a lot of stuff out there and it lends itself well to young voices. They’re more difﬁcult pieces than rock, but fun to sing. It’s important for kids to know as much as they can about musical theater. the rock: What kind opportunity does this present for students in choir? Marsden: It gives everybody an opportunity to audition for a solo or duet, and I help kids if they want to. It gives kids an opportunity to do some movement on stage. We had a dance number that opened the show, and the piece from Chorus Line was done by my dancers. It gives kids exposure in a different way. Normally, they stand on risers but with the Showcase we have platforms and benches and they have to be dependent singers because they aren’t

Traditional photography

standing next to anyone, so they have to know their part very well. the rock: What was the most rewarding thing about putting on a showcase? Marsden: Watching the kids grow. I think they grow a lot and often times, the shy kids emerge in the showcase. It’s fun when the kids take ownership because I don’t go backstage. The managers run everything, and sound and lighting are all independent. It’s all their show. Compiled by Jennifer Prusse

Honorable Mention in Traditional photography and District Purchase Prize for $100

Ed Ferguson ‘08

Trey Woods ‘10 Honorable mention in Traditional photography

Ali Erickson ‘10

Third place in Ceramics. “I wasn’t expecting to win anything! It was just a test pot, but then I actually won,” he said.

Honorable mention in Computer Art

Kim Forrester ‘08

Elliot Padgett ‘09

Honorable mention in drawing

Above right: Hayley Zulkoski ‘11, in the middle of the “Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat” medley. Above: Ingrid Andress ‘09, and Sean Kovacs ‘10, sing in the last song, Babayetu during rehearsal for the showcase on April 23. MUSIC• DRAMA • PHOTOGRAPHY • DRAWING • PAINTING • SCULPTURE

to put it brieﬂy

BAND performance of the year The RCHS band is preparing for its last performance of the year: the graduation ceremony. The members will kick off the event with familiar pieces from the year and then play the Star Spangled Banner and Common Circumstances (the common graduation theme song). “At ﬁrst I didn’t want to play at graduation, but it should be ﬁne because we get to sit with the class and get front row seats,” Collin Yarusso ’08, said. “It’s cool to be part of the ceremony, it makes me feel important.” This will be Yarusso’s last time playing in a band. “It’s a little sad,” Yarusso said. “But not really because I know I’ll keep playing throughout my life.” Alyssa Davanzo

Cindy Baker goes over lines with Guillermo Arribas ‘09.

The next annual event

Exposing and expanding

Brandon West ‘09, painting his ﬁnal picture for Drawing and Painting class on April 24. Photo by Max Rowe

DRAMA CLUB traveling through tenors This month, the theme for the drama club appears to be “traveling.” In preparation for opening night of “Lend Me a Tenor” on Thursday, the Drama club took a trip down to Rocky Heights Middle School to do a teaser to try and entice viewers to coming to the play. “Lend Me a Tenor” will be showing Thursday May 8, through Saturday May 10. After all of the tenors have been loaned out, drama club members are looking forward to yet another trip down to Brunswick Zone on May 15 for their end of the year banquet. Valery Meusburger

The RC art department is holding an art sale and art teacher Gonzalez has high hopes. “I hope it becomes an annual event,” Gonzalez said. “And that it brings opportunity for students to show art.” The art department needs the event so they can buy higher quality supplies. District wide budget cuts have not allowed the school a lot of extra money for the department, and Gonzalez has goals that will require extra funds. “Our plans depend on how much we do make,” Gonzalez said. “I want to use the funds to pay for a guest speaker, new furniture, materials and ﬁeld trips.” Gonzalez had great success with previous art sales at his school in Tucson, Arizona. He was able to purchase raku kilns, which are like regular kilns but they ﬁre the clay outside. The art sale will showcase students and faculty photography, ceramics and drawings. The sale will be an opportunity for students who didn’t make it into art

shows earlier this year to have their art purchased. Students will get to keep 75 percent of the proﬁts, while the art department collects the other 25 percent. Naomi Meredith ’08, is one of the students selling her art in the sale. She’s selling her photography and hopes people will enjoy her work. “It’s great! I get to sell pictures I’ve taken, and hopefully someone can enjoy them,” Meredith said. By having the sale, the art department wants to raise awareness for the arts at Rock Canyon. “The art sale will be good for everyone to be exposed and realize that our school doesn’t just have sports, but art too,” Meredith said. The art sale will be held on May 12 and 13 in room 7300. Prices will range from $2 to $50. “No visa accepted,” Gonzalez jokingly said. Paisley Morrison

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Clockwise from far left: Micah McDonald ‘09, (Julia, chairman of the opera guild) Maegan Kellogg ‘08, (Maggie, daughter of the opera house owner) and Devin Michaelis ‘09, (the bell hop) rehearse a scene in which they are trying to hear what Saunders, opera house owner (A.J. Opp ‘09) and Tito, famous opera star, (Guillermo Arribas ‘10) are saying to one another. Nate Schnebeck ‘10, works up in the sound booth before the Saturday rehearsal starts in order to ﬁx all of the kinks in the sound. The rehearsal went from 10-7. Michaelis, the bell hop, sings in an attempt to get Tito’s attention. Photos by Kristen Scheirman

Livin’ life with ‘Lend me a Tenor’

Cast, crew of spring comedy spend hours TWO SHOWS LEFT rehearsing to perfect play Tonight and Saturday – 7 p.m.

Last night, they performed for the first time. Last night, they displayed their talent. Last night, they showed the audience that all of their hard work over the last few months paid off. But just four days before that, the play was less than perfect. The auditorium is filled with a buzz that almost seems muted by the swallowing depths of the room as 23 students speckle the first couple of rows of the theatre, whispering, talking, and laughing. Catching up with one another after the weekend. It is exactly 3:45 on Monday, May 5 and rehearsal for the spring comedy “Lend Me a Tenor,” has just started. Normally rehearsal starts at 3. It’s a problem they’ve had, not enough stage time. Showcase was a while ago. Then there were other scheduled events. Today there was a faculty meeting. “Okay, everyone, thanks for showing up on time,” Cindy Baker, director says loudly over the chatter. The room falls silent instantaneously. Baker starts off with notes right away. “Both Tito’s,” she says, referring to Alex Rowe ’10, and Guillermo Arribas ’10, both of whom play Tito at some point in the play. “I brought in gloves and I think you should practice in them. Who knows, you might not be able to open a champagne bottle with them. It’s

Top: A.J. Opp ‘09, (Saunders) and Alex Rowe ‘10, (Max, Saunder’s assistant,) rehearse a scene in which Saunders convinces Max to pretend he is a famous opera star, Tito for a performance because they believe Tito to be dead and they don’t want the performance to be a ﬂop when the understudy goes on. Above: Abby Roberts ‘09, (Maria) yells at husband Tito because she believes he is cheating on her. Right: Tito (Guerillmo Arribas ‘10,) teaches Max (Alex Rowe ‘10,) how to relax when he singing. Far right: Ade Eichie ‘11, applies makeup to Kyle McDaniel ‘09, before rehearsal starts. He was the understudy for Saunders. Photos by Kristen Scheirman

just good to practice.” The notes go on for a half-an-hour. Small things that seem to be tiny little details are immensely important. Baker observes individual rehearsals, taking observations on everything that needs to be fixed. Then she turns her observations into notes for the cast and crew. Junior Devin Michaelis’ lips were too red during Saturday rehearsal. Alex doesn’t enunciate his words. People aren’t pinning their wigs back well enough. They’re shading people’s faces from the light. “Let’s take a moment to thank your techies,” Baker says to the cast after notes are finished. Everyone applauds loudly. “They have been here everyday, in and out…I don’t know why they do it. They don’t get out of it what you do.” Everyone is theatre understands what she means. Actors are out there, on stage, easily recognizable to the audience. Techies are always behind the scenes and rarely receive as much recognition as the actors. Rehearsal finally begins at 4:30, after several problems with the sound and lights. They have three and a half more hours to go before they are done tonight. 74 and a half hours until show time. 125 hours until it is all over. Kristen Scheirman

By the numbers

2operaactors play Tito, the famous star at some point in time

during the performance, Guillermo Arribas ‘10, plays the real Tito. Alex Rowe ‘10, plays a Tito impersonator.

The estimated number of hours the cast and crew have put into rehearsing for the play, not counting the time it took to build the set. “The acting for the play is more than ready,” said director Cindy Baker, a day before opening night of the play. “Rehearsal has been going [really well.]

The number of people currently on the prop crew. There were others helping out before but they slowly dropped out. “It’s a little hectic to start out with,” said Kayla Bush ‘10, the remaining member of the prop crew. “I have a lot of to set up at the start but after that I can pretty much do everything by myself.”

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sports

the rock 05.09.08

Make or break Loss in OT means loss of spot in playoﬀs

Above: Mattie Nobles ‘09, and Kasey South ‘11, ﬁght for the ball. The Jags lost 1-0 to HR last Friday in overtime. “We just didn’t show up,” Lauren Schaedig ‘08, said. “It was so cold we were all mentally sitting in Starbucks drinking a coffee.” Below left: Brittney Duran ‘09, races with a HR player to the ball. Below right: Hailey Walsh ‘10, moves the ball forward to make a pass. All photos by Megan McNally

girls lacrosse

The icy wind howled across the Highlands Ranch soccer field. Styrofoam cups of Jamba Juice lay empty behind the cold, metal Rock Canyon bench. Six players huddled together on the ground, wrapped tightly in coats and blankets, as they watched their teammates dart this way and that on the field. The game was tied 0-0. This would be the girls soccer team’s last game of the regular season, and the ultimatum was clear: win, or no playoffs. The melancholy mood suddenly vanished. Emily Lines ’10, had broken away- she had a good three-yard lead on the last Highlands Ranch defender, and was dribbling the ball at full speed. She came within 30 yards of the goal. 25… 20… A Highlands Ranch player caught up with her, Lines quickly rocketed a shot – the wind carried it wide. Lines was called to sub out. “That would have been in if the wind wasn’t blowing!” Lines yelled in an incensed tone as she jogged off the field. The two RC coaches huddled together on the sidelines, making hurried notes on a clipboard, glancing up at the play every few moments. The referee sounded two long whistles – the first half was over. “Mission accomplished in the first half,” Prendergast said as his team huddled around him, panting from the fast pace of the game and shivering from the icy wind. “Now if we put one [goal] away early, we can settle back and focus on defense and win this game.” The girls put their hands in and were ready for the second half. The tone of play remained seemingly similar to that of the first half. Until, that is, an assault was made on RC’s keeper. From nearly all the way back at half field, HR sent the ball flying high in the air, and the wind dropped the ball straight down in front of the RC goal. Schaedig leaped upwards into the air. She caught the ball, and a HR player checked her into the goalpost. Only a yellow card was given, to

screams of protest from the RC coaches and players. Not a moment later a yellow card was called on Taran Thompson ’08, for being “too physical.” “No one else is hitting anybody, so what the heck am I supposed to do?” Thompson asked Prendergast as she sat down on the bench. “Come on, ladies! One minute left!” the bench screamed to the players on the field. The Jags tried to get one last shot off, but the ball was kicked out of bounds before they had the chance. The game would go to overtime. “Golden Goal, coaches,” the referee said as he walked past the team benches. “Two halves of five minutes each – first team to score, wins.” “Listen up, girls,” Prendergast said. “An ugly goal will win this game. These guys want to tie you. Let’s bring it.” “Everything you got, for 10 minutes!” Schaedig yelled. “Jags on three!” “One two three JAGS!” The ball bounced back and forth between the two teams for the first five minutes of overtime. The ref blew his whistle, and the Jags switched sides of the field with HR, lining up to start the next half. During second half of OT, however, the ball was mostly on RC’s half- Schaedig was making saves left and right. And then HR crossed the ball into the middle, right in front of the goal. Schaedig lunged for it – and a HR player headed the ball into the goal. A small mob of fans formed around the victorious HR players, as the Jags walked dejectedly back to the bench. The season was over. “This was a good season, and this program is only going to get better,” Schaedig continued. “Look at our team. We have eight to nine sophomores and one freshman on Varsity. Our team is so young. Come next year, we’re gonna be hard to beat.” Kate Jones

Underdogs on top Girls lacrosse wins major upset against Cherry Creek in final game of season Shea Stadium, April 23- The girls lacrosse team stands watching four seniors standing on the field holding flowers symbolizing their last game against the Cherry Creek Bruins. The best game of the season was about to start. With 17:01 left in the first half, Highlands Ranch junior Korinne Wanekk starts things off by scoring off a pass from Tori Eberline ’10, to make the score 1-1. Wanekk takes the lead with a goal at 9:00, 2-1. 1:11 left, and with pure luck a Creek shot pierces the metal of the goal. Ten seconds after the shot the first retaliation to the Grizzly lead touches net, it’s 5-2. Ten seconds after, another Creek goal is scored. With 18 seconds left in the half the Bruins score again and its 5-4. “You’ve got to be kidding me, that’s three in a minute,” Megan McNally ’08, says to the sideline. “Guys this is our lucky half. We have to hold our ground and want the ball,” says Jennifer Moran, assistant Coach. The head coach was at home expecting a baby. “This is the 25 minutes, the 25 minutes of all season where its all about being ball hungry,” Moran said. “You guys focus in, right here, for the seniors. It’s the senior game, it’s our home turf, it’s our 25 minutes, you guys, it’s our game. We’re playing better than Creek.” After halftime there are 25 senior minutes to play, 25

minutes to fend off a hungry opponent and for some, 25 minutes left to play, ever. 18:13 left. And in that minute Kylie Smith, a sophomore from Ranch, scores, which lifts the weight draped over the Grizzly players. 6-4. 11:04 three Bruin goals later make it, 7-7. “Come on, seven minutes.” Chloe Yarusso ’11, says under her breath, knowing that those seven minutes could be the difference between an epic win or a disappointing loss. 2:01 left and it’s full on Grizzlies. 5, 4,3,2,1… the Grizzlies count down. The scoreboard reads Home: 9, Away: 7. “Oh, what an end,” Moran says. “For the seniors. For the seniors,” she whispers with a delicate smile looking to her team. Now for the first time since the clock ticked zero the girls are silent in a circle watching their coach on the phone with their absent head coach. “We had a losing season,” Megan Cusick ‘08, said. “We didn’t expect to beat Creek. I think it was a really good upset.” The silence is broken by, “We beat Creek!” And those words echo through the stadium. Tori Sheehan

Above: Tori Everlin ‘09, goes for the ball against Cherry Creek April 23. The girls upset Creek, winning 9-7. “It was kinda surreal thinking that this was my last game,” Megan Cusick ‘08, said. “Its been fun, and I’m really going to miss it.” Left: Two ThunderRidge players (RC’s team is combined with TR and Highlands Ranch) in their last game of the season two weeks ago. Varsity’s ﬁnal record was 3-7-4. Phots by Paisley Morrison

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game night

the rock 05.09.08

Playing with heart The RC baseball team stares at their diamond with pride. It’s the last game of the year. Their record is 3-11. It’s not the best, but they are proud of how far they have come. “Let’s come together as a team,” Coach Tyler Munro urges the boys as they prep for the game. The crowd is bigger than ever. The baseball team has accumulated a large fan base and RC fans double those of Arapahoe. Madalia Maaliki ’09, and Sarah Classen ’09, hold posters saying ‘Throw ‘em a chair’ and ‘Bring the Heat’. “It feels good to hear people in the stands cheering,” John Brown ’09 said. “Especially when it’s not your mom or grandma.” Play after play, RC does ‘bring the heat.’ But they by the sixth inning they

are still lagging behind Arapahoe 7-11. Then Spencer Campbell ’08 hits a home run. The boys whoop and holler, stepping out of the pit to meet him with enthusiastic pride. The fans cheer “H-O—H-O-M—HO-M-E-R-U-N, let’s go, Jaguars.” Shortly after Reed Carter ‘10, makes a triple play bring two boys home. Now they are only down 10-11. “We can do this,” Nick Riggert ’08 yells, “We can come back. Let’s go boys.” By seventh inning, the boys are still pushing to make the win. But right away, Arapohoe makes a play. RC continues to play their best, but the game ends. Arapahoe wins 12-10. “We may have lost, but we lost as a team,” Riggert said. “This year, we won in more ways than one.” Micah McDonald

Counter clockwise from above: Brad Spies ‘09, Tanner Krietemeier ‘10, and Reid Carter ‘10, watch intensely from the bench during the game against Arapahoe High School Friday, April 25. Relief pitcher Spencer Cambell ‘08, meets with catcher Austin Federline ‘10, and the coach on the mound during the game. Nick Riggert ‘08, makes a play from the infield. Erik Wetzel ‘10, from short stop. Federline recovers a play from a wild pitch behind home plate. Tyler Williamson ‘08, fielding a ground ball. The Jags lost a close game, 12-10, and their final record was 3-12. Photos by Kristen Scheirman

swimming

Dominating Douglas County

The Jags team ﬁnish up an ‘amazing season’ and prepare for the State competition Above: Hunter Vanderpoel ‘11, and another teammate swim with kick-boards at practice. Vanderpool qualiﬁed for State as only a freshman and has added a lot to the team. “Swimming is fun,” Vanderpoel said. “We have a lot of fun playing water polo, rugby and Frisbee at practice. Sometimes it gets pretty intense.” Right: Jess Hemming ‘09, dives into the pool at practice Photos by Max Rowe

The boy swimmers stood around talking before the start of the meet in their black Speedos. Some had goggles dangling around their necks; some were shoving power bars and bagels in their mouths while sipping on Gatorade and talking to their teammates. Some were complaining of the heat inside the Castle Rock Rec. Center. “I hate this pool,” Jess Hemming ’09 said, his blonde hair sticking straight up. “It makes me so itchy.” The strong stench of chlorine was overwhelming. Although some may have been complaining at the start of the meet, by the end, they had nothing to complain about: they dominated over Douglas County. Before his 200 freestyle, Hemming shook his legs to loosen up and disintegrate the nerves; he was trying to make it to State. The coaches were all sitting down wearing their black T-shirts saying “Hang out with…” on the front and “Wayne,” the duck, on the back of them. They all had stop watches in hand. Coach Will Iaia was waving his hands in the air yelling “Kick!” to Hemming during his race.

