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Fearing the oncoming slew of budget cuts and lost positions, there was a bitter note to last year’s Spring semester. The drying of funding from the pandemic, coupled with lower enrollment numbers brought the need from Denver Public Schools’ leadership to lower spending for this school year. Schools district-wide were affected by these cuts. East in particular had a notable surge of conversation regarding cuts to their art programs.  Keith Oxman, legendary band teacher and jazz musician, retired at last year’s end, leaving the position open for East’s second band instructor. It came as a surprise to many however when no second teacher was hired, and the position was cut instead. Many of the classes offered last year were cut to accommodate, from ten to six, left with a single music teacher, one Tung Pham.  “I’m teaching an overload,” Mr. Pham mentioned. Across East, there’s a variety of bands and skill levels that require vastly different instruction. “The ability to be able to serve all the students across the whole spectrum is super difficult” “ I'm just trying to do too many things at once and I appreciate the kids for being patient with me of that, because I know I'm being spread in a lot of different directions, but they seem to be really supportive”. Though Mr. Pham mentioned he would personally like to see a second music teacher, especially for classes outside of his specialties such as orchestra; he mentions that enrollment isn’t where it needs to be to support such a decision.  Many students and teachers were shocked and deeply upset to see programs cut and budgets slashed, especially considering DPS received an $11 million dollar mill levy in 2012 specifically for programs like the arts and music. All of this comes at a time of great contention within DPS, as teachers are also arguing for higher wages as costs of living have increased dramatically in Denver. An agreement between the school district and teacher’s union slated a 5.25% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for educators. The total they actually received was only 2.06%. In contrast to all of this is superintendent Alex Marrero, who recently received a 10% raise (Denver Gazette).  Madeleine Senger, an East High school senior, pianist, and writer for the Greater Park Hill News has been an ardent proponent for increased funding to East arts. The 2012 mill levy is an important part of her argument. According to the levy, DPS Schools should have 0.5 instrumental music teachers for every 400 students. Based on this, East’s 2,500 students would be granted closer to three teachers rather than just one.  “They didn’t respect that.” “There are so many opportunities that [...] students won’t get because there isn’t enough space for them”. Senger has attempted to reach out to the board, but was told that “there’s nothing they can do”. While squabbles for funding occur on the district-level, it’s the students who are left to deal with the results. Senior Beckett Nelson-Gardner thinks that “it’s a downhill slope [...] East used to be [...] one of the best schools in DPS for music and now it's looking like the only place you can get a good music education is a place that is specifically dedicated to the arts, like DSA…”. Senior Gabrielle Muturi fears that “the East music program is gonna get a lot smaller”. Across the board, students from a range of band classes have noticed a sharp change in focus since last year. Beckett talked about “a new emphasis on music theory” and less on actual playing, while Gabrielle mentioned a monotonous lack of diversity in the song selection. There’s varying feelings on the How instrumental music at East as well as art programs across DPS at large will look moving forward is still largely uncertain. Change feels like a requirement to many, stating the instability of the establishment. Despite discontentment, the community remains tight-knit, and is hopeful for the future of East’s art program.

By Adeline Newton “It's literally so dank everywhere. Each floor smells like a different part of a rotting sandwich,” claims East High junior Ella Burrell. Walking in the hallways at East is already challenging enough, now imagine the most rancid smell overtaking the hallways as everybody shoves their way into classrooms. East students' noses are constantly being assaulted by the intense smell of other student’s body odor (B.O.) in the hallways and classrooms due to other students' poor hygiene. High school is the prime time for changing bodies, which also means, sweat glands change .  When teens hit puberty, eccrine glands (or sweat glands) produce sweat. However, sweat doesn’t smell on its own; only once it’s broken down by bacteria on the skin does it begin to project the foul odor. Puberty causes the amount of sweat being produced, allowing bacteria to decompose more of it, causing more of a foul scent.      Of course everybody sweats, given we are all human, however, some smell better than others. Regularly bathing in order to get rid of the bacteria helps prevent a buildup of bacteria and sweat. Deodorant conceals the foul scent so instead it projects a much better smell. Deodorant comes in many different scents and applications, ranging from sprays, stick, roll on, to any scent desirable to fit all preferences.      Reapplying deodorant can also be a good habit to make sure the smell is masked throughout the day. Wearing clean clothes prevents the possibility of lingering odors being projected and washing dirty clothes eliminates the bacteria and smell left after use. Perfume and cologne smells good of course but is not a substitute for deodorant due to it not killing off bacteria like deodorant does. However, desperate times call for desperate measures and if perfume or cologne is the only thing immediately available it’s better to use something rather than nothing.  The smell is more pungent towards the more crowded areas of the hallway, such as the main stairwell. By this stairwell you are put close up to people and have no choice but to smell things (voluntarily or not). So don’t be that person radiating that rancid smell of B.O. Being rushed out the door in the mornings while running late leaves room for things to be forgotten, one of them being deodorant. Asking a friend for deodorant could be a solution,depending on circumstances. School nurse, Nurse Fun, also confirmed, “For anyone having body odor, we provide deodorant and invite people to come get deodorant if needed.” Photo caption: East juniors Ella Burrell and Hazel Nyce and sophomore Emma McNutt cringe at the awful smell of B.O. by the second floor main stairwell.

