Vol 5 the rock feb 25, 2009

the

rock Student Voice of Rock Canyon High School

Check out pages 12 & 13

Champs!

5810 McArthur Ranch Road • Highlands Ranch, CO 80124 • 303.387.3000 Volume 5, Number 6 • February 25, 2009

Photo by Dusty Ellis

campus news the rock

2/25/09

T S A L T

A T I EG

n o i t n na

o i t a t i d e r c

c A : RC

For over six years this school has been in operation. For over six years kids have come and gone and graduated into their next step of their lives. For over six years administrators have tinkered with school policy and walked the halls, ushering students this way and that. And for over six years Rock Canyon has never been accredited. On Feb. 19, however, RC finally gained its legitimacy in the eyes of higher education when an accreditation board performed its first check-up. For inner city schools with struggling programs, accreditation can mean severe alterations and policy changes. Rock Canyon does not have to worry about that, but is still a useful tool. “We aren’t worried about failing, but it’s still nice to get have an outside source help us find out weaknesses,” said Assistant Principal Greg Doan. The board is made up of district employees, Principals, Assistant Principals from other schools, and parents from advisory committees. They spent the day touring the school, sitting in on classes, and having meetings with teachers and students. Whether or not students were receiving a sub-par education was not a worry for Rock Canyon, but there were still many topics to be discussed. Top of the list was how Access is used and whether or not it should be longer. Beyond that, Advisement and our use of technology were also on the accreditation board’s agenda. “A group of students had a meeting with the board to discuss what the student body wanted,” said Becca

At far left: Two accreditors discuss the state of Rock Canyon on their visit last Thursday. Above: Librarian Janet Williams jokes with an accreditor. Photos by Connor Dozois Gibbens ’09. “We got a chance to tell them what we think the school needs.” Although RC passed the accreditation with flying colors, there are certainly more changes from this visit on top of the ones already expected. But most change won’t be seen until next year. “I think next year was going to bring change anyway,” said Joe Kappes ‘09. “So the accreditation is just telling us what we already know,” The accreditation board has come and gone, but they will almost certainly leave in their wake notable changes to both school policy, and the way the students daily lives look. Logan Thompson

The Goals of Accreditation •Emphasize Colorado Department of Education service and support focused on student results

•Include measures of student growth and postsecondary readiness

•Ensure accreditation decisions are defensible and comparable across the state

•Link greater student progress to more district autonomy through tiered CDE reviews

•Eliminate duplicative paperwork through a streamlined contract

Rock Canyon administrators asked the Accreditation team to take a close look at Advise/Access, the RtI program (Response to Intervention), and how students see relevance in their education. The team also took a look at the School Improvement Plan, which includes work on improving student writing, integration of technology and relevance of the curriculum.

brites AP Literature Pastries and poetry English teacher Suzanne Lustie’s first period class enjoyed last Wednesday’s block period not at school but in the tastefully inspiring atmosphere of Panera Bread. Over bagels and hot drinks, students wrote poetry – well, were supposed to write poetry – and chatted. The poems were shared the next block day, which just left the students wishing for another relaxed writing session at the local coffee shop. Brittni Haggard

US History An eye-opening experience As students walked into Mat Henbest’s US HIstory class on Feb. 20, he was waiting at the door, peering deep into each student’s eyes. He wasn’t trying to administer vision tests nor get a glimpse of his students’ souls; he was just checking eye color. As a lesson in segregation, all the blue-eyed students were herded into a small taped-in area, isolated from the other students, as seen above. However, not every student took the segregation without protest. Mandy Grimes ‘10, decided to pull a Rosa Parks and leave the blue-eyed quarantine to show her disapproval of the separation. Or maybe she was sick of sitting on the floor. Kyle McDaniel

Girls swimming Cupcakes and catcalls Every time I pass another state champion swimmer, it has become a necessity to yell, at the top of our lungs, “Hey, State Champ!” Now I can hear the phrase echoing down the halls every passing period even if I can’t see my teammates. Nothing brightens your day like a friendly reminder that you’re the best. Erin Rome ‘09, had promised the swimmers cupcakes if they won state, and she didn’t disappoint. Blue-frosted cupcakes, adorned with red candy fish, filled the hands of each state swimmer this week. Swimmer Jehan Atoe ‘09, had a special request for Rome; sharks. “I wanted sharks because sharks are so frickin’ sweet,” she said. “They eat all the fast fishes. When I got those cupcakes, I felt so overwhelmed... I even started to tear up.”

The boys soccer State Champions have huge rings to show their achievement; we have cupcakes. Meghan Long

Saturday at Overland A poem by Sarah Linke ‘09

Jake Scheyer ‘10, takes a break from the exhausting school day. Sometimes it’s just too hard to keep your eyes open. Photo by Paige Hesen

Nice shoes

In French class today, a senior complimented a freshman on her shoes. When she received the kind words , she stumbled out a shaky, “Thank you!” Her eyes lit up; she blushed and looked down. Her toes wriggled in her sparkly sandals as she stared at her feet. A single compliment can go such a long way. Alex Tuccy Congratulations to seniors Sarah Linke and Elliot Padgett and junior Sara Kleinkopf for their semantic skills. All three qualified for the state speech tournament on Mar. 13 and 14.

Nice shirt

A Rock Canyon student receives a raffle ticket from the “Own Your C” truck that visited campus last Thursday. The brightly colored truck so resembled an ice-cream truck that many students returned to the lunchroom, popsicle-less, to inform their friends that the truck was not, in fact, a font of frozen treats. Own Your C is a anti-tobacco program that encourages kids to make good choices and to own their decisions. The truck raffled off tickets; however, senior David Brookman finagled his way into a fashionable t-shirt without a ticket. “It’s my charm,” he explained, and then asked, “What is this shirt even for? Hannah Wellman

The first round of debate is at 6:30 a.m. and awards are at 11:45 p.m., hopefully. Poetry is like a speech and debate competition. Tedious, tiring, timeconsuming, and to no avail. Nothing compared to Lincoln’s address at Gettysburg Contentions, contentions, contentions, and more contentions The gavel shoots at you to pay attention. The first round of debate is at 6:30 a.m. and awards are at 11:45 p.m., hopefully. Slinke argues what the resolution really means but they disagree. Noisy counter-arguments reaching no conclusion. Again the gavel goes bang, bang, bang. Crossfire with screaming debaters is lovely. Poetry is a fake piece of legislature.

campus news the rock

2/25/09

Quoted

Presidential profile

What’s the most important responsibility of a Student Body President?

Senior Sarah Classen juggles responsibility of highest student office with hectic schedule, life

“

Long before the epic battle between the John McCain and Barack Obama, a political

Rocky Heights,” she recalled, “so maybe that helped somewhat.” The hardest ‘to-do’ on her long list of duties? “Keeping our class under control and quiet,” Classen said. “When you have a room of 40 outgoing kids that all want to say something. It gets really loud.” war It’s more than just was brewing at Rock continual work and class I think students have a Canyon: the three-way domineering for her, skewed view of Student campaign for Student though. Body President. Council as a whole. We “The most fun is being In the end, Sarah able to know everything do so much more than Classen ’09 won by a that’s going on in the dances, and I don’t think small margin. school and with all the “The whole people realize that. StuCo committees,” Claselection process was sen said, “rather than just really nerve-wracking,” being on one, so I know -Sarah Classen Classen admitted. a little of everything. It’s After the close win, really exciting. Classen was relieved. “I think students some“I also realized how times have a skewed view lucky I was because of Student Council as a Hailey [Middleton ‘09] and Hannah [Wellman whole,” admitted Classen. “We do so much more that ‘09] had done such a good job, and would’ve just dances, and I don’t think people realize that.” She made great student body presidents.” laughs. “I don’t really know what people think we do Yet as though those memories slowly fade, the rest of the time, then. I have no clue.” Classen’s responsibilities continue to grow. Her title and victory as student body president “I run in-class discussions, help our advicomes with the prestige and renown that is spread sor (Katherine Hartline) plan out our weekly through the school, and the workload that often goes schedule, and I’ll attend a district meeting every unappreciated, but Classen doesn’t mind. once in a while with all the other student body “I always feel bad about being mean and such when presidents in the area.” I’m in control,” said Classen, “but I guess it’s just a part This isn’t the first time Classen has had a run of the job.” in with power on the school level. Kyle McDaniel “I was also Student Body President at

shhh...

know that ced”

RUMOR MILL

and Juniors will be able to have off 1. Sophomores periods next year.

l to see around the FACT: While seniors will be able to have up to two off ition. I’mperiods, sophomores and juniors will be able to drop one of their classes. Counselors will be meeting with le with Jags students to discuss which classes they would like to

drop. Incoming freshman will not be able to have any off periods. “They’re trying to make sure kids stay on f the Month track for graduation,” said Building ely makesResource me Teacher Sarah Pascoe. “It also gives upperclassmen ommunity more freedom as they get older. Kids have been wanting that for ognition for years.”

. It’s pretty

2. The class of 2012 will have to take the CSAP all

3. If you are failing a class, your parents will receive notification of your grade.

FACT: When you have an F in at least one class, the district will either send out an email or call your parents. In addition to calling your parents, coaches of any athletic teams will be notified of your grade compiled by Paige Newman

Make the school a better place by being involved, organizing fundraisers and after school programs and showing their commitment to the betterment of the school. -Emily Freeman ‘10 They should be involved in every sporting activity, go to all the games. They have to encourage school spirit and know the student body. -Ashley Thompson ‘10 What are they supposed to do? Why do we even have them? -Lindsey Burns ‘11

compiled by Mattie Nobles

It made me feel like I“Itam It feels good to know made me feel like I am contributing to that the

Whitney Prior ‘10 to the school school inina positive way. Itwork feels good know Whitney Prior contributing my hard isn’ttogoing a positive way

that my hard work isn’t going unnoticed”

unnoticed

It was really cool to see thatreallyItcool feels good that “It was to see thatto theknow little things the little things I haveI have done my hard workfor isn’t going done around the school people can get recognition. I’m glad the school recognizes around the school for people unnoticed people with Jags of the Month.” can get recognition.

Nick Dechard ‘10 Nick Dechard

“Winning the Jags of the Month was surprising for me. It definitely makes me feel like I can It’s pretty cool. Winning the Jags of the contribute to the community at the local level Month was surprisingand forstillme. get recognition for it, no matter how It definitely makes mesmall feelthe deed. It’s pretty cool.”

Kyle Mead ‘09 Kyle Mead

brown bag hooligans

like I can contribute to the community atbrites the local level and still get recognition for it, superman complex no matter how small the deed

four years of high school.

FICTION: After much debate in the state legislature, the idea of the freshman class taking CSAP all four years was denied. They decided not to institute this plan because during their junior year, students have to take the ACT rather than the CSAP. Also, they did not think that it was worth giving seniors the CSAP because they would not care about their scores or be motivated to do well on the test.

Feb. 19 illustrated a widely-held theory that boys, in fact, never grow up. A table of senior boys at third lunch felt the need to act more obnoxious than usual. “We just had an extra amount of energy,” explained senior Aaron Haase, pictured above. They began by whooping after one boy loudly popped a paper bag. After a few pops, the bags lost their appeal, so the boys ecstatically started “the wave” down their table. Unfortunately, it quickly died after failing to transfer to the adjacent table of dumbfounded sophomores who showed remarkable maturity. Mattie Nobles

or delusion?

I was on my way to the bathroom, carrying a hall pass. I round the corner and math teacher Tony Koy is peeking through the open door into a classroom wearing a blue cape with a giant “K” on it. The cape was a late birthday gift from one of his students. Koy is known for his proclivity towards odd objects; he’s identifiable by the cluster of markers he clutches in his left fist at all times. Now he’s got a new idiosyncrasy to make him even more... individual. “Wait,” he whispered to me. “Look in the back of that classroom. Is there a man with a tie sitting in there?” He was asking about an accreditor. I glanced inside, scanning the rows of working students for the man in a tie. He wasn’t there. I gave Koy the go-ahead, and he burst into the classroom, cape flapping into the wind. Just another day. Kate Jones Above: Tony Koy takes a moment from his math class to bask in his heroism. Photo by Kate Jones

fine arts the rock

2/25/09

SWEET REVENGE

RC’s resident rockers prove anything but vengeful in local Battle of the Bands A review by Devin Michaelis ‘10 Overrated and loosely traditional, the Battle of the Bands has been an epic and iconic competition that the youth will flock to in order to flaunt their musical talent, sing about how daddy never loved them, and to act like a bunch of hooligans in an atmosphere of angst. It’s hard to take these sort of events seriously, but one band whose performance did not scream “paper-mâché” was that of Revenge on Schulte. Even though the name sounds like it was inspired by a medieval conflict, Revenge on Schulte is definitely capable of putting on a show that engages the crowd in a temporary and carefree bacchanal. Upon entering the Gothic, I had low expectations for the amount of debauchery I would partake in, but the auditory mosaic of volcanic drumbeats, dynamic bass-lines, vigorous guitar-licks, and charismatic vocals of Revenge on Schulte demolished my expectations and I actually enjoyed their performance. They performed some original songs like “Laugh Away the Pain” and “It Always Comes In Three,“ along with a rock-version of Katy Perry’s “Hot N Cold.” (During

which I became exceptionally nostalgic for 80’s glamrock; the Technicolor sunglasses, imitation-Fedoras, snazzy outfits, and flamboyant song-choice made me wish that I had a chance to see Queen in concert back when Freddie Mercury led the band with his marvelous iridescence. )   Compared to other bands that performed, you could actually hear and understand the singer, Ben Hilzer ’10, and you could easily discern the bass and lead-guitar that are usually engulfed by the collective dissonance of a poorly set-up sound system. Their set list was composed of upbeat songs that eventually succeeded in causing a mosh-pit in the crowd which was the zesty oregano on top of an already riveting performance.  Courtney Linch ‘10, who was front row for Revenge on Schulte’s performance, said, “I’ve been to a ton of battle of the bands, but I’ve gotta say that the one on Sunday was totally my favorite.” “From the moment we started playing to the very last note, I was walking on water,” said Hilzer. “I have never had more fun in my entire life, being in a band is different than any other activity and playing at the Gothic made it ten times better.”

Clockwise from above left: Chris Battin ‘10, unleashes some fierce guitar skills at Battle of the Bands. Singer and frontman Ben Hilzer ‘10, turns the star power to 11 as he sings at the Gothic. Guitarists Battin and Ian Kelsall ‘10, collaborate on cherubic chords for their enthusiastic audience. The entire band (Battin, Robert Anderson ‘10, Kelsall, Hilzer, and Butters) pull their best hardcore mugs for the camera. Photos by Connor Dozois

brites sweet tooth, sweet cause

Winnie winniethe thePooh pooh Theater III production attracts kids like bees to ‘hunny’

The Women’s Choir holds a bake sale to raise money for the choir program during Access on Feb. 18. Photo by Kyle McDaniel

downtown drama

Guillermo Arribas ‘10, Alyssa Montoya ‘09, and Maggie Brister ‘09, look at downtown Denver during a Theater III field trip two weeks ago. The class saw Dusty and the Big Bad World at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Photo by Kyle McDaniel

Above left: Seniors Alyssa Montoya, who played Piglet, and Abby Roberts, who played Kanga, wave goodbye to their pre-adolescent audience after the Theater III class’ performance of Winnie the Pooh at Redstone Elementary. “The kids are a great audience,” said Montoya. “It’s a lot less stressful than performing in front of high schoolers because the kids laugh at anything. They love everything.” Above right: Roberts reprimands Natalie Seely ‘10, who played Roo, after she says “Darn it!” Don’t repeat that at home, kids; Kanga consequently washed Roo’s mouth with soap after the semantic slip-up. At right: Tigger, played by Guillermo Arribas ‘10, greets kids after the show. “We did a kid’s show because we’re trying to do every kind of theater,” said Arribas. “It was so much fun, too.” Photos by Kyle McDaniel

the rock

world news

2/25/09

‘It is the one most adaptable to change’ One of our greatest philosophers celebrates his 200th birthday A view from the Ranch Mandy Shapiro World News

Art by Connor Dozois

How to Help the Invisible Children Make a donation online at www.invisiblechildren.com/donate Start an Invisible Children club at Rock Canyon, and spread awareness throughout the school. Be a part of the Invisible Children Bracelet Campaign. The handmade bracelets are made from reed and recycled wire, and then packaged with a short movie that tells the story of a child affected by the war. For more information visit, www.invisiblechildren. com/theMission/Bracelet_Campaign. Educate yourself about the history of the war in Uganda. Visit www. invisiblechildren.com/ about/history Inform other people about the child soldiers. Make sure your friends, family, and teachers are aware of the atrocities occurring in Uganda.

Violent treatment of children in Uganda is starting to hit home Allie Boatright ‘10, to show Invisible Children film to educate students The rifle is cumbersome in his malnourished arms. His brother stands to his side panting in fear. His father’s bleeding corpse lies at his feet. His mother stands before him pleading for mercy. And he’s forced to pull the trigger. This is the story of Patrick, a 13-year-old boy from Uganda who was forced to murder his mother after witnessing soldiers kill his father. Stories like Patrick’s aren’t uncommon in northern Uganda, where civil war has torn the nation for 23 years. Since the beginning of the civil war in northern Uganda over 25,000 children have been abducted, beaten, and brainwashed into being soldiers for the Lord’s Resistance Army. Multiply the number of students in Rock Canyon by 17 and you will still not total the number of children who have been raped, abused, and enslaved by the LRA. Joseph Kony formed the Lord’s Resistance Army in 1987 in an effort to establish a purely theocratic government based on the Ten Commandments. On October 6, 2005, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Kony and four other LRA leaders for their crimes against humanity. On December 25, 2008, Kony and the LRA massacred 189 African men, women, and children. He abruptly ended the stories of 189 people on that abhorrent Christmas evening. On that same night Kony ripped 20 children from their families and abducted them to be trained and militarized for the LRA. But there are some children who escape the grotesque confinement of

Joseph Kony. Every night hundreds of children in northern Uganda run away from the LRA, run from the violence, run from the torture. They gather at displacement camps, where they accumulate in crowded huts. Sometimes there are hundreds of people in a room no larger than the size of the average classroom at Rock Canyon. They are known as the children of the night. They are warriors of morality, who refuse to obey the commands of malicious soldiers. They are lost and forgotten. The genocides in Africa are an incredibly over looked humanitarian crisis, but there are organizations designed to rehabilitate the children and help prevent further acts of violence, one of which is Invisible Children. Invisible Children helps to save child soldiers from a seemingly inevitable fate or murder and mayhem by putting them in schools and providing them with the necessary materials to lead happy lives, free from violence. Allie Boatright ’10, has put forth effort to help the Invisible Children campaign by orchestrating for the organization to come to Rock Canyon. Boatright first learned about Invisible Children after being shown the ‘Invisible Children: Rough Cut’ documentary at her youth group. The movie inspired her to do what she could to help the children of war in Uganda. “I felt like the students here need to see what else is going on in the world,” said Boatright, “and Invisible Children will show them that there is a world outside ‘the bubble.’ ” On March 30, Invisible Children will

be coming to Rock Canyon to show the documentary that has inspired millions world wide. “I hope that the movie will inspire others like it inspired me,” said Boatright. “I want the students to learn that they can make a difference, and that just a mere $20 donation could feed an African family for an entire month.” Boatright has high expectations for the students at Rock Canyon. She hopes that people will come to the realization that there are people suffering in the world. Suffering of hunger, oppression, and civil war. “We [the people in Highlands Ranch] are not only able to help the war torn families of Uganda, but we have the moral obligation to help them,” said Boatright. “We live our lives spending money on Starbucks and other luxuries, when we could be using our privileges to help those who have nothing.” It is American teenagers who have the highest disposable income of any group in the world. Americans spend $14,000,000 a year on make up, and another $18,000,000 on cologne and perfume. With that amount of money alone Americans could rehabilitate every child of war in Uganda, and end world hunger. “We need to wake up and realize that we are not alone in this world. We can help save the children in Uganda, end world hunger, and fight for those who have no voice. It’s time Rock Canyon students surrender their pride, and do what they can for those in need.” Connor Dozois

Consumer news Carpet Skates Slide across the classroom in these new carpet skates. Carpet skates have the same effect as socks on a wood floor. Their frictionresistant plastic bottoms allow for better gliding around the room. Carpet skates come in a variety of colors. The skates are now on sale at Target, costing $14.99. One size fits all, so strap on your carpet skates and get gliding.

