Law made a bet with his four groups competing at the festival that if each group received a superior rating, he would chop off his ponytail.

     All four orchestras were awarded straight superior ratings from all the judges at the orchestra.

     In addition to being awarded superior ratings, the Chamber Orchestra, String Orchestra and Full Orchestra were given the prize for class 5A Outstanding Groups.

     The Monday after the festival, Law announced the results to his orchestras along with the fact that his ponytail has now been donated to Locks of Love.

By Claire Cooper

     GJHS Prom will be held on Saturday, April 16, 2011 from 8-11 p.m. at the Mesa State Ballroom in the Student Center. 

     Tickets cost $25 per couple and $15 for singles.

     Pictures will take place from 6-9 p.m. the same night at Mesa State.

     Dance guest forms can be either picked up in the main office or printed directly from the GJHS website.

     As the big night draws closer, GJHS staff and administration encourages all students to be safe and have fun.

By Maggie Johnston

Freshmen Amanda Eckert wishes she could get out of town, but her parents have to work and are not able to take off.

The majority who are staying agree that it is a money issue, or a sticky work schedule that they or their parents cannot get out of.

“We don’t have money to go anywhere,” junior Ashley Day stated.

Others like Edgar Gutierrez would just rather stay home than go anywhere.  “I love home,” he said. “I have many friends to hang out with.”

Cassidy Earley agreed.  “I like to relax,” she explained.

Most agree that staying home is the best way to rest during break.  In fact, some plan on hibernating in their beds for the week.

There is a general consensus of how a free day in GJ should go:

Sleeping in late.

Eating.

Watching TV.

Hanging out with friends.

Partying  hard . . . shhh!

Staying up late – or all night.

As for those heading out of town, the possibilities are endless.

New York, Florida, South Carolina, Las Vegas, Hawaii . . . the list goes on.  However, the most popular places to go for break, nearly 50 percent, are California and Arizona.

A few are going out of the country.

Megan Gromke is going to revisit Mexico with her family.

“We’re kind of scared because of all the shootings and stuff.  Our agent said, ‘The worst you’ll probably see is a stabbing,’” she said casually.

Sophomore Casey Farnsworth will be leaving the United States for the first time.  Her agenda includes famous cities in Italy and Greece, such as Florence, Rome and Athens.

“I’m really excited!” she said with a huge grin.

Sophomore Carsyn Fritzer will be off to hike the rainforests of Puerto Rico, freshman Ike Meyer will be visiting his aunt’s friend in a castle in France,  and Maddi Porter plans to party “on the moon.”

By Ellen Atkinson

None of them had buzzed. They don’t know the answer. Gibson gives the reader of the question the correct answer without looking up to check if it’s correct.

Gibson is one of the most dedicated students on the Academic Team. She competes in tournaments across the valley, playing on the junior varsity A Team.

Halfway through another question, the shrill sound of a buzzer cuts through the reader’s oration. Ecstatic, Gibson flings out her hand, displaying all of her fingers. This means that she knows the answer. Her team captain nods consent, and she blurts out the answer.

Gibson, a sophomore at GJHS, has been participating on the team since she was a freshman. She quickly moved up, establishing her place on the higher JV teams. Throughout the past two years, she has competed in many tournaments, doing well in all of them.

“Usually we’re ahead of the other JV teams by a whole bunch,” Gibson said. However, on Saturday, Jan. 15, this was not the case. They were in a tournament against the Fruita Monument Academic Team. “In the second oral round we noticed it was really close,” Gibson said, “It was really intense!”

Sophomores Gibson, Chris Thornton and Greta Gebhard make up Grand Junction’s JV A Team. They had tied in the last round with Fruita’s JV A Team, bringing them together into a tiebreaker round to five to decide the victor of the JV division. Every question counted.

“I was freaking out,” Gibson said. “Chris and Greta were pretty composed though. Eventually, we tied at two all. Everybody was freaking out.”

Because of the tie, the officials decided to go into sudden death. Gibson flung out her hand, holding out four fingers, the sign for “I’m almost positive I’m right.”      She told the reader the answer, looking anxious. She was correct.