Technology. A highly advanced invention that has taken the entire world by storm in a never-ending, vast network of information, games, artificial intelligence, photos, and videos. As the world and society evolve, so will technology, resulting in either a beneficial or harmful effect on the future, especially for the growing minds of young adolescents. Statistics from The National Library of Medicine claim that “around 95% of teenagers aged 13-17 have access to a phone, and at least 79% bring one to school.” As the number increases, parents and teachers continue to insist that teenagers are just a bunch of phone-fanatic zombies, but is this actually true?  In an environment where learning levels are varied, having information right at people’s fingertips if the material gets confusing or hard to understand is extremely useful. Not only does the internet hold so many answers, but certain apps are designed to help students better comprehend what they are being taught. According to the Pew Research Center, “70% of teenagers in the U.S. said in a survey that phones are more advantageous than not while the other 30% said the opposite.”  Banning students from bringing their phones to school cuts off any communication they have with their parents, limiting the resources they have to keep in contact during emergencies within the building. Sophomore Cecilia Brinton comments, “We need phones during school to contact people and I like to know what’s going on.”   Staying in touch with friends is a critical part of a teenager’s life and with phones, being closer to them by texts, calls, social media and more can keep people updated on what is happening with them.  Another important aspect to consider is languages as they can be a barrier of communication and connection. It’s estimated that there are around 7,000 languages spoken worldwide according to BBC and having translation services on mobile phones for students is a handy tool. However, East has become quite lenient with technology and how to deal with the problem of keeping students focused during class. If phones are being taken away, there are always students using their computers to play games to pass the time or sneak their phones into class. There is no solid restriction to compensate for the online distractions, only simple procedures like hangers on the door, plastic tubs, or even no rules at all.  The DPS School Board decided not to focus on cell phone restriction leaving it to the teachers at East to decide on what should be done with phones. DPS School Board member John Youngquist speculates, “If the school or the teachers can agree to implement a restriction they think will actually work and have students comply with, that’s how the cell phone issue might be resolved.” Modern day technology is a powerful gadget to have access to, but is it worth the sake of physical connection and mental health?  The human race depends on meeting people, working together, having face-to-face conversations, and spending time with each other (Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History). Being able to send a quick message without talking in person takes away from the friendly interactions that can happen daily. It’s much harder to make small talk between teenagers nowadays for fear of judgement, lack of confidence, and the classic “look on my phone and at social media or random things because it’s awkward sitting here in silence” move. Not only is it hard with other people the same age but it conditions teens to have a tough time interacting with teachers along with pretty much anyone they’re not comfortable with.  Of course, most topics will always have some controversy surrounding it, however, looking at it from both perspectives can help our insight on it further. Regarding phones in school, the staff can decide whether or not restrictions on them are tighter and students can choose if their education matters more than their devices. If learning is an essential part of life, it begs the question; how will technology affect young adolescents and their education in the future?

