PiRA

TEER

This month’s focus:

Fighting against the Tide

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Who’s Who?

Englewood High School’s fight to save the pool

Want more on this story?Go to page 10 for a feature on the boys’

swim team.Diving into the problems

How it got to this point

“The Crusader”Sophomore Scott Neff organized a petition and rally

in attempt to save the pool.

“The Promethean”Junior Randall Kloewer helped

organize the petition and

rally to save the pool.

T.C.Scaggiari and VeroniqueBarbour

In a world in which mold thrives, one swimming pool will face the ultimate battle. Sink or swim, sail or fail. But how it got to this point is the big question that everyone is asking. Twenty years in the making, the neglect of the EHS pool has become a shipwreck of a disaster. “I think it is a shame that the pool is closing. Several teams use it and it will be a big loss to the community,” former girls’ swim coach Ruth Nisbet said. Nisbet started the girls swim team at Englewood High School back in the 1960s when the pool was first built. At the time it was a state of the art pool and certain American Disability Act (ADA) requirements, such as handicapped accessibility, were not in place, Sup’t. Brian Ewert explains. “The most significant issue, and the most expensive, even more so than the deteriorating facility, is the inability to make the pool, locker rooms, bathrooms, hallways, and entrances ADA accessible. When the pool was built in 1966, these code requirements didn’t exist. In 2012, these laws/codes govern the renovation of these facilities. They must be brought in to compliance once renovations begin,” Ewert said. Nisbet still believes the EHS pool is better than any other pool in the state of Colorado. With its tile floors and eight lanes, this pool was a valuable asset to EHS. Nisbet, along with many others, has a significant history with this pool. Not only did she start a swim team, but she also started a new chapter of her life there. Ruth Nisbet’s husband Larry Nisbet proposed to her at the Englewood High School pool. Her husband became the acting superintendent of EHS for a period of time due to the previous superintendent’s sudden and unexpected resignation. “My husband, as superintendent [of Englewood Schools], oversaw all buildings

in Englewood,” Nisbet said. As the acting superintendent, Larry Nisbet was one of the caretakers of the pool. Budget cuts and issues slowly led to the neglect of the pool. “The pool was in great shape when I left. However, pools take daily care. If you don’t take care of it, it will deteriorate,” Nisbet said. In a world where mold thrives, it was not hard for the pool to get into such disrepair because of neglected maintenance. “It’s never been maintained as it should have been and now we are where we are,” School Board Secretary Vicki Howard said. Currently, the school is stuck with a pool that is closing and will be demolished after the school year and numerous swim teams, such as the Aces, will be without a pool. In the initial evaluation of the pool, its many faults were not seen; therefore, those repair costs were not included in the bond. “During the long range planning process, the condition of the EHS pool was described as ‘poor’. A deep and thorough assessment of the pool was not completed at that time as it was not part of the scope of the long-range plan contract. So, a rough estimate was made based on the opinions of those who performed the visual assessment of the pool,” Ewert said. The ‘visual assessment’ allowed for $1 million dollars for the update of the pool; however, despite the board’s simple investigations, the severity of the situation had a higher price tag than expected. “Once we began the process of a full evaluation of the pool to put a real price tag on the renovations, it was clear that the pool had many significant issues,” Ewert added. With the budget cuts and the tight spending on the Bond, the School Board decided that the pool was not an important asset to the building’s main functions. This means that EHS Pirates will have to sail the seas without water for some time.

Despite the voter approval of the bond, which called for complete renovation and repairs in Englewood High School, the terrible condition of the EHS pool brought reality crashing down. Englewood’s pool conditions have progressively been declining along with enrollment since its opening in 1966, its maintenance has slowly become more and more expensive and its use for students has slid downhill in the eyes of the school board and some of Englewood’s taxpayers. “We can’t go back in time, but we need to represent taxpayers. I don’t think they would be comfortable with the board spending ten percent of the budget on a program that will be for 50 to 70 people,” a taxpayer representative said. Sophomore Scott Neff and Junior Randall Kloewer both spoke at the meeting for the student body, arguing that the pool is an important part of Englewood’s building, history, and education; however, because of the neglect of the pool’s maintenance on the part of Englewood Parks and Rec and Englewood Schools, its state cannot be repaired with the $1 million set aside

for the pool in the bond. Costs of pool repairs rack up to about $3.2 million and complete renovation would be around $5 million. “We, based on history and numbers, are being asked to continue a program for the students that would cost millions of dollars to repair. My job is to pay attention to the entire community,” School Board President Scott Gorsky said. Despite the rally at the pool and a video the students made in support of keeping the pool, the school board decided on February 13 to abandon the inclusion of the pool in the new school building. They decided to prolong the demolition of the pool until the school begins remodeling next year, that is if the pool is still safe for swimming. The school board is also setting aside $1 million and will search for other contributors to help build a new pool in its own facility on the EHS campus. The board plans to contact organizations and corporations related to swimming and physical fitness for donations to reach the $3.2 million needed to build this new facility.

“I don’t think the bond should

have passed without further research about

the pool.” Mariah

Holman, 12

“On one hand – [the pool] could be considered an asset and an important

part of PE etc. On the other hand, there are so many needs these days that a pool

seems like a luxury item to me.” Sherry Scaggiari, tax-payer and former

school board member

“According to the architects, contractors,

and engineers, we will be within the

estimated budget. What emerged from the pool assessment was the

unknown factor. While everyone wanted to

save the pool, no one expected the cost of the

renovations to come back at three times the

original estimate.”

SuperintendentBrian Ewert

T.C. Scaggiari and Josh Ferge

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SelfReflect

Former CoachRuth Nisbet started

the swim team in the late 1960s

after the pool was built and made sure that swimming was

required for students

Where the Drugs GrowPage 12

Digital CitizenshipIn-Depth Page 6-7

SEI

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Page 8

At a GlanceRandallKloewer Clownstotheleft,jokerstotheright,moderatesstuckinthemiddlelikefools.AmericaisapoliticalhotbedwithRepublicanashsizzlingontherightandDemocraticcoalssimmeringontheleft,buteveryoneinthedividehasbeenbuttedout.Polarizationhasscorchedthered,whiteandblue,orhasit? SincetheTeaPartycameonscenein2009,manymembersoftheGOPhaveleanedmoretotheconservativesideofpolitics. Recently,primariesacrosstheU.S.haveindicatedtherangeofconstituents.AccordingtoFareedZakariaofCNN,Republicansareshiftingduetogrowingpressurewithintheirownparty. Forinstance,3,500conservativeactiviststookSenatorRobertBennettoffUtah’sballotcausingseveralsenators,likeJonMcCain,toshiftawayfromtheaisle.McCainstrengthenedhisconservativestanceduringthe2008presidentialelectiontoappealtoalargerfactionofRepublicans. Redistrictingisanothercauseofpoliticalpolarization.Some“safe”seatsallowpoliticianstostayinoffice;asaresult,noincentivetostayinthemiddleexists. AccordingtoZakaria,GOPheavyweightRushLimbaughthrewarighthookatmoderateswhenheblastedRepublicanRepresentativeDarrellIssaofCaliforniaformakingcommentstotheWashingtonPostinwhichhestatedthattheagendamightbefurtheredwithintermittent

compromisewiththeDems. “ChangesinCongressionalruleshavealsomadeitfarmoredifficulttoenactlarge,compromiselegislation,”Zakariasaid.Essentially,inanattempttomakeCongressmoretransparentinapost-Watergateera,theyhavesetthemselvesuptodecideononesideortheother.Thedebtceilingisagreatexampleoflawmakersunwillingtocompromise. “TheRepublicanPartyistryingtocutfederalspendingbyeliminatingwastefulprogramswhiletheDemocraticPartyislookingforadditionalrevenue;thatwouldbetaxingtherichtostemthenationaldebt,”EnglishteacherSeanDuffysaid. Gaymarriageandabortionaretwootherissuesthathavebothpartiessplitupthemiddle,butformoreideologicalreasons. “Wearemovinginthewrongdirectionifweareworriedaboutideology.Thiscountrywasbuiltoncompromise.Ifwerefusetocompromise,thenweareindangerofstagnation,”historyteacherDanBarbersaid. However,politicalpolarizationspeakstotheverynatureoftwopartysystem.SometimesthewatersofpoliticalpolarizationtrickleinameekstreamandothertimestheycascadeliketherapidsofthemightyColoradoRiver.Whateverthemeans,theywilleventuallyemptyintoanoceanofpolarization--seaofredorseaofblue. “WearetooworriedaboutbeingRepublicansandDemocrats;wehaveforgottenweareAmericans,”Barbersaid.

Election2012: Shades of Purple

TaylerSearcy

DuetothepassageoftheBondandMillLevyinNovember,Englewoodschoolsisbuildingatechnologicallyadvanced6-12campus,thatwillincludetheEnglewoodLeadershipAcademy,EnglewoodHighSchoolandEnglewoodMiddleSchool. OtherchangesbeingmadetothedistrictincludethetransferofColorado’sFinestAlternativeHighSchoolintothecurrentmiddleschool.Asspringbegins,theplansforthenewEHScampusarestartingtobloom. InorderforEnglewoodSchoolDistrictmemberstobeabletovoicetheirwantsandconcerns,thedistricthasputtogethertwodifferenttypesof“teams”thatwillhelpwiththeplanningprocessofthenew6-12sharedcampus.Theseteamsarecalledthe“designadvisorygroup”andthe“Phoenixteam.” Thedesignadvisorygroupisfocusedonthephysicaldesignofthenewschool.Thisisalsothelargergroupofthetwo.ThePhoenixteamhandlesthetwoteamsaremadeupofemployeesfromalloverthedistrict.AtEHSalone,therearesevenfacultymemberswhoarepartoftheseteams.TheseparticipantsincludeteachersandmembersofEHSstaff:SheilaOlson,

SeanDuffy,HeatherWaldron,counselorTaraBoisson,DeanMandyMiller,ViceprincipalBrookeDavis,andPrincipalJonFore. “Thesegroupsmakedecisionsaboutthenewandimprovedschoolrangingfromwhatclasseswilllooklike,tohowplanswillbeimplemented,andtohowtobecomeenergyefficient,”Duffysaid. Waldronsaid,“Iwouldreallyliketoseelearningandclassroomspacesthatprovidemoreopportunitiesforstudentstoworkcollaboratively.Iwouldalsoliketoseesimilarthingsdonewiththe‘commons’area.Ithinkthatwecanfindwaystoprovidepublicworkspacesforstudentstouseproductivelyduringtheiroffblocks.” Notonlydobothofthesegroupstalkaboutwhatisbeneficialfortheschool,buttheyalsodiscusstheirownpersonalconcernsaboutthe6-12campus. “OnethingthatIamworriedaboutismaximizinglearningareasforallstudents.Weneedtofigureoutasuccessfulwaytomaketechnologyeasilyaccessibleandavailableineachroom,”Duffysaid.

