The View - December 2013 by The View News

IF YoU R e a l ly Knew Me Vol. VIII NO. 2 December 2013 A Castle View High School Publication 5254 N. Meadows Dr. Castle Rock, Colo. 80109

C Vol. VIII NO. 2 December 2013

5 6 7 8 9

Reeceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Robot

The Right Decision

Cultures Combined

Election Reflection Wi-Fi Friends

11 If You Really Knew Me 15 Musician in Disguise 16 View Point 18 Students on the Jobs 19 Swabs Save Lives

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Christmas is the

$4.1%

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27 BILLION in retail last year

of people

PROCRASTINATE

holiday shopping

until the

last two weeks

of December

Read about holiday spending page 8

theviewnews.com December

LEARNING BECOMES A VIRTUAL REALITY DOMINIQUE BLACHE

For most of his life, second-grader Reece Rubino’s classroom has been his Castle Rock home: Born in 2007, Reece was diagnosed with Type 1 Spinal Muscular Atrophy at three months old. This condition weakens the muscles in his arms and legs so much that he is unable to move without the aid of a wheelchair. he is participating in clinical trials at the Stanford School of Medicine in California in the hopes of improving his condition. So far, there has been improvement, especially in the movement of his hands, arms, neck and head. But three Castle View engineering students hope to change his world by building him a robot that he can control from home, with the use of a controller, which will give him a window to the classroom. and it really helps to make him have a more normal life,” senior Matthew Pechon said. Reece’s parents have worked hard to improve Reece’s condition and also have been searching for ways to help Reece participate in school. So Reece’s mother, Lesa Rubino, approached engineering teacher Robert Hazelhurst about building a robot for Reece. “It is really a very different project and I was very pleased to be able to help out Reece,” Hazelhurst said. He tapped Pechon, junior Zachary Maas and junior Hunter Linder to design the robot. “Reece’s parents wanted something new that would help him engage more in school,” Maas said. The three students are working hard to make sure the robot will easily be able to move around the classroom and allow more interaction for Reece. The robot will work like FaceTime, so Reece can talk with the teacher and students and also listen during lessons. The robot will give Reece the ability to feel as if he is in the classroom while still in the comfort of his home. “The robot will be a monitor on a large base that Reece will be able to control from his home,” Maas said. The project is set to be completed by the end of the semester and will be given to Reece as soon as possible.

“

Workingon thisproject haschanged thewayI lookatevery daylife. Hunter Linder

for the family and we just hope that the robot will allow Reece to have a better, more normal life,” Pechon said.

Spinal Muscular Dystrophy is generally a fatal recessive genetic disease that destroys the nerves that control voluntary muscle movement Children with SMA Type 1, the most severe type, normally die by the age of 2

No cure or treatment exists for SMA About 10 to 16 of every 100,000 children worldwide are born with SMA

December

Source: Boston Children’s Hospital website

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Reece’s parents sponsor an annual 5K and 1-mile race called Reece’s Roundup to help pay for medical expenses the family’s insurance does not cover. This year the race was held in Butterfield park in August. Close to 500 people attended.

Top to bottom: Junior Zachary Maas examines the prototype. Photograph of Reece, courtesy of the Rubino family. Senior Hunter Linder works on the design of the robot. Senior Matthew Pechon checks the measurments of the device. Photos by Ally Orcutt

theviewnews.com December

Doing a

Culture Swap ...TWICE M RACHEL DEYOE

Students find home where they left it.

Daniella Tenorio went to DC for a few weeks before returning to Castle View.

2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 DOUGLAS COUNTY, 2013-2014

Gretta Hutcheon attended an art school in Colorado Springs for a year.

2010-2011 2011-2012 CIVA CHARTER 2012-2013 2013-2014

Cory VonFeldt

spent a year at Douglas County High School before returning to CV.

2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 DOUGLAS COUNTY 2013-2014

The grass is always greener on the other side -- that is, until you’re on the other side. Some CV students have experienced for a while, only to return. These students have a unique perspective: They don’t want the grass greener. In fact, they want it red, black and gold. Junior Gretta Hutcheon used to say she hated Castle View “because it was school and no one ever really likes school. But I love it now. I just didn’t take it seriously before.” Hutcheon’s perspective changed when her family moved and she began attending CIVA Charter High School in Colorado Springs. “They called themselves an art school but there was nothing about them that was an art school,” she said. “They were talentless and they’d coddle you and give you false praise, even if you did badly.” After spending most of her sophomore year at CIVA, Hutcheon returned to CV with a new appreciation. “I came back and was this school! I’m really grateful to be here.” quarter of this year at Ponderosa High School because the commute was easier. For Ellis, the return was more about the people than about the academics. “I just had better connections and knew more people,” he said. “I knew I wanted to come back a little bit into it.” he found “a better support system and better friends” at Castle View. Ellis is not the only one to have found more meaningful relationships here. Senior Cory VonFeldt, who spent last school year at Douglas County High School because his parents dislike the Integrated Math Program, said he returned in August “because I missed my friends and I didn’t like the people there. It was a lot more cliquey. Here, everyone kind of is friendly.” His experience at Douglas County showed VonFeldt just how much he had thought all schools were like this,” he said. “Then, at DC, I realized how much I liked it here.”

