Semester 2 Reflection
1. Describe the work you have done in this class and/or discuss what you have learned about the topic of journalism in a democratic society.
Throughout this year this class has shaped the way that I think about society and the world. I spent most of my time in this class learning how to write stories that evoke a certain emotion or feeling. I feel that I have really expanded my knowledge and skills through this class. It has been fun to research stories, collect quotes, and expand on my ideas. I have realized how important journalism is for our society, it is the one of the main forms of writing that can change the world and peoples perspectives on life. I wrote many stories that I am proud of this year, but I will insert a few of my favorites below…
2. If you are returning to the Quill next year, reflect on the next steps or goals you have moving forward in your work as a student journalist.
Next year I am not sure if I will be returning to the Quill. But if I do I want to spend time expanding my research and writing skills even more. One of my favorite parts of this class was writing stories that evoke strong emotions. While I feel I accomplished this with a few of my stories I know can expand this idea and write even more developed stories.
Throughout this year this class has shaped the way that I think about society and the world. I spent most of my time in this class learning how to write stories that evoke a certain emotion or feeling. I feel that I have really expanded my knowledge and skills through this class. It has been fun to research stories, collect quotes, and expand on my ideas. I have realized how important journalism is for our society, it is the one of the main forms of writing that can change the world and peoples perspectives on life. I wrote many stories that I am proud of this year, but I will insert a few of my favorites below…
2. If you are returning to the Quill next year, reflect on the next steps or goals you have moving forward in your work as a student journalist.
Next year I am not sure if I will be returning to the Quill. But if I do I want to spend time expanding my research and writing skills even more. One of my favorite parts of this class was writing stories that evoke strong emotions. While I feel I accomplished this with a few of my stories I know can expand this idea and write even more developed stories.
Story Examples
Opinion: Let Us Think Critically about our Nation’s History
By Roan Harvey and Rio Edmondson
Outrage about how US History is being taught in schools has spread like wildfire since President Trump initiated the “1776 Commission” to promote patriotic history education near the end of his term. Trump called out certain curriculum as “toxic propaganda,” such as the New York Times’ 1619 Project, the works of historian Howard Zinn, and the idea of “critical race theory.”
The former president stated in a speech last September, “Teaching this horrible doctrine to our children is a form of child abuse, the truest sense. For many years now, the radicals have mistaken Americans’ silence for weakness. They’re wrong. There is no more powerful force than a parent’s love for their children. And patriotic moms and dads are going to demand that their children are no longer fed hateful lies about this country.”
Though the term has been around since the 1970’s, the political debate around “Critical Race Theory” (CRT) has heated up in the last year as the term has been dragged through the mud by media pundits and politicians.
Although “Critical Race Theory” itself refers to a specific legal theory, it is being used in this debate to refer to a way of studying history that incorporates the stories of POC (people of color) and the systemic oppression that characterizes America’s past and present. Critical Race Theory purports that racism is still prevalent in day to day life, even when individuals have no racist intent. Some say that teaching with this lens will dishearten white children and make them ashamed. Others say that it will only empower POC, educate more individuals, and bring all of our children together.
The national debate has taken root right here in our area. In late September, our neighboring district, Montezuma-Cortez passed a resolution opposing the principles of CRT and establishing a committee to review school curriculum.
In Durango, the issue defined our local school board election. Three candidates shared conservative views, and although they did not explicitly promote a specific curriculum for the teachers, they expressed that Critical Race Theory should not be taught in the classroom. One candidate, Kristine Paslay, stated that CRT would only confuse students. In the Durango Herald, she was quoted as saying, “They don’t think about things like racism because they’ve never really experienced what happened in the ’50s and before. It makes them hyper aware and it also makes them concerned, puts that little seed in their mind- ‘somebody might be judging me for that.’”
Another candidate, Richard “Dean” Hill, shared with the Herald: “Any process that elevates one group above another, or any of those aforementioned, any of those things that have at their heart division instead of union, should not be available for the kids.”