“It was really great, and it made my whole weekend,” Gibson said.

Gibson has big plans for her future on Academic Team.

“I want to be on A Team senior year for varsity and I would really like at least to be on the B Team next year, and I would like to read for the JVs next year,” she said.

For her, Academic Team is one of the greatest things at school.

“That feeling of being able to know the question and getting the buzz, and then when it is right, it fills you up with this bubbly happiness,” she said.

By Caleb Gartner

Wille expressed her extreme joy for clowning and brightening the day of children and adults alike.

Wille says one of her best memories was being clown at a birthday party for a six-year-old boy. The theme of the party was Spiderman and after painting the boy’s face, it was time to for Wille to perform a magic trick. Wille used red-and-black fabric, a tiny toy spider, a white string for the spider’s web, and a Spiderman glove. After saying the magic Birthday boys name and waving their hands over the bag, the boy reached inside and, to his surprise, in his hand was a bright Spiderman bandana.

Wille said, “The boys eyes widened and he exclaimed ‘I am magic!’ ”

Wille said this was one of many overwhelming experiences that make clowning an exciting part of her life.

She works in the library, and students say she is someone they can talk to and someone they can express themselves to.

She said, “Of course! Because I really care for them, I don’t judge them, I listen and I try to help.”

A normal day for Wille might look hectic to anyone else, but she enjoys the interaction with students and staff.

Teachers flash into the library, coffee cups in hand, and sign up for computer time. Students wander in and out, scouring the shelves for the ideal read. Computer keys click and students share their concerns and achievements. All this excitement makes Wille feel as though she’s playing a game, part of her love for her job.

“Denise is a fun-loving, very outgoing person. She is a good friend to everyone she meets. Love her,” said Vickie Farmer, who works in the neighboring copy room.

“What’s for dinner mom?” her two sons, Joshua and Matthew, ask.

Wille said she has a busy home life. After heading home, dinner is made, laundry is done and chores are completed. Wille said, “I can’t put it into words; I really love my boys and I can’t imagine life without them.”

One day Wille dreams of having a fleet of motorcycles, one for each day, but realistically she just hopes to have time to travel on her bike

She once crashed her car and the car landed in a ditch. The responding officer was surprised at Wille’s tolerant attitude. Wille didn’t let the accident ruin her day. The officer noted that most in this situation would be reacting quite different.

Wille just said, “Being upset wouldn’t help the situation, and it wouldn’t make me feel any better.”

Wille is a listener, a caring mother, and an expert at clowning around. She doesn’t let the hard times bring her down, something that makes her an extraordinary person.

“Life experiences make me who I am, but my choices determine how I live. I believe attitude is everything,” she said.

By Jayme Hagedorn

As the remainder of the team prepared to exit the cold water, he pondered aloud whether or not he could swim underneath the bulkhead into the other isolated pool.  Smiles spread through the team which then began egging him on.

Once both lifeguards on duty were distracted, he made his move; diving under lane ropes to get closer to the bulkhead.

Gliding closer to the structure, Garcia voiced his final concerns to his teammates, wondering if he could even make it underneath the mighty divider.  Reassurance mixed with encouragement flooded his ears, and he made his descent under the bulkhead.

Teammates watched from underwater as he kicked his way underneath the divider.  He emerged in the other pool where he was met with high-fives and congratulations.

This year will be Garcia’s second year on Grand Junction High School’s boys swim and dive team.

“Nathan has a good sense of humor.  He can always make the team smile, and he’s enthusiastic,” Coach Dale Leonhart says.

Since the coach makes a point of punctuality, most swimmers make sure to arrive before practice starts; not Garcia.  He had strolled in 10 minutes after practice began.

For most swimmers, this would lead to an ultimatum from the coach, but Garcia only received a stern look followed by a hello.

Garcia swam before high school for three seasons with the Grand Junction Dolphins, a local swim club.  “Yes,” Garcia says, “it was definitely beneficial to have swum before high school.”

“Swimming is one of those sports that require a unique skill set,” Leonhart explains.  “We’ve got to spend that time in the pool to learn the skills and to become comfortable executing them in an aquatic environment, which, we’re not comfortable with.  It’s not what we are made for.”