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Although VonFeldt spent one academic year at DC before returning, senior Daniella Tenorio only spent about three weeks as a Husky at the beginning of her junior year.

RACHEL DEYOE

Miho Horita, a 17-year-old student visiting from Obihiro, Japan, came to Castle View ready to expand her knowledge of the American language and culture. “I want to learn about English,” she said. “I want my English to be more comfortable and useful.” Horita stayed with senior Veronica Nielson, who had stayed with Horita previously while visiting a Japanese school. “It helped that I already knew her,” said Nielson, “so communication wasn’t as much of a problem as it is for most.” Horita was part of the two groups of Japanese exchange students who spent time in November at Castle View for a few days of fun, friendship and culture. students’ understanding of another culture. “I feel like a lot of my kids got to The exchange was a chance to build bridges, students said.

I’d tell them I came from just over the highway at

&S T O P they’d just

talking to me.”

She had attended CV since her freshman year, but Tenorio felt as though she “didn’t like the environment of the school in generbe too terribly awful.” As it turned out, Tenorio found the friendly CV culture hard to match. “DC was overwhelming for me,” she said. “After being there for a few weeks and not getting to know anyone and no one getting

positive relationships between Americans and Japanese and promote the qualities of the United States. In exchange, they came here to build relationships and promote Japan’s qualities.” exchange student named Motoki Sato. “I learned a lot about Japan and some of their culture,” he said. Marchbanks explained that Sato was interested in outer space, and enjoyed hiking and kendo, a Japanese sport similar to fencing with bamboo swords. Japanese students also had the chance to experience some American culture in activities around the school. Teachers at CV taught line dancing and tie-dye. A CV graduate also ran an origami activity, and CV gym teachers organized a basketball game, celebrating a sport enjoyed by both cultures. Students also participated in a scavenger hunt and shopped at the 16th Street Mall. Besides the scavenger hunt, which some students had “never heard of before” according to Marchbanks, they also “ate at the Hard Rock Café, then went to a few stores and just browsed around.” “It’s interesting,” said Horita, “and so great!” The Japanese students, many of whom have a passion for studying English, Kjeseth said, “walked away with a human connection and an authentic way to express their passion.”

“They came here to build relationships and promote Japan’s qualities.”

to function at school. I try my best to reach out to people, but I’m a quiet person and not very good at making new friends.” Tenorio also experienced problems stemming from the intensity of the CV-DC rivalry, which is taken seriously among Huskies. “If people started to get to know me, they’d ask where I came from,” she said. “I’d tell them I came from just over the highway at CV -- and they’d stop talking to me.” From academics and teachers to culture school is as simple as turning another 180 degrees and realizing the grass is greener where you were before. “I am in love with this school,” Hutcheon said. “I don’t want to go to another school when I know where I want to go.”

I love

these halls!

THIS SCHOOL!

Clockwise from top right, Japanese students fold origami as a part of an activity run by a CV alumni. Classic American culture came in the form of tie-dying T-shirts outside of the school. Besides doing origami, students also shared in a day of fun that included line dancing and a scavenger press their passion,” Japanese teacher Thor Kjeseth said.

I’m really grateful to be here.

theviewnews.com December

Status Quo?

Teacher morale low, but students should not see any change The election attracted national attention and heated debate within the community because of such topics as teacher’s salaries and the disbandment of the teachers’ union. Throughout Castle View, the results of this election created an overall morale hit on teachers, some teachers and Principal James Calhoun said. “Change for anybody’s hard,” Calhoun said, “and when you try to change in a quick manner, that makes it twice as hard . . . Taking away the teachers’ union, that was a comfort thing for some teachers and that’s made them feel a little bit leery.” The two main factors in the election, Calhoun English teacher and student government adviser Robert Sutterer teaching during student government. Photo by Mark Dowsey. said, were the market-based pay-for-performance-based teacher’s salaries and the dissolution of the teachers’ union. NICK PUCKETT “I do think that the mission of the school board and the superintendent are noble goals -- there are things we need to be working on,” said Calhoun. “We should be doing a better job Cristin Bleess has been a Spanish teacher for 17 to prepare students for the 21st Century. I think years -- seven at Castle View. But she is leaving Casfor an effective education, we need to evolve to tle View at the end of the school year because of the something that’s better and I don’t know what outcome of the recent school board election. that might look like right now.” And, she said, she might not be the only one. Despite the ongoing friction between teachers and the school district, students should they will leave,” said Bleess. “And that’s sad because I expect to see little to no change within their don’t want to leave Castle View. I love Castle View. It’s day-to-day lives, Calhoun said. “As far as a student’s concerned, the election Douglas County school district. I’m leaving because of means that things will remain the same and the the election.” focus on the school board will remain the same Last month, incumbents Doug Benevento and and there won’t be any radical changes,” he Meghann Silverthorn and newcomers James Geddes said. “It’ll just be a continuation of the goals and and Judith Reynolds were elected on a platform that the objectives that they’ve wanted to accomsupported the controversial reforms the district has plish.” enacted.

