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With the 2022-2023 school year, East High School has introduced a new phone policy and, as a result, a plethora of controversy has surfaced. As many individuals know, on September 22nd, the East community was rattled by the active shooter threat. Many students had to leave belongings, such as their cell phones behind, as a result of this new phone policy. Stowing phones in bins and shoe hangers have become a common practice in classrooms, which has caused many communication and safety issues among parents and their children. Is our new phone policy safe in this day in age? This topic was discussed with a handful of East students to get the most raw responses and opinions. Biz Levin, a junior at East was stuck in the bathroom in the midst of this terrifying experience, and she stressed that the “only comfort was the communication with my mom and friends,” she follows this statement with, “it’s not okay to take away peoples only communication with their families. It’s unsafe and unfair.” Biz mentioned that law enforcement didn’t sweep the area she was in and without her phone, she wouldn’t have been able to communicate with law enforcement to inform them where she was. Should the phone policy be taken away fully or just handled differently? Junior Skye Vacanti brought up the idea of only taking students' phones away if it becomes an issue or distraction with that specific student. Letting students keep their belongings will allow a sense of responsibility and will make students feel safer and more in control in situations such as lockdowns. Looking further into the cons of the phone policy is vital in perfecting it and finally finding a happy medium for both students and teachers. Considering our age, students should be trusted and capable of handling belongings such as phones in a school environment. Under different circumstances, the confiscation of phones is understandable and even respectable, but considering the amount of threats East has gotten and the terrifying events that took place on September 22nd, East needs to prioritize the safest option that will benefit student’s safety. Phones have definitely actively changed how students learn in school, as well as how teachers teach. It is no secret that they are an inconvenience, especially to administrators. However, phones are not the only factor in a student's fragile education. Active shooter as well as bomb threats have rampaged highschools and might just outweigh the inconvenince of telling students to “put their phone away” ten times in a class period.

East’s Theater Department has consisted of Shakespeare and other notable writers for as long as most remember. For theater enthusiasts, the classics are a necessity for developing their skills and resume, however, for inexperienced theater viewers, they can get quite boring. Reading the classics in English class is enough, no need to put on a two-hour production as well. For the first time in East’s recent history, there will be a student-written and directed (with assistance from Deborah Voss) play: senior Conrad Branch is the culprit who broke the trend. His self-written play titled Red Ink is already making history and making some students do a double-take. Murder mysteries, “friendly” competition, and the classic whodunnit trope are just the starting points for Conrad. The play follows a narrative of the infamous Clue characters and other renowned fictional detectives like Nancy Drew and Nate the Great, who work together to solve a murder. The odd mix of characters and seven (that’s right – seven) murder mystery narratives make Conrad’s play a must-see for all East students: snoozing won’t be an option with all this anticipation. Conrad sat down for an interview with the East Spotlight and offered insight into the creative process and struggles of creating a play: When producing a piece of work for thousands of teenagers to critique, there are bound to be many complaints. Do you feel pressure from your peers in terms of the success of your play? “I was most nervous for the actors to see it. Although now it’s odd because it’s a little less of mine and a little more of the whole cast. I guess the feedback will go to us as a whole now.” Who helped you along the way? Was this purely a student-driven passion project or did someone in your life encourage you to write a play? “Ms. Voss and I have been meeting frequently ever since the beginning, although she has given me a lot of liberty to do whatever I want, which feels nice. Noah Kaplan, the former speech teacher at East, also helped me tremendously in making my play a more fluid narrative and narrowing down my ideas.” What is one tip you have for students who want to see their scripts and ideas come to life? “Believe in yourself. Just because you don’t have the world's greatest script right now, doesn’t mean you're not the world's greatest writer. Writers tell many stories, the first one doesn’t have to be perfect — there will always be future chances.” Come out and support East’s Theater Department by purchasing tickets. Opening night of Red Ink is on the 25th of October and everyone involved is absolutely buzzing. From Nancy Drew to Jack the Ripper, this play and its characters will have everyone gripping the edge of their seats until the final curtain closes.

