2270 Highway 133
Carbondale, CO 81623
February 2015
Volume 8 Issue 5
The Rampage
Roaring Fork’s cutest couple -Elle Derby
W
hether holding hands in the halls or sharing a sundae at Peppinos, sophomores Ashley Hall and Jake Kelley share an undeniable bond. These two have been dating for seven months, winning the vote for the “2015 Cutest Couple” title at RFHS. The Rampage sat down and had a Q&A session with the lovebirds. Runners up were seniors Abe Hernandez and Yazmin Castillo, junior Matthew Wampler and sophomore Jasmin Lopez, and seniors Lalo Clemente and Yunira Gomez.
A: You can make it cheesy. J: I didn’t know her, I had
no idea who she was. I thought she was cool.
R: What has been your favorite memory together? J: The rope swing. A: No, definitely not. J: That was definitely the funni-
est.
Rampage: What do you like best about Ashley? A: No. Jake: Her big brown eyes... Actually, [the fact that] J: Oh, shooting! Duh. we’re both messy eaters. A: Ok, that’s what I was going to Ashley: No, Jake, say “eyes.” It’s more romantic. say. J: I talk too much, huh? Jake: Okay, her eyes. R: What is your favorite thing to do together? J: Watch movies, definitely. R: What is your favorite movie? J: Favorite movie is “Benchwarmers.” A: No! We need a better movie than that. J: No. “Benchwarmers” is great.
R: What was your funniest moment together? A: Ask us what our biggest struggle is. I like scary movies, and he doesn’t.
J: Oh, wait, no! Our biggest struggle is my hearing. R: What has been the funniest part of your relationship?
A: We are complete opposites. R: What were your first impressions of each other? J: No, the first time my dad met you. Both: (Laugh) A: Oh, yeah! The first time his dad met me, he A: I thought he was funny. said,“You’re really small... You’re a sophomore?” J: I don’t know how to say this without making it cheesy. R: How did you ask her out?
Jasm
In this issue:
mpler
tthew Wa
and Ma in Lopez
Unrivaled Love in the Valley (Page 2)
Abe Hernand
ez and Yazmin
Mayor Bernot Gives Inside Scoop (Page 3)
Castillo
A: We watched a movie together. J: And I wouldn’t sit with her.. A: And I said, ‘Are you gonna sit with me or not?’ J: And then I sat with her. A: Then, he was leaving, and he said “I have a ques-
tion: Should I cut my hair?” and I said, “No, leave it long.” Then, he said, “Ok. I have another question. Do you want to go out with me?” and I said, “Sure.” He said “Sure? That’s all I get?” and I said “Yes.’’
J: I sung it. Wait, don’t put that in, it was a joke.
The couple’s plans for Valentine’s Day consist of Jake’s homemade lasagna, roses, and flower petals but Kelley warned Hall not to get her hopes up. “Maybe just candles,” he said.
Flirtatious Faces: What Emojis Emote (Page 5)
mente
nd Lalo Cle
ez a Yunira Gom
Gems of the Valley: Date Night Edition (Page 8)
Feature
2 Rampage February 2015
Unrivaled love in the Valley -Katie Weimer A common perception is that high school relationships never last, and the ones that do are an exception to the rule. Relationships that stretch across two schools are even more challenging. At Roaring Fork, there are several students who are in a relationship with students from other schools in the valley. Those in this situation have experienced first hand the struggles and triumphs of not seeing the person you care about most every day at school. Sophomore Katelyn Krehbiel and Patrick Niemer have been together for a year and seven months. Krehbiel feels that, “When you’re both from different schools, it gives you...time to be your own person rather than two people as one person.” While Patrick attends Roaring Fork’s rival, Basalt High School, they bond in cross country. Cross country participants from Roaring Fork compete with the Basalt
team, and this happened to be the event that introduced Katelyn and Patrick. When asked about the current status of the relationship Krehbiel shares, “I think our relationship is a lot healthier than most because we aren’t super attached, which is another benefit of distant relationships...you can be different than each other, but still be together.” Junior Yazmeen Rascon and Eric Lozoya have been dating for ten months. When asked the most difficult part of having a relationship with someone that goes to another school Yazmeen says, “We see each other a lot, so… probably just not knowing who they’re with.” Yazmeen does not believe in the broad generalization that high school relationships never last. What makes her relationship work is trust. “We tell eachother everything,” she says. What makes couples that are not within Roaring Fork so unique is their ability to retain the trust they have in each other, and dedication to making the relationship work when miles separate them.