“I made it to State,” Hemming said, smiling, and high-fiving his coach. “I took seven seconds off.” Our team was coming in first and second in almost every race. Before diving started a couple of Adam Fuselier’s ’09, teammates pushed him in the pool. “Ughhh, oh my god,” Fuselier said, frustrated. Jordan Cahill ‘09, one of the team’s best divers has already qualified for state. “I use to be a gymnast so it is really easy for me,” Cahill said. “I am having a lot of fun.” Hayden Genth ’09 swam the 200 free and placed first in his heat. “This season has been amazing,” Genth said. “It’s a lot better then last year. The coaching is better and there are a lot of returning guys that are good.” “We should do good at State with all our new swimmers this year , there has been a lot more team bonding which has helped us to get pumped up at the meets,” Hemming said. “We should place in the top three.” Gabi Johnson

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game night

the rock 05.09.08

commentary by Jennifer Prusse

Making history

Jags are headed to State The tennis team posed for photos last Friday, smiling and laughing after we took second place at Regionals. Nine of us knew we were going to state. It seemed like an eternity since we had arrived in Colorado Springs riding on the “short bus.” As our short bus pulled up to the Ramada in Colorado Springs, it became apparent our team should have fund raised so we could have spent more than 60 dollars a night on a hotel. We waited on the bus with short bus driver Mark Clemmons while our head coach Ashley Hunt checked us in. “I’d be concerned about that guy standing up by the shed in the car,” Clemmons said, scaring the entire team as we all saw the ominous shadow in the dark. Our team had a meeting after we finally got settled into our luxuriously small rooms, and fell asleep. The next day we got lost on our way to the courts. And neither a stop at a 7-11 nor iPhone directions could get us found and we barely made it on time… for it to start raining. It was going to rain all day, and there were not enough indoor courts for us to play on. So we drove to the beautiful city of Pueblo to out run the storm. Pueblo was our team’s lucky town. Most of our team won their first and second round, putting half the team and me in the finals. We were tied with Ralston Valley for

first place. The finals began. I beat Colorado Springs School securing a state spot. I rushed off the court to watch the doubles teams. One doubles was down a set, so was four doubles, and three doubles. Ashley was pacing between the courts. Four doubles lost first, followed by three doubles. We regrouped armed with a bag of grapes, drinks animal crackers and beef jerky to go try to rally one doubles. Ralston Valley was playing dirty. Kim Forrester ’08, a one doubles player, just had turned around just as the girl served. “It’s ok. Let’s go Kim and Cheyenne!” Jackie Franklin ’08, shouted after a cheap shot. The playbacks began leaving all teams in suspense. Hilary Dalton ’09, lost her playback, and Jennifer Mayo ’09, was challenged up by Ralston Valley for her state seat. “Guys, guess what?,” Madalia Maaliki ’09, calmly said. “The last team we beat won so we are going to state.” “I’m going to be pissed if Summit loses on purpose so we can be challenged for state,” Forrester said. Mayo lost to our hated foe Ralston Valley. 6-4, 6-1. We all meandered onto the court to tell her good job and try to comfort her. But for everyone else there wasn’t that need for comforting. We had just experienced the best day in RCHS girl’s tennis history. Far left: Lucia Vazquez ’08. Several of the RC girls tennis players made it to State, including Jennifer Prusse ’08, Kim Forrester ’08, Cheyenne Grimmett ’09, Lucia, Vazquez ’08, Jaden Schupp ’09, Alyssa Davanzo ’08, Jackie Franklin ’08, Shelby Miles ’09, Madalia Maaliki ’09. The girls are in Pueblo now for the State competition this weekend. Left middle: Cheyenne Grimmett ‘09 Left near: Shelby Miles ‘09, lunges for the ball during a match last week. Above: Jennifer Mayo ‘09. Photos by Hannah Wellman

girls golf

From the rink to the range Freshman Carlie McAllister ﬁnds a new passion in golf

Katie Matsunaka ‘08, warms up before a tournament last week. Photo by Paisley Morrison

Only three years ago, Carlie McAllister gave up sequins, little costumes and ice for penny loafers, polo’s, and putters. She used be on the ice at 5 a.m. and then rush to the rink after school. Now she steps onto the course whenever she has time, either after school or on the weekends. But McAllister decision to quit her childhood passion of ﬁgure skating wasn’t easy. McAllsiter realized that her high aspirations with skating weren’t achievable and with all of her injuries she was starting to grow out the sport. In addition, skating was becoming too competitive for her liking, so she turned to golf. “Golf is a bit more laid back, if you have a bad hole there are seventeen more to ﬁx.” McAllister said “In skating you have two and a half minutes and if you fall you’re basically done.” In only three years McAllister has gained a spot on the varsity golf team, as a freshman, and placed in third at region-

als and made state. “It’s really exciting to accomplish everything as a freshman” McAllister said “I was just trying to make top ten and it happened.” This year McAllister celebrated her birthday both on and off the course. Regionals fell on the same day as her birthday where the entire team made it to state, and McAllister placed 3rd out of seventy two girls. McAllister and her mom, Jill, put her clubs in the trunk and raced to the DMV where Carlie got her permit. “It was a great gift getting that all at once, and my mom was there to experience it all with me” Carlie said. Carlie still loves figure skating, but golf is her new passion. “It’s going to be impossible to go back to figure skating,” McAllister said. “Right now I’m enjoying golf.” Paisley Morrison

Regionals The RC Lady Jags took ﬁrst place in their region last Monday in Colorado Springs. They head for State March 19.

Individual results

• Brittney Ransome ‘08, took second place overall. “I was not sure I was gonna make State this year,” Ransome said. “My swing was not good for the entire season and I’m so glad that I was able to pull it all together at Regionals. I think I played a smart game- I made sure I got on the green and that all my shots were in regulation, and I think that’s how I placed second. Being a senior, at State I hope to just go out with a bang.” •Carlie McAlister ‘11, took third place overall. “At Regionals I didn’t think I was playing that well, but as I looked at the scoreboard and saw the other teams scores and I thought our team might have a good chance at doing well.,” McAlister said. “Just being able to go to state as a freshman is a big deal and really exciting.” •Laura Gritz ‘10, took fourth place overall. “I went to state last year, and I just love everything about it; the fact that we play for two days, the fact that it’s a competition, the whole atmosphere I love it,” Gritz said. “I played okay, I wasn’t on my best game, but I guess we had a few scores that helped us out in the end.” •Samantha Lee ‘10, took twelth place overall.

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sports

the rock 05.09.08

Mac Orlady ‘09, Carissa Zabor ‘10, Gabi Johnson ‘09, and Alita King ‘09, joke around with Coach Dan Davies after the 4 X 800 relays. All photos by Jenna Scheirman

Track talk 4 X 800 Relay

Mac Orlady ‘09: “I ran ﬁrst and my goal was to stay with people from other teams who were going super fast at the start and hang on for the people in the other legs. I stayed pretty close. For Regionals we want ever runner at 2:02 or under and to keep up with the fastest team in the state that is in our region.” Reanne Roecker ‘11: “We could have done a lot better if there wasn’t wind and it wasn’t cold because then we we’d be able to run without drafting with people.”

Hurdles

Louis Riley ‘11: “They accidentally put me in a higher heat so I had to run faster and did. I got personal record. I want to make state – I need to make my form better. I need to get even lower when I’m hurdling instead of bounding over and run faster in between the hurdles.” Ivy Deibel ‘11: “I’ve been working on starts and getting better at those which helped me cut my time a little. I cut a second oﬀ and got ﬁrst in my heat. I still need to do more stepping over the hurdles instead of jumping over them.”

Triple and long jump

Top: Sara Heyn ‘11, in the long jump. Below: Martin Hughes ‘08, lands during the triple jump event.

jaguar close up Ashlee Tussing – New Head Volleyball Coach

Ashlee Tussing is up for the challenge. As the new RC girls volleyball head coach, she plans to build not only a new team but an entire program. “I think our biggest hope is that these girls come together as a team,” Tussing said. “I’m not just about coaching volleyball or making it to State. I want to build a program, from the middle school level on up.” Tussing is excited about RC’s prospect for the fall season. Before the season has even began, she already believes that they will have an edge over their opponents in the playoﬀs. “I know this league; it’s a competitive league,” Tussing said. “Rock Canyon has an advantage being a small school in a bigger league. We get to play stronger schools during our regular season and grow from those challenges. Then we get to play really small schools in Districts.” “Our big challenge, though, will be keeping up morale,” she continued. “We’re the only 4A team in our league, so we’re not going to win a lot of games in the regular season, so I think that will really test us.” Tussing has been playing volleyball since she was in second grade, and has been coaching for seven years. She has several learned traditions from past experiences that she hopes to share with RC. “I think one of the biggest traditions I want to bring is holding mini pep rallies before all home games,” Tussing said. “There will be game nights with prizes for the people who come to support us. We’re going to be really dedicated to bringing school spirit to our volleyball team.” Kate Jones

Kyle Hawkins ‘11, hands off the baton to Kevin Baker ‘09, in the 4 X 800 relay during the League Championships May 2. The boys relay team placed ﬁfth and the girls relay placed fourth.

Evan Fisch ‘10: “At practice we’ve been reworking the second phase, out of the three jumps it is the second jump. We do a lot of bounding, running through the phase, and do the jump to work on strength in that leg. The second jump is the most important. It is the most complex and toughest part. It is the heart of the jump. If you get a good strong second phase you’ll have a good jump. It has been getting progressively better throughout the season. ” Valery Meusberger ‘08: “I almost didn’t jump. When I was dancing at the meet I stepped backward onto [freshman] Megan Sajbel’s foot and severely sprained my ankle. I decided then and there I was going to bite the bullet and jump. I had a diﬃcult time convincing the trainer to tape my ankle because my ankle was the size of the softball. Jumping hurt, but I got it done.”

Going for the jockular Senior athletes with a sense of humor Vinnie Archuletta, track

Lauren Schaedig, soccer

If I got a tattoo I’d get

A bantha skull from Star Wars

Foghorn leghorn Grade A beef on my right cheek

Nick Riggert, baseball Lucia Vazquez, tennis Felix King, lacrosse

Dirty, dirty on my neck My name king on my back

TV character I’m most like JD from Scrubs

Catwoman from batman Homer Simpson FEZ from That ‘70s Show

Favorite Disney movie Toy Story Beauty and the Beast The Lion King

Goofy Movie A 101 House I’m a jerk without the Dalmamedical tions knowledge

I wanted to be ______ when I grew up

A ninja

If I were a food I’d be Fried chicken It is my favorite

An environmental biologist

Beef and broccoli A pizza A ﬁreman because they’re quite delicious Orange chicken A writer or a because it cures depression teacher

The guys that drive those huge dump trucks

A surf ‘n turf with a seven course meal

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game night

the rock

05.09.08

Shutdown but not shutout Jags glide past the Golden Demons, but catch tough breaks in the last minute

The 5-3 final score of last Saturday’s varsity hockey game does not show the level of domination that the Jags showcased throughout the game. Mentally, physically, and on the scoreboard, Rock Canyon’s boys took control from start to finish. The breakdowns were few and far between, however they did result in some quality scoring chances for Golden. “They had some really good shots, but [RCHS goalie] Alex played really well,” said assistant captain Charlie Coleman ‘09. “He stood on his head a couple of times, without a doubt.” Coleman, who is leading the team in goals this year, had two during the Golden game. “It was a great game,” said Coleman with a chuckle. “The whole team played really well.” The victory was a bittersweet one, however, because the Jags lost two players and both coaches to suspensions as a result of a brawl during the last minute. “It sucks that I wont be able to play in our first playoff game this year,” Tommy Anderson ‘10, one of the suspended players said. “But I’m glad that the team has actually made it this far.” Dusty Ellis

Left: Charlie Coleman ‘09, drives towards the Golden net for a shot. Coleman had two goals in the game. Photo by Dusty Ellis Above: Ryan Sohl ‘08, rips a slap shot at the Golden net. Varsity won 5-3. They made the playoffs, but lost their ﬁrst game 6-4 against DCHS Wednesday, eliminating them from the playoffs. Photo by Mike Dydyn

How to score a penalty shot: The ﬁrst key to scoring the infamous penalty shot is to make the goalie commit to the ﬁrst move. Once he is committed in one direction or another, your options as a shooter are actually much better.

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The move: Once the goalie is committed in either direction, then you should make your move. A simple head fake, which is what Golden senior Adam Vanderpool scored with here, along with a quick hand move will usually be enough to smoke the goalie.

The Goal: Now you should have plenty of room to shoot at. Put that puck in the back of the net, just like Golden’s Vanderpool did during Saturday’s game. The penalty was a result of Charlie Howard ‘09, tripping Vanderpool on a breakaway. Photos by Dusty Ellis

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the rock 05.09.08

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gender still an issue

the rock 5.09.08

Hillary Clinton is running for the 2008 presidential elections and could win. Less men are going to college than women for the ﬁrst time ever. Stay-at-home dads are becoming more accepted, more understood, and more common in society. Gender roles are changing and are becoming an ever more important issue, so the rock wanted to take a moment to examine the ways in which gender roles are changing.

Quoted

Have gender roles changed since your parent s were your age? In what ways? Yes because there are more women now with high power positions. And because there are equal opportunities for women. Sarah Matzat ‘08

Yes. Because I think that in the past 20 years women have gotten more equal opportunities as men. There are more women now that have better jobs and make a lot of money. Allen Carnes ‘10 I think that women are more respected than they used to be. Now they can have more jobs and have better opportunities. They can be police ofﬁcers! Sarah Lovett ‘09 compiled by Mike Dydyn

Q&A

Jacqueline Shuler

Photography teacher who attended high school in the 1950s

rock: How have gender roles changed since you were growing up? Shuler: When I was growing up the jobs for each person were carefully fenced in and lines weren’t crossed. Today the jobs and the gender line are dissolved or dissolving; it [jobs] are now based on what you can do. rock: What are some examples of reversed roles that you have seen? Shuler: My daughter works in landscape and is in charge of four landscaping crews. She’s the only woman there. She designs flower beds and does everything the guys do. She’s accepted because she does a good job. rock: What roles are acceptable for men to have now? Shuler: Diapers, driving the kids and looking after kids is no longer a mothers job the dads can do these things now. Men are sometimes forced to be single parents because of divorce but this has become acceptable to society. rock: Are there any jobs you don’t think men or women should have? Shuler: Personally I don’t think women should be firefighters because it’s difficult to carry a six foot man down a ladder. Also women don’t have to protect their egos they same way men do. compiled by Paisley Morrison

Contemplating change

Family with stay-at-home dad embraces ‘role reversal’ in their home everyday

They are used to the occasionally shocked expressions, the surprised glances; the various reactions when they tell people what their jobs are. Because they know their jobs are not exactly “traditional.” He cooks for work, he cleans for work, he runs errands for work. She makes phone calls for work, travels for work, attends meetings for work. Jack Drake, father of Sam Drake ’08, and Amanda Drake ’10, is a stay-at-home dad. Lisa Drake, his wife, works as a political lobbyist. It’s been this way for nine years, when Jack became extremely sick and couldn’t work anymore. At the same time, Lisa’s career at a company called Monsanto, was kicking off. Then the Drakes lost their nanny. And when that happened, Jack and Lisa decided the best people to raise children are the parents. Having Jack stay at home with the kids seemed like a perfect fit. It was good for his health, good for the family, and especially good for the kids. “My family couldn’t understand it,” Lisa said. “They couldn’t understand why Jack wouldn’t just go work. It’s such a role reversal. People just didn’t get it…It’s not that unusual now, but it was when we first started doing this.” And Jack was slightly unsure at first. So he told anyone who asked him what his job was that he was disabled. Soon, he started saying he was retired. Now, he tells anyone who asks that he is a stay at home dad. And he says it with pride. “I wasn’t sure [about it] at first,” Jack said. “It wasn’t really macho. But we felt the importance of a parent being around all the time. Now, I wouldn’t give it up for the world. It allows me to do a lot of volunteer work, we know who the kids are hanging out with, and I get time to myself. All of my friends are jealous.” Sam and Amanda are happy with the situation as well. “I think it’s nice for us to have someone here instead of parents who both work. I have a good connection with this guy over here,” Amanda said, pointing over at her dad, who grinned. The Drakes like the idea of the definition of gender roles changing. They are very happy with their situation. But still, there are some differences. Lisa feels that main difference between society’s expectations of stayat-home dads and stay-at-home moms is the amount of responsibility each has. “I feel a little added stress because I think a working mom has a lot of added responsibility working father’s don’t always have, like cooking and paying the bills,” Lisa said. Although Lisa travels about 30 percent of the time, another downside to the arrangement, the family makes an effort to spend time with one another. They eat at least two meals a week as a family and talk to each other often.

“[Traveling] is a sacriﬁce,” Lisa said, nodding her head. “I wish I had a lot more time with them (the kids) but they do have their own lives now. They have their boyfriends and girlfriends, and friends, and their social lives. They sometimes travel with me one on one [though...]They’ve had the opportunity to see places other kids haven’t. They’ve been to dinners with politicians, governors and senators, so they’ve had a unique opportunity in that way.” When Lisa is not home, things are a bit diﬀerent around the house. Amanda helps cook and bake while she is gone. The three have eaten birthday cake for breakfast before. “One time she was baking so much I had to tell her to stop,” Jack said. “Jack runs through the house the day I’m coming home and gets it all cleaned,” Lisa said. “He knows it makes me stressed to come home to a [messy] house.” “I’ll be cleaning and the kids will look at me and say, ‘what’s up with you, is mom coming home?” said Jack. “We just want it comfortable for her when she comes in.” The Drakes see themselves as a mostly typical family. The stereotypical ideas people have of gender roles rarely bother them. They are connected. “We have fun together,” Jack said. “I would describe life as living with three rock stars. Our family is awesome. We’re very close and I’m happy about that… We’ve been very blessed by the Lord. We’re happy to be where we are in life.”

Left to right: Jack Drake, Amanda Drake ‘10, Lisa Drake, and Sam Drake ‘08, pose for a picture at a ball game. The family tries to stay connected with one another by doing family activities together, such as talking together, and cooking dinner together. Jack works as a stay-at-home dad while Lisa Drake works as a lobbyist. She travels about 30 percent of the time, which is why the family tries so hard to stay connected. “We make dinner together if I’m home,” said Lisa Drake. “We feel it’s important to have two to three meals a week together as a family but it’s [really a lot] tougher now that everyone is so busy.” Photo courtesy of the Drake family.

Kristen Scheirman

A quick glance at gender roles

Taking a look at America’s history 1920 On August 26, a constitutional

amendment was adopted that granted American women full suffrage. Women in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Australia had already gained the right to vote by this time.

1870 A prominent newspaper owner, Victoria Claflin Woodhull, declared herself a candidate for the 1872 presidential election. The first woman to ever run for president in the United States, she was nominated by the Equal Rights Party. Ulysses S. Grant ended up winning a second term in office after defeating Horace Greely.

1972 Title IX is of the Education Amendment of

2006 Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton started interviewing potential campaign staff for a White House bid for 2008 and soon after announced her intentions to run for president. She is currently in the presidential race.

2008 An article was published in “Newsweek,” about a British researcher who did a series of studies and discovered that while men and women are fairly equal in terms of IQ, both men and women think men are smarter.

1941-1945 Women took on traditionally male jobs when the U.S. became involved in WWII and men were sent to Europe to ﬁght in the war. Many women worked in factories building weapons to help the war effort. After the war, most of the women went back to the “traditional” role of homemaking.

2004 9.9 million women attended the nation’s accredited postsecondary schools while only 7. 4 million men did.

2007 The U.S. Census Bureau found that 2.7 percent of all American fathers’ stay at home with their children while their wives go to work.

1972 was passed. It is a federal law that prohibits discrimination in all educational programs at public schools. This law changed discrimination in science and math departments at school. However, it is most known for equalizing girls and boys sports on the high school and college levels.

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tattoos tell stories Don’t be stupid...

Jack Drake, father of Sam Drake ’08 and Amanda Drake ’10, has seven tattoos. Or, as he refers to them, seven mementos of his “stupidity.” He got his ﬁrst tattoo when he was 19, because he could. “I was walking around and saw a tattoo parlor, and decided to get a tattoo then and there.” It was a picture of a bird pulling a worm from his arm. “My thoughts were that the early bird catches the worm.” Drake said, “I have lived by this idea and have been very successful in my life.”

Drake has another interesting tattoo on the outside of his thigh, of an eagle surrounded by ﬂowers. “Initially I had a name on my leg. Never ever get a name anywhere on your body.” Drake said, “I had to get an eagle over the name, and it represents being free from that person.” Drake’s advice to anyone thinking about getting a tattoo: “Don’t do it. And if you have to do it, make sure you think it through very carefully, because tattoos are permanent. Don’t be stupid about it, and don’t get it anywhere where you can see it professionally.” Valery Meusburger

the rock 05.09.08

Inked

Sure, a lot of students have tattoos... But what about the parents?