Imagine throwing rocks onto ice, cathartic fun that anyone can enjoy. But what if someone wanted something more than rocks on ice? That’s when bikes come into the picture. In cities like Amsterdam, with a combined 100 kilometers or 62 miles in canals and hundreds of thousands of bikes, tourists and vandals alike find themselves throwing bikes into the watery depths for the catharsis of it all. This is one of the more common ways in which bikes end up at the bottom of the Amsterdam canals. But it isn’t the MOST common way for bikes to reach their watery graves. The number of bikes in Amsterdam might be a factor in why so many end up in the water each year. With an estimated 881,000 bikes, bikes outnumber people in Amsterdam by nearly 60,000. They are also readily used, with 40-60% of all travel in Amsterdam being made by bike. Even while keeping in mind the number of bikes in the city, it still comes as a shock that 15,000 of them end up at the bottom of the canals each year. But the habit of throwing things into the canals isn’t a new occurrence. In the 1800s the canals of Amsterdam were used as open toilets and trash cans. Around the 1860s, city officials began to take offense at the smell and pollution of the canals so they decided to start cleaning the water. But even 200 years later the people of Amsterdam still haven’t gotten rid of the habit, and keep tossing their trash into the depths, such as unused electronics in a state of disrepair, scrap metals from various sources, and sometimes even loose bike rails. On a more absurd note, cars also fall into the river. It’s estimated that a car falls into the river about every week and a half. Luckily for the canals and the people of Amsterdam, Water-net, the organization responsible for ridding the canals of trash, has a team of people to make daily clean-ups in the water. Commonly known as bicycle fishermen, these hard-working citizens pull all the scrap metal out of the river. Most of this gets recycled into new bikes or used as spare parts, but a small fraction of scrap metal is used in creating beer cans. These beer cans are sometimes the cause of more bicycles getting thrown into canals, and the same process is repeated again and again, giving fuel to the bicycle wheel of fortune spins in an endless loop.

In each classroom, you’ll find a poster that writes: NO PHONES IN CLASS AT EAST At East High School, we care about your learning and mental health. That is why phones will not be used or visible in class unless stated by your teacher. Recurring issues with phones will result in conferences with families and referrals to the dean's office. The roar of disapproval from students when the cell phone policy was addressed at the 2022 school assembly sums up the student population's reaction to the change. The policy itself isn’t new. In previous years, East’s “off the phones in classrooms” policy has been somewhat sparsely enforced and decisions around phones were mostly left up to teachers. This year, however, a group of teachers brought forward a plan to crack down on phone usage and make a more universal expectation. A slide show presented to teachers before the school year began reveals that teachers have been asking the Student Leadership Team for a school-wide cell phone policy and the team gave them one. The slides encourage teachers to collect cell phones at the beginning of class and recommended that teachers “have a private conversation” if a student uses their phone during class, and “by the third instance (they use their phone), write a referral to the Deans.” However, despite this push for consistency, just as in previous years, the phone policy differs in each classroom depending on the teacher’s own rules. Senior Madison Allen explains that in French and Marine Biology, she is asked to put her phone in the phone holder, but in all of her AP and college level classes, teachers asked phones to be in a backpack, and “some teachers haven’t really said anything about it”. Madison believes that the phone policy “should be implemented for underclassmen, that way they get used to it. ” Geography and African American History teacher Mr. Dysart believes that in previous years, East has been “extremely liberal with allowing students to use phones” and agrees that the policy is long overdue. Mr. Dysart is one of the teachers who introduced the cell phone policy before the start of the year. “The science supports that it’s hard for even adults to multitask. So when we have young high school students with young developing minds trying to multitask in class, on top of instruction… it can be a tumultuous task” he explains. The long-term plan for cell phones isn’t all that far from Madison’s idea. Mr. Dysart described a plan where a standard around phones is set for Freshmen each year a new class enters 9th grade so that over time East creates an environment where technology isn't such a distraction. He explains that he makes his freshmen students put their phones in the rack on the wall, but allows upperclassmen to keep phones out of sight. “You have to have a compromise,” he elaborates, “We’ve helped you (upperclassmen) set the norm.” It seems that the new phone policy isn’t so much of a new school-wide expectation, as it is a long-term plan for future generations at East.

