2270 Highway 133 Carbondale, CO 81623 November 2014 Volume 8 Issue 2

Contact us at rframpage@gmail.com

The RampageMice! Leftover lunch trash leads to a rodent

problem; staff and students concerned-Eryn Doherty

At Roaring Fork High School, students are allowed to roam the building freely and eat wherever they want during their lunch

hour. Teachers are now questioning this policy. Due to the massive amounts of garbage and food left around the school, the RF staff is now fighting a mice problem. Head cook, Sulma Zelaya, believes students should not be able to eat wherever they want. Instead, she thinks it would be more suitable if the students who stay at school for lunch eat to-gether in the auditeria. At the beginning of the school year, Roaring Fork purchased 350 new plates for the school’s kitchen. In a recent count, there were roughly 100 plates left. Janitor, Pedro Ramirez, has found the missing two-thirds of the plates in trash cans throughout Roaring Fork. He has been trying to recover the plates from the garbage cans to bleach and sanitize. Zelaya believes the plates are end-ing up in trash cans because of students roam-ing through the school during lunch. “Students don’t have enough time to walk their dishes back to the kitchen after eating somewhere else in the school,” said Zelaya. “If students ate all together in one place, they would have time to bring the dishes back.” Principal Drew Adams and Assistant Principal Kelsie Goodman agreed that students, teachers, and staff should be proud of their school and want to keep it clean. Adams said, “In certain areas of

the school, the amount of trash that’s left behind is deplorable.” In the gym, student athletes say they have stepped in sticky foods and drinks that have been spilled on the floor. “It’s gross! There were chicken bones and candy wrappers all over the bleachers,” said sophomore volleyball player, Ash-ley Hall. While food is tossed around the school’s floors, mice are finding ways into the building. Many peo-ple speculate that the increase of mice entering the school is due to all of the trash. Adams, though, be-

lieves that mice are common in every building dur-ing this time of year. He said it is natural for mice to come into buildings when it starts to get cold. Many teachers and staff members, though, are concerned about the issue. A few teachers have complained of an odor in their classroom, which they think is a result of dead mice. History teacher, Matt Wells, said the air vent in his room has been blowing a strong odor that reeks of something dead. Students in his classes have speculated there are dead mice in the ceil-ing ducts that have made the classroom stink. The maintenance department has been requested, but Wells doesn’t think anyone has come to fix the situation. Ken Melby, the Director of Facilities for the Roaring Fork School District, said he placed 24 new mouse traps in the closets at Roaring Fork in one day. In his opinion, the mice aren’t coming in because of the trash. He thinks the mice problem is a result of teachers leaving their doors open dur-ing the day. Some might say students should be forced to eat in the cafeteria because of the lack of respect for our school. Many students think they should not have this restriction. Students enjoy the free-dom of being able to roam during their 40-min-ute lunch period. Adams said if students want to continue eating wherever they want, they need to self-monitor and clean up after themselves. As of right now, though, no one will be forced to eat in the cafeteria.

-Jonathan Aranda

Do you say thank you when your teacher hands out papers? Do you express gratitude to the grocery store clerk for helping you bag your groceries? Everyday, people do kind and helpful deeds, and in the realm of our crazy lives, we seem to forget to appreciate the little things. Take a moment to consider the good things you do for people. Sometimes you might not even re-

alize you are doing them. For ex-ample, you may not remember that time you picked up a stranger’s papers that were flying out of her bag or when you opened a door for someone. November is a month of fam-ily time and gratitude. It is a peri-od where you can think about the things you love, the people around you that make you happy, and all of the benefits you are fortunate to have. Many researchers have learned that small doses of gratitude im-prove your health and can result in other beneficial factors. Robert Be

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l, Emmon’s book “Thanks! How The Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier” includes research that journaling about what you’re grateful for can make you happier everyday. According to Bruce Campbell’s article,”Counting Your Blessings: How Gratitude Improves Your Health,” there are many steps you can take to remind yourself of what you’re grateful for: keep-ing a journal, finding a friend to share your gratitude with, and using visual reminders, like little sticky notes on your mirror. Some of the benefits of ac-

be happy knowledging what you’re grateful for in your life can go from better, sounder sleep to less anxiety and de-pression. The following are some of the things that members of our com-munity are thankful for.

What are you thankful for?Karla Cardenas (RFHS Mom): My kids, my whealth and empanadas.Lucy Uribe (RFHS Senior): Wendy Schwitz in the office.Naomi Pulver (RFHS Junior): Being able to pass this quarter.Chrissy Dawson (RFHS Administra-tive Assistant): My son, job, a working car, and awesome metabolism.

Stress and Sleep (Pages 4 & 5)

Yik-Yak Attack! (Page 2)

Pledge Issues Span the Valley

(Page 6)

What’s inside: Gems of the Valley (Page 8)

Photo by Lucy Stevens Custodian Pedro Ramirez sets a mouse trap in the halls to catch the pesky mice. Mice have been taking over in schools valley-wide.