Spanish teacher Cristin Bleess has announced she will leave at the end of the school year. She has taught at CV for seven years. Photo by John Conger.

But some teachers feel differently. “Across the district you might see more charter schools and things like that,” said English teacher Robert Sutterer. “There are a lot of changes going on . . . in terms of curriculum and teacher evaluations.” However, Sutterer agreed with Calhoun, saying, “Students won’t see too many changes . . . day to day.” Although teacher morale is a level of concern, Calhoun said the school still strives for a “positive environment” and greatness in the classroom. “What I don’t want to happen as this building’s principal is to have what happens at the district level impact the teachers,” he said. “And if it impacts the teachers negatively, then it impacts what they do in the classroom. “I don’t want students to feel that, I want students to say . . . ‘my teacher’s still great.’ ”

CASSIE THOMPSON

give thanks.” This quote comes from the website for the U.S. Census Bureau, where the following numbers are found. However, most of us know the holidays are upon us when stores clear out Halloween decorations for holiday decor. Starbucks rolls out holiday-themed drinks. And, most importantly, we send out “Christmas lists” to family and friends. The Christmas season, with the important shopping dates leading up to it, is the most prof-

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itable holiday in the United States. Halloween, roughly $113 million per year. Christmas dwarfs that number by nearly $20 million, an amount that increases each year. Americans spent $1.03 billion on Christmas trees and decorations alone last year, a number from permits to chop down trees in national forests. That was $47 million more than in 2011. In 2011 and 2012, Americans spent about $27 billion in retail. But the number of electronic shopping and mail orders grew from 2009 to

Connected DELANEY SCHOENFELDT

‘Tis the Season to Spend “The holiday season is a time for gathering to

GETTING

Making a best friend thousands of miles away

2010 from 21,891 to 22,534, the most recent numbers. As the numbers show, Americans like spending money -- only the best for friends and family. However, junior Jonathan Cotham thinks too much is spent on presents. “It’s excessive, the amount of money that people spend on gifts,” he said. “They should be celebrating the holiday.” Sophomore Mallory Yenni says people “go overboard.” Junior Kevin Hogan agrees. “We don’t need everything we buy,” he says. “We spend money we don’t have.”

Just over a month ago, a stranger I met on the

time. But before we go into that, let’s go back to where it started. Twitter. my favorite bands and keep in touch with their happenings. Soon, I started connecting with other kids in the same music fanbase. Either they followed me or I followed them. In both cases, connections were made. Then, Maya happened. Maya was a bit different from the other friends ways I could never dream of being. Her strong California culture intimidated me. Her follower count was also nine times larger than mine -- on Twitter, your amount of followers practically determines your Internet social status. After several tweet conversations, we exchanged Snapchat usernames. Sending each other ugly Then we added each other on Facebook. From there we traded cell phone numbers and started texting 24/7. Our database of databases grew to include Tumblr as well, where we followed each other and regularly scouted through each other’s blogs. This eventually led to Skype. With a simple love for bands and various social networks, we discovered multiple common inter-

Delaney Schoenfeldt, right, and her friend, Maya. Courtesy photo

ests. Skype, though, is what really transformed the friendship. Chatting face to face changed how we talked. It became personal. Our usual topics of conversation were no longer just about the bands

Just off the top of my head, I can think of good friends in Poland, Italy, Singapore, Australia, The Netherlands, England and Scotland. Some friends, like Maya, reside a few states away.

other’s lives. where I would text her and tell her to come over I knew about her disgust towards beef and her and she would jokingly respond she would be there lifelong dream to be in a band. She knew about in a few minutes. On a late afternoon in mid-Octomy clown doll collection How to stay safe: During the week with Maya, I had an awesome experience. Keep in mind, this revolved around and my the process of making Internet friends safely: I never shared my Social Security number. I never obsession with watching gave her my address. I never told her where we could meet without my parents knowing. In order to remain cautious online, make sure you follow these Internet safety tips from WebMD: documentaKeep your online identity secret Be extremely careful about meeting ries. Don’t tell anyone your passwords to anything someone in person We helped Remember that it is nearly impossible to make Always report anything creepy or illegal each other. things you post/send truly disappear We knew each other. And somehow, we managed to do this with more ber, I woke up from a nap to see multiple missed than 1,000 miles between us. calls from her and a single text that said something along the lines of how she had booked a plane friendships. I remember rebelliously logging onto ticket for the week of Halloween. chatrooms at nine years old, despite my mother And then, here she was. forbidding me to do so. That week, we spent endless hours watching That’s when I began to realize the Internet was a platform for kids. Actual kids! ing so hard we couldn’t breathe. I made friends quickly and still remain in contact We had grown from basic Internet acquaintances with many. Through various social network sites, to real-life best friends in a matter of months. If that such as Goodreads, Twitter and Tumblr, I’ve met isn’t incredible, I don’t know what is. peers from all over the world.