For the 2022-23 school year, nearly 200 different class options were available to East students, among these was a new class: Queer Literature Honors. The class, which was first added to Denver’s South High School in 2016, is now offered at East and is the first year-long Honors Queer lit class in DPS. Two years ago, a student came to the English department to propose that the class be added to East since the material wasn’t being taught. It has now been added to the DPS class catalog, which will make the process easier for any other schools in the district to add it. Mr. Velasquez, the teacher for this class, was thrilled that the class was being added to East. “I can’t tell you how excited I am to teach and how much joy I’m getting, but a lot of it is because the kids are feeling so comfortable in this class. The conversations we’re already having, the community we’re already building, is something I’ve never seen throughout East, especially for the queer community.” Before this class, Queer literature wasn’t taught in any class at East. “Everyone wants to be recognized by society, …[and] I don’t think we’ve chosen books that have valued the queer community in the past, [which is] needed to see positive stories that represent our lives.” Although it’s a good step forward, Mr. Velazquez says we’re not done yet, and that the class should be included at every school: “Every school needs it because every school has a queer community, and I know they’re not feeling welcomed or represented in that building.” Last year, a parent called the school to complain that The Queer Bible, by Jack Guinness, was being taught in this class, while the Bible was not. In response, Mr. Anderson argued that a bible just means a book in a specialty. Since that incident, there has so far been no pushback outside the community about the addition of the class. Inside East, the class has overall been met with excitement. The English department was originally hoping for one class, but after more than 80 people requested it, two additional classes were added to accommodate the extra students. For students who are worried about being outed or getting push-back from their families, the class can be sent on emails and report cards home as "Honors English". Harper Friend, a student in the class, said she found the course material to be honest and open to talking about heavy subjects. “I would [recommend it] especially if you’re interested in the community and the material, it comes very naturally and it's easy to comprehend.” She added, “You can really get into class discussions more than with other English classes.” The class has created a safe space for students to talk about not only the class material but also about their own lives and the things they see in the world. Mr. Velaquez emphasized the importance of having the class. “There’s a need out there, especially for your generation. I never thought I would ever teach this class, so it’s amazing to me how far we’ve come, and I think we need to continue.” The English department was happy with the popularity of the new class, including Mr. Velasquez, who was also hopeful that there would be more students joining next year, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender. “I wish more straight students would take this class to see that there’s common themes for humanity, not just for the queer community.” He added, “Any time you cut yourself off to any group, you’re just cutting yourself off to new experiences.” Mr. Velasquez is hopeful for the future of the class and the welcoming and accepting community it is creating at East. “We’re still developing this course, ...[and] I want student voices to help develop this course.” Although it’s a new class this year, it is a big step forward for East in being welcoming to all students, and it has a bright future here at East. Mr. Velasquez finished by saying that students are, “feeling that they are actually valued by EHS, they’re actually seeing positive stories about themselves, but they’re also getting the chance to talk openly and freely about things that have affected them in their lives.”

As the 2022 NFL season begins, the anticipation for Broncos football is higher than it’s been in years. With nine time Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson being traded to Denver in March, it’s easy to see why there is so much excitement for a team that hasn’t made the playoffs since the 2015 season. With the Broncos having eleven starting quarterbacks since 2016, Wilson brings to the table what hasn’t been had in Denver since hall of famer Peyton Manning’s retirement, competent quarterback play. Many fans and analysts would tell you that having at least an above average QB has been Denver’s biggest drawback during their current playoff drought. After adding what seems to have been the missing piece to the puzzle, the Broncos should be right back in the playoff hunt for the 2022 season. On top of the addition of Wilson, the Broncos have also made some additions to higher-up positions within the franchise. Shortly before the blockbuster trade for Wilson, Denver filled another hole on their team by hiring former Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett to be their head coach. After parting ways with the not-so-fan favorite Vic Fangio, Hackett’s hiring is just another asset to building onto the anticipation of the 2022 season. With a new head coach taking the reins, Denver is destined for success through a new game plan. Another major piece that the Broncos have added is a new ownership group, taking control of the team. Chairman of Walmart, Rob Walton has bought the team in a well-renowned leadership group. This group includes noteworthy names such as Mellody Hobson, Condoleezza Rice, and Lewis Hamilton. With a net- worth of $57.6 billion, Walton is now the richest owner in the NFL, bringing a security to the franchise that has not been present since previous owner Pat Bowlen was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2014 and later passing away in 2019, leaving a void