Chowing down at MHS 'Throwdown' - My High School Journalism

Zak Attack
PC: Politically
correct or
poorly cultured?
by Zak Griffler
Howler Staff
I was enjoying the
beautiful holiday decorum
at the mall, letting
the religiously neutral
music flow through my
body, and watching the non-denominational
winter wonderland about me, when I…
Wait a minute. None of that actually happened.
I’m sure you all notice the giant Christmas
tree that takes up three stories of the
Flatirons Crossing Mall as a symbol to begin
the blitz of the holiday season. It’s a Christmas
tree. No wait, that might be insulting
to… someone. It’s a Holiday tree. God forbid
I mistake it with a Chanukah Bush.
Does anyone else feel like political correctness
has gotten just a tad out of hand in
the holiday season? Well, I can understand
“holiday season.” There are multiple holidays
to celebrate in the holiday season. But
when someone starts to relish in their lighting
of the holiday candles (all nine of them),
or placing gifts around the holiday shrub, it
gets a bit stupid.
I asked five students about their views
about political correctness. First, I showed
Photo provided by Sean Welch
Monarch thespians
compete in Denver.
Page 3
CONTINUED PAGE 4
Volume 11 * Issue 3 * December 8, 2008 * Monarch High School * 329 Campus Drive * Louisville, CO 80027
Photo by Collin Walentine
Junior Elliot Porter, left, and sophomore Ryan Muller eat their chicken at Monarch’s Thanksgiving Throwdown. Their team, “The Pirates,” which included seniors Timo Provosty and Dan
Zawacki, took fifth place at this year’s holiday themed version of Grande Fest.
Chowing down at MHS ‘Throwdown’
by Collin Walentine
Sports Editor
During the November holidays, Americans
tend to over-indulge on turkey with
mashed potatoes and gravy along with
other delightful dishes. However, the competitors
of Monarch’s Thanksgiving Throwdown
took the term “stuffing your face” to
a new level.
On Nov. 20, teams of four came to
the MoHi cafeteria to consume an entire
Thanksgiving meal consisting of a whole
chicken, a can of cranberry sauce, a plate
of mashed potatoes, and cornbread. But
INSIDE...
Why Monarch seniors must
“get dry.”
Page 5
they didn’t have any time to enjoy it because
they had to eat it as fast as they
could.
In previous years, the annual eating
contest was called Grande Fest and possessed
a completely different feel to it.
With Grande Fest, teams of four would eat
a fiesta platter from Taco Bell, containing
an assortment of tacos, burritos and rice.
However, since the time of the contest was
in close proximity to Thanksgiving, student
council decided to make the food consistent
with the holiday.
Photo by Morgan Kozin Photo by Asia Kennebrew
Feeling flummoxed
this finals season?
Page 8
CONTINUED PAGE 6
More Thanksgiving Throwdown
pictures and information inside!
See Page 6
INDEX
News: 2-3
Opinions: 4-5
Features: 6-7
A&E: 8-9
Sports: 10-11
Fun & Games: 12
Photo by Collin Walentine
Seniors Ethan Hodgson and Collin Wooldridge eat until
they’re full-and then some-at the Thanksgiving Throwdown.
Their team took fourth place.

Page 2 News
Meeters and Greeters: Monarch adds to the front entrance
by Megan Chu
Howler Staff
In many cases, a school’s environment
can be confusing, especially for visitors. It
is easy to get lost in the mazes of hallways
and difficult to find the correct destination.
To eliminate this confusion and add security
to the front entrance, the administrators and
parents at Monarch have put into place a volunteer
table to greet visitors.
Located just through the main doors by
the cafeteria, the table is in a central spot to
intercept those who are unfamiliar with the
school and direct them where they need to
go. There are currently 34 parent volunteers
who have taken it upon themselves to help
the school by becoming greeters and working
the volunteer table.
“I think [the volunteers] are here to encourage
a more welcoming and friendly environment,”
parent volunteer Melinda Myrick
said.
Assistant Principal Julie Wheeler agrees.
“It’s a nice way to get parents to be connected,
but not in their kids’ space,” she
said.
by Chrissy Lowe
Howler Staff
Anna Van Stelten, a 2003 graduate from
Monarch, has dedicated her first published
article about an acid she designed to the
MHS Science department and all its teachers.
Van Stelten’s article will be printed in the
Applied and Environmental Microbiology
Journal. The article will come out in the December
issue of 2008.
“I basically designed a genotyping acid that
detects virulence, attenuating mutations in a
gene in a food borne listeria monocyclogen,”
Van Stelten said.
And for those who don’t speak the science
lingo, she designed an acid that will find mutations
in bacteria in food. This way food can
When a visitor signs in at the table, the
volunteer will radio the front office to let
them know that somebody is coming. Volunteer
Lana Fauver says that most people have
NHS check ceremony: Student organization fights cancer
Photo by Evanne Montoya
Senior NHS officers (from left) Alyssa Chrisholm, Morgan Kozin, Erin Brophy, Varun Natraj and Kelsey Prestesater receive the
check from Monarch treasurer, Shirley Nemanic (center).
Photo by Megan Chu
Parent volunteer Lana Fauver helps a visitor sign in at the front table. The welcome table is a new addition to the front entrance.
This new addition will provide safety, get people connected, and will give a more comforting feel to the front of the building.
be detected for any mutations.
Van Stelten felt that she owed the Science
department a big thank you for preparing her
for such a tough field. She especially wanted
to thank Monarch teacher Lazlo Vass.
“I wouldn’t be where
I am today without Mr.
Vass,” Van Stelten
said. “He really cares
and is an amazing
role model.”
Van Stelten said
Vass was the one per-
son that guided her into science and inspired
her to major in molecular genetics.
“Every time I accomplished something, I
always thought [Vass] would be proud,” she
said.
been very friendly about it and don’t mind
signing in and out.
The other reason for the greeters is to
keep the school safe. Although this is a good
Van Stelten took every AP science class the
school offered: AP Chemistry, AP Physics, AP
Biology, Anatomy, and Research Seminar.
“Monarch definitely helped me prepare for
college,” Van Stelten said. “It really helped
my first year. I recommend that anyone interested
in science take all the [AP] classes
offered [at Monarch].”
Currently, Van Stelten is at Colorado State
University working on new research. She
hopes to continue on her voyage into the science
research realm and succeed beyond
the limits that stand in front of her.
For all those who wish to succeed in the
science world or wish to be apart of any type
of research, Van Stelten is the perfect
role model for students to admire.
fingle.chrissy@gmail.com
by Evanne Montoya
Editor in Chief
Monarch’s National Honor Society mailed
a $500 check to the American Cancer Society
Nov. 18. The money was raised by last
year’s chapter of NHS through the Prelay for
Life.
NHS is an organization designed to recognize
outstanding high school students
who have demonstrated excellence in the areas
of scholarship, leadership, service, and
character. There are more than one million
members between NHS and its middle school
counterpart, National Junior Honor Society.
“Last year so much was going on at the
end of the year that the previous NHS wasn’t
able to donate the money, so we are finishing
what they started,” said NHS secretary
Kelsey Prestesater.
Seniors and NHS Co-Presidents Erin Brophy
and Varun Natraj thought sending the
check would be a good way for the club to
start the year. They expect that the group will
be more effective this year due to changes
cause, some students are not convinced that
the volunteer table will be that helpful.
“I really doubt that it’s going to make the
difference between whether we’re safe or
not,” senior Taylor Kennedy said.
Sophomore Caellagh Morrissey agrees, to
some extent.
“I appreciate the school looking out for us,
but some of the safety precautions are excessive,”
she said.
Often the volunteers have a difficult time
differentiating between the students and
other visitors.
“Sometimes it’s hard,” Fauver said. “A lot
of the students look so old and I’ll ask them
to sign in by accident.”
“One day I was wearing clothes that made
me look older and I got stopped by a volunteer,”
Kennedy said.
Despite minor challenges, the parents
enjoy being connected with the learning
environment and are glad to know they are
making a difference in the safety of their students’
school.
meganchu@earthlink.net
MHS graduate student thankful for experiences in high school
Van Stelten
that have been made to the organization of
the group.