Feature 2Rampage

November 2014

and unnecessary comments. It has had a very negative effect on our entire school.” The app was originally created for college campuses. Freshman Re-ece Ettleson thinks that the intentions of the app have changed: “[The app] is now used for people to talk badly about other people.” Yik Yak has not only created controversy at Roaring Fork, but also schools across the valley. Glenwood High School and Aspen High School have blocked the app’s use within the premises of school property. There are some students who believe the app has no negative effect on Roaring Fork. Sophomore Maddy Miller says, “The main purpose of the app is for pure entertainment. People use it to see what other people posted.” Although posts on Yik Yak are meant to be lighthearted and humorous, such as pop culture updates or jokes, many students and teachers don’t fi nd much humor in the app’s content. For instance, Adam Carballeira, English teacher, feels that Yik Yak is the “Bath-room stall of all social media networks.” Junior Beth Fawley agrees. “A lot of negativity is shown on the app and nor-mally we take that negativity out on our rival schools but not it is inward. Mainly against people in our school and

normally Roaring Fork is this cool, chill place where everyone is accepted and happy and loved.” To ensure our school continues to be

this “cool, chill place,” Rams, just make sure you think before you yak.

Yik Yak attack

-Tavia Teitler

The main focus of a school is to do what is best for its student’s learning. A major component of this goal is the way students are leveled and sorted into classes. With such a variety of opinions and research on this topic, the way schools approach leveling often changes. At Roaring Fork High School, there is a considerable array of classroom dynamics.

The Cohort Approach:

RFHS administration and staff have made an effort to keep the freshman class together. Ninth grade is considered by many to be the most important year in high school. How a student does their freshmen year can often be used as an indi-cator for their success throughout the rest of high school. According to Michele Willens’ article in The Atlantic, “Ninth Grade: The Most Important Year in High School,” there are three main indi-cators of success in school: “Attendance, behavior and course performance.” A main objective of this approach is to help students develop good habits in these three categories. RFHS freshmen, as a result, are offered fewer opportunities to take different classes. All ninth graders are enrolled in U.S. history, biology, and English I, with math being the only core subject in which differentiation is encouraged. This has both its advantages and drawbacks. Keeping ninth graders together gives advanced students a chance to take a leadership role among their peers. It also allows for interdisciplinary learning and the development of stronger relation-ships between peers. However, this situation also means that some students are being challenged more than others. Students that have traditionally

been in higher-level classes may fi nd that they are repeating information and sailing through their classes while students who typically struggle more in school may have a harder time keeping up.

The Skip-Ahead Approach:

Another leveling phenomenon at RFHS is a sit-uation where advanced level students skip ahead to higher-level classes. An example is sophomores taking English III (traditionally a junior class) or a freshman taking Math II (typically a sophmore class). This works well in many ways: students can take the classes at the level that is appropri-

ate for them. However, it also presents many prob-lems. This strategy creates a major division in the classroom. Students who are taking a class a level ahead of themselves and students who are taking the class at their grade level, or repeating it, learn and think in different ways and at different paces. This puts strain on teachers and in many cases creates an uncomfortable classroom environment. Many of the advanced-level students who are used to taking a leadership role among their peers and actively participating in class are intimidated by the new class dynamics and, as a result, interact with less frequency in the classroom. However, having mixed classes also provides a certain level of diversity in thought and ability that

“[Our education system] is broken, but it works.”

school.” The app was originally created for college campuses. Freshman Re-ece Ettleson thinks that the intentions of the app have changed: “[The app] is now used for people to talk badly about other people.” Yik Yak has not only created controversy at Roaring Fork, but also schools across the valley. Glenwood High School and Aspen High School have blocked the app’s use within the premises of school property. There are some students who believe the app has no negative effect on Roaring Fork. Sophomore Maddy Miller says, “The main purpose of the app is for pure entertainment. People use it to see what other people posted.” Although posts on Yik Yak are meant to be lighthearted and humorous, such as pop culture updates or jokes, many students and teachers don’t fi nd much humor in the app’s content. For instance, Adam Carballeira, English teacher, feels that Yik Yak is the “Bath-room stall of all social media networks.” Junior Beth Fawley agrees. “A lot of negativity is shown on the app and nor-mally we take that negativity out on our rival schools but not it is inward. Mainly against people in our school and

normally Roaring Fork is this cool, chill place where everyone is accepted and happy and loved.” To ensure our school continues to be

this “cool, chill place,” Rams, just make sure you think before you yak.

Yik Yak attack

can be very benefi cial to students. “Just because a student is a lower writer does not mean they are a lower thinker,” said Denise Wright, RFHS English teacher. “Mixed classes means mixed thoughts,” she added.