On July 31, 2024, Tattered Cover’s purchase by Barnes & Noble for a bid of $1.83 Million was finalized. This comes after multiple years of well-publicized bankruptcy issues that challenged the bookseller. Will this be the beginning of a corporate, charmless, era for Tattered Cover? Or, did Barnes & Noble just save a beloved Denver establishment? That remains to be seen. Since the opening of the company’s Colfax location in 2006, Tattered Cover has been quintessential to East students. Just across the street, the location has been the premier spot to study, get lunch, pick up books, and more. Nowadays, taking a stroll through the iconic Denver establishment near school hours will leave one amongst hoards of teenagers looking for their assigned reading or cramming for their test next period.  Tattered Cover has been around since 1971. Originally in Cherry Creek, the company has collected a variety of new locations over the years, including the Colfax location, which has become its flagship store. The company has changed hands before, however. After longtime owner Joyce Meskis sold it in 2015, Tattered Cover underwent two more leadership switches. The most recent switch was in 2020 to David Back and Kwame Spearman, the latter gaining recognition after his unsuccessful campaign for Denver mayor in 2023. Since then, their financial struggles have been no secret. They began to struggle during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and had to file for bankruptcy in October of 2023. Now, big changes are coming to Tattered Cover. It was announced in July that Barnes and Noble had acquired the bookseller following an auction with bidders that included former CEO Kwame Spearman. This move prevents the store from being forced into shutdown, but it raises questions as to the future of Tattered Cover, and if the independent bookseller charm will remain.  East Students are hopeful, however, and glad that their favorite bookstore will remain open. Senior Izzy Hillhouse says that the future of Tattered Cover is, “very bright now that there’s more money being put into it”. Though corporatization is still a concern, “that’s what it takes to keep them around. Small bookstores aren’t doing so well and if being bought out saves them from closing that’s better than closing”.  It seems that this optimism is shared by the employees of Tattered Cover as well. Brandon Miller, who’s been an employee there for three years, states that “stability is a good word for [the future of the company], We’ve got more books on shelves than we’ve had since, like a year and a half ago.” Brandon also pointed out a new cardboard book display advertising a new release, a symbol of increased funding. “We’re all being really optimistic about it.” In recent decades, we’ve seen the apparent decline of independent bookstores as they are frequently driven out of business or purchased by larger corporations like Amazon and Barnes & Noble. The pandemic was particularly tough on booksellers. There was about a 10% decrease in the number of independent bookstores between 2019 and 2021 (American Booksellers Association). Though the state of our beloved bookstore next door may trouble some students, Tattered Cover is not going anywhere. As of September 2024, the bookseller’s four Denver locations will all remain open. To the East layperson, their bookstore will remain for lunch, studying, book shopping, and more. Though Tattered Cover’s struggle in recent years is unfortunate to see, there’s hope for the future of our little neighborhood bookseller.

At the helm of the Denver East Community is Principal Terita Walker, who is currently entering her fourth year in the job. During her stint as Principal, Mrs. Walker has faced many challenges, including school following the pandemic, staff changes, incredible pressure, and unspeakable acts of violence.  However, through it all she has remained committed to the students and staff at East, restoring a sense of normalcy. Mrs. Walker's path to the focal point of East’s hierarchy has certainly been an extensive journey. What began with broadcast Journalism and later business development quickly transitioned to the educational world. Her career in Colorado began with teaching at Justice High School in Boulder as well as Montbello High School. When the counseling job opened at East she became an Angel, remaining as a counselor for eight years before transitioning to an Assistant Principal and Athletic Director position. Following the departure of John Youngquist in 2021, she stepped up to the role of Principal and has remained there ever since. While at East, Mrs. Walker has worked tirelessly in order to ensure that the students can walk away from high school having enjoyed every moment. She expressed that her goal is for all the students at East to “look back and say the best time of my life was at East High School.”  She explained that “if you truly enjoy your experience you will learn things along the way.” As for the 2024/25 school year, Mrs. Walker has her eyes set on continuing to build the relationships around the building. “I think a lot of people who come here, or people who love it here, or people who went here, they talk about how much they love the fact that we are such a unified school community and how much people support each other” Mrs. Walker explained. “I think who we are to each other and the way we treat each other is really what allows us to be happy about coming to East everyday whether you're coming as a student or a staff member.”  Mrs. Walker identified one of the ways to improve these relationships is through punctuality. “Somebody told me when you're late or you just don't show up it seems like you don't value them or their time.” The staff members at East work around the clock to create meaningful lessons that would “be great for you and for your development” and by showing up on time, both students and staff would “value this experience more.” Despite facing many challenges, Walker has held true to her values of placing the students first. She has continuously avoided news appearances, including Good Morning America, in order to fulfill the wishes of her students. “I'm not looking for three minutes of fame from any of this because that's not what it's about,” she explained. “I asked kids what do you want, and you guys told me we just want to get back to normal, we don't want cameras in our faces, we don't want unfamiliar faces around.” While often not seen by the East students, Mrs. Walker's leadership and commitment to the students has shone through in times of need. Her actions remind us that prioritizing the students in education can lead to an unshatterable community prepared to take on any challenge they may face.