Snuggie Get comfy in a new Snuggie. Snuggies are blankets with sleeves, so you can stay warm but

still have your hands accessible, unlike with a normal blanket. The Snuggies come in one large size, so they keep you warm from head to toe. They are available in royal blue, burgundy, and sage green. You can order a Snuggie at GetSnuggie.com for $19.95, plus $7.95 for shipping and handling. Order your Snuggie now and receive a second one free, paying just $7.95 for the additional shipping and handling. Stay warm and comfy by wrapping up in a Snuggie.

“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one most adaptable to change.” - Charles Darwin It’s hard to think of a better endorsement of a man’s profound understanding of life and biology than this: Charles Darwin celebrated his 200th birthday this month. One reason why I admire him is that his concept of evolution sheds huge insight into social change and development. So, in honor or Darwin’s birthday, here is some intuition on our generation’s social development. Social Invention and Progress Social inventions are essential to progress. Tribes, nation-states, and international organizations have made it possible for larger groups of specialized people to cooperate to create a new world. Like governments, churches, and corporations have also made ours a different world from the one in which our ancestors lived. We are entering a new economy. At first, this will seem unstable, but our grandchildren will think it’s normal. It will be a period of exceptional prosperity and individual freedom. Waves of Social Invention Social invention often looks like revolution. When innovators change how people worship, or challenge the king’s authority, innovation will probably be violent. The acceptance of change without violent resistance is a fairly novel experience in humanity’s history, and a big reason that the pace of progress is accelerating. In the last century, the most advanced countries have hosted the latest wave of technological and social inventions. Technology like the computer and telephone, coupled with innovations like the modern corporation and university have produced the most advanced economy yet. Social Evolution is Not Done Yet But our most recent economy will not be the last. The pattern of invention and revolution suggests that we are on the tip of one more wave of innovation. One more economy, one more society, has yet to emerge. As with every new economy before it, this one will transform our philosophy, our dominant institution, the social order, and the individual. And unlike the emergence of the first economy that took place over a period of hundreds of years, this one will emerge in about half a century. We have come to apply the concept of evolution to phenomenon as varied as language, markets, and technology. It is hard to imagine understanding any such system without the notion of evolution. So, we can thank Darwin for supplying us with his theories, by celebrating his 200th birthday.

XMP3 Radio Listen to satellite radio any place, any time with the new XMP3 Radio. Built similarly to an iPod, the radio features over 170 channels of XM music, sports, news, talk, and entertainment channels. You can record up to 5 channels of XM radio at the same time and schedule recordings of up to 75 hours of XM programs. You can order the XMP3 from www.xmradio.com. The radio costs $249.99, which includes a $30 instant rebate. You will never miss a minute of the newest content on satellite radio with the XMP3. Compiled by Paige Newman

wrestling

the rock

2/25/09

Far Left: Jake Davis ‘12, locks his opponent in a ‘fireman’s carry’, the maneuver that assisted Davis in winning his match. Left: Martin Hughes ‘08, and Jake Eggett ‘09, discuss strategies with one another after Eggett finishes his match. Photos by Mac Orlady Right: Alex Abreu ‘09, raises his hand in victory after winning his match at the State Meet. Abreu finished 4th in the state match. Photo by Mac Orlady

A date with state

Wrestlers incorporate individual talents which ultimately leads to breakthrough success “IF I’M GOING DOWN, I’M TAKING YOU WITH ME.” From the sidelines Gary Davis ‘10 and David Hobby ‘12 stood silently, watching the match unfold. Point to point, each player smashed the other into the ground and took turns slipping back up. Two rounds flew by with no significant moments and as the clock dripped out its final minutes, Jake Davis ‘12 frantically searched for victory. The referee’s whistle sounded its ending call and the players went to shake their coaches hands. His opponent, from Elizabeth, had beaten him by one point and he was eliminated. Although his time in the tournament was over, Davis left his mark. His opponent could be seen limping around, icing his leg. When his turn came around to wrestle for the fifth place spot, his leg was so injured that he was pinned before the third period. EGGETT VS. GOLIATH The lights of Pepsi Center blazed across the gigantic, mat covered floor. Jake Eggett ‘09 stood in the doorway. His eyes alight with the intensity of a trained fighter and his brow furrowed as his mind raced through past fights and tactics he was going to use. As the announcer called him out, the Rock Canyon cheer section full of students, teammates, coaches, and family moved down to the front row to support him. His opponent was a behemoth. Weighing in at 213 pounds, he looked like a mountain compared to 183 pound Jake. The match began and the Thomas Jefferson student who Eggett had beaten previously at the Thomas Jefferson Invitational, came out charging. Quickly taking Eggett to the ground, his opponent

had obviously revised his strategy in anticipation for Eggett’s quick yet light advancements. It was obvious he was not going to let Eggett up. After two periods the fight left Eggett, his opponent caught him in a hold that stuck to him like cement and he was finally pinned. Eggett won his next match and was ultimately defeated his third, but elimination in state isn’t as heartbreaking when you’re fighting guys substantially taller and wider than you. Goliath can’t be taken down by one sling’s throw every time, sometimes he gets back up and keeps fighting. What’s really important is what David does when Goliath recovers and charges him. THE PLAN The match was delayed a few minutes, as the Elizabeth High School trainer wiped the blood off the mat from the previous match. In one corner of the mat stood Stephan Mabary ‘11, his sweats still on, jumping lightly around on his feet, swinging his arms, shaking his body; getting warm for the match. His coach, Martin Castro, stood in front of him, his arm resting on Mabary’s shoulder encouragingly. Mabary looked down to his teammates, assembled cross-legged in a neat line across the edge of the mat, each throwing him words of encouragement. He looked at Martin Hughes ‘08, who returned his stare and shaped two words in his mouth for only Mabary to see, the plan. Mabary grinned and nodded in recognition. The plan. The secret weapon. When you stick to the plan, miracles occur. Kings are dethroned, Gods become

suddenly very mortal. You just need to stick to the plan. The plan had gotten him this far, it would get him another match. In the other corner stood his opponent, a 6’2”, 250 pound senior from Denver West, dwarfing the 6’1”, 225 pound Mabary. They had met before, which resulted in an easy win for the Denver West opponent. That happened in the old days. That happened before Mabary had the plan. The referee brought the two competitors to the center and blew his whistle. The Denver West senior utilized his Greco upperbody strength and quickly muscled Mabary down the ground. “This is good,” said Hughes. “This is what we want.” Mabary struggled underneath Goliath for a few minutes, until finally his opponent dug his arm under Mabary’s in an attempt of a pinning half-nelson. “NOW STEVE,” shouted Hughes. “THE PLAN! STICK TO THE PLAN!” Mabary clamped down on his opponent’s elbow and immediately rocked him over his shoulder and onto the mat, exposing the opposition’s back. The referee signaled the reversal, and Mabary was awarded 2 points. Soon after, the ref slapped the mat announcing the pin. “I had no idea what was going to happen,” says Mabary in retrospect. “But it’s amazing what occurs when you stick to the plan.” Zach Cooper & Jake Eggett

Congratulations to Senior Alex Abreu for placing fourth in the state wrestling meet. Abreu’s 4th place win was Rock Canyon’s first-ever win at state wrestling in the school’s history. Way to go, Alex!

Q&A Ash Nelson

RC Custodian & Dakota Ridge Assistant Wrestling Coach rock: Where are you currently working as a wrestling coach? Scheirman: I have been working at Dakota Ridge for three years and almost four seasons. rock: What is your position in the program? Scheirman: I am an assistant coach, but I hope to take the head coaching job in the next year or so. rock: What drew you to the program? Scheirman: My dad is the head coach in the program. He has been a head coach for over 25 years and used to work as the ThunderRidge head coach.

Above: Gary Davis ‘10, sits on the sidelines and watches as his teammates wrestle for the state title. Right: Martin Castro, the varsity wrestling coach discusses technique with varsity wrestler, David Hobby ‘12. Photos by Mac Orlady Far Left: David Hobby ‘12, is surrendered in a doubleleg takedown Photo by Mac Orlady Left: Jake Davis ‘12, waits for his match to begin at the State Meet on Feb 21. Photo by Kristen Scheirman

rock: How long have you been wrestling for? Scheirman: Well, I have wrestled for most of my life and when I was younger I was on the Colorado National team, and I trained with the Junior Olympic team. rock: Have you found a time or place to put your wrestling skills to good use now that you are working as a custodian here at RC? Scheirman: Definitely. I still compete on a regular basis in open college tournaments as well as fighting in a UFC format. rock: What are your favorite styles to compete in? Scheirman: As a wrestler, I favor freestyle, which is an Olympic competition style. As a URF fighter, I have trained in Jujitsu and Muay Thai. compiled by Logan Thompson

girls basketball the rock

2/25/09

Q&A

Right: Lyndsie Berens ‘11 steals the ball away from a ThunderRidge player in last Thursday’s last home game. Far Right: Varsity players watch anxiously from the bench, hoping to rack up points again the Grizzlie’s. Photos by Brittni Haggard and Zac Tornabene

Chloe Thorderson ‘12

Varsity Basketball Player rock: Overall, how do you feel about your first season on Varsity? Thorderson: It was a little scary at first to think about playing girls older than me, but it ended up not being too bad, and my teammates helped me to not be nervous. I have played some of the most exciting games this season with my team and we have built a ton of chemistry.

Senior night not enough Regular season ends with tough loss, but varsity looks for redemption in 4A playoffs If the Lady Jags won last night, they continue tournament action at Pueblo West Friday night at 7 p.m.

With the song “Fuego” blaring in the RCHS gym, the Rock Canyon girls varsity basketball team took their last warm up shots before competing against the ThunderRidge Grizzlies on Thursday, Feb. 19. This was a special game for the five seniors on the Rock Canyon team (Maddie Wallingford, Liberty Onyeali, Jamie Parsons, Ashley Williams, and Erin Rome) because it was their last Continental League game they would ever play with their Rock Canyon teammates. Therefore, this night was labeled “senior night”. As each senior’s name was called, they came up and then handed a bouquet of flowers to their parent(s). After the senior introductions took place, the rest of the line up was announced. Players shook the referees’

hands and the game began. The five seniors were the starting team for Rock Canyon. It was a tough match, but every player on the Rock Canyon team gave it their all for the entire game. They had great energy and even better support for one another. As soon as a player was substituted, each player on the bench would stand up and clap hands with the player that just came out; sending a message of “good job” to that player. The team was clearly outmatched by the Grizzlies, currently rated third in Class 5A. The final score was 81-23, the Grizzlies taking the victory, leaving Rock Canyon with a 7-16 record for the season. Although theregular season was over, there was still hope for a few more games.

On Sunday, Feb. 22, a state committee met to select high school teams for the upcoming Colorado State Tournament. Rock Canyon was chosen to participate in the Tournament. Not only do the five seniors now get to play with each other and their team again, but Rock Canyon also has the chance to compete for a state championship. This made all the players and the coaches very excited and proud. “Prior to this year we only had three players who have ever played varsity. To win 7 games and make it to state is a pretty good accomplishment,” said Lyndsie Berens ’11, one of this year’s new starters. The tournament began last night, with Rock Canyon playing at Windsor High School. Kasey South

rock: What do you hope for as the season comes to a close? Thorderson: Well, now that we accomplished our first girl, which was getting to state, I hope we can win some games against the 4A schools and push ourselves to do the best we can. rock: What has your coach taught you this year? Thorderson: There are two memorable things my coach has taught me. As an individual, he told me to forget about the other team’s players and their ages and just play the game. As a team, he taught us that we can’t win games alone. We need our whole team committed 100 percent of the time. rock: What is the most valuable thing you have learned from your teammates? Thorderson: My teammates have been the best examples for me. The thing that I have taken to heart the most this season would be to always have fun and enjoy the ride because you can’t always play basketball your whole life. compiled by Brittni Haggard

Slow start dooms JV Scoreless first quarter proves too much against ThunderRidge The final home game for the JV lady Jags proved to be their toughest yet as the girls took on the ThunderRidge Grizzlies on Thursday night. Within the first quarter of the game, the Grizzly offense was a tough match for the Jaguar defense, as they scored 11 points. The Jags seemed to have trouble making baskets, and the first quarter ended with the score at 11-0. In between quarters, Coach Jonah Baker gave the girls pointers at their bench. With three quarters left, the girls still have a chance against the Grizzlies. After the first two minutes of the second quarter, Taylor Staab ‘12, scored the first basket of the game, a three pointer. Staab sunk another three with four minutes remaining, making the score 14-6.

The Grizzlies continued to score as the second quarter came to an end, bringing the score to 29-13. However, the Jags kept their spirits up as they prepared for the second half of the game. Despite unwavering effort, the Jags were not able to pull ahead of the Grizzlies during the third and fourth quarters of the game, as Thunder Ridge continued scoring and playing a strong defense. By the end of the game, the score is 49-24. “We tried really hard. It was just an off game, but we had fun,” said Chloe Yarusso ’11. “The season was very progressive; we all had a lot of fun and that’s all that really matters.” Paige Newman

Above: Taylor Staab ‘12, passes in the ball during the JV basketball game against ThunderRidge after ThunderRidge scored a basket. The girls fought hard during their last game of the season but lost by 25 points.

Fighting ‘til the end

The JV Lady Jags play their last home game with constant effort and commitment After warming up for 40 minutes while waiting for the Thunder Ridge players to arrive at the game, the freshman –sophomore girls basketball team played their final home game of the season last Thursday. The final game for the lady Jags started off as a success. Within the first three minutes of the game, Danielle Williams ’12 sunk a three- pointer and two two-pointers, giving the Jags a 7-3 lead. As the game continued, the Jags eventually lost their lead as the Thunder Ridge Grizzlies rebounded the ball and made shots at their end of the court, pulling ahead by two. However, Williams was able to tie up the game before

the end of the half, making the score 11-11. The team seemed to take on a more aggressive approach as they returned from half time. The girls constantly fought for the ball and took shot after shot, but the Grizzlies still pulled ahead. With only six minutes left in the game, the Jags were down 19-13. With one minute left and the score at 21-17, the Jags fight to gain more points. Eventually, Jen Schein ’12 scores and the game is close at 21-19. The Jags now have 30 seconds to tie the score, but the Grizzly defense is too strong. The game ends with a final score of 21-19. “It was a good game, and the girls

kept it close,” said Coach Jonah Baker. “We had a chance to tie it up but we weren’t able to capitalize on it. Overall, I’m proud of them. We played a good game.” Paige Newman

Far Left: The JV Basketball team gathers together after half time while their coach Jonah Baker gives them a breakdown of their strategy for the second half. Left: Meredith Micho ‘12, attempts to tip off the ball to the Jags at the start of the game. The Jags lost 21-19 to the lady Grizzlies. Photos by Shelby Perkins

boys basketball the rock

2/25/09

Left: Jimmy Brannock ‘10 beats the apponet before scoring a basket. Above: Canyon Crazies arrived at ThunderRidge to cheer on their Varsity Jags. Below: Brannock defends an opposing ThunderRidge Grizzly.

Grizzlies claw down Jags Jags face a heartbreaking loss in overtime against ThunderRidge last Thursday night GRIZZLY THUNDER It’s Thursday, Feb. 19, and ThunderRidge High School (9-4) is hosting the Rock Canyon Varsity Boys basketball team (9-5). The gym sounds like the bounce of the balls, the Grizzly pep band, and excited Jaguars. ThunderRidge scores almost instantly after the tipoff. The fans watch in dismay as the Grizzlies lead the Jags by ten points. Coach Jim McClurg calls timeout with 3:01 left on the scoreboard, talking tactics. “You’ve got to get your arms up!” he says. “They’re big guys.” The Grizzlies are big. The Jags, almost Lilliputian in comparison, struggle to block them. It’s 24-10, in favor of the Grizzlies, at the end of the first quarter. Above: Keith Link ‘10 jumps over T-Ridge Grizzly to score a basket.

JAGUAR GROWLS By halfway through the second quarter, Jaguar fans notice

the Grizzlies are getting clumsy. They fumble for the ball. A ThunderRidge player falls, eliciting laughs. The Jags steadily increase their score. “When was the last time you scored?” the fans scream gleefully. The pep band plays loudly to drown out the growls. At halftime, it’s 35-30, ThunderRidge, but the Jags aren’t even close to done. WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE The pep band plays “In the Jungle” from Disney’s The Lion King. “HEY!” screams an irate Brad Spies ’09. “That’s our song!” “Yeah!” scream other fans. “Shut up!” “It’s been a good season,” says a smiling Nathan Puccini ’11, who has gone to nearly every game. “We have fun.” The Jaguars dominate. The fans

Right: Kyle Hawkins ‘11, dribbles ahead of the opponent down the court against ThunderRidge in the JV basketball game.

Looking ahead After a great season, the JV team looks towards next year The score of the final game did not reflect the season of the boys JV basketball team. The boys lost their final game to ThunderRidge but ended their season with a record of 15-4. “We did great this season,” said Ty Henry ’10. “We might have been the best JV team in the history of Rock Canyon.” Rock Canyon outplayed ThunderRidge for much of the game, holding a lead until the beginning of the fourth quarter. Their obvious advantage was size. With their largest player, Taylor Sheridan ’11, knocking over several ThuderRidge players and getting many rebounds. Though the team did not end their last game how they had hoped, they

were pleased with the season. “We have had a lot of fun,” said Henry, “and we got a lot better. “We all learned a lot from Coach [Jason] Dunkle. I love Coach Dunkle, he’s one of the best coaches I’ve ever had.” The players of the JV team are looking towards next season when many of them will be playing with the varsity team. “Next year is the year we’ll show how good Rock Canyon can really be,” said Henry. The JV team encourages support of the whole program. “I hope everyone comes out and supports varsity at their last game,” said Henry. Alex Rowe

begin cheering on Jimmy Brannock ’09, as, swoosh, he sinks a three-pointers. Spies begins screaming at the players to go! The game is tied. Eric Burrage ’09, tries for a three-pointer as the buzzer sounds but misses. The game goes into overtime, tied at 56. A NAIL-BITER Josh Puccini ’09, scores and the fans go wild, but they are instantly silenced as ThunderRidge takes control. They watch in horror as time ticks down with the Grizzlies leading. ThunderRidge makes a final free throw, and eases to victory, 67-63. “Hey,” says a father to his son as they walk out of the gym. “The playoffs are coming.” Indeed they are. The Jaguars host Wasson High School on Saturday. Laura Romer

Top: Josh Puccini ‘09 jumps through the air in hopes to retrieve the ball off of a rebound. Middle: Eric Burrage ‘09 escapes with the ball from the ThunderRidge defence. Bottom: Matt Hopper ‘11 searches for an open teammate. Photos by Kristen Scheirman

Top: Levi Orlady ‘11, defends the JV ThunderRidge player. “ThunderRidge could shoot really well and were goot at three point shots and shooting from the outside.They even had a 6’7” sophomore playing for them. We tried to do the best we could but they just continuted to hit alot of three pointers.” Bottom: Ty Henry ‘10, passes the ball to a teammate in the JV game at ThunderRidges home court. Bottom left: Coach Jason Dunkle encourages Jags during halftime. Bottom right: Henry jumps above the other players to make a pass. Photos by Kyle McDaniel

spring preview

the rock

Girls Soccer

2/25/09

Girls Golf

Becca Gibbens ‘09, makes a pass while the team works on defense at practice. Coach Mat Henbest works out with varsity players during practice. Photos by Nicole Givin

New coach brings championship experience to squad With four state championships already under his belt, the newest girls’ Varsity soccer coach hopes to bring Rock Canyon another state title. Mat Henbest is new to the Colorado community, transferring here from Boise, Idaho last summer. Henbest recently was the head coach of Timberline High School’s state championship girls’ team in 2008. Set to compete in 4A leagues this spring, the girls’ soccer team is looking towards a great season ahead with the impressive credentials that their new coach holds. “This season my main goal is to achieve team unity, I don’t really care about the individual stats of the players,” Henbest said.