Bonding by ink

Hearts are for love

Most sixth grade teachers don’t have their noses pierced. Then again, most sixth grade teachers don’t have visible tattoos either. Monica Meusburger, however, isn’t most sixth grade teachers, and has recently gotten a large bright tattoo on her ankle. Meusburger’s tattoo is a red heart with a purple banner with the letters “T”, “V”, and “S” in it surrounded by a green background. She wanted to get the tattoo in honor of her husband Ty, and her daughters

Valery ’08 and Steﬀani ’10, so she got their initials forever engraved in her skin. “I wanted something to physically show my love for my family. I personally know that I love them, but I also wanted the world to know how much I loved them, and how much they mean to me.” Meusburger said. “That is why I got the tattoo on the outside of my ankle instead of somewhere where no one would know where it was. I want everyone to see it.” Valery Meusburger

When Maddie Wallingford ’09 was a sophomore, she and her mother Debra wanted to do something “bonding.” They decided to solidify their relationship through getting tattoos. Maddie has the Chinese symbols for “daughter” down the back of her neck, and Debra has the symbols for “mother” on hers. “Ever since I was a little girl my mom and I thought that Chinese symbols were beautiful.” Maddie said. “Plus, we are part Chinese, so we thought that it would be more meaningful.” “At ﬁrst I was nervous that I would regret getting [the tattoo].” Maddie said. “But it means so much to me and my mom that I don’t think that there is any way I will ever want it to be gone.” Valery Meusburger

Many thanks for your support of RCHS After Prom

Greg Garcia is a professional portrait photographer who was kind enough to donate his time and photos for this event. His professional site is: www.greggarciaphotography

Annette Marsden – RCHS Music Dept Michelle Friedl Alison Gibbons Mr. Micheal Dorsey – Pianist Sonia Safran Joe Bavender – High Mileage Band Jim McClurg Samual Liman – Certiﬁed Massage Therapist Lanena Magrini Elisabeth Taussig – Certiﬁed Massage Therapist Bob Hunter Greg Garcia – Photographer The Henry Family RockCanyonPhotos.com John and Linda Carlton Solid Life Christian Center Elyse and Sandor Hasznos Hogley Custom Cycles Paula and Marvin Mitchell Coca Cola RCHS Girls Swim Team Chili’s RCHS Basketball Team

King Soopers RCHS Cheers Team Walmart Papa Johns Pizza Chick-ﬁl-a Fuzziwig’s Candy Factory Lynette Evanson – Weddings by Lynette New Era Hats WaterWorld Lady Fitness Best Buy Qdoba Claim Jumper Expo Nails Vision Photography Unique Recognition/Herﬀ Jones Sam’s Club Skin RX Mikki Conaway at Bella Mia Salon Tasha Rank – Hair Designer The Country Club at Castle Rock Rock Canyon High School

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student military

the rock 05.09.08

fighting for a country that isn’t his

Choosing to be apart of the United States Military is not an easy choice to make, let alone choosing to fight for a country that you have just recently become apart of. Kyle Hoday, ’08 grew up in Canada until his sophomore year, when he moved to the United States. His father, who is in the oil business, was offered a better job, so he had to move out to Colorado to live with his family. He became apart of the Rock Canyon community quickly. Now that he has reached his senior year he is looking forward to a life in the military. There is only one problem; citizenship is a requirement to enlist in the United States Navy. Due to this problem he has chosen to work over the summer in Canada then apply to a military school here in the states then join the service as an officer. “I thought I wanted to [enlist] in and become a mechanic then become an Officer, but now I think that going to school first will be better.” Hoday’s parents are supportive,“My dad is all for me joining the military because of it’s educational benefits but my mom, like all moms, is unsure but she knows I am going to do it so she is more supportive.” Once he graduates from Rock Canyon, Hoday, will move back to Canada to work for the summer. After the summer he will have had the paperwork for his green card in for over four years then he will be able to apply to the military schools. “I want to go to Citadel but at this point I am still undecided.” Once a Canadian and now an American to be, Hoday will take the plunge that most others in the United States would never do. He will be fighting for the rights for future immigrants to come. Blake Smith

LaunchingPad

staff in the

service •Dave Ferguson Air Force •Jack Kennedy Air Force •Ross Costanzo Navy •Kris Macauley Navy •Eric Schmidt Navy • Mike Adams Marine Corps

Benefits of Navy far reaching August 19 will come sooner than Krissie Rivera ’08, would like. “The first month [after graduation] I’m going to be working,” she said. “Then in July, I’m going to Guatemala to visit family.” When she gets back from her trip, Rivera will have two weeks back in Colorado before she ships out to boot camp. Boot camp consists of eight demanding weeks of physical and mental training where she’ll learn everything from how to wear her uniform to how to fire an M-16. Born in California, Rivera is looking to be stationed in San Diego upon completion of A-School. “A-School” is the generic name for a specialty school after boot camp and that is where every sailor completes their training for that specialty. Rivera will be going into

either Cryptology or law enforcement. Rivera made the decision to enlist in the Navy in October 2007. The decision was a result of conversations with a local recruiter. “The recruiter and I started to talk a lot and I loved the idea of getting the opportunity to travel,” she said. “There’s only a few of my friends who know and understand why I chose to enlist. Travel was a big part of my decision...I am really looking forward to seeing the world.” There are other beneﬁts aside from travel. “I’m hoping to get some college credit during my service. When I get out I want to go medical school and become a pediatrician,” she said. Rivera hopes the life experience gained in the Navy will pay oﬀ later on. “Enlisting is a launching pad for me,” she said. “It will give me experience and an opportunity to receive the education I want.” Aaron Brunhofer

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The Marine Corps is part of the United States Navy. They were established in November 10, 1775 at Tun Tavern. The Marine Corps is the only branch of the military that is assigned to ﬁght from the sea. Marines were responsible for the landings on Omaha beach during D-Day and rewrote the books on aquatic assaults. The United States Marine Corps has 186,342 active duty marines and 40,000 marines in the reserve. the Marine Corps are known for having the most rigorous and the longest boot camp,13 weeks, of all the services. Their creed is “Semper Fi” which is Latin for ‘always faithful’

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The United States Army is the backbone of the ground force of our fighting men and women. They are the largest, and by some standards, the most established branch of the armed forces. It wasn’t until 1784 that Congress created the official United States Army. There are many careers to pursue in the Army including those in the medical field, legal and law enforcement, and engineering. Along with the Navy they offer great educational benefits and extra incentives for foreign language proficiency, hardship duty, and flight duty among others.

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The United States Navy is the largest navy in the world with over 335,000 personnel on active duty, 280 ships in active service, more than 3,700 aircraft, and 11 carriers with two under construction. The navy has a vast amount of fields and specialties that will, as they say, “Accelerate your life.” Whether enlisting or going through officer training, the Navy offers many careers including those in Intelligence, Aviation, and Special operations among others. On top of the great opportunities the navy offers generous educational benefits and discounted travel.

The

Smart Place to Start

senior salute As the class of 2008 leaves Rock Canyon, the rock decided to honor them in our special annual senior issue. This eight page pull-out is dedicated to all things senior, complete with proďŹ les, memories, and advice from your upperclassmen. We hope that seniors will keep this as a memory of the four years they spent at Rock Canyon and the classmates they spent them with.

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‘08

BRITNEY RANSOME

Living life ‘08 for ‘what it is’ Volleyball is her life Golf helps Ransome KIA KAUFMAN

succeed in high school Brittney Ransome ’08, is “chill.” She describes herself as a laid-back person, someone who “goes with the ﬂow” and lives life “for what it is.” “I don’t really get into the drama of life,” she says. “I wouldn’t really want to relive any moment in my life. You live it as it is, and remember it for what it is.” And she has plenty to remember. Last year Brittney placed in the 4A State Golf Tournament, taking eighth out of over 100 players. “I was really proud of myself,” she said with a smile, remembering the moment in her mind. “I was just ecstatic. I played my best two rounds of the entire season, and really of my life. It was just a really good two days of golf. I felt accomplished, because I had done something that I had planned on doing in high school.” Brittney’s grandparents introduced

her to golf when she was nine, paying for her lessons. She has never looked back. “I played soccer when I was really young. I wasn’t really good at it, and I don’t like that feeling of letting the team down when you lose,” Brittney said. “I’m most passionate about golf. I spend a lot of time golﬁng- I practice everyday. I like how it’s an individual sport. You’re on no one’s fault but your own if you excel or if you crash and burn.” Ransome will attend the Colorado School of Mines next year, and is excited about the opportunities that lay ahead of her. “I don’t think I’ll be sad when I leave [for college,]” Brittney said matter-of-factly. “Like I said, you live life for what it is, and remember it for what it is.” Kate Jones

‘08

Kaufman’s skills earn her a scholarship Volleyball is life. That is the bottom line for Kia Kaufman. Kia started playing volleyball when she was 11 years old, after her mom signed her up for a team at a reccenter. “At ﬁrst it was just something to do, and then I just fell in love with it,” Kia said. Throughout the years, Kia has played for the club teams Front Range, Colorado Juniors, ASO, Sportsbridge, and most recently Rocky Elite. “I love playing on a club team because I love to travel,” Kia said. “There is a lot of team bonding involved, and you get to experience more competition. You usually play teams that are a lot better than most teams from Colorado.” Kia has also participated in RCHS Volleyball for all four years, playing on the sophomore team as a freshman, J.V. as a sophomore, and varsity as a junior and senior. She was also a co-captain her freshman and sophomore years, and a captain her junior and senior years. “[Volleyball] is really intense sometimes, but the people I’ve met through all of my teams have become my best friends, and I love hanging out with them,” Kia said.

THOMAS DEMPSEY

Cross country to Colorado State When he first came to RC, Dan Davies told Dempsey to try cross country, to come to a practice and see if he liked it. He went and fell in love with the atmosphere. Running was his new thing. He also participated in track in the spring. Entering high school, things were looking up for Dempsey, and then when winter of his freshman year rolled around, between seasons, he slipped on black ice and broke his leg. It was a spiral fracture through his growth plate. In the summer of 2006 he had to have a metal plate inserted into his knee to be sure that the leg would grow straight. Dempsey describes himself as a quiet, shy guy most of the time. He really feel like he can come out of his shell around his neighbors, that he’s known for 13 years, and best friend Dustin David ’10. In the boys spare time they enjoying hanging out outside, playing basketball or football and sometimes play capture the flag with the other neighbor kids. Dempsey is CSU Fort Collins bound, “Go CSU,” Dempsey said. “I am most looking forward to meeting new people, I plan to stay active when I go to college, I don’t think I’ll run for a team but for fun. I want to stay active and play flag football.” Dempsey has a good running start and plans to continue to keep on keeping on. Megan McNally

Because of all of her experience playing volleyball, Kia was recruited to play by Colorado College, Bethany College in California, and CSU Pueblo. Because Colorado College is a Division III school, they could not offer Kia any scholarships. Bethany College is NAIA, and only offered her a walk-on spot. CSU Pueblo, however, offered Kia a scholarship for half tuition, and a starting spot on their team. “I got really excited when I found out about [the scholarship],” Kia said. “It proved that they really wanted me to play for their team. It was so exciting.” Kia will be starting next year playing “Libero” – someone who only plays the back row, and is a main component of the team’s defense and passing. “I’m glad I get to play in college because I don’t want to have to stop playing,” Kia said. “For most athletes, high school is their last opportunity to play, so I’m happy I can continue in college. Plus, it will give me the opportunity to make friends with my teammates.” Thinking about the future, once college is finished, Kia doesn’t plan to give up her passion. “I love volleyball too much to quit after high school,” Kia said. “I’ll probably end up joining one of those old lady rec leagues or something. There’s no way I will stop though.” Valery Meusburger

‘08 Expressing herself HILARY JONES

On stage, Hilary Jones stares directly into at the spotlight. She ignores the other actors on stage. She ignores the set. She ignores the packed house. “Once the music starts, there are no distractions,” Hilary said. “It is easy to get caught up in the music and not worry about all the people there.” She played the Abbess in the “Sound of Music,” her sophomore year and found ways to calm her nerves, like praying backstage before the show started. She was used to singing in front of judges, but not audiences. “I’ve always been better with judges, but getting up in front of the student body is very scary,” Hilary said. Transitioning from competing to acting forced Hilary to learn how to be lively on stage. “I had always expressed music through the tone of my voice,” she said. “It was a change to be in the musical and have people constantly yelling at you for expression. I’m not thinking about what my face looks like.” To train herself to be animated, Hilary sang to herself in front of the mirror. “I knew the emotion I wanted to portray I just had to make sure my face mirrored it,” Hilary said. When acting, she felt she had more motive to sing. “When I would compete, I would have think of why I was singing the song,” Hilary said. “I’d have to think of my own story. But for acting, you have to portray the character in a way you think is accurate. It was a challenge, but I enjoy stepping out of my box.” Jenna Scheirman

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senior salute

the rock 05.09.08

What’s next? Where are all of RC’s seniors going next year?

‘08

BRADY JOHNSON

Setting up for future Johnson hopes to pursue his passion in college Brady Johnson and his club volleyball team, Colorado Intensity 18, qualiﬁed for the Junior Olympics with out him even knowing about it. “My coach told us a couple weeks later as he was talking about costs. I think my team knew, I was just retarded and didn’t know.” To qualify for the Junior Olympics, Johnson’s team traveled to California twice and competed in a tournament seed. “I thought that we were going to be able to hold our own and we ended up beating a lot of teams we shouldn’t have beaten.” In the ﬁnals for the 25 spot, Johnson’s team faced a little trouble; there was good player causing trouble for the rest of the team. “We had to take him out of the game by triple blocking him,” Brady said. “Serving him at his angle so he couldn’t get his approach to hit, and we ended up winning.” Brady began playing volleyball because his older brother and sister played. And second to that, he doesn’t like running. “I don’t like to run because I’m a big kid and my body doesn’t work like that,” Brady joked. “I started playing freshmen year and it just came naturally, and I

had a good coach who helped me.” Brady moved from Arizona to Colorado the summer before his junior year, and found that volleyball here wasn’t the same. “At first I could not find a team here and a week before tryouts I found that Vista had one and other kids who were good,” Brady said. “Out west it’s huge and really competitive and schools actually recognize men’s volleyball. It’s like bigger than football.” Brady did not only find a team, but helped his team place third in state last year behind Ponderosa and Regis. Brady is currently playing for the Mountain Vista volleyball team, and is looking forward to begin playing with his club team again. “It’s going to be hard because we only have a month until we go to California and two weeks after that until the Junior Olympics, and getting the new team recruits on the same page as all of us who have been doing this for three to four months will be difficult,” Brady said. “But it’ll be fun, and I’m excited for the Junior Olympics because there are billions of recruiters for colleges and my overall goal is to play somewhere for college and get recognized.” Jennifer Prusse

Coining history ‘08

MARTIN HUGHES

Collecting coins more than hobby for Hughes

There are three things that senior Martin Hughes shows his friends when they visit his house: his banana plant, all the “acoustic strongholds” in his house, andmost importantly- his coin collection. Hughes started collecting coins about seven years ago. He collects them, he said, because of his interest in history. “I like history. Coins are a part of history. I like owning a part of history,” he said. Hughes amasses his coins through coin stores and naturally ﬁnding them in circulation. “At work,” he said, “I take out interesting coins from the till and replace them with my own, mundane coins.”

Hughes’ collection numbers over a thousand coins. “I keep my coins in a lunch box and my coin hat – a black cowboy hat,” Hughes explained. Hughes’ most valuable coin, a Carson City silver half-dollar, was a birthday gift from his parents. “The Carson City half-dollars are really rare,” Hughes said. “Mine’s probably worth over $300.” Although he estimates his entire collection to be worth over $6000, Hughes doesn’t plan on selling his coins, or stopping collecting them, any time soon. “I’m handing my coins down to my children,” he said. “I’m going to continue collecting them for the duration.” Hannah Wellman

Katelyn Abbott CSU Chase Adkins Northern Arizona Univeristy – Flagstaff Christopher Alberti Taking a year off Emily Aluise ACC Alexandria Anaya Unknown Eduard Anderson Taking a year off Hanna Andress Metro State Vincent Archuletta UNC Greeley John Ashburn CSU Amanda Auten Unknown Annalisa Ayers UNC Greeley Michelle Barbera Duke University Angelina Barofﬁo Tulane University Kelly Battin CU Boulder Elke Baumer Undecided Chad Bavender Going on a church mission Rachel Baysinger CU Denver Anita Bazsik One more year of high school in Hungary Andrew Becker CSU Fort Collins Bronwyn Beckstead Colorado Mountain College Lindsey Behler CU Boulder Phillip Belden Metro State Benjamin Bender Metro State Daniel Benson Unknown Victoria Blanchard UNC Greeley Alicia Bradshaw Metro State Daniel Brewer CU Denver Callan Broderick CSU Fort Collins Nicholas Brooks Moving out of his house Aaron Brunhofer United States Merchant Marine Academy Allyson Burton Metro State Katherine Buss Clearwater Christian College Peter Caldwell New Mexico State University Spencer Campbell Metro State Kyle Cangilla CU Boulder Cody Carroll Berkeley Music Bryan Casal Northeastern Junior College Tyler Cashion CSU Fort Collins Han Chang Unknown Anthony Checco CU Boulder Alexandria Chum Brandeis University Davis Church CSU Fort Collins Abigail Claar University of Nebraska Andrew Cloyd CSU Fort Collins Emelia Coppage CU Boulder Thomas Costello UNC Greeley Christopher Cranstone Virginia Military Institute Josephine Cunningham CSU Fort Collins Megan Cusick CU Boulder Grant Dahl University of Wyoming George Daley Undecided Anne Darr Has two more years of school in Germany Alyssa Davanzo Colorado School of Mines Courtney David University of Arizona Brittany DeCristino University of Wyoming Cally Deese CSU Fort Collins Thomas Dempsey CSU Fort Collins Marisa Dickens Living in Arkansas Vincent DiPasquale Northeastern Junior College Andrea DiPoﬁ University of Northern Iowa Bradley Domingue Unknown Andrew Donder Metro State Bryan Dorcheus Front Range Community College Sam Drake Arizona State University Liam Dunn Fort Lewis College Michael Dydyn Taking a year off Mitchell Eckberg University of Oregon Amber Ellison Colorado School of Mines Farrah Esteki CU Denver Blake Evanson Doing a summer semester at BYU Salt Lake Center

Michael Farnsworth BYU Courtenay Felix Unknown Edward Ferguson Washington University Christian Fickling CSU Fort Collins Jeffrey Flemming Undecided Kimberly Forrester CU Boulder Jarrod Fort University of South Florida Kristin Foster Unknown Flinn Fowler Denison University Jaclyn Franklin CU Boulder Robin Freysinger Taking a year off David Gagliano CSU Pueblo James Geoghegan UNC Greeley Charles Gerber CSU Pueblo Patrice Gibson Howard University Matthew Golden Going to California to give surﬁng lessons Caitlyn Goodspeed Art Institute of Dallas Micaela Gouger University of Wyoming Christopher Grant Denver Film Institute Nathan Gray Metro State Colin Gruenfeld Taking a year off Mackenzie Guest UNC Greeley Sarah Guillen Undecided Kehaunani Gunderson Stanford University Jill Hamer CMC Glenwood Springs Ryne Hammons CU Denver Andrew Hanshaft CSU Fort Collins Christie Harrison CU Boulder Jordan Heeftle Taking a year off Christopher Hill CSU Fort Collins Steven Hinkley Pensacola Christian College Kyle Hoday Undecided Chelsey Hofer ACC Jason Hofstetter Unknown Anthony Holmes ACC Alexandra Hruza UNC Greeley Kendra Hudgen UNC Greeley Aaron Huffman UNC Greeley Krista Hughes Taking a year off Martin Hughes CU Boulder Corey Icet Taking a year off Brady Johnson BYU Idaho Dusty Johnson University of Oregon Dwayne Johnson Moved to Florida Hillary Jones UNC Greeley Kylie Jones Samford University Kia Kaufman CSU Pueblo Maegan Kellogg Regis University Hannah Kennedy University of Wyoming Felix King University of Wyoming Matthew Kistler CU Denver Andrew Knight ACC Adrienne Kovac CU Boulder Tayler Krietemeier CSU Fort Collins Charles Lang Johnson & Wales University Michell Laurence Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design Aron Lecznar Metro State Erica Lieber Regis University Lauren Light CU Denver Brandon Lindemann BYU Amanda Lisano UNC Greeley Maximillian Llanes University of Alaska Kathleen Locke CSU Fort Collins Chelsea Long CU Boulder Leah Mabary CU Boulder Anne MacDonald Taking a year off Melanie Magrini CSU Fort Collins Eric Manion Taking another year of high school Gina Margas UNC Greeley Katie Matsunaka University of San Diego Sarah Matzat Arizona State University Jacob McElroy Getting a job Ashleigh McGrane University of New Hampshire

...continued on page 22

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the rock 05.09.08

The yellow brick road to an easy graduation Use the wisdom of the seniors. Follow these steps to an easy graduation

Don’t wait until second semester senior year to ﬁnish health, community service, or that freshman English class you failed.

If Barry or Navaro are yelling down the stairs at you to sign in, run.

If you plan on going up stairs at any point during the day, try not to wear mini skirts.

Don’t speed on Monarch as you get close to McArthur. If your mom doesn’t include the time that your “appointment” ended, come to school for seventh and nothing else.

Apply to college as early as you can.

Be on good terms with Sheehan.

If you plan on going up stairs at any point during the day, try not to wear a miniskirt.

Don’t text around English teachers, they are always quick to take phones away.

Only underclassmen bring alcohol to school. It’s that lame.

Your English teacher knows what Spark Notes says about that book you’re supposed to be reading.

Take a Star Lab class and pump your GPA way up. Don’t date or hook up with people you have classes with. It’s awkward.

Take lots of pictures with your friends. Don’t slack off your freshman year – your grades will still count by the time you’re a senior.

No, there isn’t a 4000s yet, but it’s funny to tell freshmen that’s where their next class is.

Art by Max Rowe

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‘08 Making good on a 10-year-old promise KEHAU GUNDERSON

Outside under the bright Hawaiian sun, twelve yellow jerseys take their positions on a baseball field, playing catch with miniature sized baseball mitts. Fifteen minutes later, a whistle blows and the team gathers around their coach, sitting down and digging the heels of their cleats into the dirt. Kehau Gunderson, wearing her lucky number 10 jersey, listens as her coach talks about the upcoming game. He talks about setting goals for yourself; about figuring out what’s most important to you and then going after it. “What do you want to be when you grow up?” he asks his team, and Kehau listens as each girl gives her answer. “An astronaut,” says one. “A firefighter,” says another. Finally it’s Kehau’s turn. “I want to go to Stanford and play professional roller derby,” she says. Now, it’s ten years later, and Kehau hasn’t played roller derby in a long time. But she’s going to Stanford. “I’ve wanted to go there since second grade,” she said. “My mom went there and loved it.” Kehau has accomplished a lot her past four years of high school in order to be accepted to such a prestigious Ivy. “I get good grades,” she admitted. “But I try not to focus on it too much. It just kind of happens.” Whether that’s true or not, the numbers speak for themselves: 31 on the ACT. 4.1 GPA. Even with an impressive resume, though, Kehau was unsure about whether or not she would be accepted.