“Something new we did this year was to
split the members into four sub-committees
so people have more of a chance to get projects
done,” Brophy said.
Each group is in charge of one of the traditional
events, as well as coming up with new
projects to complete.
This year NHS has already organized a
blood drive and begun a fundraiser to provide
money to finance the club for the year
and buy a senior gift for the school. They will
also organize other events throughout the
year, including school improvement projects
as well as a second blood drive and the Prelay
for Life, both of which will take place in
spring.
One event that NHS is organizing for the
first time is the Teddy Bear Drive which will
take place Dec. 9-19. They will be collecting
new and gently used stuffed animals in
boxes around the school to be donated to the
Salvation Army.
evy224ever@juno.com
Photo provided by Anna Van Stelten
Anna Van Stelten dedicated her first published article to the
MHS science department.

News Page 3
Early graduation: students decide to finish up sooner than most
by Lorne Fultonberg
Editor in Chief
While the majority of Monarch’s student
body scrambles to study for finals in May
and attempts to fight the urges of “senioritis,”
there are several students each year why
don’t have to worry about it.
Typically, 15 to 20 seniors graduate at
semester each year but only 11 are doing so
this year.
“Some students really are ready to move
on with their lives, and for all the right reasons,
it’s the right decision for them,” said
Monarch Counselor Janice Dempsey. “It’s
very individual. There’s a lot of discussion
with [the students] and their parents to make
sure it’s the right decision.”
Senior Jordan Bornstein is one of the 11
students graduating after first semester this
year.
Bornstein says that ever since his brother
graduated early from Monarch he began
thinking about doing it himself. Now that he
has gotten his mandatory credits out of the
way, he feels that graduating early will prepare
him better for his life after high school.
“My availability at work can increase dras-
by Cheyenne Michaels
Howler Staff
Forty-eight Monarch thespians attended
the Colorado Thespian Conference in Denver,
on Dec. 4-6, for three days of workshops,
competitions and fun. The conference was
open to all dedicated high school theatre
students from Colorado, Wyoming, and New
Mexico and is an annual event that the Monarch
thespians have attended every year
since the school opened.
For the first time in Monarch’s history, its
fall production was entered to perform at
the conference. The fall play, “Dracula,” was
judged during its Friday and Saturday night
performances, without the cast and crew’s
knowledge, by a representative from the
Colorado Thespians. Although they were not
selected to perform on the main stage at the
conference, they put on what some are calling
Monarch’s best play to date.
“If we had been selected, we would have
performed in front of the whole state delegation
of Colorado Thespians, which is about
3,000 people,” said Gwendolyn Lukas-Doctor,
the head director of “Dracula.” “If they
liked us there we could have potentially been
entered to perform at a national level in Lincoln,
Nebraska over the summer.”
Having never entered to perform a fullstage
production at the conference, the cast
tically, and I will be able to make a decent
amount of money before college,” Bornstein
said. “Having the chance to relax one last
time before college and my entire professional
future will help me in the long run.”
Senior Taylor Hughes also looks forward to
having a little down time before college.
“You have a lot of free time. If you want to
work, you can make a lot of money. It’s like
summer,” she said.
The majority of the time, students decide
to graduate early to get a job so they can
begin saving money for college, though that
certainly isn’t always the case.
“I’ve had students graduate at semester
because they want to accomplish a personal
goal like climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, and I have
had students really truly do that,” Dempsey
said.
So, if practically every student has an opportunity
to get out of school early, why don’t
more graduate early?
“The biggest disadvantage is that rite of
passage that really happens,” Dempsey said.
“I believe ‘senioritis’ is real and you don’t get
to really experience it until after spring break;
a lot of students who finish at semester will
tell you there’s no pomp and circumstance.
and crew of “Dracula” put in extra time and
energy to make their show worthy of performing
for such a large audience by including pyrotechnics
and increasing funding, and vintage
set pieces. Technical Director Brian du
Fresne and the crew of “Dracula” spent late
evenings working on the technical aspects
of the show. If chosen, the technical work in
its entirety would have needed to have been
transferred to Denver.
“To be honest, it would have been a headache
because if we had been selected, we
would have had to transport our entire set
to downtown Denver and everyone needs to
register for the conference. It’s a lot of work
but it’d be worth it,” Lukas-Doctor said.
Registering became an issue when the
judges announced their decision later than
was expected. The scheduled date of announcing
was postponed until Nov. 14, which
was four days after the registration for all attendants
was due.
Students can also compete in individual
categories against other thespians from
around Colorado. The areas of competition
include monologue, duet acting, solo/duet
musical theatre, group musical theatre,
group acting, mime, costume design and
construction, theatre marketing, and scenic,
lighting, and sound design.
Many Monarch thespians participated in
the competitions, including senior and Mon-
There’s no celebration going on at that time, so
it feels a little empty.”
Though some seniors choose to leave the
school early, they are not completely separate
from their class. All graduating seniors walk together
to receive their diplomas at graduation,
regardless of when they graduated. Early graduates
are also allowed to attend the school’s
prom.
The school offers the opportunity for a potential
graduate to change their mind up until
the very end of the semester.
Pros Cons
There is less time to feel senioritis. Students may feel isolated from other
students in their graduating class.
You will have time to save money and
earn money.
Thespian Conference: Monarch theater students strut their stuff
arch Thespian Secretary Rachel Briggs.
“Competing at the thespian conference is
my favorite part. I really love getting to show
everyone that acting is something that I’m
passionate about,” Briggs said.
This year, she competed in the monologue
category, which required her to perform two
contrasting monologues.
Actors receiving an “outstanding” grade
are given the honor of qualifying to compete
at the national level or showcasing, where
they get to perform in front of all of the attendants
at the conference on the final night.
You don’t get the same
second semester senior-year
experiences.
There is more time to relax. You can’t participate in school
activities/athletics.
Photo provided by Sean Welch
The thespians take a group photo after the thespian conference of 2007.
The decision to graduate early is very individual
and is certainly not for everyone,
but those who do graduate at semester
usually have few regrets and are typically
satisfied with their decision.
“I definitely do not regret graduating
early,” said 2008 Monarch graduate Allie
Mohar. “If you feel you’ve done your best
for four years of high school and you want
to reap the benefits early, go for it. I loved
my second semester off, and I wouldn’t go
back and change anything.”
Photos provided by Amanda Graninger
Although they no longer attend classes at Monarch, seniors can still attend things like graduation and prom despite their decisions to graduate early. However they cannot participate in athletics or other activities. For reasons ranging from working toearn
money to climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, approximately 15 to 20 students graduate early each year. The decision is largely an individual one, and students have varying regrets about their decision to graduate early.
Last year, 2008 Monarch graduate Matt
Cantwell showcased his solo musical theatre
song. He also qualified for nationals in
the duet musical theatre category with fellow
Monarch graduate Devyn Cordes.
“Even though I wasn’t competing, I learned
a lot through the workshops,” said sophomore
Desiree Garneau, who attended the
conference both this year and last year.
Some of the optional workshops were
Playwriting, Acting on Film, Yoga for Actors,
Improvisation, Swing Dancing, and Stage
Combat.
“The thespian conference
is a time for thespians
to get together with
other people from around
the state so they can meet
new people and go to
workshops taught by professionals
that vary in different
topics,” Monarch
Thespian President Josh
Hickernell said.
The thespian conference
is an opportunity for the
thespians to be educated
in workshops, show off
their talents, and observe
theatre in action.
cmichael1656@bvsd.org

Page 4 Opinions
Griffler: Political correctness of holiday spirit
Photo provided by Creative Commons
A Christmas tree? A holiday bush? A Chanukah shrub? Regardless of name, a decorated
pine symbolizes winter celebrations.
Is summer fashion really worth the frostbite?
By Asia Kennebrew
Howler Staff
Dressing appropriately
during the colder months
of the year comes naturally
to most. Our mothers
tell us to layer and
put on our gloves and mittens during our
youth. But somehow as we grow older, we
seem to lose this common sense ingrained
in us at an early age. It’s a teenage phenomenon.
Whether it’s wearing short skirts in
winter, or sandals in the snow, some deem
winter jackets and snow boots unnecessary.
