![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)
![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 it's good to challenge yourself," Bennett said.](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_0147-1200x900.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)
UPDATE: Community Takes Action to Help the Price Family
Students are encouraged to participate in a “Green Out” Dec. 13 to show support for Makai Price and family.
media by courtesy of Remy Arnold
A graphic announces the “Green Out” for Dec. 13 on the Student Council social media, posted Dec. 12. The Green Out, organized by students at both Rock Canyon and Cherry Creek High School, encouraged both communities to wear green to school and the basketball game to show support for the Price family.
December 12, 2022
After the Price family faced tragedy, the school community is taking action to help. Makai Price–former Rock Canyon student, son of football and Unified Sports coach and Special Educational Assistant Jerome Price, and brother of SSN Educational Assistants Darius and Xzavier Price–was in a severe car accident leaving his current school, Cherry Creek High School (CCHS), Dec. 8.
Makai is currently in the Intensive Care Unit for his injuries after receiving surgery to stabilize his leg Dec. 11, and according to an update posted on the GoFundMe after the surgery, is expected to undergo seven more surgeries.
Read more about the details of the accident here.
“Jerome works hard to make connections with everyone. Every student in our community has an experience with him,” Special Education Assistant Jessica Bird said. “He pours his heart into a thankless job, pushing for our students to be seen as ‘just like you.’ He’s worked to instill the same values in his boys and teach everyone in our community how to have compassion and love for people who are different from you.”
Community members were invited to a group prayer vigil in the SkyRidge Medical Center parking lot at 12 p.m. Dec. 11 as Makai began eleven hours of surgery.
“I’ve played football for [Jerome], so I know them, and we think what happened was pretty horrific,” Preston Duman ’26 said. Duman’s family organized the vigil. “About 30 or 40 people went out in front of the hospital by the flagpole in a circle. A pastor came by and we said a prayer for a little bit, then [Jerome] came out and said hi.”
The varsity boys basketball team is set to play against CCHS at home at 7:00 p.m. Dec. 13. The student-section theme is a “Green Out,” encouraging fans on both sides to wear green in a show of unified support for Makai. Jags are also encouraged to wear green during the school day.
As of 7:50 p.m. Dec. 12, the GoFundMe received over 1,200 donations, reaching $101,106 of its original $100,000 goal, which is now adjusted to a target of $150,000.
“Makai will undergo many surgeries in the coming days and weeks. The immediate need is to provide peace of mind that April and Jerome can take shifts at his bedside without worrying about taking time off of work,” Bird said. “The Price family will be forever changed by this tragedy.”
