![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)
![Ice and snow make it difficult for drivers on the road. During snowstorms, drivers have poor visibility, and frozen roads make it difficult to stay in control. “Driving home from Denver [on Friday], the neighborhoods weren’t plowed. By the time we got back they were only plowing highways. We spun out, nearly got stuck and fishtailed a few different times,” Connor Pugh ‘26 said.](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Untitled_Artwork-e1732045465987.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)
How To: Throw a Zoom party
Zoom! Not the sound of your car on your way to a party, but the name of the online platform you can use to throw a party with your class virtually.
January 23, 2021
Laughter, games, and social interaction– everything needed for a great party… but make it online! A Zoom party is a great way to connect during Covid. It is a way to be able to talk with your peers in a friendly and more fun environment than school.
President of the orchestra leadership council Lilliya Larson ‘21 organized a Zoom party for each orchestra (freshman, string, and chamber) to all attend this weekend.
“[I am most excited] to see everyone’s faces. That’s a pretty scarce commodity in person nowadays, and even though it’s not in person, it’s better than nothing… I’ve actually hosted a zoom party before with the Denver Young Artists Orchestra… we all played Jeopardy as a whole, and overall I feel like it was a successful experience,” Alex LaMotte ‘21 said.
Below is a step-by-step guide to help you plan a Zoom party with your favorite class (or classes!) with information from Lilliya on how to best run a successful event.
Step 1: Find a teacher sponsor
When organizing a Zoom party, you should seek out the sponsorship of a teacher. Finding a teacher who is interested in co-facilitating this event with you allows for a seamless Zoom party.
“First and foremost, throwing a Zoom party would not be possible without Mr. Dale’s help,” Larson said. “We will all log in to a Zoom link sent out by Mr. Dale.”
This teacher may help guide the group in conversation.
Step 2: Create virtual party activities
The easiest way to go about a Zoom party is creating breakout rooms. To help keep the Zoom organized, try to find a few friends to be “leaders” in different breakout rooms and host different online games. Some game ideas to include in your party breakout rooms are Jackbox games, Kahoot, Psych!, and Telestrations.
“I put together a Kahoot with get-to-know-you questions for each person so we can learn fun facts about other members of the ensemble.”
To make a get-to-know-you Kahoot, you can make a Google form with questions you intend to put in the Kahoot, share the link with your class during a Zoom call (with teacher permission), and get everyone involved!
Step 3: Set a date and time, and get your word out!
When choosing a date and time, planning a party that will take place outside of school hours might work best because it won’t feel like it’s part of the school day, and teachers don’t have to sacrifice class time.
“People are incredibly busy during accesses and school hours, including Mr. Dale, who I need to help run the party… 7:00[pm] was an after-dinner time that wasn’t too late, and it avoided most conflicts,” Larson said.
Ask your teacher if you can announce your party during class, or if your teacher wouldn’t mind letting everyone know about it.
That’s it! Throwing a Zoom party an opportunity to have fun with friends and classmates in a safe but non-scholastic setting, so give it a try! Stay tuned for an article next week with coverage on the orchestras’ Zoom party this weekend!