Of course it is not for me to say who can
wear what, or criticize those who choose to
walk out of their house in shorts, flip-flops
and a T-shirt when it’s 20 degrees outside.
Clothing is a personal choice and everyone
has the right to put on whatever they feel like,
that is not my business. It does become my
problem when these people begin to complain
during a fire drill in the snow, or when
they’re waiting outside for the bus. It is a personal
choice they made, so why should fellow
classmates suffer the long complaints of how
cold it is in the classroom? Of course it’s going
to be cold if you are wearing shorts in the
middle of December.
It is not as though wearing more clothing
and covering up during the long winter
months has to be unfashionable, uncool or
ugly. There are many different options students
have that can save toes from being
frostbitten or legs from freezing in the winter
chill.
“I’m not stupid,” junior Angelica Greene
said. “I don’t want to get sick.”
Although not dressing warmly doesn’t run a
risk of giving one a cold, hypothermia and the
more common frostbite are risks involved.
Sophomore Liz Long agrees, though she
herself admits to sometimes wearing these
types of things.
“If I don’t think it’s too cold I might wear
shorts or short sleeves,” Long said.
(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1)
them the picture as portrayed at left.
Upon the unanimous response of “A
Christmas tree,” I asked them their
opinion about the tree if it were, on
the contrary, a holiday shrub.
“I’d say you’re trying too hard,”
senior Eliza Brennan said.
“I would laugh,” sophomore Megan
Dunlop said.
Senior Walker Christian was none
too pleased.
“It’s a Christmas tradition, so why
should it be anything other than a
Christmas tree?” he said. “Are there
Kwanzaa trees?”
When I asked him if he’d alter the
amount of political correctness surrounding
the holidays, he seemed
to feel less than concerned about
the subject.
“Has anyone ever been offended
by a Christmas tree?”
Sophomore DJ Fries was also a
little put off by the euphemistic intentions
of being politically correct.
“Beliefs don’t need to be ‘correct,’”
he said.
But what exactly is too cold? It’s subjective,
of course. Students should wear what’s
right for them. They should dress appropriately
for themselves so they won’t be cold.
Other students were a bit less
passionate about their choice of
words.
“I believe ‘apathetic’ would be a
good word,” said junior Riley Walker,
when asked about how he felt
about political correctness and the
holidays.
And perhaps that is the best
word in all this. I asked the students
whether they’ve personally been
offended by a lack of political correctness
surrounding the holidays.
Nobody interviewed seemed to care
too much. But seriously now, it’s OK
to say “Merry Christmas” or “Happy
Chanukah” or “A most bodacious
Solstice” once in a while, I promise.
In fact, it shows respect if you took
the time to know what someone
celebrates in the first place, rather
than blanketing them in a stifling
remark of “Happy Holidays!”
Whatever you’re celebrating this
holiday season, have a good one.
notzak@gmail.com
Photo by Asia Kennebrew
A melange of flip-flops, ski jackets, sweatshirts and tank tops are seen around Monarch even through the winter season. Poor
choices in dress have often left students complaining of cold during class.
And if they just have to wear that T-shirt, they
should bring a jacket.
regalprettiness@gmail.com
The Howler
Editors in Chief...................................................................Lorne Fultonberg and Evanne Montoya
News editor....................................................................................................................Molly Olson
Opinions editor.........................................................................................................Veronica Baker
Features editor........................................................................................................Colleen Sherman
A&E editor................................................................................................................Megan Moran
Sports editor...........................................................................................................Collin Walentine
Staff members...........................................Alexis Acosta, Megan Chu, Leah Fultonberg, Zak Griffler,
..............................................................Asia Kennebrew, Morgan Kozin, Ariel Lewis, Chrissy Lowe,
.......................................................................Cheyenne Michaels, Brock Millington and Ashley Ward
Business manager.......................................................................................................Chrissy Lowe
Advisers................................................................................Elaine Grace and Brandon Gullicksrud
The Howler is the official student newspaper of Monarch High School. Opinions expressed in the Howler are solely those
of the writers and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Monarch High School, its employees, faculty members,
teachers or students, or the Boulder Valley School District.
The staff welcomes suggestions, articles, letters and editorials, which may be dropped off to Room L205B or emailed to the
Howler at mhshowler@yahoo.com.
Some material courtesy of American Society of Newspaper Editors/MCT Campus High School Newspaper Service.
Question of
the month
by Veronica Baker
Opinions Editor
“What do you
think of the
‘09 Get Wet’
controversy?”
Photo by Veronica Baker
Senior Alex Maxfield
“I think it’s stupid, and since everyone’s
made a big deal out of it,
it makes us look childish.”
Photo by Veronica Baker
Junior Devin Romano
“Well, they’re just setting the bar
for ‘1-0 Get Low!’”
Sophomore DJ Fries
“More power to ‘em.”
Photo by Veronica Baker
Photo by Veronica Baker
Language arts teacher
Gwendolyn Lukas-Doctor
“I think there are far greater things
to be worried about than fighting the
man and/or fighting the students
about a T-shirt.”

Opinions Page 5
Get what?! Monarch seniors create t-shirt controversy
by Morgan Kozin
Howler Staff
Each year the senior
class comes up with a
chant. Two years ago,
it was “007” and last
year’s was “’08 Feelin’
Great.” This year’s, however, has created a
rush of controversy— not only at Monarch,
but also in the Denver-Metro area.
I’ve waited three long years to be a senior,
playing with possible slogans since sophomore
year. Never, though, had I imagined
“’09 Get Wet” would be what I heard at pep
assemblies, football games, in the halls and
especially on the news. I haven’t waited three
years to be remembered as the “Get Wet”
class at our 10-year reunion.
Maybe the claim that there was no meaning
intended to go with the phrase is true,
but in reality, the word “wet” has multiple
meaning— a majority of which I cannot go
into detail about in a high school newspaper.
Definitions range from being covered in water
to having sexual and/or drug references.
Whether or not it was intended to have sexual
or drug-related connotations, “Get Wet” is
one of those phrases that is open to crude
interpretations, particularly in a high school
setting.
Senior Senate President Olivia Heel makes
a valid point when she asks what the point
of wearing the shirts and chanting “Get Wet”
at school events is if there is no meaning to
it. A senior chant is supposed to have significance.
In addition to making a statement about
the seniors, these chants are meant to unify
the class. Aside from the vulgarity, “Get Wet”
has done just that. This year’s senior class
has struggled with unification through the
years, and the controversy has brought us
together with something to fight for. Not ev-
eryone agrees with the slogan, but it’s given
us an excuse to stand together as one.
When senior shirts promoting the slogan
were distributed at school without permission,
Monarch administration called all seniors
wearing the shirts to the auditorium.
Each student’s parents were called and they
were told to replace the shirts with schoolappropriate
attire. Some students were upset
with how the administration handled the
situation and encouraged local newspapers
and statewide news shows to feature the issue,
thus creating more controversy between
the senior class and the MHS faculty.
“Honestly, if the administration hadn’t
reacted like they did and simply said, ‘Hey,
could you take them off,’ it probably would
have been over pretty fast,” senior Sean
Graninger said. “But because of the harsh
way they reacted, it upset a lot of the seniors.
The ‘’09 Get Wet’ movement has just begun,
and it’s only getting bigger.”
In the past, Monarch students have felt
completely disrespected by the administration.
The “Get Wet” crusade has become a
sort of rebellion. What we need to realize is
that the administration this year is new to
Monarch. Principal Jerry Anderson and As-
sistant Principal Scott Cawlfield are being
punished for wrongs they didn’t commit and
histories they can’t change, so give them a
break.
I completely understand where the supporters
of “Get Wet” are coming from, but as
seniors, we have to realize that we represent
Monarch more than anyone else and are supposed
to be role models to the underclassmen.
While this may be a joke right now, do
we really want to be remembered as the “’09
Get Wet” senior class for years to come?
mkozin13@yahoo.com
Un-deck the halls and cut out the lights on the holiday season
by Leah Fultonberg
Howler Staff
One of the best parts
about the holidays is to
drive or walk through the
neighborhood and look
at the decorations, but
sometimes, they can get a little extreme. I
admit that I enjoy seeing how bright the decorations
are, but I think some people can go a
little crazy.