The first time a flag football player was spotlighted onto national screens was during the 2023 Super Bowl commercials. The MVP of the Flag Football World Games, Diana Flores, was being chased through the stadium as NFL players, celebrities, and even her mother attempted to pull her flags. At the end of the commercial, Flores joins other flag football players and ends with the quote, “To the women pushing football forward, we can’t wait to see where you take this game.” In 2023, almost 500,000 girls between the ages of 6-17 played flag football, according to the National Federation of State High Schools Association. That’s a 63% increase from 2019, and the statistics are expected to skyrocket now that the sport is an official Olympic category that will be played in the 2028 Olympics. East’s very own flag football team is at a solid 4-0 in the DPS level as of September of 2024. At practice, girls show up with not only a positive attitude but a competitively-aggressive one as well. Between girls fighting for the ball in a game they call mosh pit to girls diving for flags in scrimmages, it definitely is not a sport for the weak hearted. It’s grown so much that there have been unconfirmed suggestions of starting a JV team as well.  JT, a senior and the team’s quarterback, said that “...every girl should check [flag football] out.” and it’s so cool to see “girls pushing themselves and trying a sport that others would typically feel that’s not for them since traditionally [football] is seen as a male sport in general.” Flag football at East is not only a space for girls to push themselves out of their athletic comfort zones, but it is also a place of community and an “outlet” for them. With a sport that is now available at the collegiate level, one would think that East would be supporting the team, however, the school’s support hasn’t reached its potential. On the official Denver East website under Athletics and Girls Flag Football, there is no updated information concerning the teams win or loses, score, or game summary. There is also no information of the roster for the ‘24-’25 season. During some of the first meetings for flag football, no players were informed through any letters, emails, or social media announcements about the opportunity to participate in the Fall sport. Many students and teachers don’t even know what sport is being played when girls wear their jerseys on game-day. Some players have said that they heard wrong announcements over the PA for games, and that the school doesn’t typically announce the sport to the general student body. Coach Candice Malone also expressed how she felt about East’s support for the girls saying, “I am disappointed in the lack of support we receive from East. The girls work hard out there and to not be able to feel or see the support from the school is discouraging.” She also went on to say, “Denver East girls flag football has had a successful season, three years in a row, with little to no support from East.” On the other hand, there have been more posts on Instagram through the @denvereasths and the @denvereaststuco page, giving the team their own post for their September 10th game against Bruce Randolph. As JT mentioned, she wishes to see the same amount of attention that is given to other female sports given to flag football as well saying, “I want to see that in flag football ‘cause it’s just as respectable and competitive as those other sports.” As this growing sport continues to expand on the national and international level receiving more and more attention through organizations like the NFL. In addition to being a sport that is predominately empowered by women, why isn’t East doing something more to support their own girls?

