The Rangeview Junior Varsity Poms step out onto the field. There’s clapping, there’s cheering, yet amongst all the noise, the whispers are still heard loud and clear. “Is that a guy?” “What’s he doing down there?” “Is he actually on the team?” The answers are quite simple: yes, that is a guy. Yes, he is on the team and that is exactly why he’s down there.
17 year old Junior Brandon Jones has taken his passion for dance to a whole new level. By actively participating in team events, Jones is officially the first male member of the RHS Poms squad. Many people wonder why he would even want to be on the team. All he had to say about that is “It’s what I love.”
Jones first discovered his passion for dancing around age nine. He started with hip-hop then progressed to different styles, like those taught in Mrs. Tammy Strouse’s Introduction to Dance, a class which he is currently taking.
“The class is kind of what inspired it,” said Jones, referring to his decision to join the squad. Up until that point, the majority of his dancing was hip-hop, but after he tried out different styles, he decided he liked it. He only wishes that he would have tried out for the team sooner.
“I didn’t know boys could try out,” said Jones, “so when I found out at the end of sophomore year, I decided I would.” Although Jones is not the first male to make the team, he is the only one to ever follow through with it.
Instead letting people get to him, he followed his passion and now others are following his path. “I feel like I’m inspiring people,” he said and to him that’s all that matters.
Ever since Jones tried out and made the team, “we’ve had four or five guys ask if they could join,” said Poms instructor Ms. Jennifer Minor. She made it clear that everyone is welcome to try out.
All she said is that since it is primarily a female sport, “when guys dance, they have to dance like guys.” Meaning that males are not permitted to pop there hips, flip their hair or wear rhinestones on their uniforms. “It’s for looks,” said Mrs. Minor. One example she gave was the TV show, dancing with the stars. The men on that show dance fantastically and still manage to look like men.
Brandon doesn’t mind any of the rules, as long as he’s dancing he’s happy. A friend of his, sophomore Missa Parfrey said, “He dances everywhere, even in the halls. It’s just what he does.”
Since he joined, the RHS team has even attracted the attention of members from different schools. Apparently certain school districts do not allow males on the squad because they say it is a “female sport.” This, however, is not true. Mrs. Minor clarified that it is not stated anywhere in the Poms regulations that males cannot participate, there is just a separate set of rules for them. So after hearing about Brandon, one male, who was told he could not participate on his school’s team, decided to try out for the RHS team. Unfortunately he was unable to participate due to the fact that the school he attends has a squad.
Varsity Pom, junior Alyssa Tabar believes this is positive for the team and that it “opens it up for boys. Plus,” she said, “it shows that we aren’t sexist,” which, clearly, is more than some other schools can say.
Principal Pam Turner also believes that this is positive for the school and said “I would like to see more boys on Poms or cheerleading.”
As great as all of this is, not all of the feed back has been so positive. “Guys have negative things to say about it,” said Jones, but he tries not to let it get to him. Several students have said that Poms and Cheerleading are “girls’ sports” and that “he shouldn’t be on the team,” but they refused to be quoted.
Other students, like senior Cody Fleming-Aguilar said that “If he wants to be on the team and is good enough to be on the team, than he should be on the team. Nothing else should matter.”
One of the things that aggravated Jones the most is that several of the rude remarks he has heard were from football players, but as always he said “I keep my head strong and keep walking because in the end, I’m cheering for them.”
Senior Alec Maybin, a RHS varsity football player said, “If the team [Poms] is open for it, then it’s cool. I don’t have a problem with it.”
Varsity football player, senior Brandon Solomon, also agrees that “There’s nothing wrong with it. There should be some guys on the teams.” It turns out that once upon a time, it wasn’t so uncommon to see male faces on the Poms and Cheerleading squads. Today, however, it is pretty rare.
All Jones is asking is for those who are against him to “open your eyes and realize that I’m not hurting anyone, I’m just being who I am.”
Many people have complimented him on his courage and determination and to those people he would like to say “thank you for supporting me and I hope I can make you all happy.”
Brandon is as determined as ever and plans on going out for Varsity next year. “I’ve been told I can do it, I just have to buckle down and keep working hard.” Hopefully he’ll be able to prove that hard work and determination will once again pay off.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
The Finest dining Around R.H.S.
Best of the Best of the Best:
1. Woody’s Wings – The cost might be a little high, but it’s the speed and quality that is being paid for. This is by far the best wing place in Aurora. The mouthwatering wings are amazing, and the quality rocks too.
2. Anthony’s Pizzeria – When it comes to pizza and there isn’t much time to get it, Anthony’s is the place to go. They say it’s not ready in a New York minute but it might as well be. After the order it seems like they are coming out with the slice that was just ordered, and quality is amazing.
3. Carl’s Jr. – By far makes the best burgers for the cost of six dollars and the variety that is offered for the burger is well worth it. There is a burger for everyone’s tastes. Also, the amount that is given is worth more than the price that the company charges for their monstrous burgers and amazing desserts.
4. Massino’s Pizza & Pasta – for a fresh authentic taste of Italian cooking, there is no better. There is everything that a pizza lover and coinsurer would want. The stuffed pizza is amazing and the regular pizza is a taste to remember.
5. Bj’s – This is a good taste of BBQ. It might be a bit expensive but everything is well worth it because of good tast and service
6. Fuddruckers – A five pound burger with fries that never end sounds good. Putting whatever a person wants on a burger is a guy’s dream.
7. Taste of Philly – the bell peppers are grilled and amazingly sweet and the meat is done well.
8. Chilis – A great selection and quality of tasty foods and to die for desserts.
9. Peppino’s Pizzeria – A great slice or calzone that makes the senses go wild.
10. Pudge Brothers Pizza – Great for big taste pizza.
Eat Your Vegetables:
Are you a vegetarian? Are you tired of having nothing to eat at restaurants? Well you no longer have to be deprived of good food when you go out to eat with friends.