Although, he is not yet able to predict the outcomes of the season without seeing the competition, he has high hopes. His top priorities include fitness, team unity, and skill. “I love competitions and the team can expect a fun but physically taxing season,” says the once-called ‘fitness Nazi.’ “After all, the team that is most fit wins games.” Henbest will also be joined this season by Matt Sassali as varsity’s assistant coach, as well as Rachel Pelky and Jackie Peach as the JV and Fresh/Soph coaches. “Over all I want the players to believe that they are winners and that everything is coming together as a team,” Henbest said. Nicole Givin

Top photo: Alex Pedrinan’12, attempts to chip out of the rough onto the green. Bottom photo: Caryl McCalister ‘11, finishes her followthrough after chipping out of the bunker. Photos by Alyssa Jones

The girl’s golf season started on Feb. 17. “The team this year looks very promising; I can’t wait to see them in their first tournament,” said Coach Dan Vahling, who will be working without social studies teacher Darren Withey this year as assistant coach. There are new additions to the team as well as returning players, including Carlie McAlister ’11, who ended as one of the top three players in tournaments last year. The girls are all excited to be back on the golf course again. “The new players are a great addition. I have a feeling they will do very well,” said Vahling. Alyssa Jones

Girls Tennis

Track The track season is starting. Runners are pushing themselves to the limit to bring Rock Canyon a winning season and their own personal bests. Chris Page, social studies teacher and head track coach, had a few words to say about the upcoming season. “We really try to maintain a team like atmosphere. We hold our runners to very high standards and expect them to meet those standards,” Page said. There are many new and promising members of the team, such as Craig MacGee ‘10, a transfer from Nebraska, and Kelly King ’12. The team starts practices off with a short 15 minute meeting, and stretching together before breaking off into their smaller groups. “The beginning of the week is the toughest,” Page says, “Everyone is getting ready for the upcoming meet.” Coach Page sends out a plea to come support the Jags. “Contrary to popular belief we do not just run in circles,” said Page. “It’s fun to come out and support another team at Rock Canyon.” Alex Tuccy

The girls run the courts as part of their conditioning during tryouts. Ise Eiche ‘09, prepares to hit a backhand return during practice. Photos by Maria Lawson

Tennis forecast: Cloudy with chance of victory

Top: Evan Fisch ‘10, sprinting on the track. Above: Members of the track team stretch out before starting their workout. Left: Amanda Sawicki ‘10, runs sprints. Photos by Alex Tuccy

The wind whipped around the chatting group of girls in miss-matched softball shorts and tee shirts while they shivered, stamped their feet, and waited for head Coach Ashley Hunt to arrive from the middle school where she assistant teaches. At 3:30, Coach Hunt tramped up the hill, and the team circled around her, sitting cross-legged on the courts. “This week and next week,” she said, “are tryout weeks. There will not be cuts [off the team] but there will be JV and Varsity cuts.” Any students who don’t make JV will be part of the new Development Team, which practices separately, and will not participate in matches. Before a roster is made, the team will spend most of practice training

and conditioning. Although more girls than ever are trying out this year, pulling together a team and a steady roster will be difficult for Hunt. “We have five returning varsity seniors,” she said. “I lost five seniors last year, but I think we have potential because I know some JV members who will be moving up this year.” When it snows, it is impossible for the team to play. Hunt and assistant coach Kelly Page hope for good weather; if the courts stay dry, the team may even have a chance to participate in a tournament this year. The first match of the season is scheduled for March 6, at Heritage High School. Maria Lawson

unified

the rock

2/25/09

Q&A

Jen Ottinger

Unified Basketball Coach

Below: Emily Fenton ‘11, a Unified Basketball player and Allie Boatright ‘10, a peer helper, chat during half-time at the team’s home game against Mountain Vista on Tuesday, Feb. 17. Right: Seniors Madey Smith and Trenton Fordham cheer on the Unified Basketball team at the game. Their friend, Jackie Moore ‘08, has a younger brother, Andrew Moore ‘13, who was playing in the game, so they came to watch. Photos by Kate Jones

rock: How did Unified Basketball get started at Rock Canyon? Ottinger: It was started at Chapparal. The head coach was trying to get everyone involved. We didn’t have enough players at Rock Canyon so we had to recruit some players from Rocky Heights. rock: Why is Unified Basketball so important? Ottinger: It’s gotten other Rock Canyon kids involved [as peer helpers.] They can see that the kids on the team have a lot of the other qualities that everyone else does. They just may portray them differently. rock: How would you describe the season? Ottinger: Basically, our goal was for each person to score once. Every game, nearly everyone scored three or more times. That made it successful in my eyes. It isn’t about wins... We keep score but the big picture is everyone is having fun. rock: Would you like to see more student involvement in the program in the future? Ottinger: Of course. Don’t get me wrong, the Mountain Vista game was fabulous but I would like to be less involved progressively. Mountain Vista’s team is completely student run, although the coach schedules and attends the practices. But this year was our first year learning and that made it different. rock: What has been the most memorable part of this experience? Ottinger: Our game [Feb. 17 at home against Mountain Vista High School.] The support was awesome. There were students there, cheerleaders, and the band. Members of FBLA helped fundraise and Women’s Select Choir was there to sing the National Anthem. We had parents with tears in their eyes.

Clockwise from above: Francisco Vasquez de Mercado ‘12, and Alex Kaneshiro ‘12, reach for a ball that rebounded off the Castle View backboard in their game against Castle View on Feb. 9. Photo by Kristen Scheirman. Top Right: Damon LeVigne ‘13, and Renee Horsting ‘10, a peer helper, celebrate after Damon scores a basket in the game against Mountain Vista. Photo by Kate Jones. Top Left: Emily Fenton ‘11, breaks through the banner being held up for the team after running through the tunnel. Photo by Mac Orlady

Shining all of the time The Rock Canyon Unified Basketball players joy is infectious at home game against Mountain Vista Rock Canyon’s Unified Basketball team is an extension of the Special Olympics. RC students were involved in Unified Soccer for the first time this year and continued their involvement with unified sports by forming a basketball team. There are twelve students on the Unified Basketball team. Four attend Rock Canyon. Eight were recruited from Rocky Heights Middle School so the team would be large enough. The team plays games against Douglas County School District teams. RC Special Education teacher Jen Ottinger is the coach. Waiting and wishing Identical twins Hunter Stover ’14, and Scout Stover ’14, stand on the glossy yellow floor to the side of the basketball court, eagerly staring at the empty doorway, eyes bright with excitement and impatience. Waiting. Waiting for the rest of the team to arrive. Waiting for the game to start. Waiting for the fun to begin. It’s going to be awhile. It’s 6:30 and the game doesn’t start until 7:00. They are the first Rock Canyon players to arrive at Castle View High School. Just feet away from them, their mom is talking with Jen Ottinger, the coach, about the only home game, which is next week on Tuesday, Feb. 17. “I forgot to tell you there’s going to be a band and the cheerleaders and the choir and everything,” Ottinger says, excitement resonating in her voice. “We’ll see if they can come,” Lisa Stover says. “I’m just worried they’re going to be exhausted after their swim lessons.” Her eyes dart over at the twins. Their eyes are still focused

relentlessly on the doorway. Ottinger smiles understandingly. It can be hard for the parents to coordinate Unified Basketball with their schedules. They try as hard as possible because their kids love to play but sometimes it’s just an impossibility and their kids have to miss games. “Here you go guys,” Ottinger says to the boys, holding out a basketball. The practice taking place in the gym just wrapped up. The court is finally free. They run towards her, abandoning their once relentless staring and start practicing their shots at the nearest basket. But they are not focused on basketball for long because something much more important than basketball walks through the door. Friends. Emily Fenton ’11, and Ashley Harvie ’10. The twins drop the ball. Literally. It bounces away from them across the floor. “Emily! Ashley!” they crow, clustering around the two to greet them. Pretty soon the rest of the team has arrived as have the peer helpers. Warm-up starts. The peer helpers are RC students who volunteer to help out with the games and practices. They team up with the kids who need help during the games. “One minute until the game begins,” Ottinger shouts, glancing up at the bright orange numbers flashing on the scoreboard; counting down. The RC players get in a few last shots before the loud buzz fills the gym, signaling the end of warm-up. Happy about the home game The Castle View fans have formed a giant tunnel stretching from sideline to sideline. They clasp each others hands, stretching up

on pointed tip toes to be tall enough, grinning down at the basketball players as they run through the tunnel when their names are called by the Castle View announcer. Emily gets really excited after the national anthem is sung by a Castle View choir member. “Mom, mom, guess who is singing the national anthem at ours!?” she shouts, not bothering to pause for an answer, bobbing up and down with glee. “The women’s choir! The women’s choir!” The RC players are all anticipating their only home game. They can’t wait for the choir to sing the national anthem for them. They can’t wait for the band to play for them. They can’t wait for the cheerleaders and the fans to cheer for them. It’s something they’ve never gotten to experience before. Unified Soccer isn’t quite the big deal Unified Basketball is. The games are more casual, no one keeps score, no one sings the national anthem, and the parents are the only fans there. But now the RC players have seen what a big deal Unified Basketball is at the other schools they play, and they want it to matter at Rock Canyon too. It looks like they’re going to get all they are expecting. Maybe more. The perfect shot A Castle View player scores the first basket. Every single player on the court smiles. Every single one. Most of them don’t see this so much as a competition – they never look up at the scoreboard – most of them just see this as a fun game. They want to score baskets but they want everyone else to, as well.

The game continues in the same fashion through the first half of the game. The ball goes up and down, back and forth, to and fro, bouncing around the court as both teams score multitudes of baskets. Even if they miss on their first shot, they get a couple more tries to try to score. Ottinger pulls Francisco Vasquez de Mercado ’12, out of the game so she can sub in a player who has been sitting on the bench. He looks down at her, unhappy. “Did I do something wrong?” he asks. “No, no,” Ottinger says. “We just need to give someone else a turn.” Suddenly a loud buzzzzzzzzzzzzz fills the gym. Break time’s up. It’s game time now. Emily gets the ball for one of the first times all game. She looks down at it nervously, clutching it close to her. She is generally calm and reserved and sometimes a bit nervous. She doesn’t often get into the thick of the game. She likes to observe. “Pass Emily, pass!” Ashley, Emily’s best friend shouts, holding up her arms. Emily hesitates then starts moving with the ball down the court, all of the players in a tight bunch around her. She shoots. She scores. The ball arches perfectly in the air, bounces off of the backboard and swooshes into the net. Perfect shot. Sunshine Bright orange numbers are flashing across the scoreboard. The clock is ticking down. There are mere seconds before the game is over. Nobody seems to notice. The parents, the students, and the players are having too good a time to care about something so extraneous as the time on the clock or the score on the

basketball

2/25/09

Clockwise from far left: Ashley Harvie ‘10, runs through the massive tunnel formed by the Castle View fans at the end of the Castle View game. Ashley and Emily Fenton ‘11, run down the court during the Castle View game after a Castle View player got the ball and brought it down the court. Photos by Kristen Scheirman. Jackie Moore ‘08, joins in a group hug with little brother, Andrew Moore ‘13, (center) Ryan Boryla ‘13, and Damon LeVigne ‘13, at the end of the home game versus Mountain Vista. Photo by Kate Jones. Twins Hunter Stover ‘14, and Scout Stover ‘14, watch in anticipation to see if a teammate’s shot is going to make it into the basket. Photo by Kristen Scheirman

scoreboard. But the inevitable buzzer buzzes ending the game. The players faces, shining with happiness before, fall. It’s like the sun just went down on them. The time is up. The game is over. The fun is finished. Until their next game, anyway. It doesn’t take too long for both of the teams to get over their disappointment at the game’s early end. As soon as the tunnel forms – sideline to sideline – they all run through it, faces shining once again. The sun’s back up. Starting the game off with a win… The RC gym is empty on Feb. 17, save for Ottinger, who is trying to figure out how to get the scoreboard working for the game against Mountain Vista, a clump of early arriving fans, seated at the very top of the stands, and Alex Kaneshiro ’12, one of the basketball players. Alex is wrapped up in his own little basketball world, contentedly dribbling and shooting the ball over and over again, paying absolutely no attention to anything around him. The ball goes through the net with a swish more often than not and falls onto the floor directly below the hoop with a satisfying kerplunk. He arrived early so he could play more. He loves basketball. He tried out for the freshman team in the fall but he didn’t make it. So he decided to play Unified Basketball. He’s the most intense, competitive player on the team. He’s the player who likes to shoot three pointers. He’s the player who can sometimes make those three pointers. He’s the player who lives for a challenge. He’s the player who takes risks. Unified Basketball has been a good thing for him. A place where he can do what he loves; what he feels passionately about. It’s a good thing for all of the players. “I think the kids really enjoy [Unified Basketball,]” Alex’s mother, Cindy Aris, said. “And all of the parents just love seeing all of the kids so happy.” Cindy goes to all of the games, watching, smiling, taking as many photos as she can, as most of the parents do. Suddenly, a deafening buzz fills the room

repeatedly Ottinger is having some trouble with the scoreboard. She looks up and the red numbers flash 10-0 Jaguars. “Yes, we’re winning,” she says. “Yeah, let’s just start like that,” Cindy says jokingly. Ottinger finally figures out how to work the scoreboard. The score goes back 0-0. A tie now. The moment they had been waiting for Cheerleaders and band members trickle into the building, getting set up for the game as Ottinger runs around, getting a popcorn machine to work so FBLA can sell popcorn during the game. All proceeds to the team, of course. “Is this all who’s coming?” Emily asks, disappointed, coming up to the table eyes glancing around the gym at the mostly empty stands. “No, there are a lot of people coming,” Ottinger assures her. “It’s only twenty til.” Emily’s face relaxes back into a smile. All at once, a gaggle of people swarm into the gym. The cold air from outside clings onto their clothes. A gust of cold air rushes into the gym, lingering near the doorway. Principal Kim Rauh shivers in her thin black jacket. “Oh, I am so cold, I can’t get warm,” she says, walking into the gym. The fans are coming in droves now, filling up the stands in the gym quickly. There are a lot of RC players here tonight. Hunter and Scout made it. There are ten players so far. There were only seven last game. No one is going to miss tonight. Not unless it’s absolutely necessary. It’s their home game. Their time to shine. Tonight, the choir is singing the national anthem for them. Tonight the band is playing for them. Tonight the cheerleaders and the fans are cheering for them. It’s going to be a night to remember. Ashley is one player who won’t be playing in this game. She has a bad cold. She sits up in the stands, everyday clothes on, watching as all of the other players play, sipping water out of a blue water bottle. The band is drowning out pretty much all of the sound in the gym but Hunter’s voice can

still be heard above it as he shouts to a friend in the stands. “Miss Kelly! Miss Kelly! I made it, I made it!” he shouts, grinning, waving. “I made a basket!” She grins at him broadly and waves back. Forty-two seconds left on the clock. And suddenly, warm-up time is over. And the moment Emily was so excited about finally comes. The Women’s Select Choir stands up and sings the national anthem. There are tears in some of the parents eyes as they watch their kids’ happy faces. The players names are announced, they run through a tunnel made up of the cheerleaders, and the game begins. Cha Cha-ing around the gym Andrew Moore ’13, bounds up to the hoop and shoots the ball. It bounces off the rim and goes into the net. Damon Levigne ’13, and Ryan Boryla ’13, cluster around him and the three exchange a group hug, cheering loudly, eyes aglow with excitement. Nothing better than scoring the first basket of the game. Waves of joy are radiating from all of the players, bouncing off of them around the gym, hitting everyone in sight. There isn’t an unhappy face to be seen. The gym explodes with noise the moment Andrew scores. It’s deafening. Much louder than the band was. Much louder than the Canyon Crazies ever are. Much louder than the noise heard at most sporting events. Everyone here is unified. It’s not just the RC basketball team. The JV and Varsity cheerleading teams are unified tonight. The fans in the stands are unified tonight The two basketball teams are even unified tonight. Kids from the Mountain Vista team help the kids on the RC team and vice versa. Everyone is unified tonight because everyone wants the same thing tonight. To be happy and to watch these kids be happy. The buzzer rings for half-time. Andrew just can’t resist the open court. He takes one belated last shot and makes it. The crowd laughs. Two points are added to the scoreboard.

He runs to the sideline and starts jumping around to the band’s music, taking turns dancing with peer helpers, Allie Boatright ‘10, Renee Horsting ‘10, and Ottinger, when it is announced that the “Cha Cha Slide will be playing during half-time. Anyone who wants to come dance is welcome. The fans don’t need a second invitation. They stream out onto the floor and start dancing in unison. The gym floor seems to shake a bit as they follow the directions in the lyrics, stomping around. “Now it’s time to get funky.  To the right now, to the left.  Take it back now ya’ll.  One hop this time. One hop this time.  Right foot two stomps, left foot two stomps.” Andrew and Damon shy away from the crowd dancing. They are too busy spending the extra time shooting baskets to stop and dance. The song ends abruptly and the team gets ready to start the game again. The final minutes The third quarter passes quickly. Alex becomes more daring in the fourth quarter. He keeps shooting free throws and three pointers. And making the shots. A lot. The faces in the crowd soon become expectant every time he heads down the court with the ball. Just like at the Castle View game, the crowd is too enthralled with the game to notice the red numbers flashing down on the screen – 5 seconds left – and when the game ends, everyone looks up, surprised. But tonight the sun does not go down on the RC players faces as the game ends. The fans from both teams form a giant tunnel for the players to run through, hands interlinked. The players all run through grinning, faces shining with joy. Tonight was the perfect night. Tonight, the choir sang the national anthem for them. Tonight the band played for them. Tonight the cheerleaders and the fans cheered for them. Tonight was their night and they shined. Kristen Scheirman

girls swimming

the rock

2/25/09

Quoted How do you think the team did at the state competition? Personally, I wanted to do better. I had time goals I wanted to hit, and I didn’t meet them. But it was great to win as a team. -Taylor Curado ‘09 I think they did awesome. They literally just kicked ass. They had great support; the crowd was crazy. -Tiago Lima ‘09 I’m very proud of our team. We did an excellent job. I’m very pleased with how I swam too, but we didn’t focus as much on individual events. We were all focused on the team effort. -Kirsten Milberg ‘09 compiled by Hannah Wellman

Top: Londyn Clawson ‘09, sits at the end of Rock Canyon’s lane before the start of the 500 Freestyle. During the race, Clawson’s job was to hold a sign saying which lap Maddie Vanderpoel ‘11, was on. Clockwise from top left: Taylor Curado ‘09, waits nervously between her events. Tia Tortura ‘09, smiles as she gets out of the pool after her first race of the day. Kirsten Milberg ‘09, performs a pre-race ritual of splashing pool water all over herself. Clawson ‘09, practices her turns for the 100 breast stroke. Tortura and Jessica Holley ‘11, hug after their performances in the 200 freestyle. Photos by Dusty Ellis

Wet cats, state champs After losing only one meet throughout the entire season, the Jaguar ladies nearly double their closest opponent’s score during the state meet. All-American times, state records, the Colorado state swimmer and coach of the year all highlighted the girls’ amazing swim to victory. Taking the Competition by Storm

A nervous, excited buzz filled the spirit bus from Rock Canyon as it arrived at the Mountain View Aquatic Center. On the bus ride, the entire swim team, including the swimmers who didn’t qualify for state rode side by side with RC fans. Once they got started, each swimmer swam 50’s to get their blood pumping. After one lap, they would take a small break to wait for the teammate in front of them to swim far enough to start again. After they had finished their warmup, they proceeded to their “team area” where some of the team got into sweats and a hoody, popped in their iPod, or put on their “Rock Canyon” parkas. The team was stationed next to a giant speaker that blasted music for the

swimmers and the incoming fans. Many of the swimmers around the aquatic center were dancing to the music, throwing their hands in the air and jumping up and down. Just before the competition started, cheers echoed across the water and up to the stands from each of the competing teams. Once it was their turn, the Jaguar swimmers all gathered around one of the diving boards with kickboards grasped in each of their hands. In unison, along with the Jaguar fans joining from the stands, the girls started to bang the kick-boards against the diving board intermittently stopping to yell out Rock...Canyon...Jaguars. The ladies had everyone’s attention.

state qualifiers. Each swimmer from every team swam their respective event all throughout the day. The 16 fastest swimmers from around the state qualified to compete in the state championship the next day. The layout for State consisted of two separate heats for each event. The 9-16 ranked swimmers would compete in the first heat, then the 1-8 ranked swimmers would compete in the finals of the same event. Each time an event would finish, the schools would receive points based on where the swimmers placed. The school with the most cumulative points at the end would be the Colorado 4A state champion.