‘08

But she can breathe a sigh of relief now: she received her acceptance letter on March 28 and since then can be seen walking through the halls in signature Stanford burgundy apparel. “Stanford spends $1 million a year on research equipment,” she said, which was one of the major reasons she chose the university. Kehau plans on majoring in Human Biology. “Anything I want to do in the future, I can do and practice at Stanford ﬁrst.” After graduating from Stanford, though, Kehau plans on continuing her schooling in Hawaii. Like her mother, Kehau spent most of her childhood on the island of Oahu. “I loved living there,” she said. “It was nice because I could walk to the beach. After my mom graduated from Stanford, she wanted to move back to Hawaii. We lived there until I was 12.” Eventually, though, her mom’s job transferred her to Denver, and she moved the summer before her eighth grade year. “I want to go to med school in Hawaii if I get in,” she said. “I’m going to be a surgeon... I just don’t know if I want to be a brain surgeon or a plastic surgeon yet.” It isn’t all work and no play, though: Kehau has already mapped out a route to the beach from Stanford. “I could drive a half hour to a colder beach but I don’t look good in a wet suit,” she said jokingly, “So I’d probably drive a little farther to a warmer place.” And as for whether or not she’ll ever take up roller derbying again? “Um...” Susie Typher

JACKIE MOORE

Giving ‘Up’

Moore uses talents to travel

Jackie Moore always has a smile on her face. Her bubbly, sparkly personality and kindness has gotten her far. You may recall seeing Jackie walking around school in her multi-colored striped, checkered socks and converse happily bouncing around in her pigtails tied with cute crazy bows oﬀering others candy. But many may not have known why: she was raising money for a program called ‘Up With People’. Starting in July, Jackie will be gone for six months traveling around the world to bring communities together and experience an assortment of cultures. The group will start out in the western states of the U.S and end up going as far as Mexico and the Philippines. The families of these 22 diﬀerent towns and villages will provide the group with meals and a place to sleep. “I am nervous to leave my family for so long,” Jackie said. “I am really going to miss my mom and my brother but I am excited to experience the lives of other people.” “I think it’s so cool that I have never met these people, it’s going to be an adventure,” Jackie said. Jackie was introduced to Up With People by a family she babysat for whose niece had told them the experience changed her life. “I owe a lot of thanks to Ross Castanzo,” Jackie said. “He did Up With People when he was younger and has supported me and told me what to expect and how to raise my own funds.” Jackie had to raise a total of $14,250 to go on this trip, and was given $10,000 in donations by generous people, and a scholarship. The rest she raised on her own from babysitting and selling candy. “I got all my money two months early,” Jackie said. “I was shocked.” Jackie went through the interview

‘08 Keeping it cool KATIE MATSUNAKA

process to see how well she correlated with others, how dedicated she was to aiding multiple communities, and how much volunteer work she has put into her own community. During her expedition, in each town the group spends a week building homes and encouraging the community to work together. At the end of each week they perform to the community, dancing and singing to inspire music from all across the world. “The money raised from the performance is given back to the project we had been working on,” Jackie said. Jackie isn’t quite sure about her plans after Up With People and prays for guidance. “I don’t know what to do,” Jackie said. “I may want to work for Up With People, go back to one of the towns or villages I visit, or go to college.” Jackie feels blessed to be given this experience of a lifetime. “It has been hard work raising enough money, I feel like God has given me opportunities to use my gifts to help others,” Jackie said. “I couldn’t ask for anything more.” Gabi Johnson

GET INVOLVED Up With People is

non-proﬁt organization that provides young students with an international education. Students spend six months learning leadership skills and traveling internationally, speciﬁcally using performing arts and theatre. For more information, feel free to check out

upwithpeople.org Or call...

(303) 460-7100

Or write... 1600 Broadway Suite 1460 Denver, CO 80202

Often overwhelmed student enjoys music that slows her down Katie Matsunaka ’08, travels seamlessly from school to golf to work then home. A river would be a good metaphor. Except in this case, it’s a never ending river with rapids. Most days she’s out till ten. So how does Katie slow down? Probably by playing or listening to music. “I picked up the guitar in eighth grade and two weeks later I was in a band,” she said. Katie was in the band for three years and enjoyed her experience tremendously. She played lead guitar and did the vocals in her “all girl” band. “One of my favorite memories is going to Nebraska and playing with local bands up there and from Colorado,” she said. “We drove up there and ended up playing for 500 people.” Her favorite artists include Jack Johnson, Ben Harper, and Bob Marley. Their music deﬁnitely reﬂects Katie’s personality and her interests. “I’m pretty laid back and that music is beachy and I love that culture,” she said.

But besides music Katie loves cooling it and watching the Colorado Avalanche. “We lost last night?” she said. “Dang it!” Katie tries to go to as many games as she can. She grinned as she thought about the Av’s games, “I love the bloodshed!” From music to hockey, that river keeps on ﬂowing and Katie keeps on the move. She hopes to study abroad in Japan where, as she puts it, “I’ll be able to learn a little more about my heritage.” Katie’s dad is Japanese and Katie is half Japanese. But neither has been to Japan so the opportunity to do that is really exciting for her. “It’ll be really interesting to go back and learn about the culture,” she said. Next year she’ll be attending the University of San Diego where she’ll major in business and minor in international business. “I love the beach,” she said. “San Diego is a beautiful area and hopefully I’ll be able to make it to Japan.” Aaron Brunhofer

021

senior salute ‘08

the rock 05.09.08

KIM FORRESTER

Second time leaving

Forrester learns to love the mountains The summer sun was setting in Springboro, Ohio, as Kim Forrester found herself packing her bags and moving to a new state. Kim made her 24-hour drive into the Rocky Mountains. Rewind to October of 2005, when Kim’s parents broke the news to her that they could potentially be moving to Colorado. “I stopped caring about everything going on at my school. Everyone was really excited about homecoming and the traditions that came with homecoming week. I just became really bitter.” Kim said. The Forrester family knew that there would never be a right time to move Kim and her two younger siblings to a new state, and waiting until Kim graduated wasn’t an option. “My sister was going to be a freshman and my little brother was going into middle school. I was going into my junior year, so no matter what time my parents chose to move the family, it would have been a bad time,” Kim said. With their bags packed, the Forrester family made their journey from Springboro to Highlands Ranch and the transition wasn’t easy. “We got to Colorado in the middle of the summer. I spent all of my time with my sister at the pool. I didn’t know anyone or anything fun to do. It was really hard,” Kim said. Summer was coming to a close and the school year was quickly approaching. Starting her junior year of high school in a town she barely knew, surrounded by people she barely knew, Kim began to feel the stresses of the upcoming year.

“I was really, really nervous on the first day. I had no idea who anyone was. I was texting my sister all day to make sure she was doing alright. It was really hard,” Kim said. But once she stepped into RC, she knew something was different. “At my old high school, I was very intimidated by the upperclassmen when I was younger and I was very nervous that RC was going to have a lot of cliques.” But as time went on Kim began to realize that RC was different from her school in Ohio. “We don’t have to worry about separations or cliques between classes,” she said. “We have class unity which is something that made me very comfortable when I first moved here.” In the fall, Forrester will be heading to Boulder to attend CU. And she couldn’t be more excited. Over the past two years, Forrester has fallen in love with the mountains of Colorado and decided that she couldn’t stand to leave. Even though she is not ready to leave Colorado, she is ready to be in college. “I need to be on my own and be more responsible. I want to experience life and things on my own instead of having it all handed to me,” Kim said. She left Ohio with nerves and apprehensions, fear and anger. Now she is leaving her small high school with confidence and a yearning to succeed. She will be moving again, but this time, couldn’t be more excited to pack her bags. Kayla Kallery

‘08 Portraying the people MAEGAN KELLOGG

Closing one sketchbook, opening another

She lays out the pencil and opens her sketchpad, situates herself, cross-legged in her chair, and closes her eyes for a brief moment. Maegan Kellogg sees a person, ready to be translated onto paper. No, it’s not a beautiful woman with high cheek bones, or a man with long wavy hair. It’s a cartoon—a Japanese cartoon. But Megan ﬁnds it beautiful. “I love portraying the people I see in my head on paper,” Maegan said. Most of the people Maegan envisions when she draws come from images she has seen in the Japanese video games she plays. “I have always found Japanese art to be so beautiful, that’s why I started drawing Japanese cartoons,” Maegan said with a smirk. In fact, Maegan plays her video games frequently and draws both the characters she sees in these game and the characters she sees in her head. “I like to copy some of the characters from my game, but drawing my own characters is the challenge I like best,” Maegan said. Maegan has always been interested in art. “My father was a good artist,” Maegan said, “I never met him, but that’s what he handed down to me—a love of art.” Drawing these people is Maegan’s release.

‘08

ANDY ROE

A political agenda Andy Roe wants to become involved Andy Roe ’08, has a revolutionary political platform: he focuses on the issues. “I love how we have the opportunity to discuss things among each other, I feel bad for other countries because they don’t have that privilege,” Andy said. “We have the freedom to talk to each other about important issues.” Andy first started to become interested in politics from watching the Colbert Report and John Stewart. “When I first started watching John Stewart and Steven Colbert, I mainly just laughed at the issues, but then I really got interested,” Andy said. Now Andy watches two to three hours of political television a night, including CSPAN. He also reads the magazine, “The Economist.” I’m the only teenager I know who reads that magazine,” Andy said. “I like how it talks about other countries’ economies as well as our own.” “Teen involvement [in politics] is really low,” Andy said. “But, I can understand that if you’re not involved in the economy you don’t realize how it affects day to

day life. I hope [political] involvement will grow, but it’ll probably be a long term cultural change.” He is majoring in journalism at CU, Boulder next year so he can learn how to cover political events. “A good journalism degree will help me get closer to events that are happening,” Andy said. “It’s a great way to start off…Initially; I don’t want to change minds.” “I want to explore the different aspects of what keeps people uninvolved in politics,” Andy said. “And why people become so angry when they talk about them.” Andy doesn’t know what part of the political system he wants to be involved in. His main goal is to inform people about important political issues mostly concerning foreign policy. “I’m interested in other cultures and different government systems and comparing them to our own,” Andy said. “I don’t see myself running for a political office. I just don’t like the ethics of it, you have to smear your opponents and you never get to just talk about the issues. You’re only focused on getting elected.” Alyssa Davanzo

“My sketchpad is my haven,” said Maegan, “I escape their as often as I can.” In fact, Maegan pulls her sketchbook out during class, at home, and even at rehearsal. “I love to act, but sometimes, I can’t help but pull my sketchbook out while I’m rehearsing,” Maegan said. Meagan’s art, however, has fed into her acting. She designs and draws many of the posters for the plays that she participates in. “Designing the posters makes me feel even more of a part. I get to design the poster in the way I see the play,” Maegan said, “It’s fun.” But more than anything, Maegan loves to draw her Japanese video game characters. “Sometimes I like to put the characters I draw into the computer and make them look like an actual video game graphic,” Maegan said. Doing this shows Maegan just how cool her images can be. Maegan may pursue a career in graphic design with a emphasis in video games. But she’s not sure. For now, Maegan just loves to draw those Japanese images. “I draw so much,” said Meagan, “that my sketchbook is almost full.” The last page of her sketchbook will soon be dirtied. “But soon,” said Maegan, “a new sketchbook will open.” Micah McDonald

22 0

senior salute

the rock

What’s next?

05.09.08

‘08

CHRISTIAN FICKLING

For the love of the band No matter what, he plans on playing his music

rom Metallica to Mayday Parade, Christian Fickling ’08, has always loved music. “In eighth grade I thought Metallica and Iron Maiden were the coolest bands. That’s when I really started getting into playing the guitar.” He’d taken guitar lessons since he was six, but it took those bands to spark his interest. Since then, he’s revised his music interests to bands like The Decemberists and Bright Eyes, as well as started playing in a band that plays all sorts of other music, like Mayday Parade. His band, All Hands on Deck, started his junior year, and has participated in the Battle of the Bands both years. They’re just starting to write their own songs this year. “I don’t know about everyone else, but I’m probably sticking with it. I’d like to,” Christian said. Even without his bandmates, Christian hopes to play music throughout his life. “I want to be a professional musician. I’d want to be in a band and touring,” he said. “Not necessarily making money, or pleasing people, just doing what I do.” What he wants to do, though... he isn’t sure exactly what that is.

“I don’t want to appeal to the masses, I just make music how I want to make it,” he said. “Just the real thing.” The real thing isn’t what’s played on the radio. “I have a tendency to not like a band after people like them,” Christian said. “It takes away a lot of the music, when everyone’s singing it.” If he had to give a name to his style of music, it would be indie. But it’s not just in music that he’s unique in his interests. “I hate working, really. I don’t like manual labor and I don’t like standing around. I like cooking, so I worked at Cheesy Jane’s for two years, but I just made milkshakes,” he said. “I don’t know what I’ll do. I might move to the jungle and live oﬀ the land.” He’s joking, of course. He’s planning on going to CSU, studying English or History, though from there he doesn’t know what he’ll do. “I’m scared of making money,” he said, laughing. He does know he’ll continue to be involved with music as long as he can. “I’ll deﬁnitely try to do play music through college. I couldn’t postpone that.”

‘08

KALIEGH WEST

Act I: High school

Getting ready for Act II

Kaliegh West has only been in RC theatre for three and a half years but her memories are everlasting. Memories of her ﬁrst play, “The Miracle Worker.” Memories of working behind the scenes. Memories of the people. The people. Yes, especially the people. “That’s where all my friends come from. They’re crazy. They’re just weird... weird in a good way,” Kaliegh said. The people, her friends, convinced her to join theatre in the ﬁrst place. She was a freshman, looking for something new, something exciting, something to become involved in. Her friends suggested theatre so she tried it and found that she “loved it.” “It was a new school,” Kaliegh said. “A new theatre program. I had so many opportunities. Just the opportunity of starting something new together, building the theatre program up.” She has participated in eight plays. She has acted, painted props, helped manage. She is currently head of the sound crew for the upcoming play “Lend Me a Tenor.” She hopes to continue on with theatre as a school activity when she attends ACC in the fall. “I wanted to try theatre out once and I did and I loved it. I love it,” Kaliegh said. “You have to take the opportunities you have. If you have an opportunity like RC or any other theatre program, it is a really cool experience.” Kristen Scheirman

Trevor McGuar Metro State Brian McKenna Unknown Megan McNally CU Denver Jonathan Meeker Metro State Naomi Meredith CU Denver Valery Meusburger University of Arizona Giavanna Micale University of Wyoming Lindsey Michelson Unknown Mack Micho Adams State Jaclyn Moore Joining ‘Up With People’ Nicholas Moringo Arizona State University Paisley Morrison University of Oregon Ryan Morrissey Metro State Kelly Murphy Arizona State University Stephen Musciano CU Boulder Melissa Newman University of Michigan Isabel Nilsson Savannah College of Art & Design Megan Nobles University of Denver Timothy O’Connor CSU Fort Collins Timothy Orchard University of Otago – New Zealand Dylan Orlady Sewanee University Lyndsay Packer CSU Fort Collins Andrew Pahl University of Oregon Jessica Palestino CSU Fort Collins Kristen Parks UNC Greeley Cory Parrottino Unknown Cori Perkins Metro State Kyler Petersen Taking a year off Joya Postlewait Metro State Jennifer Prusse BYU Brittney Ransome Colorado School of Mines Heather Reiman Metro State Eric Rice CSU Fort Collins Nicholas Riggert Colorado School of Mines Joseph Riplinger Unknown Krissie Rivera Enlisting in the Navy Alexander Roberts Fort Lewis College Avery Robinson Denver University Blake Rodeno Taking a year off Andrew Roe CU Boulder Collin Roll CSU Fort Collins Max Rowe University of Iowa Nicholas Rush CSU Fort Collins Sara Rush Currently home schooled Clancy Ryburn Montana State University Danielle Sagar CU Boulder Michael Salem ACC Lauren Schaedig Tennessee Tech University Jenna Scheirman University of Iowa Thomas Seekins UNC Greeley Robert Sharkey Getting a job

...continued from pg. 17

Victoria Sheehan University of Alabama Kyle Shepard Colorado School of Mines Justin Sieker Baylor University Brittany Sill Colorado Christian University Lindsey Skinner Duke University Alisa Smith Unknown Brielle Smith Baylor University Blake Smith Enlisting in the Marine Corps Tracie Smith Getting a job Amy Smits CU Boulder Ryan Sohl CU Boulder Bradley Solita Northeastern Junior College Andrew St Pierre University of Utah Cole Starbuck Unknown Jay Stoutenburg Pickens Tech Alyse Strampel New Mexico State University Jonathan Strickland Undecided Bradley Stuart Unknown Brad Stutzman Biola University Ashley Suarez Erik Sutterﬁeld University of Nebraska Brennan Tauber Alecia TenBrink Southern Illinois University Katherine Thompson CSU Fort Collins Taran Thompson Hastings College Aubree Thumann UNC Greeley Zachary Tschetter Nancy Turner CU Boulder Susie Typher Baylor University Grace Um CU Boulder Lucia Vazquez University of Pennsylvania Chelsi Vecchiarelli CU Boulder Ellen Verkler Colorado School of Mines Lanie Vescio Unknown Michael Wagner University of Kentucky Anne Walker Utah State University Clayton Ward Unknown Dustin Watt CU Boulder Leah Webb Metro State Ryan Wekenman CU Boulder Kaleigh West ACC Reed Westermeyer Unknown Christopher White University of South Carolina Daniel White CSU Fort Collins Tyler Williamson Garden City College Evan Winiger Gonzaga University Kathryn Wolthuis BYU Collin Yarusso James Madison University Adam Yeagle Metro State Austin Ziel Bridge Program Anthony Zinsmaster Unknown

fun w/ the rock

023

the rock 05.09.08

OMG JK LOL

Txting has bcom the nwest form of cmmunctn all ovr the US. the Rock wnted to kno the state of this crz at RC wats ur txtin personality?

You’re trying to understand the hidden logic of MLA citations one afternoon when your best friend texts you. You decide that there isn’t any point to citations, after all, and reply: A. Hey B. Hey there! How are you? How’s your day going, my friend? I just had the most amazing burrito, with steak and black beans and rice- a lot of rice, because I love rice… C. Salutations and greetings, friend D. Yo wut up

A: Short and Concise: U lke to keep ur txts shrt and sweet. =] Hi and by are probably the most frequent txts you either send or receive.

Gorgeous blonde Annie just confessed her undying love for Paul. You text Paul, saying… A. Annie likes you B. Omg I just heard the craziest thing in the downstairs hallway when I was walking from third period to physics. It’s really cold in the classroom so I brought a blue-striped sweater and Annie told me she liked it which got us talking… C. Romeo, oh Romeo, deny thy crush and refuse all other girls…Annie wants you, stud mcmufﬁn! D. Dude dis grl annie digs u lol

B: Goofy U luv to make ur frnds laugh. U send jokes, or remind ur frnds of recent inside jokes. Ur inbox is full of messages saying HAHA.

You’re stuck behind a senile old man on Monarch Blvd who’s going 20 mph. You’re going to be 15 minutes late to lunch with Derek, so you text him… A. Be there 15 min B. This stupid wrinkled old man is slowing down the entire ﬂow of trafﬁc in the Denver Metro Area. I’m going to be like 15 minutes late, unless I stop for gas so maybe 20 minutes late but I’m really so sorry

Your English teacher decides to delve into the symbolism of the Scarlet Letter. Naturally you have to text someone to complain… A. This sucks B. Does anyone really believe that Nathaniel Hawthorne is intelligent enough to write a book that deserves an hour-long discussion? I’m bored out of my mind, I had to sit through another hour of integrals in calculus…

C. Old man = roadblock. Sorry to delay our rendezvous, count to 900 and I’ll be there

C. Dude, that priest guy wouldn’t have gotten with Hester if he had known this awful book was going to be written about it

D. Wtf! I h8 slw drvrs, b there 15 min

D. Haha im dyin lol jk but for rlz

C: Long and Detailed U ramble on... and on.... and on n ur texts. But we forgive u, bc ull actually write on a full sentence. =]

D: Txt Spk U ttally dnt kno when 2 stp w/ the txt slang. U send things like wtf or ttyl. ppl R usually cnfusd by ur txts.

024

05.09.08

___

fashion

the rock

What Senior Jags are wearing to Graduation

Fashion Focus: Graduation Juniors Sarah Classen and Collier Kepton gave us their best looks for what to wear to Graduation on May 24th. This Navy cardigan from Forever 21 can add “pop” a simple outﬁt. $19.80

“I’m wearing a white sun dress from Nordstrom and Steve Madden silver ﬂats that are also from Nordstrom and lots of cute jewelry that I got from the mall.”

Gina Margas ‘08

“I’m wearing a short black dress from Kohls. It is a bubble type dress and it’s really cute. I’m also wearing black high heels that I got from Kohls too.”