Photo courtesy of Katelyn Krehbiel Katelyn Krehbiel and boyfriend Patrick Niemer have found a balance of trust and communication to make their long-distance relationship work.
To speak or not to speak: Balancing discussions in the classroom -Emily Bruell Do students get more out of a class when they participate in discussions? According to some Roaring Fork teachers and students, talking is crucial to comprehension and classroom engagement. While this is certainly a common belief, many other students feel that participation and understanding can be developed just as well through careful listening. Senior Lucy Uribe says she needs discussion to help her keep focused. “If I don’t talk, I get bored,” she says, adding that it’s difficult to remember things she’s learned without processing them through talking. This
is a sentiment echoed by history teacher Matt Wells.“ Talking about what we’re covering is hugely important, because you have to be able to tackle [the ideas]” he said. According to science studentteacher Jake Strevig, having students talk can also function as “a really easy way for teachers to see if students are engaged and...picking stuff up”. As important as discussion is, many teachers struggle with holding students accountable for the amount they contribute. “We were hearing the same voices, multiple times per class period… [while] certain people weren’t ever talking” says English teacher Krystal Wu of her class
before she implemented measures to limit this issue. Junior Chloe Brand describes an additional problem with struggling to jump into a discussion in a class full of louder, more talkative students than herself. “I get so focused on having an idea and remembering it that I can’t focus on the discussion,” she says. Teachers have developed a variety of methods for dealing with this unequal distribution of responses. Spanish teacher Stephanie Alzamora draws popsicle sticks inscribed with the names of students, while other teachers opt for more simple methods, like calling on random people to answer questions. Wu uses an alter-
native method in her AP Literature class: a bull’s-eye board showing students’ levels of participation. Cards with students’ names drawn on the backs begin the week clustered around the outer ring of the bull’s eye. When a student talks, their name is moved inward towards the bull’s eye. The idea, says Wu, is not to intimidate or shame students into speaking but rather to give them “space to share”. Many of these methods seem to be based on the assumption that oral participation is something that should be sought from all students. While engagement is always a worthwhile student goal, it’s important to remember that a student’s silence
in a classroom may not necessarily be something needed to correct. Susan Cain, author of the book “Quiet”, believes that it’s important to accept that some students may not be comfortable sharing in large group settings. These students aren’t necessarily any less engaged or valuable to the class. “A student who’s a good listener or who gives one really great, reflective comment is just as valued as the one who’s always raising their hand” she said in an interview with TED Conferences LLC. Wells agrees. “Some students are just more...verbose than others, and so it’s obviously not realistic to have a class where everyone talks,” he says. Still, Wells feels
that “if you establish a culture in a class that’s comfortable, then someone who is more... reserved or nervous to speak in front of a group will hopefully become more comfortable.” Teachers are faced with a quandary: should students be encouraged to participate orally to maximize engagement, or should quieter students be left to come to terms with the knowledge in their own way? The key to a classroom of successful learners, it seems, is to recognize when a quiet student is quiet because of a lack of interest or understanding of the topic, or simply in order to observe and ponder the information in an engaged, introverted way.
