![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)
Halloween in Quarantine
With rising COVID-19 cases and Halloween approaching rapidly, here is your guide to a safe and spooky Halloween.
media by M. Merritt
A pumpkin at the Denver Botanical Gardens Pumpkin Patch Oct. 13.
October 31, 2020
October is here, along with the glorious smell of pumpkin spice lattes, the sound of crunching leaves, the sight of carved pumpkins, and the feeling of Halloween drawing nearer.
As a result of rising COVID cases and new public safety regulations, it is uncertain whether or not Halloween will be able to be celebrated traditionally. Trick-or-treating is still up in the air for Colorado, but in some places, such as towns in New Jersey and California, trick-or-treating has been completely banned.
With these new changes and restrictions, the question stands, “What can we do for Halloween this year?”
This year, there are still many activities that students can participate in during the fall season. Douglas County is under a “Safer at Home” public order, restricting large gatherings, but there are still Halloween celebrations that comply with the Tri-County Health Department’s regulations.
Carving Pumpkins
Pumpkin carving is a popular activity during the Halloween season. This is a fun and appealing alternative to going outside and having the risk of contracting the coronavirus.
“Pumpkin carving can be fun depending on who you do it with, it is also a good tradition because it brings people and families closer.” Emma DeBoer ‘21 said.
Costume Contest
Due to the fear of trick-or-treating during the pandemic, many costumes are at risk of being unused. Having a costume contest is a great way to share fun costume ideas and show off your excitement for Halloween while staying safe in the process.
Trunk or Treat
Another activity to participate in is student council’s “A Nightmare on Canyon Street” trunk or treat event. This Tri-County Health Department approved event will be taking place on Friday, October 30 from 5 p.m to 8 p.m. All of the Rock Canyon feeder schools have been invited and student participation in handing out candy is strongly encouraged.
Trick-or-Treating
Trick-or-treating is still allowed in Douglas County, but it is strongly advised that trick or treaters wear a mask when coming into contact with other people. Due to these restrictions, many people have had to adapt costumes and have the opportunity to wear a festive mask to match their costume.
These activities are ways to spread Halloween spirit, but to prevent the spread of COVID-19.