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Weve all done it B u t i m a g i n e th i s .

It’s impossible to dissipate labels. They will always be there. So, let’s accept that fact, but not let the nametags stop us from talking to people who may not share the same friend group. Everyone has a story and there’s no way a label can define that story. Take a chance and get to know someone different from you. You might be surprised at what you discover about them – and you.

We’ve all done it -- seen that boy draped head to toe in black, with dyed hair down to his shoulders and eyes painted with crisp, dark eyeliner, seen that boy, and wondered what tragedy he had gone through to make him look like that, and just how dangerous he might be. We’ve all done it -- wished at some point we had the life of that less” girl. We’ve all done it -- seen someone and immediately judged them by their appearance. But imagine this. What if that “goth” boy only dresses that way because he wants to? What if he likes the color black on him? What if he lives a perfectly “normal” life, with a mom and a beautiful home full of food, warmth and joy? What if that boy isn’t so much dangerous as he true self? And what if that picture-perfect girl’s idol -- her brother -- is bipolar, and she grew up hearing him rant about the uselessness and stupidity of life? What if that girl’s strong, independent mom has been unemployed for a year and a half, and has been beating herWhat if that perfect girl doesn’t have the perfect life? Continued on page 14

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IF YOU REALLY KNEW ME You’d see past the label

The following students agreed to participate in a unity group about labels and how they affect the school. Following are a few of the questions that were asked and the discussion that followed. Do you think that labels restrict us here at Castle View? Edward: I don’t think it’s the label that restricts the person. I think it’s the person that restricts themselves. And no label is going to say you can’t do that. It’s the person that can say, “Oh, I’m already here and I feel like I can’t move over there.” That’s not going to be the label that causes that. Skylar: I don’t really like labels. But at the same time, it’s kind of like society over time created that and so it’s just kind of easier for people to understand one another. I guess instead of like having one-on-one connections and really understanding someone, it kind of gives that brief drive-by understanding. Devyn: I think labels can be pretty negative, too. They can easily be

Skylar: Goth, emo, gay.

a jock, I’m a prep, I’m whatever.” I don’t think they necessarily restrict you. They can, if you get stuck in like a label you think you are. Have you ever labeled someone incorrectly? Has your label or judgment ever turned out to be wrong? Kaleb: There’s one kid I play baseball with: He doesn’t go to this school, but he’d wear like whatever those pot-smoking-looking shoes are. Like slippers. And like he just looked kind of dope. And then he turned out to be a really good baseball player. I didn’t expect that. Devyn: I try to give people the as one of those people, but there’s been times when I’ve tried to label people and be like, “Oh wow, that guy is a douche.” But sure, you label people because you don’t have time to sort through everybody on the planet. What have you been labeled as in the past? Edward: Nerd, smart person.

Devyn: Nerdy, weird . . . I don’t really have a label. Kaleb: jock. Britton: Bridger: I live on a ranch, so maybe a hick. Is it possible to make labels disappear? Kaleb: It’s more like dealing with the labels rather than trying to erase them. Edward: I would push forward the idea that there are labels, they exist, and it’s going to happen. Don’t stick to them like you can’t change. Skylar: The school can do some activity that would mix people up once or twice a year. But most people to know different people. It’s not in their comfort zone.

who don’t want to talk to people from other groups won’t go and talk to people from other groups.

Bridger: You hang out with the people with the same interests as you and same personalities. It’s almost worse to be hanging out with people who you don’t like. Why is it hard to open yourself up and branch out to different groups? Skylar: You’re scared to be vulnerable because somebody can use that against you.

Each day, countless groups of high schoolers segment the CVHS commons and hallways into small circles, glancing at each other, their backs facing the outside world. Groups cling together, day in and day out, often looking alike, dressing alike and acting alike. Jocks. Nerds. Stoners. Geeks. Most everyone, it seems, has a label. But, students and teachers say, there is always more than meets the eye. You can tell things about someone by looking at them, but that’s not all of them,” senior Jacob Martin said. “Just because you wear tie-dye doesn’t mean you smoke pot and just because you wear Nikes doesn’t mean you play sports. I like to understand people.” Stereotypes persist in high school. Some say they’re a natural part of teenage years while others maintain they only hinder acceptance and kindness. Research conducted at the University of Arizona says negative effects of such stereotyping can be “decreased performance in academic and non-academic domains, increased use of self-defeating behaviors, disengagement, and altered professional aspirations . . . “ Labels are often the products of others. But, sometimes, they are an individual choice. Social studies teacher Amy Montague, from a small Missouri town, considered herself a band kid during her high school years. “But in my small town everyone was accepted,” said Montague,