If you are looking for fast food that have choices for vegetarians besides french fries, your eyes may be too quick to see the hidden vegetarian burger from the Burger King menu.
Looking for something that does not come with fries? You could always go to Panda Express. Many Panda Express chains have tofu as an entrée choice.
Chipotle and Qdoba also have great vegetarian choices. You can get nachos, burritos, tacos, and burrito bowls all vegetarian. Another quick place to stop by, though a little pricier would be Schlotzsky’s deli. They have a delicious Fresh Veggie Sandwich and a Veggie Special Pizza. Taste of Philly has a fresh menu for a vegetarian that has a Veggie Wrap and a Veggie Hoagie as well.
Next time you are planning on going out to eat with family or friends, there are many choices near by that you can recommend so you can enjoy too. Head over to Chili’s, Ruby Tuesdays, Fudruckers, or Mimi’s Café for their Vegetarian Burger. Mimi’s Café also has a Grilled Veggie sandwich on Ciabatta bread. Old Chicago has a Spinach Artichoke Calzone, the Vegetarian Seven Pizza, and the Vegetarian Chicago Seven Trombonist.
Wings, Cheesesteaks, Asian, Mexican, Pizza; Best Aurora has to Offer:
If you want some top-notch wings in the RHS area, or just some delicious grub, try Woody’s Wings N’ Things on the southeast corner of Buckley Road and Mexico Avenue. Once you try Woody’s, you won’t be able to stop coming back; their sauce alone is enough to send it soaring into the best restaurants in the area. Woody’s friendly service, fair prices, and great sports atmosphere will draw you in just as surely as their wings.
If you’re in the mood for something from the Far East, try the exotic Pho Nyugen on Chambers Road and E. Mexico Avenue. They offer a delicious soup called Pho, dainty rice noodles and thinly sliced beef cooked in broth with green onions served with a spicy sauce. Pho Nyugen has a mellow atmosphere and the right price for the amount of food, only $6.25 for a medium bowl. The tantalizing Pho and Bôba (a frozen drink they also offer) will draw you in day after day.
For the best Philly cheese steak around RHS, look no further than Chester’s Philly Grill on Chambers Road, just north of Iliff Avenue. Chesters’ cheese steaks can be served with such condiments as pickles, peppers, tomatoes, extra cheese or meat, and many other flavor combinations for the most delicious cheese steak short of Philadelphia itself. Chester also offers competitive prices, only around $6.50 for an 8 inch cheesesteak.
If your looking for the best food from south of the border try, Las Hadas located at Hampden Avenue and Chambers Road. Las Hadas offers delectable, authentic Mexican food at a reasonable price, along with a menu of over 100 dinner and lunch items. They also offer a Meal card, buy seven entrees and get the eighth one free, and with a mariachi band that plays Friday nights, it won’t be difficult to quickly rack up eight meals.
For the best slice in the area, go to Anthony’s Pizza and Pasta on Iliff and Buckley. Anthony’s offers tempting New York style pizza by the enormous mouthwatering slice and whole pizzas too. Each slice of NY style pizza is less then $3.00, with $.40 for each of their nearly 20 toppings, and they are big enough for a satisfying lunch or dinner. If Anthony’s pizza wasn’t enough, its close proximity to RHS continues to draw in life-long customers.
Best Bang for Your Buck, Raider:
The best value for food rests in fast food restaurants and buffets.People look for deals in food and they wont find them in places like Olive Garden. Don’t cut out sit down resturants for deals though, they might suprise you. The best places you get a bang for your buck are at Cici’s Pizza, East Cafe, Pizza Hut, and Little Caesars.
Cici’s is an all you can eat buffet for five dollars, that’s a really good deal. Their menu consists of pizza, salad, pasta, and dessert. Cici’s has a wide variety of pizza toppings; pepperoni, Italian style sausage, ham and pineapple, cheese, beef, ham, BBQ, buffalo chicken, Mexican style ole, spinach alfredo, alfredo, macaroni and cheese, pepperoni jalapeno, zesty veggie, classic chicken, zesty pepperoni, zesty ham and cheddar, deep dish, flip pizza, and garlic cheese bread.
East China Café, charges six dollars for a drink and entrée. The entrées are big enough for at least two people to share, and there is also a deal for a group of two. You get a drink, a choice of soup or salad on the house, two appetizer combos, and your entrée. At East Café, there are many choices from pork, seafood, beef, chicken, noodles, and even tofu. East China Café has hot and iced tea, water, and pop for drinks.
Pizza Hut is a good deal with their pizza mia deal. Pizza Hut charges five dollars for a medium pizza with any one topping. Little Caesars charges five dollars for their hot and ready pizzas which are ready in a couple of seconds. The three choices for their hot and ready pizzas are pepperoni, sausage, and cheese.
These deals are the least amount of money for the most food. Though the dollar menu is a good deal it doesn’t give you a lot of food. Subway’s twelve inch sub is a good amount of food, however they charge more if you want a drink and chips. Arby’s five for five deal does give you a ton of food, but it costs more than the other deals once you include tax.
The Best Fast Food In the A-Town:
Do you ever wonder where some of the best fast food is? Sonic is a choice for mouth-watering food, they have a great menu to choose from; you have over three choices you can choose from for a side with your meal such as fries, tots, or onion rings. You can even add chili and cheese to your fries or tots. Sonic also has many flavorful drinks. There are the basic drinks that are at every other fast food place, but at Sonic you can have a mix of anything you want and add flavoring to your drinks. There are also other drinks that are delicious, such as the Mango Breeze and the Ocean Water. There are over three kinds of ice cream sundaes, malts shakes, bunt cakes and blasts. Sonic is the best place to eat at, when your in a time crunch.