Denver East’s boys soccer team kicked off their season with an impressive 2-1 victory against Battle Mountain on Friday, August 23rd. Finishing second at state last year and first the year before, boys soccer has been a highlight of East’s fall sports. As fans fill the bleachers with excitement for the season, the question remains: can the Angels keep their state finals streak alive? Photo by Reid Neureiter - Boys State Finals, 2023 The season so far has presented a variety of challenges for the Angels, seen by their first three games which ended in a win, a tie, and a loss. These mixed outcomes now provide opportunities of growth and improvement for the remainder of the season.  Games against East’s biggest rivals are coming up, such as Denver North, Denver South, and Northfield, and the team is continuously working hard to fine-tune their strategies and improve their overall performance. After a shut-out against Fossil Ridge in a 0-0 tie, the team demonstrated defensive skill; however, they are also aware of the need to convert their defensive strength into offensive opportunities. Clayton Thomas agrees that while the team has potential to go far in playoffs for a third year in a row, “someone's going to need to score a lot of goals this season.”  With three home games under the belt, it is clear that fans are eager for the season, as demonstrated by the packed bleachers. The enthusiasm not only boosts the players’ confidence, but also sets the stage for an exciting season ahead. Clayton Thomas, a senior, states that the student section makes playing easier. “[I]t’s like another form of motivation.” Home game against Battle Mountain, August 23rd 2024, Red Out “Jesus parts the Red Sea” - Photo by Peyton Mendelsberg  Prishad Mitchell scored the first goal of the season against Battle Mountain. Now a senior, Prishad has had a successful high school career, supporting the team through two state championships. With optimism for the season, Prishad says, “I think the season will go phenomenally, and even if we don’t get the results we want, we still will play our hearts out.”  As playoffs approach and the season escalates, the determination of the players and enthusiasm from the fans set the stage for an exciting season ahead.  Photo by Reid Neureiter - Boys State Finals, 2023

There’s still over 6 months until the 2024 presidential elections, but headlines, campaigns, and family dinner tables across the country are already filled with discussions about the state of American Democracy today. However, regardless of how one feels about either 2024 presidential candidate, another existential threat to democracy is growing, buried beneath the campaign messages; a growing decline in civic knowledge and participation. A study by the Annenberg Public Policy Center found that less than half of Americans can name all three branches of government. According to the World Economic Forum, only 30% of people born since 1980 consider it “essential” to live in a democratic country. That’s why education programs, such as East High School’s Constitutional Law class, are so important for students today. In East’s Con Law program, students are given three sets of questions as part of their panel, made up of 4-5 people. They study each one carefully, creating short opening statements responding to the question and gathering evidence to respond to follow up questions. Students spend the first semester preparing for the state competition, held in December. In the second semester, if East wins at the state competition, students then prepare for the national competition, held in Washington DC in April. The workload is intense; according to Mandy Hostetter, the teacher who runs the program, “I feel bad knowing how much work you have to put into it if you want to be successful and sometimes it feels like it is too much, but that’s what we have to do in order to be competitive, it’s like a catch 22. It’s too much but we have to do it.” The high workload pays off; This year and last year, East won 4th place out of the 48 teams from across the country who competed on the national level. East has won the state competition 9 years in a row, and in total, East has won the national competition 5 times since the program started in 1987. Overall, the amount of effort students put into the program is well-rewarded. Fiona MacDonald, a junior in the class this year, feels very positively about the class. “It's my favorite class I've taken at East, it's been really amazing and I highly recommend the program.” Ms. Hostetter agreed that students overwhelmingly enjoy the class overall. “No one regrets it. Once you get through the experience, you would not regret doing it. It’s going to be hard, you’re going to want to quit, but if you persevere and push through it it’s gonna be super rewarding.” There are numerous other benefits to the class as well. For example, as MacDonald said, “The biggest thing I got out of Con Law was definitely the base of knowledge- I really feel like I learned so much and retained a lot of information that's going to be useful in the future.” Ms. Hostetter also pointed out the opportunities for students to learn to collaborate with others, improve writing, and learn public speaking skills. “Writing skills and your ability to articulate responses to complex ideas and thoughts using evidence and explaining why you think something exists, that is such a huge skill” The class offers students interested in government and civics the opportunity to engage with the subject in an exciting way, with the opportunity to visit Washington DC. Con Law is available to anyone who is interested and is willing to take on the challenge. Given the benefits for students of the class, it will hopefully continue to be a popular class and grant students the chance to learn about the American government through such a unique competition.