who believes stereotypes are all about what you “create and gravitate towards.” English teacher Michael Schneider labels himself by his roles -- husband, father, teacher, coach. “If those are stereotypes, then there isn’t a problem,” he said. “But the negative labels are where the problems start . . . If people constantly tell you that you are something, then you become it.” Unlike other schools that run traditionally, Montague and Schneider believe stereotypes at CV are sometimes viewed on an academy basis. But, Schneider said, they sometimes “move order out of something so chaotic. The only problem is when people start to judge and self-limit themselves.” Social worker Karen Goodridge has always done her best to not think in terms of stereotypes, focusing on getting to know the individual instead. asked. “Or a job description? Most students are stereotyped for who they are.” Stereotypes, she said, “stem out of comfort vs. discomfort, but can dehumanize and close us off from getting to know each other.” stereotypes instead of diversity, Schneider said. And, that “in itself is truly ugly. Effects are minimal, but there’s a pretty severe problem with self-im-

JETT GOLDSMITH

In school, they’re just an everyday student with a normal life -- homework, athletics, friends. But outside, they’re nothing short of extraordinary, with accomplishments not many know about. Some write music, some make music, some are online bloggers or journalists, and some are even sports stars. The one thing that connects them, though, is their penchant for the unusual. Here are glimpses into two secret lives.

Britton: Everybody goes through hard times. I can name about 10 really hard times in my life. And I think we all have that but a lot of people don’t know that. And it changes who you are. Just make yourself easier to feel comfortable around.

Devyn: I think even if the school did try and do something, the people

Jesse Sanders is a senior. And like many other students, he plays music. But few can claim what Sanders has been doing for the past few years: He composes piano music, and he’s releasing an album of his songs in a few weeks. To Sanders, it’s more than just a hobby -- it’s a passion. “Though it would sound like it at Song Collection’ album,” Sanders said. “All of these songs are very meaningful and describe something personal to me. I’ve always had a passion for music, but I’ve always done it by myself, in my basement, with no one around. “And this past year I started won-

Ed ward B o w d e n B r i d g e r M i n n i c k S kyl ar Tu rn e r B ri t t on A ard ap p e l De vy n H e l msin

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player who notes he doesn’t mind the label of jock own thing.” Sophomore Damien Mesa agreed. “I see them happens, I just leave people how they are.” The key is to ignore the labels, Goodridge said. “In high school you can’t let it get to you. It can be scary to branch out, but I think a lot of people don’t see in stereotypes,” she said. “Don’t close a door on a person. Keep the opportunities available and you have a lot more options. Seeing people in one color limits a lot of things.” But labels are, everyone seems to agree, part of human nature. sees more cliques than stereotypes at school, he believes people seem to need a stamp of

here.’ ”

Students show other sides

Kaleb: The thing about school, is when you see somebody walking down the hall that you’ve never talked to and you want to say hi to, they don’t know anything about you so it’s hard to connect.

Jesse Sanders

NICK SANTULLI

age.” At Castle View, some say stereotypes play a minimal role in the school’s social society. The student body represents much more than just a few

Kal e b Ge ig e r

I graduate?’ After a lot of thought, I realized that I want to be kind of oriented towards music. And a college degree is fairly useless in that sort of thing -- so what’s better than to jump right in and do it myself?” Sanders plays multiple instruments, including the guitar, the trumpet, the ukelele and the harmonica. But it’s on the piano, which he started playing when he was 12, that the magic happens, he said. doing it for the girls, just like any other guy,” he said. “But as my music progressed, it started to get deeper. a concept for an album I had in mind, just with guitar and vocals, and it was hard. But when I playing piano, it reSanders is releasing his album between late December and early January, and he’s doing a coffee tour across Castle Rock and the Front Range to promote it. He’ll be handing out copies of the album, but it also will be available on iTunes, Amazon,

Skylar Bergeron

On weekends and after school, junior Skylar Bergeron races motocross, and one day he hopes to compete in some major championships. To accomplish this goal, he’s been training nonstop, so the average

weekend for Bergeron looks much different than normal. “I wake up, load up my things, and get to the track at about 7 a.m.,” he said. “Races start at about 9:30, and I race all day. That happens every weekend from February to September.” Bergeron’s passion has been racing motocross since he was a small child. “My dad rode when he was younger, and my brother and sister both rode when they were growing up,” he said. and I’ve been racing in competitions since I was six.” He prefers to keep his accomplishments quiet. But his love for motocross is no secret, whether he comes in late to school because he’s been out racing the entire night, or when he sneaks glances out the window during class. And though Bergeron hopes to race professionally in the future, if that’s not an option, he wants to remain in the industry. sue in the future, because it is my life -- it’s what I do, what I love to do and what I want to do,” he said. “ I’d love to make a career out of it, but only about 10 guys in the whole world do that, so it’s going to be a challenge. Hopefully, I’m up for it, but if it fails then I’d like to open up a shop and stay in the industry as long as I can.”