Feature
3 Rampage February 2015
Reaching out: Heritage Park
-Maeve O’Donnell Pax
As a high school newspaper, the Rampage has a focus mostly on the youth in the valley. For a change, we wanted to talk to two members of the community outside of our high school. The Rampage chose to interview residents at Heritage Park, the local assisted living home. Cecile Durand was born and raised in Rhode Island where
she was the youngest of 14 siblings. She met the love of her life, her husband, in elementary school. Because there were no buses, they would “hold hands and walk home together.” As a kid, Cecile and her friends would try to sell “rags” in order to make money to go to the movies. Her family moved from Canada, and she has been living in Colorado for almost two years now. Cecile’s advice is to “Be nice
to everybody, and be polite.” Currently she plays poker with the other residents and says that she has been “very, very lucky.” Another resident at Heritage Park is Sue Bacon. She has three grandchildren who went to Roaring Fork High School. She has lived in many more places, including Connecticut where she was raised. She then moved to New York, Indiana, New Jersey, Vermont,
Florida, and finally this valley where one of her sons lives. She started living at Heritage Park about a year and a half ago when she lost her sight. Before moving into assisted living, she would ride her bike everywhere. It is now one of the things she misses most. Reading was also another passion of her’s, but she has replaced it with talking books. Sue is very appreciative for Heritage Park. “It’s just been a won-
derful place, I am so fortunate to have this assisted living.” She lived at Crystal Meadows Senior Housing before her move to Heritage. “They didn’t like my cat roaming around outside because ‘All animals have to be on a leash,’ which is nonsense, and I didn’t like going out at four in the morning with a cat on a leash anymore than the cat liked it.” In a such a busy com-
munity it is important to stay involved in all aspects of it. Thank you Sue Bacon and Cecile Durand for your time and stories. We encourage everyone to talk to someone you don’t know; you never know what you might learn.
Changes cause Lady Rams’ to stumble -Edgar Reyna
Cecile Durand, above, and Sue Bacon, below.
Although the Roaring Fork girls varsity basketball team has historically been a successful team, this year the Lady Rams have faced some challenges — primarily due to their young team and a new coach. Despite their record being 3-9, the girls are still willing to give it their all. Chris Hall is the new girls varsity basketball head coach this year and has implemented some changes in the playing style and tempo of the team. Hall believes his girls have what it takes to turn their season around with minor adjustments and hard work. Hall said, “I think continuing to play with confidence and playing composed basketball will...let us see a couple more wins.” The players agree with their coach about what has worked well for the team so far. Hall sees the girls’ “attitude, team, chemistry, and our desire to never quit” as their positive attributes. Sophomore Lily Ramos explained the “love” she had for her teammates and her coach and shared that “even though we are a young team and things aren’t going as expected, we are working on playing as one by having heart on and off the court.” Senior Emily Fisher agreed that the team is heading in the right direction: “We are working on getting our emotions under control and figuring out the pace of the game,” she commented. Come show your support for the Lady Rams on February 13 at Roaring Fork vs Olathe, February 14 at Moffat County, February 18 at Roaring Fork vs Coal Ridge, and February 20 at Gunnison.
Mayor’s Minute with Stacey Bernot Thanks to Hayden Bernot, Rampage reporter, for getting the lowdown on what’s happening in Carbondale from Mom--uh, Mayor--Stacey Bernot. Here’s what Mayor Bernot thought RFHS students might be interested in. Elected officials can be cool, too. One had awesome tickets to the Eric Church concert on the same night as a meeting. Mayor Bernot’s take: “I would miss a meeting to got to that concert too! It’s worth missing a meeting for Eric Church.” A Trustee discusses deer having sex on his front lawn in a Board of Trustees meeting. Mayor Bernot’s take: “Well, how do you follow that? It’s awkward.” The Town of Carbondale has invested a lot of money into improving our roads and highway. Mayor Bernot’s take: “Let’s add to it by being friendlier to each other by waving. And not just the one-finger wave...” The Town invests in a few thousand dog poop bags every year. Mayor Bernot’s take: “Why is it so hard to pick up dog poop? We literally give you the bags, and you still can’t do it.” The downtown ice rink has had a pretty short season this year due to the warm temperatures. Mayor Bernot’s take: “But at least the rink wasn’t ‘vandalized’! One year, it looked like someone had punctured our rink liner. Upon further investigation, we found that rogue deer were walking on it, causing their hooves to puncture the liner, not hooligans. I guess we have an active deer population.”