in the team’s ownership for years. After the week one contest vs. the Seahawks, the excitement over Denver’s season was tampered with a disappointing 17-16 loss. The Broncos got off to a slow start, trailing 17-13 at half and failed to score more than 3 points in the second half, despite having many opportunities to find the end zone. On consecutive drives, running backs Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams fumbled at the goal line, which was the difference between a 30-17 lead and continuing to trail throughout the second half. Russell Wilson was strong, throwing for 340 yards and a touchdown, but his lead of the offense was still not enough to take advantage of Seattle’s scoreless second half. On top of poor first half defense and an inability to score touchdowns, the Broncos also took a whopping 12 penalties for 106 yards, which did not help. Despite many woes, the game still came down to the final drive, where Denver had an opportunity to win it late. It came down to the final play in which head coach Nathaniel Hackett decided to send kicker Brandon Mcmanus out to attempt a 64 yard field goal, opting not to go for it on 4th and 5. The decision turned out to be costly, as Mcmanus missed the kick wide to the left, leaving the Broncos in disappointment. Hackett’s late-game decisions have been widely criticized since the loss, with Peyton Manning even expressing his confusion for Hackett’s clock management during the “Manningcast” on ESPN 2, jokingly calling timeouts for Denver during their final drive, as the clock continued to run out. After Monday’s disappointment, fans had to put their excitement aside for the next game against the Houston Texans. Following the loss, the Broncos came out slow on the offensive side of the ball, continuing their main issues from before. Despite multiple trips to the red zone, Denver failed to find the end zone and had to settle for two field goals in the first half, entering halftime tied 6-6. The third quarter entailed a continuation of the Broncos’ sloppy ways, as they were stalled on offense and more questionable play calls by Nathaniel Hackett kept them that way. With boos raining from the stands, the crowd had begun to voice their displeasure with how the team was operating. In a sarcastic response to ongoing struggles with calling plays on time, the fans even began to count down the play clock to let the offense know how much time they had to snap the ball. Late in the fourth quarter, Russell Wilson was finally able to lead the offense to a touchdown, finding tight end Eric Saubert on a 35 yard pass. Thanks to that score and the defense remaining stout, the Broncos held on to a 16-9 win, which still left more questions than answers about how this team will operate from here forward. In their next game against the 49ers, a similar theme was the story of the day. The offense remained dormant, as they struggled to find a groove and only came away with 11 points. Punter Corliss Waitman’s name was called much more than fans would have desired, kicking the ball away 10 times for an average of 47.6 yards. Although the offensive struggles continued, Denver’s defense had yet another incredible performance, forcing 3 turnovers, two of which coming on the 49ers’ final two drives, to seal an 11-10 win. Including the turnovers, the Broncos’ defense was able to put two points on the board, as San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo stepped out of the back of the end zone, resulting in a safety. The 49ers may have even gotten a bit lucky that Garoppolo had stepped out of bounds because Bradley Chubb intercepted his pass and ran it back for a touchdown that would not count on the same play. With yet another win thanks to the defense, the Broncos are now on a two game winning streak and hope to keep that going next week in Las Vegas when they take on the Raiders. With a disappointing loss followed by two sloppy, low-scoring wins, it is still too early to determine if the Broncos are for real this year. If Russell Wilson can lead the offense to pick it up as the defense looks to be among the top in the league, Denver can be a strong playoff team, but it will be difficult to continue winning games in the manner that they have been for a 17 game season. We did see them win a Super Bowl 6 years ago solely because of an elite defense carrying a below average offense, but there is a long way to go before the Broncos can prove that they are back to their contending ways for certain.

1. All Too Well - Taylor Swift Everyone loves Taylor Swift, especially her song “All Too Well” which was THE favorite song by far of students who responded to my poll. Taylor has released multiple versions of this song including newer releases, “All Too Well Taylor’s Version” and “All Too Well 10 Minute Version” which are only two of four versions of this song. Originally released in 2012 on Taylor’s “Red” album, “All Too Well” has been a hit song continuing to evolve even in 2022. It’s no wonder that this song is beloved by so many. 2. Bad Habit - Steve Lacy “Bad Habit” was released by Steve Lacy in 2022 and it has been a definite hit since people first heard it. Steve Lacy has gained recognition by many listeners because of previously released songs like “N Side” and “Static,” so it's no wonder that “Bad Habit” gained substantial popularity that has carried into the 2022 Fall season. Due to trends created on social media platforms like Tik Tok, “Bad Habit” has only continued to grow in popularity. 3. Stick Season - Noah Kahan “Stick Season” by Noah Kahan amassed large amounts of popularity from Tik Tok. The significance of the title, “Stick Season,” has to do with the literal stick season in Vermont which is when the leaves have fallen from all the trees but no snow has fallen yet which leaves sticks, or bare trees, between Fall and Winter seasons. Newly released in 2022, Kahan’s brand new single has seemingly been the most popular song in his career. 