In contrast, left-leaning candidate Richard Petersen acknowledged that racial history is an important subject for students to understand. “I do believe that history is based on facts, and history needs to be taught to children as truth. We don’t as a country have the best record of representing all of history as truthfully, perhaps, it should be. My feeling is regardless of how (uncomfortable) it may make any of us in society, we need to acknowledge history and acknowledge the truth. That’s how we prevent repeating it.” (Durango Herald, Oct 11, 2021)
As teenagers who are currently studying US History in our humanities class, we were relieved on November 2nd when our local district elected Petersen and two other candidates who align with his take on history curriculum, Andrea Parmeter and Erika Brown. However, it concerns us that these elections are occurring all over the United States, and in many places, candidates are elected that want to ban this important and necessary education from U.S. classrooms. This educational schism will only reinforce and exacerbate social divisions across this country.
Living through this debate nationally and locally has made us think quite a lot about how we are learning history. We believe that it is not only important, but necessary to teach all sides of history, to view our country through a critical lens in order to move forward.
As I listened to the 1619 Project podcast in humanities, I felt very strong emotions. The podcast covered very sensitive topics like police brutality, and incorporated oral histories of formerly enslaved humans, which gave me an entirely new perspective, showing me just how recent this history is. Although I felt angry, I also felt enlightened. I felt as if I knew more about the Black history of our country, as if I could finally understand why racism and oppression is how it is today. I felt transported out of my own bubble: the bubble of the White American citizen to which our systems cater. I felt able to connect to my peers in this country that are not in that bubble.
The fear that this kind of teaching will make us hate our country or ourselves feels misguided and foolish. Children are the future, and we are capable of thinking critically. We are capable of seeing flaws in our country and instead of shutting down, working to change them.
AHS Breaks Ground at our New Campus in the Sky!
By Roan Harvey, Rio Edmondson and Quill Staff
Wednesday, October 13 the Osprey community celebrated a groundbreaking moment in AHS history. During what would usually be XBlock, students and teachers joined our founders, parents, alumni and members of our new extended FLC family to celebrate the groundbreaking of our new building on the Fort Lewis College campus, which we will be moving into next school year.
As attendees gathered, they were welcomed by the music of class of 2017 alumna Julianne Marqua and AHS music teacher, Jesse Ogle of the IAM Music Institute. Julianne’s older brother Zach, class of 2013, was also on hand, filming for Durango TV. Humanities teacher Jessica McCallum was elated to see her former students there continuing the beautiful work that they were able to flourish in as AHS students, gushing: “You see, kids! It’s not just about high school! It’s about the people you are becoming! Project-based life!”
The sentiment of being a part of something bigger was in the air as Head of School Sean Woytek gave his opening remarks: “Those of you standing here today are a part of something unique, something that will outlast us all and hopefully inspire others to reach for innovative partnerships such as what we have formed.”
Sean quickly handed the microphone off to FLC Dean of Education, Dr. Jenni Trujillo, who invited us to honor the complex history of the ancestral lands where our new Nest will be built. She acknowledged the forcible removal of the Nuuchiu (Ute) tribe from this territory and the communal and ceremonial connections of the Jicarilla Apache, Pueblos of New Mexico, Hopi Sinom and Diné (Navajo) Nations, explaining, “It is important to acknowledge this setting because the narratives of the lands in this region have long been told from dominant perspectives, without full recognition of the original land stewards who continue to inhabit and connect with this land. Thank you for your attention and respect in acknowledging this important legacy."
Dr. Trujillo also welcomed our community, not just as tenants of this land, but as partners in our educational mission: “We are excited to grow and welcome Animas High School to not only be housed on this campus but to join with us in many common educational endeavors. Fort Lewis College exists to provide the same exceptional educational opportunities to every student who walks through the doors of any campus building, and Animas students that includes you!”
“We look forward to working and learning together—high school and college students, teachers and professors, sharing spaces and incubating and implementing creative ideas,” Dr. Trujillo continued, reminding us of the amazing future opportunities for collaboration. “This is a place of authenticity and care. Follow the Skysteps and together we can reach new heights!” She then introduced the Skyhawk Nation Drum Group, who blessed us with several songs of welcome, adding to the atmosphere of reverence and celebration.
