![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)
FRIDAY FACULTY FEATURE: Benjamin Dale’s Love For Music
This week’s glimpse at Orchestra and Guitar teacher Benjamin Dale’s life and love for music.
media by Grace Uhrain
Orchestra and guitar teacher Benjamin Dale stands with his guitar near the Jimi Hendrix painting in the orchestra classroom Oct. 14. Dale developed his love for guitar early on. “Before I taught guitar at Rock Canyon, I had a guitar and love to explore different genres of music and learn songs that I heard on the radio and that kind of thing. But then when I started teaching at Rock Canyon and they needed a guitar teacher, it was an amazing experience to actually start teaching instruments because generally students who play the guitar have a real passion for it,” Dale said.
October 14, 2022
As you walk into the Orchestra room, students tune their instruments and practice their music pieces. Some are classical, with a fast and intense rhythm, while others grace the air slowly and melodiously.
Q: Can you say your name?
A: My name is Benjamin James Dale.
Q: What do you teach?
A: So here at Rock Canyon I teach three different orchestras: Orchestra, String Orchestra, and Chamber Orchestra. I also teach Guitar One, Guitar Two, and Guitar Three.
Q: How long have you been teaching?
A: This is my nineteenth year teaching here.
Q: How have you been liking Rock Canyon?
A: Of all the schools that I’ve taught at, it is my absolute favorite. Not only because I get to work here with my lovely and talented wife, and the performing arts department is dedicated to an exceptional group of teachers and students, but also the student body here is one of the most extraordinary, motivated, and ambitious groups of young people that I’ve ever encountered. And, I really appreciate the leadership style of Mr. Abner.
Q: I heard that you got the music teacher awards last year. How did you feel about that?
A: Yes. I did get an award last year. I was overwhelmed by the support from the school community. The support that I received from the school community was exponentially greater than the actual significance of the award itself. It was actually a really small award, but I was just floored by the support from staff and students, and humbled because there are, as you know, some extraordinary and exceptional teachers here, and I was honored to be recognized in a small way.
Q: Nice. Final question, what’s your favorite instrument to play?
A: Well, I’m sitting in front of a violinist and violist, but I will say that the cello is my favorite instrument to play, mostly because it’s the one I’m best at. So, I’m not very good at the other ones. Cello is the one I started when I was four years old. And that’s the one that’s been closest to my heart. Literally, physically, since then, and so cello would be my answer.