4. Redbone - Childish Gambino One of Childish Gambino’s many successful songs, “Redbone,” was released in 2016 on his album “Awaken, My Love” which has reached over one billion streams in six years. Listening to “Redbone” especially brings tranquility and comfort on a lazy Fall evening - so it's no wonder that this song is favored amongst East students. Whether you are relaxing at home, driving to school, or doing homework, “Redbone” is a great pick. 5. Thriller - Michael Jackson A classic. “Thriller” by Michael Jackson brings definite Halloween energy to the Fall season. Released in 1982, this song has had continuous success and is currently the world’s best-selling album. With over 70 million copies sold worldwide, it's no figure that the “Thriller” music video was also a ginormous hit at over eight hundred million views since its release in 1983. The fact that it is still loved by many East students today shows how the popularity of “Thriller” never truly went away. 6. The Hills - The Weeknd Released in 2015, The Weeknd’s single, “The Hills,” has remained popular among East students even in 2022. The Weekend recently stopped in Denver and performed at Empower Field for his tour, “After Hours Til Dawn,” in August where he included “The Hills” on his setlist. It's no surprise that the pop and R&B artist has had success and upward trends in “The Hills.” 7. Sweater Weather - The Neighbourhood It’s all in the title! Released in 2013, the alternative indie pop song “Sweater Weather” seems to be a fan favorite during the Fall season. Today, “Sweater Weather” has been circulating on Tik Tok because of a new dance created that correlates with the chorus of the song. American rock band, The Neighbourhood, definitely achieved a Fall feeling with their number one song, “Sweater Weather,” in a way other than the title. 8. Dark Red - Steve Lacy Steve Lacy again? - his popularity seems to be high among students at East High School. Released in 2017 as a single, “Dark Red” began to gain higher popularity because of Tik Tok videos in August of 2021 which led into the Fall season. The soul and R&B singer has continued to achieve more and more as his new album in 2022, “Gemini Rights” has climbed the charts and inevitably, had success in the Fall season. 9. Bound 2 - Kanye West Is East Bound 2 loving Kanye’s music? The 2013 release of “Bound 2” is currently Kanye’s #1 streamed song on Spotify. Again, Tik Tok trends have only contributed to this success by creating new “sounds” revolving around lyrics that have been altered to a high-pitched sound level. The rapper’s songs are listened to no matter the season - this song especially is among East students’ favorites. 10. Eventually - Tame Impala “Eventually” by Tame Impala is the type of song that you blast on the way to school in the cold Fall months. “Currents,” the album of “Eventually,” was released in 2015 and stands as Tame Impala’s most popular album. Even though it has been seven years since the release of “Eventually,” the results of the fall song poll have spoken and the popularity remains strong among students at East.

A Guide to your Junior Year Junior year: an infamously difficult time in a student’s high school career, consisting of SATs, college applications, an overwhelming course load, and the list goes on. I’d place bets that any current Senior would be the first to tell you that they’re glad that their junior year days are far behind them, but that doesn’t do us current juniors much good…so what would? As juniors attempt to take on the difficult challenge, I’d encourage them to take a moment and listen to some advice from their elders… otherwise known as retired struggling juniors: Seniors. I decided it was best to interview and survey a handful of East’s senior class. My interview consisted of three main questions: What’re the biggest challenges Juniors should expect to face during the year? The responses were just as you’d expect, resulting in a surplus of stories that went into the gory details of keeping up with difficult classes, preparing for SATS, looking into colleges… and more. Almost all seniors interviewed made a point of highlighting two particularly difficult aspects of junior year; the first being juggling the SATS and other state tests with their school work, and the second being the introduction to the “college scene”. Who would have thought that studying for the SAT while simultaneously writing lengthy college apps wouldn't have been a blast? What were your best strategies for staying on top of your work and avoiding stress? Let’s be realistic, most seniors didn’t have a specific set of “strategies” that they used to keep up their studies. “To be straight up, I didn't keep on top of any of my work last year,” admitted Senior Ari Brodsky, “I wouldn’t recommend that strategy for this year.” I want to say thanks, Ari, this might actually be the best piece of advice of all. Maya HaLevi emphasized doing your work while actually in class when you're able to seek out help from your teachers, saying that “prioritizing class time might seem obvious, but when I started utilizing my time in class I noticed that my workload outside of class got smaller.” The overwhelming theme might just be the importance of time management skills. What should Juniors absolutely NOT do? Outside of the obvious suggestions along the lines of “don’t skip class” and “don’t pretend you’re cool because you’re an ‘upperclassmen’ now”... the piece of advice given most wasn’t actually school related at all. Senior Elin Lawrence expressed the opinion that juniors “shouldn’t only focus on academics…” saying that “even though it’s an important year academically it’s also an important year for making friends and finding yourself.” Calvin Postal seconded the notion, reminding us juniors how important it is to “ take a moment to enjoy the year, have fun, and go do social activities when you get the chance.” It’s said that the best way to avoid “academic burnout” is to remember the importance of life outside of school. In a general sense, junior year will obviously be tough, what year of high school isn’t… but let's hope these tips make it bearable.