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Rampage | February 2015
L
VE
FOC
IS ALL
YOU NEED
How to fall in love with anyone C -Kayla Derby
an 36 questions make a person fall in love? This is exactly what psychologist Arthur Aron explored in a study called “The Experimental Generation of Interpersonal Closeness.” The study examines whether or not the process of falling in love can be quickened by asking certain personal questions. In the study, a man and a woman go into a room together and are given a set of increasingly personal 36 questions (listed below). The pair then goes back and forth answering the questions. After the questionnaire is completed, the pair stares into each other’s eyes for four minutes.
There haven’t been conclusive results to the study, but there are stories of it working. In Mandy Len Catron’s “To Fall in Love With Anyone, Do This” in “The New York Times,” she recounts her story of conducting the study with a man in a bar. The experiment worked, and they are still together. There were some couples who ended up getting married. If you would like to try the experiment, find a person you wouldn’t mind becoming closer to, and go back and forth answering the 36 questions below. Then,
Set One 1. Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest? 2. Would you like to be famous? In what way? 3. Before making a telephone call, do you ever rehearse what you are going to say? Why? 4. What would constitute a “perfect” day for you? 5. When did you last sing to yourself? To someone else? 6. If you were able to live to the age of 90 and retain either the mind or body of a 30-year-old for the last 60 years of your life, which would you want? 7. Do you have a secret hunch about how you will die? 8. Name three things you and your partner appear to have in common. 9. For what in your life do you feel most grateful? 10. If you could change anything about the way you were raised, what would it be? 11. Take four minutes and tell your partner your life story in as much detail as possible. 12. If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one quality or ability, what would it be?
Set Two 13. If a crystal ball could tell you the truth about yourself, your life, the future or anything else, what would you want to know? 14. Is there something that you’ve dreamed of doing for a long time? Why haven’t you done it? 15. What is the greatest accomplishment of your life? 16. What do you value most in a friendship? 17. What is your most treasured memory? 18. What is your most terrible memory? 19. If you knew that in one year you would die suddenly, would you change anything about the way you are now living? Why? 20. What does friendship mean to you? 21. What roles do love and affection play in your life? 22. Alternate sharing something you consider a positive characteristic of your partner. Share a total of five items. 23. How close and warm is your family? Do you feel your childhood was happier than most other people’s? 24. How do you feel about your relationship with your mother?
Thanks to Ms. Karla Stukey’s students at Campus Kids for sharing their thouhts on love.
stare into each other’s eyes for four minutes. Voila! You’re now in love! Okay, maybe not, but you are definitely closer to the person than you were before.
Set Three 25. Make three true “we” statements each. For instance, “We are both in this room feeling ... “ 26. Complete this sentence: “I wish I had someone with whom I could share ... “ 27. If you were going to become a close friend with your partner, please share what would be important for him or her to know. 28. Tell your partner what you like about them; be very honest this time, saying things that you might not say to someone you’ve just met. 29. Share with your partner an embarrassing moment in your life. 30. When did you last cry in front of another person? By yourself? 31. Tell your partner something that you like about them already. 32. What, if anything, is too serious to be joked about? 33. If you were to die this evening with no opportunity to communicate with anyone, what would you most regret not having told someone? Why haven’t you told them yet? 34. Your house, containing everything you own, catches fire. After saving your loved ones and pets, you have time to safely make a final dash to save any one item. What would it be? Why? 35. Of all the people in your family, whose death would you find most disturbing? Why? 36. Share a personal problem and ask your partner’s advice on how he or she might handle it. Also, ask your partner to reflect back to you how you seem to be feeling about the problem you have chosen.
CUS Students speak out on the meaning of love Rampage | February 2015
5
-Kristin Page
R
oaring Fork High School students have different perceptions of the idea of love. Love can mean more than just romance, and to many it means a connection between siblings and close friends. Based off The “New York Times” column “Modern Love” students share their moments of emotional intimacy and what love means to them.
Axel Palomera, Sophomore “A time I felt really close to someone was when I joined basketball for the first time this year, and I got put on C-team. Raul [Leyva] didn’t think I was good enough to get moved up, but he knew I had things to work on. He helped me work on my dribbling and defense. This really gave me the confidence to do better in games and practices. Later in the season I got moved up, and I can really thank Raul.”