The AP Approach:

Another leveling strategy at RFHS is the offering of Advanced Placement (AP) classes. This allows students to be in classes with others who learn at a similar pace as themselves and allows teachers to challenge and push students without leaving oth-ers behind. Wright believes that there is a “time and place for leveled classes” and that AP courses are one of these places. These classes allow for deeper discussions and more challenging material. Junior Leah Allen who is in her second year of tak-ing AP classes said that mixed classes, “give you a different perspective but don’t challenge you to do better.” AP classes give higher-achieving students a push and a challenge they don’t receive in some of their other classes.

Lab Classes:

On the other end, RFHS also offers lab classes for students who are struggling. These are extra periods of a subject in which students can seek more help and get more one-on-one time with the teacher. RFHS English teacher Adam Carballeira mentioned some of the benefi ts of the dynamics of these classes. “Kids who have never been on the top get a chance to take a leadership role,” he said. “[Our education system] is broken, but it works,” Carballeira said, and all these different approaches are part of a continuous effort to fi x it. There is no one answer on how to level students but efforts are constantly being made to ensure that each student gets the best education possible.

Finding a balance for learning amongst diverse students

-Katie Weimer

Yik Yak is a social media application that al-lows people, mainly students, to post “yaks” anonymously about anything they wish. After

the yak has been posted, students can reply to the orig-inal yak while remaining anonymous. For example, if a student has an opinion about a lunch meal, teacher, or another student, he has the ability to post anonymously about it. The app is based purely off location. For example, if a student is physically in Carbondale, she will see all of Carbondale’s yaks; if she is in Glenwood, she will see all of Glenwood’s yaks. The buzz around Yik Yak has resulted from what some users perceive as bullying and inappropriate or offensive language. Students have mixed emotions about the purpose of the app. Some students feel as though Yik Yak has no positive benefi t to the students at Roaring Fork and beyond. Sophomore Ashley Hall states, “Yik Yak has obviously had a very negative effect on our school. It turned into something really bad. People are saying harsh

Kids express Thanksgiving thoughtsRampage reporter Jacky Jacquez asked elementary students (aged four to seven) from the Valley what they thought about Thanksgiving. The following are some of their responses.

“[I am thankful for] having food and a family.”

Q: Do you help cook?

A: “Yes… No. When Iʼm bigger.”

“[If I was a turkey, my name would

be] Spiderturkey!

Feature 3Rampage

November 2014

-Jonny Aranda

Sometimes in our busy lives as high school students, we forget to notice the people around us and their actions. Walking down the hall on an average day, who are the people you notice? Your friends? Teachers? Behind all the loud noise and pools of students, there are two people that clean up messes and work hard to keep the school looking good. Who are they? Maria Diaz is a hardworking custodian at Roaring Fork High School. Diaz has children who are all older and are living on their own. She has been em-ployed two years with the Roaring Fork School District and has completed one of her life long goals of buying a home. Her performance in her job is sometimes not as appreciated as she would like it to be and often fi nds it unpleasant when students don’t seem to have respect for the custodial staff. “When I am cleaning the boys bathroom there are days where a herd of them wander in there. I have to rush out and that’s something that really bugs me,” Diaz said. Even though student and staff are very friendly at Roaring Fork High School, there seem to be avoidable messes that are left behind. Lucy Uribe, a senior at Roaring Fork High School, gave her perspective on all the trash she sees in the halls at times. “Students don’t tend to be re-spectful towards the cleaning staff, and sometimes that is upsetting because

Are janitors receiving the respect they deserve?

Photos by Lucy StevensMaria Diaz, above, and Pedro Ramirez, bottom left, spend hours of their day mopping up messes, taking out trash, and vacuuming rooms all for the students who, they feel, are not as respectful as they coujld be.

-Elle Derby

Anali Garcia is currently a se-nior at RFHS

and has attended Roar-ing Fork since she was a freshman. She sets a good example for un-derclassman, demon-strating the importance of putting in effort

throughout your high school career. Although Anali is pushing hard to gradu-ate in the spring, she is stuck in a lot of fresh-man classes. While Anali is just trying to do her work and get her credits so that she can graduate, many of her fellow students don’t

seem to be as motivated in school and disrupt her learning with their “immaturity.” Even with this complication, Anali is hopeful that she will graduate this spring. Her mindset was not always so positive. “I came here with such a bad attitude, I would not try in my classes, and at times not show up,” she said. She also often talked back to her teachers. This year, however, Anali is more involved in her classes: asking questions, stay-ing on top of her work and getting A’s and B’s on her assignments. She describes her year as stressful, but she is extremely proud of her effort and the fact that she is actually trying to

learn and grow. Anali’s advice to freshman is to try. “If you come here ready to learn and willing to do the work, you will get far. It took me three years before I realized I needed to actually start doing my work if I wanted to graduate. Don’t give up!” she said in a Facebook interview. Anali would like to thank Adam Carbal-leira, her English and Creative Writing teach-er, because he wouldn’t give up on her, even when everyone else had–even her. Anali’s two favorite teachers are Adam Carballeira and Larry Williams. Her favorite subject is English because that is where she feels that she

