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

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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 everyone 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 1 and 2: Zak Attack PC: Politically correct
Page 3: News Page 3 Early graduation: stude
Page 7 and 8: Page 8 A&E Ask Brock: What do I do
Page 9 and 10: Page 10 Sports Monarch has a ski te
Page 11: Page 12 The Fun Page Horoscopes Sag

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