Megan Nieslanik, Freshman “One time my sister and I got in trouble. My parents were so mad and started yelling at us, so we left the house and spent the night at her friend’s house and really bonded. I can go to Corey [ Johnson] with any problem that I have, and she will help me solve it. Emotional intimacy to me is when you feel so close to someone that you don’t need words to express how you are feeling.”
Emily Fuller, Senior “I’ve felt close to someone that I’ve known for a long time, who I can talk to about different things and not feel judged at all, whether it’s advice or what the homework is. He’s also very influential in my life. Also, one of my very best friends has always felt more like a sister to me. I’ve known her for about 10 years and there isn’t anything she doesn’t know about me and vice-versa. We talk on the phone all the time, vent to each other and relive our days, so we’re completely caught up in each other’s lives. This friend and I have had our ups and downs, but what sibling relationship hasn’t?”
Dillon Leasure, Freshman “During finals week, a kid named Justin helped me go over some of the stuff that was going to be on the math final that I had next period, and without his help, I’m not sure if I would have done well on that test.”
Flirtatious faces: What emojis emote F
or many teenagers, emojis have become a part of their vocabulary. However, unlike words, emojis don’t have an exact definition. Today, many high school relationships are either forged or strengthened through text messages, and emojis have the potential to increase miscommunication. The Rampage asked several RFHS students (both guys and girls) what these four emojis meant to them when used flirtatiously.
“Super interested in me.” “Interested, or joking around.” “Usually used with food.”
“She likes you.” “Three-letter word...” “Depends on the context, but it’s a good sign.”
“Things are going to get interesting tonight.” “Three-letter word with an exclamation point.” “She likes you.” “She likes you.” “She’s being nice.” “Really happy.”
“The person really likes you or is confessing his undying love.” “They’re ready to settle down and have children.’”
“Joking or flirting.” “Insert tongue-click.” “Sexual actions.”
“Full-on flirt.” “If you know what I mean...” “Creepy.”
“Pleased, not excited, but happy.” “If someone compliments you.” “Awwww...”
6 Rampage February 2015
Sports
Rising to the top: Climbing Team reaches new heights -Beymar Silva
Every week, between three and a dozen students from Roaring Fork High School go rock climbing as part of the RFHS Climbing Team, which began in September of 2014. We climb at Carbondale Middle School on Mondays and Fridays, at the Carbondale Rec Center on Wednesdays, and at CMC Spring Valley campus on Thursdays. I joined the Climbing Team in October, and I enjoy how well everyone gets along and how much I’ve improved in my technique. For instance, I know now not to use my upper body as much, and to set up my feet before I climb. When we attend practice, we can climb by either following routes or by just climbing freely. Also, Climbing Team is a good place to go and relax. New RFHS math teacher Brandon Olszewski founded the Climbing Team. “I love rock climbing and I wanted to share that experience with students that I [teach],” Olszewski said. Although some people might think rock climbing isn’t a safe sport, he disagrees and so do I. I know from experience that Photo by Brandon Olszewski climbing is not Sophomore Nicholas Penzel competed with the climbing team in dangerous bea bouldering competition on Saturday, January 31 at CMC Spring cause the walls Valley Campus. The Climbing Team is new to RFHS this year and aren’t that tall, gives students an oppurtunity to learn new skills and meet new the floors are people. soft and pad-
ded, and you can have someone supporting you with a belay. Olszewski gave other reasons why RFHS students should join the team. “You have a ton of fun, and...climbing can easily get you in shape,” he said. Junior, Joseph Flores, recently moved from Ecuador, and within his first month here, joined the team. Flores has quickly become a part of the Ram community, partly due to his participation with the Climbing Team. “It makes me feel really excited because every time I climb, there is a new challenge,” he said. Rock Climbing is an activity that is really big in this valley, and there are many great places to climb. However, most students are unaware of the climbing opportunities available to them. The RFHS Climbing Team is just one option. Students can get certified to climb on Wednesdays at the Carbondale Rec center. Our state is also full of many beautiful natural places to rock climb. You can practice your climbing skills to stay in shape, or you can practice to compete in one of the many competitions the Climbing Team participates in. During competitions, schools from all over the state get together to compete and have fun. Beyond competition and getting in shape, by being part of the Climbing Team, we are becoming better friends. One of the best parts of the Climbing Team is that you talk to people that you usually don’t talk to and you make new friends. Junior Jose Penaloza has been climbing with the Climbing Team since the club began this year. He likes to climb because “it’s fun and it keeps me from doing dumb stuff. It is a good place to hang out with friends,” he says. Penaloza thinks everyone should join Climbing Club because they will not only have fun and hang out with friends, but “also make new friends.” For students interested in joining this club, here’s what you need to know. We meet 4:00 to 5:00 after school. The club is totally free. The only equipment required is something comfortable to wear; the team has everything else. They have climbing shoes and chalk so that you can get a better grip. There are also couches so you can relax if you don’t want to climb. If you’re feeling intimidated about trying something new just remember the words of my favorite quote: “Nothing is impossible because the word itself says, ‘I’m possible.’”
