InsideSports: Swimmers ready, Page 3

Sports: Turkey Trot, Page 3Westward: Mix it up, Page 2Westward: Orchestra combo, Page 2

WEST WORDNovember 30, 2015 www.greeleyschools.org/westword Volume XLVIII No. 7

Diebold wins ‘Dancing’ againBy Michaela JoyceStaff Writer

French teacher effected by terrorism in ParisThe world was greatly impacted on Friday

November 13 when a huge tourist attraction and a beautiful city was very much attacked by terrorist. Feeling the most grief at Greeley West High School was French teacher Madame Marie Faine whose own home country had been under attack. Faine was concerned for her relatives who were in Paris at the time of the bombing.

“My brother and his family live there [Paris], and they are pretty active people,” stated Faine.

She was unable to get through to calling them due to lines being down because everyone was attempting a call to France. Once she reached them they were,

startled, but just fine and had decided to stay in that Friday night.

“I felt really upset, like any person would have been, because I believe any act of terrorism targets innocent people that have little to do with making the decisions that impact others,” Faine said.

Since this tragedy Faine has not felt the same about the world. In fact, she questions whether or not it is safe to do certain activities. “I was really concerned does this mean for us that we can no

longer go out to cafes; does it mean that going to concerts is now a dangerous thing?” Faine said.

The attacks didn’t simply hurt the people in Paris alone, but those who have been in Paris and those who live in France and have family in this country. It was a worldwide hardship that affected everyone.

Faine hopes Paris, being the beautiful city it is, can one day go back to the way it was before this misfortune.

By Sylvia RizoStaff Writer

Cheerleaders winWinter Blast

Greeley West hosted the Winter Blast Cheer Competition on November 21 in the main gym. By the look of the parking lot, it was the most attended event in the gymnasium during the school year, with dozens of schools competing for awards.

West didn’t just host the competition, the Spartan cheer team competed as well in the all-day event. For the second time in the past four years, the team took three grand championships, winning first in all-star, co-ed, and all-girl categories.

The team was ecstatic about all of the wins, but most excited for their big triumph in coed. The Spartan cheerleaders cut it as close as 1.34 points in order to take out everyone in their division

and every coed division. The West team is big and consists of nineteen girls, and three boys. All were thrilled to be named champions.

“We thought we were going to do well, but we were still really excited to win grand

champs,” noted senior Lexi Potter. A lot of students think that the

cheerleaders just show up to sporting events and encourage other Spartan athletes, but the cheerleaders actually have their own competitions throughout the fall and winter sports season. The Spartan Cheerleaders are taking the final stretch of their season with lots of dedication and heart. The five seniors are sad to be

By Angela PearsonStaff Writer

Potter

Faine

Who doesn’t love watching teachers make a fool out of themselves? On Friday, the 20, Dancing with the Teachers had its third annual competition at Greeley West High School.

Bringing nothing but laughs from the audience, each Greeley West pom danced an originally choreographed routine with a teacher at West. It is an event that many love because of the comedy that the dances bring.

Once every couple danced their routine, the audience went to the lobby for a fifteen minute intermission where they voted for their favorite performance. Followed by the voting, the four couples that received the highest votes each performed again so the judges could agree on a winner.

Pom Peyton Book and her partner John Diebold were the ultimate champions at the 2015 Dancing with the Teachers competition. Diebold won for the second time in a row. When asked about his experience, Diebold said, “We had some new teacher dancers and I loved getting to know them as a person more-so than as a teacher.”

Jacinda Flores/West Word

Senior Tanya Herrera is lifted during the Winter Blast on Saturday. Continued

Cheers, Page 3

WestwardPage 2 11.30.15

Mira AltergottPeyton Book

Juliet ChaSamuel Dominguez

Jacinda FloresDaniel GuzmanElise Johnson

Michaela JoyceDiego Martinez

Drew MendezAngela Pearson

Sylvia RizoMadeline RodgersClarissa Roman

Kaylee RothElexys ShenemanConnor Thompson

WEST WORDEditor: Kennedy Spittler

Design Editors: TBAWeb Editor: Jordan Noland

West Word is a publication of the Greeley West newspaper production class. It is published bi-weekly. Letters to the edi-tor and story ideas are accepted in room 306. Letters must be 300 words or less. Opinions expressed on the Viewpoints page are those of the editorialist and are not those of the West Word, Greeley West High School, District 6, or its faculty and staff. Visit West Word online at www.greeleyschools.org/westword for bonus content and a color PDF edition viewable on your tablet.