Carl’s Jr. also has some of the best tasting fast food some including amazing burgers. Most fast food joints do not have the burgers like Carl’s Jr. some of these burgers are: the Teriyaki burger, the Guacamole Bacon burger, the Jalapeno burger, and the Chili Cheese burger for great prices. At Carl’s Jr. with any burger that is ordered, you can add an extra piece of meat. Carl’s Jr. deserts, including these, are different kinds of shakes and malts, as well as strawberry swirl cheesecake, cookies, and a small chocolate cake. Carl’s sells breakfast that is also delicious. There are breakfast burgers, and breakfast burritos. There is a lot on the menu to eat that all tastes great including the kid’s meals, and the taco salad.
Let’s not forget about Subway, Mr. Jared! Subway is appetizing and healthy to eat. At Subway, there is a choice between premium subs, and classic subs. All the Subs are flavorsome, the Italian BLT, the Philly
Cheesesteaks, and the Subway Melt. All these subs make it hard to choose what you want! Subway is a great choice to eat. If you’re a vegetarian, no worries there are veggie delights. Go and eat the best tasting subs for all a great deal.
Chick-Fil-A is another fast food joint that has some of the finest foods. There are different kinds of wraps you can eat and chicken sandwiches, as well as
tasty trays, like the fruit tray, the chicken nugget trays, and desert trays. They are all exquisite. The milkshakes are also well known for being a delight at Chick-Fil-A. They have some of the best tasting food.
1. Woody’s Wings – The cost might be a little high, but it’s the speed and quality that is being paid for. This is by far the best wing place in Aurora. The mouthwatering wings are amazing, and the quality rocks too.
2. Anthony’s Pizzeria – When it comes to pizza and there isn’t much time to get it, Anthony’s is the place to go. They say it’s not ready in a New York minute but it might as well be. After the order it seems like they are coming out with the slice that was just ordered, and quality is amazing.
3. Carl’s Jr. – By far makes the best burgers for the cost of six dollars and the variety that is offered for the burger is well worth it. There is a burger for everyone’s tastes. Also, the amount that is given is worth more than the price that the company charges for their monstrous burgers and amazing desserts.
4. Massino’s Pizza & Pasta – for a fresh authentic taste of Italian cooking, there is no better. There is everything that a pizza lover and coinsurer would want. The stuffed pizza is amazing and the regular pizza is a taste to remember.
5. Bj’s – This is a good taste of BBQ. It might be a bit expensive but everything is well worth it because of good tast and service
6. Fuddruckers – A five pound burger with fries that never end sounds good. Putting whatever a person wants on a burger is a guy’s dream.
7. Taste of Philly – the bell peppers are grilled and amazingly sweet and the meat is done well.
8. Chilis – A great selection and quality of tasty foods and to die for desserts.
9. Peppino’s Pizzeria – A great slice or calzone that makes the senses go wild.
10. Pudge Brothers Pizza – Great for big taste pizza.
Eat Your Vegetables:
Are you a vegetarian? Are you tired of having nothing to eat at restaurants? Well you no longer have to be deprived of good food when you go out to eat with friends.
If you are looking for fast food that have choices for vegetarians besides french fries, your eyes may be too quick to see the hidden vegetarian burger from the Burger King menu.
Looking for something that does not come with fries? You could always go to Panda Express. Many Panda Express chains have tofu as an entrée choice.
Chipotle and Qdoba also have great vegetarian choices. You can get nachos, burritos, tacos, and burrito bowls all vegetarian. Another quick place to stop by, though a little pricier would be Schlotzsky’s deli. They have a delicious Fresh Veggie Sandwich and a Veggie Special Pizza. Taste of Philly has a fresh menu for a vegetarian that has a Veggie Wrap and a Veggie Hoagie as well.
Next time you are planning on going out to eat with family or friends, there are many choices near by that you can recommend so you can enjoy too. Head over to Chili’s, Ruby Tuesdays, Fudruckers, or Mimi’s Café for their Vegetarian Burger. Mimi’s Café also has a Grilled Veggie sandwich on Ciabatta bread. Old Chicago has a Spinach Artichoke Calzone, the Vegetarian Seven Pizza, and the Vegetarian Chicago Seven Trombonist.
Wings, Cheesesteaks, Asian, Mexican, Pizza; Best Aurora has to Offer:
If you want some top-notch wings in the RHS area, or just some delicious grub, try Woody’s Wings N’ Things on the southeast corner of Buckley Road and Mexico Avenue. Once you try Woody’s, you won’t be able to stop coming back; their sauce alone is enough to send it soaring into the best restaurants in the area. Woody’s friendly service, fair prices, and great sports atmosphere will draw you in just as surely as their wings.
If you’re in the mood for something from the Far East, try the exotic Pho Nyugen on Chambers Road and E. Mexico Avenue. They offer a delicious soup called Pho, dainty rice noodles and thinly sliced beef cooked in broth with green onions served with a spicy sauce. Pho Nyugen has a mellow atmosphere and the right price for the amount of food, only $6.25 for a medium bowl. The tantalizing Pho and Bôba (a frozen drink they also offer) will draw you in day after day.
For the best Philly cheese steak around RHS, look no further than Chester’s Philly Grill on Chambers Road, just north of Iliff Avenue. Chesters’ cheese steaks can be served with such condiments as pickles, peppers, tomatoes, extra cheese or meat, and many other flavor combinations for the most delicious cheese steak short of Philadelphia itself. Chester also offers competitive prices, only around $6.50 for an 8 inch cheesesteak.
If your looking for the best food from south of the border try, Las Hadas located at Hampden Avenue and Chambers Road. Las Hadas offers delectable, authentic Mexican food at a reasonable price, along with a menu of over 100 dinner and lunch items. They also offer a Meal card, buy seven entrees and get the eighth one free, and with a mariachi band that plays Friday nights, it won’t be difficult to quickly rack up eight meals.