“It makes me feel really excited because every time I climb, there is a new challenge.” - Joseph Flores
Booster Club supports Roaring Fork
-Caitlin O’Gorman
If you have ever bought popcorn, Gatorade, or a “Walking Taco” from the concessions booth at an RFHS sporting event, you have supported the Booster Club and, perhaps without knowing it, countless student teams and clubs. By selling concessions at RFHS athletic events, the Booster Club helps fundraise for the events and activities that the school and district can’t afford. The Boosters don’t only help out the sports teams, however; they also support different student-run clubs and offer scholarships to students at RFHS. A slew of parents founded the Booster Club 1970 with a mission to help provide money for the sports teams at RFHS, so the players and coaches wouldn’t have to worry about fundraising. When Title IX passed in 1972, the Booster Club played a vital role by fundraising for the new uniforms and equipment required to support the new girls’ and co-ed teams. Wood Shop teacher Larry Black remembers
when the Boosters would host dinners at the end of the year to celebrate the sports teams and academic programs. “They would charge money for people to get into the dinner, and the food would be donated,” said Black. All the money that the dinner would make would go back to the school. By taking away the worry about fundraising, “The Booster Club would let the coaches coach and the players be players,” Black said. The Booster Club has traditionally been comprised of parents of RFHS students. As more teams and clubs have approached the Boosters for support, however, the crew of workers and supporters has grown. The majority of teachers and students who approach the Boosters for funding also help out at the concessions stand to “earn” their donation. RFHS baseball coach Marty Madsen helps out at the concessions stand because the Booster Club has supported his team with new uniforms and the
completion of the new snack bar at the baseball field. Madsen is willing to spend his Friday or Saturday nights working with the Boosters. “I like to work the snack bar because I get to see all the old students that I used to teach,” said Madsen. The Booster Club is always looking for more community members to help out at the snack bar and give back to the high school and the Carbondale community. The Booster Club is currently comprised of Co-Presidents Leslie Lamont and Fiona O’Donnell-Pax, Treasurer Maureen Rothman and Secretary Cathy Derby. Lamont hopes more community members will get involved in the Booster Club. “Working in the snack bar is always a good way for parents to get to know other parents,” she said. For more information, please email lezlamont@gmail.com or stop by one of their meetings on the first Wednesday of every month at 6:30 in the office conference room at RFHS. Their next meeting is March 4.