Students mix it up last week

Mix it Up Day at Greeley West was definitely something to be part of this year. During lunch students had an amusing time while being encouraged to identify, question, and cross social boundaries with other students. The idea behind this day was to separate cliques and diversity between all the different students at the school. Last year during lunch, club members from STANDD talked to and asked a series of questions to people they have never talked to before. They gave away candy and invited the new friends they spoke with to talk to someone new to them as well that lunch.

This year STANDD approached Mix it Up Day a little differently. An email went out to all Spartan Time teachers asking them to “mix it up” with another Spartan Time classes. They were told to interact with ice breakers and questions emailed to the teachers. STANDD felt that doing it this way was more effective because there are more students present during this time than who would be in the lunch room. Alonda Lemus, a member of STANDD says, “I think Mix it Up Day is a great way to get to know people during Spartan Time. It was really cool getting to know people from other grades and backgrounds!” When students interact

By Mira AltergottStaff Writer

Sylvia Rizo/West Word

The All-City Orchestra rehearses for its performance the fol-lowing night in the auditorium last week.

Spartans play music with bestOn Wednesday, November 18th, students from Northridge,

Central, and West all came together as one All-City orchestra. The students were chosen for this specific program, making the group a small and very talented set of musicians.

All together the students practiced in the morning at the FMS Bank and then transferred the practice to the theatre of West, where they practiced four more hours.

The practices of the orchestra in the morning gave the students the opportunity to be able to play together as well as the chance to create music together.

Following the long day for orchestra, the all-city group put on a performance for their friends and families that evening at West. The concert itself was directed by a close friend of long time orchestra director Doran Azari, who most of the students had previously had for a teacher.

“It was great to spend a whole day creating and performing music with other high schoolers,” stated senior DiAnna Rowe. “It really created a great community through the arts of Greeley schools.”

By Kennedy SpittlerStaff Writer

Rowe

ContinuedMix it up, Page 8 Overcoming life’s curveballs

By Angela PearsonStaff Writer

Student athletes complain about conditioning, practices, and lack of free time on the daily, but for one Greeley West student, she would trade the world just for another chance at those experiences.

Kaitlyn Wagner is a senior at West who’s luck turned for the worse last May. While driving to feed her horse in the pouring rain, Wagner crashed into a truck causing her knees to hit her dashboard and causing her to completely black out.

“The last thing I remember was seeing the intersection and pouring rain, and then the truck right in front of me” stated Wagner. “Thankfully my dad was right behind me, and I got home safe.”

The accident left Wagner with nerve damage to her knees, and for a while she seemed fine.

It wasn’t until her summer volleyball tryouts, during the first drill, that Wagner was overcome with pain.

“I was just hitting and when I came back down my knee locked, and I couldn’t get back up.”

The coaches and trainer rushed to tend to her, and after multiple visits to the doctor it was discovered that Wagner had not only torn her ACL, but also some of her LCL as well. This left the senior out for her last volleyball season, and in need of major surgery.

“It hurts pretty much every day and I can’t even run yet.”

Although Wagner struggles everyday she is still very involved, scholarly, and kind. She does many in school activities such as FFA, and outside activities like

4-H and archery. Although her senior year didn’t start as planned she has high hopes of it turning around.

Wagner

Math tutoring beginsGreeley West students have an opportunity

to give up their lunch for tutoring in math. Math tutoring takes place in room 402 every Thursday during lunch.