For the best slice in the area, go to Anthony’s Pizza and Pasta on Iliff and Buckley. Anthony’s offers tempting New York style pizza by the enormous mouthwatering slice and whole pizzas too. Each slice of NY style pizza is less then $3.00, with $.40 for each of their nearly 20 toppings, and they are big enough for a satisfying lunch or dinner. If Anthony’s pizza wasn’t enough, its close proximity to RHS continues to draw in life-long customers.
Best Bang for Your Buck, Raider:
The best value for food rests in fast food restaurants and buffets.People look for deals in food and they wont find them in places like Olive Garden. Don’t cut out sit down resturants for deals though, they might suprise you. The best places you get a bang for your buck are at Cici’s Pizza, East Cafe, Pizza Hut, and Little Caesars.
Cici’s is an all you can eat buffet for five dollars, that’s a really good deal. Their menu consists of pizza, salad, pasta, and dessert. Cici’s has a wide variety of pizza toppings; pepperoni, Italian style sausage, ham and pineapple, cheese, beef, ham, BBQ, buffalo chicken, Mexican style ole, spinach alfredo, alfredo, macaroni and cheese, pepperoni jalapeno, zesty veggie, classic chicken, zesty pepperoni, zesty ham and cheddar, deep dish, flip pizza, and garlic cheese bread.
East China Café, charges six dollars for a drink and entrée. The entrées are big enough for at least two people to share, and there is also a deal for a group of two. You get a drink, a choice of soup or salad on the house, two appetizer combos, and your entrée. At East Café, there are many choices from pork, seafood, beef, chicken, noodles, and even tofu. East China Café has hot and iced tea, water, and pop for drinks.
Pizza Hut is a good deal with their pizza mia deal. Pizza Hut charges five dollars for a medium pizza with any one topping. Little Caesars charges five dollars for their hot and ready pizzas which are ready in a couple of seconds. The three choices for their hot and ready pizzas are pepperoni, sausage, and cheese.
These deals are the least amount of money for the most food. Though the dollar menu is a good deal it doesn’t give you a lot of food. Subway’s twelve inch sub is a good amount of food, however they charge more if you want a drink and chips. Arby’s five for five deal does give you a ton of food, but it costs more than the other deals once you include tax.
The Best Fast Food In the A-Town:
Do you ever wonder where some of the best fast food is? Sonic is a choice for mouth-watering food, they have a great menu to choose from; you have over three choices you can choose from for a side with your meal such as fries, tots, or onion rings. You can even add chili and cheese to your fries or tots. Sonic also has many flavorful drinks. There are the basic drinks that are at every other fast food place, but at Sonic you can have a mix of anything you want and add flavoring to your drinks. There are also other drinks that are delicious, such as the Mango Breeze and the Ocean Water. There are over three kinds of ice cream sundaes, malts shakes, bunt cakes and blasts. Sonic is the best place to eat at, when your in a time crunch.
Carl’s Jr. also has some of the best tasting fast food some including amazing burgers. Most fast food joints do not have the burgers like Carl’s Jr. some of these burgers are: the Teriyaki burger, the Guacamole Bacon burger, the Jalapeno burger, and the Chili Cheese burger for great prices. At Carl’s Jr. with any burger that is ordered, you can add an extra piece of meat. Carl’s Jr. deserts, including these, are different kinds of shakes and malts, as well as strawberry swirl cheesecake, cookies, and a small chocolate cake. Carl’s sells breakfast that is also delicious. There are breakfast burgers, and breakfast burritos. There is a lot on the menu to eat that all tastes great including the kid’s meals, and the taco salad.
Let’s not forget about Subway, Mr. Jared! Subway is appetizing and healthy to eat. At Subway, there is a choice between premium subs, and classic subs. All the Subs are flavorsome, the Italian BLT, the Philly
Cheesesteaks, and the Subway Melt. All these subs make it hard to choose what you want! Subway is a great choice to eat. If you’re a vegetarian, no worries there are veggie delights. Go and eat the best tasting subs for all a great deal.
Chick-Fil-A is another fast food joint that has some of the finest foods. There are different kinds of wraps you can eat and chicken sandwiches, as well as
tasty trays, like the fruit tray, the chicken nugget trays, and desert trays. They are all exquisite. The milkshakes are also well known for being a delight at Chick-Fil-A. They have some of the best tasting food.
Finding the Strength
hat takes endurance, passion, and a strong and positive mental view of running. This sport is one of the most brutal on the body in terms of physically and mentally hurting yourself. In this sport you run miles and miles without stopping. Some students find that this is their favorite sport while others still think that there is a better way to have fun. Some people think that if you are a cross country runner you are completely crazy. Runners at Rangeview are completely and unconditionally devoted to this sport. For some of them it’s a way to release stress, and others just like the team and see them as the family they never had. Sophomore Victoria Weaver said, “I enjoy it, I like the team, I love the sport because it is a challenge.”
Students need a challenge in their everyday life and some of them need it physically, others mentally. These students need to be academically successful in order to run in a race. Sophomore Alicia Laws said, “Cross country is fun. I live for the satisfaction I get when I finish the race. Knowing that I’ve finished even though I was in so much pain, I still crossed that line.”
Cross Country is not a sport for kids who don’t believe in themselves. It takes a lot to run miles without water or rest. You have to train your body to adapt to the harsh conditions you are put through. Weaver says, “One; you have to be tough. Two’ you have to be in shape and have endurance. Also you need to be very committed and work hard.”
Cross Country has changed lives for so many students, their stress levels have actually dropped because of cross country. Everyone that knows Rangeview Cross Country knows of Rikki Gonzales, but the team as a whole is the bigger part for everybody. The times of all the girls in practice helps determine who is on varsity every week.