Opinion
7 Rampage February 2015
Carbondale: Where is the love? A -Hayden Bernot
s a sixth-generation Carbondale native, I have a tradition to uphold. From Blanc to Patch to Nieslanik and now Bernot, my love for Carbondale has remained strong in my family since 1910, when Roaring Fork High School was still Carbondale Union High School. So, when there is a turnout of only 100 to 150 fans at our basketball games while our gym can hold almost one-third of Carbondale’s population, I can’t help but feel disappointed. Roaring Fork High School has slowly been attempting to build up to the full capacity of our gyms, fields, and auditoriums. Our teams are on the rise, but where are the community members? Lately, even most students would rather go to First Friday or go out on a Friday night and party than go to a school sporting event. If we sold alcohol at our concessions stand, would the community come, then? We always have some supportive fans in our stands, but not as many as we’d like to support our school. It seems like the only community members that support our school’s teams are parents, teachers, and alumni who still believe in the school. Roaring Fork’s teams would be even better if we had more fans then we do now. There’s something to be said about playing for more than yourself, and it is an honor to represent RFHS and Carbondale.
Why do we have empty seats in the bleachers? People may think it is because we’re not very good, but our varsity basketball team is actually doing fairly well in our league. The team is hoping to go to regionals again, and they have hopes of making it farther. You never hear about the game at the coffee shop anymore. It’s all about the latest bands playing and who is dating whom. Our Rams put on some stellar musical performances and memorable art shows, yet you never hear about them either. Remember back in the day? When Mike Patch and Tim Nieslanik carried the Rams football team to the state championship? What about Chris Hanks and his crew on the baseball field? Or Tricia Bader and her teammates bringing home three consecutive state titles in girls basketball? You never know when the next Landon Garvick, Trae Moxley, or Gianinetti twins will hit the hardwood in the Rams’ gym. The next generation of athletes are here in our gym, on our fields, playing every weekend. Will you be a part of the crowd? If you come, you will be entertained, maybe inspired, and possibly surprised at the caliber of athletes, musicians, thespians, artists, and all-around great students that make up Roaring Fork High School.
News
Park at your own risk
Photo by Lucy Stevens -Eryn Doherty
A Roaring Fork High School student driving into school passes an array of obstacles: cars doing donuts in the field next to the narrow entrance, a residential development, a fire department, a recreational skate park, BMX park, and tennis court. It can be agreed that the Roaring Fork student parking lot is not the safest place to be. In the past month, there have been five collisions in the parking lot; some being light bumps and
some leaving cars wrec ked. On January 15, a Roaring Fork junior fell out of a moving vehicle, while later that same day, another student’s left car door was crushed and the window was shattered. Some may think the cause of these accidents is the icy road conditions, while others think it’s the fault of inexperienced and reckless drivers. During an interview with the student involved in the car accident, she says the person who hit the car is liable; the school will not be involved in
the situation. Principal Drew Adams, however, maintains the district will be held responsible if the school is found to be negligent in providing a safe parking lot. After the accident she said, “I try to park away from other cars because I am a bit worried.” Sophomore Katelyn Krehbiel has similar feelings. Krehbiel says students drive too fast through the parking lot which causes accidents to occur. “We’re all brand new drivers with very little experience. [People treat it like] it’s a no-risk place because there are very few
adults driving through there,” she says. During school mornings especially, the parking lot is chaotic and bustling with cars. Many high schoolers are running late to school, which in some cases means they speed down the road. It also doesn’t help when parents drop their students off in the no drop-off zone. Parents are supposed to drop their student off in the drop-off/ teacher parking lot, not the student parking lot. A senior at Roaring Fork said, “The parents get in the way by parking in some of the parking spots and backing
up traffic.” The Roaring Fork campus is located near the Carbondale Fire Department and a residential development, which can often times be very dangerous for firefighters and other community members who are in the area. During an interview with a student that lives in a house near the school, she said the traffic and speeding cars don’t affect her. Yet, other students have nearly hit firefighters crossing the road. The Roaring Fork student parking lot has never been a crime scene, but is it time for
some adult supervision? Krehbiel thinks it would be a waste of time for the teachers and students would get angry and annoyed if the teachers patrolled the parking lot. Another student said, “ … I don’t know what the purpose would be if the teachers supervised the parking lot.” Assistant principal at RF, Kelsie Goodman, feels as though wherever there are inexperienced drivers, and icy roads, there are big risks. The biggest thing Roaring Fork students and staff can do to prevent accidents is wear seat belts and watch out for others.