“Thegoalofthisnewschoolistocreateaunique,up-to-dateenvironmentthatstudentswanttolearnin,”SuperintendentBrianEwertsaid. “Thesegroupswillhelpwithsupportingthekindofprogramthatweandthecommunitywanttoseeina21stcenturyschool,”Duffysaid. Someotherwantsthatwouldbenefitthenewcampusincludealargeartspace,withplentyofstorageroom,andseparateareasforallthethreecampuses,OlsonandWaldronsaid. “OneofmymainconcernsisfindingawaytohouseEHSandEMSonthesamecampus.Iwanttoshareresources,butmaintaineachschoolasaseparateentity,”Waldronsaid. InformationandupdatesregardingtheBondProjectcanbefoundontheEnglewood

Schoolswebsite,Englewoodschools.net,

orEnglewood6-12.wikispaces.com.

Town Hall MeetingsQ.Q.

Q.

Team Phoenix is a group of 13 teachers, 2 principals, 2 APs, and district administrators who will be meeting bi-weekly for the next 24 months. A.

Can you define what exactly the Phoenix team,

and Design Advisory Group do?

Do you think that Englewood Schools will have

increased enrollment after construction? Will there be more technology?

What would you like to see inside of the new campus?

Student-centered, 21st century programming. A place that students and community can be proud of for the next 75 years. A school that provides a wide array rigorous opportunities for students as they prepare themselves for college, the military, or the work force.

A.

What are some of your own concerns regarding the campus?

• Completion on time and on budget. • We need to be diligent and intentional

that our instructional practices, curriculum, programming, and use of technology matches the 21st century space we are building.

• This will require a change in some of our practices.

A.

Q.

Yes... there will be more technology. We expect that every student will have their own device and access the curriculum via a netbook, laptop, or iPad. We are exploring our options in this area now.

A.

2 breakdown PIRATEERMarch 9, 2012

Committees established to enhance future academics

Enroll in our NEW

Associate of Applied Science degree

Specialize in:

Writing and Reporting Multimedia Advertising and Marketing

303.797.5813www.arapahoe.edu

Q & A with Sup’t. Brian Ewert

Graphics by Kayla Eickmann

TCAP Testing8:15am-12:10pm(3testsaday60-65minutes)Lunch 12:10-12:55(50minutes)11th and 12th grade students report to school 1:00–3:15(4classesaday30minutes)1:00-1:30 Period1/5(30minuteclass)1:35-2:05 Periods2/6(30minuteclass)2:10-2:40 Period3/7(30minuteclass)2:45-3:15 Period4/StudyHall(30minuteclass)

TCAP Schedule (March13,14,15,16)

Spring Break is

The smell of blooming flowers is in the air which means spring break is quickly approaching. School will resume Monday, April 2. Enjoy your week off and stay safe, Pirates.

Upcoming Springs Sports Events:Help spring sports kick off to a good start by supporting our Pirates at their first home games.

Girls soccer game on March 12th

Girls golf tournament on March 13th

Boys Lacrosse game on March 8th

1st

1st

1st

1st

Track meet March 10th

March 26th through 30th

3speakoutPIRATEERMarch 9, 2012

ElidaSchultz

Thereisadoublestandardwhenitcomestoacceptanceatourschool. “EHSstudentsacceptpeoplewithdisabilities,butwhensomeoneisawareandconsciouslymakingmistakes,studentsrefusetoacceptit,”sophomoreHannahFraziersaid,becausesheseesithappeningatEHSallthetime—studentsjeeringandmakingfunofothersbehindtheirbacks,rumorsbeingspread,reputationsbeingruined.Onelittleslipupand

socialstatusgoesdownthedrain. Itallsoundsverycliché:‘Don’tjudgeabookbyitscover,’and‘theyaren’tliketherest.’ Clichés,however,dohaveanelementoftruthtothemthatnoonereallyrecognizesatthehighschoolage. “Nomatterwhat,peoplejudgeautomatically.Weshouldn’tactuponthosejudgmentsorletthosejudgmentsdriveustooutcasttheperson,”Fraziersaid. Studentsspendwaytoomuchtimeworryingabout

others’backgrounds,personallives,andlooks. Appearancesarethefirstthingothersjudge;therefore,manystudentspayextraattentiontotheirlooksandwhatitsaysaboutthem.Sometimesastudent’slookcanbeabitabsurdlikewhenastudentistryingtoshowtheyarerebelliousandlookliketheyarearodeoclown,ortheyaretryingportrayinnocenceandlooklikeanun.Whenastudentdoesn’tdotherightthingorlooktherightwaythefirsttime,itcancostthempotentialfriendsand

acquaintances. StudentsatEHSbantogetherwhensomeoneoutsideoftheschoolmakesunfair,uneducatedjudgmentsbutstandseparatelyeveryothertimeoftheday. Incontrast,withintheschool,studentsgravitatetootherstudentstheyhavesomethingobviouslyincommonwith. “Ingeneral,thereisn’tdiscriminationatourschool,butIseecliquesformingonracemorethanattitude,”Fraziersaid. Onanaveragedayof

school,whenwalkingthroughthehalls,manygroupsoffriendsaresplitfromothersbecauseoftheirethnicbackgroundandrace.ThereareboundarieswithinthesocialstructureatEHSandmostdonotgoagainstthem. Thesedefinitelinesmakeithardforoutsiderstofindtheirplaceinourschool.Peoplearepeopleandwillmakemistakes,butsowhat.They’reonlyhuman. Acceptance,notdiscrimination,shouldbethestandardEHSstudentswanttoaspireto.

KaylaEickmann

Theterm“tolerance”comestomindwhenthinkingaboutsubstitutes.It’satermthatmanystudents,teachersandadministrationmaythinkof.Studentsmaythinkthatthesubstitutesshouldtoleratethestudents;however,teachersmaythinkthestudentsshouldtoleratethesubstitutes. Ittakesalotforsubstitutestocomeinandtakecontrolofaclassroomwherestudentsarenotwillingtorespectorlisten. “Andlotofsubscomeinthinkingthatteensarenotgoingtoengageandthatthestudentsarejustgoingtotakethedayoff—notdoanywork,”PrincipalJonForesaid. Inaddition,somesubscomeintotheclassroomwithapreconceivedattitudeabouttheschool,andwhenthat’snegative,problemsoccur. ScienceteacherRachelHanklesaid,“Idon’tthinksubstitutesunderstandhowharditistomanageaclassroom

fullofteenagestudentsandhavemisconceptionsofhowaclassroomworks.IdothinkthatpeoplehavethispreconceivednoticeofEnglewoodbeing‘bad’orlowacademically.Ihavehadattimes,peoplesay,‘Well,kidsfromEnglewoodaregoingnowhereordon’tgoanywhere,’andIhavetoremindthemthatImyselfgraduatedfromEnglewoodandhadmymaster’sdegreebytheageof23.Inaddition,IknowmanyEHSalumniwhoareverysuccessfulandmakefargreateramountsofmoneythanthesesubswhowalkintotothedoorjudgingus.” EnglewoodmayhaveabadreputationandsomesubstituteslookdownonEnglewoodforthat,andjudgeus.However,studentsbelievethatthehighschooldoeshave,forthemostpart,qualitysubstitutes,asarecentPirateersurveyshowedaboutthequalitiesstudentsmostlikeinsubs.[Seecommentstotheright.]Inaddition,

mostsubstitutesmaynotfeelcomfortableandsomemaynotbeabletohandlethestressofbeinginaclassroomfullofhighschoolstudents. “Itishardtofindpeoplethatarefitforthesubstitutejobbecauseitdoestakeaspecialpersontoteachacertainclass,forexampleband,anyforeignlanguageclass,wood-shopetc.Andwhensomethinggoesdownwithasubstitutewitheitherstudentsorteachers,wetrytosortoutthesubsanddealwithit,”Foresaid. SomesubstituteshavebeenwithEnglewoodforalongtimeandknowthestudentsandkeepcomingbackyearafteryear.Somesubstituteswillrearrangetheirscheduletofittheirscheduleforotherteachers.Studentsandteachersneedtounderstandbothsidesofthesituation.SomesubstitutesarewillingtodomoreandothersarenotandEnglewoodjustneedtothink“tolerance.”

Double Standard: Acceptance, discrimination

KristinaCowell

Fordecadesnow,theUnitedStateshasbeenseenasaworldpowerineducation;however,willthisstillbetrueforfuturegenerations?AstheUnitedStates’reputationcontinuestoplungeandfundingforeducationcontinuestobecut,newworldpowersemergeandcontinuetoraisethebar. TheProgrammeforInternationalStudentAssessment,orPISA,isaninternationalassessmentprogramcreatedbytheOrganizationforEconomicCooperationandDevelopment,ortheOCED.Sincethebirthoftheprogramin2000,PISAhasbroughttogethermorethanseventyparticipatingcountriesandeconomiesthataspiretoevaluateworldwideeducationsystemsandmeasurewhether15-year-oldsarepreparedtoparticipateinsociety. Toteststudents,atwohourPISAinternationaltestwascreatedbyeducationexpertsfromaroundtheworld.Thistestfocusesonthreemainsubjects:reading,science,andmathematics,andisgiventostudentseverythreeyears. AccordingtoPISA’slaststudyin2009,theUnitedStatesranked14thinreading,25thinmathand17thinscience,foranaveragescoreof18.66,fallingbehindtopscorersSouthKorea,Finland,Canada,JapanandAustralia.Thisaveragescoreof18.66for

the2009resultsindeedfallsbelowtheaveragescoreof16fromthefirstresultsbackin2000wheretheUnitedStatesranked15thinreading,19thinmathand14thinscience. AlthoughtheUnitedStatesasawholemightbesinking,thestateofColoradoisdecliningevenmore

thanthenationalaverage. OneofthebiggestfactorstoColorado’slowrankingisthelackofstatefunding.Withinthepastfewyears,Coloradanshaveseenmoreandmorebudgetcutsyearafteryear.Asof2006,Coloradoranked48thinthenationforK-12spendingfromapercentageofpersonalincome.Andin2008,Coloradoranked48th,aswell,instateandlocalsupportforhighereducationpercapita,accordingtotheNationalCenterforHigherEducationManagementSystems. Coloradoteachersarealsosufferingfromthesebudgetcuts,asof2007,Colorado’saverageteachersalarycomparedtoaveragepayinotheroccupationsranked49thinthenation. TherecouldbeabrighterfuturetocomeforfundingColorado’spubliceducation. AsEnglewoodHighSchoolstudentshaveseenwithinthispastyear,therestillishope.Asenrollmentgoesup,sodoesfunding.Fromthe2010year,tothe2011yearEHSjumpedupfromanoverallschoolratingofD+toaC-,accordingtoColoradoSchoolGrades.com. Asawarenessisspread,bondelectionspass,anewschoolisbeingplannedoutandeducationbecomesahigherpriorityforfuturegraduates.