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Continued from page 11 That girl is me. And all those “what-if’s” are the struggles I have been going through in my life. I am a straight-A student; I play on a competitive club volleyball team; I am in every advanced class available for my age, but that doesn’t mean I have the perfect life. I have the ability to mask my emotions. Unconsciously, I can really there are so many broken pieces in my life that need to be put back together. Time and time again, I have been judged by others -- and found that as a population, humans have created their own standards for “normal people” and separate standards for those who One look at me, and you would categorize me with the “normal people.” One look at that boy draped in black, and you would life.” The truth is no one has the right to measure the pain in someone else’s life. Who’s to say the boy with an abusive father has it worse than the depressed girl with divorced parents? Who’s to say the woman with breast cancer has struggled more than the man with leukemia? The thing about life is everyone experiences the occasional “bump in the road.” As a society, instead of judging, we need to dedicate that time getting to know others. You never know just how much a person’s been through until they open up to you. We think we know a person, but how much do we truly know about them? Before you judge that kid with the holes in his shirt, remind yourself that shirt may have a story. And before you consider someone’s life as “easy,” remember it could all just be an act.

December

That gi r l i s me Morgan Orand

Undercover Star RACHEL DEYOE AND CASSIE THOMPSON

Castle View knows him as Ruben Escalera, a janitor who works long, quiet hours after the school day ends. But beneath the hard-working custodian, and a little below California, Escalera is a singer with a flare for Mariachi. Whether he’s keeping our school neat or rocking electrical base on stage, a chat with Escalera shows he brings a passion and a positive attitude to whatever work he does.

What is your favorite song to perform? I don’t have a favorite, I like all of them. But I really like “Se Voltea la Moneda” (“The Coin Flips”).

How many concerts do you play each year and where do you play? There are three this year. I mostly go to Baja California, but other states, too.

When do you go to Mexico and when are you here? I go every two months and then I’m here the for the rest. I’ve worked here for 14 years now.

What is the hardest thing about juggling the two jobs? I love both jobs, but when I sing I get so much applause and the people want photos or autographs, which makes it so I don’t want to come back to school. There is not enough work as a singer, but if I could, I would do only the music. Music is something very beautiful.

What style of music do you play? It’s close to country music.

When did you start singing? I always wanted to sing since I

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was seven or eight. As a child I sang in plays and on stages.

What is a good memory from your singing career and what is one from your time here at CV? As a singer, when I sang in front of 20,000 people in a baseball stadium in Mexico. Here, I love to help the students and all the people as they need it.

What was it like growing up in Mexico? I did the first year of school three times over because I had to help my father. I began working at eight or nine years old, harvesting strawberries.

Where do you hope your music career will go in the future? To go further is hard because it’s just me on my own. I don’t

theviewnews.com December

we want to think our own thoughts, walk -

My choice: Enjoy

2013-2014 Staff

MEGAN KEMPER

Editors-In-Chief Features Editor

Photo Editor

Make time to give what matters

Our View

Criteria for acceptance needs to change

Redefining Geek SYDNEY DEAN

1. an unfashionable or socially inept person. 2. a carnival performer who performs wild or disgusting acts.

NICK PUCKETT

We’re

Graphic Designer

outsiders,

Lauren Wolfe

News Editor

comfortable to

Adviser if we are honest, is somebought, families to be seen,

Reporters/Photographers Jett Goldsmith Kameron Kimes

be that way and

aware of the

enough time to do the one

aside moments, too, for

unnecessary repercussions

I’m determined to get good grades, but -

time for others, or we be-

-- after the stress of a week

I’m not going to miss out on living my life just to get into a college, because life doesn’t end at college, and college does not determine my future.

such as pity or

For questions, comments, or to volunteer any story ideas, email us at

We’re rebels, who dream of a My geekiness is the one more advanced

cvhs.viewnews@gmail.com

of universe and -

theviewnews.com

We’re creators

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December

aspect of myself of which I’m really proud.

world to which

is more of an afterthought

we can escape.

condescension.

I, for one, am done being so stressed that

the term implies,

fantasy.

theviewnews.com December

DILEMMA

Time vs. Money vs. School ANDREA ALFANO Five days a week, as soon as classes end, sophomore Jake Rullman goes to work for three hours for mywedding.com, a business that runs a website to help couples plan every detail of their weddings. “I like working in the tech world,” said Rullman. “I learn a lot of things from developers, and I work with all different people.” Rullman is a junior assistant administrator and works the help desk for mywedding.com, which means he

easier,” Jordan said. Overall, a job “looks good on college applications, but so do good grades,” Jordan said. On the other hand, she acknowledged,

Other students, however, value the opportunity to prepare for the future. “It’s sometimes hard to solve a problem,” Rullman said, “but there’s always people to ask.” Rullman, who is enjoying his -

I have a lot of friends with

JOBS

and they’re always working weekends

-- it takes up time.

employees’ problems with computers. Many Castle View students have different perspectives on whether working in high school is a good decision. Factors such as time, money and schoolwork play into the choice. Sometimes it’s just a preference for using free time in other ways.

would recommend getting a job to other students. you want to go into.” And, he added, “It helps to have money for fun stuff.”