Entertainment Gems of the Valley: Date Night Edition
-Grace Brown
Whether it’s friendship or infatuation, the time of year to show appreciation for those whom we admire is here again. In honor of the month of love, Gems of the Valley will be featuring staff picks of the best date ideas for this Valentine’s Day.
The Adventurous Couple: Though it can–and most likely will–change, the weather on Valentine’s Day is predicted to be cold and snowy with a high of 36 degrees. Use this to your advantage by planning a chilly, sentimental outing such as skiing/snowboarding on the mountain, hiking Hanging Lake or Red Hill, sledding on the golf course in Carbondale, or cross-country skiing on the Rio Grande Trail. Bring along a thermos of hot chocolate to share when your fingers and toes get cold. If the weather doesn’t permit an outdoor date, go to the local Rec Center and try a new activity together, such as rock climbing or yoga. The Casual Couple: Maybe this Valentine’s Day happens to be a first date, or circumstances call for a less romantic and traditional night. For those of you looking for a fun night with a friend or soon-to-be sweetheart, staying outside is the perfect way to keep it casual. On South 4th Street in Carbondale, by the Launchpad, there is a small ice rink. To rent skates, go to the Carbondale Rec Center, one block down from the rink, where the skates are $3 per rental. Warm up in a local coffee shop with some hot cocoa or coffee–or go home and make your own! The Lovebirds: If you and your loved one have been counting down to this February 14, that calls for an extravagant and romantic plan. When thinking of presents, thoughtful ones are the most memorable. Sending your partner on a simple yet meaningful scavenger hunt to a favorite place, with a gift waiting at the end, is a great way to show your appreciation and devotion. The Sick Couple: If illness stops you and your significant other from going out, make the most of the night and think up a relaxing yet romantic in-home date. Instead of wine or cheese tastings, try different types of chocolate. Snuggling up and watching favorite movies is a great way to relax while still enjoying each other’s company.
Heard in the Hallways “Dude, this sub is pretty dank.” “Quite dank.” “Wow, your hat-vest combo is quite the statement.” “I’m sorry if my culture offends you.” “Yo, Sherpa take me up that mountain.” “Hey, bro, don’t be racist.” “Don’t be difficult.”
8 Rampage February 2015
Rampage Staff Editors in Chief Roy Benge Kristen Joiner Managing Editor
“Who did you bite?” (mumbling) “Ok, who bites people?” (more mumbling) “That’s right. Goats bite people, and you’re not a goat, are you?” “No.” (Heard at CRES) “I wish I grew string cheese out of my head, so then I would never be hungry.”
Whoopers
• X Games were a blast. • There’s only one semester left of the school year. • RFHS Boys Varsity Basketball is third in league. • There’s no more ice on the road. • Pro Bowl was great this year.
Bloopers
• There were an exorbitant amount of cops at the X Games. • The Broncos bombed in the playoffs. • The Northeast is getting all of our snow. • The new attendance policy is a bit harsh. • The skiing this year is gradually worsening...
Word to the wise:
Clean your car, buy some Altoids, take some music, dress accordingly, and bring extra hats, gloves, and hand warmers. Nothing is worse than a date ruined by the cold. Also, bring a camera wherever you end up going to document the memories you make!
The Rampage would like to thank the RFHS Booster Club and the Town of Carbondale for generously sponsoring our school newspaper.
Finn Featherstone Photographer Lucy Stevens Editorial Staff Grace Brown Kayla Derby Jake Kelley Fiona Laird James Long Caitlin O’Gorman Jake Rusby Tavia Teitler Reporters Jonny Aranda Bella Bailey Hayden Bernot Emily Bruell Elle Derby Eryn Doherty Jacky Jacquez Carley Moravek Maeve O’Donnell Pax Kristin Page Edgar Reyna Beymar Silva Katie Weimer Policy Statement: Published eight times a year, the student newspaper of Roaring Fork High School is a public forum, with its student editorial board making all decisions concerning its content. Unsigned editorials express the views of the majority of the editorial board. Questions? Concerns?
Contact us at
rframpage@gmail.com