I remember one year, on a sunny October
day, I was walking home from a friend’s
house and my neighbor asked me to help him
set up his Christmas lights and various other
decorations. I politely refused and kept walking,
wondering why he wanted to set up his
Christmas decorations in October. Later on
in the month, I walked by again at night and
the house was practically glowing. It was ridiculous
for the house to be that bright and
decked out that early.
I find it a little absurd to start setting up
before Thanksgiving, but also I think people
waste so much time and money setting up
decorations. Really, someone goes all out to
decorate for the holiday, and it only lasts for a
day. I mean, come on. What’s the point?
Photo by Morgan Kozin
Seniors Ari Liston, Taylor James, Shane Wheeler, and Sean Graninger hang out at Heritage Park in Louisville wearing the spirit shirts and headbands banned at Monarch. Administrators warned
that any student wearing a “Get Wet” shirt to school would recieve a two-week suspension.
Freshman Ali Laouar believes that people
express their feelings for the holiday with how
much or how little they decorate.
“If people put up a lot of decorations, they
have a lot of love for the holiday. If people
don’t, they don’t have as much love for it,” he
said.
Junior Zach Steinbaugh also thinks decorations
play a major role in holidays.
“[Decorations] are very essential to celebrations…
especially the lights,” he said.
That being said, decorations are great in
moderation. But if I’m not mistaken, I’ve
heard that Christmas is the time of giving.
What are people giving to the rest of the community
by setting up extravagant displays in
their yards? Sure, they give holiday cheer and
state that the holidays are coming, but some
houses scream it to the heavens. That can
be too much. If people own a calendar, they
don’t need any help figuring out that the holidays
are coming.
Christmas falls into the category of crazy
decorations, and if Laouar’s speculation is
correct, then people must have a lot of love
for Christmas. The blinding lights, giant Santas
and reindeer situated on rooftops and inflatable
Frosty the Snowmen and snow globes
are a little over the top. Often, people get so
into the holidays that
families have problems.
“One year, my dad
fell trying to put up our
Christmas lights. He was
ok though,” Steinbaugh
said.
Sibling rivalry occurs
as well.
“Every single year, my
brother and I decorate
the tree together. I always
want it my way.
He always bunches the
ornaments together so
I have to go and spread
them out. I can’t remember
a year we haven’t
fought,” senior Erin Brophy
said.
I think decorating
can be fun, but in moderation.
There’s always
room for some holiday
spirit, but sometimes it
just needs to be toned
down.
lfultonb7731@bvsd.org
Photo by Leah Fultonberg
Before the turkey was even served up on Thanksgiving, the trees of Superior are aglow.
Town decorations were seen as early as the beginning of November.

Page 6 Features
‘Tis the season to not be shaving: November’s furry reign of terror
by Colleen Sherman
Features Editor
Leonardo da Vinci, Abraham Lincoln, Michelangelo
Buonarroti and Albus Dumbledore
are all considered great men, and they all
seem to be linked by one uniting force: great
facial hair, something which has recently been
seen around the halls of Monarch. The first
week in November marked the beginning of
scruffy faces, the hallmark of an annual tradition
known as No Shave November.
No Shave November is a marathon of manliness,
a strike on shaving for the entire month.
Some people do it for a sports team, such as
Week 1
Week 1
MHS football players for the state playoffs.
Others participate for attention. According to
NoShaveNovember.org, this annual holiday
was actually dedicated to Darfur genocide
awareness this year. No matter what the reason
for participating, this November was a
razor-free spectacle to see.
Unfortunately, No Shave November is only
an option for a few mature students who have
the ability to grow facial hair.
“It’s kind of like asking a bald man to have
long hair; if you’ve got it you can flaunt it. But,
if not, then you might try choosing something
else,” history teacher Andrew Buhse said.
Buhse is a noted member of the bearded com-
Students throw up at ‘Throwdown’
(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1)
Many teams felt this
contest wouldn’t come
down just to a team’s
ability to eat, instead,
they thought whoever
had the best strategy
would be victorious.
“We are going to mix
the cranberry sauce with
the mashed potatoes to
combine the two nasty
foods into one,” junior
Tyler Slade said.
Some of the better
teams in this year’s
contest included Team
Boss, the Dilfers, Tyler
and the Phaties and The
Taylor Swift Groupies, who all finished the
meal in around seven minutes.
However, their creative names and uniforms
Sophomore Ryan Muller finds out that mashed potatoes
look as good coming up as they do going down.
Week 2
Week 2
Photo by Collin Walentine
couldn’t overcome the
sheer eating ability of
the Big Boiiis. Freshmen
Adan Morquecho,
Travis Schlueter, Kenny
Dienst, and Ian Steele
ate the entire meal in
an astonishing time of
5:37.
“I kinda want to go
again so I can eat some
more,” Schlueter said
after his turn.
This year’s contest had
everything an eating fan
could want. There was
food eaten off the floor,
faces crammed full,
and plenty of vomit. It’s
all part of the unique
Monarch eating tradition known as theThanksgiving
Throwdown.
buffboy1991@yahoo.com
Monarch High School Final Exam Schedule
(Good Luck) Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
7:30-
9:00
9:05-
11:20
11:20-
12:05
12:10-
2:25
2:30-
3:00
Tutor
Time
Period 1
Exam
Tutor
Time
Period 2
Exam
Tutor
Time
Period 3
Exam
Tutor
Time
Period 4
Exam
Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch
Period 5
Exam
Tutor
Time
Period 6
Exam
Tutor
Time
Period 7
Exam
Tutor
Time
Make-up
Exams
Make-up
Exams
munity at Monarch who strives for a Chuck
Norris look.
Seniors Alex Puldy and Chris Contini are two
students who pride themselves on their ability
to grow full beards. Contini is a No Shave
November veteran, but this was Puldy’s first
year participating. They turned the event into
a full-on competition, Puldy aiming for a Jack
Sparrow look and Contini attempting a Sean
Connery appeal.
“It’s nice knowing that I can grow facial hair
a lot better than my friends,” Contini said.
Undisputedly, there is a sense of pride within
the male, beard-growing community when
it comes to who can grow the best facial hair.
Week 3
Week 3
Teacher features: Weird science
by Leah Fultonberg
Howler Staff
Have you ever wanted to know more about
some of the members of the Monarch Science
department? Well, here’s your chance.
Laszlo Vass, Dave Thomas, Kristin Donley, John
Stillian, Peter Shannon, and Kevin Lowe admit
that at one point, they were in high school…
just like you.
Q: Was science your favorite subject
in high school?
Vass: Drama was my favorite. I was
in all the plays.
Thomas: Most definitely not. I had
the most evil science teachers in
high school…so I became one!
Donley: Science, of course! Genetic
engineering.
Stillian: English. I didn’t take any
serious science until college.
Shannon: Science.
Lowe: Math and science.
Q: What were you like in high school?
Vass: The same as now, just weirder and
younger. Outgoing, less gray hair, well known.
Thomas: I was completely messed up freshman
year. Typical freshman boy problems. Then
I got good grades and tried to hang out with the
honors crowd.
Donley: I was just weird. I did sports and was in
lots of social groups. Oh! I cloned a geranium
plant in high school!
Stillian: I ran cross-country.
Shannon: I played football, track, volleyball,
Week 4
“The beards here at Monarch are pretty
good,” Buhse said. “I’d be curious to see of
all the students who have beards here at Monarch,
what their love life is like.”
Contini and Puldy agree that women aren’t
usually attracted to the facial hair which has
been gracing the faces of participating students.
However, this is a tradition that gathers
fresh, matured faces every year, and with
a cult following it doesn’t seem like it will be
going away any time soon.
“I just hope no one treats me differently because
I have a crusty-ass beard on my face,”
Puldy said.
collsherman@aol.com
Week 4
Photo provided by Kristin Donley
MHS science teacher Kristin
Donley’s high school photo.
and was NHS president.
Lowe: I don’t know. I had hair.
Photos by Colleen Sherman
Q: What’s something few people know about
you?
Vass: I’m from Transylvania.
Thomas: I’m kind of, like, into death metal.
Donley: I was a Def Leppard groupie.