During this crazy time, between starting a new school year and still being in a pandemic, a lot has changed. From being fully remote last year to being entirely in person this year, from being stuck at home 24/7 to being able to going out more and seeing friends and family, and from John Youngquist, East High School’s former principal leaving to being introduced to a new principal, Terita Walker, all of us as an East High School community have experienced a lot in the past year. With all these new changes, you may be asking yourself, who is Terita Walker? Ms. Walker is the new East High School principal. She was born in Chicago, Illinois to Gayle Walker and Terry Walker. Mrs. Walker was a dietitian for the lunch program in Chicago Public Schools and Mr. Walker was the supervisor of management information systems for the Circuit Court of Cook County in Chicago. “As a child I loved listening to my mother tell stories about the kids she would connect with, while working for the lunch program,” Walker stated, which later influenced her into becoming an educator. She also was a trained dancer as a child which eventually led to cheerleading for the Denver Broncos, Arena football and Denver Nuggets. Walker went to Whitney Young High School. After highschool she then earned her Bachelor's degree in Public Relations and Marketing at Southern Illinois University. She was also a big time track and field runner in college. She went on to become a business developer for Wells Fargo Financial. Though the job was very steady, Walker decided business wasn’t right for her and went back to college to get her Masters degree in education. After that, Walker became a substitute teacher at Marquette Elementary/Middle school in Chicago. “I had a sub experience that made me realize this was my thing and I still keep in contact with some of those kids today,” she explained. Walker then got a job opportunity at that same school as a 7th grade teacher, and later on became a 4th grade and 9th grade teacher in Chicago. She also taught a college access class for college essay writing. In 2005, Walker decided to leave Chicago and come to Kipling, CO. There, she taught at Justice High School and even started a cheerleading team she coached. “It was one of the coolest experiences,” Walker emphasized. During her time at Justice High School, Walker was studying to obtain a counseling degree and eventually moved to Montebello High School for her counseling internship for a year, also coaching cheerleading there. In 2008, Walker was offered a job at East High school as a first year counselor and even became the cheerleading coach. She later on became an assistant principal in 2017. Walker has been at East High school for 13 years and counting, explaining how East has shaped her into the person she is today. Also, being a mother of a 12 year old daughter has affected the way she interacts with her students. Walker explained how she took on the role as the East principal, not only because her mother influenced her, but as she stated, “East is a part of me.“ As the new principal, she is excited for the feeling of community and connectedness that she’s hoping to bring back after this long year and a half of isolation. While being principal can be stressful and challenging, Walker is doing a great job making an effort to make sure everyone is feeling included and together. One of the biggest changes Walker is excited about is Advisory. She explained, “Advisory is grounded in social and emotional learning and will be extremely valuable.” Though a lot has changed in a year and a half, having a new principal will be a great change. While Mr. Youngquist did an amazing job running the school and no one could replace him, Walker already has big plans to create more of a community at East. She takes the time to get to know her students and staff and shows that she cares. Even though being principal is a big responsibility and can be very stressful, Ms. Walker has a bright future ahead of her.