Graduation is a time for all students graduating and not, to look their best. Semi-formal wear is the best way to go when attending the Graduation Ceremony and also graduation parties with your friends and family. For girls, cute summer dresses, flip flops or wedges and layered jewlerey is the way to go for those grad parties. For guys, colorful polos, shorts and flip flops or closed toed shoes are perfect!

This white summer dress from Guess is clasic and girlie, it’s a perfect mix between fancy and casual. $89.00 This Juicy Couture ring from Nordstrom adds some sparkle and spice. It ties all of the jewlery together in the outﬁt. $78.00

Heather Reiman ‘08

“I’m gonna wear black slacks and a green shirt from J.Crew. I am also going to wear my sexy striped tie by Tommy Hilﬁger that I got from Nordstrom”

This authentic Lacoste navy shirt from Nordstrom is very trendy and original. $75.00

These brown ﬂip ﬂops from Old Navy are simple and scream time for spring! $3.50

These Faconnable Khaki shorts from Nordstrom are casual and summery, and they tie the outﬁt together! $69.50

These Lacoste brown shoes from Nordstrom turn a casual outﬁt to somewhat fancy. $124

Flinn Fowler ‘08

“For graduation i will be wearing a Seven Diamond shirt from Nordstrom, black slacks and Bass shoes.”

Cory Parrottino ‘08

“I have a strapless yellow sun dress from Forever 21. I’m also wearing Steve Madden wedges that are white and tons of jewlery to accesorize with.”

Emily Coppage ‘08

Grad Party Outﬁts

Designer of the Month Walking into Nordstrom, it can sometimes be difficult to find the perfect pair of shoes for a summer day or a night out with friends. Completing the perfect outfit with the cutest shoes is always crucial, and that is why when you venture into the depths of Nordstrom, you should head straight to the Tory Burch table. Whether you’re looking for a cute pair of flats to accompany your favorite pair of Silver Jeans, or some killer Patten Leather wedges, Tory Burch is where you need to look. Originally popular in the East Coast, Tory Burch’s line has traveled to boutiques and high end fashions shows all across the country. Not only does Burch carry killer pumps for your night out, but also adorable cocktail dresses, to die for cardigans and jewelry that will make any girl weak in the knees. Her original preppy-

Boys

bohemian style is making waves with other infamous designers like Vera Wang, Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilﬁlger all across the US. Continuing to create new designs, Burch is still able to raise her three sons and three step-daughters, talk about a power mom! You can pick up any of Tory Burch’s collection at Nordstrom or Nemian Marcus.

Hollister Tee $39.50

Hollister Shorts $35.50

American Eagle leather ﬂip ﬂops $34.50

Girls

Forever 21 Tube $19.80

Forever 21 Cardigan $ 24.80

Guess Marciono $109.95

Access. Nixon white watch $1,400

Pleated clutch $16.80

Forever 21 bracelet $5.80

025

It wasn’t the Cinderella ending you see in the movies, but this lacrosse season was filled with...

the rock 05.09.08

‘GOLDIN’ MOMENTS Meet the characters Head Coach Louis Goldin

Louis Goldin is the new lacrosse coach this year. He brings with him upstate skills and coaching styles, and he’s the toughest coach this team has ever seen. He was nominated as Colorado Coach of the Year this season, and he’s up against coaches of state champions. He emphasizes class, heart, and team, and that, along with some New Jersey love, is what got the Jags through this season.

Assistant Coach Scott Quattromani

Coach Q to the players, he’s the offensive coach contrasted to Goldin’s defensive style. He always has a joke or a positive word. But when it comes to the game, he’s the one who pulls players away to talk about what they’re doing well or badly. Sometimes, he plays the bad cop, and yells through halftime, but for the most part Coach Q gives his team the fun they need at the tougher practices.

Captain Flinn Fowler ‘08 Flinn is one of the two captains on the team. He’s the strength of the team, often picking up where Goldin and Q leave off, yelling at the team, or praising them. He’s going to Denison University next year to play lacrosse, but it doesn’t make him any less invested in this year’s team. He’s the one that’s always the most excited by a win, or the most distraught by a loss.

Jeff Flemming ‘08

Jeff’s one of the most hardworking, funniest members of the team. He’s often dancing, causing trouble, or occasionally screaming out “Wu tang!” But in every game he comes through with a score, or more often an assist. He’s been known to give up a 6 foot shot for a 4 foot shot, and that makes him one of the best examples of the team aspect of Goldin’s mantra: class, heart and team. Plus, he lightens the mood in what is a stressful team environment.

Andrew Donder ‘08

Andrew is one of the most dedicated seniors on the team. He was a captain in the beginning of the season, but grades made him ineligible for the position. He never gives up on the team, and is always the one trying to rally the sideline. He’s going to UNC next year, and he’s going to play lacrosse, but this season is his last as a Jaguar, and he’s determined to make it his best.

Parker Jackson ‘12

Parker’s one of the two freshmen on the team. He’s teased, occasionally bullied, and usually has the privilege of carrying most of the equipment. He’s played for three years, but this is his ﬁrst at the high school level, much less the varsity level. But at the end of the season, no one’s a freshman. Parker’s no different. Every day, he’s ﬁghting to become a valued member of the team.

Coach Louis Goldin talks to the team after the game against Regis April 23. They lost 14-4. Photo by Max Rowe

In lacrosse, everything is faster. The players don’t just sprint for the ball, they sprint oﬀ the ﬁeld. The ball screams through the air on every shot. A blink can cost you a goal. It’s a game of moments, in a season of moments. Through every moment, you can hear the voice of Louis Goldin, the new lacrosse head coach. He’s pushed the team through practices full of sprinting, nights of freezing snow, and games lost in the last few seconds. And from those nights came a season to remember. Right down to the last moment.

“

Arapahoe

We’re not defeated when we lose. We’re defeated when we quit. And I know you guys aren’t going to quit. We have to show the world that we’re not going to quit. –Coach Goldin

”

It was the night the Jaguars played Arapahoe. This new team, under the command of new coach Louis Goldin, had exceeded expectations. Goldin himself had exceeded expectations. As a player, he was named captain twice, and played in the New Jersey Senior All-Star game. He then played and coached at Vassar, where he improved his specialty, the defensive game. That’s what he’s been focusing on as Scott Quattromani, new assistant coach, works on the offense. This was the first night they’d be put to the test as Rock Canyon coaches. The first night the Jaguars would really be challenged. And this was the night, Goldin knew, they would prove themselves. “We can do this,” he said. “We have to look at everything as a moment. If we win more moments than they do, we’ll win the game. We stay in control, and the games will win themselves.” A minute and 15 seconds later, Arapahoe scores. Then again. And again. Every time Arapahoe gets the ball, they’re assaulting the RC goal. At halftime, they’re up by 11. Quattromani, Coach Q to the players, stands in front of them. “We’ve got to get out of our heads. When

we want to be, we’re a lot better than this.” As the coaches go over the plays they need to work on, Flinn Fowler ‘08, sits in behind the rest of the players, his eyes forward. He’s listening, but he can’t help but relive the game in his head. He’s been on the team all four years, and a captain the last two. He was the leading scorer in Colorado last season, and going to Denison University to play lacrosse. He’s emotionally invested in this game, in every game. “I couldn’t ask for better leadership. I rely on him on and off the field,” Goldin said of Fowler. “I better get a Denison shirt.” But little changes in the second half. By the time the Jags get their first goal, it’s 16-1. The game ends one Arapahoe goal later. “All right, gentlemen,” Goldin says, as they sit quietly in the locker room, taking off their pads. “There are a few ways to look at this. We got the crap kicked out of us and we can hang our heads, or we can do something about it. We’re feeling a little tense. You can keep that feeling with you for a little bit, but we can’t let it affect us.” “We’ll get back to work. You can’t let this ruin the rest of the season,” he finishes. “Success isn’t final, and failure isn’t fatal,” Coach Q says. “I know you guys. We have the courage to continue.”

“

April 1

”

It’s a privilege, not a right, to wear the jersey.

The team stretches on the grass field at Rock Canyon, and Goldin is silent. Normally he would be in the center of the circle, telling them how to prepare for their game the next day against Ponderosa. But today, he stands far away, arms crossed, saying little to anyone. Finally, he addresses them. “What’s the first thing we always play with?” he asks. “Class,” the team responds in unison. “Even after the Arapahoe game, I wasn’t ashamed to wear a Rock Canyon shirt. Today might be a little different,” he says. “I had a teacher come up to me today and tell me a player was cheating on a test. So you’re going to be running today.” The team is silent. Goldin’s workouts are notorious for being the toughest in the school. He made players throw up regularly in the beginning of the season. For continued next page



Lax Lingo Crease: The area around the goal that offensive players aren’t allowed to enter. When the goalie has the ball in the crease he can only remain there for 4 seconds. When the goalie gets the ball outside the crease, he can’t come back in the crease. Yellow: Means slow down for

subbing

Green: After the subs have

entered play, green means they can resume play as normal

Long pole middie: Player who can run the entire length of the ﬁeld, but usually only plays defense and plays with a defensive pole Middie: Players who can play the entire length of the ﬁeld but primarily either play offense or defense because of fast subbing. They play with short poles. Offense: Players who can’t

cross midﬁeld. They play defensively when trying to keep the other team from clearing the ball.

Slide: A defender helps out a teammate or double teams an opponent who has the ball Hot: A call for the slide Feed: A deliberate pass to

an offensive player to score, usually to someone cutting to the crease

Free clear: A penalty

happens and then the team trying to clear the ball takes the ball from midﬁeld

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this reason, he brings a bucket to practice every day. Today, it’s waiting ominously on the sideline. “I said running, gentlemen! Not jogging!” he yells across the field. He stops them. “I told you to run, and you weren’t running. So now you’re going to do gassers.” Gassers are Goldin’s version of suicides. They’re one of the toughest parts of practice, especially when they’re one after another. That’s what it looks like is going to happen today. Just before they start, though... “April Fools!” he yells. The team collectively exhales. “If they were cheating, they would’ve been running for two hours,” he said later. It’s not just a trick, but a cautionary tale. “You guys weren’t thinking of April Fool’s, were you?” Goldin asks, laughing. “Not with you!” Andrew Donder ’08, replies. Jeff Flemming ‘08, is laughing too. He’s wishing he had thought of it himself. Every day, Jeff thinks of something new to entertain his teammates. In the Cherokee Trail game, he’d painted his face with two diamonds – one black, and one just an outline. “I’m a clown!” he said, straight faced. They get on with practice, without running, though Goldin sends Parker Jackson ’11, on a lap for answering a question wrong. “We went over that day one!” Parker has to do running like this often – it’s his punishment for being a freshman, but it’s helped him get to the level of the other, more experienced players. In the next game, it’ll pay off. “That’s why I scream at you all the time!” Coach Q yells at him after he scores a goal 24 hours later. “We just produced results!” It’s taken some time to get there. “In the beginning of the season, Flinn and Tyler [Zabor ‘09] pushed me over, and threw snow in my face,” he complained. Goldin doesn’t think of it that way. As a freshman in high school, he was bullied while on the JV team. The next year he got the same treatment, as the only sophomore on the Varsity team. As long as a freshman makes Varsity next year, Parker’s getting off easy. “I love you guys, but a lot of you are like me. Little guys,” Goldin says, looking directly at Donder. The two of them are similar, in their smaller stature, stick thin legs, (whose are smaller is the source of constant, quiet debate between the players) and their humor – when they don’t have a game the next day. Today, they do. “What’s a 6 foot, 200 pound guy going to think about us? That he’s going to walk right through us. But he doesn’t know he’s walking into a bunch of Jack Russels.” These boys aren’t all Jack Russels. Some of them are larger breeds, like Flinn or Felix King ‘08, but they’re all ready to fight today. “Welcome back, gentlemen. You look like you’re going to play a game tomorrow. Now, you have a chip on your shoulder. We did get the crap kicked out of us,” Goldin says. “But you are a force to be reckoned with. People are overlooking us. They’re not expecting anything out of us.”

“

Ponderosa

I’ve learned there’s more than winning. There’s winning, and there’s winning the wrong way. I’d rather lose the right way, than win the wrong way.

They do, screaming and celebrating until Goldin can ﬁnally get order. “I’m glad we came to play today, gentlemen.” He says. “It wasn’t always the best x’s and o’s, but you kept your class out there.”

”“

They’re putting on jerseys as Donder screams out, “I don’t wanna wait, for our lives to be over!” Andrew Hanshaft ’08, laughs at him. “Don’t sing that! You’ll get it stuck in my head!” As soon as Ponderosa shows up, though, they’re all serious. Everything seems to slow down as the opposing team’s players step on the field. “Maybe the April Fool’s joke was more than a joke,” Goldin says as he stands in the circle of his team, on the field before the game against Ponderosa. “This is the first time in a week I’ve seen you guys come out as a team. You look good right now. You look like a team, and we’re going to beat them as a team.” A ref standing on the sideline tosses a ball in the air. Fans walk in. The ball seems to hang in the air for minutes, the fans taking long minutes before the next step. But the lacrosse team is in full motion. Goldin’s no different. He paces, walking through the drills, bouncing slightly. He looks indestructible. “Gentlemen!” he calls. “Let’s show the world today that we lost one game, but we’re not defeated. It comes down to heart, class, team, and who wants it. We’re going to win all of those today. I know it. You have to know it today.” They know it. The sideline is loud as Austin Fisher ’09, scores. As Flinn scores. As Kevin Ludolph ’09, scores. Flinn looks down at his knee, just noticing the blood running down his leg. He can’t take his eyes off the game. That hit, as well as a few others, give the refs cause for concern. “Coach, tell your guys to stay in control,” the ref warns the coaches. Goldin nods. “Stay classy,” he tells the team after another hit. “Do not stoop to their level, gentlemen.” “That’s how we play, boys,” Donder agrees. In the locker room, though, they can celebrate their 9-3 win as much as they want. “When we get in there, we go nuts,” Felix King ’08, tells the rest of the team.

Douglas County

I hope you see and know not what you can become, but what you are. Sports are written for us – the team that everyone overlooks, the team that has heart.

”

“Come on, boys! It’s the biggest game of the season!” Andrew says, bouncing around. None of the players can stop moving, but the nervous energy is worst in Goldin. He’s bouncing, pacing, yelling. “They’re doing a decent job, but we’re doing a better job,” he says, after both teams have scored one. But that doesn’t keep up for long. DC keeps scoring, and while the Jags are getting shots, they’re not scoring any goals. It’s 7-2 at half. “What’s the ﬁrst thing we play with?” Goldin asks at halftime, standing over the sitting players, who won’t look at him. “Class,” they say. “The second?” “Heart.” “The third?” “Team.” “We’re playing with one out of three. I’m not putting you down. I just want you to know what the situation is,” he continues. “We’ve got the class. The bottom line is if we’re going to win this game, it’s gotta be classy, it’s gotta be with heart, and it’s gotta be as a team.” The second half starts with four Rock Canyon goals, three of them from Flinn. It’s 7-6 and the sideline’s excited. “It’s a whole other game now, isn’t it?” Kyle Mead ’09, says. Parker scores next to tie it up. “That was not a freshman!” Donder yells, clapping him on the back. “Atta boy.” Parker grins. Not only has he scored, he’s impressed one of the most inﬂuential seniors on the team. He’s more a part of the game today than he ever has been. But they still have seven minutes to hold them, or score. “Listen up,” Goldin says, in a timeout with less than a minute to go. “You’ve done too many gassers on this

ﬁeld. We haven’t won anything yet.” There are 19 seconds left in the game, and without warning, DC scores. Both teams are still screaming, there’s still a chance, until a penalty is called on RC, and DC holds onto the ball the last few seconds. “Can you imagine what would’ve happened if we played them like that the whole game? We would’ve killed them. We would’ve annihilated them,” Flinn says, angrily. “We’re close, gentlemen. We’re real friggin’ close,” Goldin says. “These are gut wrenching,” Coach Q says. “But they’re about respect. You’ve earned respect now from Douglas County, one of your biggest rivals.”

“

Chaparral

It’s a lot warmer when you win.

”

This game is what decides whether the team makes playoffs or not. “This is it.” Goldin says, looking around. “This is playoff weather!” Snow is falling around them, making a scene that would be peaceful if it wasn’t for the yelling and tackling going on between both Chaparral and Rock Canyon. There’s a call, and Flinn gets mad. Goldin yells out at him, “Flinn, be quiet! You wanna talk to someone, come talk to me!” “That’s tough, when he’s sticking up for a teammate, but it’s discipline.” Q says behind him. Goldin’s often harsh on the players about staying quiet when there’s a call they don’t agree with. “No talking to the ref, no talking to the other players,” he’s said. “ I don’t care if he says you have beautiful eyes. Don’t even say thank you.” Rock Canyon is up 6-0 at halftime, and they walk to the end of the field and immediately turn into little black hills, covering themselves with huge warm up jackets, as snow covers them. “Gentlemen, to be a mentally tough team, we have to keep playing our game in these conditions,” Goldin says. As they go back on the field, their feet make prints continued next page



Clockwise from top left: Ian Szlachta ‘09, checks a Summit player March 29. RCHS won 10-6. Photo by Jenna Scheirman Coach Louis Goldin talks to the team during practice April 22. Photo by Chelsea Long Coach Scott Quattromani talks to Brian Wanless ‘09, during the game against Cherokee Trail April 22. They won 19-2. “Coach Q tells me to stay calm on the ﬁeld,” Wanless said. “I can get a little over excited and get penalties. He says to play with my head. It just reminds me that a penalty will hurt the team. I need to play good lacrosse, not kill people.” Photo by Jenna Scheirman Goldin shows the team Columbine’s offense during a time out before the half. RCHS lost 10-9, eliminating them from the playoffs. “We couldn’t control the ball the ﬁrst half which hurt us,” Kacy Carter ‘09, said. “When we transitioned from defense to offense we’d either throw the ball away or pass it to an attack man but Columbine pressured so sometimes we dropped it. They weren’t doing anything that was confusing – we weren’t executing. We knew we needed to settle the ball. When we try to force passes it doesn’t work. We play better six on six instead of fast breaks. During half we realized, ‘Wow we’re up 4-3 and we should be pounding these guys.’ The second half we settled down.” Photo by Max Rowe

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Coach Louis Goldin, seniors Tommy Costello, Andrew Donder, Flinn Fowler, Kyle Cangilla, Andrew Hanshaft, Ed Ferguson, CJ Gerber, and Felix King in the locker room after the game against Columbine. The underclassmen lined up behind. Goldin reminded them to stay classy and keep their heads up after a 10-9 loss eliminating them from the playoffs. Photo by Max Rowe

in the snow that stick to the turf. It looks like an odd, sporadic dance pattern. And this half, it may as well be. It’s slippery and hard to see, but they continue to dance around the field, scoring goals and saving them, despite the snow flying in the face of goalie Dan Poindexter ’09. It’s 15-0, and Goldin calls a timeout. “I don’t want anymore shots like that. We’re up enough.” They do as he says, and though Chaparral scores with ten seconds left, the game ends with 15-1 as the final score. They soon realize what tonight meant. They’ve made it into the playoffs. They wait until the other team’s a good distance away, always maintaining their class, but then they erupt into cheers. It’s the second year for most, but this time, they’re keeping up with the powerhouses. This year, they may have a chance to make it past the first round.

“

Mountain Vista

We just have to play one moment at a time, one pass at a time, and one goal at a time. We can’t stop believing. If we stop believing, we’re done.

”

There are three little boys on the field before the Mountain Vista game at Shea stadium. Two are in green, Vista lacrosse shirts and a third, smaller one is wearing a Rock Canyon shirt. It’s JV Coach Dave Heimer’s son Luke, and he’s carrying a tiny lacrosse stick. They’re playing monkey in the middle, with the little Jaguar in the middle, and reaching for every pass. He doesn’t give up, even though the other two are older, and bigger than he is. Eventually, he knocks the ball from the air and chases after it. It’s all fun and games for these three, but it’s what Rock Canyon has been against for its entire history. Smaller and younger, but more determined. This lacrosse team has grown up, but it still carries with it that underdog determination. The Jags are up against a team they’ve played before. Mountain Vista. Their last game was an even match up, and they lost by 2 in the last few minutes. It was a heartbreaking, gut wrenching loss. Donder stands on the side of the field, watching as Vista warms up. The last time they played Vista, he was the most vocal he’d ever been. He screamed and rallied the team. “Too many years, boys,” he’d said that day, before they started playing. “Too many years this team has beaten us.” Too many years, plus one more game, have made it almost unbearable for him. He wants to beat this team more than he has any other. Vista takes both their timeouts before the first quarter is over. “They’re starting to respect us, gentlemen.” Goldin says. The score says otherwise. It’s 6-2 at the end of the first quarter. “No one person is going to win this for us,” Goldin says, pacing around the locker room. “We’ve gotta play as a team.” All heart! They cheer. “I want to see that heart from somebody,” he adds. “I haven’t seen it yet.”