Stillian: I was in the Air Force in Vietnam.
Shannon: I ski a lot. I’m from Breckenridge.
Lowe: I coached wrestling for over
20 years. I coached track for 15
years.
Q:Experiment gone wrong?
Vass: I had a girl throw up during
a video. She had a good healthy
breakfast. It was very stinky.
Thomas: My friend who was a doctor
brought in a human brain to
show in biology. A kid passed out and his head
landed in the full recycling bin. Had he been
standing anywhere else, he would’ve cracked
his head open.
Donley: One time, I set my projector on fire in
class accidentally. All the kids were like, ‘Do it
again!’ and the projector was all melted.
Shannon: A kid had an explosion once. He
only read the first direction of the lab and then
skipped to the sixth step. The sixth step said,
‘stick it in the flame.’ It exploded, but nobody
was hurt.
Lowe: It was a radioactivity lab in college. I
measured the radioactivity and got knocked
out of the shield.
Features Page 7
Invisible Children inspire MHS
a school, they can’t go to school. They don’t
have the opportunity to complain,” said
junior Max Stanford, co-president of Monarch’s
Invisible Children Club.
This school year, Monarch students have
become more involved in the crisis in Uganda.
Co-presidents Stanford and senior Jennifer
Spear run the Invisible Children Club
with the help of Donley. They meet every
Photo provided by InvisibleChildren.com
The children of the Ugandan crisis wonder if peace will come.
by Morgan Kozin
Howler Staff
Three years ago, seniors in the 2007 graduating
class, Jason Cashdollar and Hayley Schneider,
brought the Invisible Children organization
to MHS as a Future Business Leaders
of America project, and each year the organization
has gained momentum and popularity
within the Monarch community. This year, the
club is bigger than ever. The movement has
begun to reach even those who know little
about the crisis in Uganda.
Since the early 1980’s, northern Uganda
has been in the midst of a civil war between
the corrupt Ugandan government (GOU) and
the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). Twenty-two
years ago, Joseph Kony created the LRA saying
that he wanted to fight the GOU to end
prejudices against an ethnic group called the
Acholi people. However, most of his attacks
have been towards this group.
The LRA has terrorized the Ugandan population
through harassment of suspected sympathizers
of the GOU by cutting off their hands,
ears, or lips. In addition, Kony has supplied
his army with mostly child soldiers that have
been violently abducted and forced to enlist.
Young boys are trained to fight, while girls are
used as sex slaves for the older LRA soldiers
and officers.
In 2002, the LRA killed 48 people in a
northern Ugandan town. Elderly people and
adults were brutally killed with machetes and
spears. According to informaworld.com, an
online database and reference website, babies
were thrown against trees.
Ugandan families have been torn apart by
this civil unrest. Many parents, if they haven’t
succumbed to the violence or disease, fear
for their children’s lives. Young boys and girls
roam the streets at night to try to find a safe
place to sleep and avoid being kidnapped by
the LRA, risking never seeing their families
again.
This violation of human rights is a forgotten
crisis due to the world’s lack of involvement.
The GOU is morally corrupt and not doing
nearly enough to protect its own citizens.
Since Invisible Children’s involvement, the
number of child abductions has decreased in
Uganda but have become more frequent in
the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The
problem now is the great influx in the displacement
camps from both Ugandan refugees
as well as those from the DRC. These camps
are cities of people crowded together in huts
with little or no resources. People die daily
from malnutrition, disease, abuse and rape.
Children can’t afford to go to school, which
prevents them from escaping the camps and
danger.
“We take for granted our education, but
then when you look at it, these kids don’t have
Wednesday afternoon in room B111. So far,
they have sold boo grams for Halloween,
participated in the penny war alongside Junior
Senate and recently finished a book drive.
They aspire to raise $4,000 to $5,000 this
year to contribute to the cause.
“We can all make a difference. If we all donated
a dollar, that’s $2,000. You can make
a big difference with a lot of little people,”
Spear said.
Spear also wants the Monarch student body
to know that 99 percent of all profits go to
help the children in Uganda. None of it goes
to the government, so every dollar really does
help those that can’t help themselves.
For more information on the crisis in northern
Uganda or to get involved with Invisible
Children, visit www.invisiblechildren.org or attend
a meeting on Wednesday after school. It’s
not required to attend all meetings or events,
the officers simply want the awareness spread
throughout the school.
The brutal injustices in Uganda are ongoing,
and now, thanks to Invisible Children, Monarch
students can contribute to ending this
horrible war.
mkozin13@gmail.com
Photo provided by InvisibleChildren.com
Children and adults alike live in crowded refugee camps
like this one in Uganda due to displacement.
Brightening a winter’s night
by Ashley Ward
Howler Staff
Each year on the first Friday in December,
a dark winter night in Louisville is illuminated
with holiday spirit. Bright floats
covered in lights come by the dozen through
Old Town, accompanied by bands playing
festive music and costumed children giving
out candy.
The Parade of Lights is scheduled for
Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. Much of the Louisville
community gathers along the sidewalks of
Main St. to watch this holiday tradition.
“The Parade of Lights is one of the only
events the community does together,”
junior Arlene Brugal said. “I’ve gone for
three years and the lights are always nice
and bright. It’s so fun!”
Senior Sara Paine experiences the parade
from a different point of view. She is
in Monarch’s color guard and has been in
the parade for four years.
“I love seeing the cute, small children
and their happy little faces as they watch
all the floats go by,” Paine said.
For more information, email the Louisville
Chamber of Commerce at
chamber@h2net.net.
award4313@bvsd.org
Portraits showcase student talent
by Evanne Montoya
Editor in Chief
Forget those expensive professional photographers,
Monarch photo students are well
on their way to becoming experts. For the second
year, students in
levels two and above
had the opportunity to
work with models and
professional lights in
a portrait studio located
in a room off of
the art room.
Jenna Kendall was
a Photo One student
last year, and her
mother works for a
Photo by Evanne Montoya
Junior Katelynn Johnson poses with a plant prop for
junior Megan Cousins as she takes a photograph.
company that sells
lights. Monarch photography
teacher
Claudia LaStella, was
able to purchase an entire set of professional
lights at half-price.
“The value of [the project] is learning to
deal with lights, learning to deal with models
in a much stricter sense than ‘here is my friend
posed,’ and seeing what different lights do,”
LaStella said.
The class learned about different lighting
methods and got tips on posing models from
professional photographer Rick Christie.
From there, they brainstormed ideas, enlisted
classmates as models and found props.
This was a favorite project for senior Blakely
Farrow.
“When I was little I had a
bunch of ballerina pictures
and paintings in my room
and I thought it would be
cool to remake them,” Farrow
said.
Junior Lilly Moody found
coming up with ideas to be
difficult, but she really felt
that the project improved her
skills.
“It taught me about using
lighting and how to look at
things and find the beauty in
them,” Moody said.
LaStella plans to continue to include this proj-
ect in the class’ curriculum.
“It has been very successful, and I have high
hopes for this semester’s pictures,” LaStella said.
Pictures from the portrait studio will be displayed
around the school the week of Dec. 15.
evy224ever@juno.com

Page 8 A&E
Ask
Brock:
What do
I do if I
get stuck under
the mistletoe with
someone I don’t
like?
by Brock Millington
Howler Staff
Picture this: You’re at a Christmas party
enjoying yourself and the company of your
friends. You’re busy enjoying your eggnog
and Christmas cookie when, all of a sudden,
you’re staring at the one person you dislike
the most at the party, and they’re holding
mistletoe! Now, you may be asking yourself,
“What do I do?” Don’t worry, take a deep
breath, and choose one of these escape
routes to avoid the dreaded mistletoe.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Pretend that you are getting an
important call and get out of there
before they come in for the kiss.
As he or she walks up to you, become
extremely “clingy” and say
you want to start a relationship.
This will make the person uncomfortable
and change his or her
mind about kissing you.
When you see the person start to
walk over, fake an asthma attack or
start coughing uncontrollably. No
one wants to make out with a sick
person.
Say that you’re involved in a serious
relationship and can’t kiss the
person because it would cross the
boundaries of your other relationship.
If you are around some finger
foods, grab as many as you can
and stuff them all in your mouth.