The Journey Begins Here

12 Reasons to Watch

The previous day, preliminaries were held in the same building to determine

The State meet consisted of 12 swimming and diving events. Rock Canyon

had at least one swimmer in the final heat of every event. The most grueling event was the 500 yard freestyle during which the swimmers actually needed a teammate outside of the pool to place numbered signs denoting which lap the swimmers were on. Another signal for the swimmers came during their last lap. A single shot from a cap gun was fired by one of the referees, which startled all of the swimmers across the deck. During the last leg of each race, the crowd got louder and louder, encouraging the swimmers to push just a little harder. Maddie Vanderpoel ’11, was the only RC swimmer to place in the event. “I didn’t pace myself fast enough,” Vanderpoel said. “I should have started out a lot faster. I wasn’t too tired at the end but I should have been.”

state champions the rock

2/25/09

Q&A

Ruthie Milberg Head coach, Girl’s Varsity Swim Team

rock: How did the overall season go? Milberg: I was really proud of the team this season. We did very well in our dual meets, and got second at the League meet to Regis; a close 5 point meet. Every girl on the team improved her times throughout the season. This was the largest group of girls to earn a letter since the team began 6 years ago. rock: What kind of work did you do to prepare for state? Milberg: The state girls began to taper the last week. This means that the yardage they swam decreased each day and we fine-tuned our relay starts. This was the culmination of 12 weeks of endurance training and stroke work. rock: What do you think brought the team the state victory? Milberg: I truly believe that this State meet was won by the whole team. Each girl swam to the best of their ability and the fact that we had so many girls in each final was tremendous! It was also very special to see the support from the faculty, parents and student body. The stands were literally full of Rock Canyon fans! That kind of energy is contagious. rock: What makes this team so close? Milberg: I would have to say that the reason this team is so close is that we have so many returning swimmers. The girls have gotten to know each other so well and the incoming freshman have a lot of energy and are very dedicated. rock: How did winning coach of the year feel? Milberg: It is always nice to be recognized by your peers. I couldn’t have done it without my great friend Nicole Vanderpoel. We are a team and she is a huge part of our coaching success. rock: What made this year’s meet so special? Milberg: The girls were very supportive of each other and they seemed to click really well. They came out on Friday at Prelims and swam some really fast times. That set us up nicely for Saturday and gave us the opportunity to really show 4A what a talented group of girls we have. Having this be the last meet with this particular senior class was special because they have been the heart of this team for so long. They are truly going to be missed.

Top: Jehan Atoe ‘09, Kirsten Milberg ‘09, and Jessica Holley ‘11, celebrate after winning the last event of the state meet, the 400 freestyle relay, which the team set a state record for. Clockwise from top left: Milberg with the plaque for Colorado State Swimmer of the Year. The state champion Jaguar swim team with the Colorado 4A trophy. Holley, Tia Tortura ‘09, Coach Nicole Vanderpoel, Atoe, Maddie Vanderpoel ‘11, celebrate in the warm-up pool after receiving the trophy. Coach Vanderpoel and her daughter Maddie hug in excitement in the warm-up pool after receiving the trophy. Photos by Dusty Ellis Vanderpoel finished in second place with a time just over 5 minutes. The fastest race was the 50 yard freestyle which was a dead sprint the entire time. Allie Berger ’11, and Jehan Atoe ’09, were the two RC swimmers in the event. Berger finished 5th while Atoe finished 7th. “My favorite event to watch is the 50 yard freestyle,” said Bryan Wanless ’09, a fan attending the meet. “It’s fun to watch because it’s so fast.” Some of the most entertaining races to watch from the fan’s perspective (as well as some of the swimmers perspectives, too) were the different relays. Rock Canyon had a group in each of the three relays, all in the final heat. “I had confidence in our team when we competed in the relays,” said Kirsten Milberg ’09.

In all three relays, the Jaguars pulled it out, including their last race of the meet, solidifying their state title.

Time For Another Assembly

After the Jaguars had won the final relay, the state championship was over. The time had come to see if RC would have to make a little more room in their trophy case this year. When the announcer had counted down the top nine schools, the only school left that was sure to place but hadn’t been called, was called. “This year’s 2009, Colorado 4A State Champion is….Rock Canyon, with a total of 417 points,” said the announcer struggling to be heard over the screaming Jaguar fans. The score at the end wasn’t even close. The Jags piled up a total of 417 points while the second place team,

Thompson Valley, only managed 238. Not only did the Jags almost double the second place score, but Milberg won state swimmer of the year, and Coach Ruthie Milberg won state (swimming) coach of the year. “I was very happy when I heard my name announced,” Milberg said. “It’s just such a big achievement.” On top of all of that, on Feb. 4th, Milberg signed a cntract to swim at DU. After the award ceremony, the whole team jumped back into the warm-up pool and splashed around celebrating the school’s 7th championship this year.

Recapping a Magical Journey

During the year, the swim team won all but one meet that they competed in. “The only one we didn’t win was because our coach felt sure we would win,” said Hayley Dunn ’11. “She put all

rock: How does the team look for next year? Milberg: Although we are losing a very strong class, I can’t wait to see what this team can do next year. With the returning state swimmers, and the determination of the others, I think we have a great shot at another state title. Might not be the record breaking score we had this year, but it will be a very close, exciting meet. Jessica Holley, Madison Vanderpoel, Allie Berger, Kara Schweitzer, Meghan Long. Frances Shea, Kristen Mascoe and Ellen Strample should place very well next year. compiled by Meghan Long

of us in events that we were ‘ok’ at rather than putting us all in our best events.” Throughout the year, the team did things together that helped them become closer. “We went out to dinner a ton as a team,” said Katie Kennedy ’11. “We went to places like Mamma Roma’s, Panera, and Red Robin. We went to Red Robin like once a week.” The team also did things to show their team spirit around school and at meets. “We always dressed up in cool outfits,” said Vanderpoel. “That was one of my favorite parts of this year.” Throughout a year of hard work, the Jags pulled things together when it counted most, and ultimately accomplished the highest mark for any team. A state championship. By Zach Tornabene

Did you know? Rock Canyon brought home 30 medals, 3 state records, 6 Automatic All American times, 21 top 8 ﬁnishes, and a score of 417, which is the highest point total of any State Champion.

the rock

getting through it all

2/25/09

Q&A

Jessica Herrington

Timber Trail Elementary School teacher rock: How did you learn you had cancer? Herrington: It was through a routine ultrasound. I mentioned a small lump to my doctor and she recommended an ultrasound. The ultrasound looked suspicious and I was diagnosed with breast cancer after two biopsies.

- There are over 120 different types of brain tumors, which can make treatment complicated. - Currently, brain tumors are treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. - The symptoms of brain tumors include headaches, weak eyesight, nausea, and vomiting. -Caucasian males over the age of 70 are more likely to develop brain tumors than anyone else, although the exact cause of brain tumors is still unknown. - People who work with chemicals are also more likely to develop brain tumors. -Scientists have been investigating whether or not cell phones may cause brain cancer but they have found no solid proof that suggests a correlation between cell phone use and brain cancer.

Source: the National Cancer Institute

rock: Did you tell your colleagues and the school about your cancer right away or did you wait? Herrington: I told my colleagues pretty soon after I found out. My diagnosis meant possibly being away from work for a while so I wanted to keep them informed.

Although the pink ribbons worn to raise awareness for breast cancer are most commonly seen, there are awareness ribbons for most types of cancer. Each cancer is assigned a color. The colors above represent different types of cancer. Represents pancreatic cancer, testicular cancer, and thyroid cancer Represents bladder cancer Represents leukemia Represents breast cancer Represents lymphoma

‘All you can do is hope’ Represents brain cancer

Quinn Hart ‘09, watches his father’s struggle with brain cancer and tries to learn how to cope

Name a cancer treatment. Any treatment you can think of. Experimental, surgical, pharmaceutical. Name a cancer treatment, and Tom Hart, father of Quinn Hart ’09, and Owen Hart ’12, has probably undergone it. And, sadly, it’s probably failed. “He’s had surgery, chemo, radiation, everything,” said Quinn. “Nothing’s worked. Nothing.” Two weeks ago, the doctors took Tom off all medication; everything they’ve tried has come with devastating side effects. The Harts are now waiting for the results of the latest body scan; after that, the doctors will come up with yet another plan of attack. “All you can do is keep hoping,” Quinn said. “As always.” ••• Quinn was nine years old, innocent, round-faced, wide-eyed. It was the time of packs of little boys riding bikes in endless loops to nowhere; of sledding, Super Nintendo, and sneaked blushing kisses from girls. Then doctors diagnosed Quinn’s mother with cancer. “I had to take care of my brother a lot,” said Quinn. “I almost thought of it as a pain, to help him out. That’s what cancer meant to me back then- just extra work.” Quinn’s mom underwent treatment. It was successful; she has been cancer-free for eight years. ••• Four years later, Quinn was in the middle of his freshman year. He had just gotten used to high school, just settled into the continuous motion of classes and homework and nascent maturity. Doctors discovered the first tumor in Hart’s dad’s lower right lung. “I was 12,” said Quinn. “I didn’t really understand the significance. My mom had just beaten cancer, gotten over it, and everything turned out fine.” Quinn’s dad had surgery over Christmas. “We took all the presents down to the hospital,” remembers Hart with a smile. “We had dinner in the cafeteria because that was as far as they’d let my dad go.” ••• Two years passed; it seemed like the cancer was gone for good. Quinn couldn’t wait to drive, couldn’t wait for independence. On a routine check, doctors discovered another tumor in Tom’s brain. A 2 cm mestastis. They found the tumor on a Thursday. Tom went into brain surgery that Saturday.

“It was a really intense three days,” said Quinn. “At that point we thought he was clean. And then, all of a sudden, he’s in this dangerous brain surgery.” “It was overwhelming,” said Quinn, sighing. “There was so much emotion. It was so hard to cope with. But we had to. We picked up a lot of slack at home. It got frustrating sometimes; it still does. But it’s not his fault.” After the surgery, Tom was bedridden for six weeks. “As far as we knew, it was only that tumor,” said Quinn. “We were pretty certain he was going to be fine after the surgery.” But Tom’s battle was far from over. ••• It was June 2008; Quinn was going into his senior year. He had the car, the independence; it was a summer of pungent fresh-mowed grass and lounging around shimmering blue pools. Tom’s routine body scan revealed four tumors in lymph nodes in his chest and five more in his brain. “It’s not easy when they tell you,” Quinn said of receiving the test results. “It’s so scary. It kind of crushes your hopes, time after time, no matter what.” Tom underwent cybersurgery for the brain tumors, a technique in which radiation beams are focused to intersect and kill the tumors. Though noninvasive, cybersurgery had visible side effects. “It caused his brain to swell,” remembers Quinn. “So he couldn’t remember our names. He’s still kind of recovering. If you ask him a question, it’ll take ten seconds to even get a response. And [what he says makes] absolutely no sense—but to him it does.” “It didn’t feel real until that point,” he said, eyes downturned. “My dad had never been in pain, never had any external symptoms. But with this, you could see the toll it was taking. It made me really bitter. Just towards everything. Everyone around me. Thinking that nothing’s how it should be.” They put Tom on a chemotherapy regimen, which left him chronically exhausted. The chemo just didn’t seem to be working; the spots kept growing, millimeter by devastating millimeter. Then, a month ago, two more cancerous spots appeared on his spinal cord, proving that the chemo simply wasn’t working. Doctors tried a new approach. “They put my dad on this targeted drug called Tarceva and a new study drug that was supposed to help its effectiveness,” said Quinn. But, as before, the side effects proved too deleterious to Tom’s health, destroying his platelet count. “The normal count is 250 to 400,” said Quinn, and

then quietly continued, “At the beginning of February, my dad had a white blood cell count of seven. If he were to bruise, or get a cut, or break a bone – he’d just bleed without stopping.” The cocktail of drugs also ravaged his red blood cells until Tom had trouble even walking up stairs. “At some point, it seems like this doesn’t go away,” he said. “Right now, it’s taken a turn for the worse. Worse than ever before. Any new treatment has less of a chance of working than the chemo did. And that didn’t work…” He trailed off. There was nothing to explain. “From all this,” he said, “I’ve learned nothing that I hope to take with me. No matter how good things look, they’re always worse. You can always have hope, but it’s not always going to pull through. This most recent bout has thrown me into such bad depression that I’ve had to go on antidepressants. “I’ve always been the person to stay strong, to see the positive side of things, and I just can’t anymore. It makes me rethink myself. I think I understand life better now in that I’ve realized I don’t understand anything. What it’s about, what our purpose is.” Yet life goes on. Tom still works four days a week at Lockheed Martin, but comes home exhausted in the afternoons. “As far as I know,” Quinn said, “he’s still doing his job. And that’s a good thing. He can’t just stew in his misery; he’s got to keep living life. No matter how short or long it’s going to be.” ••• It’s February 2009; Tom has been fighting cancer for five years. Five years, several surgeries, hundreds of pills, dozens of shots; countless days in hospital beds, days spent puffing up flights of stairs, days spent in front of the television in sheer exhaustion. And now? They wait. “All we can do now,” Quinn said, pain in his eyes, “is keep hoping.” Hannah Wellman

rock: How did your students and their parents react to the news? Herrington: My students and their parents were very supportive when they found out the news. Many of them also shared an experience with someone in their family who was or had gone through some form of cancer which is pretty sad. They were very mature about it and also very concerned for my family. They showered me with words of encouragement and a lot of hugs. rock: Tell us about your ‘Show Your Love For Mrs. Harrington Day’ at Timbertrail Elementary Herrington: It was an effort for my students to show their support for my situation and the next milestone in my treatment - losing your hair is a big deal and makes the situation become real. The boys decided to shave their heads and the girls dyed their hair pink. They made clay ribbons they wore around their necks. It was amazing to see how many people were there to show how much they care about what I’m going through and that they are there for me. There are no words to describe how that feels. rock: Who or what do you pull inspiration from to get through all of this? Herrington: I rely on my inner strength, my family and friends, and faith to inspire me to make it through each day, no matter how hard. My daughter is the brightest light and so is my husband. They make me laugh when I am not feeling well and provide an every day reminder of why I have to fight so hard to make it through all of this. A new baby on the way also inspires me to be strong. rock: How has cancer changed your perspective on life? Herrington: I look at things differently. I have a better attitude about life and look for the positives. I love more, play harder, and I try to be the best mom and wife I know how to be. I don’t spend time worrying about things that really don’t matter in the big scheme of things. We are not guaranteed to have so many years here with family and friends. You have to take advantage of the here and now, because you never know what may happen in a life time. Sometimes we can see this perspective, but sadly it takes a tragedy to really know how that feels.

Q&A

compiled by Ade Eichie

Rick Noble

Jamie McMillen ‘09, sat on the examining table; hands in his lap, he anxiously let the doctor examine the lumps on his neck with his latex-covered hands. Not cancer, the doctor had declared. Yet when the lumps remained, Jamie returned six weeks later to see if he had some form of pneumonia, as his girlfriend, Ashley Poulsen, had gotten it. When Jamie came in the second time, the doctors decided to x-ray his chest, just to be safe, they had said. The results came. Two snow white dots rested at the base of Jamie’s neck, and another dead center on his sternum. To be completely sure, the doctors performed a biopsy on the lit up areas. They were sadly, horribly, dismally correct. It was cancer. Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Stage one. Jamie sat in his hospital bed, speechless when he received the news. Cancer? No, they had already told him those deadly white dots couldn’t have been tumors. Yet there was no doubt. The biopsies told no lies. “I asked the doctors if I could be alone,” Jamie said, eyes cloudy. “I didn’t want to accept it. I couldn’t have cancer.” The infection that Jamie had felt the first time he went to the clinic had lingered in his lymph nodes, causing the lymphocytes to mutate into cancerous cells. There, while Jamie went around, playing football, snowboarding, and dating, the tumors were growing inside him. Jamie looks up, skyward, as if asking someone above a question: “What was I doing wrong? Why do I deserve this?” he shakes his head. “At first, I was in total denial,” Jamie said, a hard stare burning from his eyes. “I thought there was no way I could have cancer. “It was hard to accept, but I realized I didn’t have a choice after seeing the results of the biopsy.” The doctors proposed several cycles of chemotherapy. At first, Jamie refused the treatment. “I figured that if anyone can fight it, I could,” Jamie said, shaking his head in memory. “I told them I felt fine, and I didn’t need the chemo. “My mom was hurt the most,” Jamie said, pain flashing briefly in his eyes. “It was really hard. Seeing her cry….” He looked off to the side, his mind miles away. “Seeing her was what convinced me to do the chemo.

“My dad was silent. He couldn’t really say anything,” Jamie said quietly. “No parents should have to deal with their child going through this.” If Jamie decided against the treatment, the doctors warned, the cancer could spread and block his esophagus, stopping his breathing. Jamie agreed to chemotherapy. “They had the chemotherapy injected into my IV and I was on it before I even knew it,” Jamie recalled. “They told me I had already gone through my first chemo treatment, and I figured, hey,” Jamie said, setting his jaw, “if I had already done one, how hard could it be?” Jamie has gone through eight cycles of chemotherapy, and has two remaining. “Each time, I’m a little bit weaker, and the treatment is a little harder to go through,” Jamie said. After his first chemo treatment, Ashley stopped by the hospital to check up on Jamie. She sat by his side, and they made light conversation until Jamie couldn’t stand it any longer. “I have cancer,” Jamie said. Ashley was silent. “I didn’t want her to have to go through this with me,” Jamie explained. “And I knew it would be hard. It’s going to affect my friends, my family….” He falters. “It’s going to affect my whole life.” “As long as it won’t change the person you are,” Jamie recalled her saying, “we’ll be together.” Ashley stuck with him, and they’re still together today. Jamie took a trip to the Children’s Hospital on Friday to get a PET scan in order to find if the chemotherapy had rid his body of the cancerous cells. The results came in Monday afternoon, and all it took was a call. Ring. Ring. Ring. “So, what did the scan show?” Jamie asked nervously. He holds the phone away from his ear, his hand shaking ever so slightly in anticipation. “Well, it appears that there’s still bits of it left,” the doctor admitted slowly, “and we’re still going to be on the track we were before. Two more cycles of chemo, then on to radiation therapy.” Jamie covered his face with one hand, but pulled it away quickly. “Can we up the dose? Make it stronger?” Jamie asked, a tiny note of pleading in his voice. “I think we’re just gonna have you stay on the course that we were on originally planned,” the doctor said. “I’m not worried though, I mean, you still have a 10-

15% chance of it going away forever after radiation.” Jamie sighed. His battle with cancer continues. Even while dealing with chemo, steroid pills, and cancer, Jamie has found ways to help him survive. “I try really hard to stay physically fit. I lift every week and snowboard as often as I can. I do as much as some people, and more than others,” Jamie said, shrugging. “It’s important to me. “What’s gotten me through, though, is realizing that people are there for you, willing to spend their time to make sure you’re going to be okay. Jamie still counts himself as lucky. Lucky, for catching the tumors at such an early stage. Lucky, for a 94% of being cancer free within four months. Lucky, for having such a caring family to support him. Lucky, for Ashley being there for him, as an IV drips in his arm, her fingers intertwined with his. And lucky, for getting a second chance to make the most of his life. “Now, I have something to fight for… something to live for.” Kyle McDaniel

CEO of Medical Media Holdings rock: What is the name of your company? Noble: Medical Media Holdings is the parent company, but we have four other companies underneath that. rock: What exactly does your company do? How do you train oncologists? Noble: We put together the latest information on drugs and other treatment options for oncologists and present it to them in live events, in newsletters and journals, in satellite broadcasts, and on the internet, so they can keep up to date. Depending on which state they are in, most oncologists need about 50 hours of continuing medical education credits every year to maintain their licenses. rock: What exactly does you job consist of? Noble: I have to make sure that all four companies are doing what they are supposed to do and that we have enough of the right people in the right jobs to get it all done. I am also the primary interface between the company and our owners and bankers. rock: What parts of your job are rewarding? Noble: I hope that everything we do helps doctors provide the very best treatment for their patients and that we are helping to extend or save lives. rock: How do you personally feel the progress in cancer research is coming? Noble: Cancer is about 200 different diseases. There has been a lot of progress in research in some types of cancer like prostate or breast cancer. Unfortunately, there has been very little progress in other areas like lung cancer [research.] I do think that we will eventually find a cure, although we may find it sooner for some cancers than others. A big part of the solution is prevention. Don’t smoke, eat healthy foods like fruits and vegetables and exercise and you can greatly reduce your risks. compiled by Meghan Long

In the first stage, only one lymph node is affected or cancer occurs in the surrounding areas by the lymph node.