Head Angels are a sacred tradition at East; every year students elect someone who will lead the school for the next year. All candidates must make a video and write a speech about how they will make East better in the following year. The candidates then make a presentation to every grade to encourage students to vote. The videos that candidates make are designed to show the creative side of the person and demonstrate their dedication to the role. Head Angels have many roles to play as members of the student council. Some responsibilities include saying the announcements every day, planning school dances, planning pep rallies, and more. Next Year’s Head Angels are Ali Sitteseri and Darius McGregor. Here is what they have to say about being the new head angels. Ali Sitteseri: How was the process of getting elected? “While the election process was challenging as anyone could imagine, it was made easier through the dedication I have put into my classes, clubs, and the relationships I have made with my teachers because I knew I had support. I also had a lot of fun running with all of the other candidates.” What are your plans as Head Angel for  East next year? “Next year, I plan on working with Darius to strengthen our school spirit and build stronger relationships with the student body, and with the teachers. With that, I want to work on communication within our school so that all groups, no matter how big or small, are recognized. There are so many wonderful clubs at East that I believe are often overlooked. I want to make sure everyone is getting the acknowledgment they deserve. This also ties into keeping up the school spirit. While our sports are amazing, I would also love to shine more light on other groups.” How did being in STUCO in previous years impact your decision to run? “Being in student council, I have seen a deeper look at how East runs. From my time working on student council and seeing what the current head angels do, I felt confident that I could contribute to East’s community and assume the position of head angel, and all the responsibilities that come with it.” What challenges do you expect to come up next year? “Something that I believe will remain challenging is student and admin relationships. I plan on creating a safe environment where students feel comfortable speaking to administration about school and other things. I want students to feel comfortable seeking help at East without fear or consequences.” Darius McGreggor: How was the process of getting elected? “The process of being elected head was exciting and challenging. It required me going around, introducing myself to people, and getting 200 signatures. There was also a written questionnaire, an interview portion, and teacher evaluations.” What are your plans as Head Angel for East next year? “My plans for being head angel at East next year are to make sure that East has the best year possible. I hope to continue building upon the work done by previous head angels and ensure East is as inclusive an environment as possible.” How did being in STUCO in previous years impact your decision to run? “I have been on student council for the past 2 years, and observing the significant impact that head angels have in advocating for the student body, as well as their responsibilities in planning events, reinforced my decision to pursue this role.” What challenges do you expect to come up next year? “Ideally, I hope to encounter very few challenges in the next school year. However, whatever may arise, I look forward to problem-solving and addressing any issues that may occur.” History of Head Angels at East: As many of you may know, head angel used to be called head boy and head girl until a few years ago when a non-binary person got elected; so East changed it to be more inclusive. The tradition started in 1910 at Old East in downtown Denver (20th and Stout). Thanks to Mr. Fulford, The Spotlight got access to a yearbook from 1910. On the page about the very first head boy and head girl, this is what it read: “Head Boy and Head Girl are to set an example for the rest of the school. and must have all the qualities that make the right kind of men and women. and the right kind of citizens: they must do good class work; they must stand for honesty in school and in school work; they must take an active interest in athletics; and they must be popular among their fellow students.” A lot goes into being a head angel whether it be the high-stress election or busy schedules. Luckily East is in good hands with the determined students who take pride in their roles as head Angels. The 2025 class is in luck with head angels Darius McGregor and Ali Sitteseri.