has improved the most. She also loves this sub-ject because writing is a hobby of hers. She spends her free time hanging out with friends, having fun and laughing. Her favorite high school memo-ries are “Every day this year because everyday I fi nd something new to laugh about, especially with the friends I have now.” Even though she is working hard, she is having fun along the way. She was involved in Association de Jovenes Unidos para Acción (AJUA) which is a pro-gram where students fi ght for immigration rights. “I believe that everyone is equal and I like to stand and speak

up for those who are afraid. I do not think people should be treat-ed differently because of a paper or because of where they were born,” Garcia said. Although Anali still supports this group, she had to quit because she wanted to focus on school. After high school, Anali would like to at-tend Colorado Moun-tain College for two years in order to get a teaching certifi cate. She is interested in being a kindergarten teacher or a therapist. “I love kids,” she explained. Anali’s new motivation and determination have changed her view of high school and made her ready to take on new challenges.

Senior Spotlight: Anali Garcia

its honestly not so hard to pick up after yourself. It’s a common trait that you learn when you grow up.” Denise Wright, English teacher at Roaring Fork High School, is just one of many staff members who are grateful for the work ethic of the custodial staff. “She’s always cheery and takes care of what needs to be taken care of without any issues,” Wright said. “My room has been noticeably cleaner since she has worked here.” Because of her work ethic Diaz has become a favorite of a lot of staff, and even though she shows ambition for her work, there are times where she’s in over her head. “The hours can defi nitely be tough, especially when there are games or big events in the afternoons,” Diaz said. At times, she doesn’t feel that she or Pedro Ramirez, the second member of the custodial staff, to be respected. It’s in the hands of the Roaring Fork High School community to show our appreciation. Such a great custodial staff is hard to come by.

4 The Rampage | November 2014

3. Drink teaTeas with caff eine are a great alternative to coff ee. You get the pick-me-up of coff ee, but with more antioxidants, which keep you healthy.

4. Take a power napStudies have shown that the best length of time to nap is 20 minutes if you want to wake up feeling refreshed and energized.

1. Splash cold water on your faceWhen cold water hits your face, it’s a shock to your skin. This can make you feel more awake.

2. Eat some spicy foodSpicy foods have been shown to keep people up, so snacks with spice are great to reach for when you’re tired.

The combination of late-night homework and early-morning classes is a formula for sleepy students. Many students try to combat the eff ects of their lack of sleep with coff ee or other forms of caff eine. While caff eine can be eff ective in waking you up, it is not worth the negative eff ects it has on a teenage body. Caff eine consumed throughout the day can stay in your body, making it diffi cult to sleep at night and trapping you in a vicious sleepy cycle. There are many bett er, healthier and perhaps more eff ective ways to manage your lack of sleep. Here are four tips on how to deal with sleep deprivation:

Average amount of sleep RFHS students get per night:

7 hoursRecommended amount of sleep

for the average teen:

9 hours

Average RFHS bedtime:

11:00pm- 12:00am Recommended bedtime for teens:

10:00pm

Breaking out of the caffeine routine

FOCUSAs a high schooler, sleep deprivation and stress are a part of life. Here’s how students at RFHS are being affected by their tired brains and overworked bodies.

When RFHS students go to sleep:

How long RFHS students sleep per night: The Rampage surveyed 159 RFHS students to obtain the numbers and statistics regard-ing sleep and stress, unless otherwise noted.

Created by Kayla Derby, Fiona Laird, Caitlin O’Gorman, Kristin Page, and Tavia Teitler

The Rampage | November 2014 5FOCUS

As a high schooler, sleep deprivation and stress are a part of life. Here’s how students at RFHS are being affected by their tired brains and overworked bodies.

Worried sick: How stress affects teens

4. Make a to-do list

When you write down everything that you have to do, you don’t have to worry about forgett ing something. This can take away some of the stress of having a lot of tasks.

2. Exercise

Exercising causes your body to release endorphins, which make you happy. This can alleviate some of your stress and clear your head.

5. Remember that your men-tal health always comes before school

At the end of the day, your mental health should always come before school. Take

Addressing stress

1. Vent

Find a friend that will just sit with you and let you complain about how stressed you

are and how much stuff you have to do. Cry if you have to. Venting is ther-apeutic and can help you clear your mind, so you can focus on the massive amounts of work you have to do.

3. Watch an episode of your favorite show

Although it may seem counter produc-tive, watching an episode of your favor-ite TV show can be a good way to re-

lieve stress. Just make sure you only watch one, and then get back to doing what you have to do!

care of yourself, and take a break if you need to.

With all the daily obligations facing high school students, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Here are some simple tips to address your stress.

Stress - O - Meter

Jenny Rios (Sophomore)Stress Level: 3How she keeps her stress low: “I take a deep breath and do the things I need to do.”

Jasmin Tellez (Junior)Stress Level: 5How she manages her stress: “I reorganize myself and my schedule.”

Matthew Wampler (Junior)Stress Level: 6Things he’s stressed out about:“Grades.”