He doesn’t see all heart, or any heart, through the rest of the first half. It’s 11-3 at half time, and both coaches are angry, staying outside the locker room to talk in hushed voices, while the boys go inside. “They’re leaving us alone,” Flinn says. “They can’t do anything about us being dominated in this game. We’re not close, we’re not just losing. We’re being dominated.” Q comes in, the door slamming behind him. “What happened in the last 24 hours?” he yells. “When did you decide to play pick up ball? They’re playing worse than last time. Does anybody want to play lacrosse tonight? I’m going to go out to the sideline. If you want to play lacrosse, come join me.” Goldin is silent as Q yells. “We need to come together as a team right now,” he says. “This game’s far from over. But we either come together as a team, or yield as individuals.” He too, leaves. “They have no respect for us,” Jeff says quietly about Vista. It’s out of character for him to talk about respect. He doesn’t give it easily, nor does he often demand it. But in the last game against Mountain Vista, he was just as angry, throwing his stick down as he entered the locker room. “It’s 11 to 3. They have no reason to respect us,” Flinn replies. “I don’t know about you guys, but some of us have worked our butts off since Goldin and Q signed on. Let’s win this half, even if we don’t win this game, for them.” So they do. Vista scores first, but afterwards, it’s a barrage of Rock Canyon goals. Goldin has to yell over the wind and the music. “Gentlemen, we’ve got a game now! How bad do you want it?” They come back on the field, and every faceoff Ed takes, he sends it down to the Vista’s side. “You’re the one bringing us back in this game,” Goldin tells him. He wins another faceoff and runs it down the field. He scores on the incredulous goalie, and now they’re only down by two points. That’s how it stays. The final score is 14-12. They won the half, but not the game. The first half Vista scored nine, and Rock Canyon scored three, and the second half RC scored 11 while Vista scored three. “They’re thankful they had a clock,” Goldin said. “The clock saved them, not their lacrosse skills.” He looks around the room, at the seniors. “We’re guaranteed three more games this season. Seniors, that’s all you’re guaranteed. After that, it’s whether we want it.” He leaves the room, leaving the players to talk about the loss. He sits down, staring at the lacrosse field as the sun sets, silhouetting him. Coach Q sits next to him, and they’re silent for a moment, simply looking at the empty field where they watched their players fight so hard. But soon, they open up their stat book. State playoffs begin next week.

“

Columbine

”

We have to play like this is our last game. If we don’t, it will be our last game. It’s the last game they’re guaranteed. It’s the ﬁrst

Quoted On building a program Danny Poindexter ‘09: “The coaches totally revamped our style of practicing and playing. We’ve changed to playing more team offense and defense. Last year we focused more on individuals. Our defense style is that everyone relies on everyone. Offense doesn’t highlight players so they work on getting everyone the ball.”

Tyler Zabor ‘09, catches his breath during the game against MVHS April 19. RCHS lost 14-12. Photo by Tori Sheehan

round of the playoﬀs, and if they lose tonight, the season is over. Their last two regular games were against Cherokee Trail, who they beat 19-2, and Regis who they lost to, 14-4. But tonight, they won’t be winning or losing by such large margins. As soon as they step onto the field to stretch, the silence hits. Tonight is the biggest game of the season. They’ve had games they’ve wanted so badly to win, but none of them were so definitively necessary wins. Not like this. “The playoffs are beautiful, because at every moment, it’s so close to over. It makes every moment more meaningful,” Goldin says. It does. It could be the last time they stretch, the last time they pass together, as a team, and this realization lays heavily on them. “You guys, this counts,” Coach Q tells them. “This matters. Everyone in here wants this.” They turn on the stereo, to an Irish song that they’ve played throughout the season during warm ups, “Blood of the Cuchulainn.” It goes silent, except for the bagpipes that inspire shivers throughout the room. The team gets in a circle. Some bang their sticks on the walls, and the benches. It seems like a movie, the scene before a battle. “Let’s make it so it’s not the last time we hear this song,” Donder says as they leave the room, walking in two lines across the field. “We’re winning this,” Goldin says simply, as they line up to play. “We came here as a team, we’re gonna win as a team,” Austin says. Austin, Tyler, and Kacy Carter ‘09, kneel in a circle, their sticks in the air, and pray quietly. They’ve only prayed three times – against Arapahoe, and against Mountain Vista. In both those games, they lost. They’re continued next page



Andrew Hanshaft ‘08: “The coaches are putting in a whole new set of expectations: the amount we practice and more emphasis on working with JV and Level 3 to make sure they’re ready for the Varsity level when the time comes. We have a practice schedule that every level follows. We’ve focused on conditioning and being a team from the start. Conditioning is focused on at every practice for all levels.” Court Pietra ’10: “JV and Varsity practice together. Varsity gives us pointers, helps us if we’re having trouble, and teaches us what they know. We have a close relationship. JV use the same system as Varsity does but we do things at a lower level. It prepares us mentally and physically. It prepares us for what we’re going to face at the Varsity level.” Compiled by Jenna Scheirman

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Coach Louis Goldin and Assistant Coach Scott Quattromani congratulate Drew Stormo ‘11, for his defensive play in the game against Ponderosa April 2. RCHS won 9-3. Above right: Drew Stormo ‘11, in the game against Cherokee Trail. Photos by Jenna Scheirman

But when Austin is hit, hard, they’re out a player, hoping tonight, the opposite will happen. and Austin is writhing in pain. They may be up a man, They score first, after 15 seconds. Then again. The but Austin’s indispensable to the team. The Jags immedisidelines are louder than they’ve been all season. But then Columbine scores. Then again. Goldin calls ately fall to their knees as Goldin and Q sprint towards their fallen comrade, while Columbine stands, talking to a timeout. each other and their coaches. “D, you’re keeping us in the game right now. OfIn every sport, and especially in Goldin’s program, fense, we need you,” he says. you take a knee when there’s an injury. It’s about having Both teams are batting the ball around, with no real the class to respect a fellow player who’s given his body possession. The lead bounces back and forth. At half in the hopes of one more goal. Apparently, Columbine time it’s 4-3 Rock Canyon. doesn’t play by the same standards Rock Canyon does. “Right now, they’re outplaying us.” Flinn says. “They’re working harder. We know we’re better. We have But those standards are set high. Finally Austin stands up, but can barely walk to the to come out and play this half.” sidelines. As they get back to the field, they’re more motivated. The clock runs out. They’re in overtime. Flinn looks around, at his team. “I’m not done.” He “Give me everything,” Goldin says. “Everything you tells them simply. “We’ve played a season in the hardest have. We’ve run too many gassers, we’ve done too much. league so we can win this game. I’m not going home.” We are winning this game.” CJ scores a few seconds later. Then Jeff gets one, and Austin starts to stand up. “I’m okay, put me back in,” he’s jumping up and down. he tells the coaches, though he’s wincing in pain and can “Jeff doesn’t have the best shot, or the best stick barely stand. “Put me back in.” handling, and he’s not the most athletic,” Goldin joked While he watches anxiously, Columbine circles about him earlier, talking to the parents. “But he’s one around Danny, vultures. The defense saves a shot, and of the most fun to watch on the field. He gets the movethen another. ment for Flinn and Austin, and he’ll get the When Columbine scores, it’s abrupt. It seems like goals.” too small a thing. But there, in one short Columbine scores twice, but the Jags movement, the Jaguar season has ended. still lead. It’s 8-6 at the end of the third It’s 10-9 Columbine. quarter. Goldin turns his back to the field, “Fourth quarter! Our quarter!” they head tilted slightly up, and closes his eyes. yell. It’s a cheer the Jags do between the The three things we emIt’s over. third and fourth quarters of every game, phasize are team, class, But he tells the players the same and heart. It makes us but it’s never been so intimidating. focus on the game more. things he does after every game, win or It’s a few seconds later when the ref We’re always thinking lose. Heads up, gentlemen. Gloves off, calls a penalty on Parker Jackson. His stick how our team can beat helmets on. is illegal, and both coaches are completely their team. We play with It’s the class they’ve played with all taken aback. good sportsmanship. All season. “Sir, can I ask what’s wrong with it?” heart means don’t hold “Next season,” he tells them finally. Goldin asks. The ref answers that it’s too anything back. Every “Every time we run, every time we step narrow, and Goldin nods. game you empty your on the field, we think of this moment.” It’s ironic that in the Mountain Vista tank. It’s good motivation. This year, they Goalie Danny game, Coach Q asked for a check on a Poindexter ‘09 had little to get them going except a player’s stick that could’ve given them coach who was dedicated to having the the same advantage Columbine’s getting best team in the state. today, but was denied. The ref told him, Next year, they’ll have this one-point loss, in over“We never, ever, call those things.” time, to motivate them every time a player bends over Either way, Parker is out for three minutes, and he the orange bucket. won’t return to the field until those three minutes are Except for the seniors. Flinn’s crouched by the side of over, even if a goal is scored. the field, staring aimlessly. He won’t get another game. While they’re a man down, Columbine scores. They Not for this team, anyway. shoot again. Danny blocks it, but it bounces back, to“It’s been a good four years,” Tommy Costello ‘08, wards the goal. He scoops it up and throws it in the air, mumbles to Donder as they walk up the stairs. one motion, but the ref calls it a goal. The game’s tied. Donder nods. At the end of the game, he had tears Parker’s kneeling, nervously fiddling with his back in his eyes. They all did. up stick. His head would be hanging low, if Goldin ever The will have those four years, but more so, they will allowed it. He can’t help but feel he’s ruined his team’s always have those moments. Moments when they’d put chance at playoffs. When he finally gets to come back in, he passes a ball everything – class, heart, and team into every hit and every goal. to Austin who makes it 9-8. He’s trying to make up for It’s those moments that kept them together this seathe time that he’s lost. He’s trying to redeem himself in son. The moments of celebration, the moments of devasthe eyes of his team, and in his own. tation. The moments that happened, on the lacrosse “I love that kid,” Goldin said to Q, before the game. field, in a blink of an eye. It won’t change because of a technicality. Chelsea Long Seconds later, there’s another penalty on Drew Stormo, and it’s tied again.

“

Above: Ed Ferguson ‘08, in the game against Regis. Austin Fisher ‘09, watches the Columbine game after being injured in the fourth quarter. He insisted he was ﬁne and asked to be out back in the game but remained on the sidelines for the last few minutes of the game.

Parker Jackson ‘11, against Cherokee Trail April 22. “We started out playing for ourselves this season, but learned we can win more games when we play together,” Jackson said. “We’re still growing and getting better and better each year. I wasn’t on the team last year, but other players admit we’re better than last year. A new coaching and playing style helped us play better and better.” Photo by Jenna Scheirman

029

refugees

the rock 05.09.08

Slovakia is located in eastern Europe, and became an independent country ﬁfteen years ago. Before 1993, the Czech Republic and Slovakia were one communist country: Czechoslovakia. Now, Slovakia has joined the European Union, and many refugees desire to relocate there to participate in the growing economy and stable government, which provides protection from their dangerous homelands.

Right: Some of the Chechnyan refugees watch my Global Challenge team do community service work outside the refugee center. At ﬁrst, we were just as skeptical of them as they were of us. However, after several days, we warmed up to each other through art projects, games, and enlighting conversations over our lunchtime break. Before long, the refugees were helping my group with our projects, and made it clear how much they would miss us when we left.

‘I am alive now’ Isa Bagamedov is running for his life. I met Isa at a UN refugee camp in Slovakia: a camp in the middle of nowhere, far outside the capitol city of Bratislava.

owering fences surrounded the camp; to me, it looked more like a penitentiary than a center for refugees. He sat quietly watching my group as we painted a children’s swing set a bright, vibrant red. I had traveled to Slovakia for eight days with a group called Global Challenge: an organization dedicated to teaching high school students about international issues and community service. This trip ﬁt both purposes, as we were obviously far outside the U.S. and we were there to volunteer at the refugee camp. I knew little about refugees as I stepped on the plane leaving Denver. As it turns out, they are a much bigger international issue than anyone in my group had realized. Deﬁned, a refugee is a person who has been forced to leave their homeland due to unjust persecution because of their race, religion, nationality, or political opinion. According to the U.S. Committee for Refugees, there are approximately 12 million refugees worldwide, along with 34 million displaced by war. So Isa’s story is, in some ways, one is many millions. But as Stalin once said, one’s man death is a tragedy. A million deaths is a statistic. Once you meet Isa, he becomes far from a mere statistic.

Overcoming initial fears

Truth be told, the refugees intimidated me. So I did not think to ask Isa for his story immediately. At the time, fifteen men were living in the refugee center... fifteen men who spoke different languages and liked to stare a bit too

Left: One of the Chechnyan refugees and my Global Challenge leader, Toni Marie Meyers, do art projects inside the refugee center. These paintings will hang on the walls to serve as reminders of our visit. Right: Some members from my team and I work on painting the children’s playset outside. Although this picture doesn’t show it, everything was painted in bright primary colors.

much. It was only when I finally sat down and shut up that I was able to understand exactly why I had flown nearly halfway around the world to a country a good percentage of our student body doesn’t even know exists. As Isa began his story, he was hesitant at first. I thought it was because he was nervous to talk about his life, but he explained quickly: “I am sorry, but this is only my second time speaking English. I taught myself.” Isa Bagamedov was born in Chechnya, just south of Russia. His entire family still lives there, and if it was up to Isa, he would be with them. When Isa was 25, though, he started working for a speaker of the Chechnyan Parliament, and without any warning, was captured and detained by the Russian Secret Service. “They were looking for the speaker, but they caught me,” he said. “They did not have any information against me to imprison me. So instead they beat me and told me I could not leave. I did not know why I was being held. So they made me to sign one document, and at last they let me go. One SS member said to me as I left, ‘We will visit you again.’” The document Isa signed, however, marked Isa as a soldier of the Russian SS, and in so doing gave the Russian Secret Service the ability to manipulate Isa in anyway they chose. “After this, I stayed [in Chechnya] for awhile,” he said. “I tried to have a normal life.” Unfortunately, the speaker he had been working for did not get away as

Isa Bagamedov and I inside the refugee center, with the playground we helped construct and paint in the background.

easily. “All of the TVs and radios said he died of heart attack...but everyone knows how he died. They killed him. They had no proof he was a terrorist, but I saw it with my own eyes: they captured him. And the Russians knew I saw this, and this is why they wanted me not to be.”

He can’t go home again

Eventually, though, Isa began noticing that his house was not exactly as he had left it when he came home from work. Some of his things had been moved or looked through. “One day, my mother came to my work,” he said. “She was crying very hard and she told me they had attacked my house, looking for explosives. I knew then I had to leave.” So on January 3, 2004, Isa left the only home he had ever known to seek safety. “I spent all my money traveling across Russia, trying to ﬁnd somewhere I could live,” he said. Finally in Ukraine, he walked for twelve hours to reach the

Slovakian border, fighting against snow, rain, and wind. “It was terrible,” he said, but then smiled. “It was a sport for me though.” When Isa arrived in Slovakia, he began to seek asylum: a process that displaced persons who are endangered due to prejudices against their nationality, race, or religion can apply for to gain residence in the country they currently inhabit. Legally speaking, the Slovak Immigration Office can only detain Isa in a refugee center for three months while they make their decision, but Isa has been waiting for nearly two years. “It is not their time they are wasting,” he said. “It is mine.” When Isa first arrived in Slovakia, he was put in a quarantine camp, which is a standard procedure for all refugees. Here they are checked for diseases and other medical issues they might be bringing into the country. “I was [at the quarantine camp] and I saw some… madness… violence,” he explained quietly. “Slovak forces come there and discriminate us, they were shouting at us and treating us horribly. They wanted to take me away just because I was Chechnyan.” Isa shook his head. “I thought if I left Chechnya I would be safe, but even here I am not free, even here I am persecuted. Still, though, here I will not be beat or shot like with the Russian SS. So it is okay.” After four years of running, four years of persecution, and four years of politics, Isa is still waiting. He still has no state, no home, and no papers. “I feel myself that I am alive now,” Isa said. “Because before nobody came here, nobody was interested about us. American people are going to help people. With Russia, there is always disorder; America is not like that. If I have to choose, I will choose only America. American people respect themselves. Maybe there is some bad presidents or good presidents but there is the idea of America, and I like it.” Susie Typher

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the rock

05.09.08

ice cream!

Squeeze

A chilly, fruity ice cream alternative In a fat-filled, stomach-bulging, sugar-craving world, you need a little balance. That’s the idea behind most smoothie places. One of those, though, is taking smoothies to another level. Squeeze is making the frozen yogurt they use in their smoothies available as an ice cream-like dessert. It’s not quite ice cream, don’t get me wrong. But it’s cold and smooth, delicious, and just different enough to make you want more. It’s a relatively new offering – the cashier handed me a sample of the frozen vanilla stuff, which I gladly accepted, though I’d already planned on ordering it. While I snacked on the tiny but tasty mouthful, I looked at the toppings available. Fruits, of course, and granola, which all appealed to my green living, healthy side, as well as funner toppings, like Fruity Pebbles cereal, which appealed to my sweet tooth. In the end, I went for the fresh fruits. I got strawberries, bananas and granola. I saw them slice the banana and put it on top of my yogurt, and the strawberries smelled fantastic. The first thing I noticed upon tasting this delectable treat was that it didn’t taste exactly like ice cream. There’s a tanginess there that you typically associate with yogurt. It was perfectly balanced by the fruit, but if you’re craving a taste exactly like ice cream, this isn’t it. The other problem I had was that as I ate part of my ice cream, I realized that the yogurt made a cone on the outside, but the inside was hollow! I’ve tried it before, and that’s not a problem I’ve had, but beware. I finished a little hungry this time. All in all, I loved it. It’s a great diversion from typical ice cream, and it’s inside the mall, so you can do some shopping while you’re at it. I felt healthier than when I eat ice cream with chocolate, because of the toppings, and even if it wasn’t healthier, the taste made it worth a few calories. I give it four and a half out of five scoops! Chelsea Long

Gelazzi

This classy ice-cream parlor is on the coolest street in Denver Italy’s infamous gelato, a high end, dense and flavorful ice cream, has finally made it to Colorado. Gelazzi, born right here in Denver, is a vibrant, modern gelato shop located just off 16th Street Mall. On any given day, Gelazzi offers around 32 flavors in house. These flavors are frequently rotated as they are constantly experimenting with new ideas. Along with your usual chocolate and vanilla, they offer things as unique as Pistachio, Coconut, Pink Grapefruit, or Amaretto. If you’re not in the mood for ice cream, feel free to try one of their many coffee drinks, italian sodas, their signature ‘gelatinis’ (if you’re 21, of course), or smoothies. Make sure you hang out while you eat, too: the ambiance within the store fits right in with downtown Denver-- the walls consist of orange brick with Roman columns jutting out of a dark purple ceiling. They have plenty of chairs and tables to keep you comfortable. And hey, if you’re ever in Fort Collins, Gelazzi just recently opened its second location up there on College Avenue. Be sure to check this one out as it is specifically being marketed to college-aged students. Susie Typher

Maggie Moo’s

Award-winning -- for good reason There’s a reason why Maggie Moo’s Ice Cream has won Best Chocolate. Best Dark Chocolate. Best Vanilla. Best everything. And that, let me tell you, is probably because it is absolutely fabulous. Maggie Moo’s may be a chain, but that doesn’t diminish the quality one little bit. Everything is made fresh here – even the ice cream! – and it smells beyond amazing. But on to the main event: the ice cream. All the flavors are amazing, extra creamy, fresh-tasting – with the possible exception of the too-bright Cotton Candy or Bubble Gum flavors. Both of those taste pretty much the same, and both will dye anything they touch a lurid blue or pink, respectively. But it’s the chocolate that I come for. The dark chocolate. Rich, creamy, and semi-sweet, the Maggie’s dark chocolate earned its Blue Ribbon best. Delicious in a dark-chocolate-dipped cone (freshly made, too), it’s even better with berries – I like the raspberries the best. If I’m not in the mood for chocolate – though that’s rare, for sure – I always have an almost-equal option: Better Batter. Kitschy, I know. But I swear this is one of the best ice creams in the world, hands down: ultra-creamy, light, and true-to-inspiration, this one is the chilly, melty version of a classic birthday cake. In fact, it’s so good that I would recommend it by itself – why sully perfection? – but it tastes pretty divine with strawberries, or even chocolate chip cookie dough. Now I’m not a big fan of ice cream cakes as a general rule – but putting Better Batter in one completely changed my mind. I had some at a birthday party this summer and was completely converted – but only for Maggie Moo’s. Basically, if you like anything – and you will, because they have something for everyone, really – you can get them packed up fresh in pints and quarts for home, or buy a cake (and they aren’t that bad, price-wise). The all-star ice cream at Maggie Moo’s gets my full recommendation – and my patronage! I give it five out of five delicious scoops! Angie Baroffio