Then, start chewing with your
mouth open. That’s attractive!
Run. It may seem rude, but whatever
will get you out of this situation
is a risk worth taking.
Take control of the situation. Grab
his or her’s head and kiss them on
the cheek. They may seem “put
out” or discouraged but let it be.
So, if this situation ever appears in your
life, just remember these useful tips. You’ll
know exactly what to do in order to avoid a
kiss from that unpleasant someone and the
dreaded mistletoe.
Do you need Brock’s advice?
Drop your question off in the
box outside of Ms. Grace’s
room, L205B, and he will
answer it in the next issue.
How to prepare for finals
by Asia Kennebrew
Howler Staff
As the week
of finals
approaches,
m a n y
Monarch
students are
scrambling
to study.
Students
are trying
to cram
four months
worth of
information
into their
heads and
stressing
themselves
out until they
break. But
excessive
stress won’t help, and neither will a late
night cramming session the night before the
final. These tips will help prepare you for the
dreaded week ahead.
Studying for exams is important, of course,
but pacing your study time is crucial. No
one can recall a semester’s material in one
night. Start preparing ahead of time, and
take advantage of all the resources at hand.
Splitting the information into small, digestible
chunks will assist the memorization process
and will be beneficial to your mental health.
Planning study groups with friends (who
will remain focused) can be a relaxing and
rewarding way to prepare for tests as well.
But studying isn’t everything. Students
need to remember to take some time off for
themselves. Doing something you love can
be an awesome stress reliever. Some options
New film class rolling at MHS
by Zak Griffler
Howler Staff
Photo by Asia Kennebrew
Studying for several different finals can bring stress to many Monarch students.
Students needing to fill their schedules
next year have a new class to take. Film
Production, not to be confused with Film
Literature, will be on the class roster. This
wasn’t a spur of the moment addition; the
class has been in the planning stages for
over seven years.
According to language arts teacher, and
prospective teacher of the course, Chris
Weber, many factors led to the creation of
the class.
“About seven to eight years ago, we held
a survey to see what classes students would
be interested in,” he said. “Film Production
was highly marked among students.”
The department is planning on setting up a
permanent room for the class, complete with
a surround-sound system and projector for
student film viewings, as well as a computer
system dedicated to film production.
The Language Arts department has also
had to request extra funding from the district
to purchase cameras and other technology
for the class.
“We know that a lot of kids have their own
cameras, but we wanted to make sure ther’s
be enough technology for everyone,” Weber
said.
The current plan is that the class will
include reading books like Social Studies
teacher Andrew Buhse or listening to music
like freshman Tia Cooper.
“I ride my
horse,” junior
Parry Allen
said. “It’s
relaxing.”
Taking
time out of
the day to do
an activity or
hobby you
enjoy reduces
stress levels
and creates
more focus
when it’s time
to study.
“I’m
worried,” said
employ Windows Movie Maker for editing, as
it’s already installed on the school computer
network. Though some film students may
balk at its more simplistic functionality, the
staff finds it a good introduction into the
world of film editing.
The class is going to be taught or assisted
by current Language Arts teachers Patrick
Miskella, Taryn Gillespie, Mike Kugler
and Weber. It’s been speculated that Film
Literature is going to be a pre-requisite
course to Film Production, but this has
been up for debate amongst the staff. The
main reasoning is due to the filmmaking
vocabulary taught in Film Literature. Some
feel that the knowledge learned in Film
Literature would assist students in their Film
Production projects.
Senior Ben Fraser, a prospective film
production major, disagrees with the need
for Film Literature as a pre-requisite course.
“I’d say Film Lit. shouldn’t be a
requirement. It’s probably better suited as a
recommendation for the sake of background
knowledge,” Fraser said.
There has not yet been a final decision
regarding a pre-requisite course. The class is
scheduled to be available for students in the
fall of 2009.
notzak@gmail.com
f r e s h m a n
Anna Mickel,
who has
never taken finals before.
The truth is many students are worried
about doing well on their semester finals,
under- and upperclassmen alike. But the key
is to stay calm. If you find yourself panicking,
take a few deep breaths and let them
out. If you still can’t relax, try a technique
called progressive muscle relaxation. This
technique is used by tensing the muscles for
a few seconds, then releasing the tension,
causing your muscles to relax.
Worrying obsessively about the final won’t
do any good. Taking an attitude like Cooper
has, who says she’s not worried and plans to
study, is the best way to ace your final exams.
Have a healthy amount of stress, but don’t
stress yourself out. Take time to do the things
you love, but don’t procrastinate until it’s
impossible to do well.
Finals Checklist
Join a study group. Sometimes
studying with friends can help
you feel more prepared. They
can help you figure problems
out and can prepare you for the
test.
Prepare study materials well
in advance. Know what you’re
going to study so you’re not
scrambling around at the last
minute.
Ask teachers for help. Go into
the study sessions teachers
offer in the mornings and
afternoons during the week.
Sometimes they’ll ask the
same questions in the review
as they will on the actual final.
Get plenty of sleep. Go to
bed at a reasonable hour the
night before so you can feel
energetic and well-rested for
the exam.
Eat a balanced meal. Test
taking on an empty stomach
won’t help you grade. Have a
healthy and filling breakfast to
make sure you won’t get hungry
during the test.
Take your time! Remember it’s
not a race. You’re probably not
going to get extra points for
being the first one finished.
Be positive. If you go into
exam day thinking you won’t
do well, you probably won’t.
Be confident in you test taking
skills.
Take time to do the things
you love. Don’t forget to take
breaks every once and a while
to do something fun.
Photo by Megan Moran
The upstairs computer lab in A wing is one of the prospective
locations for the Film Production class starting next year.
Photo by Megan Moran
Language Arts teacher Chris Weber is one of the teachers
who might be assisting the Film Production class.

Page 9 A&E
Concert Calendar
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Dec. 8
Oasis, Ryan
Adams, The
Cardinals
Broomfield
Events Center
9
Michael W.
Smith
Wells Fargo
Theatre
10
Shwayze
Bluebird
Theater
14 15 16 17
Martin Sexton,
Brett Dennen,
Tift Merritt
Fox Theater
11
Disney’s High
School
Musical: The
Ice Tour
Denver
Coliseum
12
Born In the
Flood
Bluebird
Theatre
18 19
Squirrel Nut
Zippers
Cervantes’
Masterpiece
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29
Flobots
Gothic Theater
30
Widespread
Panic
Pepsi Center
31
Flogging Molly
Fillmore
Auditorium
4 5 6 7 8
Reel Big Fish
Ogden Theatre
Garage band
corner: The
Stone
by Brock Millington
Howler Staff
Photo by Brock Millington
(Left to right) Bassist Matt Bristol, drummer and singer Alex
Spear, guitarist Elric Deeter, and Guitarist Chris Jonaitis sit
and discuss their music .
The Name: The Stone
The Lineup: Seniors Matt Bristol– Bass
Guitar. Alex Spear– Drums & Vocals. Elric
Deeter –Guitar. Chris Jonaitis– Guitar.
Brock Millington: How would you describe
your music?
Chris Jonaitis: I think we play kind of like
the Red Hot Chili Peppers in a way.
BM: Does “The Stone” have a meaning, or
do you guys just like the name?
CJ: The Stone is the source of all positive
energy.
BM: How long have you been playing
together?
CJ: We started practicing together about
two months ago and we realized we had
something together.
BM: What are is your main goal as a band?
CJ: To rock you so hard your face melts.
BM: If you could meet any musician, who
would it be and why?
CJ: I would have to say either Tom Morello
from Rage Against the Machine or Jimi
Hendrix.
BM: Anything else you would like to add?
CJ: Support The Stone!
Jan. 1 2 3
13
Colorado
Symphony
Orchestra
Boettcher
Concert Hall
20
Cheech and
Chong
Paramount
Theatre
9 10
The Wailers
Fox Theatre
Venue locations
Fox Theatre: 1135 13th St.
Boulder, CO 80302, (303) 443-3399
Broomfield Event Center: 11450 Broomfield
Ln. Broomfield, CO 80021, (303)
410-0700
Gothic Theatre: 3263 S. Broadway,
Englewood, CO 80113, (719) 520-9090
Fillmore Auditorium: 1510 Clarkson St.