Justice Wofford (Junior)Stress Level: 7How she deals with her stress:“I avoid the stuff I need to do.”

Emily Mata (Junior)Stress Level: 10Why she is so stressed:“There is nothing that is not stressful about high school.”

We asked students how stressed they were on a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being the most stressed). Here’s what they said:

School Average: 6.7

The Rampage would like to thank the RFHS Booster Club for generously

sponsoring our newspaper.

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The Rampage | November 2014 5FOCUS

As a high schooler, sleep deprivation and stress are a part of life. Here’s how students at RFHS are being affected by their tired brains and overworked bodies.

Worried sick: How stress affects teens

4. Make a to-do list

When you write down everything that you have to do, you don’t have to worry about forgett ing something. This can take away some of the stress of having a lot of tasks.

2. Exercise

Exercising causes your body to release endorphins, which make you happy. This can alleviate some of your stress and clear your head.

5. Remember that your men-tal health always comes before school

At the end of the day, your mental health should always come before school. Take

Addressing stress

1. Vent

Find a friend that will just sit with you and let you complain about how stressed you

are and how much stuff you have to do. Cry if you have to. Venting is ther-apeutic and can help you clear your mind, so you can focus on the massive amounts of work you have to do.

3. Watch an episode of your favorite show

Although it may seem counter produc-tive, watching an episode of your favor-ite TV show can be a good way to re-

lieve stress. Just make sure you only watch one, and then get back to doing what you have to do!

care of yourself, and take a break if you need to.

With all the daily obligations facing high school students, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Here are some simple tips to address your stress.

Stress - O - Meter

Jenny Rios (Sophomore)Stress Level: 3How she keeps her stress low: “I take a deep breath and do the things I need to do.”

Jasmin Tellez (Junior)Stress Level: 5How she manages her stress: “I reorganize myself and my schedule.”

Matthew Wampler (Junior)Stress Level: 6Things he’s stressed out about:“Grades.”

Justice Wofford (Junior)Stress Level: 7How she deals with her stress:“I avoid the stuff I need to do.”

Emily Mata (Junior)Stress Level: 10Why she is so stressed:“There is nothing that is not stressful about high school.”

We asked students how stressed they were on a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being the most stressed). Here’s what they said:

School Average: 6.7

The Rampage would like to thank the RFHS Booster Club for generously

sponsoring our newspaper.

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News

6Rampage

November 2014

Opinion

-Maeve O’Donnell-Pax

This is a follow-up news story to questions and feedback The Rampage staff received regarding the opinion piece entitled “The Pledge Creates Con-troversy” published in the October issue. Every morning at Roaring Fork High School, the Pledge of Allegiance is recited over the intercom, and almost all of the student

Pledge issue spans the whole valleybody and faculty stand and face the fl ag. Say-ing the Pledge is part of the everyday schedule at Roaring Fork High School. However, it doesn’t seem to be that way at every school in the valley. Colorado law states that all public schools are required to provide an opportunity for stu-dents to say the Pledge of Allegiance every day. Students do not have to

participate if they don’t want to, but they may not keep other students from participating. Vice Principal of Roaring Fork High School, Kel-sie Goodman, explained that the superintendent of the Roaring Fork School District, Diana Sirko, sent out an email reminding administra-tors to provide the op-portunity if it was not already in place. The email was prompted after a stu-dent at Glenwood High School contacted the principal about not be-ing given the time to say the Pledge of Al-legiance. In the email sent out by Ms. Sirko, she said, “The Board is getting many questions on this and has asked us to make sure that this is happening in all of our schools.” The Ram-page decided to fi nd out what was really go-ing on with the Pledge of Allegiance in other schools. At Glenwood Springs High School (GSHS), where the email origi-nated, Principal Paul Freeman explained that there was no reason that GSHS had not previ-ously offered an oppor-

tunity to say the Pledge other than that no one had ever realized that it was a state law. In a phone interview, Freeman explained his opinion of the Pledge. “The actions of an in-dividual are more im-portant than what they say because otherwise it becomes a pointless activity… It’s a remind-er that it’s not the end of your responsibility,” he said. Freeman con-tinued that the Pledge should be a call to put the needs of a coun-try full of other people above your own. GSHS now incorporates the Pledge into their morn-ing announcements. Basalt High School’s Principal, David

Schmid, claimed they only recently started saying the Pledge, and that “the reaction from our students has been fairly positive.” Student Matthew Wampler, from RFHS, believes in standing and respecting America each morning by say-ing the Pledge of Al-legiance. He says, “[It’s

a] promise that says we will stay as one nation.” Stephanie Alzamora, one of RFHS’ Spanish teachers, agrees that the Pledge is an important way for students and teachers to honor the U.S. and what it stands for, but doesn’t, “believe that we should do it ev-eryday because it loses meaning.”