time to work. Her job, essentially, is the year-round sport to which she is devoted -- dance. “I dance after school for two hours and have competitions on Saturdays,” she said, “so unless it (work) was from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. I couldn’t do it.” However, John does think having a

petes year-round and has no time for a job. “I couldn’t do it,” she says. Photo by Bailey Garner

December

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the time. “I would recommend to have one if they have the opportunity, to have responsibility and earn money for college,” John said. “I understand their situation if they don’t.” There are several advantages to not working, students said. John said not working means “more time with family and to get homework done.” “I would miss out on things,” senior Haley Jordan said. “I have a lot of friends with jobs and they’re always Jake Rullman, who is wearing a Google Glass, works at a job working weekends -- it takes up time.” that lets him do what he enjoys doing -- working with technoloOther positive elements of not work- gy. Photo by Jackson Chase ing include having time for schoolwork. “More time to study makes school

CVHS BONE MARROW MATCH

to help teen find

SYDNEY DEAN For 2 ½ hours on Dec. 12, Castle View became more than a building high school turned into a place where students, faculty and anyone between 18 and 55 took part in something

transplant. Out of 12 million in the Bone Marrow Registry throughout America and Europe, there hasn’t been a match for Lukas yet. “I don’t know Lukas personally, but a very good friend of mine’s son and Lukas play soccer together,” said Bartos. “She reached out to people that she knew and asked for support. And since

in conference room B, a bone marrow donor drive drew 68 teachers, students a lot of teenagers could relate to what and staff to Lukas is going see if they through. So I might be a wanted to help match for out.” a teenager Testing they don’t for a match know who is simple: A is battling a person must rare blood be 18. A Q-tip disease. is swabbed “I had a on the inside friend who of the cheek. died from A lab tests the leukemia swab to deterSenior Karrie Kiyan was one of many students who last year, mine if there registered for the drive. and I never is a match. did it for “And they’ll call her,” said Cherylyn Holdefer of the ofindividuals who are matches for people in need of bone marrow,” whether or So I want to do it for this kiddo.” not it’s Lukas, Bartos said. Castle View staff and students over -- was orgathe age of 18 crowded nized by Kari the small conference Bartos, learning room to get their specialist at CV, cheek swabbed. and was one of “I saw the emails several in recent and I saw somebody months around was in need,” photogDenver inspired raphy teacher Jared by Lukas LarrNeal said. “I thought it son’s story. was a simple thing for Lukas is a varus to do and possibly sity soccer playhelp somebody out.” er and junior at “It’s not hurting me Rock Canyon who lives in Castle Pines at all,” humanities teacher Emily Cave North. In July, he was diagnosed with said, “and it’s an easy thing to do that could really help someone.” Dawn Rimer, a neighbor of the Larrthat affects bone marrow and interrupts sons who has helped organize similar normal production of blood cells. drives around the metro area and “He was in the mountains when he showed up to help, was impressed by started to feel fatigued, had shortness CV’s turnout. of breath, and that wasn’t like Lukas,” “It only takes one,” she said. “We just Bartos said. “He’s a great athlete.” need to make awareness for the cause. Doctors diagnosed Lukas with the The greatest gift you can give is life to disease, which requires a bone marrow someone who is in need.”

“

the work

pulls together

Many community members also showed up to see if they would be a match.

It only takes

ONE.

theviewnews.com December

DID YOU KNOW?

Presidents Dwight Eisenhower, Franklin Roosevelt and George W. Bush were members of cheer squads in their college and high school days.

SPI R I T Energy and rhythm define Cheer and Poms teams as they take the floor at state competi-

Boys hold up their end

97 percent of cheerleaders today are girls. When most people hear about But recent years have seen more cheerleading, they think of girls tumand more males participating. Brothers Aiden and Mac Donahue air and doing the splits. are two of Castle View’s four male But interestingly, the sport was start- cheerleaders on the 17-member ed by men in 1903, when the Universi- varsity squad. ty of Minnesota created a “yell squad” “I wanted to cheer because it of about six men, which led to a male seemed fun and I wanted to try it,” cheer fraternity called Gamma Sigma. said Aiden, a senior who was asked Texas A&M followed in 1905, creating to join the team at the beginning of “the cheerleading state,” a group of last year as kind of a tryout for fun. men who led the crowd at football and He ended up loving it. basketball games. “I love cheer because it’s fun and The sport remained dominated by competitive,” said Mac, a sophomore men until the 1920s, when girls began whose only ride home was with his to take over as they started joining brother. He grew tired of watching the sport in the early 1900s. Women the squad practice, so he decided to began to dominate it during World try cheering as well. War, when few men were involved in Male cheerleaders add to the organized sports. squad’s performance, cheer captain Gymnastics, tumbling and megaEmily Taylor said. They “bring on phones were incorporated into popular more strength and competitiveness cheers, and are still used today. About to our game.”