We also heard from FLC Provost Cheryl Nixon and AHS Founder Giselle Pansze in addition to a beautiful performance by the newly-formed Animas Color Guard in celebration of how far we have come as a school and a community.
Most of the AHS founders were present to commemorate this moment, and Giselle’s remarks inspired the AHS community just as they did 12 years ago at the ribbon cutting for the original Animas school: “It was, and still is, an incredible honor to be a part of such a dedicated and talented group whose legacy continues today at this groundbreaking.”
“Now that we have the foundation of the past, the successes of the school speak for themselves. Throughout the years, Animas has maintained true to its core beliefs as a public charter school through a project-based educational model that values personalized academics, strong student-faculty relationships, and integration with the local community,” Giselle reflected.
This integration with the local community has come full circle, and we are thankful for the local partnerships that have helped this dream come to life. This moment was over 13 years in the making. Animas High School has applied for the BEST (Building Excellent Schools Today) grant three times over the years, hoping for a new building to bring our project based learning style to a new level. We were finally awarded the grant in June of 2020 and have been fundraising for our required match ever since. Thanks to our partnership with 9-R on last year’s bond measure and a generous donation from the Community Fund Serving Southwest Colorado, we have been able to finally begin our journey to a new school.
AHS alumnus Cooper Stowers glowed with pride for his alma mater throughout the ceremony. He shared, “Speaking for the inaugural AHS class of 2013, my classmates and I have been dreaming of this moment since we took the chance on AHS and sat down in those strip mall classrooms 13 years ago. We made use of the space we had at the time and we made it our own, as did the following classes in the current trailers. I wouldn’t trade those experiences for the world, but to see the site of the future campus is so exciting! It solidifies AHS as a strong, permanent fixture of Durango. I can’t wait to have our 10 year reunion at this awesome new campus!”
All in all, this momentous occasion was an opportunity for our community to come together to celebrate the rich history of our school, and look forward with pride to our future. The Ospreys could not be more excited to soar with the Skyhawks in our new campus in the sky!
By Roan Harvey, Rio Edmondson and Quill Staff
Wednesday, October 13 the Osprey community celebrated a groundbreaking moment in AHS history. During what would usually be XBlock, students and teachers joined our founders, parents, alumni and members of our new extended FLC family to celebrate the groundbreaking of our new building on the Fort Lewis College campus, which we will be moving into next school year.
As attendees gathered, they were welcomed by the music of class of 2017 alumna Julianne Marqua and AHS music teacher, Jesse Ogle of the IAM Music Institute. Julianne’s older brother Zach, class of 2013, was also on hand, filming for Durango TV. Humanities teacher Jessica McCallum was elated to see her former students there continuing the beautiful work that they were able to flourish in as AHS students, gushing: “You see, kids! It’s not just about high school! It’s about the people you are becoming! Project-based life!”
The sentiment of being a part of something bigger was in the air as Head of School Sean Woytek gave his opening remarks: “Those of you standing here today are a part of something unique, something that will outlast us all and hopefully inspire others to reach for innovative partnerships such as what we have formed.”
Sean quickly handed the microphone off to FLC Dean of Education, Dr. Jenni Trujillo, who invited us to honor the complex history of the ancestral lands where our new Nest will be built. She acknowledged the forcible removal of the Nuuchiu (Ute) tribe from this territory and the communal and ceremonial connections of the Jicarilla Apache, Pueblos of New Mexico, Hopi Sinom and Diné (Navajo) Nations, explaining, “It is important to acknowledge this setting because the narratives of the lands in this region have long been told from dominant perspectives, without full recognition of the original land stewards who continue to inhabit and connect with this land. Thank you for your attention and respect in acknowledging this important legacy."