CJ’s Frozen Custard A smooth and creamy ice cream alternative

Red Rooster

A chilly, fruity ice cream alternative The cookies and cream ice cream looked delicious in the ice cream case. Cool and inviting on a hot spring day, flecked with bits of Oreo cookies. So I bought a small cup of it, deciding to forego the sample spoon. That was a mistake. The moment I placed the spoon in my mouth, I instantaneously realized the ice cream was mediocre. Good but not amazing. Store bought good. It didn’t taste homemade, as Red Rooster proudly boasts the ice cream is. I was a tad bit disappointed. But I got over it pretty quickly. What’s one flavor, right? Red Rooster offers forty different flavors including coconut, mint Oreo, and “dirt,” which is chocolate ice cream with Oreos in it. I probably just picked the wrong flavor. My sister tried the mint Oreo ice cream and she absolutely loved it. The atmosphere in Red Rooster is friendly and warm. Paintings of smiling, happy, ice cream cones, cups, and banana splits add splashes of color to the white walls in the creamery. Coloring sheets, scribbled on by small children, hang in a corner. Spindly chairs and tables are sprawled about the place. I’ll be back to Red Rooster. Next time though, I’ll be sampling the ice cream before I find and buy my perfect ice cream flavor. I give it ____ out of five scoops. Kristen Scheirman

CJ’s Custard should be eaten the same way people drink fine wine. You should smell the ice cream, you should sample the ice cream, and you should savor it. And a good general rule of thumb is that if the ice cream is over 300 calories, you know that it is going to be delicious. CJ’s is delicious. CJ’s doesn’t serve ice cream but custard, which is like ice cream only there is more cream used in the process giving the product a more savory smooth taste. The frozen custard is made fresh everyday, and they only have three flavors like the good ol’ days: Chocolate, Vanilla and a flavor of the day. You can however purchase pints of previous flavors of the day, which I did. I purchased Raspberry, Coconut, and Banana Nut. I have to say that I fell in love with the Raspberry and Coconut so much that I think I have found my new best friend, while Banana Nut wasn’t my favorite because it wasn’t nearly as smooth as the other two and had chunks in it. While the CJ’s store isn’t my favorite hang out, because it is often crowded and is kind of dirty, it’s not what you’re there for. You’re there to pick up the best comfort snack of all time, and then go home and relax and eat away. Jennifer Prusse

031

senior farewells

the rock 05.09.08

Dear Class of 2012: Live, learn – good luck

The things I’ll miss Leaving will be harder than I thought

With only five days left of my entire high school career, if you can call it a career, I feel anxious to graduate but at the same time I’ll miss some of what makes Rock Canyon, Rock Canyon. Here are just a few of the things I will miss: being forced to go to Advisement to discuss diversity in a school that couldn’t be any further away from the idea of diversity. The security guards yelling at students to take the stairs instead of the elevator, while in their own irony and hypocrisy will never take the stairs themselves. I’ll miss seeing the security standing outside at lunch in front of the Berlin Wall cinder block wall patrolling to make sure that we can’t cross over to West Berlin to freedom. Being told that I’m being treated like an adult as I’m handed a pass to use the restroom or, better yet, when I’m limited to the number of times I can use the restroom. Trying to find that one girl, who, regardless of the weather, will always be wearing a mini skirt. Eating lunch with ‘the finer things club’ in Mr. Kennedy’s Room. The staff of the newspaper, who, between all the cliques and arguments, seem to by some miracle always pull together. That I never had a definite first name to some people. I will forever be remembered as Pruss, Prusse, Jenn, Jenny. Maybe since I had so many different names I will have a better chance at being remembered! The looks on people’s faces when they find out that I’m Mormon and just sit and stare at me. My friends that I have made, who, even when I say things I shouldn’t, which we all know is often, they are still my friends. But most off all, I’ll miss playing spring tennis. I have enjoyed participating in tennis at Rock Canyon, regardless of some of the past coaches that we have had who were, well, crazy. Girls’ tennis has truly made me feel part of something. And I’ve enjoyed being part of the process of making a better team. I’ll miss match days and stuffing my face with chewy bars and Clementine’s as we huddle against the wind to cheer on the last team playing. I’ll miss sitting around and laughing at other teams quarks, and crazy girls. I’ll miss Hilary Dalton’s random stories. I’ll miss hearing Lucia Vasquez call Jaden Schupp a beast when she hits a winner three courts away. I’ll miss hearing Kim Forrester argue with the other team, and I’ll miss hearing Shelby Miles scream about some bug on the court. So my advice to anyone: live with the school, and give them what they want (good standardized testing scores so they’ll leave you alone) and find someplace where you feel comfortable and part of something, because then every other seemingly stupid thing that school does becomes a joke, because there is one place you can belong.

From left to right: Ellen Verkler, ‘08, Marilyn Kruz, ‘09, Susie Typher, ‘08, Emily Coppage, ‘08, Lindsey Skinner, ‘08 (with guest Anna Cooley, ‘08), Brielle Smith, ‘08, Michelle Barbera, ‘08, Angie Barofﬁo, ‘08, and David Nicol, ‘08, show their spirit at their sophomore Homecoming football game.

Four years of firsts

Friendship, love, and potential I made my first real friend sitting next to the stereo, listening to Fall Out Boy. I met my first real love sitting on the ground, beneath an oven. I realized my first real potential, sitting in front of a computer, writing for this paper. And it all happened at Rock Canyon. I never knew what a change I’d undergo as I went through high school. I didn’t realize it until I’d looked through pictures of me with braces and without. Of me with friends and without. Of me with boys, and without. But every day, this place brings me a new challenge and a new beginning. At every one of those challenges and beginnings, I shed my skin and turned into an entirely new person. When I made that first real friend, that girl that would stick by me through every crush we shared and every fight we endured, I didn’t realize it. I knew this new girl would be a friend, but like the ones I’d had in middle school and the first year of high school – the best of the best of friends, and then suddenly, the best at vanishing. My relationships were like that in other cases, too. I had a new flame every day I came to school. Every corner I turned, the next possible boyfriend was passing by. But in those cases, it wasn’t the boys that vanished. Before I could find out if they liked me, I disappeared. I was afraid. Of friends and boyfriends. It started when I was younger, with glasses and braces and an ever proud member of the Nerd Herd. A title given to us first by teasing boys, then by ourselves. I was afraid of being rejected, of not being good enough. If that girl decided she needed different friends, I understood. I was boring and plain and not flashy enough to be the sidekick in whoever’s life I wanted to live. That first day, when I invited that first friend, to come listen to a new album I’d bought, I was terrified. Who wanted to come over and listen to a CD? Who wanted to sit around with me, and just listen and talk? But that’s what we ended up doing. Maybe it was the convenience of being next door neighbors, or maybe the ease of talking through problems with someone, like me, so naïve and exhilarated to hear about every almost kiss, but we became friends. Eventually, she was at my house daily. I’d eat Sunday breakfast at her house, she’d have Sunday dinner at mine. It was those days, in summer and school, that made me realize I could be more than an accessory in her life. I had my own. I was growing through my awkward stage. And once I realized that I was my own person, and I was worth it, I walked with a different step. I could forego the headaches of rap and listen to my own, odd music, without people thinking I was a leper. I could walk past Abercrombie without feeling like I had to buy those clothes. I didn’t have to conform. That realization led me to the only thing I was still afraid of. A boy. This boy, I’d had a crush on for who knows how long. I’d sat in front of him in Spanish class and imagined and hoped he was staring at the back of my head, because in English, I’d been staring at his. There was something about him that I liked. I hung out with the seniors, at that time, the jocks who were too full of themselves to walk by a mirror without

pausing, at least for a second. And I loved them for that easy confidence. But this boy didn’t have that. He had something different, something I liked. We went through a series of ups and downs, something I suppose every high school relationship has to have, before we ever started dating. But after all the drama, we settled into something more than high school. I suppose every girl will try to tell you she has something special. I’m no different. I’m hoping we have something more than high school, though I really couldn’t tell you for sure. But I’m sure that I have something I’ve never had before, and that’s enough for now. I’ve spent almost a year of my life with this boy. He’s grown into someone new, of course, and so have I. I have no need to impress anyone else when I finally have someone to tell me I’m beautiful. I have no need to go out, some nights, when I’m just as content to stay in with him, in sweats and no makeup, and watch a movie I’ve seen a thousand times. I know this is all terribly cliché. But if you’ll notice, I’m not deleting any of it, because it’s all new to me. And if you’ve been following along, you’ll realize I neither try to conform nor impress anymore. The one thing I needed, now, was a passion for something I loved. That came in the form of this newspaper. I started as a freshman, on a whim, attracted to the class by the writing and of course, by the teacher that cared so much about what he did. I learned how to improve my writing, how to design a page, how to organize a staff. I made friends and enemies, and I was made into myself, today. Today, I am a girl who’s self-assured and passionate about journalism and getting people to care. I spent months at lacrosse practices and games because I think people need to know how it feels to be a member of a team like that, that’s so obsessively in love with a sport that 24 others (including the coaches) are coincidentally ardently pursuing. I hope that comes across. Today, I’m a girl proud to walk through the halls holding that boy’s hand. I know we have challenges ahead of us, and we may not be together at the end of this next school experience, but I also know I’ve got some of the best memories, and suddenly, some of the best confidence in myself, because of these times. Today, I’m a girl who knows I have countless friends that have made me into myself. And I say at least, because every one of you, whether you were one that vanished or one that’s stuck around, has given me some part of myself. Today, I’m ready to move on. I’ll miss everything about this experience. It’s been the best of my life. But in that same breath, I can say just that, and know that everything that’s happened has been preparing me for the next step. I didn’t know what I would write about when I started this. I didn’t know who I was when I started high school. I finished them both.

Over the past four years I’ve learned the interworkings of Rock Canyon. Here’s what I know: About classes: Choose classes that you are interested in. Not the ones your parents want you to take, not the ones your friends are taking, not the ones that will be the easiest. There are plenty of courses to choose from. Even though your counselor will tell you it is too late to change them, there is still time. After doing a 1920s play in fifth grade, I had always wondered what it would be like to take an acting class. I had a minor part and all that was expected was for us to memorize our lines. Sophomore year I decided to take Drama I after being persuaded and pestered by my mom, who knew I wanted to try it but also knew I was afraid of failure. Although I struggled in that class, particularly when in came to getting outside of myself (which also happens to be the essence of acting) I enjoyed myself. I enjoyed the challenge. I enjoyed floundering if it meant trying something new. I learned there is more to acting than memorizing lines and looking cute on stage, which in elementary school allowed me to succeed on stage. About the hallways: Keep in mind the halls of Rock Canyon are not dangerous. Neither are the bathrooms. Neither is the commons. Neither are the parking lots. It is safe to travel alone. You are ten times more likely to be on time to class that way. Girls walking down the hall linking arms halt traffic. Embrace independence. Walking alone doesn’t mean you are friendless. No one will even notice. Or care. About tardies: Be on time to class. Talking to your friends for 30 seconds more isn’t worth the consequences for repeated tardies. Text messaging is the perfect solution. Practice texting over the summer without looking down at your phone while maintaining an expression of interest in the lesson. It is a crucial skill for addicts. After three tardies, excused or unexcused, students will receive either Saturday school or detention. Both are a grand waste of time. It involves sitting in a room for four hours not talking, not moving, not thinking. It is four hours better spent playing WOW. The consequences for texting are less severe: having your phone taken away, being called on by a teacher who knows you aren’t paying attention, or being told to stop by a teacher. About high school clichés: The cliché that says high school is the best four years of your life is codswallop. Don’t believe a word of it. Start to be skeptical of what authority figures tell you. I’ve yet to meet a test that is “fun.” However, the cliché that says high school flies by is true. Take advantage of opportunities to participate and attend the various activities and events available. I regret never attending a school orchestra, band, or choir concert. I never got around to it and now it is too late. I know all the work students and teachers put into those shows and I never showed support for those programs. And here’s the single most important thing I learned at RCHS: you can learn the most from going outside of your comfort zone.

32 0

senior farewells

the rock

05.09.08

Left: Tim O’Connor, ‘08, and David Derks, ‘07, express their deep and abiding love for each other in the halls during O’Connor’s sophomore year. Right: Seniors Megan McNally and Naomi Meredith pose in front of California Adventure in Anaheim, California during their senior newspaper and yearbook conference.

A thank you This is for the people who started me on my way Four years ago, I walked around this building with uncertainty, blue schedule sheet clutched tightly in my hands, double checking room numbers before entering the door. Now, I know this school by heart: I’ve been on the roof, on the catwalk in the theatre, in the storerooms back behind the cafeteria, in the darkroom in the art department. Four years ago, I made an appointment with my counselor to switch me out of Team Sports for Journalism, because I thought being on the yearbook staff sounded like fun. I ended up sitting front row in Jack Kennedy’s first ever Journalism class, and he informed us that we would also be producing the first three issues of Rock Canyon’s newspaper. Four years ago, I had no idea where I would be now, and I had no idea how much I would learn in high school... and even more than that, how much I would learn through journalism. I realize that being on the staff of the newspaper isn’t like being on the football team or the poms squad. I realize people are only humoring us when they clap as administrators read off our awards at the occasional school assembly. I realize that at best, a quarter of the student body even reads the newspaper at all, and at worst, a quarter of the student body doesn’t even pick it up when it gets delivered. I realize that other than the night time janitors, no one understands that we have been here as late as 1:15 a.m. trying to finish an issue of the paper... no one understands that each page takes hours of planning, that each picture was picked over 200 others we had to sift through, that each headline was chosen only after four others were rejected. But for me, journalism has been my niche for the past four years, and without it, I would be an entirely different person. There have been 31 issues of the rock, and I’ve been a part of every one of them. I was here when it was named. I helped pick out the fonts. I’ve been an editor for three years. Thanks to journalism, I’ve been able to hang out in the locker room with the football team, and backstage with the theatre kids. I’ve interviewed chess club members and the culinary club and freshmen I never would’ve met if some newspaper assignment hadn’t required me to do it. Journalism has forced me to step outside my comfort zone and learn something new about a subject completely foreign to me. In so doing, I have been able to learn new things about myself. Four years ago, the name Jack Kennedy was just a name on that blue schedule sheet, listed directly under ‘Advisement’ and ‘Journalism’. In later years, it was also listed under ‘AP Lang & Comp’, ‘Teacher Aide’, and of course, ‘Newspaper’. Four years ago, Jack Kennedy was just another teacher at this school to me. Now, though, he is much more than a teacher to me: he is a mentor, he is a second dad, and he’s a friend. I’ve yelled at him and I’ve cried to him and I still make fun of him on a nearly daily basis, but one thing is certain: just as I will never forget the invaluable lessons he’s taught me... not just about journalism, but about life, I will never forget the impact he has had on who I am today. And this is my encouragement to teachers: most

This is it

No end or beginning... only life days we might not be listening, we might fail a test and blame it on your lack of teaching instead of our lack of studying; we might text incessantly when we think you’re not looking. But I promise you that there is at least one student who will never forget what you have done for them. And that should be enough to make everything you do worth it. Over the past four years, I’ve written 31 columns for this publication. I’ve had people come up to me in the hallways and tell me they’ve cried over my pieces. I’ve heard that people I’ve never met hate me because they think I’m too liberally minded. I’ve been called naive. I’ve made hundreds of mistakes. I’ve regretted publishing something the minute after it has been printed. Regardless of the past, though, this will be my last column I will write for the rock. Next year, I will be attending Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and will hopefully get the opportunity to write for their paper, the Lariatt. I plan on continuing to pursue my passion for journalism, but more importantly I plan on continuing to learn how to step outside my comfort zone and push myself, just as Jack has taught me. For me, journalism is the best method to do that. I know I can be successful here. Obviously, journalism isn’t the best avenue for everyone, and I would never suggest that being on the newspaper staff is the key to success at Rock Canyon. My call to action is simple, though: I encourage each and every underclassman to find something they can get involved in here at the school. It could be a sport, or theatre, a club, or an academic activity. I encourage you to find something that you are passionate about, something that gives you a reason to come to school on that dreary February day when there seems to be no end in sight to the monotonous routine. Find something that forces you to meet others who are equally as passionate in the subject. Find something that forces you to grow, forces you to learn. Because ultimately, that is what high school is about. It’s not about test scores or book reports or grades or even the SATs and ACTs… it’s about finding out what you’re made of: what you love, what you hate, what ultimately allows you to walk across that stage at Shea Stadium and receive your diploma. It’s about finding out who you are and discovering something you love enough that you are willing to take the time to learn about it. It’s about finding people who inspire you. It’s about those teachers that teach you lessons outside of a textbook. And now? It’s about learning how to move on, begin a new chapter, and never forget the lessons Rock Canyon has taught me.

I keep coming back to the same questions. What’s the purpose? Why am I here? I keep coming back to the same answer. Because, in school I learn the fundamental skills I will need when I graduate. Reading. Writing. Basic math. Yeah, that was the stuff in kindergarten and elementary school, but nonetheless it was part of my education. Because, in school I learn how to interact with my peers. Social skills that are learned now are invaluable. Just think, what if I didn’t have that chance to meet people and get to know people and learn how to make friendships that last? How would I learn to share parts of myself with other people? How would I learn to recognize when someone else tries to do the same? Because, in school I get the opportunity to play sports and I chose to do so. Many times there are kids who don’t take advantage of sports and the teamwork experience that it has to offer. That’s the arena where I learn the power of numbers, where I learn how to work as a unit to achieve a goal, where I learn failure and teach myself how to keep moving forward. Because, in school I learn how to interact with people who are older than me – some more than others – and some that are younger – who act much, much younger. I learn respect – some of us do – and I learn that there is a right and wrong way to act. We teenagers always think we’re right. For lack of another cliché, newsflash: we really aren’t. Seriously, step back from the situation. See all sides. Understand your teachers and parents…they have invaluable lessons to teach. High school can go a few ways. We can decide that we think we are better than the system, that it doesn’t matter. Ok, your choice. Or we can decide that there is something to be learned here. Maybe there is some lesson that we are missing. Maybe it’s not about calculus or chemistry or Chopin, but it’s about life. Maybe it’s about school work. A lot of the time school work will seem like the only thing and that there isn’t a purpose to the busy work. However… There are lessons and a purpose in math. We’ll probably need to know how to add and subtract or how to deal with our finances when we’re older. There are lessons and a purpose in science. Science is the study of the world around us. With it, we learn of the smallest molecular forces to the largest of gravity and the universe. To love and care for something, we have to know it. There are lessons and a purpose in English. The ability to communicate is our most fundamental skill. Whether it’s talking or reading or writing, everyone will talk and read and write – I’m hoping – after they leave school. There are lessons and a purpose in history. To paraphrase the famous saying, “If we fail to learn from the mistakes of history, we are doomed to repeat them.” This is life. Life doesn’t begin when we graduate from high school. This is it right here and right now. The knowledge we gain here we use and will use until we call it quits and, as they say, “Kick the bucket.” So the purpose is to learn how to stand on our own two feet. We learn as we grow and we live. No parents. No safety net. No nothing. Wourld.

033

senior farewells

the rock 05.09.08

Passion and necessity

We need to prove ourselves worthy of something better

From left to right: Ryan Sohl ‘08, and Andy Pahl ‘08, and the thumb of Grant Dahl ‘08, vamp it up for the camera backstage at the RC After Prom Fashion Show.