Yik Yak: Fun and gamesuntil someone gets hurt

Photo by Lucy Stevens

Social media apps frequently rise and fall in popularity. The newest pop-ular app to generate controversy in high schools is Yik Yak. Originally created for college students, Yik Yak is a location-based app where us-

ers can anonymously create and comment on posts. Because anyone can say anything they want with no accountability, the app has become a potential issue in high schools nationwide. Yik Yak is blocked at most high schools for fear of teens writing harmful and inappropriate com-ments. Currently, it’s not blocked at Roaring Fork. When a user downloads Yik Yak, he has to agree to their terms of service before he can read or post any content. The terms of service stipulate that us-ers cannot “defame, abuse, harass, stalk, [or] threaten” anyone or use “racially or ethnically offensive language.” Yik Yik intends their users to respect and

follow these guidelines, but with the way people mindlessly post on the inter-net, coupled with the anonymity provided by the app, following the guidelines has been troublesome for many high school students. Although most of the posts on the Yik Yak feed at Roaring Fork have been respectful and funny, several have not been and could be seen as threatening or offensive, especially to the people named in the posts. Yik Yak can be a very entertaining form of social media when people use it as it was intended to be used: to create and follow conversation, share infor-mation, and discuss local issues. High schoolers should be trusted to follow the guidelines all users agree to. Indeed, many RFHS students have demon-strated their ability to respectfully and maturely use Yik Yak. The Rampage does not believe that the app’s use should be blocked or censored by the administration despite some of the potentially harmful posts. Instead, we want to encourage students to use the app appropriately. Students should not take advantage of being anonymous and should think twice about what they are posting to the world. As long as students can be conscientious of others and respectful of difference, the app should continue to be a fun form of social media and should continue to be allowed at RFHS.

-Rampage Staff

News

6Rampage

November 2014

Opinion

-Maeve O’Donnell-Pax

This is a follow-up news story to questions and feedback The Rampage staff received regarding the opinion piece entitled “The Pledge Creates Con-troversy” published in the October issue. Every morning at Roaring Fork High School, the Pledge of Allegiance is recited over the intercom, and almost all of the student

Pledge issue spans the whole valleybody and faculty stand and face the fl ag. Say-ing the Pledge is part of the everyday schedule at Roaring Fork High School. However, it doesn’t seem to be that way at every school in the valley. Colorado law states that all public schools are required to provide an opportunity for stu-dents to say the Pledge of Allegiance every day. Students do not have to

participate if they don’t want to, but they may not keep other students from participating. Vice Principal of Roaring Fork High School, Kel-sie Goodman, explained that the superintendent of the Roaring Fork School District, Diana Sirko, sent out an email reminding administra-tors to provide the op-portunity if it was not already in place. The email was prompted after a stu-dent at Glenwood High School contacted the principal about not be-ing given the time to say the Pledge of Al-legiance. In the email sent out by Ms. Sirko, she said, “The Board is getting many questions on this and has asked us to make sure that this is happening in all of our schools.” The Ram-page decided to fi nd out what was really go-ing on with the Pledge of Allegiance in other schools. At Glenwood Springs High School (GSHS), where the email origi-nated, Principal Paul Freeman explained that there was no reason that GSHS had not previ-ously offered an oppor-

tunity to say the Pledge other than that no one had ever realized that it was a state law. In a phone interview, Freeman explained his opinion of the Pledge. “The actions of an in-dividual are more im-portant than what they say because otherwise it becomes a pointless activity… It’s a remind-er that it’s not the end of your responsibility,” he said. Freeman con-tinued that the Pledge should be a call to put the needs of a coun-try full of other people above your own. GSHS now incorporates the Pledge into their morn-ing announcements. Basalt High School’s Principal, David

Schmid, claimed they only recently started saying the Pledge, and that “the reaction from our students has been fairly positive.” Student Matthew Wampler, from RFHS, believes in standing and respecting America each morning by say-ing the Pledge of Al-legiance. He says, “[It’s

a] promise that says we will stay as one nation.” Stephanie Alzamora, one of RFHS’ Spanish teachers, agrees that the Pledge is an important way for students and teachers to honor the U.S. and what it stands for, but doesn’t, “believe that we should do it ev-eryday because it loses meaning.”

Yik Yak: Fun and gamesuntil someone gets hurt

Photo by Lucy Stevens

Social media apps frequently rise and fall in popularity. The newest pop-ular app to generate controversy in high schools is Yik Yak. Originally created for college students, Yik Yak is a location-based app where us-

ers can anonymously create and comment on posts. Because anyone can say anything they want with no accountability, the app has become a potential issue in high schools nationwide. Yik Yak is blocked at most high schools for fear of teens writing harmful and inappropriate com-ments. Currently, it’s not blocked at Roaring Fork. When a user downloads Yik Yak, he has to agree to their terms of service before he can read or post any content. The terms of service stipulate that us-ers cannot “defame, abuse, harass, stalk, [or] threaten” anyone or use “racially or ethnically offensive language.” Yik Yik intends their users to respect and