This sport is very exciting for the runners and the viewers at the finish line. RHS competes in many different places in Colorado. The good thing about having a state that has so much scenery is when you’re running you’re not seeing the same things over and over and over again. Cross Country is a sport that takes courage, endurance, perseverance, and most of all heart.
Students need a challenge in their everyday life and some of them need it physically, others mentally. These students need to be academically successful in order to run in a race. Sophomore Alicia Laws said, “Cross country is fun. I live for the satisfaction I get when I finish the race. Knowing that I’ve finished even though I was in so much pain, I still crossed that line.”
Cross Country is not a sport for kids who don’t believe in themselves. It takes a lot to run miles without water or rest. You have to train your body to adapt to the harsh conditions you are put through. Weaver says, “One; you have to be tough. Two’ you have to be in shape and have endurance. Also you need to be very committed and work hard.”
Cross Country has changed lives for so many students, their stress levels have actually dropped because of cross country. Everyone that knows Rangeview Cross Country knows of Rikki Gonzales, but the team as a whole is the bigger part for everybody. The times of all the girls in practice helps determine who is on varsity every week.
This sport is very exciting for the runners and the viewers at the finish line. RHS competes in many different places in Colorado. The good thing about having a state that has so much scenery is when you’re running you’re not seeing the same things over and over and over again. Cross Country is a sport that takes courage, endurance, perseverance, and most of all heart.
Raiders Roll Through Gateway with 41-0 romp in the Battle for the Anvil
It is hard to believe now that just 26 years ago Rangeview and Gateway were one school because of how intense the rivalry is between the two schools today.. From their students test scores to the rivalries that are involved within the staff, on each of the sports fields, and even in clubs, Rangeview is always trying to be ahead of Gateway and vise-versa.
Now the schools, separated by just about four miles, are involved in what is known as the “Backyard Brawl” and battle each year for the Anvil trophy which was created from an idea of Rangeview’s Head football Coach Dave Gonzales. The winner of the Varsity football game each year gets to take the trophy home and display it in the hallways of their school as a symbol that they beat their rival school.
“All I know is it is going to be in the Rangeview hallways for now and we’ll figure out the rest later,” Gonzales told the Aurora Sentinel after the teams engaged in the 25th meeting all time on the gridiron. RHS is 13-12 all time against Gateway.
Rangeview dominated this chapter of the rivalry as they won the game in a stunning 41-0 fashion as the Raiders overwhelmingly owned the trenches on both sides of the football. The offense rushed for nearly 400 yards averaging a shade less than 10 yards per carry. Starting running back Jon Matthews ran wild on the Oly defense, he gained 216 yards on only 20 carries and had three touchdowns in the game. Quarterback Jaleel Awini also had his most impressive game of the young season, he added three touchdowns of his own with two on the ground including a 60 yarder, and added another through the air.
The defense held the Gateway offense in check as the Oly’s gained just 145 yards of total offense, 118 of them were by one player.
“We got dominated in every aspect of the game.” Gateway head coach Justin Hoffman told the Sentinel, “It’s not a good feeling whatsoever. They are just better than we are right now.” He later added, “It’s been nice to have that trophy for 365 days, but I just want them to know it’s on loan.”
The Rangeview-Gateway rivalry is the high school equivalent of the Broncos-Raiders, or the “Rocky Mountain Showdown” between CU-CSU, and like these two great in-state rivalries Rangeview vs. Gateway is here to stay and the staffs, students, coaches, players, and those who just watch for entertainment will get to enjoy the “Backyard Brawl” for many years to come, because in case you haven’t noticed student turn-out and attendance in general is always higher when it’s Rangeview-Gateway competing in what ever event they are competing in.
Now the schools, separated by just about four miles, are involved in what is known as the “Backyard Brawl” and battle each year for the Anvil trophy which was created from an idea of Rangeview’s Head football Coach Dave Gonzales. The winner of the Varsity football game each year gets to take the trophy home and display it in the hallways of their school as a symbol that they beat their rival school.
“All I know is it is going to be in the Rangeview hallways for now and we’ll figure out the rest later,” Gonzales told the Aurora Sentinel after the teams engaged in the 25th meeting all time on the gridiron. RHS is 13-12 all time against Gateway.
Rangeview dominated this chapter of the rivalry as they won the game in a stunning 41-0 fashion as the Raiders overwhelmingly owned the trenches on both sides of the football. The offense rushed for nearly 400 yards averaging a shade less than 10 yards per carry. Starting running back Jon Matthews ran wild on the Oly defense, he gained 216 yards on only 20 carries and had three touchdowns in the game. Quarterback Jaleel Awini also had his most impressive game of the young season, he added three touchdowns of his own with two on the ground including a 60 yarder, and added another through the air.
The defense held the Gateway offense in check as the Oly’s gained just 145 yards of total offense, 118 of them were by one player.
“We got dominated in every aspect of the game.” Gateway head coach Justin Hoffman told the Sentinel, “It’s not a good feeling whatsoever. They are just better than we are right now.” He later added, “It’s been nice to have that trophy for 365 days, but I just want them to know it’s on loan.”
The Rangeview-Gateway rivalry is the high school equivalent of the Broncos-Raiders, or the “Rocky Mountain Showdown” between CU-CSU, and like these two great in-state rivalries Rangeview vs. Gateway is here to stay and the staffs, students, coaches, players, and those who just watch for entertainment will get to enjoy the “Backyard Brawl” for many years to come, because in case you haven’t noticed student turn-out and attendance in general is always higher when it’s Rangeview-Gateway competing in what ever event they are competing in.