Usually students who are tutors are usually recommended by teachers or are in higher level math classes. It’s a good opportunity for kids to see how they are learning and how to teach other people. It’s also good for the kids who are intimidated by asking for help from their teachers because this is where they can ask their peers for help instead.

“The fact that some kids don’t understand what’s going on, but other kids their age do help them, is the coolest thing about this because it’s cool to see how the students act when it ‘clicks” in their heads. It’s also not forced, it’s optional and helpful,” stated Mr. Joshua Edmonson, the math teacher running the program.

--Clarissa Roman

Sports 11.30.15 Page 3

Cross Country sets records at Arizona raceEven though the cross country fall season is over

for both the boys and girls teams, they decided to add onto their season by going and competing in a meet that is out of state. The Greeley West boys and girls Cross Country teams traveled down to Casa Grande, Arizona on Wednesday, November 18th to compete in this race. They competed in the NXR (Nike Cross Regionals) meet which is held

every year down in Arizona. This year was the first time for the girls to go on this trip to Arizona, but it was the second time for the boys to compete in this race.

Both of the teams performed extremely well while they were down in Arizona. The Greeley West boys Cross Country team made history here at West by becoming the second fastest team ever at this school. The only team that performed better was West’s 4A State Championship team.

They were only two seconds behind the 4A State Champs with a time of 16:48.

Also, some Greeley West seniors stood out individually in their races. Senior Andrew Rome became the eleventh fastest time here at West with a time of 16:39. “It was exciting, but it was kind of sad at the same time knowing this was my last race in high school,” stated Rome.

On top of Rome’s time, another Greeley West senior boy, Levi Antuna made history here at

West as well by recording the 8th fastest time. He finished the race with a time of 16:22. And for the girl’s team, Senior DiAnna Rowe became the seventh fastest girl in West history with a time of 18:52.

This trip was an extreme success for both cross country teams as they wrap up their season for good. The rest of the returning cross country runners look forward to coming back next year and competing at a high level again.

By Diego MartinezStaff Writer

Jacinda Flores/West Word

The cheerleaders get air born during their Winter Blast Competition last Saturday.

ending and leaving the team, while the remaining promise to give it their all to end their seniors on a good note.

“I’m happy to have been a part of our Winter Blast win” said senior Brooklyn Thaut. “It’s just another plus to my senior year of cheer.”

Be on the lookout for this successful team during all winter sporting events.

FromCheers, Page 1

Swimmers ready for season

The girls swimming season is just around the corner. The girls swim team had a rough season last year. The team placed last in the conference, but besides that the team was successful in making their teammates better. The first swim meet is on December 1 against Horizon High school.

Head Coach, Colin Shaha, said, “Already at the beginning of the season I see the dedication in the team.”

Last year individually, senior Ali Brown, had a good season. She was an

alternate to state. Senior, Ellery Sedlaceck, had an okay season because her shoulder prevented her to swim to the best of her ability. Sedlacek said, “I think we will do very well this season. We have

several fast girls and new faces that have a lot of potential.”

Shaha said, “One of the best meets to go to is the city meet because there is a lot of positive energy. So if students want to see an emotional meet then this is the meet to go.”

Some of the seniors have advice for the new swimmers this year. Sedlaceck said, “Do what Shaha wants you to do not want he says to do.”

By Jordan NolandStaff Writer

Sedlacek

Students prepared for TrotThe 18th annual Turkey Trot was held on

Thanksgiving Day. It was founded by the North Colorado Medical Center to helps raise money for the Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation patients.

At last year’s event, nearly 3,600 walkers and runners participated. Approximately $50,000 is raised with the help of sponsors and participants each and every year.

This race is open for all ages and abilities. The Turkey Trot is a 5K that started at 9 a.m. and money was awarded to the top male and female runners.

Beginning at 9:15 a.m. there was a 2K Gobbler Trek for little kids. The race

costed $30 for adults and $20 for children 17 and under on walk in registration.

Many Greeley West students have participated in this race. Sophomore, Lake Sands stated that he participated in the Turkey Trot two years ago with his family. “I died. I ran the entire time,

but did not prepare for it ahead of time at all,” he said.