Kameron Kimes

On Dec. 6, the stage was set for the annual poms state championship competition. The Castle View poms team dance was a tribute to the people who were killed in the events on 9/11. The routine won them 11th at state. “I really liked doing a tribute that could really touch people that had to go through this hard time,” dancer Dominique Randall said. “Our dance sent a really touching message that not a lot of other dances did.” would have liked. “We hoped to do better than we did last year because of how high we set the bar this year,” said team member Jessica Laudick. -- Kameron Kimes

The cheer team competed at nationals last year, placing 12th. At state this month, the team placed third. Top: Carly Collins does a liberty to impress the judges. Above: Amanda Burrier crowd leads in front of the state audience. At left: Castle View cheer team comes together before performing for state. Photos by Bailey Garner

December

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Top: Kelsey Cambier dances in front of state judges. Above: Desiree Messer leaps during her performance, dedicated to 9-11. At right: Poms team holds hands near the performance. Photos by Bailey Garner.

theviewnews.com December

Former Olympia

As of Dec. 13, the girl’s basketball team found itself with a loss and a win. The Sabercats defeated the Prairie View Thunence game, but experienced a tough loss, 61-58, to Valor. “We are still working on getting better and trying to improve every day so we are ready when the playoffs come around in February,” head coach Matt Hema said. Mullen High School, but results were unavailable at press time. The next home game will be Dec. 16 against Palmer High School (0-1) at 7 p.m. With a team of seasoned juniors and seniors, Hema is looking forward to a successful season. He hopes to be one of the top four teams at state. “We have an older team now . . .so they all have the knowledge and experience of how we do things at CV,” he said. “Past seasons have helped us get . . . comfortable with our offenses, defenses and who we are as a team.” Among the team’s strengths are an aggressive full-court and half-court trapping defense, a strong inside game and good outside shooting from the guard positions, Hema said. The team needs to work on developing a consistent mental toughness, Hema said. “They inferior opponents.” Coaching goals remain the same as in past years -- teaching players to be skilled ath-

Senior center Maya Brown defends Valor junior forward Kendall Bradbury. Photo by Jackson Chase.

letes and great role models, Hema said. “If we improve every day with our skills and our leadership -- and I have helped to advance those aspects of the student athlete -- then I will be happy with our team.” Players who have stood out so far are junior Savannah Heebner, small forward, and junior Taylor Smith, point guard. “These girls have been the most consistent on the team so far, with plenty of basketball left to play,” Hema said. At the end of the day, the goal is to get to state this season. “We believe we can do that, but it will take dedication, effort and toughness,” Hema said. “Those are things we continue to improve upon every day in practice.”

Senior Maya Brown blocks against Valar. Senior point guard Kylie Minish looks for the ball in the game against Valor. Junior point guard Taylor Smith defends Valor junior guard Halee Thibault. Senior point guard Kylie Minish looks for the ball in the game against Valor. Photos by Jackson Chase

Castle View High school wrestling had planned to go along with the new head coach that was hired this year, Mike Ferrara. However, plans changed when he had to resign and return east because his mother fell ill. So, again, athletic director Derek Cordes and administrators had to seek out a new boss for the team. The decision was made to hire Kevin Bracken. “Google ‘Kevin Bracken’ and you will in Colorado as the Castle View wrestling coach,” Cordes said. Bracken has a long history of competitive wrestling. He attended St. Laurence High School in Burbank, Ill., where he was captain and the most valuable wrestler for

The Bracken era

MARK DOWSEY

‘The goal is . . . to win’

Ma king a n i m p act Lady cats hope to make run for state

JOHN CONGER

He then wrestled at Illinois State University until the school shut down the program in Bracken’s senior year. In 2005, Bracken was inducted into the Illinois State Hall of Fame. His professional career consisted of at the Pan American Championships in 2003; taking the position of an Olympic alternate three times; and representing the U.S as a main competitor in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia, competing in Greco-Roman wrestling. Bracken came in sixth place. When his career as a wrestler was over, Bracken returned to the sport in the form of coaching. “When I was training for the Olympics,” Bracken said, “I ran wrestling camps all over the United States for colleges and high schools.” After his days of competitive wrestling, he spent some time instructing at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. He also coaches the youth wrestling club out of Castle View called Olympic Wrestling. Bracken now brings his experience and expertise to Castle View wrestling. “I am excited and proud,” he said. “Winners” is the word Bracken uses to describe this year’s team. “The goal is to hold this team accountable to work as hard as they can to win,” he said. Wrestlers are excited about the elite experience Bracken brings. “He’s a well-rounded athlete and is motivated,” junior wrestler Andrew Higgs said. “He strongly encourages us to be the same way.”

Kevin Bracken, CV’s new wrestling coach, runs a youth wrestling practice for the Olympic Wrestling club. Courtesy photo. Junior Hudsen Marker, takes down his opponent at the Battle of the Best Tournament Bracken coaches a youth wrestler before a match. Courtesy photo and senior Kaleb Geiger wrestle during the Dec. 6 and 7 tournament at Pine Creek High School in Colorado Springs. The team wrestled Rock Canyon Dec. 12. Photo by Ally Orcutt.

December

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