Denver East High School had a tumultuous 2023-24 school year. The building was swatted, a student’s life was violently taken, and two deans were shot inside the building. As a result, the greater body of East was left to piece their community back together. Additionally, East was placed on lockdown many times and the fire alarm became a normal occurrence. The beloved and historic high school rapidly turned unsafe and deadly. Leaving the year, students weren’t simply happy to be on summer break, but to have survived. The Spotlight covered all of the traumatic events and pledged to provide the student body with accurate, efficient information. The lasting effects of East’s unsafe environment last year have resulted in a lawsuit. East deans who have since parted from the school, Jerald "Wayne" Mason and Eric Sinclair, who were victims of the shooting, announced their intent to sue in early March. The Denverite explains that “both notices of intent cite ‘negligence, recklessness, and willful and wanton conduct’ on the part of the district, school board, and East High School.” More specifically, “The notices allege that several DPS employees, including assistant principal Shawne M. Anderson, principal Terita Walker, three other student safety coordinators, DPS Superintendent Alex Marrero, and district board members, failed to follow proper protocols for conducting threat assessments, and failed to initiate reasonable safety plan protocols to protect staff from foreseeable harm.” One thing was made abundantly clear after the shootings in 2023: East needs to implement serious and effective safety measures. East junior Mattison Nunez depicts the various safety protocols put in place since last year's events in an article written for The Denver Post on March 12, 2024. “At East there are two permanent Student Resource Officers, or SROs: Officer Casey Staples and Officer Matt Wolfe, whom many students feel safe around and have built strong relations with. We’ve had zero lockdowns or lockouts this year (only drills). Finally, the adoption of Cherry Creek School District’s Red Bag.” The Red Bags were installed in every classroom at East, each containing a first aid kit and tourniquet, as well as a QR code that would establish a line directly to the DPD. Although, students have noticed that the bags appear half-full and one can’t help but wonder what a single tourniquet and small first aid kit would do in a mass shooting. Granted, the increased safety measures have contributed to a school year free of shootings at East, yet one might wonder if it is a direct result of East’s efforts, or simply a coincidence. Requiring students to flash their IDs at the front door of the building is an additional measure East administrators have reinforced since the events of 2023. If students don’t have their ID, they pay ten dollars for a replacement. This policy has been advertised as not only a safety measure but a way to hold students accountable for their tardiness and attendance. If a student is late to two fifth period classes (the period after lunch) in a week, they are required to attend Saturday school. Notably, Senior Tatum Blakesley expresses that there seems to be “more emphasis on attendance and tardiness this year, which is odd considering East’s vocality on prioritizing safety.” The ID policy was originally advertised as a safety method, however, it has since been reframed as an attendance policy. Often, the announcements and weekly Friday update emails contain information on the attendance policy instead of new, perfected safety measures. One might infer that East has put safety on the back burner in comparison to attendance. However, the attendance at East continues to show no improvement and all measures set in place have been discontinued or altered because they were deemed ineffective. Inherently, every East student will be leaving high school with a great burden; the long-lasting effects of school shootings and general safety apprehension aren’t easy to forget. However, if East students, faculty, and administration have proven anything, it is that the community is resilient. Despite imperfect safety measures and attitudes, East shows great improvement in comparison to the 2023-24 school year. Dismissing the lack of shootings and minimized violence at East would be negligent. One can simply hope for a future student body that is unfamiliar with the trauma, as well as graduated students that move to advocate for gun safety in their futures.

With a prestigious athletics department, Denver East remains a popular topic of discussion. Throughout History, Denver East has called home 110 state championship teams, all of which were led by outstanding student athletes. Following their tenure as an Angel, many East athletes have looked to continue both their academic and athletic careers at the next level, taking their talents to a vast array of colleges around the country. The graduating class of 2024 is no exception; many Angels are taking their game to the next level as they look to start the next chapter of their lives. Of the many East Athletic programs, the soccer program has seen tremendous success. The girls program, who has defended its DPS title and makes its push into playoffs, coincides with the boys program who have made two consecutive trips to the state championship, taking home a win in the 2022 season. This year, the soccer program sees four players reach the college level, including standout Jamuna Williams. Reflecting on her time at East, Williams says that East has prepared her for the college level by teaching her “to let go of stress and just have fun.” Williams will be attending Washington State University in the fall, where she is “looking forward to new experiences, new people, and learning the way of being a college athlete.” Despite leaving family, friends, and teammates behind, Jamuna is “excited for this new chapter with bigger responsibilities and opportunities.” This year, the East Girls lacrosse team is proud to have called their captain Vivian Leuthold. Leuthold has been a part of the Angels Lacrosse program for the last two years and has been an exemplary role model both on and off the field. Having recently reached 100 goals for the Angels, it is no surprise that she has committed to play lacrosse at the University of Southern California this fall. Despite her limited time at East, Vivian acknowledges how much she has learned as an Angel. “East lacrosse and field hockey have both prepared me for the time commitment college athletics is going to take, and how to continually show up for you my teammates,” Vivian explains. As for her future, Vivian is looking forward to “competing at the next level” and the opportunity to “learn under some of the best coaches in the country.” While Vivian will be dearly missed here at East, everyone is certainly excited to see how her next chapter will unfold in L.A. Led by coach Ruempolhamer, the football team concluded a very impressive season with a 75 percent win rate, reaching the second round of playoffs following a decisive victory over Mullen. Senior Captain Landen Holloway has greatly contributed to the recent success of the Angels. During his senior season, Holloway racked up a total of 177 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 interceptions, and 3 touchdowns, all of which helped East in one of their most successful seasons in recent years. Landen has decided to stay in Colorado and represent Colorado State University Pueblo which competes in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Also graduating this year will be Mia Henninger, who represented the Angles dive team. Mia reflected on her time at East, recounting how the “dive team instilled important values in me on how to be a successful and productive athlete”. Mia, who will be continuing her academic and athletic career at the University of Missouri is looking forward to “bonding with a new group of people for the next 4 years” and “growing with them as athletes and adults”. While Mia certainly leaves behind quite the legacy as an Angel, she will certainly shine on the grand stage of the SEC come this time next year.

