![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)
![The girls varsity soccer team walk back to their bench during halftime April 1. The Jags played against the Castle View Sabercats at the Douglas County Stadium and scored 3-0 W. “It felt really good [to beat Castle View]. I feel like that was a big win for us because knowing that we came together to beat a pretty good team has definitely given us some leverage for this season,” attacking midfielder Grace Rossner ‘24 said.](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/DSC_4906-1-1200x1057.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 its good to challenge yourself, Bennett said.](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_0147-1200x900.jpg)
![English teacher Colleen Lamb grades College Prep English assignments during period two Nov. 10. Lamb, who has been teaching for 27 years, decorates her classroom with posters and handmade college flags from her senior students. Everything I enjoy about English happens primarily in the classroom, Lamb said. So, thankfully, the college [I worked at] had a teaching program, and I was able to do my post-grad work for free while I was working [there].”](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_1158-1200x900.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.