Good BadHelloeveryone.How

iseveryonetoday?

—Substitute

Good —Student

VSSotodaywearewatchingamovie,andIwasaskedtohandthisworksheetouttoyoutofollowalong. —Substitute

Hi.Sowhatareyousupposedtobedoing? —Substitute

Idon’tknow,youaretheonethatshouldknow.Youhavethelessonplanrightthereinyourhand. ––Student

Whatever.Justdoyourwork.—Substitutes

Compiled by Kayla Eickmann

“I’d say a person who is actually able to

comprehend the subject they are subbing for. That

can be a challenge for subjects like calculus, but if someone comes in for a class that they

don’t understand it can be frustrating for students if

they need help.”

“An ideal substitute in my eyes is a person who follows the teacher’s sub plans exactly how the teacher wrote them. Substitute also needs to make sure they are reading the right sub

plans for the right class period.”

“An ideal substitute would be a person who can be fun with the students but can at least control the

classroom. An example is Mr. Washington, he is the

ideal sub, and he is chill but still can control his classes.”

14 students want subs to be qualified

and have background knowledge

11 students said subs should be respectful and

follow teachers’ expectations

6 students said subs

should be fun and laid back

Source: oecd.org, cbpp.org, Ed News Colorado oecd.org, cbpp.org, Ed News Colorado

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, substitutes necessary in classrooms

“We need to have schools that work, we need to have schools that help, [that] encourage student achievement. And in these years of declining budgets, it has become a challenge.”

—Frank McNulty, Colorado Speaker of the House.

Colorado schools report card

Results from an anonymous survey given to EHS students.

4 speakout PIRATEERMarch 9, 2012

PIRATEER STAFFPirates, speak your minds!

The editors of the Pirateer would like to invite both Pirates and the community to submit any comments or concerns they may have in the form of Letters to the Editor by the second Friday of each month. Letters to the editor may be left in Mrs. Jones’ mailbox in the main office, brought to room 113, or sent by e-mail to EHS_Pirateer @englewood.k12.co.us. The Pirateer does not ac-cept unsigned letters, but may consider withholding names upon request.

Englewood Public Schools Non-Discrimination Policy:

.....The Englewood Public School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, handicap, or age in its educational programs, activities, or employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for discrimination concerns. Inquiries concerning any of the above or Title IX and the Rehabilitation Act Regulations (504) should be directed to Brian Ewert, Superintendent, 4101 South Bannock Street, Englewood, CO 80110; phone (303) 761-7050.

Letters to the editor serve as a public forum for student opinion. No unsigned letters or pseudonyms will be accepted. All signed let-ters will be considered for publication. Letters to the Editor are not necessarily the opinions of the Pirateer. The Pirateer reserves the right to edit or reject any letter. The deadline for all letters to the editor is the second Friday of every month. Any written expression in this publication is not an expression of Englewood Public School Board policy. The school district and employees are provided immunity from civil or criminal penalties for any expression made or published by students in this publication.

Editors-in-ChiefVeronique Barbour

T.C. ScaggiariManaging EditorsEduardo Velazquez

Taylor SearcyBusiness Manager

Gretta CollinsPhotography

EditorT.C. Scaggiari

Kristina CowellGraphics Editor

T.C. ScaggiariIn-Depth Editor

Veronique BarbourFront Page &News EditorsT.C. Scaggiari

Opinions EditorsJoshua FergeTianna PetersSannah Pham

Isabelle VamvakiasFeatures Editor

Eduardo VelazquezKayla EickmannKristina Cowell

Lifestyles EditorsJackie Wilson

Taylor SearcySports EditorsTucker Horan

Jasmine PetersArtists

Isabelle VamvakiasKayla EickmannConnor ShearrerPhotographers

Lindsey McNortonBeccah Sheppard

Kadie KavinskySannah Pham

Faculty AdviserSheila Jones

Madelyn Avjean, Veronique Barbour, Gretta Collins, Marissa Coomer, Kristina Cowell, Damasjae Currington, Kayla Eickmann, Joshua Ferge, Tucker Horan, Kadie Kavinsky, Randall Kloewer, Lindsey McNorton, Natalie Pena, Jasmine Peters, Tianna Peters, Sannah Pham, T.C. Scaggiari, Elida Schultz, Tayler Searcy, Connor Shearrer, Beccah Sheppard, Isabelle Vamvakias, Eduardo Velazquez, Jackie Wilson

“The pen is mightier than the sword, but we Pirates get to use both.”

MadelynAvjean

“Youneverreallyunderstandapersonuntilyouconsiderthingsfromhispointofview...untilyouclimbintohisskinandwalkaroundinit,”notesAtticusFinchin“ToKillaMockingbird.” Walkthroughthehalls,attendasportsgame,listentotheignoranceofteens,andyouwillbesuretohearfriendsaddressedas“niggas”orsportsteamsbeing“jewed”outofavictory.Thesetermsarenothingmorethanhatespeech,whichisfloodingthehallwaysofEHSwithitsnegativeconnotations,yetstudentsviewtheseinafarfromseriousmatter. Theseriousness,discrimination,andhatefulintentbehindsuchtermsareoftenhiddenbythejokingandfriendlymannerinwhichtheyareused. “Nigga”isaslangformofthe“n-word”consideredraciallyoffensivesincethedaysbeforetheCivilWar;however,societytossesthewordaroundasifitweresynonymouswiththeword“friend.” “Jewed”isusedtocoincidewiththeJewishstereotypeofbeingcheated,orinsomecases,incomparisonwiththeconstant,historicsenseoflossandhardshipsfacedbyJews. “Gay”hascometomeanmorethanjusthomosexual.Tosometeens,schoolprojectsare“gay.”Teachersare“gay.”Anythingnotlikedis“gay.” Recentlocalandnationalincidentshavespotlightedtheblatantracisminsociety,fromaColoradostudentnewspapereditorheadliningastoryas,“N****rPlease”[withoutasterisks]toanESPNarticleinwhichAsian-AmericanJeremyLin,abasketballplayerfortheNewYorkKnicks,was

labeledwithawordconsideredderogatorytowardtheChinese. UproarandcontroversyhaveresultedfromtheseincidentswiththeESPNreporterbeingfiredandthehighschoolnewspaper’sfreedomofspeechencroachedon.Itisapparentthatcaseslikethesearenottakenlightlyinthepoliticalandprofessionalworld.However,studentsstillthrowaroundsuchwords.Ifsuchincidentshaveresultedinseriousconsequences,thenstudentsshouldrealizethattheyalsocannottakethesesolightly. HatespeechistoxictoEHS.InaPirateersurvey,morethanhalfofthoseaskedagreedthattheyusesuchracialslursandhatespeech;however,theyjustifiedtheiruseasjokingly. Thelinebetweenseriousnessandjokesisblatantlyclear.Hatespeechshouldnevercrossthatline.Nowordusedinaderogatorysenseshouldeverbeusedasafriendlygreetingorlightsubject. Usingtheword“nigga”torefertoyourfriendisasillogicalassaying“f***you”tomean“Iloveyou.” Thecommonargumentthatsuchoffensivewordshavechangedinmeaningsisnoexcusetousewordsthatarestilloverlyoffensiveandnotsociallyacceptedoutsideoftheignoranceofhighschool. Highschoolisastepintotherealworldwithrealproblemsandrealconsequences.Usingsuchwordshasbecomehabit,andallowingstudentstoactinthatmatterisretrogradetopreparingteens.Notonlyarethesewordsprohibitedintheworkforceandadultsociety,buttheyshouldnotbepermittedinaprofessionalschoolcommunityeither. Hatespeechisnotfreespeech.

New school needs new attitude

JackieWilson

Words–theabilitytospeak.Itisaprivilegemosthumansdonotcherish,althoughtheyshould.Humanshavetheabilitytosaywhattheywantandwhattheydonot,theyhavetheabilitytosaynoandtochooseforthemselves.Animalsdonot. Pets,suchasdogsandcats,relyonhumanstoprovidethemwithwhattheyneedforsurvivalandwhattheywouldchooseontheirown.Thisandthisaloneistheonlyreasonneededtoprovethatforcingadogorcattobeavegetarianorveganisunethicalandwrong.Whenlookingatourfour-leggedfriends,weseeinnocenteyes,fuzzytailsandfourpaws.Beneathwhatisseenbythehumaneyeisanimalinstinct–realandsometimesdangerous.Denver’s9NewsanchorKyleDyerexperiencedanimalinstinctfirsthandwhenshequicklywenttokissanunfamiliardogsfaceandwasbittenonlivetelevision.Ifaloneinthewildcatsanddogswouldrelyontheirownanimalinstinctstofeedthemselves.Theyhavesharpcarnivorousteethforareason–totear