Sands said he would never do this run again, but shortly after he changes his mind because it supports such a good cause. Sands said before he ever thinks about doing the 5K again, he will make sure he is physically and mentally prepared. Although Sands is determined to run the whole time, a lot of participants often walk to still get their exercise in before their later feast.

By Peyton BookStaff Writer

Sands

“It’s just another plus to my senior year of cheer.” - Senior cheerleader Brookyln Thaut

Page 4 11.30.15

Join us for Happy Hour every Monday from 1-4 for 1/2 off frozen treats!

4530 Centerplace DriveGreeley, CO 80634

970-673-8193

with those who are different from them, biases and judgements of others can be cleared away.

This was Greeley West STANDD’ fifth year participating in Mix it Up Day which is nationwide activity. “I think there is great value in Mix it Up Day with all the bullying that students claim that isn’t visible to staff. It helps students interact with other students they wouldn’t normally talk to or associate with,” shares Tammy Parker head teacher of STANDD club. Greeley West hopes to continue this tradition to unite our diverse school as a whole.

FromMix It Up, Page 2

Forensics, a team that many people do not know about, is a speech and debate team which is returning with many new faces, up to 28 new students, with two returners.

“I’ve been in forensics for three years, I love going to meets, and meeting so many different people. I’m so happy our team is huge this year.

It’s not just two of us,” stated senior Michelle Bogart.

Mr. Joshua Edmonson and Ms. Sandra Shedd are the two new coaches this year; they’re excited for a great year. Forensics is split up into two different teams a speech and a debate. Speech involves a presentation by one, two, and sometimes a group of students that are judged against a similar types of presentation in a round of competition.

Debate is a little different the student has to convince a judge that his or her side of a resolution is right, but they do not get to coose their topic, it is chosen for them by the national speech and debate association.

“It’s like any sport you play, you have to practice and work hard to get to State and Nationals,” Edmonson stated. Come Monday’s and Friday’s during lunch in 407 if you’re interested, anyone is welcome.

New coaches hope to rebuild ForensicsBy Jacinda FloresStaff Writer

Last Friday was a special day for American shoppers. It was the one and only day where Americans felt obliged to wake up at 3 AM, unconsciously kill innocent civilians in attempt to acquire a new pair of J’s, and spend anywhere from tens, to hundreds, to thousands of dollars in one day; Black Friday.

Prior to Black Friday, when asking students

at Greeley West if they were excited for Black Friday, the answer was clear. Kids at West were absolutely hyped for Black Friday!

Fellow Greeley west student-athlete, Brody Clark, stated, “Black Friday is straight fire! I love waking up and buying cheap gifts for myself, friends, and family.”

High school students at Greeley West and any other high school for the most part, found deals on all electronic and clothing items. Stores like

Urban Outfitters, Best Buy, Kohls, and Gamestop, were extremely popular locations for parents of, or high school students themselves. Tablets, new cell phones, shoes, and gaming systems were the most bought gifts according to high school students and parents.

Whether a person shopped by themselves, with their families and friends, or with a lover, Black Friday was considered to be extremely stressful, but rewarding!

“Black Friday was intense dude, I almost knocked over like 3 people, and witnessed an insane brawl from two soccer-moms trying to buy the last Xbox 1 for their kids, but it was exciting and very rewarding. I hit up some great sales, saved a ton of money, and finished most of my Christmas shopping. Black Friday rules,” stated Kelsey Story, a Junior here at West.

To conclude, Black Friday was rambunctious as usual, but very fun and gratifying for anyone who participated in the crazy event.

West students spend money on Black FridayBy Connor ThompsonStaff Writer

Clark

Ask Your Teachers

“Calling out, dissing, or belittling someone.”

-Mr. Josh Edmonson

“Cut someone some slack or give them a break because the sun is

too hot” - Brandon Torrez

“Stand over someone or asserting your dominance”

- Mr. Zach Armstrong

What does the phrase “Throwing Shade” mean?