Dr. Trujillo also welcomed our community, not just as tenants of this land, but as partners in our educational mission: “We are excited to grow and welcome Animas High School to not only be housed on this campus but to join with us in many common educational endeavors. Fort Lewis College exists to provide the same exceptional educational opportunities to every student who walks through the doors of any campus building, and Animas students that includes you!”
“We look forward to working and learning together—high school and college students, teachers and professors, sharing spaces and incubating and implementing creative ideas,” Dr. Trujillo continued, reminding us of the amazing future opportunities for collaboration. “This is a place of authenticity and care. Follow the Skysteps and together we can reach new heights!” She then introduced the Skyhawk Nation Drum Group, who blessed us with several songs of welcome, adding to the atmosphere of reverence and celebration.
We also heard from FLC Provost Cheryl Nixon and AHS Founder Giselle Pansze in addition to a beautiful performance by the newly-formed Animas Color Guard in celebration of how far we have come as a school and a community.
Most of the AHS founders were present to commemorate this moment, and Giselle’s remarks inspired the AHS community just as they did 12 years ago at the ribbon cutting for the original Animas school: “It was, and still is, an incredible honor to be a part of such a dedicated and talented group whose legacy continues today at this groundbreaking.”
“Now that we have the foundation of the past, the successes of the school speak for themselves. Throughout the years, Animas has maintained true to its core beliefs as a public charter school through a project-based educational model that values personalized academics, strong student-faculty relationships, and integration with the local community,” Giselle reflected.
This integration with the local community has come full circle, and we are thankful for the local partnerships that have helped this dream come to life. This moment was over 13 years in the making. Animas High School has applied for the BEST (Building Excellent Schools Today) grant three times over the years, hoping for a new building to bring our project based learning style to a new level. We were finally awarded the grant in June of 2020 and have been fundraising for our required match ever since. Thanks to our partnership with 9-R on last year’s bond measure and a generous donation from the Community Fund Serving Southwest Colorado, we have been able to finally begin our journey to a new school.
AHS alumnus Cooper Stowers glowed with pride for his alma mater throughout the ceremony. He shared, “Speaking for the inaugural AHS class of 2013, my classmates and I have been dreaming of this moment since we took the chance on AHS and sat down in those strip mall classrooms 13 years ago. We made use of the space we had at the time and we made it our own, as did the following classes in the current trailers. I wouldn’t trade those experiences for the world, but to see the site of the future campus is so exciting! It solidifies AHS as a strong, permanent fixture of Durango. I can’t wait to have our 10 year reunion at this awesome new campus!”
All in all, this momentous occasion was an opportunity for our community to come together to celebrate the rich history of our school, and look forward with pride to our future. The Ospreys could not be more excited to soar with the Skyhawks in our new campus in the sky!
James Ranch Brief
By Roan Harvey
By Roan Harvey
On April 12th, AHS’s Junior class visited one of the local ranches, James Ranch. While there, they were able to learn how the ranchers make their cheese, how the cows are milked, how the cows live, and how the cows benefit the land.
The Juniors are learning about health and food ethics in agriculture in their Humanities and Chemistry classes. They visited James Ranch in order to see and better understand how healthy food is made and raised.
The 11th grade class also had the opportunity to befriend baby goats on the ranch and enjoy some delicious burgers and salads made from all local ingredients. They suggested that we could name the baby goats. Junior Cyrus Holt suggested they be named “LeBron and James.”
The Juniors are grateful for James Ranch’s help with learning their unit and their willingness to have them on their ranch.
In Chemistry, the students are experimenting with food and learning the science behind food. They are going to be adapting and experimenting with different recipes. In Humanities, they are learning more about culture and the food industry. They will eventually be deciding their rhetoric on food and performing a speech highlighting their opinions.
The Junior students also had the opportunity to listen to the amazing Katrina Blair, the founder of Turtle Lake Refuge. She spoke about her life experiences and connection to the wilderness. Eating wild plants and starting a non profit organization. I asked the Junior students what their favorite part of the speech was, and they all were very impressed to hear that every summer Katrina will hike from Durango to Telluride and instead of carrying food she forages for wild plants that sustain her through her hike.