Learning tolerance

Who really knows what they want to do, let alone what they are going to do once they grow up? I’ve always felt like I have a pretty good idea. I’ve been involved in art for a long time and I have always thought that is what I am going to do. It wasn’t really until this year when I’ve opened my eyes to all the possibilities and opportunities of the world. This year I was lucky enough to have a role in the musical, Fiddler on the Roof. I was able help start up and play in our band, Static Rebellion. I got to be the Editor of the yearbook (which I hope everyone will love). And I had a job as a ski instructor teaching three, four, five, and six year-olds how to ski. Phew! That was a lot of stuff. And all of it was awesome, but makes me sad that I just discovered all of it this year though. I would have loved to explore all of these things more before I leave for college. Maybe that’s what college is for? I’m not sure I haven’t been there yet. But I would say to any and all underclassmen, keep your eyes open. In this community, I think it is easy to accept whatever comes to us first, because it is usually already better than average, and quit searching. I feel like I fell victim to that, right up until this year. And maybe I needed the thought of leaving home to make me reach out grab everything around me before it was to late. But I’m telling you, don’t wait. On another note, I think too much emphasis and importance is put on how much money we will make with our future careers. Whatever happened to happiness? Or is money really what should be making us happy? It

One little boy taught me a very big lesson

I use to go to camp every summer, and at the beginning of the week, we would do activities with a group of other kids our age. There was this kid named Stephan. Stephan seemed like a reserved, quiet guy, and didn’t ever say anything. He didn’t do activities with the rest of us, and sat out all of the time, buried in a book. This was frustrating to all the campers as it made the teams un-even. When we would have discussions on various topics, he never participated. Stephan seemed like he thought he was too good for the rest of us. The other guys in his cabin didn’t even know what his deal was. None of the fellow campers, including myself (regrettably), liked him very much because of his attitude. Before going to bed, we would have “Vespers” and talk about the day and our lives at home, read passages from the bible and reflect how they influence our lives. Stephan said nothing. As a result, his counselor looked at him, and asked the question more slowly with a considerable amount of patience. Stephan looked back at him with a blank face - a face of confusion. The counselor was calm and understanding, and then asked the question in a different way. Stephan returned the same stare as he did previously. Stephan went to his bag and pulled out the book that he had been buried in for the past two days. Finally, I could see what it said; German- English dictionary. My stomach dropped. “Stephan was from Germany, flew into DIA two days prior as his dad had business in Colorado,” our counselor explained. Stephan’s dad had no choice but to take Stephan since he was going to be in the states for awhile. When Stephan found out he was coming to the U.S., he began trying to memorize English phases. While holding the dictionary, scratch pieces of paper with common phrases translated, fell to the floor. This was the piece of paper he would show the counselors when he had something to say. Us kids thought it was because he thought he was too good and liked being sneaky and weird. What seemed to have been glares was merely Stephan trying to understand what we were saying. I felt like the worst person in the world. However, in a situation like this, all you can do

to redeem yourself is change how you act with this new information; become more understanding and patient. I was really hard on myself for being so impatient when I knew nothing about Stephan. I realized then, everyone fights their own battles. From there on, I vowed to myself I would never be as closed-minded. I learned why Stephan didn’t try to say these phrases, but instead point to say what he needed to. The counselor read off the same kind of scrap paper, but this time retrieving it from his own back pack. The note read along the lines: “I tried to say things but people no understand they no help me because no understand. My accent is too big and no one understand me what I say to them, one person made fun and I don’t like that,” the counselor looked up and the pain of being so ignorant hurt worse then I thought it ever could. He was afraid to mess up because he was ridiculed by someone, like me, who didn’t care to look for the battle he faced and the reasons why this was a challenge to fit in. The next day, Stephan was everyone’s favorite person. We would ask questions slowly and he would answer in broken English. He picked up our language quickly and liked to flirt with the girls, in a cute non-creepy way. He loved to talk about soccer and was very good at it. Stephan had truly broken out of his shell. It makes me sad to think that I was that ignorant and didn’t care to know the story behind a person I knew. From this experience I learned that everyone deals with hardships in their lives, and it important to be patient. Patience is truly a virtue and a blessing. I believe it is incidents like these that make us stronger people, especially when we can recognize the error of our ways and look at it as an opportunity to change and grow from our mistakes.

better not be. I want to help people. Better yet, I want to make people happy. That’s what makes me happy. Shouldn’t that be what I’m most concerned with? If money is supposed to buy us things that make us happy, what do I need money for if I already get to do what makes me happy? I hate to get up on my soapbox; it’s not really my style. But I realize I won’t make a lot of money being an artist, or a teacher, or a park ranger, or whatever, and that’s perfectly ok with me. Do what you love, don’t get caught up in the shallowness of our small society that hardly represents much of America, much less the world. Sorry, I don’t mean to get angry, but sometimes we need someone to lay things out bluntly. To light that ﬁre under our bellies, so we can prove the man wrong. So prove me wrong. Show me that students from Rock Canyon are meant for more than just high salaries, but happiness.

34 0

senior farewells

the rock

05.09.08

From left to right: Ed Ferguson ‘08, Ellen Verkler, ‘08, Angie Barofﬁo, ‘08 (with date), Alex Abreu, ‘09, Michelle Barbera, ‘08, Martin Hughes, ‘08, Melissa Newman, ‘08, Lindsey Skinner, ‘08, Kevin Baker, ‘08, Rachel Baysinger, ‘08, and Spencer Kirwin, ‘07, pose for pictures before senior prom.

A brand new start

I may be leaving this behind, but I have something to look forward to

Clockwise from bottom: Seniors Sarah Guillen, Alyse Strampel, and Lucia Vazquez pose together at the start of last summer.

We’re going to Disneyland! From right to left: Seniors Megan McNally, Susie Typher, Angie Barofﬁo, Naomi Meredith and Max Rowe graduate Mickey Mouse-style!

I do not want to live regretting what I have not done. In a speech given by Elie Weisel in 1999, the famous author questioned how we can – as people, as citizens of the free world – remain indifferent to the hardships of others. It’s something that I think about every day. It’s something that I am struggling to avoid, because I want to be a person who has a sense of civic responsibility. “Indifference,” Elie Weisel said, “elicits no response. Indifference is not a response.” In short, apathy engenders more apathy. And I want so badly to break that cycle in myself: partially because I know that I can’t necessarily do it for anyone else, and partially because I feel like it’s something I’m meant to do. When I entered high school, a fourteen-year-old string bean with brains but no passion, I wasn’t expecting to be inspired. But things changed. Four years later, I’m ready. I’m ready to leave my comfortable beige suburban bubble and make a difference. I’m ready to change myself and then change my environment and then change the world. So far, I’ve done very little. But I think that I have the potential to really do something. To not just talk, but also achieve. I have the resources, and the support. I have the opportunities. But I need to shed my hesitation. I am a sensitive person. I cry at stories and sunsets and movies. I over-interpret and overanalyze and get defensive. But despite those things, I fail to act. Even now, writing this, thinking like this, I fail to act. I embody my own failure. It’s not that I am indifferent or apathetic – never that – but I might as well be. My parents are movers and shakers of a very realistic variety. They were the ones who inspired in me an enthusiasm for social justice and a compassion for people. But it’s up to me to actually take that to the next level. Anyone can talk. I’m the one who has to make activism a reality in my own life. My teachers are deeply affecting. They inspire kids like me to try something new, pursue passions I hadn’t thought about before. Aside from my father, I think Mr. Kennedy and Ms. Sayers (oops – Cullen, I mean) are the smartest people in the world. And Mr. Ferguson makes chemistry look like my good subject. They make a difference to kids like me everyday. And I wonder: can I ever be so important? I hang out with some of the brightest kids in Rock Canyon. Two of my friends are going to Duke. One’s going to be a doctor. One’s going to Michigan, another to Brandeis, another to CU Denver. One’s going to Boulder to become an environmental lawyer. No joke. These girls are brilliant. Environmental law? Let’s just say that there’s one career where activism and making a difference won’t be a problem. What I wouldn’t give for dreams like those. If I could aspire to anything, it would be to have an indelible impact. I want to feel like my carbon footprint was repaid with something important. Which is what makes the things I see in the news, in civil

rights newsletters, by word-of-mouth so much more painful. There is genocide in my world. People die pointlessly in my world. People hurt at the hands of others in my world. And I do nothing. I can make excuses: I’m only eighteen, I have no money, I’m not strong enough. But there are people all over the world who reject excuses – not as many as there should be, certainly – and make a difference. I will be one of them. I won’t make those excuses anymore, because too much time and effort has been invested in me – by my family, my teachers, even my friends – for me to waste my potential for change. “Indifference is not only a sin,” Elie Weisel said in his speech, “but a punishment.” We deserve every minute of that – I deserve every minute of that – but we should be avoiding punishment. Isn’t that what people do? Avoid what makes them afraid. When I heard a Colorado Springs Republican representative call Mexican immigrant workers “illiterate peasants” – even though he and those who supported his statement sure aren’t about to work the jobs that immigrants work for next to nothing – I got fired up. When I heard about the skittishness of the UN in addressing the genocide in Darfur – even though it is an eerie reflection of events like the Holocaust and the conflict in Sierra Leone – I got fired up. When I heard about the twelve year old little boy who was murdered by another student at his middle school because he was gay – and then listened to lawmakers fail to address the larger problem of discrimination against homosexuals – I got fired up then, too. Because those people are all afraid. Afraid of things they don’t know much about, afraid of things that might get them hurt, afraid of things like change. But I’m too passionate about people to let myself sit idly by, or even to allow other people to do the same. And I’m not afraid. There is a quote on Mr. Kennedy’s white board: “Comfort the afflicted. Afflict the comfortable.” That is the mission of “The Rock.” And now – after four years of looking for something to make my own life important, four years of asking questions, and four years of being inspired – that is going to be the mission of me.

editorial

A year in review As the year comes to a close, the staﬀ of the rock believes we shouldn’t be the only ones grounded over the summer ROCK CANYON FINAL GRADES 2007-08

The Spirit Rock

The big ol’ RC boulder is ﬁnally living up to what it was supposed to be. Just about every sports team and club has added at least one layer, and every week it’s something new. We’re pretty sure all that paint is making it look bigger, too.

Admin

Administration actually meant authority this year, and much to our dismay they called our bluffs. We had someone actually watching over us this year, for better or worse. Maybe a little too watchful though...

Spirit

Wait, are spring sports not as important as fall sports? Apparently not, because the spring sport pep assembly was MIA this year. On top of that, the average attendance at any given sporting event is four people. That’s the spirit...

Library

Is the administration hiding something really valuable in the library? Because it’s harder to get in there than a bank vault. A sign up sheet during access? Would you like us to provide a urine sample, retinal scan, and ﬁngerprint veriﬁcation too?

Lunch

There are many new lunch options, and they actually taste like food! RC has really stepped it up in the food department, and we feel healthier than ever. But there is always room for improvement...

A B F

Tardies Sports Teachers

The “tardy? that sucks, get in line” policy is still going strong, but seemingly without effect. The attendance line is as long as ever on any given morning, and the threat of detention apparently doesn’t scare RC students. Maybe it’s time for plan

Despite the lack of support and spirit, RC sports teams are still chugging along. With multiple teams having near misses at playoff spots, tennis and girls golf headed to state, and varsity hockey going to playoffs, we no longer have to hide our RC pride...

A solid and ever evolving staff of teachers is key to running a successful school, and RC is chock full of ﬁne educators. But seriously ladies and gentlemen, you still can’t cram 4 months of work into the last two weeks. We know it’s tempting.

It’s hard to grade something that you don’t have, ya know? What happened to second semester dances? I guess they are somewhere with the spring sports pep rally... But hey, prom was certainly a night to remember, and afterprom was awesome...

Building Security

The golf cart is rarely out of commission, and for some reason it still makes us chuckle. And we can’t forget the ever-ready Dan Navaro, who has eyes like, well, a Navajo. “Hey guy!”

Challenge received

A voice in the crowd

Fighting with Slowly but anonymity surely

Waves: a poem

Thank the Goddess. Someone ﬁnally spoke up about the apathy in this school who isn’t me. My name is Robin Freysinger, and if you don’t know me, you probably know my reputation. I am a seventeen year old, a student, an actress, a singer, a hugger, a lesbian, a Wiccan, and a normal teenager… kind of. You’ve seen me in the halls; a loud voiced, animated, righteous person who is raucous and uses those negative stereotypes like “dyke” and “lesbo” to my advantage because if I don’t, they will be used against me. I go to Denver when I can to participate in sit-ins and marches for a variety of causes, but mostly for Gay Rights issues. I have tried to organize the students here to stand up and act about something, or anything, but they never do. On April 25th a national day of silence was held, as it is every year (each time for something diﬀerent), and this year in honor of a boy from Louisiana who was 14 and outwardly gay. He was shot at school for his sexual orientation. This day of silence is held every year in honor of people who are killed by hate crimes and those who die from AIDS every year. As a member of the LBGTQ community and as a human being I try and stand up every day for what I believe in. I try to make my voice heard to improve the lives of as many people as I can, but sometimes one voice can get lost in the crowd. On the national day of silence the voice of many can be much more powerful than the cries of one. Robin Freysinger ‘08

I am a student at Rock Canyon. I am a cyber-terrorist. Well, that is what the Church of Scientology thinks. Newspapers call my group “the first internetbased superconsciousness. Anonymous is a group, in the sense that a flock of birds is a group…they’re traveling in the same direction. At any given moment, more birds could join, leave, or peel off in another direction entirely.” I have been a part of Anonymous for the last few months, and it has been quite an experience. Anonymous fights against the Church of Scientology. They do this through holding marches on Scientology centers once a month. I helped plan the Anonymous march on 4/12/08, Rock Canyon’s Prom night. That night, thousands marched in over 108 cities in over 80 countries. Anonymous wears Guy Fawkes as seen in “V for Vendetta” to hide our faces and inspire revolution. This Saturday will attend a march in Englewood. So in response to an article in “The Rock” last week, asking for more rebellion in our schools: some of us rebel in our own ways, we all should fight for the cause we find just or pertinent at the time. Youtube “anonymous” for more information. Anonymous by request

Silence Blinded by tears Shaded from all the things I thought I could be Whirring of an ever constant mind that will not rest After midnight staring in silence at mind-numbing darkness Its funny how one little word can change so much Waves of emptiness flow through me as I stare At things I cannot touch Goals only money can buy Broadway lights glaring back at me NYU shaking its index finger from side to side All before I ever get the chance to say a word Lament passes through me Questions flow into space Recorded nowhere Emptiness never heals Inner chills never stop Why should the world care about me? Many days I find myself on a stage Others find me silenced by a grievance I can’t express Yet some find me hopeful of a new wave Anonymous by request

Editor’s Note: In the April 2008 issue of the rock, staff member Kate Jones ‘09, wrote a column which issued a challenge to all Rock Canyon students to rise up and make their voices heard through protest. In response to this column, the rock received the three letters and one poem above. the rock would like to thank the writers for their response, and encourage all of our readers to respond to anything that interests them in coming issues.

Rock Canyon High School 5810 McArthur Ranch Road Highlands Ranch CO 80124 Phone 303.387.3131 / Fax 303.387.3001

the rock

The goals of the rock, the student newspaper of Rock Canyon HS, are to inform, educate, and entertain readers, as well as to provide an educational opportunity for the students who produce it. the rock invites your comments, especially in the form of letters to the editor. Letters should not exceed 250 words. Coverage ideas, cartoons, photos, or anything else you want to share are also encouraged. Professional Memberships: Colorado High School Press Association, National Scholastic Press Association, and Quill & Scroll Society

Editorial Board Executive Editor ..................Susie Typher News Editor ...................... Chelsea Long Sports Editor ................ Jenna Scheirman Features Editor ............... Alyssa Davanzo Perspectives Editor ...........Angie Barofﬁo Design/Photo Editor .............. Max Rowe Non-Voting Adviser ........... Jack Kennedy Reporting & Photo Staff Aaron Brunhofer Mike Dydyn Dusty Ellis Ethan Gottula Gabi Johnson Kate Jones Kayla Kallery Micah McDonald Megan McNally

Valery Meusburger Paisley Morrison Ryan Morrissey Jennifer Prusse Kristen Scheirman Mandy Shapiro Tori Sheehan Blake Smith Hannah Wellman

Somewhere in HRHS David Nicol

GOT A MINUTE? YOU SO

ROCK!

AP testing has begun, which means all actual learning has effectively ended! Hooray! And, with no late bells, we all have a perfectly acceptable excuse to be late to every single class. RCTV’s bright red rock. It was lovely. If only they put as much effort into entertaining viewers during announcements as they did in painting that rock. But hey, people only have so much energy, right? Painting that rock was hard work. Almost the entire Varsity tennis team is going to state. Maybe we should start putting our football budget towards a team that actually wins… Thankfully someone recognized the danger, and repainted the parking lot lines three weeks before school ends. At least all that summer trafﬁc around RC will be well guided now... YOU SO

School Dances

I’m glad to see that someone has recognized the suffocating apathy here at Rock Canyon, but honestly, it is unlikely that anything much is going to coax students here into mass protest. Remember that RCHS is part of Douglas County, one of the most conservative in the nation. In such a conservative school, those of us who do advocate social change are hard pressed to find others who share our opinions, and even more so, to find anyone willing to participate in any sort of protest. We must adopt other tactics for propagating our ideas. I take any opportunity to discuss political issues, specifically involving Anarchism, that I can get. I circulate books and essays around to whoever will read them. I dressed in black for International Workers Day. Plus, I make Anarchist art. The high schools in Boulder and California that Kate mentioned are fundamentally different from Rock Canyon. They already have plenty of progressive thought circulating, but here at RC we’re still planting the seeds. Elliot Padgett ‘09

035

the rock 05.09.08

DON’T ROCK.

Because of the Writers Strike, none of the prime-time TV shows have ended their season yet. How are we supposed to study for our AP tests when Grey’s Anatomy is on? Senior pranks? Tick tock, tick tock… we’re waiting… Having to come to school the same day as our AP tests. Too bad we will be sick, have doctors appointments, have to see dentists, pay visits to orthodontists, attend funerals, come down with nasty cases of food poisoning, find out that our grandmothers have flown into town, and we have developed weird rashes. Guess we can’t come to school. Chemistry classes tie-dyed t-shirts. The Physics classes went to Elitches to “learn about physics” and the lit of film class missed an entire day of school to go to the movie theater to see “Ironman.” Actually learning at Rock Canyon? Why that’s just silly. YOU HAD THE RIGHT TO REMAIN

SILENT.

“One time I licked her head because it looked fuzzy, like a peach. But it didn’t taste like a peach.” Naomi Meredith ’08, talking about her baby sister. “If I ever had to eat a human being, I’d go for the well done thighs.” English teacher Andy Levine talking about how he likes dark meat “If you got stuck in a room and were starving to death, would you rather be stuck with a skinny hot girl you’d have to eat or a really fat girl so you would have more food?” David Brookman ’09, in response. “I want my own self portrait to hang over my ﬁreplace.” Hillary Dalton ‘09

Opinions of the staff of the rock are presented as editorials. We also feature a number of columnists and commentary writers. Their opinions are their own. First three copies of the rock are free, and additional copies are available for 50 cents each. Want extra copies? Check the library, racks near pod doors, or the Publications Lab, room 8550.

Recent Honors & Awards • NSPA All-American 2007. • George Gallup Award 2006, 2007. • Third Place Best of Show (17 pp +), April, 2008 JEA/NSPA Convention. • Second Place Best of Show (17 pp +), November, 2007 JEA/NSPA Convention. • First Place Best of Show (17 pp +), April, 2007 JEA/NSPA National Convention. • 4A CHSPA Sweepstakes Winner 2006, 2007 • 3A CHSPA Sweepstakes Winner 2005

the rock editorial board: Max Rowe, Susie Typher, Angie Baroﬃo, Chelsea Long, Jenna Scheirman, Alyssa Davanzo The First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

036

move over, seniors

the rock

05.09.08

This year’s kindergarten students will eventually graduate from high school in the year 2020. As RC seniors leave this year, the rock wanted to take a walk down memory lane and asked ‘08 graduates what it was like to be in kindergarten. Then we hung out with these kindergarten students at Redstone Elementary, right down the road, and talked to them about what they think high school will be like and what they plan on doing with their lives.

Nate Polakowski wants to be a fire fighter so he can honk the horn. He also wants to be a dad with one kid named Blake. When Cambrie Vergeire grows up she wants to be a horseback rider because it’s fun and you get to ride everywhere. Teacher Laura Farah instructs her class how to pot their flowers and how to help the flowers survive for May day.

Roger Rosengarten and Brennan Leck play hockey during free time. Roger wants to be a professional hockey player when he grows up.

Hindsight is 20/20

Art by the dreamers.

Connor Rakers demonstrates his ﬂy skateboard moves on a block of wood.

Ellie Stolley plants her pot for May day.

Luke Lamkin listens to directions.

Britt Nichols paints on bubble wrap to press on paper. “I’m afraid of high school because teachers ask a lot of questions,” Britt said.

Jeffry Nilsson and Parker Savage look for construction paper to make create their new masterpiece during free time.

Seniors... what did you want to be when you grew up? “When I was in kindergarten, I wanted to be a pilot.”

Adam Yeagle

“I wanted to be several things: a vet, a whale trainer and a famous person.”

Leah Web

“I wanted to be a pro baseball player.”

Tyler Williamson

“I wanted to be a doctor.”

“The letter ‘Z’.”

Kyle Shepard

“I wanted to be a ballerina.” “An astronaut.”

Amy Smits Collin Roll

“I wanted to be a farmer.” “A cowboy.”

Cheers! Makenzie Tenny holds up her ﬂower she potted in class.

Kyler Peterson Andy Pahl

Annie Walker

What did you think high school would be like? “I thought high school would be focused and that the students would be more mature.” Ellen Verkler “I didn’t know there was one.” Jonathan Strickland “Like ‘Clueless’, duh!” Chelsi Vecchiarelli “I just knew that high school kids were huge.” Andy St. Pierre “I imagined there would be a lot of parties, drugs and alcohol.” Brielle Smith

Cody Lange and a classmate use the blocks to build a mall. “Cody helped me with the balancing act,” the classmate said.

Grace Haas wants to be a vet when she grows up because she likes animals.