![Minutes before the Activities Fair in the gym, president Abhi Gowda ‘26 prepares the stall for his club Helping Hands, Sept. 4. A relatively new club, Helping Hands was co-started by Gowda and focuses on assisting the homeless, and just last year they succeeded in raising a couple hundred donations to send to shelters. This year, they have goals to expand, with hopes to increase volunteer opportunities and take in-person trips to shelters, as well as extend their help beyond just homeless people. “The Activities Fair gives a lot of underclassmen the opportunity to really get to know the Canyon culture, and it gives them many opportunities for service and volunteering,” Gowda said. “[Through the Activities Fair,] I hope to find a bunch of new and passionate members about our club and just get our name out there and spread awareness to the cause that we’re fighting for.”](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/1-2-1200x885.jpg)
![The winter guard team makes fifth place at the state championship finals in the Denver Coliseum, March 30. The team performed to Barnes Country's “Glitter and Gold,” lead by coaches Margo Sanford, Blair Bickerton and Anna Orgren. In their class there were a total of nine groups participating, and the top five who made it to finals received a plaque. “[Walking onto the stage] is very nerve-wracking, but also very exciting as well. When you first start color guard there's a lot of anxiety and uncertainty when you first perform in front of an audience, but once you've done it for a while, it starts to become the best part of the season,” Ella West ‘25 said. “It's very fulfilling to see an audience react to something you've put your heart and soul into.”](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Both-socal-media-nd-website-main-1-1200x846.jpg)
![April marks the 25th anniversary of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, created by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC). This month is to spread awareness of the harassment, assault and abuse that happens around the world. The symbol that represented the month was a teal ribbon; however, some survivors of assault create different symbols and movements like the TikTok trend in 2022, where survivors would tattoo Medusa on their body, in honor of her backstory in Greek Mythology. “I don't think [this month is known] at all. I rarely see anybody talk about it. I rarely see much of an emphasis on posting it online, or much discussion about it, and I feel like there needs to be way more discussion,” an anonymous source said. “I think just validating every experience that a person has gone through, regardless of the degree of it, the severity, is an essential step into making sure that people are aware that this is a very real problem in a society and that we need to do better in addressing it.”](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_0011-1200x900.jpg)
![Lesbian Visibility Day is April 26, and it’s a holiday to celebrate the lesbian community of the world. Lesbian Visibility day was established in 2008 by many queer activists and organizations who sought to raise more awareness for lesbian history and culture. “So this is why during Lesbian Visibility [Day] we celebrate and center all lesbians, both cis and trans, while also showing solidarity with all LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary people,” Linda Reily, in an article written by her, said.](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Lesbian-Visibility-day.jpeg)
With a pumpkin chai latte in hand and cooler weather on the way, September marked the beginning of fall kicking into full swing.
With fall comes crunchy leaves, chunky knit sweaters, pumpkin-flavored everything and a large assortment of songs with autumnal vibes listened to by staff and students alike. After a series of various random inquiries to school members, take a look at the first in a series of monthly-themed playlists to accompany the school day, escort a fall escapade with friends or give you a chance to remember your September as you dive deeper into fall.
1. “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out” by The Smiths
Originally released Oct. 1992, Nicole Bishop ‘26 picked this song as it generally makes her think of fall. “This is kind of silly, but ‘There Is A Light That Never Goes Out’ by The Smiths, because it has always been a song that I’ve liked during the fall so it just reminds me of it,” Bishop said.
2. “Apple Cider” by beabadoobee
Alyssa Lieou McCall ‘26 picked beabadoobee’s track off the artist’s third EP, “Loveworm,” as a song that fits with her favorite fall activity. “Definitely ‘Apple Cider’ by Beabadoobee, because just imagine picking pumpkins and drinking apple cider while listening to that song, like, duh,” Lieou McCall said.
3. “Buddy Holly” by Weezer
Sean Gaffney ‘25 chose Weezer’s third-most streamed song because it reminds him of his favorite fall memory. “‘Buddy Holly’ by Weezer [reminds me of fall] because me and my friend went to the Weezer concert a couple [of] weeks ago, and it was a strong start to fall,” Gaffney said.
4. “Summer’s Over Interlude” by Drake and Majid Jordan
Drake’s interlude off of his fourth studio album was picked by Michelle Lee ‘27 as a song that encapsulates the vibes of a fall day. “I picked ‘Summer’s Over Interlude’ by Drake because the lyrics really make me think of fall starting,” Lee said.
5. “Nothing New (feat. Phoebe Bridgers) (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)” by Taylor Swift and Phoebe Bridgers
Brikelle Paxton ‘25 picked a vault track from Taylor Swift’s re-released album “Red (Taylor’s Version)” as a song that reminds her of her favorite fall treat. “The song ‘Nothing New’ by Taylor Swift reminds me of warm apple cider, because it’s very cozy, nostalgic and warm, and it’s very slow-paced and relaxing,” Paxton said.
While these are only five songs picked by some of many students, here are five more gathered from students and staff as an extra addition to this month’s playlist.
6. “Thriller” by Michael Jackson
Picked by Luke Meredith ‘24.
7. “Sentimental Lady” by Fleetwood Mac
Picked by Security Specialist Mark Manon.
8. “Sunsetz” by Cigarettes After Sex
Picked by Hana Lee ‘25.
9. “Blue Light” by Mazzy Star
Picked by Alisha Rodrigues ‘26.
10. “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire
Picked by French teacher Dana Moore.
If you like this month’s playlist, click here to save it to your Spotify library.