When done right, coffeeshops foster community and improve infrastructure. When done poorly, they sharpen gentrification, dissolve a neighborhood’s history, and reek of pretentiousness. It’s a delicate, nuanced balance, and it’s also impossible to definitively rank their quality. This opinion doesn’t come from a place of elitism, but rather the acknowledgement of subjectivity - perception will always be fallible. Still, it’s valuable to employ a lens of critical thinking that holds them accountable for their impact. And so, the following is an even consideration of quality, location, ethics, and ambiance. 5) Pablo’s Coffee - any Denver location Pablo’s Coffee plays a paternal role in Denver’s coffee scene. The shop has a venerable status around the city, and they distribute beans to several smaller businesses. A visit to Pablo’s is met with a wise, steady ambiance. This coffeeshop grew up and graduated college. It no longer needs pilgrimages to self discovery or any adolescent phases. Pablo’s Coffee knows who they are, and they help you figure it out too. The coffee exceeds all expectations: unique creations, reliable quality, and friendly service all make for a fantastic experience. 4) Thump Coffee, 1201 E 13th Ave, Denver, CO 80218 Although Thump may present a typical ambiance of neutral colors and hanging overhead lights, their coffee is simply the best in Denver. I have never had a latte that beat the one at this spot, and this is mostly credited to their technique. The milk is flawlessly textured and tempered, the coffee itself is a perfect balance of acidity and body, and they still manage to get their orders out incredibly efficiently. 3) Weathervane Cafe, 1725 E 17th Ave, Denver, CO 80218 Has your avant garde grandmother ever turned her house into a funky coffeeshop? If so, you’ll feel right at home at Weathervane Cafe. The name already eludes to something calm and contemplative, and the artisanal quality pairs well with the mood. My biggest recommendation off the menu is the mango melt (a delectable brie and ciabatta creation) paired with an orange and clove latte. The appeal of Weathervane Cafe is the promise that it will be unlike any coffeeshop you’ve ever been to. Lace doilies line the windows, archaic wood floors creak beneath your feel, and you feel right at home - because it looks exactly like one. An assortment of local honey and other handcrafted goods are also available for purchase. It’s anti-commercial and dedicated to standards of kindness and reliability. 2) St Mark’s Coffee House, 2019 E 17th Ave, Denver, CO 80206 The most conveniently located on this list, St Mark’s is certainly irreverent. The most enticing thing about it has got to be the gigantic, clunky garage windows that open on both sides of the building - coming and going feels natural. This joint is a paradoxical addition to this list, because the coffee is mediocre. Their espresso drinks are prepared with an imperceptibly shoddy technique, and their drip is notorious for being sour and muddy. But, what makes St Mark’s unbeatable is its powerful ambiance. A stunning homage to Michelangelo paints a sort of halo on the ceiling above the register, and the disjunct assortment of marbled tables and blueberry blue benches draw an eclectic crowd. Poets, antisocial chess players, acoustic band washups, and unsalted almond enthusiasts gather, seemingly incomprehensibly, but they are united by a call to creativity. Everyone who comes here wants to make something real, and I think that is infinitely more valuable than the quality of a medium roast. 1) Whittier Cafe, 1710 E 25th Ave, Denver, CO 80205 One of Denver’s most esteemed businesses, and a black owned one as well, Whittier cafe is the city’s only African espresso bar. It’s also the only truly ethical coffee shop I’ve experienced. It has long been a gathering place for those who lived in Five Points before it was gentrified, and recently moved residents who want to participate in the community proactively. Whittier Cafe serves imperative political issues with its lattes, which are of fantastic quality. Infographics on the Black Lives Matter movement and the Ethiopian Genocide are displayed throughout the cafe, and the bathroom is decorated with signs from protests. The ambiance is also unbeatable - warm, one of a kind paintings cover the walls, and a new artist does an installation every month. Whittier Cafe feels like home, regardless of where you come from.

Many contemporary schools in Colorado are built with similar architecture, but none of them are as unique and beautiful as East High School. East was built in 1925, it has one of a kind features unlike any other school. The iconic green clock and the burgundy red bricks almost give a sense of home. Along with the antique wooden windows that give a majestic feel. The bright red “E” imprinted in front lets everyone know that it's East High School, the red “E” where everyone meets their friends is an iconic piece. Inside the main stairs greet everyone with its welcoming steps. The doors of the auditorium are not too far behind carefully crafted to have the letter “E'' be the center. The auditorium, big and glamorous with a seat for everyone. The surrounding walls, covered in a mint green paint. It’s almost like being at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. As students walk through the hallways rushing to classes, the walls are sometimes filled with student artwork. Meaningful artwork that isn’t just decor, but allows students ideas to freely be expressed. Students have the freedom to speak their minds and hearts. The dance room is filled with music and joy, the light wooden floors hold the feet of all the dancers, and the light green walls see the dance creations come to life. The school still has many original and historic treasures that can take people to another place and time, like the paintings on the library walls of Marco Polo and the statues outside. East has a culture that values education. East is proud to have high graduation rates and courses that prepare for college. There is always a sincere willingness from teachers to help students who are struggling with grades. Whether it's academics or life, people in the East community are always lending a hand to help those who are in need. The East community help each other both inside and outside of the classroom. The Angel packs and the winter clothing drive are a few to highlight. Inclusion and diversity