follow these guidelines, but with the way people mindlessly post on the inter-net, coupled with the anonymity provided by the app, following the guidelines has been troublesome for many high school students. Although most of the posts on the Yik Yak feed at Roaring Fork have been respectful and funny, several have not been and could be seen as threatening or offensive, especially to the people named in the posts. Yik Yak can be a very entertaining form of social media when people use it as it was intended to be used: to create and follow conversation, share infor-mation, and discuss local issues. High schoolers should be trusted to follow the guidelines all users agree to. Indeed, many RFHS students have demon-strated their ability to respectfully and maturely use Yik Yak. The Rampage does not believe that the app’s use should be blocked or censored by the administration despite some of the potentially harmful posts. Instead, we want to encourage students to use the app appropriately. Students should not take advantage of being anonymous and should think twice about what they are posting to the world. As long as students can be conscientious of others and respectful of difference, the app should continue to be a fun form of social media and should continue to be allowed at RFHS.

-Rampage Staff

Sports 7Rampage

November 2014

-Carley Moravek

Jasmin Lopez was one of the sophomores on the Varsity volleyball team this year and has had quite the journey in sports. In an

eighth grade basketball tournament, Jasmin broke her left leg. Her freshman year, she had to sit out during basketball season again due to a stress fracture in the same leg. This year, Jasmin is ready to get back out on the court and is hoping play Varsity basketball this year. Jasmin tells her story here.

My leg broke during a basketball tourna-ment my eighth grade year. Then, I had to sit out for my ninth grade basketball season due to a stress fracture. I love playing basketball, but these injuries gave me so much doubt and frustration towards the sport. Since my injuries, all I’ve wanted is to play basketball like I used to. Overcoming my injuries is by far the hardest thing I’ve ever done, both physically and mentally. I was in a full leg cast for two months and then a boot for two more. I lost a lot of muscle in my leg. I had physical thera-py, but not being able to walk or run normal-

Jasmin Lopez: Leaving her cast in the past

As the snow begins to fall and the ski mountains open, freshman Kajsa Sutro is excited to start her ski season. Sutro started ski racing in 2006 when she lived in Sweden. She skied for the Swedish National Ski Team, the same one that her mother, Gella Sutro, did. “When I moved back from Sweden to the U.S., I wanted to keep skiing,” said Sutro. Thus, she joined the Aspen Valley Ski Club ski racing team. This season, Sutro hopes to improve in both the sla-lom and giant slalom events. Her main goal, though, is to achieve better race results in her favorite event, downhill. She also has her eye on the Junior Olympics. “Improving

my times in all three events will hopefully help me qualify,” added Sutro. With her fi rst events happening in December, Sutro will be training especially hard this month.

ly for six months was terrible! Unfortunately, recovering mentally was even harder. I was so angry in the beginning, and my attitude was horrible. I never wanted to play basketball again. I had lost all hope. Sports were and are a big part of my life, and having that taken away from me was dev-astating. Even when I could play basketball last season, I was doubtful that I could ever be a good player again. Over the summer, I was scheduled for a checkup at Valley View Hospital for my left leg. That day was the best day of my life. My doctor informed me that my x-rays and other examinations cleared me for all sports, and I think when I fi nally got 100 percent cleared was when my attitude changed. When I found out I was on Varsity for volleyball this year, I was pretty shocked, but very excited. It was interesting to be a sopho-more on a Varsity team. We overcame many bumps in the road. Being a 5’1” underclass-man playing against 6’2” senior girls was re-ally scary, but a really fun experience. I have a lot of room for improvement, and being a sophomore gives me plenty of time. I am defi nitely playing basketball this year, and I hope to play without any restrictions from my leg. My goal is to play on Varsity for basketball, but now I know things won’t come easy if I don’t work for it. I might not ever be a great player if I continue to dwell on what happened in the past; instead, I want to work hard for success in the future.

Ben Carpenter: Basketball

Headed into his fourth basketball sea-son at Roaring Fork, senior Ben Carpen-ter is more than excited for the season to start. As the top scorer on the team and fi rst-team all-conference last season, he re-fl ected on his: “The past three years have been amazing. I’ve had a great coaching staff and gotten to play with some amaz-ing players.” Carpenter’s fondest memory thus far was winning districts his sopho-more year. “We hope to get back there this year,” he said. Carpenter commented on the this year’s season: “I think if everyone puts

Headed into his fourth basketball sea-son at Roaring Fork, senior Ben Carpen-ter is more than excited for the season to start. As the top scorer on the team and fi rst-team all-conference last season, he re-fl ected on his: “The past three years have been amazing. I’ve had a great coaching staff and gotten to play with some amaz-ing players.” Carpenter’s fondest memory thus far was winning districts his sopho-more year. “We hope to get back there this

in hard work, we can be a success-ful team.” With the senior leader-ship of Carpenter, along with four other returning seniors, Raymundo

Acuna, Raul Leyva, Chering Sherpa, and Adrian Chavez, the season looks optimistic for the Rams. “It’s been a great adventure so far,” concluded Carpenter. With only one season left, the ad-venture is almost over. Come sup-port your Rams as they kick off the season and take on the Eagle Valley Devils on December 5 during the annual Brenda Patch tournament.