Get Out of the Way
Have you ever just had the sudden urge to bulldoze people in the hall as a last resort to getting to class? Have you ever felt that RHS needs to add a hallway traffic report to KVUE so you can find the quickest, most appropriate way to get to class? I feel like we should take it to that level, but if you would just get to class and not block the hallways, everything would be superb.
I hate the fact that I’m walking down the hallway to get to my locker and I see people in the hall either standing, talking about nothing, or swapping spit with each other. Did you miss them so much after one period that you have to hold them and make-out in the middle of the hallway? Sadly, I bet that relationship will only last a week, because your significant other will find another hallway to block with someone else.
A wise person once showed me a great way to navigate the halls. Stick your elbows out like a chicken and just plow through this massive group of people, but honestly, I’d rather not have to resort to looking ludicrous while trying to get to my class.
As far as I can see it’s disappointing to see high school students blocking the hallway because they think it’s absolutely cool. Obviously some of you have not realized that this isn’t middle school anymore, and blocking the halls with your nerd-herds and week long relationships goes out of style once you reach the over-capacitated hallways of high school.
It’s time to learn how not to block the hallways, and just get to class. Whip out a piece of paper and write them a note, “slap-hands” in the hallway, wave, wink, blow kisses, or do anything that doesn’t involve stopping the flow of traffic in the halls. You’ll see them later, or during the weekend, so just move your little bodies out of mine and everyone else’s way.
I hate the fact that I’m walking down the hallway to get to my locker and I see people in the hall either standing, talking about nothing, or swapping spit with each other. Did you miss them so much after one period that you have to hold them and make-out in the middle of the hallway? Sadly, I bet that relationship will only last a week, because your significant other will find another hallway to block with someone else.
A wise person once showed me a great way to navigate the halls. Stick your elbows out like a chicken and just plow through this massive group of people, but honestly, I’d rather not have to resort to looking ludicrous while trying to get to my class.
As far as I can see it’s disappointing to see high school students blocking the hallway because they think it’s absolutely cool. Obviously some of you have not realized that this isn’t middle school anymore, and blocking the halls with your nerd-herds and week long relationships goes out of style once you reach the over-capacitated hallways of high school.
It’s time to learn how not to block the hallways, and just get to class. Whip out a piece of paper and write them a note, “slap-hands” in the hallway, wave, wink, blow kisses, or do anything that doesn’t involve stopping the flow of traffic in the halls. You’ll see them later, or during the weekend, so just move your little bodies out of mine and everyone else’s way.
The Unjust Rise of Security
In Rangeview High School, security has continually increased since I was a freshman. In my freshman year there were a few hall monitors and if you had a scholar’s pass they didn’t question where you were going or what you were doing. Sophomore year RHS added the desk at the front entrance and now you need a principal pass to get off campus. Junior year the campus monitors started patrolling the area outside the front door and scholars passes meant absolutely nothing. The campus monitors also began to block the exits of the cafeteria until we were kicked out to go to class. Now in my senior year, there is so much security that it is overwhelming.
Am I the only one who sees the injustice here? Our own school doesn’t trust us enough to let us through the hallways and out the doors without being babysat by adults. The alarms were a ridiculous expense considering the alarm only goes off in that specific area and the office is never alerted of the person exiting. The alarm is just ignored for five minutes and then shuts off. Now I know that the school administration thinks that their making it so that students ditch less, but truly they are just making students ditch longer. Most students would ditch the one class they hate and then go to the rest of their classes, but since there is so much security once the student is out they don’t come back because their guaranteed to be caught. When a student needs to talk to a teacher during their off hour or before school on Wednesdays they can’t because there’s a monitor (who is simply doing their job) blocking the exit telling the student “No, you can’t leave the commons.”
Not only does this security cut students off from opportunities, it also cuts out the community. Often, parents or community members who wish to volunteer at the school has to fill out lots of paper work and give their fingerprints for a background check. No adult wants to do all that to do maybe two hours of work a semester. Then there’s the problem of scanning IDs next year to get in the building. How is the community supposed to be involved if they can’t get into the building? I’m waiting for when I come back to this school and there are electric bolts on every door, no windows, and security guards at every entrance making this no longer a school, but a “safe” penitentiary of learning.
Am I the only one who sees the injustice here? Our own school doesn’t trust us enough to let us through the hallways and out the doors without being babysat by adults. The alarms were a ridiculous expense considering the alarm only goes off in that specific area and the office is never alerted of the person exiting. The alarm is just ignored for five minutes and then shuts off. Now I know that the school administration thinks that their making it so that students ditch less, but truly they are just making students ditch longer. Most students would ditch the one class they hate and then go to the rest of their classes, but since there is so much security once the student is out they don’t come back because their guaranteed to be caught. When a student needs to talk to a teacher during their off hour or before school on Wednesdays they can’t because there’s a monitor (who is simply doing their job) blocking the exit telling the student “No, you can’t leave the commons.”
Not only does this security cut students off from opportunities, it also cuts out the community. Often, parents or community members who wish to volunteer at the school has to fill out lots of paper work and give their fingerprints for a background check. No adult wants to do all that to do maybe two hours of work a semester. Then there’s the problem of scanning IDs next year to get in the building. How is the community supposed to be involved if they can’t get into the building? I’m waiting for when I come back to this school and there are electric bolts on every door, no windows, and security guards at every entrance making this no longer a school, but a “safe” penitentiary of learning.
40 years later People still not believing Moon Landing
Forty years ago history was made; Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon July 20, 1969. Since this amazing accomplishment in the United States History there have been many views and ideas (good and bad) about this event. Many have stated “It was a hoax” or that it was “staged in the deserts of Nevada” Senior Cole Erickson said,”I don’t think they even took off.”
While others argue “why would our government go through all that to lie to us?” or “they wouldn’t fake something that important”. No one can say for sure whether or not this milestone in history actually occurred or not, but it’s been forty years since the landing or the “fake landing” and it’s a big deal.