In the fourth stage, cancer has affected one or more organs outside the lymphatic system, like the bone marrow or the liver.

Source: www.omnimedicalsearch.com

When the disease enters the second stage, the cancer spreads out from the lymph node area to the nearby tissue and two or more lymph node areas above the diaphragm are affected.

i 3

- Scientists group brain tumors by grade (I-IV.) The higher the grade, the more abnormal the cells are and the more rapidly the cells grow.

Art by Kristen Scheirman

rock: What was your reaction when you found out? Herrington: I was shocked and surprised since I do not have a family history of breast cancer and because I am so young. I was scared and worried for my future and what this all meant for me and my family.

Jamie McMillen ‘09, fights Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, relying on his family, friends, and girlfriend for strength to get through it all

There are over 200 different types of cancer. Scientists are working to discover the cure but until then, cancer will continue to impact millions of people across the globe every year. Those with cancer in their lives eventually learn to cope with it, whether they have it, or a close friend has it, or a relative has it. On this page are the stories of RC students who are dealing with the cancer in their lives in a variety of different ways. Fast Facts

Continuing the battle

Stages of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma...

Finding the ticket to coping with cancer

14/15

In the third stage, the disease affects lymph node areas on both sides of the diaphragm. It is possible the cancer may have extended to an area by the lymph node or the spleen.

community the rock

2/25/09

My wallet needs a bailout A bonus commentary by Alex Rowe The United States provides assistance to starving people, provides assistance to starving animals, and it is time to provide assistance to starving inanimate objects – specifically my wallet. My wallet is growing thinner every day, and without sustenance will soon wither away to nothing. It is necessary that money is placed in my wallet. My wallet must be bailed out. This new bailout plan would request a meager billion dollars, and will help countless American objects and citizens. We cannot let American objects like my Hurley wallet (a California-based company) lose their jobs, or worse, their lives. The bailout plan will help more then just my wallet; it will save the struggling Highlands Ranch economy. The good my wallet can do with a billion dollars is immeasurable. It will save singles, if not tens of American jobs and will pump money directly into the economy. My wallet has developed a relationship with the man who works the register at Chipotle. He has a beautiful southern accent and, on rare occasions, gives free student drinks even when my wallet doesn’t remember the student ID it is always supposed to be carrying. If my wallet is bailed out I can guarantee that honest, hardworking citizens like this will not lose their jobs. My wallet will use the bailout money to assure the success of burrito-selling businesses, and the continuation of student drinks. There has been talk that my wallet has been selfishly using money for its own good. That it’s giving itself a giant salary for its job as my personal cash carrier. This is not so. The platinum chain my wallet has just purchased said, “Alex’s wallet is the most honest hard working object I know. It would never be selfish or ask for this bailout money when there are still places it could find money.” The recent car, ring, and house my wallet purchased have seconded this statement. I will reiterate that my wallet does not want a bailout to feed selfish desires, but instead to feed the economic fire that keeps my community warm. Not to say that to bailout this struggling object you might as well be burning the money… My wallet will use the billion to sustain life in the slums of Highlands Ranch: an area of the country that is being hurt the hardest by the recession. It promises to go to Waterway, get my car washed, filled up, and tip whoever sloppily dries my machine off. It promises to use this money to not only buy new music, but new DVDs in support of the entire entertainment industry. It promises to visit Chipotle at least twice a week to insure their success, and if the bailout passes, my wallet will even buy drinks. It promises to spend every dollar extravagantly, so that the economy will continue to thrive. It is clear that to have a prosperous economy the only solution is to bail my wallet out. Make the right choice, and give aid to my starving wallet.

Language ‘Arts’ visuals greet students each day The god of AP watches over classes in room 3400 each day. The art piece, created by a ThunderRidge student several years ago and bequeathed to Lissa Cullen, inspires Advanced Placement Literature students to reach their goal of a “5.” Photo by Mattie Nobles

iving—WOW … g Break Blas – Taylor Men t!” k

OFF

www.SkyVentureColorado.com 303-768-9000 Open at 9 a.m. Daily

when you mention this ad.

Includes training with the world’s best instructors and the equivalent of two free falls in a climate controlled wind tunnel

The Entertainment District Park Meadows Mall Lincoln Light Rail Station T h E AT E r S

R e S Ta u R a n T S

S h o P P I n g

B O W L I n g

The magazine used a formula that includes number of State qualifiers, State finishes, number of State champions, number of All-State selections and total number of participants. The magazine came out prior to our recent State championship in swimming. And to think: we were branded the “brain” school for most of our history. Top academics in Douglas County, top athletic school in 4A... well-represented in vocal and instrumental music, state champs in newspaper and yearbook... Whew!

There is no doubt when you enter room 3450 that Dave Heimer is an Iowa wrestling fan, and that he is a former Little Hawk.

Break up the Jags! We’re a machine.

Interested in public speaking? In leadership opportunities? Plan to attend the introductory meeting of the

Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program at RCHS

When: Thursday, February 26 Where: Room 400 Time: 2:45 What: Introductory meeting to the program (how it works, when we will meet, benefits of participation). See Mr. Doan for more info.

Neurosurgical & Spine Specialists, PC 7720 S. Broadway

303-996-7555 What’s in your future?

Indoor Sky Diving

What a Sprin

The February issue of “Mile High Sport” ranks RCHS as the number 1 athletic school in 4A, and #15 among all schools in Colorado. Instructor PJ Stahley has decorated room 3700 with some of his favorite pop culture icons, including this Homer Simpson poster.

Denver’s Best Thrill

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the rock

aida

I-needa the stage Ingrid auditions to prepare for her future

Ingrid Andress ’09 chose to audition for Aida to prepare for her future. She wasn’t planning on landing the lead role, but had instead auditioned to strengthen her voice. “It was a hard choice,” she said. “I miss sports a lot. I really do, but I want to sing for the rest of my life.” Andress was awarded a scholarship to the Berkley School of Music and she knew this was the right choice. This is Andress’ first time as a lead. “It’s really stressful, but I love the music,” she said. “Elton John is the sh… He’s awesome. “Because I have so much less stage experience I sometimes have trouble with the terminology. They tell me to go upstage and I go down, and vice versa. But everyone is really nice and really excepting.” Andress enjoys rehearsal, but the show feels a long ways away. “Everything takes a lot of time,” she said, “and I have no patience. I hate how slowly things go, but in the end I do have a lot of fun at rehearsal every day.” It will all be worth it for Andress when the show comes. She said, “I love performing. It’s the only reason I do this. “I hope people come and see it. I mean, they better or I’ll be pissed.” To avoid Andress’ wrath come see Aida. Alex Rowe

2/25/09

Come see Aida: March 6, 7, 12, 13, 14

Clockwise from top left: Ingrid Andress ‘09, hides behind a piece of scenery during rehearsal. Matt Morrison ‘10 checks his drum music for the next song while playing in the pit. Eric Opp ‘11, holds his staff in the air during the Egyptian warriors stick dance. Madison Lian ‘09, models her Cleopatra costume during the fashion show in the ‘My Strongest Suit’ scene. Aubree Purdy ‘12, Mikaela Merril‘11, Lauren Zulkowski ‘09, Lian, and Maggie Brister ‘09 dance before ‘My Strongest Suit.’ Photos by Alex Rowe

A new journey

New views on an old hobby makes fun Freshman Matt Hopkins has been singing for majority of his life, but he’s never tried anything like this. “I started singing in choirs when I was six,” said Hopkins. “I’ve been singing pretty much forever. Music is a huge part of my life.” So when his friends told him about Aida auditions, he decided to go for it. “It sounded like fun,” he said. “And I really wanted to try acting.” Hopkins got cast in the chorus, and has found that not only does he love singing but loves being on stage too. “A musical is very different – better, I think,” said Hopkins. “The songs contribute to the plot and really mean something to the actors, instead of people just singing random songs. It helps me relate more to the music and have a better time.” Hopkins, along with other freshman thespian neophytes, has learned a lot from the show, and hopes to continue in Rock Canyon Theater. “Aida has helped me be more confident,” said Hopkins’ friend and fellow chorus member Joe Toves ’12. “I had no idea what to do, and they corrected me when I made mistakes. I like learning how to be better.” “I’ll most definitely try out for other plays,” said Hopkins. “It’s helped me become a better actor, and I’ve made so many new friends.” Hannah Wellman

Light of his life ‘My name is Mitch and I like lights.’

To Mitch Schellenger ’09, stage lighting is about more than just making sure there are no shadows. “Theatrical lighting is an art to me,” said Schellenger. “I enjoy it because I like being creative and making interesting and original light plots.” Schellenger is the head of light crew for the musical Aida. It is his job to create the light plots and program the light changes for the show. “I have so many cool ideas,” Schellenger said, “I want to order diffusion gels for the tomb, and I want to order moving lights that I can program on my computer.” Schellenger is also excited about a stage extension he designed. For this show, a stage was built over the first two rows of seats with ends that connect to the stage. It creates a pit for the musicians, and provided a challenge to Schellenger. “We were really behind on the set and I knew that this had to be built,” he said. “I spent a day measuring and designing, put in an order for more than 400 feet of wood, and spent a day here until 11 pm with Evan (Schneider ’10) and Drew (Goodman’10) putting this thing up. “It’s pretty cool because nothing like this has ever been done at Rock Canyon.” To light the extended stage lights have been hung on poles on the theatre walls for the first time. Though most of Schellenger’s work is done by show time, he still is able to worry. “I enjoy the stress,” he said. “I like the possibility that something will go wrong and I will have to fix it. It’s an adrenaline rush.” Alex Rowe

Clockwise from above: Ben Bush ‘11, sails away on a boat to Nubia as King of the Nubians. Maddie Smith ‘09, dances during the song ‘My Strongest Suit’. Evan Schneider ‘10, plays the bongos in the pit during rehearsal. Bush rewires the sound board so that the sound crew can work outside the booth in the auditorium. AJ Opp ‘09, stands atop the period as the Pharoh marrying the Prince of Egypt. Mitch Schellenger ‘09, checks the lighting backstage. Photos by Alex Rowe

community the rock

2/25/09

Members of the swim and dive team gathered to paint “the rock” Thursday evening, Feb. 12, just before heading to the state meet. By the time they came back to school on Monday, those wacky kids from Mountain Vista had dropped by to add a cheery message. Sore losers? Just losers?

rock enjoys several new paint layers The girls basketball team wasted no time in letting everyone know they would be playing (last night) in the 4A girls basketball tournament. Fun fact: every varsity sport at Rock Canyon has qualified for state this school year. Which activity or sport will be next to be highlighted on “the rock”?

Welcome spring’s return at DAZBOG 

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Come in and try our spring specials! Bring your student ID and get a $1.00 off any medium specialty drink! Good only at the CPN location.

7298 Lagae Road, Unit A Castle Pines North At the intersection of Castle Pines Parkway and Lagae Road, in front of King Soopers Phone 720-733-6699

Tinker

the rock

2/25/09

‘Students do not shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gates’

Right: One of the t-shirts worn last week in the mockprotest last week. Below: Mary Beth and John Tinker hold their armbands, worn in protest of the Vietnam War. The trial began in Nov. of 1968 and the final verdict was given on Feb. 24, 1969.

Yesterday marked the fortieth anniversary of the Tinker vs. Des Moines Supreme Court decision, guaranteeing students and teachers all across the U.S. their First Amendment rights. Today, we enjoy the rights they fought for in 1969.

Tinker vs. Des Moines • John Tinker, 15, Mary Beth Tinker, 13, and Christopher Eckhardt, 16, all attended schools in Des Moines, Iowa. • In Dec. 1965, a group of adults and students held a meeting in the Eckhardt home. • The group decided to voice their protest of the government’s actions in Vietnam. To show their support for peace, they decided to wear black armbands for the holiday season. They would also fast on Dec. 16 and New Year’s Eve. • The administrations at Des Moines schools caught wind of the plan. They met on Dec. 14, 1965, and created a policy in which any student wearing

Bringing back 1965

The rock recreates Tinker, celebrates student rights On Friday Feb. 20, a dozen reporters from the rock wore white t-shirts with black peace signs painted on them. Below the peace sign read “End the war.” We voiced our opinions, protesting the current war in Iraq and promoting peace. And nothing happened. The administration said nothing. The teachers said nothing. The counselors said nothing. Because nothing was out of the norm. Students have the right to express themselves just as any other citizen would, thanks to the Tinker vs. Des Moines decision on Feb. 24, 1969. The Supreme Court Decision ruled that students do not “shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gates.” As long as behavior does not disrupt the learning process, students are guaranteed protection under the law. Kate Jones

an armband at school would be asked to remove it. If he or she refused, then the student would be suspended. • Mary Beth and Christopher wore black armbands to school on Dec. 16. John wore his to school the next day. They all were sent home from school and suspended until they would come back without the armbands. • They returned to school after Jan. 1, when the planned period for wearing the armbands was over. • The case made it to the Supreme Court, and was argued on Nov. 12, 1968. The verdict was given on Feb. 24, 1969, ruling that the actions of the administration were unconstitutional. The decision stated that “students do not shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gates,” and students and teachers are allowed to express their opinions freely so long as it does not infringe on the rights of others or disrupt the learning process.

Expressions of freedom

Students at RC have the freedom to voice their opinions in several forms. RCTV, bottom left, is a prime example of students’ freedom of expression. Painting the rock and creating art are just two of the ways that students may show their support of anything from a sports team to a political cause. Directly above, student art hanging on the wall in one of the art rooms. Left, a sculpture in progress ready to be finished. All photos by Kate Jones

How to make your own armband 1

Measure the circumference of your bicep. Cut a strip of black fabric with enough material to eventually fasten it around your upper arm.

Using a white colored pencil, draw your peace sign. Use a stencil if you want to make a perfect circle.

Use puff-paint over your pencil drawing. Once it dries, either tie the armband around your arm or use safety pins to fasten it in place.

fashion

the rock

2/25/09

RC Fashion Week This week ‘the rock’ went on a mission: a fashion search.We searched the halls for the most stylish girls and guys. The mission was a success.

s e i d a L 1.

New York Fashion Week 2009

What are the designer trends? Gold, Silver, Bronze and metallic accents The designers who did it: Phillip Lim, Thakoon, Derek Lam, Marchesa and Michael Kors

Crayola brights and neon colors The designers who did it: Marc Jacobs, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Chris Benz, Preen, Alexander Wang and Matthew Williamson

1. Maddie Wallingford ‘09, in a pink printed shirt, which looks great plain or layered with jewelry. 2. Jessica Owsely ‘10, wears a bold, flowered headband which can dress up any simple outfit. 3. Brianna Vail ‘11, wears bright leggings with a sweater dress and boots, a cute and comfortable look. 4. Katy Culton ‘11 and Caley McKnight ‘11, turn the halls of Rock Canyon into their runway.

s Gent

Brushstroke prints and patterns The designers who did it: Jill Stuart, Lela Rose, Rodarte, Narciso Rodriguez, Anna Sui and BCBG Max Azria Black and shiny ankle boots, heels and shoes The designers who did it: Alexander Wang, Donna Karan, Marc Jacobs, Diane Von Furstenberg, Jill Stuart, Erin Fetherston, Miss Sixty and Yigal Azrouël One shoulder dresses and drapes The designers who did it: Donna Karan, Diane Von Furstenberg, Jill Stuart, Herve Leger, Rag & Bone, Yigal Azrouël, Altuzarra and Abaete Bright and metallic pants The designers who did it: Diane Von Furstenberg, Jill Stuart, Preen, Erin Fetherston, Karen Walker, Lacoste, Marc Jacobs and ADAM

Thin, leather and embroidered high waist belts The designers who did it: Donna Karan, Marc Jacobs, Temperley, Erin Fetherston, Karen Walker, Miss Sixty, Yigal Azrouël, ADAM and Alexander Wang High neck shirts The designers who did it: Donna Karan, Marc Jacobs, Diane Von Furstenberg, Jonathan Saunders, Miss Sixty ,Yigal Azrouël, Alexander Wang and Charlotte Ronson

1. Hayden Genth ‘09, in a casual black polo with jeans. This classic look is always a hit. 2. Cooper Ryburn ‘11, stands out in a striped, colorful zip-up jacket. 3. Jordan Tinney ‘09, looks rad rockin’ his band t-shirt. 4. Derek Rhodes ‘09, is a real stunner with his fun hoodie and fabulous hair.

Hip Hair:

Katie Noble ‘09, shows us how it’s done.

1. This messy ponytail is an easy and cute hairstyle. Just put hair into ponytail then tease the crown of head and use bobby pins to pull bangs back. Use hair spray to keep this messy look. This is perfect for those rushed school mornings.

2. Dress up a simple side ponytail or bun with a small braid. First braid a small section of hair and put it in a ponytail holder. Pull together the rest of your hair in either a ponytail or bun. This braid can jazz up your boring side ponytail.

