![On Oct. 30, 24 Eco Club members took a tour of the school’s solar panels on the roof. They were guided and taught by an employee from E Light Electric, the company that maintains the school’s solar panels, and learned about how the panels are maintained and cared for. “I was definitely very excited about being on the roof in general,” Eco Club member Olivia Fang ‘26 said. “[It was exciting to] learn more about solar panels and how they work and how they supply energy to our school.”](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/RCH_2632-1200x800.jpg)
![Math teacher Austin Bennett observes seventh period students step to the board to solve Equation of Circle problems May 2. Bennett has been teaching for a total of four years, with only two of those years spent as a Jag. He hopes after his time as a high school teacher to become a professor. "[College math] is more challenging, and it's good to challenge yourself," Bennett said.](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_0147-1200x900.jpg)
![Varsity girls soccer midfielder Leah Sheahan ‘24 hugs a friend during the Senior Night celebrations before the home game against Mountain Vista High School (MVHS) at Echo Park Stadium April 29. During Senior Night, seniors were given flowers and the opportunity to walk out and take pictures with their family as their future plans and favorite memories were announced over the speakers. The Jags tied 0-0, losing the Continental League Championship. “We were obviously the stronger team but just couldn’t find a way to score, but otherwise our connection and our intensity was really high so I’m proud of that. We just have to find the net,” defense midfielder Clara Geuzaine ‘24 said. “[Losing League] wasn’t the best. It’s better than last year and like, I know our team and we are doing really good. I don’t want to jinx it but like hopefully [we’ll do] good [in playoffs].”](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Copy-of-DSC_4277-1-1200x868.jpg)
![In room 4101, Natalie Patterson ‘26, Ariana Magor ‘25 and Celina Salazar ‘25 create a poster in science teacher Kerry Reilly’s Chemistry Honors April 18. The three completed a worksheet and drawing to explain the implosion of a tank for their unit on gas laws. “At the start of class, we watched a video of the tank imploding,” Patterson said. “I think [making a drawing] is something new. I like more artsy activities.”](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_5019-1200x900.jpeg)
Colorado All State Honor Band
Emily McDonald ‘19 practices her clarinet during access in the band room Jan. 10. McDonald received the music after being accepted into the Colorado All State band and practiced before the combined musical rehearsals. “I am most excited to meet other players from around the state that have worked just as hard to get here and are just as excited about music as I am. As the best in the state changes, the community of musicians chosen is unique to any year prior and I’m really excited to meet this years members,” McDonald said.
January 29, 2019
Music by definition is a strand of notes put together to create a vocal or instrument sound; but to Emily McDonald, it is a way of life. As first chair clarinet in the Symphonic Band, first chair in Continental League Honor Band, a member of the marching band and sixth chair in the Colorado All State Band, McDonald lives and breathes music.
“I have been playing since fifth grade so eight years now,” McDonald said. “I love being able to express myself through music and make an emotional connection with the audience as a performer.”
Throughout her high school career, McDonald has auditioned and been accepted into many different bands, but this is her first year making it into the All State Band. The band is a group of highly talented students from all around the state that come together for only a few practices, then put on a concert Saturday, March 30 presumably at the University of Northern Colorado.
“It’s super hard to get into All State. In all of Douglas County last year there were only four students that made it. We had one from Rock Canyon. This year, I think there are six or seven and two of them are from our school,” Music director Zachary Fruits said.
McDonald spent about six months of preparation for the audition where she went into a room with a judge at her allotted time, performed live, and was recorded. However, while the judge in the room at the time of the audition judged and graded her, the director of bands at UNC, Richard Mayne, determined the final list of accomplished musicians of who made it in. McDonald auditioned Nov. 30 and found out the good news during the week of Dec. 17.
“I am extremely excited and proud to have made it in because of all the work I have put into band throughout my high school career with All State having been a goal from the start. Because of all of the amazing musicians throughout the state, it is not an easy honor band to get in to and even auditioning takes months of preparation, so to have it all pay off is something I am so proud of and excited for going into this new experience in my last semester of high school,” McDonald said.