On Nasa.gov’s homepage they have a link to a whole branch of their site dedicated to the landing and its significance. There are plenty of pictures and info about the Apollo 11 and its mission to the moon, and information about the missions 12, 14, 15, 16 and 17 to the moon after Apollo 11. “I believe that we did land, because at that time we didn’t have the technology to fake a lunar landing” stated Senior Sean Comet.
NASA is a government agency that has been conducting experiments that have all and anything to do with Outer Space since 1958. On NASA’s web site, in their books and on their television programs there is firm evidence that the moon landing really did occur. “Personally I believe that we did make it to the moon, look at all the evidence,” said Senior Sergio DeLaRosa “we have all the technology to accomplish a landing.”
But there are still skeptics about the moon landing and believe very much so that it was completely faked. Common explanations for not believing it are “the pictures don’t look real, the background looks like a set,” “the moon rocks are just props made to look like lunar rocks.” These skeptics believe the reason for the government faking the moon landings is too make the world believe that we were the first country to land a man on the moon.
A question that many people have is “why haven’t we returned if our technology is even better now?” The Government has stated things like money, public disinterest, and the goal being reached of beating the soviets as reasons that a moon landing has not been attempted since Apollo 17.
While others argue “why would our government go through all that to lie to us?” or “they wouldn’t fake something that important”. No one can say for sure whether or not this milestone in history actually occurred or not, but it’s been forty years since the landing or the “fake landing” and it’s a big deal.
On Nasa.gov’s homepage they have a link to a whole branch of their site dedicated to the landing and its significance. There are plenty of pictures and info about the Apollo 11 and its mission to the moon, and information about the missions 12, 14, 15, 16 and 17 to the moon after Apollo 11. “I believe that we did land, because at that time we didn’t have the technology to fake a lunar landing” stated Senior Sean Comet.
NASA is a government agency that has been conducting experiments that have all and anything to do with Outer Space since 1958. On NASA’s web site, in their books and on their television programs there is firm evidence that the moon landing really did occur. “Personally I believe that we did make it to the moon, look at all the evidence,” said Senior Sergio DeLaRosa “we have all the technology to accomplish a landing.”
But there are still skeptics about the moon landing and believe very much so that it was completely faked. Common explanations for not believing it are “the pictures don’t look real, the background looks like a set,” “the moon rocks are just props made to look like lunar rocks.” These skeptics believe the reason for the government faking the moon landings is too make the world believe that we were the first country to land a man on the moon.
A question that many people have is “why haven’t we returned if our technology is even better now?” The Government has stated things like money, public disinterest, and the goal being reached of beating the soviets as reasons that a moon landing has not been attempted since Apollo 17.
What our Media Center can do for you
RHS offers many services to help it’s students get ahead, but some of the best services may be under-utilized or not utilized at all by some students. The RHS Media Center offers several excellent services to the students including the rental of video cameras and calculators, the use of computers, and much more.
The most obvious service that the Media Center offers is checking out some of their over 9,000 books. Books can be checked out 2 weeks at a time, but renewed indefinitely with a $.10 a day late fee.
Additionally, if the Media Center doesn’t have a book thats wanted to checkout, the student can fill out a form and the book will be bought for the Media Center’s collection, within reason. For instance, anything such as a travel book that will be outdated quickly or something that isn’t school appropriate won’t be purchased. The wonderful librarians will also help students find books outside the RHS library to check out.
“Every week or so, I will go to Barnes & Noble and buy books that students have requested, add them to our circulation and possibly get rid of an older book, many of which have been here since 1985 and just aren’t relevant anymore,” said head-librarian Mrs. Yuknas. “I’m always trying to weed out older books, and add more books that students want to read, especially fiction.”
The Media Center also has 35 computers for use to type, research, look at databases, or print for $.10 a page. The easiest time of day is during the resource hour on Wednesdays, and before or after school. Teachers are often signed up for the computers during many of the other periods in the day, and 2,256 students used computers in August alone, even though they are a great resource, don’t always count on computers to use.
However, perhaps the best and most useful service that you can get in the Media Center is the use of databases for research. RHS spends about $5,000 a year on databases for history, geography, government, and literature, and students can get the passwords to these databases by seeing the Media Center staff. These databases allow students to find good, quality information for papers, and projects such as history day.
The Media Center also offers calculators and video cameras that can be rented. Calculators can be checked out just like books, two weeks at a time but renewed indefinitely. Video cameras can also be rented out with parent permission, but only overnight to due battery restrictions, with a $.50 a day late fee.
To access all the wonderful resources offered in the Media Center, students must always have their I.D. cards, and always sign-in at a logbook to count visitors and keep track of students in case of emergency. It is open from 7:15 to 4:15 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, closes at 4:00 on Friday and opens as 7:30 on Wednesdays.
The most obvious service that the Media Center offers is checking out some of their over 9,000 books. Books can be checked out 2 weeks at a time, but renewed indefinitely with a $.10 a day late fee.
Additionally, if the Media Center doesn’t have a book thats wanted to checkout, the student can fill out a form and the book will be bought for the Media Center’s collection, within reason. For instance, anything such as a travel book that will be outdated quickly or something that isn’t school appropriate won’t be purchased. The wonderful librarians will also help students find books outside the RHS library to check out.
“Every week or so, I will go to Barnes & Noble and buy books that students have requested, add them to our circulation and possibly get rid of an older book, many of which have been here since 1985 and just aren’t relevant anymore,” said head-librarian Mrs. Yuknas. “I’m always trying to weed out older books, and add more books that students want to read, especially fiction.”
The Media Center also has 35 computers for use to type, research, look at databases, or print for $.10 a page. The easiest time of day is during the resource hour on Wednesdays, and before or after school. Teachers are often signed up for the computers during many of the other periods in the day, and 2,256 students used computers in August alone, even though they are a great resource, don’t always count on computers to use.