Teammates describe Garcia as a jokester.  One remembers a travel meet during the last season in which the team plotted to sneak into another swimmer’s room and “abduct” him.

“Nathan always provides a good laugh for the team.  He’s a prankster but fun to have around,” the swimmer remembers.

This season, Garcia hopes to break 59 seconds in the 100-yard butterfly.  “I hope to make state this year and place higher in the Western Slope Championships,” Garcia said of his goals for the season.

“Individually, I would like to see as many kids be successful at their championship meet as possible,” says Leonhart.  The team also has goals as a whole.  “We would love to win our fourth conference meet in a row.”

By Jessica Deters

We weren’t really rowdy kids, especially Jared, but on this night we felt the need to have some fun. For what seemed like hours, there we were, riding and crashing around in this old shopping cart stolen from Albertsons.

It was a warm summer night, the moon was high, and we didn’t have a care in the world. Eventually we ditched the cart and made our way back to Jared’s, where we all eventually fell into a heavy sleep.

Jared Sena is an impossible person to dislike. The kid always has a smile on his face, and is one of the most outgoing people I know. He gives off an energy that can cheer you up in a split second, even if you’ve had a terrible day. He isn’t too tall, and has short black hair (do we need this?). He is always wearing a form of a metal T-shirt, and quite usually has earphones dangling from the collar. Jared is incredibly friendly, and outgoing when it comes to meeting new people.

I first met Jared about a few days into my first week at West Middle School. I was a new kid, and an extremely shy one at that. I stuck to myself for much of that first week, until finally someone decided to talk to me, that someone being Jared.

We talked for a long time, mainly about music, and our favorite bands. After that, Jared became one of my best friends. Jared is a very nice person, but don’t be fooled, he can have an extremely argumentative side to him, and usually can back up what he says.

The “KEEP OFF THE GRASS” sign didn’t seem to garner our attention as we sat down on the lawn. It was the beginning of fall, and the beginning to our weekend. It was a peaceful night, and the moon was hidden behind shades of dark clouds. This time it was just Jared and I, and like usual, we had decided to go for a walk.

Eventually we stopped and decided to sit on a random lawn. It was relaxing, and seemed to serve no point at all. It seemed to us like we were in our own world, seeing as how we’d seen no life at all while on our walk. We sat there silently for what must have been an hour, before we decided to head back to my house to eat some dinner. We had our fill, and listened to Neil Young before drifting to sleep.

Jared loves music. He’s been to many concerts, and enjoys playing guitar. His favorite type of music is Metal, and he has even started a Metal Club at GJHS. He’s been playing the guitar for almost three years now, and spends much of his time practicing.

“I love it because it’s so universal, but at the same time really sacred. You can express any kind of emotion or thought that’s personal, in a way that anyone can understand. Or they don’t have to understand if you don’t want them to,” he says.

Other than music, Jared goes to school and has a job. He says he likes high school and says “You meet a lot of new people with different ideas that are vital to the creation of new thoughts or ideas. In other words, it’s a place to explore.”

When it comes to what he wants to be when he grows up, Jared says he doesn’t know. “Really happy,” he says. “I don’t know yet, but that’s the main idea.”

The sky was a brilliant green, and the moon was full. Clouds wandered across the ocean of neon green in dark masses. It was late December, but we did not feel cold there on that winter’s night. The airport lay ahead, just over the trees and the large ditch. Large beams of search lights cut through the sky, almost as if they were in search for an incoming plane.

There were five of us, including Jared. It was late, we were bored, and we decided to walk to the park down the street.  There we all were, just wandering around aimlessly in the moonlight. Eventually we came to the large dried-up ditch that separated the airport from us.

We decided to climb down into it, walking in the massive ditch as if it were a path. The top of the ditch seemed to tower above us as we walked in silence. We wandered for what seemed like hours before we finally began to talk of going back. The only one who didn’t want to turn back was Jared.

He felt free on that night, his worries of school and the pressures of modern life were absent from his mind. He then convinced us that this quality time would never last, and that we had best enjoy it while we could. And so we stayed out into the late hours of morning until we all finally headed home.