throughmeat.“Tryingtoimposethosediets,ofeithercategory,onanimalsisjustanotherformofcruelty,andnodifferentfromforcingthepoorcreaturestoliveinkennels,ortrainingthemtoattack,orbeatingthem,”saidRebeccaHover,veterinarianattheAdamsCountyAnimalHospitalinArvada. Thehealthissueissimplerfordogsthancats,accordingtoTheGuardian.Dogsareomnivores;whereas,catsarecompletecarnivores,gettingalloftheirnutritionfrommeat.Butevenifitweren’tphysicallyharmfultotheanimal,woulditstillberighttoforcevegetarianismonthem?No.Ifonecannotsupportone’sanimal’snaturalrequirements,oneshouldgetadifferentanimal. “Itisahuman’schoicetoeatornoteatmeat,butitisnotforahumantoimposetheirdietarydecisionsontoananimalwhoneedstoeatmeat.Itisnotjustaquestionofnutrients;dogsactuallyenjoyeatingmeat.Thereisnoreasontomakeyourpetmiserable,”Hoversaid.Veganandvegetariandogandcatfoodsdoexist,butthatdoesnotmakethemhealthy

foryourpet,accordingtopetMD. “Anydiet,foranimalsorpeople,thatrequiresartificialadditivesisbydefinitionunhealthyandinappropriate.Ahealthydiethasnoneedofchemicalsotherthanthosenaturallyoccurringinthefood,”Hoversaid. Iffeedingadogorcatmeatconflictswithone’sbeliefs,itmaybebettertobuyarabbit,guineapigorevenahorse,allofwhicharegoodcompanionsandnaturallyherbivorous. “Ifthereasonbehindvegetarianismistofightagainstanimalcruelty,thenanyvegetarianlookingtoforcetheirdogorcatintoitshouldstopandthink.Notonlydotheyprefereatingmeat,theyneedittosurvive.Deprivingthemofthatiscruel,”Hoversaid. Whetheritisabouthealthorethic,forcingananimalthatwantsandneedsmeattobeavegetarianorveganisalltogetherwrong.Petownersshouldnotownacarnivorousanimalifitcannotbeprovidedwithwhatitneeds.Thereisnoneedtoinflictabiologicallystressfulconditiononanotherspeciesjustbecauseonehappenstofeelinclinedtowardssuchadiet.

Hate speech is not free speech

Veterinarians say no to veggies

AnyonewhowalkedthroughtheseniorhallwayduringWinterfestweeksawtheevidenceofpoorplanning.Whilethegameplanwasagoodidea,theflimsyexecutiondidnotlastpastthefirstwaveofstudentstowalkthehall.Whensomethingisnottestedorwellthoughtout,itusuallyfails. Asthedistrictpreparesforanewschool,theneedforqualityplanningiscritical,notonlyintermsofagoodarchitecturaldesign,butalsointhedailyexpectationsforthestudentswhowillinhabitthe21stcenturyschool.Anewschoolmeansanewidentity.Withthe60-year-oldbuildingbeingtorndown,allfailuresandsuccesseswillbewashedaway,readytobringinthenew. However,withoutplanningthenewbuildingwilljustbringanewmess.Animportantconsiderationforthenewschool

ischangingthegeneralattitudeoftheschoolanditsstudents. Theschoolhasdonesomegreatthings,liketheAdmiralsClub.Recognizingpeoplewhoputextraeffortintotheschoolisagreatwaytobuildschoolspirit.Spiritisahardconcepttofind,andrespectishonoredbyfew,andbynotenough. Thefollowingareafewsuggestionsforcreatinganewattitudewithinthenewschoolbuildingthatwillensurethatwhatgoesoninsidethebuildingwillmatchthepolishedexterior.① Raise eligibility requirements Eligibilityrequirementsrightnowarenottoughenough.Highschoolsportsarecalled“prep”sportsforareason.Theyprep,orprepare,youforcollegeathletics,andtherestoflife.However,ifapersonisnotgoodenoughtoearnascholarshipforcollege,beingleftatadeadendis

not“prep”inanyway.Athleticsareimportantfortheschool,butshouldnotbeapriorityovereducation.② Change Student of the Month Onewaytodothisispraiseachievementandmakingitworthsomething.Ifanyonetalkstostudentswhoreceivethe“StudentoftheMonth”award,he/shewillhearstudentssayitisameaninglessaward.Itisbasicallyanawardsaying,“Hey,youdidn’tditchanyofyourclassesandpaidattentioninclass!” Thatisgreatandall;however,thatshouldbewhatisexpectedofallstudents.Tofixthis,makeStudentoftheMonthsimilartotheAthleteoftheMonthaward.Anawardtooneortwostudentsofthemonthtorecognizegradesorextracurricularswouldhelpthosewhohighlyachieveat

higherlevelsthatdeserverecognition.

③ Bring back Athlete of the Month WhathappenedtoAthleteoftheMonth?Anathleteofthemonthhasn’tbeenselectedinthreemonths,andiftheyaregoingtodoit,theyhavetobeconsistent.TheAthleteoftheMonthwasagoodidea,asathletesbeingrecognizedonaschool-widelevelarealwaysagoodthing.Sportsparticipationisanissuesinceitissometimeshardtogetthenumberstofieldtheteams,andAthleteoftheMonthhelpswiththat.Raisingschoolspiritandprideshouldbeaprioritywhenrebuildingtheschool.

④ Bring back the 10 absence policy Around15yearsagoEHShadapolicythatifstudents

exceededacertainnumberoftotalabsencesfortheclass,activityabsencesexcluded,theyautomaticallyfailed.Thisnumberatitslowestpointwasthree;atitshighest10.Thepolicyhassincebeeneliminated,butit’stimetobringthepolicyback. Counselorsandteachersareswampedwithworkbecauseofindifferentstudentswhodon’tcometoclass.It’snotfairtostaffthatstudentscannotworkhardatall,andputtheburdenonthemtogivethemmakeupworkandletthemmakeupunexcusedabsences.Threeistoolowtostart,somaybeafter15unexcusedabsencesastudentshouldfailaclass.Thispolicywouldallowteachersandcounselorstoworkwithstudentswhowanttobehereandtoimproveourcollegeandgraduationrates.

IsabelleVamvakias

Something to think about

Staff Editorial

5LimelightPIRATEERMarch 9, 2012

Tom Munds: A close-up of the man with the cameraNataliePena Overthelast35years,TomMundshasbeenthego-toreporterwhennewsbreaksintheEnglewoodcommunity.Heismuchmorethanaquickwriterwithacameraaroundhisneck.Mundsisacurious,hardworking,investigativereporter,andhehasbeensincethe1980’s. DespitethefactthathehasbeenwritingasanEnglewoodjournalistsince1986,thiscommunityisnotwherehegothisjournalismstart.MundswasoriginallyapublicinformationofficerintheAirForce.HethenwentontoworkforacommunitypaperinParker,Colorado,andafterafewyearsthere,hefoundhishomeattheEnglewoodHerald. Notwodaysarealikefortheinquisitivereporter.Infact,thatisonethingheenjoysmostaboutjournalism.Mundscanbefoundgettinginterviews,takingpictures,orattendingspecialevents. “Igettodothingsalotofotherpeopledonotgettodo,likerideinhotairballoonsandgothroughthefirstdayofrookiecampwiththeBroncos,”

Mundssaid. SomeofMunds’favoritearticlestowriteareabouthighschoolsports. “Tomgivesusalotofcoveragethatwewouldnotgetotherwise.Iamverygratefulforallhedoesfortheschool’ssports,”saidEnglewoodHighSchoolBasketballCoachStuHoward. Thisjournalistwillsometimesgoaboveandbeyondinordergraspabetterunderstandingofwhatheiswritingabout. “IwenttobullridingschoolsoIcouldbetterwriteaboutrodeo,andIlearnedtoplayicehockeyforthesamereason,”Mundssaid. NotonlydoesMundsyearntobettercomprehendwhathewritesabout,buthealsoenjoyslearningaboutnewthingsalltogether.Heappreciateswritingfeaturesstoriesbecauseoftentimestheyareaboutsubjectsheisnotfamiliarwith,sothatmeansheislearning. Munds’svastamountofknowledgecomesacrosstothepeopleofthecommunity. “TomMundsisveryinterestingtotalktobecausehehasinterviewedsomanydifferentkindsofpeople,”Howardsaid.

EventhoughMundsspendsalotoftimewritingarticlesfortheHerald,hemanagestomakeroominhisscheduleforvolunteerwork. “Itrytohelpoutwithprojectsandprograms.Iamalsoveryactiveinmychurch,andwetrytohelpthepeopleinEnglewoodandelsewhereinthemetroarea,”Mundssaid. However,Mundsdoesnotlimithimselftothemetroarea;hehashelpedpeopleallovertheworld. “Ilovegoingoverseastohelpotherpeople,”Mundssaid. MundshasgonetoMexicotobuildhouses,toBelizetobuildaschool,toNicaraguatoconstructamedicalclinic,andtoJordantohelpputonChristiansummercamps.Inaddition,heplansongoingtoHaiti,andagaintoNicaraguathisyear. Fromridingbullstorunningmedicalclinics,TomMunds’expertiseholdsnoboundaries.ThishardyreporterreachesoutbothtothecommunityinEnglewoodandtocommunitiesdottingtheworld.Ofcourse,thereareplentyofTomMundsarticles,butEnglewoodisluckyenoughtohavetheonlyTomMunds.

T.C. ScaggiariMunds dedicates his afternoon capturing photos of Englewood athletes.

Insomnia: Easy solutions offer a better night’s sleep

Acute insomnia fixSufferers should set up a normal sleep schedule. Plan to go to sleep 8 to 9 hours before they wake up for school for a healthy night’s sleep. They should also turn off phones and ipods for bedtime along with limiting intake of energy drinks at night. In addition, they should avoid midnight snacks. In other words, leave those left-overs in the fridge.

Throughout the 2011-2012 year EHS students have suffered a severe lack of sleep, which is cutting into their school work and after school activities. “Because I have trouble sleeping, it’s hard to focus in school and while doing homework,” student Hannah Frazier said. Thislackofsleepiscanbedefinedasoneoftwotypesofinsomnia;primaryinsomnia and secondary insomnia. Insomnia varies with how long it lasts for the person suffering. All different types of insomnia can be found below, as well as some advice that may serve as a solution to sleep deprivation caused by insomnia.

Primary insomnia and secondary insomnia

Primary insomnia is the form of insomnia that has no relation to other medical problems. One just cannot sleep well, but there are no significantreasonswhyaccordingto webmd. com. Some reasons possibly include distractions from technology or being nervous or troubled by something such as a big test. Secondary insomnia has relations to medical issues going on in one’s body. For example, a person with a broken leg might have problems sleeping due to discomfort or pain.

