![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)
Winter Break Breakup
Students and staff discuss their excitement and stressors of returning to school in the new semester.
![Students sit together during lunch to talk to each other Jan. 19. After two weeks of winter break, they began to all eat together in a group again. “[Being back has] been great, I missed seeing my friends at school and the energy from them is great,” Keilani Longwell ‘25 said.](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/DSC_0003-900x603.jpg)
media by Ally Kelley
Students sit together during lunch to talk to each other Jan. 19. After two weeks of winter break, they began to all eat together in a group again. “[Being back has] been great, I missed seeing my friends at school and the energy from them is great,” Keilani Longwell ‘25 said.
January 31, 2023
Hundreds of students roam the halls, sleepily talking amongst themselves. Their brains focus on trying to stay awake when a loud ringing bursts through the halls. The students drag themselves to their first period. After two weeks of sleeping in, staying home or going on vacation, school starts bright and early, at full force.
“[Starting classes was] pretty hard, like you have to start all over again,” Mon Intongk ‘24 said.
With so many classes handing out homework, students’ assignments pile up along with stress and exhaustion. According to a poll conducted by @rcrockmedia’s Instagram on Jan. 26, out of 111 students, 30 percent of students say they are spending three to four hours on homework per night. 10 percent of students say they spend five or more hours on homework. Raegan Synk ‘23’s days have already been filled with work from her classes.
“So far this semester, it’s been crazy. I’ve already gotten an essay that was due today, and I have projects already,” Synk said.
With classes and teachers changing, students have to find their way through a new schedule. Their daily rhythm has to adjust to this semester’s new normal. Harper Bezemik-Aguilar ‘26 has to navigate a new schedule now that her teachers and classes have changed.
“It’s been a little confusing, since I’ve been so used to having my classes from the first semester, but it’s also been really fun. It’s nice starting fresh with new classes,” Bezemik-Aguilar said.
Although starting classes can be difficult, there is still a bright side to going back to school. Seeing friends can brighten up the stress of returning. Nicholas TeSelle ‘25 was excited to catch up with his friends after break.
“It feels great, I honestly should have texted with them more while we were on break but it was really cool to see everyone again, ” TeSelle said.
Switching classes can offer benefits, as students could get new classes with friends or without people they didn’t get along with. But even without switching many classes, students can still keep up good spirits with friends. Sophia Bobier ‘24 only has friends in a few classes, but listens to music to keep up a good mood.
“I have a friend in one of my classes, it’s very nice to have them there. In my other classes I don’t really know anyone,” Bobier said.
After the freedom of break, faculty members also have to return to their jobs and teach. However, math teacher Karen Bukowski has a positive attitude and looks forward to teaching. Bukowski is prepared to start the new semester with her new classes.
“I am really excited to come back to school and for a great spring semester. I have excellent students and I really quite missed them over that break,” Bukowski said.