Orange & Black » Student Life

Grand Junction Students Travel to Costa Rica

adviser — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 17:49:58 +0000

The Grand Junction High School science club is taking a trip to Costa Rica during summer 2011, and invites all Junction students to come along. Biology teacher Maura McDougal is leading the group from coast to coast.
The trip is 9 days and 8 nights long, with three meals provided daily. The group leaves Tuesday, June 7th, out of Denver and returns Wednesday, June 15.
Enrollment fee is $95, Program fee at $1425, Departure fees are $365 (Includes taxes and surcharges). Program fee valid for all who enroll through Wednesday, March 31, 2010. Monthly for Student: $123, Monthly for Adults: $149.
Also planned is a boat ride, Hot springs kayaking, and Rincon de la Vieja national park. Students have the chance for an optional Sarapiqui canopy tour at $50.
Contact Ms. McDougal for more information, to enroll visit www.eftours.com/enroll.

Speech and Debate Prepare to Travel to State

adviser — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 19:05:14 +0000

On Feb. 26, the GJHS Speech and Debate team went to Moffat County High School in Craig for the district competition. The Tigers sent 10 team members to the district meet and seven of them qualified for state.
Of the seven were Natalie Pipe and Katie Repetti in Public Forum Debate, Andriana Coleman and Sierra Simons in Original Oratory, Logan Lally in United States Extemporaneous Speaking, and Jack Wright and James Osmundsen in Humorous Interpretation.
The team went to the district meet without its coach, Mr. Anthony Myers, who had been ill for the previous week. Ms. Rosemary Jennings, a language arts teacher at GJHS, filled in for Myers.
The team will next go to the national qualifier competition in Pueblo on March 5 and 6. Then on March 12 and 13 the team will compete in state at Castle Rock.

GJHS Senior Prepares for Solo & Ensemble

adviser — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:12:37 +0000

     Each year, students in band, choir and orchestra from every high school and middle school in the Grand Valley have the chance to perform a piece in front of a judge for individual feedback at an event called Solo and Ensemble.
     Calloway May, a senior band member at Grand Junction High School, has participated in Solo and Ensemble for her entire high school career.
     “It’s a great opportunity to get a lot of individual practice and feedback. You challenge yourself to do better,” May said.
     Solo and Ensemble is a judged event, where students receive different certificates for the score they achieved during performing.
    “I do get nervous to perform in front of judges, and the fact that I’m being judged does make me prepare more. Fortunately the judges are nice most of the time,” May said.
     One simple way to automatically improve a score is to perform with an accompanist if doing a solo.
     “I’ve always had an accompanist. It helps me listen for time and pitches when I can’t just rely on other people or the director,” May said.
     Every part of Solo and Ensemble has helped May become a better player, and the time that this event takes is worth the effort to May.
     “The individual attention is good since I don’t take lessons, and I know I improve and play more challenging pieces each year,” May said.

Spirit Week

adviser — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:11:37 +0000

In anticipation of the Blackout Dace, GJHS students dressed up for spirit week to show their school pride.
Monday was ski/beach bum day, Tuesday was camo day, Wednesday was Revenge of the nerds, Thursday was sci-Fi day, and Friday was a color war to test the spirit of each class.
Students went all out to show their spirit and dressed up as things like creatures from avatar, gods and goddesses and other interesting figures.
Some say there was a lack of school spirit among students during spirit week, and some say the spirit remained just as much as always.
“I was really surprised at how many people dressed up for Sci-Fi day, and revenge of the nerds,” sophomore Tessa Kester said.
“If [students] didn’t dress up, I think it was mostly because it can be hard to find things to wear without going shopping for fun clothes. I personally dress up because I like to exceed people’s expectations and watch their reactions to my various outfits.”
As it turns out, most of the students that usually dress up for spirit week did, going above and beyond with their fascinating outfits.

Tension Builds As Rival Game Approaches

adviser — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:16:55 +0000

After the skunk oil incident at Stocker Stadium earlier this year, students have mixed emotions as to what might go on during the rivalry basketball game this Friday night.
“You never know if someone could pull another prank,” sophomore Dylan Bennett said.
“But kids might behave [themselves] too. The seniors involved in the last prank made it pretty clear that it was a mistake they regretted making.” Bennett said.
It is to be assumed that if something such as the skunk oil prank went on at the basketball game, there would be consequences.”
The punishment would remain equal or worse [than last time],” Assistant Principal Ms. Suttle said.
“It should be known that there will be consequences especially if it were [the second time around]. We will always find out who did it.”
Junior, Craig Wegner has no concern or worry as to what will happen at the game.
“I don’t think any Junction student would pull something like that in our gym.” Wegner explained.
“But I guess it is possible that the Fruita kids would do something like that.”
Students involved in the previous prank received the consequences they deserved and came forward, admitting to placing the skunk oil on the Fruita Monument bleachers at the stadium.
“I have seen improvement in attitude and encouragement among students, which I think will help eliminate future pranks.” Suttle said.
Students are aware of the expectations, and are expected to follow them with pride when showing up to the game.

Grand Junction High School Marching Band Competes in Texas

adviser — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 23:22:53 +0000

Although the Grand Junction High School marching band takes many trips, every four years they travel somewhere new and different to compete. This year’s trip took the marching band students to the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Texas over winter break.

Students played at the Texas Tech-Michigan State football game in a massive band of 13 marching bands from around the country for a total of almost 2000 students.

During the competition which took place before the game, the Grand Junction High School marching band placed 3rd out of the 13 marching bands present.

”It was a cool experience,” sophomore drum player Marcus Gutierrez said.

“We saw the Alamo and did some things like go to the zoo, it was way fun.” Gutierrez said.

The trip lasted a week, and marching band students saw it as an experience that they wouldn’t ever live again.