Chronic insomnia Chronic insomnia is a severe form of insomnia. Chronic insomnia is a long term type of insomnia, that should be treated by a medical doctor. It is usually caused by depression, anxiety, extreme stress and serious pain or discomfort while trying to sleep according to webmd.com. If you believe you have chronic insomnia, talk to a health care provider.

Acute insomnia

This is the less severe form of insomnia. Acute insomnia is short term;however,itisstillcrucialtoseek help. Some causes of acute insomniacanincludesignificantlife stress, illness, discomfort both emotionally and physically, loud noises, bright lights, extreme temperatures, some medications, and interferences with normal sleep according to webmd.com

Primary & secondary insomnia fixThese types of insomnia can be treated by a medical doctor, or by behavioral therapy. There are manydifferentfactorsofinsomnia;however, the majority of all cases of insomnia can be treated regardless of the cause. For big tests,studyingequalsconfidencewhich equals a better sleep. Knowing your work completely removes the stress of tests, so findanefficientstudymethodthatdoes not involve cramming into the late hours of the night.

Chronic insomnia fixIf you believe you have chronic insomnia, talk to a health care provider. Treatment for chronic insomnia may include treating any underlying conditions that could be causing the insomnia according to WebMD.com. Behavioral therapy may be recommended by health care providers. Behavioral therapy will help you learn new behaviors that will promote sleep. EHS holds a free clinic open Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2 p.m. in the Health OfficeintheCommonshallwayacross from Mrs. Jones’ class.

Types of insomnia Quick fixes

Compiled by Marissa Coomer

7DigitalCitizenshipDigitalCitizenship6 PIRATEERMarch 9, 2012

JoshFerge

Thechalkboardmethodofclassroomteachingisfinallybreakingdownafterhundredsofyearsoftradition.Studentsarenowfindingwaystolearnwithoutevenattendingschool,andwhiletheyareinschoolarefindingmoreself-directedlearning.AtEnglewood,thisnew-agemethodoflearningcanbefoundintheSTEM[Science,Technology,Education,andMathematics]Lab.“MoststudentstakecommandoftheirownprojectbydevelopingaSMART[Specific,Measurable,Attainable,Relative,Timely]goal.Inthefuturestudentswillworkmoreindependently,andthiswillbeagoodthing,”saidDanMarlow,aSTEMteacherfromColorado’sFinestAlternativeHighSchool,whoalsoutilizestheEHSlab.“Inthefuture,themodeloftheSTEMclassatourschoolmaytakeoverthetraditionallearningmodelofcurrentclassrooms.StudentsofmanydifferentlevelsmaybeabletoworktogetherinthesameclassroominmoretraditionalsubjectslikeEnglishandmath.Theprojectstheychoosemakethematerialrelevanttothem,”Marlow

said.Studentsarenowabletolearnontheirown,withlittletonoassistancefromtheteacher.Thisworkexperienceparallelswhatstudentswillfacewhentheybecomeadults,becauseintherealworld,peoplearenotalwaystheretoteachsomeonehowtodosomething.WiththeInternetintheever-changing21stcenturyeducationalandworkworlds,peopleareexpectedtoknowhowtoresearchandfixproblemswithouthavingsomeoneteachingthemhowtodoit.AnothersourceofknowledgeandteachinghascomeintheformofInternetlectures.WebsitessuchasKhanAcademy,andMIT’sOpen-Coursewareprovidestudents,willingtolearn,awaytobeintheclassroomwithoutactuallybeingthere.Accordingtotheirwebsite,“MITOpenCourseWareisafreepublicationofMITcoursematerialsthatreflectsalmostalltheundergraduateandgraduatesubjectstaughtatMIT.”Whilethewebsitedoesnotgrantdegreesorecertificatesitallowsapersontolearnattheirownpace,andbecome

moreknowledgeable.Thisisatradition-breakingstepinAmericaneducation,butwhatmakestheprogramsreallystandoutisthattheyarefreetoanyone.ApersonwillingtolearncannowfindthetoolsontheInternettodoso,andknowledgeinmanyfieldsisnowbecomingnearlyfree.However,onlineeducationstillhassomewaytogo,accordingtosomelawmakers.“We’relookingatsomeincreasedaccountability,”saidSen.PatSteadmaninarecentDenverPostarticle.Steadmanmayberight,asstudiesbythestateDepartmentofEducationshowedbelow-averagetestscores,anddropoutratesforonlineschools.Accordingtothestudy,oneschoolhadateacher-studentratioof317-1.Onlineeducationstillhasalongwaytocome,andthereisstillsomedoubtthatitwilleverbeabletoreplacestandardeducation.However,inthepastfewyears,technology,theever-so-changingenigma,hasmadeasignificantimpactonlearners,andwhatcomesnextmaychangeeveryclassroomintheworld.

1870

1919

1963

1968

1973

1973

1997

2001

2007

2010

Apple invented and released the iPad, making the portable tablet a convenient must-have. 2011

IBM’s supercomputer Watson made its first appearance on the “Jeopardy” game show to exhibit a robot’s ability to “out-think” a human.

Elisha Grey and Alexander Graham Bell invented the first telephone.

James Smathers develops the first electric typewriter.

The very first compact stereo cassette tape and cassette player become available to the public.

Ralph H. Baer invents the first video game console.

Xerox PARC invented the first personal computer.

Martin Cooper invented the first cellular phone and it became know as the “Brick.”

Motorola introduced the first “smartphone” and it was called “The Synergy.”

Apple invented and introduced the iPod.

Apple invented and introduced the iPhone that popularized “smart” phone technology.

Digital Citizenship: Your Passport to the Tech World

How many texts do you send per day?

Send

20% send 1-50

15% send 51-100

12% send 101-150

12% send 151-200

17% send 201-250

19% are still sending past 300

5% send 251-300

EditMessages

out of 75 surveys

How do you use your phone?

use for games

56% 15%use for banking

19%use for

education

44%use for news/

weather

57%use for social

networking

69%use for music

43%use for utilities

33%use for e-mail

21%use for other

out of 75 surveys

In 1822, Charles Babbage

designed the first mechanical

computer.

In 1893, Nikola Tesla invented

wireless communication.

In 1971, Ray Thominson

invented E-Mail.

Social Networking and Internet Access at EHS

81% of EHS students

surveyed have Internet access at home.

On a regular basis...

9% use Tw

itter

1% use M

ySpace

11% use Tum

blr

4% use other

out of 75 surveys

out of 75 surveys

5% do not use anything

88% use Facebook

Techies embrace the ever-changing landscape of the Internet and the gadgets created to explore it. Others decry it as contributing to the downfall of human intellect. The techies can breathe a sigh of relief. A Pew Research study conducted jointly with Elon University set out to determine if Google makes people “stupid” as many people fear. However, the study revealed that 76 percent of the 895 tech experts questioned believe that being able to access vast amounts of knowledge available on the World Wide Web only makes people “become smarter and make better choices…Google does not make us stupid.” The Pew Research study further revealed that what may be changing is how we define intelligence—not as a “meditative or contemplative intelligence,” but more of a “utilitarian intelligence.” Thinking may become broader in contrast to deeper. Navigating this new world requires recognizing its impact both in terms of what it does and in how we access it. One truth is apparent: If you don’t like what you have now, just wait; it is sure to change as illustrated in this feature.

Sources:Antiquetelephonehistory.com,corvetteforum.com,tek3d.com,royal.pingdom.com,businessinsider.com,ipodhistory.com,pdasmart.com,theipadgwde.com,spectrum.ieee.org,history-timelines.org,randomhistory.com,amale16.com

GraphicsbyIzzyVamvakias

▲

▲

www.whatwebsitesdoenglewoodstudentsuse.org

47% 23% 77% 41% 13%

Susie SmithEnglewood High SchoolEnglish ClassMarch 9, 2012

My Research Paper

The Crucible was written based on the time period of (SPARKNOTES).

Even though it was based a time long ago, the author Arthur Miller lived during the time period of (GOOGLE HIT AND RUN).

The book is written in a (DICTIONARY.COM) way.

The basis of the book was on the (WIKIPEDIA) witch trials.

OTHERout of 75 surveys

The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog.

the quick brwn fox jumped over the lazy dawg

th3 qu1ck br0wn f0x jump3d 0v3r the3 l4zy d0q!!!

92% text like this 7%

text like this1% text like this

How doesEnglewood

Text?How many Englewood

Students have a Cell Phone?

84% have a cell

phone

16% do not have a

cell phone

out of 71 surveysPhotosbyVeroniqueBarbour

How Englewood views

the STEM Lab?

Very Helpful 15%Helpful Doesn’t MatterI Don’t KnowUseless

30%16%34%5%

Do you think technology will be beneficial in the new

school/work force?Yes,very Not At AllKind Of

67% 30% 3%

out of 74 surveys

out of 72 surveys

At long last education goes digital

8 limelight PIRATEERMarch 9, 2012

KadieKavinsky

YouhavethechoiceofgettingabrandnewpairofNikeshocksforthenewschoolyearorgettingtheknockoffbrand

ofsimilarshoesatadiscountretailstore.Ofthosegiventhechoice,mostlikelywouldsaytheywouldbuytheNikesover

theknockoffbrandanydaybecausethebrandnameNikemeanssuccess,qualityandchampions,whiletheknockoff

brandhasnothingtogiveitagoodname.Imagineifpeoplebrandedthemselvesthesameway.

Peoplewouldhaveindividualbrands,buttheywouldalsohavemanysimilarbrands—anathlete,athespianor

maybeabrainiac. WhileNikehasabigbrandname,whatissomeone’spersonalbrand?Whenyouthinkofanathlete,youthinkof

strong,inshapeandhard-working.Whenyouthinkabouttheatricalteens,thecharacteristicsthatyouhavein

mindaremoreoutgoing,artistic,andcourageous.Finally,brainiacsaremorethoughtoftobeintelligent,nerdyand

diligent. Buildingapersonalbrandforcollegesstartsrightas

youstarthighschool.ThefirststepisactuallydoingwellinallclassessoyouhaveahighGPA.Thisisapartofa

yourIndexScore,whichisadecidingfactorwhetherornotyougetintoagoodcollegeinColorado.Doingwellinschool

alsomeansthatyouchallengeyourselfthroughouthighschoolwithhonorsandAPclasses.