The white shirt: Loose or tucked in with pants The designers who did it: Alexander Wang, William Rast, Lacoste, Yigal Azrouël, Abaete, Diesel and Elise Øverland

3. Want to keep your hair down but out of your face? Try twisting a section of your hair on both sides of your head and pulling them together in the back with bobby pins. Tease the top of the crown of your head to give this look volume.

the rock

profiles

2/25/09

For the love of cleaning Custodian finds joy in keeping the hallways clean

It’s dark outside, the parking lot of RCHS is empty, but one man still remains. He is still here, cleaning, vacuuming, making sure everything is ready for another day at school. His name is Girard Roundtree, you may have seen him, he walks the halls with kind eyes and a grateful smile. Girard came to Rock Canyon because he thought it would be a good fit for him, he thought that Rock Canyon seemed like a pretty decent school to work. Girard chose to be a janitor because it’s what he loves to do, “Do what you love or do something else” Girard said laughing. Being a janitor is what makes him happy. “The best part about my job is solving other people’s problems; I love my job and that’s an affirmative,” Girard said. Girard arrives at Rock Canyon at two in the afternoon and leaves at 10:30 at night. “The hours are long, especially when it gets dark,” Said Girard. “But it doesn’t bother me I like to do it. If you have ever seen Girard you know that he never seems to be unhappy or negative, he is always in a great mood, but what doesn’t he like about his job, “It’s hard to think of something I don’t like about my job, but I would have to say uncertainty of employment,” Girard said. Girard helps us in so many ways at Rock Canyon, so the next time you see Girard in the hallway make sure to give him a big smile back or just a simple “Thank you,” or maybe the next time you see trash sitting on the table after lunch pick it up and throw it

Another one bites the dust

As graduation creeps closer Jessie Salus ’10, nerves grow stronger. “Its like I’m losing my best friend. I’m realizing that I’m going to have to deal with things all on my own,” Salus said. Salus is the youngest of four children. She has watched two of her older brothers already graduate and this May will send her brother Brad Salus ’09, away like the others. “I have watched them all leave and it’s just hard because its like they are moving on without me and I’m the only one left,” Salus said.

away. The little things you do can help out Girard in big ways. “Girard is always so willing to help,” some office ladies said. “He is so nice, we always see him in here cleaning up the office.” Alyssa Jones

For the first time in her life Salus will be the only child in the house and doesn’t know if she is quite ready to make it without backup. “Whenever there is a dispute in the house, it’s like my parents versus Brad and I,” Salus Said. “I just think it’s going to be really hard because he is always there to reinforce my decisions,” Salus said. “Just the fact that my brothers have gone through everything I am going through is reassuring, but now they are all going to be far away.” Salus has waved goodbye to two brothers who have set off to college already, but this year it will be different. The baby of four will finally be the last child under the roof of the once packed house. Due to the proximity in age, Salus believes this graduation will be the most difficult of the three. “I have been closest to Brad because we are closest in age, I tell him everything and I don’t really know what I’m going to do when he is gone” Salus Said. This second semester Salus is trying to make every second count. “I’m trying to get the most out of it that I can, “Salus said. “Even if it’s just hanging out watching a movie.” The four siblings will be together again for the oldest brother wedding this March. “We are all in the wedding together, and even thought were all getting older, its like a reminder that things aren’t really changing,” Salus said. “No matter how far away everyone is we still all have a lot of fun when we’re together.” Meghan Long

Imagination configuration

Freshman finds place in high school with imagination

Dillon Ricks, also known as, “Big D,” is one freshman who is unlike the others. Ricks lets his imagination and creativity run wild. He creates different stages of comics and stories based off of characters he created called Doodle Boy and Art Man who are continuously battling one another. “The idea of these comics just came to me one day,” Ricks said. “ My friend and I came up with the idea in 8th grade. I show a few of my friends my drawings, and they think they [the drawings] are pretty cool.” Along with his talent in drawing comics, he writes imaginative stories and sentimental poems. Ricks once spent five weeks perfecting a poem for a crush. “It was a sonnet about this girl,” Ricks said. “She said it was the sweetest thing she had ever read.” Besides Rick’s magic touch with the ladies, he is enjoying high school so far this year. “I like my lunch table, as a freshman I feel like I am finally accepted for the first time,” Ricks said. “Dillon has really opened up to us,” Hunter James ’09, said. “We invited him to sit with us at our table and now he cracks jokes and shows us his comics. He’s a good looking dude and a ladies man.” Others who sit at lunch with Big D say that he is a sly guy who will occasionally throw a pretzel or goldfish across the table and then

look away acting like it wasn’t him, discreetly smiling. “He’s pretty funny,” James said. Ricks loves riding his bike to go hang out with friends. He use to cruise around on his scooter but no longer does after an accident where he gashed open his knee after flying off his scooter trying to do a trick. When it comes to Ricks future profession he hopes to go into the art of welding. “It’s like every boys dream to be able to work with big flames and weld things together,” Ricks said. “I also think the art is fascinating.” Ricks has a good head on his shoulders and believes that high school will prepare him for the real world. “In the future I am going to look back,” Ricks said, “and think that I couldn’t accomplish things with out high school experiences.” Gabi Johnson

A heavy load for a ‘super’ intendent Jim Christiensen shares his duties as Douglas County superintendent and the challenges he faces With 6,700 staff members, 58,000 students, and 72 schools, Douglas County’s superintendent, Jim Christensen finds himself to be a very busy man. As an employee of the Board of Education (BOE), it is Christensen’s main job to oversee the ultimate progress that the BOE makes regarding learning goals. He is also in charge of monitoring all operations of the district, as well as Human Resource responsibilities, budgets, construction and maintenance, communication, and creating an efficient organization. He hires people to help him do his job and then he supervises them. “I got into this profession because I love and believe in kids,” Christensen said. “I was the class clown in high school, so I am not too stuffy or too boring as some superintendents are perceived to be.” Christensen approaches his job both “hands on” and in the office. “I believe that decision making and complaints belong at the local level.” Christensen said. “But my practice is to allow our schools to lead within the parameter and deal with the operations of their own work.” He is constantly meeting with department leaders, attending community meetings, and visiting school events during his 12-13 hour days. He visits the school to provide support for their hard works and efforts, as well as to learn about what is going on in individual

classrooms. “The best part is that I am able to work with leaders and educators who are true experts in what they do,” Christensen said. “I do not have to spend too much time developing the great staff we have in DCSD.” With the major budget cuts occurring in the district, Christensen has had more work on his hands with a cut of 37 million dollars over the course of two years and many changes that will be taking place in schools across the district next year. “We are constantly looking for communication and feedback from people.” Christensen said. “It’s challenging because it takes a lot of time to educate the administrators of the new changes and design new services.” Overall, the primary cuts are being made in the central office levels and the Board of Education is trying to minimize the impact placed on the schools. “The hardest part is to be ready for the fair and unfair attacks on my leadership and efforts,” Christensen said. Christensen still thinks it’s funny when he runs into teachers in a school and they ask him if he is a substitute for the day. “I never tell them who I am for the fun of it,” Christensen said. “I do not want hierarchy driving our system; I want relationships to be the glue that makes us work.” Nicole Givin

Unusual Talents of RC Students

“I have been able to pop my ear out for nine years; my mom would get mad at me for doing it so often, but my dad thought it was awesome.” Blake Scurto ‘09

“I learned how to cup stack when I was in second grade and I competed in a bunch of competitions was really into it.” Evan Schneider ‘10

“I’ve been able to do the scorpion for ten years; gymnastics has really helped my flexibility.” Justine Gullia ‘11

education the rock

2/25/09

Students were asked to draw, create, write, and depict what they think about...

rock canyon’s FUTURE HOW IT SHOULD BE

Q&A Anne Fender Student teacher for Lissa Sayers rock: What did you do before deciding to teach? Fender: Before student teaching, I worked in business for three years. It was temporary insanity. I worked in human resources and marketing. I was in charge of all the hiring and firing. rock: What changed your mind? Fender: I knew a year in that business wasn’t right for me. The idea of going back to school was daunting, but I’ve always loved school from when I was a kid. I loved the pursuit of knowledge, which is just so cheesy. I was just making money for the man, but now I’m back in the environment I want to be in. rock: What’s the hardest part about being a student teacher now? Fender: Right now, I’m busy learning the ropes of teaching, but I’m really enjoying it. It’s definitely challenging, but nothing could be natural. rock: Why did you pick Lissa Sayers to teach under? Fender: Well, I got to observe all the teachers, and [Sayers] seemed like she’d be fun, as she has the same sense of humor as me. My brother was a student of hers, so I had heard about her before. She’s great to work with, and she’s a great person. rock: If you could be any animal, what would you be? Fender: That’s really hard... I’d probably be a dog. You get everything you want, and you don’t have to do any work. compiled by Kyle McDaniel

HOW IT WILL BE The gods that whisper into the ears of the judges that reside on the high court that is the school board have heard our prayers. Due to the budget cuts, there will be open campus next year. Douglas County School District will be having open campus for the first time beginning in fall of 2009. The campus will open to all sophomores, juniors, and seniors. This will be a revocable privilege with restrictions that will be developed on a school by school basis. “This will provide more flexibility in schedules,” said Dan McMinimee. “The policy will compliment how seniors need more flexibility in their schedules and will ease freshman into the change.” There will also be two additional periods next year, a zero and eighth hour. Buses will arrive at and leave the school respectively at 7:45 and 3:00: before first, and after seventh hour. With the additional optional periods, the school will be open from 6:45 to 4:00. Also, graduation requirements will change for the class of 2012 and all subsequent classes. Instead of 25.5 credits, they will only have to take 24.0 credits. The Social Studies requirement will be reduced by a half credit to 3.0

credits, the elective requirement will be reduced by a half credit to 8.0 credits, and there will no longer be a speech requirement. The change was enacted for two reasons. First is to meet the district’s Goal Three, which is to give all students fair access to a liberal and fine arts education. The second reason is to save money. If all of the current freshman were to implement the change and take only 24.0 credits by the time they graduate, there would be an estimated savings of $2,933,072.00. The reason that this direction of change was chosen was to closer align DCSD’s graduation requirements with other schools in the area, and because the metro area test data shows no correlation between ACT performance and credit hours. School board member Justin Williams praised the additional flexibility this change will provide, saying, “There is merit to moving away from the factory mentality where everyone does the same thing. This is a positive change.” Alex Rowe

photos by Kyle McDaniel, Connor Dozois, and Alex Rowe

Menace or God-send? Is CSAP testing a vital tool or a problematic waste?

Logan (Pro): CSAP is just one type of standardized test. And like all standardized tests, it can level the playing field and allow for a system that compares apples to apples. This means that it can eliminate grading scales that change from school to school.The problem is that an “A” can mean something entirely different from a public suburban school with a flowing budget, to an inner city school that can barely afford textbooks, to a rural one with graduating classes of 17, to a private one with stringent standards. Standardized tests are the only method to compare students on an even scale. Kasey (Rebuttal):: CSAP provides anything but a level playing field. Rather, it is racially and economically biased. The ratings given to schools do not take into account the differences in school populations. A school with a challenging population can receive a negative rating, which has significant consequences especially in funding, even though they may be making great strides in education with their students. Standardized tests should not be the only way to measure and compare students. Logan (Pro): Programs like the ‘No Child Left Be-

hind Act’ and Sylvan Learning Centers have been put in place so that disadvantaged and struggling students do not disappear into the woodwork, cause by falling more behind every year. They ensure that students don’t get lost or never develop the basic math, reading, and comprehension skills they need to not only succeed, but move on to more complex concepts of higher learning. However the best way to not only locate, but also analyze the problem is CSAP. Without standardized tests like this one, truly interpreting these deficiencies is almost impossible. Kasey (Rebuttal):: Programs like Sylvan cost money. It is unrealistic to believe that all disadvantaged and struggling students will go outside the school system and pay for help. They do not have the money. And why should they have to go outside of their own school to become better educated? That’s the school’s job. CSAP’s data is used to analyze a school’s performance, not an individual student’s. School curriculum is supposed to be shaped around the results of the CSAP not individual learning plans, so it really doesn’t directly benefit the student. And the timing of CSAP is completely off. Tests are taken in March. The data does not

come back until late August. School curriculum plans are made in June and July. School starts in August. Logan (Pro): The face of studying, and of learning in general, has changed of late. Spaced out methodical studying and content based learning has been replaced with late night cram sessions and shortcuts like Spark Notes to bypass the learning process for the sake of a grade. The simple fact is that students around the state and around the country now replace learning the content for memorizing names, dates, and equations. This provides an easy path to get good grades on tests the day after a midnight cram-session, but not to retain the information. CSAP forces basic information from subjects like history, chemistry, algebra, biology to be tested to ensure that students aren’t forgetting the vital information they are learning as soon as the unit is over. Kasey (Rebuttal):: CSAP has promoted “teaching to the test” rather than educating. Schools and students are under so much pressure to perform for these tests so that... continued on page 26

reviews

the rock

2/25/09

Friday the 13th

film freak

Welcome to Camp Crystal Suck The original “Friday the 13th” is summed up in the first 45 seconds. Right as the credits should have started running, the actual movie starts. An unexpected twist, sure, but I figured I’d stick around. The Gist: (Enter group of horny college kids, wave one.) Traveling back to the scene of the crime, Camp Crystal Lake, we hear the obligatory retelling of what happened all those years ago around a campfire. Jason drowned in the lake, his mom went crazy, killed some camp counselors, and got her head chopped off. However, Jason didn’t stay in the lake, but rather had a sort of resurrection and decides to continue to “kill for mommy.” Long story short, wave one down. (Enter wave two of horny college kids traveling to Frat Boy X’s posh house in the same area as Camp Crystal Lake. Enter also mysterious Abercrombie model, brooding brother of a member of wave one searching for his sister.) From here, you can essentially predict what will happen next, even if you haven’t had the pleasure of viewing this cinematic gem, or any of its trailers. Cue binge drinking, narcotics abuse, scattered sex scenes,

bibliophile

Dude, where’s my Kidney?

Monty Python’s “The Meaning of Life” was right. One of the most spiritual and revealing processes a person can go through is a live organ transplant. In Will Christopher Baer’s “Kiss Me, Judas”, Phineas Poe has a kidney stolen from him by a prostitute, and is thrown onto a rollercoaster of self-discovery that kept me up until the early hours of the morning. In chapter one the main character, Phineas Poe, wakes up in a bathtub full of ice and blood. A prostitute drugged him, sliced him open, and left him in the bathtub short one kidney, holding a phone and a note reading, “If you want to live, call 911.” Immediately I was hooked. Phineas is a mysterious character with a mysterious past. He makes shocking decisions (both unethical and unintelligent). He is described as looking physically sick, and being mentally sick. Yet you love him. Nothing about him seems loveable. He was targeted not just for his blood type, but because of his mental state. He

Revolutionary Road Pretentious Couple Yelling, Smoking, Complaining Tries too hard, bland film Daniel Wheeler Oscars are failures I hate the Oscars. All this fuss over nothing. Celebrities suck. Jake Eggett jonas Brothers change dimensions Jo Bros nail it hard, they melt your face in 3-D but don’t watch it. . . please. Connor Dezois

Garbonzo Falafel is great my stomach it satiates hummus forever

and many deaths by machete. Wave two is decimated, only a couple of horny college kids remaining (telling you who isn’t necessary, as I’m sure you sum it up upon first seeing them.) The Pros: • The ending pays a wonderful homage to the original (about the only place in the movie.) • A few stylish deaths thrown into the mix. • “Bros” screaming like girls. • The movie as a whole is awfully hilarious. The Cons: • The movie is awful. • You will never get those 97 minutes of your life back. I’m already feeling the loss. • Your wallet will also feel the loss. • Michael Bay. Thank you for butchering yet another classic in the War Against Horror. The Verdict: Overall, there is not much to praise about this movie. It is more like a stoner-porno than a horror film. All it really does is solidify the fact that classic horror movies, no matter how outdated, should be left alone. The big budget appeal and makeup effects of this film were achieved just as well by Tom Savini in the 1980 original. If you can avoid seeing this movie, do so. If you do, however, decide to watch it, do so in a lighthearted mood prepared to laugh. Brett Stokes

is an ex-cop and an ex-mental asylum patient. He had just been released from the asylum where he was committed because he had (allegedly) killed his sick wife. Phineas drinks, picks up prostitutes, knows where to go for illegal drugs, kills and isn’t afraid to do it again, and yet the reader is always on his side. That is the magic of this book. The reader roots for Phineas, whether he is picking up prostitutes or getting his kidney is stolen. Much of the book is a desperate chase after Jude, the lady who stole his kidney. Although the chase starts as Phineas’ own version of “The Most Dangerous Game,” it evolves into a romantic game of cat and mouse, and a seemingly impossible love between victim and assailant. I loved this book, and would not put it down. By the end of the book it was no longer a want, but a necessity that I knew what happened to Phineas. My favorite part of this book: the religious allusions. The meaning of the title is revealed on the last page, and I won’t ruin it for you, but it is beautiful. The several biblical allusions are

Bunnies, in a card game? The Killer Bunnies The race of all time to get The magic carrot Shelby Miles

Like SNL? See A Lonely Island A lonely island On a boat or like a boss this CD is hot Zach Cooper Scrubs New Scrubs, same old thing Ted’s got a girlfriend, she sings but her name is Gooch? Meghan Long

Seven cards in hand Pick the best to put in run Wait two turns to play You can earn money feed the bunny with cabbage quench it with water you kill the bunnies with flesh eating diseases and a kitchen whisk fetch all the carrots in order to win the game prey it’s the right one Zach Tornabenne

incredible because they are not used in a stereotypical way. The metaphorical Jesus is not a strong judgmental character, but is instead a sickly meek child. Baer’s use of the same old allusions, with new meaning is stylistically genius, and eye opening. He writes with a style and structure resembling that of Chuck Palahniuk, author of “Fight Club.” Baer gracefully flows through topics most authors fear. He writes graphic sex scenes, describes violent killings, and dips into the mindset of a junkie, all without making the reader uncomfortable. He instead uses these topics not as themes, but as instruments for character development. I would strongly suggest this book to anyone with an adventurous and mature mind. The drugs, sex, and violence will not appeal to everyone. If you enjoy this content, or can see past the debauchery and look at the character and motive driving the incidents, then set aside several hours, pick this book up and enjoy. Alex Rowe

My Bloody Valentine 3-D If death-by-pickaxe is the cure for your sickness here’s your prescription.

Jake Eggett

Opening Oscars Act Hugh Jackman sings great His godly voice hit the soul. Can’t wait for next year “Slumdog” cleaned up well “Milk” makes it for best actor R.I.P Heath L. Mandy Shapiro

commentary the rock

2/25/09

Getting Bonds of heart disease dirty Close friendships are developed during the most stressful situations, but hey, that’s life

Be careful where you read Michael Moore’s novel ‘A Dirty Job’

I have always believed myself to be a good example of feminine grace and mannerisms learned through good parenting and proper knowledge of etiquette. I believed the basic rules had been permanently engraved into my memory. Rules, such as avoiding inappropriate outbursts and always laughing demurely in public. Well… I was severely mistaken. I am in fact a raucous, unhinged; rip snorting fool, who cannot control herself in public or otherwise. I became Guest aware of my personality flaws Writer while reading Lauren Johnson the most insane, spectacular, offbeat book I have ever come across. Written by the most twisted man of the literary world, Christopher Moore. The book, A Dirty Job is the story of the typical beta male Charlie Asher father of self proclaimed Shiksa, Sophie, who runs Asher’s Secondhand. In a tale of life, death and sewer harpies Charlie learns he has to stop the underworld from rising in his hometown of San Francisco. In a process transferring the souls of the dead to new soulless owners, and frankly keeping the freaky stuff on the down low. Not without the help however of fellow death merchant Minty Fresh (yes, that is a name), Charlie’s suit stealing lesbian sister Jane, and Lily, Charlie’s morbid employee and consultant on all things evil and mysterious. Christopher Moore’s flamboyant word choice and viewpoints on death and the soul are unconventional to say the least. However they perfectly depict the Allusions to Celtic mythology and “the Morrigan” or as Charlie coined them the “sewer harpies”, Babd, Macha, and Neiman who persistently and unconventionally try to kill Charlie and Sophie through out the book. However many surprising protectors come along to save the death merchant and self proclaimed beta male Charlie and daughter Sophie, such as the third floor nannies Vladlena, the guilt ridden descendant of the Cossacks who believes everything to be “strong like bear!” And Mrs. Ling who has a tendency to eat… anything really, which is not unlike the two demonic baby sitters Mohammed and Alvin. Who might I add are five hundred pound inky black hellhounds who enjoy eating mufflers and Mr. Bubbles bubble bath. Moore’s writing is riddled with uncanny metaphors such as describing undercooked toast to his baby daughter as “Death’s toast!” along with to many others to count. Moore’s rhetorical devices are so well masked in street slang and witty banter that the reader will unknowingly be subjected to highly articulated literary prose. Moore’s writing however is gloriously uncensored and often eloquently blunt, let’s just say Moore is not keen on keeping things PG, A Dirty Job is not for those with high moral standards or those afraid to spice things up with colorful language. However, the language is used masterfully. Moore, in my opinion, is a quick and deadly brain ninja set on blowing away all of our perceptions on rational thought and comedic literature. This book never loses its steam the laughter never stops. I recommend reading this book preferably at home alone so as not to embarrass ones self and concern others around you of your mental health, as I presumably did. It caused me, in a fit of hysteria, to run snorting loudly, to the restroom in a bookstore, in a futile attempt to try and not wet my pants from the uncontrollable laughter caused by this book. Like I said, reading this book caused complete and utter loss of personal etiquette. But the world is a much better place when the writing of such a meticulously brilliant author graces you. I now know my training in manners and all things proper were for nothing. For in the turn of a page, and the glance of an eye, Christopher Moore cleaned my slate of all things mannerly, and replaced my well mannered former self with, as I stated before, a raucous, unhinged rip snorting fool who cannot control themselves in public or otherwise. As Christopher Moore would say, “I don’t give a crap.” I prefer his twisted, hilarious, optimistically macabre view of the world to any other novel on the shelves right now. So, if you are craving a gut-busting story about life, death and some weird things goin’ down in Chinatown, check out Christopher Moore’s A Dirty Job. His literary brain ninja skills will blow you away, or maybe cause you to wet your pants. Let’s hope not the latter.

