Rock Canyon High School's Student Newspaper

the Rock Online
Seniors in the Class of 2026 completed their final year at Rock Canyon while participating in athletics, academics, student organizations and school events throughout the 2025-26 school year.
Senior Sign-Off
Students from Criminal Justice, EMT and Fire Science programs participated in a large-scale emergency responses simulation April 7 designed to mirror the coordination and pressure of real incidents like major crashes on interstate 25 in Colorado.
The Scenario
The Hantavirus virus has a 40% mortality rate, but what is the Hantavirus exactly?
The Hantavirus virus has a 40% mortality rate, but what is the Hantavirus exactly?
SAG is a student organization where high school students can voice opinions to the Board of Education and allow for more opinions to make an impact in schools.
A Student’s Voice at School
Using his telescope, Evan Beuther 26' looks up at the stars to gather data for his AP Research presentation. "There's an allure to space in the sky," Beuther said. "Just looking up amazes me, honestly."
Exploration Beyond the Classroom
A Snowless Colorado
A Snowless Colorado
The U.S.A. hockey team made a breakthrough this year at the Winter Olympics. With their roster full of National Hockey League players, the team won gold and made American history.
U.S.A. Men’s Hockey team wins Gold after 46 years of silence
This episode of SSOSN covers the performance of both basketball teams, focusing on the great year the Boy's basketball team has had so far and impressive beginning for Peyton Halloway's first year as a Head Coach.
Spiffy Spoose on Sports News Episode 4: Rock Canyon Basketball
Julia Salas ‘26 readies her stance to dive in the 50-free at Heritage during the B-Leagues meet Jan. 31. If a swimmer made a qualifying A-League time during the meet, they would qualify to compete at A-Leagues with the chance of going on to State. For many of the competing swimmers, B-Leagues was the last meet of the season. “The vibes here are very nice. The music is blasting, and the team dynamic is so fun, chaotic, but I love it,” Isabella Ramos ‘29 said.
The Last Stretch: Swimming Out of the Season
During the Big Cat Brawl, varsity swimmer Avery Clements ‘28 competes in the 100 Backstroke at Littleton High School Dec 6. The Jaguars placed second to 10 other schools with 421 points with Chaparral High School placing first with 432 points. “I think we're gonna do really well. Everyone's super excited. This was kind of like our first big meet. So this was kind of like a taste as to what really huge fun meets are like,” Zoe Solano ‘26 said.
Swimming Into the Season
Spiffy Spoose On Sports News, Episode 3: Kiffin Khaos
Spiffy Spoose On Sports News, Episode 3: Kiffin Khaos
This episode of Spiffy Spoose On Sports News covers topics relating to the NFL Thanskgiving Matchups and the below expectation Buffalo Bills season.
Spiffy Spoose On Sports News Episode 2: Thanksgiving and Buffalo Bills
Prom season is upon everyone, but what about those not attending the dance?
Adventures Beyond the Dance Floor: A Guide to a Non-Prom Evening
With spring beginning, along with it comes many traditions, one of these being families hiding colorful eggs for children to search for during the holiday Easter. Christians, Pagans and Jews all have many holidays to connect communities.
Spring Season Holiday Celebrations
With prom right around the corner, many are stressing about where to shop for attire. With so many available options from both in-person shops and online, deciding where to look can feel overwhelming. From department stores to online boutiques, each option offers different styles, price ranges and return policies. The real question is: where will YOU find the dress that will make you feel the most confident on prom night?
Where Should You Buy Your Prom Dress This Year?
Many students claim to be unhappy with food quality from Douglas County School District.
Fueling Students’ Bodies and Minds
Dominic Markham in Dec. of 2016 sitting in a military vehicle in Afghanistan. Markham was a .50 Caliber gunner as well as the platoon leader's gunner. “I was also in charge of, kind of managing all of the communication systems, like I was also setting everything up in there, predominantly when we're on mission. The role of a gunner, first and foremost, is to identify any outlying threats,” said Markham.
From Medals to Maps
Committed Men’s Volleyball player John Becker ‘26 stands outside at Baldwin Wallace University, Jan. 9. Over his career, Becker’s involvement with the sport has evolved over his four years of high school from a friendly pastime to joining club teams and playing on Varsity. “Seeing the results of a lot of hard work translate into placement and results has been really good,” Becker said.
Spiking to Success
April 10 marked the 25th year anniversary of the beloved Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Since its debut in 1999, the festival has grown into a global event, attracting massive crowds, big artists, and widespread attention across social media.
What is Coachella?
When war strikes, it destroys everything that lies in its wake: land, homes and families. "Between Shades of Gray" by Ruta Sepetys is a historical novel that follows the journey of Lina Vilkas as her family is put on a crowded train by Soviet Union soldiers and shipped off to who knows where.
Brutally Addictive: My Thoughts on “Between Shades of Gray”
Avatar Aang stands still in the avatar state, surrounded by all four elements: air, fire, earth and water. “Avatar: Aang, the Last Airbender” was a highly anticipated movie set to release on Oct. 9. However, an X user leaked the whole movie on April 13 to the internet, allowing the public to have early access to the film.