Thesecondstepisyourextra-curricularactivities.Collegesreallylookintowhatstudentsdowiththeirtime

outsideofschool,whetherit’sclubs,sportsortheater.Youdonotneedtodoalotofextra-curriculars,butyoushouldatleastdosomebecauseitmakeslettersofrecommendation

lookbetter.Itshowsthatyoutookpartinyourschool. “Youdonothavetobeapartofeverything,but

justbeinvolvedinacoupleactivitiesorsportsandpushyourselfaboveandbeyondinthem,”2011EnglewoodHigh

SchoolgraduateNickSteversonsaid. Finally,theleadershipyoucarryshapesyour

brand.Collegeslookforstudentleaderswhensearchingforstudentsgoingtotheircolleges.Agreatwayforyou

toshowyouarealeaderofyourschoolisbyjoiningclubsthatdothingsforyourschoolsuchasStudent

Government,FutureBusinessLeadersofAmericaandNationalHonorSociety.Theselookgreatonallcollege

applicationsandalsohelpoutyourschool. “Whateveryouareinvolvedin,bealeader.Ifyou

arealeader,tryingexcitingandchallengingthingswithit.Asaleader,startsomethingnew,”Steverson

said. Also,donotthinkthatcollegesizeiswhatmatters

whenchoosingacollege.Biggerisnotalwaysbetter.Itjustdependsonwhatyouarecomfortablewith.Often

times,smallercollegesarestricterwiththewayyouhavebrandedyourselfthanlargercollegesare.

“IpreferasmallcollegebecauseIgettoknowmorepeopleandIgettobemoreinvolved.Italsohelpsin

theclassroombecauseyougettoknowyourprofessorsbetter,”Steversonsaid.

Whatyoudowithyourlifecanhaveabigeffectonyourbrand.Whetheritisthetypeofpersonyouareor

whatyoudothroughoutyourhighschoollife,itallshapesyourbrandforyourfutureincollegeandbeyond.

Silent Stunners: The quiet leaders

“A good LEADER is a person who takes a little more than his share of the blame and a little less than his share of the credit.”– John C. Maxwell

the

Joey Montgomery

Senior

“I would say that Joey used to be a pain. But

currently he is doing great in school; he has

been a go to guy on the bench for basketball; and

he is so proud that for the last couple of years he has been the Pirate mascot. I really am very proud of him.” –Theresa Harper, EHS librarian

Karly Korinek

Senior

“Karly is an example of kind

leadership and compromise. She

never spreads rumors. She listens

to teammates and gives 100 percent at every practice. She focuses on improvement and doesn’t judge her teammates.” – Belinda Hayes, girls basketball coach

Anna Schultz Junior

“Anna has stood up to others for

what is right, is always kind,

and helps others. She is

a positive entity and leader.” –Elizabeth Sedalnick, math teacher

Shane MenefeeJunior

“Shane is the type of student who leads by example. He sets the bar very high for himself and he doesn’t stop until he succeeds. This is the type of leader our school needs!”– Sean Duffy, English teacher

Micah Scott

Sophomore

“Micah Scott always does the right thing… always. I am impressed over and over by her integrity. She is a leader by example.” –Elizabeth Sedalnick, math teacher

Miranda Holman

Sophomore

“Miranda Holman inspires others through humor and by example. She is competitive and loyal to her teammates.” –Brian Deherrera, girls basketball and golf coach

Jenny Do

Freshman

“Jenny is an invisible

leader because she

has a great personality.

Jenny is always encouraging

others. I have never heard

Jenny ever put anyone down or

say rude or hurtful words.”

–Maddie Smith, freshman

Ian Pederson Freshman

“Ian always demonstrates good behavior in and outside of the classroom. He is always honest and courageous.” –Shelby Moore, freshman

YA D

E ZI ES

ElidaSchultz

With prom right around the corner, junior and senior girls are willing to do anything for the ideal tan. Many of them do not realize there is a dark side to the sun. UV rays damage and affect the skin more than many think. Rays age skin, cause burns and can potentially lead to skin cancers like melanoma,which is the leading cause of death from skin disease. Tanning outside is not as bad as going to a booth but still has consequences. UVB (Ultra-Violet B) rays lay on the surface of the skin triggering oil production causing pores to clog turning a normal colored young lady into a red lobster. “Considering I do not tan well and it is Colorado, I do not see the point of tanning for a dance. I value the youth of my skin and I don’t want to age my skin or look like a dried out lobster,” junior Anna Schultz said. Using a tanning booth has extreme effects on the skin. UVA (Ultra-Violet A) rays penetrate deep into the skin causing premature wrinkles and brown spots. This combined with UVB rays are 15 times more damaging than the sun making the chances of skin cancer

20 to 50 percent higher than normal. The 2.3 million teens going into the tanning salons around prom season do not take these risks into account very often. When they do, they turn to an obvious alternative. Spray tanning is a reasonable way to achieve “the glow” with very little risk, but when spray tanning gets excessive, things turn orange. “Girls turn into oompa loompas from the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. It makes girls unattractive and seems fake. I would rather go to prom with a girl that did not tan,” junior Josiah Sowell said. Having a tan is nice when strutting around in a glamorous prom dress, but knowing the damages tanning causes and looking into alternatives is definitely worthwhile.

9thescenePIRATEERMarch 9, 2012

TiannaPeters

People have different views about the zodiac. The zodiac is a circular diagram divided into twelve sections. In each section, there is a sun sign. The Chinese have their own zodiac, and Americans use Western astrology. The two systems have similarities and differences. In Western astrology, the sun sign that belongs to you is determined by months. This means that Westerners thought that people born in the same month had similar traits. On the other hand, in Chinese astrology, the sign that belongs to you is determined by which year you were born in, which means that the Chinese thought that people who were born in the same year shared similar traits. The twelve sun signs are different for both cultures. For Western astrology, the twelve signs are derived from the constellations. For Chinese astrology, the twelve signs are said to be brought about by myth. As the myth goes, when God designed the first calendar, he summoned all the creatures of the earth to a race. The first twelve creatures to cross the finish line became the signs in the

Chinese zodiac. The rat finished first, and the pig last. Western astrology is based on the solar calendar; whereas, Chinese astrology is based on the

lunar calendar. The Solar calendar is based on Earth’s orbit around

the sun. According to the solar calendar, each month is said to start at a set time, and can last 28 to 31 days. The lunar calendar is based on the phases of the moon. According to the lunar calendar, each month

starts on a New Moon, and is said to last about 29 days.

Chinese astrology has five elements based on a two-year period, and they determine the “motivating forces in your life.” The five elements

are fire, earth, metal, water and wood. Western

astrology has only four elements. In Western astrology, each element is assigned three sun signs. These elements “govern

the prevailing psychology of each

group.” The four elements are fire, earth, air,

and water. Chinese and Western astrology are different, emerging from different origins and different cultures, both with different stories behind how and why these zodiacs exist the way they do today.

Stars look different viewed from East or WestKristinaCowell

As many may already know, America is known for having the largest carbon footprint per capita in the world. This “carbon footprint” is a measurement of total amount of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emitted into the air from organic and non-organic materials. However, what many people may not know, is that the clothing we wear accounts for almost five percent of those emissions. One company has set out to track the emissions of each piece of clothing. Patagonia, a brand widely known for their outdoor clothing and gear, is also known for their environmental activism. Patagonia, has an ongoing campaign; The Footprint Chronicles, to track and really see how large a piece of clothing’s footprint is. Starting in 2007, a group of Patagonia employees were tasked to track the journey of several Patagonia products from start to finish. The journey began in the cotton fields of Turkey and was followed all the way to distribution factory in Nevada, USA. The results of Patagonia’s Footprint Chronicles, found that shipping via the ocean was a fairly energy efficient way to transport goods. However, the actual manufacturing process had a much larger footprint than was originally thought. Patagonia is well known for their

environmentally friendly organic t-shirts. This was one of the items tracked. The cotton fiber for this product originates off the coast of the Mediterranean in Izmir, Turkey. More than 90 percent of Turkey’s cotton is handpicked, which does reduce its footprint because no equipment or machines are used. Next, the cotton travels about 6,000 miles to Indorama, a yarn spinning factory in Indonesia. With the help of

new standards, Indorama has made an effort to help cut the

environmental impact of manufacturing by

reducing their total energy consumption by 10

percent. After Indonesia, the spun yarn

flies almost 9,000 miles to factories in California to be knitted, cut, sewed, dyed, and printed. Finally, the t-shirts take a trip to Patagonia’s Distribution Center in Reno, Nevada. By the end of the 15,615 mile journey from origin to the distribution factory, one organic t-shirt will have traveled the distance equivalent of traveling from Washington D.C., to Kenya and back and consumed approximately 12-kilowatts of energy, the equivalent of burning an 18-watt compact fluorescent bulb for 27 days. That same t-shirt will have also consumed enough water to provide the average American enough water for 243 days.

Breaking down one t-shirt’s environmental impact

Four quick tips on making the last quarter stress free

Prom-goers: Beware of dangers of tanning

Graphic by Kayla Eickmann

Be careful with your extracurriculars: It is great to get involved in school activities so you have the full high school experience. Playing sports and joining clubs are an awesome way to have fun with your friends. Just do not overwhelm yourself with too many sports and clubs. Overloading your schedule can be very stressful for a high school student, so be careful with how much you sign up for.

Procrastination is a big NO:When the school year gets going, students tend to get lazy and put off doing their work. If you ration out your time wisely instead of letting big projects pile up, then you will not have to stress getting all your projects done on time.

Always stay positive:If you are ever feeling overwhelmed, it is okay. All you have to do is stop, take a deep breath and get your mind off of things. One of the biggest stress relievers is happiness. The main thing that brings happiness is friends. When you get stressed out the main thing is to…STAY POSITIVE.

Compiled by Kadie Kavinsky and Kristina Cowell

Let yourself breathe:Meditation may not be for everyone, but calming your mind is a vital way to reduce stress. Take some time to slowly breathe in and breathe out. Taking a few moments to let yourself catch up with the moment can have huge impact on lessening your stress.