However, perhaps the best and most useful service that you can get in the Media Center is the use of databases for research. RHS spends about $5,000 a year on databases for history, geography, government, and literature, and students can get the passwords to these databases by seeing the Media Center staff. These databases allow students to find good, quality information for papers, and projects such as history day.
The Media Center also offers calculators and video cameras that can be rented. Calculators can be checked out just like books, two weeks at a time but renewed indefinitely. Video cameras can also be rented out with parent permission, but only overnight to due battery restrictions, with a $.50 a day late fee.
To access all the wonderful resources offered in the Media Center, students must always have their I.D. cards, and always sign-in at a logbook to count visitors and keep track of students in case of emergency. It is open from 7:15 to 4:15 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, closes at 4:00 on Friday and opens as 7:30 on Wednesdays.
Rangeview Sees The World
During the 2010 school year Rangeview’s elective classes will be going to the following countries and islands: Hawaii, France, Ireland, Wales and England. Rangeview’s choir classes will be traveling to Honolulu, Hawaii this June. This seven day trip will consist of the group visiting Honolulu landmarks, beaches, shops and will have a well guided tour around the island. The group will also visit a very important landmark, the Pearl Harbor/ Arizona Memorial site as well as the Polynesian Culture Center and the Bishop Museum. On day five students will spend the day on a “Little Island Tour” which consists of Diamond Head lookout, Hanauma Bay lookout, Halona Point/Blow Hole lookout and Pail lookout.
The next school trip is sponsored by French teacher Madame Boyd, though she is still finalizing plans for the fifteen day or three week summer program trip. The trip itinerary may look like this: fifteen or twenty-two days filled with French culture and tours around Paris, sightseeing, as well as special family stays. Depending on which summer program is purchased the two trips will have a different itinerary.
During the fifteen day summer program the students will experience a family stay with a French family for three days. After returning from their family stays students will spend day eight of their trip taking tours around the city. Days nine to twelve students will visit France’s most renowned chateaux and wine cellar of the Loire, St Malo (famous for it’s pirate history and ramparts), Brittany, Honfleur and the rest of the trip will be sightseeing and shopping in the city.
With the twenty-two day summer program, students will be visiting different parts of Paris, France. The first three days students will visit the city with Madame Boyd before their family stays. Same as the other summer program the students will have a whole day worth of tours around the city. Days thirteen to eighteen, students will visit parts of France such as Vichy, Avignon, Provence, Nice and Chamonix. The last two days will be spent sightseeing monuments and museums.
The final trip is to Ireland, Wales and England which will be sponsored by Ms. Minor and Mr. Riggins in the art department. This eight day trip will be spent mainly in Ireland for six days while the rest of the trip is spent in London. The start of the trip will begin in Killarney and students will meet their tour director. Day three, students will go on a Ring of Kerry excursion. Day four the students will travel from Killarney to Dublin where they will visit Blarney Castle. Day five will be a day worth of sightseeing Dublin landmarks beginning with Phoenix Park, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and a few more sites. Students will also, on this day, take a Dublin City walk, ending the night with a traditional public house dinner.
Day six students will travel from Dublin to North Wales and will visit the Snowdonia National Park. Day seven of the trip students will make another trip in traveling to London they will have a Stratford and sightseeing tour. The same day they will also visit Anne Hathaway’s cottage and Shakespeare’s birth place. Day eight will be a guided London sightseeing tour. Students will visit Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, Hyde Park and finally St. Paul’s Cathedral ending the night with dinner at the Hard Rock Café. Sounds like all of these trips are a great opportunity for students to experience culture somewhere other than home.
The next school trip is sponsored by French teacher Madame Boyd, though she is still finalizing plans for the fifteen day or three week summer program trip. The trip itinerary may look like this: fifteen or twenty-two days filled with French culture and tours around Paris, sightseeing, as well as special family stays. Depending on which summer program is purchased the two trips will have a different itinerary.
During the fifteen day summer program the students will experience a family stay with a French family for three days. After returning from their family stays students will spend day eight of their trip taking tours around the city. Days nine to twelve students will visit France’s most renowned chateaux and wine cellar of the Loire, St Malo (famous for it’s pirate history and ramparts), Brittany, Honfleur and the rest of the trip will be sightseeing and shopping in the city.
With the twenty-two day summer program, students will be visiting different parts of Paris, France. The first three days students will visit the city with Madame Boyd before their family stays. Same as the other summer program the students will have a whole day worth of tours around the city. Days thirteen to eighteen, students will visit parts of France such as Vichy, Avignon, Provence, Nice and Chamonix. The last two days will be spent sightseeing monuments and museums.
The final trip is to Ireland, Wales and England which will be sponsored by Ms. Minor and Mr. Riggins in the art department. This eight day trip will be spent mainly in Ireland for six days while the rest of the trip is spent in London. The start of the trip will begin in Killarney and students will meet their tour director. Day three, students will go on a Ring of Kerry excursion. Day four the students will travel from Killarney to Dublin where they will visit Blarney Castle. Day five will be a day worth of sightseeing Dublin landmarks beginning with Phoenix Park, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and a few more sites. Students will also, on this day, take a Dublin City walk, ending the night with a traditional public house dinner.
Day six students will travel from Dublin to North Wales and will visit the Snowdonia National Park. Day seven of the trip students will make another trip in traveling to London they will have a Stratford and sightseeing tour. The same day they will also visit Anne Hathaway’s cottage and Shakespeare’s birth place. Day eight will be a guided London sightseeing tour. Students will visit Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, Hyde Park and finally St. Paul’s Cathedral ending the night with dinner at the Hard Rock Café. Sounds like all of these trips are a great opportunity for students to experience culture somewhere other than home.
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