are key elements that make East a gem. Despite the older architecture, elements of East’s culture are not antiquated, instead they are state of the art. Students can make their voices heard and advocate for what they believe in at East. Students find their identity and liberty of being themselves. Everyone is different and unique and East High School values that about everyone. Acceptance is another meaningful quality that the students here share with each other. Almost everyone has a place where they belong at this school, and although we are all different, we come together in times of sadness and need. Overall, East High School has many beautiful qualities spanning from the location of the school to the architecture of the school and the culture among the students of this school. East is an example of how all schools should aspire to be. It is the true example of peace, unity and inclusion. “When you walk into East, both teachers and students feel that learning happens and everyone is valued” - Mr. Hudson

“Why don’t you look like your mom? Why don’t you have a dad?” When asked these questions as a child, you don’t really think too much about the whys behind questions like that, because you’re raised to view your life a certain way, and as I’ve gotten older I’ve gotten more comfortable with answering them. When I tell people that I’m adopted, others can become uncomfortable, but it’s more common than you’d think. In 1980, the Chinese government was experiencing a resource shortage due to a 7.8% annual growth rate. During this time, the government implemented the one-child policy, meaning that families were allowed only one child, and if caught with more than one, they would face serious consequences such as a fine between $370-$12,800. Unfortunately, many families conceived more than one child, but due to fear from the government and poverty, a lot of babies were abandoned on the streets. While millions of babies were abandoned, not all children made it to orphanages, and some of the ones who did weren’t adopted. Since so many babies were abandoned, the orphanages were overcrowded and understaffed, resulting in illness like malaria, tuberculosis and sometimes death. Also, as Chinese culture presents men as the caretakers of their parents in old age, boys were preferred over baby girls. But in situations where boys were born with medical issues, many of these babies were given up due to the lack of money or resources. There were a lot of boys who had cleft lips or paletes, meaning that the skin on their upper lift hadn’t been formed causing it to be open. There were also boys who had heart problems. My brother was one of the babies who unfortunately was born with a cleft lip and palate, and due to this was left on the side of a road in a box, found by a stranger and taken to an orphanage. While he was lucky enough to be adopted, not every baby with medical issues survived. “I was 10 months old when I was adopted,” East High senior Avery McLaughlin stated. Like McLaughlin, most babies were between six months to a year old when they were adopted, not being able to remember their experience. But in some cases, the children were older. “I was five years old and remember most of it,“ East High senior Allen Harder explained, “I remember mostly family related experiences like my foster care family I had in China.” While most Chinese children were babies when they were adopted, they see what their life was like in an orphanage through pictures, whereas others like Harder, who were adopted later on, have memories from their childhood in China. It’s crucial to understand the different experiences these Chinese adoptees have been through and how it has affected them. Most of these adoptees don’t know any life other than the American life that they were raised in. While Chinese culture is still part of them, they don’t always feel connected to their heritage. “Being surrounded by a largely white community has been huge and I want to learn more about the East Asian side of me,” East High senior Ally Yager expressed. Growing up in a mainly caucasian society can have its positives, like Harder explained, “It’s made me very aware about other cultures and types of people I wouldn’t have met in China.” While it can also have its negatives, as East High junior Lily Copeland explained, “I feel really alienated from American culture because I’m a Chinese girl with two white parents and I get a lot of weird stares.” “Considering that I was left at a park I wasn’t going to have a good life, so being adopted has given me more opportunities,” McLaughlin stated. Since it was illegal to give up your child, many families left their babies in busy places for other people to find them and take them to orphanages. Though every adoptee has experienced different things, they have all expressed how being in America has given them more opportunities. Many babies who were put up for adoption were usually found in worn-down and thin clothes, which meant that many families who gave up their babies were very poor. While it would have been very different being raised in China. “Being here in America has really let me reach out and appreciate what I have now and the opportunities I have had,” Yager emphasized. Since many families from the United States adopted Chinese children, many adoptees connect with one another through being adopted. “I really value my friendships with other Chinese adoptees,” Yager emphasized. “The adoptee experience is definitely unique.” Like Yager, adoptees have always had a certain connection, unlike biological children. As Copeland and I were both adopted from the same orphanage in Chongqing, China, we stayed in touch throughout our childhood because her family lived in Denver and mine lived in Aurora. As we got older, we still reached out to each other but wouldn’t see each other as much. During my sophomore year, I transferred to East High school and coincidentally Copeland was a student there. Most adoptees don’t usually end up in the same place let alone the same neighborhood. Plus, McLaughlin was born in Chongqing and was adopted about a year before Copeland and I were. While we weren’t all from the same orphanage, we all ended up in the same part of Denver. Chinese adoptees will always have a special bond with each other and value the life they were given. Even though Chinese adoptees have gone through similar experiences, their stories are all unique in different ways.