Sources: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 17 Magazine

10gametimePIRATEERMarch 9, 2012

Though pool’s closure puts damper on season, boys’ swim team optimisticEduardoVelazquez

Astheboys’swimteampreparesfortheirupcomingseason,withthelargestteamtheyhavehadsincetheprogramwasstartedupbackupfouryearsago,theyfacethethoughtofknowingthatitwillbetheirlastseasonswimmingintheEnglewoodHighSchoolpool. “It’ssuchashame.Forthefirsttime,theboysteamwillhaveanorganized,competitivegroupofguys,buttheywon’thavetheirhometurf.Ourpoolhasbeenthegluefortheteaminpastyears,andnowthey’llhavetofindsomethingnew,”saidNickSteverson,formercaptainandfounderofthepresentboysswimteam. Eventhoughthepoolisdisappearing,theswimmersstillhavehighhopesfortheswimmingprogramtocontinue.AsassistantcoachElizabethSedalnickhasbeenrecruitingstudentsallschoolyear,shecameupwithalistofabout20studentswhoareprettysolidandexcitedtoswimthisseason. “Eighteenswimmersfillalineupforaswimmeet,sobyfillingalineup,itputsusinapositiontobemuchbetterandgivesusabetterchanceatwinningthemeet.”Sedalnicksaid. Oneproblemthattheteamhadlastyearatthebeginningoftheseasonwasthattherewereonlythreeswimmerswhohadanyexperience.Mostoftheswimmersdidnotknowwhattoexpectandwhatittooktobeagreatteam. Thisyear,theteamwillhaveabout10experiencedboysswimmingthisseason. “Wearegoingtohavemoreexperiencedswimmersontheteamwhoknowwhattoexpectandwhatittakestowinthisseason.Itisgoingtobeveryhelpfulfortheteam,”Head

coachEricCravensaid. Lookingforwardtotheupcomingseasonareco-captainsEduardoVelazquez,ScottNeff,andRicardoBaylon,whohavebeenpreparingforit. Theyallhavehighhopesforthiscomingseason.Withalargerteam,theyhopetowinmoremeetsandhavesuchabetterseasonthanlastyear. Asthecaptainsfocusontryingtofindwaystounitetheteam,theyhaveworkedonstrategiestohelptheteambond. “Tohelpourteambond,wehaveteamdinners.Hopefully,asateam,wecanhangoutoutsideofpractice.DuringmeetsIwouldliketoseeencouragementfromotherteammembersastheycheeronteammatesswimminginevents.Iwouldalsoliketoseeourteammatesmotivateandpusheachothertoworkharderduringpractices,”co-captainScottNeffsaid. Eventhoughthecaptainsarefocusedontheirfellowswimmersandonmakingsurethattheteambondsandenjoystheseason,theyarealsofocusedontheirownseason.Eachcaptainhashisowngoalsthathewishestoachievethisseason. “Iwanttoimprovemy500timefromlastyear.Also,ascaptain,IwanttodowhateverIcantoleadthisteamtosuccess,”Neffsaid. Thewholeteamhopesforagreatseason.Withitbeingthelastseasonofswimmingthepoolwillhost,theywishtogooutwithabangandstriveforoneofthebestseasonstheboyswillhavesincetheprogramstartedagain. “It’sisgoingtobethelastgreatswimatEnglewoodHighSchool.Wehavehadthispoolsince1966,andwithitleaving,someofourspiritisgoingtoleavetoo,”Neffsaid.

DamasjaeCurrington

Athletesfromalloverhavesimilarperspectivesontheirideaofwhatitmeanstobeonateam.Theword“team”meansanumberofpeoplecomingtogethertoformonecompetinginacontestoragame.Forateamtobesuccessful,theyhavetoclickandbeonthesamepage.Thekeytoasuccessfulteamiseffort.Eachmemberhastogive100%intotheirteamandteammateswilldothesame.Astheteamgrows,itbecomesmorethanjustagroupofpeople. “Beingonateammeanstobecommittedtoyourteammatesandhavetrustineveryone.Ithelpswheneveryonegoesfullspeedanddoeseverythingasateamandasafamily.Hardworkanddedicationwillhelptheteamgrowtogetherasafamily.Ifyoudonotputinthetimeandeffortintheweightroomandpractice,thentheteamwillnotgrowtogether,”saidsophomoreGregPearson. Ateamisaspecialbondbetweenagroupofpeoplecomingtogethertoachievetheultimategoal—towin.Eachmemberhastocontaintrustforeachothermember.Astheteamgrows,theathletesbecomecloserandclosertoeachother,afamilystartstogrowandtherespectandloveforeachotherbeginstogrow. JuniorCodyShewshareshisopiniontobeonateam.“Itmeanstobeafamily.Toshareawin,tosharealossit’severyone’ssituation.” Teamswhotaketimetocometogetherduringtheoff-seasonhavetheadvantageofgainingrespectforeachotherandformingaspecialbond.Strongbondsbringagreatconnectiononthefieldbetweentheteammates.Thisisagreatexperiencethatwillbereferencedtolaterinlifewhenitcomestoworkingandworkingwithotherpeople. SophomoreTylerHarrisisintheprocessofexperiencingthat. “Beingonateamislearninghowtoworkwith

peopleandlearninghowtoberesponsiblelaterinlife.Beingonateamhelpsyoupushyourselftointenselevels.Itteachesyoutohaveselfdiscipline,”Harrissaid. Everyteamneedsleaders,butittakesawholeteamtoachievevictory.Bossesandsupervisorsleadtheirsquadtocustomersatisfaction,whichmeansthateachindividualplayshisownroleandhashisownuniqueworthontheteam. “Becommittedanddoyourpart,likeadefenderinsoccer;hisjobistoprotecttheopponentfromscoring.Heisthelastlineofdefense,”juniorCodyMikuleckysaid. Fromsoccertofootball,theconceptsandexpectationsoftheteamandtheleadersremainsimilar.SophomoreChrisGutierrezexplainshisexpectationsforfootballplayers. “Beingonateammeanstobeafamily,towatchoutforeachotherandtosupportthem.Italsomeanstobeintheweightroom,notjustacertainamountofpeople,thewholeteam.Tobeonateam,youneedtobecommitted,”Gutierrezsaid. Onthefieldorcourt,eachplayerholdhimselfandhisteammateaccountableforcompletinghisjobduringagame.Watchingoutforeachotherinsafetyanddisciplineisahugeroleaswell. “Beingonarealteammeanscreatingabondwithyourteammatesandbeingthereforthemonandoffthefield,courtormat.Itmeanshavingthedisciplinetodoyourjobandownyourownmistakesbycorrectingthemtomaketheteambetter.Italsomeansbeingdedicatedtoyourteammates,”seniorMarceloArreolasaid. Sportshaveanemotionalvalueandimpactthatcanbeusedintherealworld.Workingwithpeopleandconnectingwiththemisatraitthatcanbedevelopedbyplayingsports.Developthetrustandconnectwitheachother. “Trustyourteammate,taketherope,”juniorMasonBrainardsaid.

Boys’ swimming coach Elizabeth Sedalnick gives juniors Randall Kloewer and Ricardo Baylon a few tips during swim practice.

First year swimmers Gage Silfast and Andrew Montoya are a part of boys’ swimming biggest team in years.

Photos by Elida Schultz

ComplainersTuckerHoran

Intoday’sprofessionalsportsworld,athletesarealwaysseencomplainingtorefereesaboutacallorwhiningtocoachesaboutacertainplayerorplay.Complainerslikethesearestartingtoturnupinhighschoolsports.Somehighschoolathletesfeelobligatedtocomplaintoarefereeafteranundesirablecallorcomplaintoacoachafteraplayerscrewsupaplay. Complainingtoarefdoesnotaccomplishmuch.Sometimesitcanresultinangeringarefandcausingheorshetomakecallsagainstateam. “Forthemostpartengagingrefereesindiscussionservesnopurposeotherthanmakingthemmad,andinsomecasesincreasingthecallsagainstourteam.”SoccercoachBillGilmoresaid. Playersshouldnormallyavoidtalkingtoareferee.Ifaplayerfeelstheneedtocommunicatewithareferee,thatshouldbecommunicatedbyacaptainorcoach. “Ingeneralplayersarenotallowedtosayanythingtothereferees.Idon’twantthemevercomplainingaboutacallornon-call,orevenchattingwiththem.Theonlyexceptiontothisisteamcaptain.Thecaptainisallowedtotalktotherefsandevenprotestacallonoccasion.”Gilmoresaid. Insteadofcomplainingtoacoachaboutacertainplayeroraplay,playersshouldofferconstructivecriticism.Acoachismuchmorelikelytolistentoaplayerwhooffersasuggestionthanaplayerwhoiscomplaining. “IngeneralIwillalwayslistentoeverythingmyplayershavetosay.Mostofthetimeplayerswillnotcomplainaboutmuch,butratherhavesomethingconstructivetosay.”Gilmoresaid. Normally,complainingcanbeavoidedifacoachaddresseshisorherexpectationsatthebeginning.Ifplayersunderstandwhatisexpectedofthematthebeginningoftheseason,aplayerwillnotlikelybesurprisedlateronintheseasonandwillbeabletoaddressanissuewithacoachrightaway. Ifaplayercontinuallycomplains,itcanhaveanegativeaffectontheteam.Playerscanbecomefrustratedwithoneanotherandcanruinteamchemistry. Playerswhoareconstantcomplainersneedtoaddresstheissuewithhisorhercoachinaoneononediscussionorshouldtaketheissueupwiththeathleticdirector. “Ifcomplaintsbecomeanissueontheteam,andoneononediscussionsbetweenmyselfandtheplayerdonotwork,weusuallyhaveaconferencewiththeAthleticDirector.”Gilmoresaid. Theconsequencesforcontinualcomplainerscanbeharsh.Theycanbeaskedtoleavetheteamorevenbedismissed. Complainingtoarefereeorcoachhasalotmoreconsthanpros.Whileitmaybedifficultforaplayertocontrolhisorheremotionsatcertaintimes,theyneedtobeabletoaddresstheirissuesinotherways. Aplayerhastobebetterthancomplainingandrememberwhatisbestfortheteam.