Heart disease is the number one killer of Americans. Generally it is the result of dismal nutrition, sloth in one’s physical activity levels, and stress. But an overlooked cause of heart attacks in American youth is the auditioning of and participating in Colorado All State Choir. To be selected as a member of the Colorado All State Choir is a prestigious honor, but it is a tumultuous ride to there. There is a primary audition in which the student must sing the major, minor, diminished, and augmented triads, then perform the major, harmonic minor and melodic minor scales, and sing a classical song. After that thunderstorm of stress is completed, the student must do a rhythmic and melodic sight-reading, on top of a long line of aural recall. For those of you who are still awake, in laymen’s terms, it’s REALLY REALLY hard and stressful to audition for and be accepted into All State Choir. By this point in the stress fest, the student’s blood pressure has just shot up to 160/100.

The following weeks however, cannot be articulated. Every morning you wake up hoping that you made it; and every night while you are praying you say, “God Bless Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, oh and if it’s not too much to ask, could you please put me in All State, only if you have time, it’s no big.” For those select few who are chosen it is one of the best moments in their high school career, and if they are Guest pretty boring people, such Writer as myself, it is one of the highlights of their lives. It’s true the pre and postSean Kovacs traumatic stress of the entire ordeal shaved about five years off my life, but, man, was it worth it. Put down the weed, leave that coke, because this is the best high you will ever have! The lucky few who are elected spend three satiated days together; we paint, we talk to shepherds, we butter bread, we may do a little singing here and there, but most of all we bond. We bond both as artists, but also as people who have just been through the exact same merry-go-round of death; every person there had to perform the same audition criteria, and sit through the same gut-wrenching eon of our

unknown futures, so we already had a leg up on our paths to friendship. Why is it that when people have been through a turbulent time it is SO easy for them to bond with their brothers in that struggle? That vulnerability leaves the party in question raw; but it goes beyond choir. Think about a time when you have struggled. Think about whom you most wanted with you at that time; it was a person you could empathize with, no? A person who understood every ounce of your strife; every inch of your pain. A person who was in essence…you. Now move on to a different area of life, friendship. Each one of your friends shares some part of you. It’s easy to call a person your acquaintance, but the second you step over that threshold to friendship, is when you have metaphorically become blood brothers; some part of you is intrinsically bound to that person through your empathy. Alright, All State Choir is not a leading cause of heat-disease, but everyday life is; however it is potentially the most necessary evil out there. Without times of struggle, or without the pivotal moments that shaped the bonds we share with others, life would be dry; it would empty, it wouldn’t be…life.

The boss is in charge

Find your passion in life, whether it is music, or anything else, because that’s what gets us through the hard times of life The Boss runs my family. When the Boss is speaking, we are all ears. When the Boss plays guitar, we listen in silence. When the Boss is singing, god forbid a distraction interrupts a single note. The Boss is Bruce Springsteen. Some of the biggest Springsteen fans out there can say that they know every word to every song; they can say that they saw him perform at the Superbowl Staff halftime show; they can Writer say that they love nothing more than the Boss. Paige Newman What they probably cannot say is that Bruce is the leading man in their families’ lives, the axis around which the family revolves. The Boss’ role in my family did not just stem from a love of music, though. It stemmed from so much more than that. My dad was your regular teenage boy. He played tons of sports, went to tons of parties, got into tons of trouble. One thing set him apart from the rest, though: when my dad was

just 18 years old, his father died of cancer. According to dad, 18 is an important year for a boy: the first year of college, the first time being truly on your own, and the time a boy needs his father the most. To make a long story short, my dad lost the single most important person in his life. Without a father figure to turn to anymore, my dad turned to Bruce. Bruce was constantly singing his lyrics directly to my dad, or so it seemed. His songs seemed to be written as though he had been through all of the same things as my dad. On the way back to college from his father’s funeral, Bruce made the 800-mile trip with my dad. As the amount of hair on my dad’s head lessened, his passion for Bruce grew. To state it briefly, Bruce got my dad through almost every hard time in his life, and was the only person who was constantly there. My dad never lost his passion for Bruce and his music. To this day, he still goes to any and all

concerts he can make it to, buys every new album, watches every TV interview, and listens to Bruce every time he gets in the car. I do not necessarily have this same passion for Bruce as my dad, but my dad has shown me the importance of having a passion for something in your life. He has taught me that without a passion, what will get you through the hard times? Without a passion, what do you have to always turn to? Without a passion, what do you have to live for? I have yet to find my one true passion in life. There are things I love; things I would never give up, but I have yet to find my Bruce. I do not know how many of us can say that we have. What I do know is that I will find it one day, have to find it, because from this passion will grow other opportunities, other dreams, other passions. Once I find my passion in life, I will be able to run with it; to start making something happen out of it. After all, as the Boss would say, you can’t start a fire without a spark.

We can eat this week By doing something nice for others, you can expect to get something in return. Even if you’re not looking for something in return, good deeds tend to come back to you I believe in karma. elation when they find BBQ chips in their Between balancing a lunches, because when your twelve awesome job, school, and snacks are all that matters. stressing about And it’s a good feeling how to pay for to know that the spaghetti your Staff college, this econfamily is about to eat for dinomy has been the ner was paid for with your tip Writer least forgiving. money. It’s a good feeling to give. So unforgiving And when someone Brittni Haggard that I felt oblitries to make your life a little bit gated to buy fifty easier in return, well that’s the dollars worth of best feeling of all. groceries to feed Because I decided to my family of five a few weeks ago. buy food for my family, help with car When your parents can hardly fill the payments, and pay for my cell phone bill, I cabinets from one week to the next, you’re no was left cent-less when a down payment was longer asking them for any extra money at all. due for a choir trip this spring. I pay for a lot of things that most of my I decided to pass on this opportupeers don’t have to, and it’s frustrating I don’t nity to compete with my choir, as my piggy get to live in the same luxury. bank was empty. Maybe I could have bought myself That’s when I met karma. something with my hard earned money this Anonymously, someone within the school month, but instead, I bought groceries. offered me the three hundred and eighty nine But it’s a good feeling to know that you’re dollars I would need to go to Grand Junction younger siblings will have a moment of with choir, on the last high school trip of my

life. While the cost of the trip has gone down, it’s still bewildering that someone would so benevolently hand close to four hundred dollars over to me, when they probably don’t know me all that well, and maybe not at all. It’s pathetic that I am shocked at this gesture, as if I was the only one trying to lend a hand. I forgot that not everyone is selfish, and that what goes around comes around. When the world is going fanatical over every last penny, there are still those who willingly give. So thank you, whoever you might be, because you have restored my faith in the human race, and in me. This altruism is the small light in the end of my tunnel, and makes me want to do more for the people around me, not only my family. Most of all, I now have extra money for gas, school supplies, college… And more groceries.

the rock

commentary

2/25/09

A peachy paradise Life isn’t always peachy, or a paradise, but getting back on the wagon is what counts Not again. This is supposed to be a smoothie not a chunkie. I glanced at the time as I unclogged the straw in my Peach Paradise. “Kira, will you call Dad and tell him we’ll be a little later than we thought getting home?” After lunch, my sister and I hit the Tattered Cover to get a copy of In Cold Blood, Guest Jamba Juice to dip into the Writer gift cards we got for Christmas, Kohl’s to extend our wardrobes, my friend’s house Katie Kopchik because I’m caring for her pets during her vacation, and we were on our way to Target to cash in on a couple CD’s. We told our dad we would be home around 5:15 and it was already 5:00. When we left he said he was going to work on a picture frame he was making. She hung up and said, “He damaged his hand and is in the hospital.” Ok. Cool. So we don’t have to be home on time. (This wasn’t the first time he hurt his hand doing something stupid recently, no big deal.) At Target, my friend sent me a text mes-

sage wondering if I could meet her at the mall. “on the day after christmas? ur crazy!” “so?” “I guess I don’t hav anythin better to do...see ya soon” We were popping a squat on the couch in the Park Meadows Zumies when my uncle called. “Hi----t th---al----uh” I said, “Hold on, I need to find better reception.” I walked out and stood by the entrance to the Zumies and talked to my uncle. “I’m at the hospital with your dad...” Oh crap, that means he couldn’t get himself there. “...he’ll be in surgery for another hour or two...” Whoa, it’s worse than we thought. “...the surgeon may or not be able to repair the bone in the ring finger...” Way worse. “...they said he’ll probably be able to come home tonight.” Oh yeah, that’s a real plus. Kira and I weren’t sure whether we would go to our dad’s house or our mom’s

for the night. We spent another hour or so at the mall then headed home. First thing I did was run down to the basement workshop with my camera. I had been waiting for a good subject to photograph and I love blood. There was a lot of blood. A few hours later, my dad, uncle, cousin, and sister came home. Underneath the bandage, I was told, the back of the thumb and front of the pinky are cut up pretty bad and some of the ring finger had to be removed.We all make mistakes and the important thing is to not let them get in the way. As Ralph Waldo Emerson reminds us, “Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail.” My dad looks forward to more woodworking, cycling and skiing, he might even learn to play the guitar and become the next Jerry Garcia. It may not be a peachy paradise, but with a little chicken soup and physical therapy, he’ll be in tip-top shape. He will live; after all, the tip of his finger is a hell of a ways away from his heart.

Cheap and public

There are benefits to doing well in school, benefits with dead presidents on them When I turned 13, my parents made the decision that it was time for me to start going to public school and enter the 8th grade at Rocky Heights. My entire life up until then I had been home schooled, so this was a major change, and one that vastly intimidated me. Grades, nearly void in private school, would now have much more significance. While I had always thought that I was smart and had done well in school, I did not Guest know what to Writer expect, in terms of how hard classes would be, Matt Rabon or what kind of a change my social life would go through. Despite this, once I began, it was a breeze. I made As in all my classes with relative ease, and without many other obligations, I had plenty of time for school. Things still felt about the same come high school. I continued to make good grades all through freshmen year, but gradually my priorities began to change. I was now involved in Boy Scouts, taking piano lessons, and my social life began to gain

more prominence. My weekly allowance, I realized, just was not going to cut it for the things I wanted. No longer did my Christmas wish list just include hotwheels, clothes, and legos. Now I wanted things like a car, a computer, and an Xbox 360; the list went on and on. As a result, I decided to find a job and start making some real money. However, as I began to invest more time into my social life, my work life, and even my World of Warcraft life, my academic excellence began to waver. It was a slip that ironically would cost me financially. As a junior I began to turn my attention to colleges and I learned several things from my college counselor that stunned me. After reviewing my information and getting to know me a bit, he and I came up with a list of possible universities for me to attend. As we began to narrow the list and start talking about the finances of college, he told me that I could probably get a fifteen thousand dollar scholarship to Emory, one of the top schools in the nation, and possibly more if I brought my grades a little higher and scored well on the SAT. I was completely shocked. Fifteen thousand dollars! This was an incredible amount of money, and all for doing well in school. After

talking a while longer, my counselor told me that I was spending too much time working, and needed to cut back on my schedule to no more than fifteen hours a week. Before then I was working a 30 hours a week and trying to squeeze in time for everything else I liked to do. While I did enjoy my job, the primary reason for my immense work schedule was to make enough money to purchase a car by the end of junior year. However, after talking to my counselor, it became clear that my focus needed to be on school, not on my job. While I saved about fifteen hundred dollars over the course of six months working at Starbucks, I saved fifteen thousand dollars in college tuition for making good grade. So the next time you wish your parents would finally just get you a computer, that game system you’ve always wanted, or even a car, do them a favor and apply yourself a little harder at school. In economic times like these, the real money to be made lies in your education. If you can get a fifteen thousand dollar scholarship somewhere, then your parents could easily get you a computer, that game system you’ve always wanted, and a car, and still have some left over.

Not so rockin’ bones The loss of an idol makes us realize why rock doesn’t rock so hard anymore. “Lux Interior, lead singer of The Cramps, a good time, released 15+ studio albums, in passed away this morning (February 4th) due addition to many more singles and EP’s. They to…” even played a free show for the patients at the That is about as far as I got through the California State Mental Hospital. article. My head drooped to the Cycling through an array of Cramps alfloor and I grabbed at my hair in bums that night, it struck me that they don’t distress. make ‘em like Lux anymore. But why? Where I assumed it was a did the rock go? fabrication; his death had Today, rock’n’roll music Staff has become been faked before. I went more about how Writer overproduced a band can make looking for an official statement and found it an album sound, what clothes first try. My idol was dead. Brett Stokes they’re wearing, what instru The Cramps had been ments they’re playing, what cause one of the hardest working they’re supporting. What about bands ever to call themthe music? Is that no longer selves Americans. Rising important? from obscurity in the New York punk scene The Cramps played music for music’s of the mid-to-late ‘70s, they instantly made a sake. name for themselves. Set They played what they loved, not what ting themselves apart from other CBGB’s acts, they thought the masses would love. There ala The Ramones and Patti Smith, The Cramps was none of this “target audience” nonsense played an aggressive blend of fuzzy garage or trying to fit into a scene; The Cramps just punk infused rockabilly with lyrics reminiswere. And they rocked because of it. cent of ‘50s B-movies, which they dubbed It is not uncommon for bands to take “psychobilly.” a year or more in the studio recording an These “psychos” stayed active from their album today using pro-tools and recording humble start in New York well into the new technicians. Really? Is that necessary? I’ll millennium. answer that by reverting you to Gravest Hits, They’ve toured the world numerous times, which was recorded in one day on a fourin support of nothing but showing their crowd track mixer in 1979 and is sonically flawless.

“Rock’n’roll is way too healthy these days,” Lux said in an early 2000’s interview. He didn’t see the riskiness anymore. Artists are too cautious today, which renders them boring and uneventful. What is rock’n’roll supposed to be, except for the exact opposite of that? Rock’n’roll should consider changing its name to something more fitting. Bore-core? Snoresville? Either would work for me. I’m tired of these primadonna rock stars who couldn’t care less if they like the music they’re playing. Rock’n’roll needs another Lux. On February 3rd, we mourned the loss of Buddy Holly 50 years earlier. But that next day, the music died again. We lost another hardworking musician who did nothing but love music and share it with the world. However, sitting there that night listening to Lux’s immortal words, I was comforted in knowing that someone would be rocking…Even if it is from the grave. “I wanna leave a happy memory when I go, I wanna leave something to let the whole world know, that the rock’n’roll daddy has done passed on, but my bones will keep a rockin’ long after I’ve gone.” -Lux Interior (1946-2009)

Mirror, mirror, on my car

Things go wrong, the day seems long, but somehow, by the end of the day, I’ve usually learned something After junior year, having mustered up only enough stamina to finish my few AP classes with some remnant of dignity, I decided to ease off a little. But rather than merely taking a more lenient schedule, I decided to spread the weight and signed up for a class at Arapahoe Community College. A As comdeeper pensation I look also signed up for first period Maria Lawson senior option. Commentary So every Thursday I wake up extra early. It’s still dark out, and even though it’s February the neighbors are running their sprinklers. Everything is coated in that early morning grime. Groping for the coffee (please, please let there be coffee), stumbling around the kitchen, and borderline deciding that going into school can’t be worth it, I am eventually ready to go. Curse the senior option gods for creating such a gift, only to take it away on Thursdays. The left-hand side mirror is still hanging off my car, as it has been, mockingly, for about a week. Getting into the garage is harder than it looks, and as it wasn’t even part of the Driver’s Ed curriculum, I feel technically I can’t be blamed. I see that mirror and think two things: I need a roll of duct-tape, and if I don’t get a ticket, it will be a good day. By the time sixth period roles around, I’m generally thinking I set my ‘good-day’ standards a little too low. But it’s Thursday. I can almost see jolly Friday sitting on his throne of expectation just beyond the horizon. He’s winking at me, the old flirt. The week’s almost done. With little effort, I can pretend it’s the weekend and shirk responsibilities as if I can afford to do so. Then comes the moment of dawning comprehension, like a brick thrown by Alex Rodriguez: disappointment on top of disappointment. I have class tonight. Six to Nine. Oh my gosh. I’m already tired; I don’t want to go to another three hours of school. Not to mention the hours of homework I was planning on putting of untill the last minute. But I didn’t think that far ahead when I signed up to take history in the evenings at ACC. I complain about it all the time. It eats up my already painfully long Thursday. I’m sure my friends are tired of hearing me whine, bitch and moan about it, but I can’t stop until about 6:05 when I’m sitting in class, itching for it to begin with childlike anticipation. Its then I remember that I love it. I love my professor, who seems to know every interesting story on the planet, and who, when she doesn’t know something, says the amazing: “I don’t know. That’s interesting. Let me research it.” She wants to learn. I love the small class. We’re all different ages, but everyone’s jump-right-in friendly. There are about ten people in my class, aging from seventeen to fifty (averaging early twenties). That’s diversity, what we’re all aching for. We are different people, with different backgrounds and different stories, converging at a single place, once a week, for a single purpose. It’s one of those inspiring moments disguised as the banal. And unlike mandatory high school, I took the initiative to be there, so I have a serious stake in my grade. It would be stupid not to try. I love waltzing up to ACC like a bona fide college student. I can’t wait for the real thing next year. It jolts me out of my destructive cycle of self-pity, and I remember what it means to be a human being again – one who thinks and laughs and lives and knows there is more to life than my own insignificance. Yes, it’s Thursday, the never-ending day. But it’s worth it.

the rock

commentary

2/25/09

‘Menace’ cont. ...they can get the “excellent” ratings and more funding, that learning is not fun or well-rounded anymore. CSAP also does not measure a student’s entire academic base of knowledge. It focuses on a few subjects. Teachers and resources are devoted to those subjects, and others, like the arts or social studies, get short-changed and it’s not fair to students who excel in the other subjects. Kasey (Con): CSAP is a standardized test requiring multiple choice, short answers, and an essay response. However, this standardization fails to honor the individuality of each student taking the test. Everyone learns differently and at his or her own rate. How can the CSAP accurately measure that? Logan (Rebuttal): On the contrary, the entire purpose of having different types of testing methods is so that a student who struggles with one type can excel in others. The bottom line is, until tests are completely eliminated, they are the only method available to measure a student’s knowledge. We cannot individually interview every student to find their competency. It’s simply impossible. Kasey (Con): Preparation for the CSAP tests

emphasizes procedural knowledge and memorization of facts, rather than conceptual knowledge. Students focus on answers rather than the process used to obtain those answers. Many teachers “teach to the test,” causing true knowledge not to be reflected and shown through the tests. Since knowledge is not reflected labeling can be misleading. Logan (Rebuttal): It’s true, it is very unfortunate that teachers teach like to prepare their kids merely for the CSAP test. However, millions of dollars in funding is tied to scores, so the teachers have almost no choice. Every minute of every day in a school year should teach children the knowledge and the skills they need to succeed. So in essence, kids’ entire schooling life should be preparation for CSAP. Kasey (Con): CSAP results and scores are used to make many important decisions in schools, including additional funding or lack of, teacher salaries, bonuses on students’ test scores, and the decision of converting a low performing school into a charter school. CSAPs are given in spring and results are not released until late summer or early fall when the next school year has already begun. The decisions and curriculum have long been planned without the data so then what

is the point of the test? It seems Colorado schools would be better off by eliminating the tests and using the cost to administer the tests ($14-16 million) in other ways. A study in 2000 showed that one out of four public Colorado high schools don’t have a library. Logan (Rebuttal): Colorado has an estimated 230 schools with tens of millions of students, and it is simply impossible to speed up the process of scoring so many tests. The only way to speed up the process would be to make it multiple choice only, and that would only increase the argument that the test does not cater to varied test-taking skills. Without the CSAP test, we would have no idea where and how to allocate funding, and huge areas of deficiency would go overlooked.for doing nothing, there is no reason schools shouldn’t also “reimburse” unmotivated students. In these tough economic times, the more the government can reward those who worsen the situation (with unemployment checks, food stamps, etc.), while penalizing those who work to correct it (with taxes of all kinds), the better off we’ll be. Just like education would be better off with illiterate Harvard graduates.

