![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)
Russian Invasion of Ukraine: What You Need to Know
Keep reading to find out the key information you need to know about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
media by Grace Uhrain
Cover image for informational article on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
March 8, 2022
The news has been buzzing with stories about increased Russian presence on the Ukrainian border. Stories of military buildup and theories about future scenarios fill media headlines. Here’s what you need to know to keep up with the anticipated events at the Ukrainian border:
Ukraine was once a part of the Soviet Union, or the U.S.S.R.
Ukraine became part of the U.S.S.R. in 1922, and remained a part of the Soviet Union until its independence in 1991, according to History.com. This means that Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union (present day Russia) for 71 years. Belarus was also part of the Soviet Union and there has been speculation that Belarus could send its troops into Ukraine, according to The Guardian.
Russia seized the Crimea Peninsula, formerly Ukrainian territory, in 2014, according to a New York Times article.
This shows that Russia had the ability to seize Ukrainian territory in 2014. In addition, Russia is building up troops on the Crimea-Ukraine border, according to the New York Times. This poses a significant threat to Ukraine’s border.
Russia’s president Vladimir Putin met with Chinese president Xi Jinping to signal a partnership.
Putin and Xi met on the opening day of the Olympics (Feb. 4) and announced a partnership between the two countries, according to CNBC. Xi stated that Beijing would stand with Moscow in not allowing Ukraine to join NATO.
Ukraine’s people have expressed support for joining NATO.
Ukrainians are largely in support of joining NATO, Vox says. This has led to Russia acting like it is threatened by western Europe, considering that Ukraine was formerly a part of the Soviet Union. NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is an alliance between free countries. NATO countries do not want to get involved because it would pull NATO into a conflict with Russia.
Russia began a large military drill Feb. 10 on Ukrainian borders.
According to BBC, Russia and Belarus organized large military drills on their borders to Ukraine, a precursor to invasion. However, NATO is afraid to defend Ukraine because it could escalate into a war with Russia, one of the big world powers. Russia also has the most nuclear weapons in the world, according to Vox.
Ukraine has declared a state of emergency.
Ukraine’s president declared a state of emergency as Germany closed the oil pipeline coming from Russia, signaling sanctions. In addition, the U.S. has cut off some of Russia’s major banks, according to Vox. In addition, Russian banks will be cut off from Swift, an important international payment system, which will harm Russia’s economy.
Russia began its invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24.
Explosions were heard in Kyev on Feb. 24, signaling the start of the Russian attack. According to USA Today, many Ukrainians are fleeing to nearby Poland. Ukrainian forces still control Kyiv and Kharkiv, two of the biggest cities in Ukraine.
“It’s a humanitarian crisis, and it’s highlighting the tyranny of Russia and many people have been arrested. I think that people need to care about this because it’s going to cause a lot of reverberating issues around the world,” Mary Robesky ‘23 said.
Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian president, has not given up on fighting the Russian invasion.
Zelenskyy has implied that Ukrainian armies are alone in fighting Russia, however, Feb. 25, border guards defending Snake Island, an island owned by Ukraine, died refusing to surrender to Russian troops.
Russian citizens have taken to the streets of Moscow in protest of the Ukraine invasion.
According to NPR, a petition against the Russian invasion received more than 330,000 signatures, and more than 1,800 people were detained after protesting in Russian cities. Protesters were warned that they could face time in prison, according to NBC.
“I have a friend from my flying club whose family lives in Ukraine, as of yesterday his family has left, for the most part. He is very concerned for his family. He hates Putin. And the Russian government. And if you go look at what’s happening, the citizens do too. And the government is not for the citizens, it’s a dictatorship,” Patrick Mendonca ‘22 said.
Russia has attacked civilian areas in Ukrainian cities.
According to NBC, Russia originally agreed to postpone attacks in civilian areas to give Ukrainian civilians time to evacuate, however, Russia has continued shelling and attacking Ukrainian cities and civilian areas.