c urtTheball’sin my Teamwork: Key to winning

to achieve true greatness,” Coach Brian DeHerrara said. Many young athletes struggle with accepting their role on a team. A lot of times, athletes do not realize how the choices they make affect their team. “Players are responsible to put the team before themselves, and it’s hard because you are part of a team and your actions affect everybody. Players just need to remember their individual responsibility as a part of the team,” Coach Stu Howard said. It’s also been said that boys do not have drama on their teams. That is not completely true. “I think it’s a stereotype that boys don’t have drama. Boys can leave it all off the court. But it’s not that different than girls’ drama. When you step foot on the court, you’ve got to leave all the drama off. It’s hard as a coach because of the way basketball is played, it is important to have that team chemistry on the floor. You have to work as a unit and have respect for each other,” said Coach Stu Howard. It is apparent that when two girls have issues, they take it onto the field with them. Girls do not pass to each other if they have a conflict with another player. “Boys want to win even if it means passing to a player they don’t get along

with off the floor. Girls are also not as competitive, and we care more about winning the conflict than the game. Boys are able to drop it and move on with the game,” Coach Belinda Hayes said. Athletes in sports and in life have to step up. Stepping up is basically when people choose to rise above themselves to accomplish great things. Every athlete, every person goes through tough times, but it is up to you to decide if you are going to let that conflict define you, or if you’re going to step up, rise above that struggle and strive towards greatness. William Shakespeare once said, “Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great. Some achieve greatness. And others have greatness thrust upon them.” Even if you were not born with spectacular natural talent, that does not mean you are unable to reach greatness. It just means you will have to work twice as hard to get there. Some of the greatest athletes were rejected over and over again, but that did not stop them. They chose to rise above the expectations of others, and push forward to be the best they were capable of being. Michael Jordan is a perfect example. He was rejected from the varsity basketball team his sophomore year. That did not stop him from being recognized

as the best basketball player of all time. In fact, when others said he would fail, it fueled him even more to push on towards greatness. For Michael Jordan, failure was the first step towards success. Professional athletes get to where they are through hard work, determination, dedication, and patience. They did not wake up one morning and decide they were going to be professional athletes. Athletics is a part of life, and sometimes life can push pretty hard. But it’s in these moments that your true character shows. Who will you be? Will you step up and chose to rise above life’s heartaches and disappointments or will you simply give up. Character Whitey Durham from “One Tree Hill” said, “Learn to let go of the past. Recognize that everyday won’t be sunny, and when you find yourself lost in the darkness and despair, remember it’s only in the black of night you can see the stars. And those stars will lead you back home. So don’t be afraid to make mistakes, because most of the time, the greatest rewards come from doing things that scare you the most…who knows where life will take you. The road is long, and in the end the journey is the destination.”

Spring Sports Briefs Girls Soccer

LacrosseTeam Captains: Damasjae Currington, Joshua Kavinsky, Joe Sullivan, and Kris Wade

Player with potential: “Cody Mikuleaky has just taken up lacrosse and in less than a week is passing and catching like an athlete who has played for years. I believe Mr. Mikuleaky has the potential to become one of the best players on the team.” -- Coach Baker

Team Captains: Tayler Searcy, Tianna Peters, Rocio Flores, Miranda Holman, and Jasmine Peters

Goals for the season: “My goal above all is to have fun at a competitive level and for the team to become closer as friends.“ --Rocio Flores

Team Captains: Tamara Pelle and Mariah Holman

Player with potential: “Kadie Kavinsky—because I’m looking for her to provide either scoring or distribution depending on the position I put her in. She has skills and a year of high school experience behind her.” -- Coach Gilmore

Team Captains: Eduardo Velazquez, Scott Neff, Ricardo Baylon

Player with potential: “Eduardo Velazquez because he has a great chance of going to state in the 500 free.” -- Coach Sedalnick

in its purest form leads to greatness

TrackBaseball

Girls TennisTrue competitors know it’s exhilarating to be involved in something that is very

challenging. They don’t fear it. They seek it. Is it fun to do that which is ordinary, easy, simple, something anyone can do? Not at all.

– John Wooden

Team Captains:Undecided

Goals for the season: “I want to be able to do well this season for my first time playing singles.“ -- Tyler Harr

Player with potential: “Some players with potential would be Paige Veilburg and Christine McNitt because they are both returning.“ -- Coach Ken

Team Captains: Tucker Horan and Cassidy Ransom

Goals for the season: “I want to get some of our throwers as well as some boys and girls relays to state.“ -- Coach Graves

Goals for the season: “My goal for the season is to be a beast, hit above a 200, to win more, and to play as a team.“ -- Tyler Harris

Player with potential: “Steven Wilson, Hayden Carslile, Tyler Harris, Gerardo Gutierrez, Eric Almanzar, and Braden Newkerk all have potential because they are all returning players.” -- Coach Rowe

11gametimePIRATEERMarch 9, 2012

Boys Swimming

Golf Squadron

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Lindsey McNorton

Elida S

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Courtesy of The Pirate Log

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Tayler Searcy

TiannaPeters

“There’s something unifying about sport in its purest form. When athletes come together and touch greatness, and in doing so remind us that we all have greatness inside us,” character Marvin McFadden on “One Tree Hill” said. However, what happens when athletes cease to touch greatness and instead let personal conflicts affect their game and their team. All athletes have problems, but they stop existing as team players when they allow those issues to corrupt the team. Some say sports is and should be an escape from all the heartaches life can bring, but I say your true character is revealed in the toughest moments of life, and this is especially true in athletics. “Sports are a mirror of life. Conflicts are inevitable. The true character of a team is revealed when players can put aside individual glory and come together

Sport

12 thescene PIRATEERMarch 9, 2012

ElidaSchultz and IzzyVamvakias

Thebellrings.Studentsscatterfromtheschool,controlledbytheirneedtosatisfytheirtyrannicalcravingforadrag,ahit,oratoke.SomeEHSstudentsreturnfromlunchadrift,ashighasakiteandthey’llsaytheyare“justlivin’thelife.” Inthelastyear,usageandsuspensionsduetomarijuanauseinColoradoschoolshavedrasticallyincreased. ThisproblemisnotonlyprevalentinEHS;itisalsodominantinothersschoolsaroundColorado.Usinginformationfromschooldistricts,Colorado’sDepartmentofEducationreportedinDecemberasharpincreaseindrug-relatedoffenseswithsuspensionsup44.9percent,45percentforexpulsions,35percentincreaseinreferralsfordrugsand17percentincreaseinarrestsfordrugviolationsfrom2007to2011inallColoradoK-12schools. Becauseofthisincrease,stateofficialswerepleasedwhenPresidentObamatoldpolicetobeginenforcing

thelawthatprohibitsdispensariesfrombeingina1,000footradius

ofanyschool.FortCollinspioneeredthismovement

inFebruarybyclosingalldispensariesinthecity.

OnFebruary28,2012,Coloradomandated

theclosuresofalldispensarieswithin

the1,000footdistance. However,stateofficialsfeeltheimpactofschoolrelateddrugusehadalreadyoccurred.

AccordingtoEnglewoodHigh

Schooldisciplinedataforthe

2010-2011schoolyear,therewere12

referralsfortheuseand/orpossession

ofdrugsandtobaccoallyearcomparedto

16referralsforfirsttwoquartersofthe2011-

2012schoolyear. “Iseethesame

substancetrendsfromwhenIwasinhighschool—

cigarettes,weed,andbooze.Itcertainlydoesn’thelp

thatkidscanaccessmanydispensariesinEnglewood,”computerproctoratCherrelynElementaryschool

andEHSparent,IngridSchultzsaid.

Thereality,accordingtoa

recent

EducationNewsofColorado[EdNewsColorado]seriesofreportsonthesurgeofdrug-relatedissuesinschools,isthatstudentscangetamedicinalcardwithparentalconsentbeforetheyreachthelegalageof18.Becausestudentsknowotherswithmedicinalcards,itmakesiteasierforstudentstogetaholdofmarijuanaandmakesitlessexpensive. “It’shorriblysadseeingstudentsthatIknowmakethesechoices.Idon’tunderstandhowtheycouldbepopularandheldinhighregardamongtheirpeerswhendoingthesefoolishthings.Asateacher,Iseesomuchpotentialinstudentsacademicallyandsocially,andIwishtheysawittoo,”Schultzsaid. “Studentsgetbored.Theyseesmokingasafun,calmingthingtodoandiftheydon’tthentheyaren’tconsidered‘cool’inthemindsoftheirpeers.Whentheyseeothersdoingitliketheirparentsdoit,theyseeitasanacceptablerecreationalactivity,”sophomoreHannahFraziersaid. Drugproblemshappeninallschoolsregardlessofcity,amountofwealthandsize,reportsEdNewsColorado. “Onecan’tjudgebythewealthofaschool.Thestudentsgivetheschoolthereputation,nottheirmoney,”Fraziersaid. Highschoolstudentsareknowntoberebelliousandspontaneous.Adecadeagothatmeantsneakingoutandseeingamoviewithsomefriendsaftermidnight. Todayitmeanspartyingandsmoking.TheVOLTclimatesurveythatEHSstudentscompletedinSpring2011showedthatanaverageof59percentofEHSstudentshaduseddrugsintheirlifetime.Morethanhalfofthestudentsstatedthattheyhaduseddrugswithin30dayspriortothetest. TheEdNewsColoradoreportstatesthatstudentsdonotrecognizethesegrowingratesasaproblembecauseoftheattitudeshiftregardingtheuseanddistributionofmarijuana. “Eversinceitturnedlegal,peoplestoppedlisteningtothedamagingeffectsthatithasontheirbody,especiallyteenagers.The‘benefit,’thehigh,andthelegalizationoftheindustryaretheirleadingarguments.Theywon’tlistentoanythingelse.Theyseeitasafun,calmingthingtodo;andiftheirparentssitandtokewiththem,thenthat’sevenbetterforthatstudent,”Fraziersaid. Studentsarenotgraspingthemajorrepercussionsthatgoalongwiththeuseanddistributionofmarijuana.Statewide,accordingtothereport,studentsmaygetjuveniledetentions,suspensions,expulsions,andpossiblycourtdatesandultimatelyendupwithalegalrecord. Nomatterwhatschoolstudentsgoto,whattheydoatthatschool,andwhattroubleastudenthashadinthepast,thebottomlineisthesame.Studentswillhavetofaceallthe

consequencesoftheiractions.

Where the drugs “Students get bored. They see

smoking as a fun, calming thing to do. If they don’t smoke, they aren’t

considered ‘cool’ in the minds of their peers. When they see others doing it, like their parents, they see it as an acceptable recreational activity.”

growgrowSchool Enrollment

as of Oct. 1, 201107-08 08-09 10-1109-10

High school drug violations 2007-2011

South

Heritage

Littleton

33

32

14

27

17

27

26

19

21

8 27

38

1,389

Sheridan 9 1726500

1,460

1,650

Englewood 5 6610610

Instances per school per school year

Source: Colorado Department of Education