Denver, CO 80218, (303) 837-0360
Pepsi Center: 1000 Chopper Cir.
Denver, CO 80204, (303) 405-1100
Ogden Theatre: 935 E. Colfax Ave.
Denver, CO 80218, (303) 832-1874
Bluebird Theatre: 3317 E. Colfax Ave.
Denver, CO 80206, (303) 377-1666
Wells Fargo Theatre: 700 14 th St.
Denver, CO 80207, (303) 228-8000
Paramount Theatre: 1621 Glenarm Pl.
Denver, CO 80202, (303) 623-0106
Boettcher Conncert Hall: 950 13th St.
Denver, CO 80204, (720) 865-4220
Cervantes’ Masterpiece: 2637 Welton
St. Denver, CO 80205 (303) 297-1772
Fresh to The Howler: Mo Coloring Contest!
Participate in “The Howler’s” first ever coloring contest! Color the above picture of Mo and place in the box outside L205B with your name,
grade, and seventh-period class written on the back of the entry. The winner of the contest gets their entry printed in the next issue of “The
Howler” and wins a special prize! Entries are due Jan. 9.

Page 10 Sports
Monarch has a ski team, but where’s the love for boarders?
by Ariel Lewis
Howler Staff
Do the number of skiers outnumber
boarders at Monarch? According to a poll
conducted randomly at Monarch, the ratio
of skiers to snowboarders is even. Half of the
students ski and half of them snowboard, so
why only a ski team?
“I have no idea why there’s not a snowboarding
team,” junior Kristen Stanley said.
“CU has a snowboarding team, why can’t
we?”
The Monarch skiers train at Nederland High
School every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday
and on Fridays they race. They train Alpine
and Nordic skiing. Alpine skiing is also
referred to as downhill skiing because of the
inclined slopes of the ski resorts. Nordic skiing,
on the other
hand, is a ver-
country skiing.
Cross-country
skiing races are
based on distances
normally taking place off of the downhill
slopes.
There are four events in Alpine skiing: Slalom,
Giant Slalom, Downhill and Super-G.
Slalom and Giant Slalom are the technical
events in Alpine skiing and Downhill and
Super-G are the speed events. In Slalom, a
racer skies between gates spaced close together
causing quick and short turns.
In Giant Slalom, the gates are spaced
much further apart than in Slalom. There are
about 40-70 gates depending on venue and
the gender of the racer. The point of the race
is to ski around gates quickly, and the fastest
wins. The Nederland ski team only competes
in two Alpine events, Giant Slalom and Slalom.
Freestyle skiing also takes place on Alpine
slopes but isn’t considered an Alpine event.
Freestyle skiing is separated into two events,
Moguls and Aerials. In Mogul skiing, there
are three sections of moguls and two jumps.
The event is judged on speed and quality of
turns and jumps. Aerialists ski off jumps and
propel 40 to 50 feet into the air performing
tricks. Nederland High School does not offer
sion of “
It takes a lot more talent to do the more
”
cross- extreme stuff. On the ski team we can have
beginners or less talented skiers because
it’s a safe and learnable sport.
-Senior Kylie Digman
these events.
The Nederland
ski team doesn’t
have any snowboarders
on it
because the
slalom poles are
problematic for them. Snowboarders have
difficulty because it’s too hard to ride around
poles. Snowboarders also have a higher
probability of getting hit by skiers’ poles.
Snowboarders and skiers don’t compete
in the same events. Snowboarders typically
compete in terrain-park events. Also, Alpine
Poms and Cheer provide pep for MHS
by Molly Olson
News Editor
Performing at pep assemblies, basketball
games and football games, the Cheer and
Poms teams applied for regionals and state
and are making their way towards those two
competitions.
MoHi Cheer
Coach Cathy
G r e e n e ’ s
goals were to
go to regionals,
qualifiy
for nationals
at the competition
on Nov.
5 and also
qualifiy to go
to state on
Dec. 5.
“At the
state competitions,
I hope
to get the
cheer team to
be at top six,”
Greene said.
Senior
Blakley Farrow is enjoying
her last year on the Monarch Cheer team
and has been on the Poms team for all four
years while attending high school
“I think our biggest goals as a team are to
qualify for nationals, be top six at state and
to hit our routines at competitions,” Farrow
said.
On Dec. 5, the team danced their routine
to the song “When Doves Cry” by Prince at
the 2008 state competition.
Senior Hannah Snyder, a four-year member
of the Poms team, is also striving to make
the final year of her Poms career the very best
yet.
“I’m sad to leave because Poms has been
a huge part of my life. I have loved it,” said
Snyder, who plans to join dance team in college.
Sophomore Dana Wait also aspires to per-
Photo provided by Samantha Schuller
The Monarch Poms squad performs during halftime at a Monarch varsity football game.
form to the best of her ability while also improving
the performances of her team.
“I want to have a lot of fun and do better
than last year. We are more than just a dance
team, we are also good friends,” Wait said.
The Poms and Cheer teams hope to perform
well at both the regionals and state competitions.
They will also perform their routines
at the upcoming home varsity basketball
games.
molann@msn.com
Provided by Peter Lewis
2004 Monarch graduade P.J. Lewis performs a tailgrab while skiing at Winter Park during the 2007-08 ski season.
courses are typically icy; without a proper
edge it’s too dangerous. Snowboards aren’t
designed for Slalom courses.
A snowboarding team would normally stay
more in the terrain park. Terrain-park riding
is characteristically more extreme than Alpine
and Nordic skiing.
“It takes a lot more talent to do the more
extreme stuff,” senior Kylie Digman said. “On
the ski team we can have beginners or less
talented skiers because it’s a safe and learnable
sport.”
Many students believe there is no snowboarding
team because it’s dangerous and
the school doesn’t want to deal with the li-
by Chrissy Lowe
Howler Staff
Sure, the wrestling guys are in great
shape and know how to throw it down, but
they aren’t the only aspect of the team.
Wrestling managers also contribute to the
sport.
The managers go to the practices and
games. They are like the stage crew of a
play; they do all the necessities behind
the scenes.
“We get everything set up at practice
and keep score at matches,” said manager
and MHS junior Kaylyn Ferrera. “We
also videotape all the matches so the
guys can see themselves.”
Managers are also responsable for providing
water for the wrestlers.
ability. That is not true. The reason the school
doesn’t have a team is that snowboarding
isn’t a Colorado High School Activities Association
approved sport.
“We do not approve snowboarding because
no one has proposed that it be a
sport,” CHSAA representative Paul Angelico
said. “Another reason is because we do not
sanction sports that schools do not pass.”
The Nederland Alpine and Nordic team
is a great opportunity for skiers of all abilities.
If snowboarders want a team, the first
thing students must do is propose a team to
CHSAA.
alweis4095@bvsd.org
Off the mats: A behind the scenes
look at MoHi wrestling managers
Senior Mel Pinto is a dedicated manager for the MoHi
wrestling team.
a result, there are college scholarships
available for managers.
“Managing is definitely a way for girls to
The man-
I’ve always loved the sport. You have to be rea
g e r s
ally commited. Managing is definately a way
c o m m i t
to the
for girls to get closer to the sport.
sport of
wrestling
-Senior Mel Pinto
as much as the wrestlers. They are required
to be at every practice, game and
tournament.
“I’ve always loved the sport,” senior
and manager Mel Pinto said. “You have to
be really committed.”
Managing isn’t the same as playing
the sport, but it allows girls who like wrestling
to get involved. Managers are a vital
part to the success of the team. Without
the help of the managers, it is nearly impossible
for a team to have success. As Fingle.Chrissy@gmail.com
“ ”
Photo by Chrissy Lowe
get closer to
the sport,”
Pinto said.
But the
s p o r t
d o e s n ’ t
discrimi-
nate against girls. Any girl who wants to
compete on the varsity-level wrestiling is
more than welcome to join. If interested,
contact the Monarch athletic office or
wrestling coach Ezra Paddock.
“I think girls don’t join the team because
of comfort,” said senior Grant Medina,
a Monarch wrestler of four years.