-Kristen JoinerAthlete Spotlight: Kajsa and Ben

Kajsa Sutro: Ski Racing

8Rampage

November 2014

Rampage Staff

Editors in Chief

Roy Benge Kristen Joiner

Managing Editor

Finn Featherstone

Photographer

Lucy Stevens

Editorial Staff

Grace BrownKayla DerbyJake KelleyFiona LairdJames Long

Caitlin O’GormanJake RusbyTavia Teitler

Journalists

Bella BaileyHayden Bernot

Elle DerbyEryn Doherty

Carley MoravekMaeve O’Donnell Pax

Kristin PageKatie Weimer

Policy Statement:

Published eight times a year, the student

newspaper of Roaring Fork High School is a public forum, with

its students edito-rial board making all decisions concerning its content. Unsigned editorials express the views of the majority of the editorial board.

As an ongoing column, “Gems of the Valley” will fea-ture Rampage staff picks of the best outdoor spots we think our Rams should stomp their hooves.

As winter begins to roll around, citizens of the Valley are reminded of the cold that silences the air and bites at their fingers. While this chilled won-derland is enchanting, it’s favorable to have the opportunity to warm up. The Penny Hot Springs ,on the Crystal River, is the ideal pad to heat your spirits while still enjoying the cold weather. How to get there: As you’re driving to Red-stone, the hot springs are easily found at a large dirt parking lot on the left side of Highway 133, a few hundred feet north of mile marker 55. What to do: After the short hike down, slip into one of the small manmade baths and let the relax-ation commence! Bring a picnic, some music, and enjoy the warmth amongst the cold. Word to the wise: The water is very warm, but the river and the air will be chilly. Bring swimsuits (officially required), jackets, towels, and river shoes. Barefeet are not recommended. Be sure to watch weak swimmers as the springs are only separated from the Crystal River by rocks. In respect to the land, always remember to leave nothing but footsteps and take nothing but pictures. Happy adventuring!

.Elle Derby

You may have seen some people walking around Carbondale with a glass bottle full of colorful juice. This is because juicing has recently become ex-tremely popular in Car-bondale, with two juic-eries open and another on the way. The juice bars currently open in town are Tonic Juicery (located near Town and Lulubelle) and True Na-ture (located by Town Hall and Misers). Tonic Juicery: The customer service here was amazing. I was greeted right away by a friendly worker, who was enthusiastic to help me. I sampled many different juices includ-ing three mylk juices, two root juices, four refreshers and three green juices. Although all are tasty, my personal favorite was the Cacao Bliss

Gems of the Valley

mylk juice which tasted exactly like chocolate milk. I also really en-joyed the Golden Sun-rise root juice which was a delicious, tropi-cal blend of carrot and orange, as well as the Super Fresh which was not only delicious and fruity but also extreme-ly hydrating. The ambiance of the Tonic Juicery is mod-ern with beautiful wood floors, open windows and a refrigerator full of an assortment of color-ful juices. The prices of the regular juices are $6 for a small juice and $9 for regular size. If you purchase a mylk juice it is $7 for a small and $9 for a regular size. Overall rating: 5/5 be-cause of its nice ambi-ance and great tasting juices.True Nature: There was a very cozy theme in this yoga-fanatical juicery with delicious-smelling in-

cense throughout the building. The customer service here was welcoming as well, with the work-ers helping me sample juices and answering all of my questions. Most of the time, there are six juices in the re-frigerator, one being a seasonal juice such as peach or pumpkin and the rest being year-round. The most popu-lar juices here were the Coconut Rehydrate, the Cashew Milk and the Beet Carrot Ginger. My personal favorite was the Coconut Rehy-drate because the hint of lemon made it zesty while the coconut was smooth. I also enjoyed the Cashew Milk which was very similar to the Cacao Bliss at Tonic Juicery. All juices are sold for $5-9. Overall rating: 4/5 because the juices were great, but they had a limited selection.

Review of Carbondale juiceries

Bloopers• At least eight people will die by be-

ing stomped on by crowds. • C-DOT has proceeded to “fix” ev-

erything else.• The cops feel it necessary to hide

everywhere and scare the crap out of people.

Heard in the Hallways

Woopers• Black Friday is coming.• They finished the Traffic Circle!• The roads have finally opened up

after the construction.

-Grace Brown

Entertainment“Do you ever drink so much coffee that your armpits start to tingle?”“Everyone has crutches now. Let’s put strings across the hallways and trip them all.”

“While you’re busy working out, I’ll be actually LIVING my life and watching Netflix!”“They always look at me like I killed somebody again.” “Ugh, do you ever get this odd feeling where you really don’t want to do something?”