In the matchbox that is Jared, he says, “When you can relieve yourself from all concern about how other people feel about you, and focus about how you feel about them, you will unearth your core understanding of who you really are.”

By Sterling Gray

     There were more than 750 art pieces entered throughout the district.  “I did not know about the contest until the day before,” Calacino said. “Nobody told me about it.”

     He worked overnight and during his first 4 class periods of the day that it was due to complete his piece.

     “I was surprised I made it into the top 3,” Calacino said.

     The top 3 works of each of the grade levels were featured at the Bank of Colorado where the public could vote on who would hold first, second and third place.

     First place was awarded a $500 dollar savings bond while second place received $250 dollars and third $100 dollars.

     At first, Calacino hoped to use his earnings towards attending the Thespian Contest in Denver with other students in the drama department.

     “I can’t use the $500 dollar saving bond for seven years,” Calacino said. “As of now if I opened it it would only be worth half.”

     He said that he will use the saving bond towards college expenses when he is able to open it.

     He has been interested in art for as long as he can remember, and his talent has grown throughout the years.

     Calacino’s piece entitled “May Brings” was among those hanging on the bank’s walls.

     Calacno humbly credits the people that he learned from for furthering his talent, including a Grand Junction High School art teacher that retired last year.

     “I’ve always been into drawing, but last year I met Mr. Salas and grew my technique and my passion,” he said.

     Calacino was also inspired by 2010 GJHS graduate Brooke Safken who was featured in last year’s Bank of Colorado art calendar.

     They shared an interest in fantasy art and the desire for learning new techniques.

     “I love to draw fantasy (characters) and dragons,” Calacino said.

     He has also found an  idea from his dream, one that features man of neon black floating through the air and glowing with aborigine tattoos.

     He hopes to capture this image and paint from this memory to bring it to life.

Calacino has many inspired moments, many of which come from his surroundings, his mind and how he feels.

     “There are days where people are in an amazing mood, terrible mood or some mood in between and they sit down and whatever comes out comes out,” Calacino said. “Some view expressionist art as creepy but that is how an artist deals with it as they expressed it in their mind and felt they should share it with everyone else.”

     Following opportunities and paying attention to what can become an inspiration, Calacino captures new realms and navigates them with his paintbrush, pencil and a bit of color.

Story by: Fawn Puhler

     Jacobson will help prepare future journalism conferences and workshops at George Mason University in Virginia.

     In May, Jacobson was selected to represent Colorado as a National Youth Correspondent to the 2010 Washington Journalism and Media Conference. Students selected as national Youth Correspondents had to first be nominated to the programs and were then chosen after the application process.

     Last year, Jacobson was winner in the Colorado High School Press Association news photography contest and has won numerous other photography awards.

                                                                                            Story by: Rick Jussel

     It is that time of year again: Halloween has approached this fall and haunted houses are on the agenda.

     The Trail of Terror is one of the haunted houses in local downtown Grand Junction.

     If you’re not afraid to be spooked and scream like a little girl, then the Trail of Terror is for you.  

     The first thing you must conquer is waiting in line. The tour is about a half an hour long, and if you’re committed to doing the haunted house, then a half an hour to an hour wait will be worth it.

     Also, it gets extra chilly so wear layers of clothing, unless you cling to a friend or if you want to get close and cozy.

     When you first enter, everyone will have to place their hands in front of them and be hand cuffed. Beware; if you are the last in line then you will be followed through the haunted house.

     When the tour starts, you will quickly notice that your personal space will be invaded. There is barely any room and people are crowded.

     One scene that happens is the Judging Room.

     There is a judge from Hell that condemns one person in the group to tour the house by his or herself. Try not to be that person!

     A room that is extremely disturbing is the Clown room. The lights go out and disfigured clowns surround you and creep on you.

     Throughout the haunted house are scenes that depict horror movies, such as scenes from Saw.

     Speaking of saws, a creepy man stalks the last person in line with a chainsaw. Beware; it can be ticklish.

     In a haunted house, always remain alert and cautious, but enjoy it. From the grabbing of ankles to the high-pitched screams to the spooky darkness, Trail of Terror is a truly haunted experience.