Here, Leah Goodman sits down with an editor from The Spotlight to explain her experience in the world of art in high school. She vocalizes her profound liking of the art classes and community at East, while stressing the vital impact they have had on her passion. After all, as a senior, Goodman is leaving East later this year with a significant resume in the art world. She has completed an AP art portfolio, assisted in creating a mural in Denver, and had her art published in The Spotlight previously. Goodman has also played a critical role in East’s stagecraft department as a lead painter and artist for the sets; her light-up re-creation of an anatomical heart stole the very hearts of all audience members of Urinetown: The Musical. It is easy to examine her accomplishments at the mere age of 17, but Goodman accredits part to East. Goodman has taken Drawing and Painting 1 and 2 as well as AP Drawing and Painting. The vitality of the classes proves significant, “This is the first year I haven’t taken an art class, and it’s made me realize how much classes really do encourage me to make more [art].” While some kids are forced to take the beginning art classes as an elective, others make a conscious decision to take them. It might seem redundant to take a class about a concept that isn’t inherently academic, but Goodman has found them beyond critical. “This year has brought to light the real inspiration and creativity that the art classes at East, and in general, nurture artists. I do wish I had taken the opportunity to continue exploring that at school.” Students, especially underclassmen, should take Goodman’s comments as an awakening. East has and will continue to provide an art community—take advantage of it. When prompted on why she likes art, Goodman responded, “I like art because it’s fun. Because it feels good to just make stuff knowing it doesn't have to mean anything or look good or matter at all. Just making art to play with fun textures and colors and weird ideas is enough. I love seeing what I can put together.” This light-hearted and pure passion is apparent in her work. She explores a variety of “themes surrounding instinct and evolution, as well as situational humanity, intimacy, and math in nature.” Although, she notes that “plenty of my art really has no meaning at all.” If there is one takeaway from Goodman’s insights, it is that freedom can be found in art, even in art classes. There is a natural and organic aspect of the community and process that should inspire all, even if one only has a small wondering, to try art out. East High School has historically taken pride in their art class and program offerings. For instance, the music program has existed since the 1970s and has produced artists like Judy Collins and Hattie McDaniel (who also won an Oscar for her role in Gone With the Wind). The fall plays and spring musicals are also consistently popular and seeked-out among the surrounding community. However, many other schools have since lost funding or interest in pursuing them. According to the National Endowment for the Arts, “Among all public high schools, 88% offered at least one arts course in any discipline. While 12% of public high schools offered no arts instruction, 12% offered only one of the four arts disciplines, 28% offered two arts disciplines, 31% offered three arts disciplines, and 17% offered all four major arts disciplines.” This refers to four of the main art disciplines: visual art, dance, theater, and music. Between prioritizing their core classes or GPA, students have fallen victim to an academic culture. Hustling after a pristine transcript, littered with AP Biology and other honors classes, has become the norm. Athletics and academic clubs have also become the forefront; some students face pressure from their parents to “think of profitable careers,” in other words, refrain from the arts. The NEA also notes that “In the public high schools, as the proportion of students eligible for free or reduced price lunch increases, the likelihood of offering arts education decreases.” This infers that lower-income households have also started to view arts as a frivolous endeavor—a variety of people view art as a luxury. While acknowledging the privilege of pursuing art, it is important to denote that art does not cut one off from other academics. Luckily, there are a plethora of student artists at East who have embraced their passions. They are actively proving how art and academics can coexist by succeeding at both; Goodman is a prime example.