“We’re open to anyone who wants to
join.”

Page 11 Sports
Girls swimming dives into a new season
by Cheyenne Michaels
Howler Staff
After winning the league title last year, the
Monarch girls swimming and diving team will
be swimming through uncharted waters.
The 36 athletes find themselves in a new
Front Range league this year, including rivals
Fairview and Boulder. With the new additions,
they can expect harder workouts and a
tougher season overall.
Traditionally, Fairview and Boulder have
finished in the top 10 in the state.
Previously, Fairview and Boulder were in
the Centennial League. But, the Centennial
League wanted to be a strictly South Denver
league, and Fairview, Boulder, and Mountain
Senior Audie Balue dives into the Lousiville Recreation Center pool during a morning practice.
All Monarch
Slope-goers
Skiers
50 %
Snowboarders
Range are more northern. Therefore, they will
be moving into the Front Range League this
year. For the Monarch swimmers, this means
more aerobic base workouts and a lot of longdistance
swimming to start out the season at
their 5 a.m. practices, Monday-Friday.
“Swim team physically kills us,” junior
swimmer Kaity Wegen said. “I’m dreading
the really hard workouts.”
Head coach Jay Weerman says the swimmers
and divers are working harder to get a
leg up on the tougher competition.
“It’s going to be a really tough league
champions meet,” Weerman said. “Four of
the top 10 teams in the state are going to be
there.”
Monarch’s team goal , according to Weer-
50 %
Of all the students surveyed 47 said they were snowboarders
and 47 said they were skiers.
Photo by Cheyenne Michaels
The war between skiers
and snowboarders
has waged since
the creation of snowboards.
But which
side are MHS’s students
fighting for?
man, will be to place in the top
two at leagues and top 10 at
state.
“Our girls are excited to defend
the title. That will be a huge driving
force for the team,” Weerman
said.
The swimmers and divers have
a wide variety of outlooks on the
coming season.
“Our new league makes me
sad. I have the faintest glimmer
of hope,” Wegen said.
Other swimmers have a more
optimistic view of the upcoming
season.
“I think we have a good chance
in our league this season. We
have a lot of swimmers and divers
this year,” said senior Whitney
Fletcher, who will be both
swimming and diving for the
first time for Monarch this season.
“Maybe with the new freshman class and
the coach’s strategy, we can beat Fairview
and Boulder,” sophomore swimmer Caellagh
Morrissey said.
The team has nine new members, including
Blair Kacynski, a club swimmer who already
has state qualifying times, as well as
freshman swimmer Teylor Greff.
“I already know lots of the other new swimmers
and divers, and the ones I don’t know
seem really outgoing and friendly,” Greff
said. “The upperclassmen are really encouraging
and throughout the season we’ll get to
know them better.”
“I really love how close we all have become
to one another,” Wegen added.
Photo by Cheyenne Michaels
A Monarch swim coach explains the next workout set to the Monarch swimmers.
The family nature has always been a trademark
of the Monarch girls swimming and
diving team. Spaghetti dinners before home
meets, team cheers, and a “Big Fish/Little
Fish” tradition where upperclassmen are
paired with underclassmen to cheer for each
other and exchange gifts help create this environment.
“I remember thinking, ‘I’m never going to
fit into this group,’ but everyone warmed up
really quickly and it became a great experience,”
Morrissey said.
With a friendly environment, a strong set
of returning swimmers, a talented bunch of
newcomers and a rough workout plan ahead,
the girls swimming and diving team is ready
for an exciting season.
To ski or not to ski? Do Monarch students ski or snowboard?
Freshmen
Both
3%
Neither
26%
Snowboard
42%
Ski
29%
Sophomores
Neither
17%
Both
13%
Snowboard
22%
Ski
48%
Neither
21%
Juniors
Both
12%
Snowboard
29%
Ski
38%
Neither
37%
Seniors
Both
9%
Ski
37%
Snowboard
17%
The newspaper staff administered
this survey to 100 students
in November 2008. The results of
this survey are not valid or reliable
nor do they reflect the opinions of
the newspaper staff or BVSD employees.
Poll results compiled by
Howler staff member Ariel Lewis.

Page 12 The Fun Page
Horoscopes
Sagittarius
November 22 - December 21
When major embarrassments come your
way, simply maneuver around them. It’s
ok to laugh at yourself! The best part is
that no one will even remember the next
day.
Capricorn
December 22 - January 19
It’s time to meet new people. Say “hi” to
someone that you’ve never looked at twice
before. Who knows? Maybe you’ll become
the best of friends.
Aquarius
January 20 - February 18
At times you can be slightly emotionally
unstable. Try to control your emotions and
you’ll find many situations much more enjoyable.
Pisces
February 19 - March 20
All you have to remember when you fall on
your face is to get back up and keep moving.
This tends to happen a lot, but you
always find a way to work through it. Keep
up the positive attitude.
Aries
March 21 - April 19
Take a break from studying! You don’t
have to be a perfectionist all the time.
You deserve to have some fun before the
semester ends.
Taurus
April 20 - May 20
Even if you manage to get yourself into difficult
situations, just stay calm. Things will
work out in the end. All you have to do is
get past the road blocks.
by Megan Chu
Howler Staff
Gemini
May 21 - June 20
Relationships can be hard sometimes.
Just be conscious of others and everything
will be fine. Try to connect with someone
that you haven’t been close to for years.
Cancer
June 21 - July 22
You’ve been working hard lately. Now it’s
time to relax and take it easy. Treat yourself
to something you’ve been eyeing for a
long time!
Leo
July 23 - August 22
The semester is almost over. Step it up
so that you can sail into a well-deserved
winter break on a good note. Then it will
be time to make a fresh start for the new
year.
Virgo
August 23 - September 22
Sometimes you can get a little caught up
in your love life. Tone it down and focus
on other aspects of your life that might be
falling slightly behind.
Libra
September 23 - October 22
You are such a great friend, but sometimes
others might try to take advantage of that.
Remember, you don’t have to do anything
that you don’t want to do.
Scorpio
October 23 - November 21
Now is the time to make the change you’ve
always wanted to make! You know you’re
capable of doing it, but it’s just a matter of
getting it done.
Think you know Monarch?
Where is this located?
If you think
you know where in
the school this is
displayed, drop
the answer off
Photo by Megan Moran
in the box outside
Ms. Grace’s
room, L205B. The
winner will receive
a prize.
by Asia Kennebrew
Howler Staff
1. What ancient civilization celebrated the
Saturnalia festival Dec. 17-23?
A. Roman B. Grecian
C. Babylonian D. Incan
2. How many sides are there on a dreidel?
A. Eight B. Four
C. Two D. Six
3. What is the most popular Christmas tree
species used in the U.S.?
A. Evergreen B. Maple
C. Fraser Fir D. Blue Spruce
4. The Jewish festival Chanukah is celebrated
on the 25th day of what Jewish month?
A. Tevet B. Kislev
C. Cheshvan D. Shevat
Heard in the Halls
by Ashley Ward
Howler Staff
Apple Jacks are BA!
5. Which Iranian festival is celebrated during
the Winter Solstice?
A. Festival of Yalda
B. Festival of Mehr
C. Shabe Chelle
D. Festival of Fire
6. On Dec. 8, Buddhists celebrate what
holiday to commemorate the day Buddha
reached enlightenment?
A. Bohdi Day B. Vesak
C. Sangha Day D. Ancestor Day
7. What does the first candle on the Kinara
(the Kwanzaa candelabra) represent?
A. Nia - Personal goals
B. Umoja - Unity
C. Kuumba - Creativity
D. Imani - Faith
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Do you think the Count on Sesame Street ever bit any girls?
Dang, those are some bangs you got, girl!
He plods…That’s a vocab word, you know.
The metal hurt me, Mommy.
Would you want a girl who goes ‘Laaa’ or a girl that goes ‘Pffft’?
It’s colder than a penguin’s bollocks!
If there is no God, then who pops up the next Kleenex?
Why is ‘abbreviation’ such a long word?
If one synchronized swimmer drowns, do the rest have to drown, too?
I’d explain it to you, but your brain would explode.
1.A 2.B 3.C 4.B 5.A 6.A 7.B