At the end of the unit, Juniors will host a dinner party to share the knowledge they learned from their two classes.
The Juniors are learning about health and food ethics in agriculture in their Humanities and Chemistry classes. They visited James Ranch in order to see and better understand how healthy food is made and raised.
The 11th grade class also had the opportunity to befriend baby goats on the ranch and enjoy some delicious burgers and salads made from all local ingredients. They suggested that we could name the baby goats. Junior Cyrus Holt suggested they be named “LeBron and James.”
The Juniors are grateful for James Ranch’s help with learning their unit and their willingness to have them on their ranch.
In Chemistry, the students are experimenting with food and learning the science behind food. They are going to be adapting and experimenting with different recipes. In Humanities, they are learning more about culture and the food industry. They will eventually be deciding their rhetoric on food and performing a speech highlighting their opinions.
The Junior students also had the opportunity to listen to the amazing Katrina Blair, the founder of Turtle Lake Refuge. She spoke about her life experiences and connection to the wilderness. Eating wild plants and starting a non profit organization. I asked the Junior students what their favorite part of the speech was, and they all were very impressed to hear that every summer Katrina will hike from Durango to Telluride and instead of carrying food she forages for wild plants that sustain her through her hike.
At the end of the unit, Juniors will host a dinner party to share the knowledge they learned from their two classes.
Semester 1 Reflection:
The 2021 school year has proved to be a difficult year. Transitioning from online school back to in person learning has been a challenge. As Roan reflects on the highs and lows of this semester she is proud of the work that she has done and the ways she has grown as a learner, but also realizes what her failures have been and how she can improve next semester.
Roan has realized that even though the quill was very successful this semester with weekly newsletters, Animas High school event recaps, and op ed’s. There is still room for improvement next year. She realizes that while proud of the work she accomplished next year she wants to focus more on briefs and being able to turn around a news story quickly.
“I am looking forward to next semester, when I will have more time at school and can really focus on producing work I am proud of.”
When asked about the work Roan is most proud of she mentioned that her two favorite pieces this semester were in collaboration with Rio Edmonson. The first piece we wrote was a recap on the Animas High School groundbreaking ceremony up at the college. She claims, “It was really inspiring to see everyone come together and connect over this huge project.”
Another piece of work that Roan is most proud of was the Critical Race Theory opinion piece. “This writing was hugely inspiring. When writing it I felt powerful, like I was making an impact on society.” She also mentioned, “Both of these stories ended up in the Quill and in an issue that was featured in the Herald.”
Roan mentioned that the most important skill that she learned this year was being able to write professional stories with concise wording and relevant information. She stated that this skill will benefit her for the rest of her life.
Overall, She seems proud of her work this semester but still sees room for improvement and growth next semester. “I look forward to seeing what the quill can become next semester and how we can continue to grow.”
Roan has realized that even though the quill was very successful this semester with weekly newsletters, Animas High school event recaps, and op ed’s. There is still room for improvement next year. She realizes that while proud of the work she accomplished next year she wants to focus more on briefs and being able to turn around a news story quickly.
“I am looking forward to next semester, when I will have more time at school and can really focus on producing work I am proud of.”
When asked about the work Roan is most proud of she mentioned that her two favorite pieces this semester were in collaboration with Rio Edmonson. The first piece we wrote was a recap on the Animas High School groundbreaking ceremony up at the college. She claims, “It was really inspiring to see everyone come together and connect over this huge project.”
Another piece of work that Roan is most proud of was the Critical Race Theory opinion piece. “This writing was hugely inspiring. When writing it I felt powerful, like I was making an impact on society.” She also mentioned, “Both of these stories ended up in the Quill and in an issue that was featured in the Herald.”
Roan mentioned that the most important skill that she learned this year was being able to write professional stories with concise wording and relevant information. She stated that this skill will benefit her for the rest of her life.
Overall, She seems proud of her work this semester but still sees room for improvement and growth next semester. “I look forward to seeing what the quill can become next semester and how we can continue to grow.”