Dear Mr. Thief Even a theft can teach you something about yourself and about life To the man who broke into our car in Sugarland, Texas and stole my suitcase, I hope you enjoy wearing my Juicy Couture underwear. I really liked them, too. I thought the cupcake was a cheery image to have on one’s backside. Enjoy my skinny jeans, though I’m not really sure you’ll fit into them, but hey, you can try! And as for my glasses, well I guess you better be Staff near sighted. Writer You know, after the initial shock of being robbed, my dad and I turned it into a Libby Bridges running joke during the trip. Yeah, it really sucked that I lost all my clothes for my trip to Baylor University, but whatever, they are just clothes. You, however, have a serious problem.

You suck at breaking into cars. I mean, the fancy work of hiding your break in was very clever, we didn’t notice it until we got to our destination. But really? You take a suitcase which um…if you didn’t know, carries clothes! You leave all the DVD’s in the car. Those had to be worth much more than my socks and cell phone charger. When I think about it, you should have at least picked up the book, Wicked. Then, at least you would have gained literary knowledge than just a bunch of crap. You did get a bunch of old baby books that were intended for my nephew. And you probably saw no significance in those either.

So really, in the end, you lose. You get to live with the guilt you feel when you steal people’s stuff. And believe me, one day the law will catch up with you. Or perhaps just your conscience. My dad and I benefited from your stupidity, however. After my tears and his angry phone calls, we became closer. Nothing wakes you up more than looking behind your seat and noticing that all your possessions are gone. Nothing makes you value your family more than phone calls to the police at 9 p.m. Nothing makes you laugh more than late night shopping sprees at Kohl’s and Walgreens. So, thank you. Thank you for that inexpensive wake up call. And enjoy the underwear.

Starting too young

Even elementary school kids are subjected to the pain of bullying and mean cliques “No, you can’t be in our club!” I’ve known my neighbor since the day she was born. Her name is Anne Smith. She’s the oldest of three, and is now at the tender age of eleven. Fifth grade. November 17 I was babysitting when she came home from school. Her younger sisters were sitting at the counter eating green apple slices, when she came through the door, sobbing. Staff She threw her backpack Writer onto the floor and ran up to her room without a word to any of us. Alex Tuccy “Is Annie ok?” Emma, the youngest at 5, asked me. “I think she had a bad day,” Eve, the middle child at 7, replied to her. “Girls eat your apples and then its time for homework, I’m going to check on Annie,” I told them and headed upstairs. As I was walking up the steps, I knew it really wasn’t my place to be giving this young girl advice. If she was having a problem at school, I knew it should be her mother’s job to help, but I had been around the family for years and knew I could at least calm her down. She was lying face down in her pillow, her little body shaking from head to foot. I wasn’t used to seeing Annie cry before. She had always been very tough from the time she was a baby. She was always the decision maker, very strong willed, and well, just, strong. She was half my size and could overpower me in a wrestling match. I couldn’t imagine what had gotten her so upset. “Annie?” I sat down on the edge of her bed and gently touched her shoulder. She immediately looked up at me, tears rolling down her face. I didn’t even have to ask what happened. “They wouldn’t let me play with them! We, we, we were at recess and they were all sitting under the slides and when I walked up they

told me I couldn’t play.” All of her words were thick and difficult to understand but I got the jist. “Who wouldn’t let you play with them?” “M-m-my f-friends,” she choked out before dissolving again into shaky sobs. I sat there, bewildered. Annie always spoke very highly of her school friends. She always told me how popular they were; they were always having sleep over together. I didn’t understand. “Did they tell you why Anne? Stop crying for me first. Take a sip of water.” She picked up the cup from her nightstand. “Yes. They told me why.” She said, more audibly now. “They said I couldn’t be their friend anymore because I don’t wear the right clothes, I don’t have a cell phone and because I’m not skinny enough.” Her eyes were welling up again, but this time I let her cry. I was in shock. These were 5th grade girls she was talking about. Elementary school girls. I thought back to when I was in 5th grade. Just a short six years ago. I remember wanting to fit in, and wanting to be friends with the “popular girls,” but they were never rude to me as far as I can remember. I never came home in tears. Not wearing the right clothes. That sounds like a bad high school musical. Girls being ousted for wearing different clothes. Annie didn’t wear bad clothes. They weren’t baggy or out of date, in my opinion they were very cute for an eleven year old. “Whats wrong with your clothes?” I asked her. “They said it’s because I don’t shop at Abercrombie, but when I asked mommy if she would take me there, she said it’s over priced junk. Do you shop there?”

I was happy to answer the question honestly. “No Anne. I do not. I’ve never set foot in that store in my life. It smells funny,” I smiled at her. She didn’t smile back, but looked a little more reassured. “Annie I didn’t get my first cell phone till 8th grade.” Relating to my past experiences seemed to lift her a bit, “there was no need for one before that.” She seemed better, but was waiting for me to address the last qualification that she was apparently lacking to be friends with these girls. It was the one I was hoping to avoid but I tried my best. “Annie, first of all you are very skinny. But you don’t want to be stick thin. You’re a soccer player! You want to be able to get the ball and knock those girls off their feet don’t you?” She nodded. “That’s what I thought. Now who was this? Sarah and Gabby?” These were her best friends who I also knew personally and knew they would never treat Annie that way. “No, Sarah was sick today and Gabby is on vacation. I’ve never really hung out with these girls before but I’ve always wanted to.” “Annie, stick to your real friends. Not girls who are going to make you jump through hoops before they will accept you as a human being. You’re much better than that.” “Are you hungry?” As we walked back down stairs to the kitchen my mind reeled. I knew bitchy girls were a part of high school but I always thought the younger kids were safe. Bullying is a tough thing. And although she wasn’t getting shoved into lockers, Annie Smith got very hurt. I only wish there had been someone there to stand up for her. And I can only hope that next time she sees those girls she can just shrug it off.

Finding faith

Faith can get lost in a sea of selfishness, Mexico brings it all back God works in mysterious ways. Sometimes we happen to be in the right place at the right time, there is no explanation but that of faith. Ironically enough, my faith was at its worst when I first felt drawn to become involved with something bigger, something that would actually make a difference. I was overcome Guest by selfishness, and deceit Writer cruelty, when I first showed up at that Key Club Sarah meeting. Ferguson I sat my backpack down, froze into my usual grumpy mentality, and glared at the clock; assuming that time would go faster if I acted completely uninterested-I wasn’t really acting. I wanted to leave. It had been the first meeting I showed up to all year and I wasn’t the least bit excited. I didn’t have the same exhilaration. I had when I rode my bike the first time, or when I bought my first homecoming dress. It was more along the lines of listening to a boring physics lecture given by my brainiac brother. Before I knew it I was raising my hand to help collect clothes and books for Costa Rica. What had gotten into me? Was I on drugs? For the last year I hadn’t done anything for anyone else but myself. I was volunteering everyday after school and meeting kids I would have never talked to in my life-woops there goes another imperfection about me. I was cataloging book after book, collecting clothes left and right. Making posters with every ounce of energy I had left. And on top of all of that, I had homework! I needed a break, I had been so preoccupied with doing things for myself I forgot what hard work actually entailed. It all started to click. I started to get that weird feeling in my stomach-the feeling that warms you’re heart right after you do something good for somebody else. I was a new person. I could tell I liked this new person. She was always happy, willing to go out of her way to help someone in need, had respect for her family and friends, and never once had a negative thought go through her head. The next day I was on my way to Costa Rica. I waited patiently at the gate with six other volunteers and our four chaperones. Mr. Sapienza, leading the group--prompt as ever, was prepared for the quest awaiting us in paradise. We would endure a five hour flight spent in a scrunched up airplane with screaming babies and a stress level that would make any normal person go mad. We boarded the plane, eyed the strangers that we’d be sitting next to for the duration of the flight, tried to sleep, and soon the time passed. Blood shot eyes and a minimal amount of rest all seemed to fade when paradise finally came into view. Trees sprouted everywhere, sweat poured from places I never knew possible, and I was speechless-I had never seen something so beautiful. We pulled up to the little, impoverished town of Ojochal and started to unload the plethora of library books jammed in the back of the car. Two days of hard, sweaty, and long work grew to a mentality of accomplishment as kids from all over the town raced up to the library, curious of what they had been given. Seeing the smiles and impact that we made on that town, giving them something that we habitually take for granted, made me think. I had been so selfish for the past year and had pushed away everything that would have made a kid in Ojochal scream with joy, that I had completely let God slip out my life and let superficial aspects control my very existence. Sound familiar? In some aspects of the matter, we all take things for granted; whether it is a new toy, a mother’s love, or education. An abundance of the kids’ were either abandoned by their father or mother, had only one toy, (somewhere along the lines of a deflated soccer ball), and their sub- standard education system was no where near as close to the quality of our educational institutions. I am blessed I was at that meeting. Being in Costa Rica and helping others has truly changed my life. I see life as God’s gift to not only me but as a learning experience to grow into someone that will hopefully make my parents proud. The truth in all of this is: never lose your faith, because God is the only person besides your family that will never stab you in the back and will always lead you on the right path.

the rock

editorial MIPs the way to be?

MIP MIP MIP MIP MIP MIP MIP MIP MIP

Should students be required to sign a behavioral contract?

Seventeen MIPs. Six athletic state championships. What does Rock Canyon really excel in? It’s no secret that high school kids get themselves into trouble with alcohol and drug use, but just how many are actually using them? According to a variety of studies conducted in 2007 by government agencies, approximately 70 percent of high school seniors tried alcohol during their senior year, and an astounding 62 percent admit to having used marijuana at least once. In any Colorado high school, including Rock Canyon, students who get caught using illicit drugs or alcohol outside of school cannot be punished academically. Only coaches and activity advisers can punish students who get caught using drugs off school property. When a student gets caught doing drugs or performing illegal activities outside of school, the Douglas County Police notify certain high school administrators. Once the administrators are notified, they inform coaches and activity leaders and sponsors of the hooligan’s actions. From there the coaches and activity supervisors of the respective scoundrels can punish them through suspension from games and events. The school cannot intervene and punish students for their actions if the illegal activity is performed off school grounds. Contracts students sign to participate in athletics and activities strictly prohibit students from using illegal drugs or alcohol. These contracts are the reason students can be punished for their out of school actions. Since they show active interest in athletics and school sponsored clubs, they are statistically less likely to perform in illegal activities if they sign the activity/

Got a minute? YOU SO R O C K ! Open Campus next year. Hey, these budget cuts aren’t so bad after all. Assemblies for State champs. That means shorter classes and 20 minute shorter school days. Why weren’t we good at sports before? Music videos on RCTV. Once you find something that works you should stick to it forever… right? Seniors only have 10 full school days in March. We’re not packing our bags yet... but we can just taste the sweetness of summer and freedom on our tongues. Two weekend performances for the upcoming ‘Aida’ musical. Now students will have to make up more excuses as to why they didn’t go see an amazing production. Girls Basketball qualifying for state. Not that there was any question with our 7-16 win-loss record.

YOU SO D O N ’ T ROCK! Having the option to drop classes for next year. It’s like the school is trying to get rid of us... Teachers loading on projects as the end of the year approaches. As if we needed to practice our bs-ing skills… Fancy new projectors. Too bad their installation sends us to the hallways of RC for class. The overwhelming support of the seniors at the state swimming assembly. Come on, there were at least seven of them. Water fountains in the 3000’s and 5000’s are still broken. They have been since Winter Break. Are students dying of dehydration part of the new budget cuts?

2/25/09

MIP MIP MIP MIP MIP MIP MIP MIP

art by Connor Dozois athletic behavior contract. If the fear of punishment keeps students from engaging in illegal activities, then why don’t high schools require a contract upon enrolling in the school? With such a contract, schools could punish students for their illegal behavior outside of school. It would give the administration the right to suspend or expel students who violate the contract in a nearly identical way coaches can punish athletes for their actions. “To my knowledge no public or private high school requires students to sign a behavioral contract upon enrolling in the school,” said Assistant Principal Gregg Sheehan. “I don’t think it would be a bad idea.” In order to enact a behavior contract for schools, it would have to be recommended by the student body. Unfortunately when over two-thirds of the student

body has engaged in illegal drug or alcohol use at least once during their high school career, it is highly implausible that a movement to require a behavior contract to lessen drug use would actually emerge. “If the students moved to enact a behavior contract I’m sure the number of kids engaging in illegal activities outside of school would decrease,” said Sheehan. From alcohol to Ecstasy, students are using drugs at an alarming rate. Given that there is no possible way to ensure that students give up using drugs, requiring a behavior ethics contract would help lessen the amount of students engaging in illegal activities. The student body needs to take a step back from partying and take a look at their accomplishments. If the students at Rock Canyon can get nearly three times as many MIPs as athletic state championships, imagine what we could do with none.

The numbers number of 17 The Minor in

Possessions (MIPs) given out to RC students in a single weekend. All students were at the same party. of high 70 Percent school seniors who admit to having tried alcohol.

Douglas County gains freedom Next year all Douglas County schools will have open campus lunch, a luxury students have been waiting for Next year when students leave assignments is their cars, they will be able to go get them – without passes. Next year, there will be no need for the security guards to prowl the perimeters of the parking lot in golf carts, looking for transgressors violating the no ditching rule. Next year, students will be able to take fewer classes. Next year, there will be open campus at Rock Canyon High School. Except for freshman, of course. It’s a beautiful picture. The changes the Douglas County Board of Education decided to make in order to save money truly are beautiful changes. Changes any Douglas County High School student can appreciate. Not only is the district saving an estimated $4.32 million over the next two years by implementing open campus and reduced credit requirements, but students are finally going to get the chance to be a little more independent than they are now. The changes mean that, most importantly, there will be open campus. They Rock Canyon High School 5810 McArthur Ranch Road Highlands Ranch, Co 80124 Phone 303.387.3074 / Fax 303.387.3001

the rock

The goals of the rock, the student newspaper of Rock Canyon High School, 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, Columbia Scholastic Press Association and Quill and Scroll Society

also mean that there is a reduction in the amount of required credits starting with the class of 2012. Students will only be required to have three social studies credits versus four and there will be no speech credit requirement. General elective credit requirements have also been reduced. In short, it will take a minimum of 24 credits to graduate. Currently, students must have 25.5 credits to graduate. Douglas County is the last school district in the state to have closed campus. Rock Canyon’s mission statement is “To Empower, To Explore, To Encourage, and to Excel in Education.” It’s about time Douglas County high school students were empowered with open campus. Open campus will mean more car crashes in the parking lot, more ditchers, and more students smoking pot in their cars. But it will also mean that students will be empowered with an independence that they have never been offered Editorial Board

Co-Executive Editors...................... Kate Jones Kristen Scheirman Campus News Editor............ Hannah Wellman World News Editor................... Mandy Shapiro Sports Editor............................... Kayla Kallery K-16 Education Editor............... Kyle McDaniel Lifestyles Editor.......................... Gabi Johnson Reviews Editor.............................Zach Cooper Co-Opinion Editors.......................... Dusty Ellis Maria Lawson Design Editor.............................Mattie Nobles Advertising Editor.................. Micah McDonald Photography Editor.................... Libby Bridges Non-Voting Adviser....................Jack Kennedy

Reporting and Photo Staff Mariel Bailey Caylee Clay Rachel Curtright Connor Dozois Jake Eggett Ade Eichie Nicole Givin Brittni Haggard

Paige Hensen Alyssa Jones Meghan Long Kenzie Markey Shelby Miles Paige Newman Mac Orlady Shelby Perkins

before. This independence will help educate them to become independent adults. Not all education has to come from the classroom. There will always be some bad with the good. Fortunately in this case the good open campus will do will outweigh the negative effects it causes. The staff of “the rock” is proud of the fact that the board of education has decided Douglas County School District students are, for the most part responsible enough and mature enough to handle open campus and appreciates the fact that they have taken this step to make Douglas County Schools even better than they are now. They have entrusted the students with this privilege and it is the students’ responsibility to not abuse this privilege in return for the trust given. If students can remember this, the district should have a smooth transition into open campus. It will be a beautiful picture.

More numbers

25.5 The number of credits currently required to graduate for the class of 2012.

24 The number of credits that will now be required to graduate for the class of 2012 and all future classes.

4.32

The number of millions of dollars the district of Douglas County will save over the next two years because of reduced graduation requirements.

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.

Recent Honors & Awards Laura Romer CHSPA 4A Alex Rowe Sweepstakes winner, Kasey South 2007-08 Brett Stokes Logan Thompson NSPA National Zach Tornabene Pacemaker 2008 Alex Tuccy Daniel Wheeler

the rock editorial board: Back row: Mattie Nobles, Maria Lawson, Kyle McDaniel, Zach Cooper Middle row: Mandy Shapiro, Hannah Wellman, Libby Bridges, Gabi Johnson, Kayla Kallery, Micah McDonald Front row: Kristen Scheirman, Kate Jones, Dusty Ellis

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 the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

the rock

rockumentary

28 2/25/09

SPORTY STYLES

Cross Country

JAZZY JAGS

From left to right: Kelsey Krueger ‘10, and Kelsey Herzfeld ‘10, kiss Drew Sandlin ‘10, during the formal wear section of the show. Amanda Ross ‘10, Brooke Skinner ‘10, and Katie Adams ‘10, all pose together at the end of the runway. Austin Todd ‘09, dances with his sunglasses on during the rock section of the show. Photos by Meghan Long

Students donate their time so there can be an After-Prom

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT Loud chatter from the top floor signals the start of practice for the fashion show. During practice all seniors and juniors are linked either arm in arm or mirroring one another move by move as they walk down the make-shift runway. Groups spend the time between scenes joking, planning outfits and routines to match their selected song. Poms quickly choreograph a routine and continually practice it throughout every rehearsal. One group of senior boys makes a conga like line to the song “Whip it,” and a group of sophomore girls create a dance to “Material Girl.” REHEARSAL 7:20 Sunday morning, Feb. 15, the models are packed into the DC Marriot, sleepy, but ready to strut their stuff. Girls quickly pack themselves into the dressing room backstage, frantic and blurry-eyed, looking for the little name card that’s attached to their rented David’s Bridal dresses. Everything is set to go smoothly for the big night. CAMERA, ACTION Finally, show time. Parents sit anticipating the show and soon it begins. Everything goes smoothly. The “Whip it” Boys come out clad in bright red hats, and everyone makes their line ups. After an emotional walk with the seniors and their parents, the show is done, and labeled a huge success. Kenzie Markey

Lacrosse

Girls Swimming and Diving

Clockwise from above: Parker Jackson ‘11, plays a blow-up saxophone during the jazz portion of the fashion show. Katie Stapleton ‘10, and Adam Fuselier ‘09, pose at the end of the runway with their tie-dye hippie outfits. Alison Forrester ‘10, Tori Eberlein ‘10, Trey Woods ‘10, and Jody Hunt ‘10, air band down the runway. David Brookman ‘09, JT Bruner ‘09, and Dale Dahlstrom ‘09, dance to “Whip It” in red hats and black costumes. Photos by Meghan Long

Volleyball

Football