Sailing Through the Nations: An Analysis Addressing the “Avatar: Aang, The Last Airbender” Leak
The twenty-first episode of the Glitch Podcast focuses on recent controversial developments in the gaming industry, like the unpopular price hikes from Playstation amid massive RAM shortage issues.
The Glitch Podcast Episode 21: Minecraft Missing the Mark, Playstation Price Problems and Nintendo News
“Survivor 50” has been a disappointment so far. The goal of this analysis is to emphasize the problems of the season so new viewers understand how and why this season failed in comparison to other successful seasons.
I Didn’t Vote For Any of This! A “Mid” Season Review of “Survivor 50”
This painting shows an artistic representation of Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) leaping off his ship into space in front of a vibrant green planet.
‘Project Hail Mary’ Review: An Adaptation for the Ages
Slicing through Megastructures
Slicing through Megastructures
Elk grazing at Daniel's park in Castle Pines Colorado. Fur bans petition for an outlaw regarding the trade of fur, impacting hunter's ability to continue their business practices.
Biology vs Bias: Rethinking the fur Ban Debate
Alexander Oki ‘28 picks up trash in the lower parking lot Feb. 20. According to Keep America Beautiful, the majority of the trash found on both roads and waterways consists of fast food wrappers and packaging, receipts and plastic beverage bottles. Clubs like the National Honor Society (NHS) offer students the opportunity to earn service hours by cleaning up the trash in the parking lots. “[The trash] makes us look very unhygienic and unmotivated to be a proper school,” Emberlyse Vidal ‘28 said. “It makes us look like we just don't care about our students' environments.”
Throw It Out
Tiny's Take: Bob Odenkirk Breaks Bad Again in "Nobody 2"
Tiny’s Take: Bob Odenkirk Breaks Bad Again in “Nobody 2”
The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is often used as a benchmark for a student's intellect college admissions. According to College Board, around 1.36 million students in the class of 2025 took the test.
OPINION: The Unreachable Standard For Standardized Testing
On May 1, 2025, Colorado's House Bill 1135 was passed, requiring all school districts within the state to post a communication device policy on their website by July 1, 2026. DCSD hosted a in-person community forum Nov. 6 at the DCSD headquarters and another virtual community forum Nov. 18 through ZOOM to provide further information on the planned course of action concerning policy implementation.
Message Not Delivered: DCSD’s proposed phone ban fails to consider student voices
Absolute Cinema is a podcast about movies and TV shows hosted by Joel DePoty and Adin Robinett. In this episode, your hosts talk about the future of Absolute Cinema regarding host Adin Robinett graduating this year.
Absolute Cinema V: A Farewell to Hosts
Absolute Cinema is a podcast about movies and TV shows hosted by Joel DePoty and Adin Robinett, in this episode, the hosts speak about the recent Academy Awards, the Razzies and look ahead to movies coming out in 2026.
Absolute Cinema Episode Four: Academy Awards and Razzies
Spiffy Spoose on Sports News Episode 5: Payton “The Science Teach” Holloway Feature
The twenty-first episode of the Glitch Podcast focuses on recent controversial developments in the gaming industry, like the unpopular price hikes from Playstation amid massive RAM shortage issues.
The Glitch Podcast Episode 21: Minecraft Missing the Mark, Playstation Price Problems and Nintendo News
The twentieth episode of the Glitch Podcast focuses on recent controversial developments in the gaming industry, like massive layoffs from Fortnite developer Epic Games.
The Glitch Podcast Episode 20: Fortnite Firings, Lawsuit Libations and Ubisoft Euthanization
Absolute Cinema is a podcast about movies and TV shows hosted by Joel DePoty and Adin Robinett, in this episode, the host spoke about the Academy Awards nominees and “The Muppet Show"'s most recent installment on Disney+.
Absolute Cinema Episode Three: Muppets and the 96th annual Academy Awards.
Rock Canyon High School's Student Newspaper

the Rock Online
Rock Canyon High School's Student Newspaper

the Rock Online

awards and achievements

2024-2025

Colorado Student Media Association (CSMA)

Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA)

  • Gold Crown Award Recipient
  • Gold Medalist for Online News

National Student Press Association (NSPA)

  • Second Place Spring 2025 Website
  • Third Place Fall 2024 Social Media Reporting

Student News Online (SNO)

2023-2024

Colorado Student Media Association (CSMA)

Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA)

Journalism Education Association (JEA)

National Student Press Association (NSPA)

Student News Online (SNO)

Youth Journalism International (YJI)

 

2022-2023

Colorado Student Media Association (CSMA)

Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA)

  • Silver Crown for Online News

Continental League Journalism Conference

  • “Tools for Teams” Session Presentational Speakers – Claire Bauer, Grace Uhrain

Journalism Education Association (JEA)

National Student Press Association (NSPA)

Student News Online (SNO)

Youth Journalism International (YJI)

Other

 

2021-2022

Colorado Student Media Association (CSMA)

Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA)

Continental League Journalism Conference

  • First Place Layout: Website Layout – the Rock staff
  • First Place Newspaper Writing: Feature Writing – Matthew Fink
  • First Place Newspaper Writing: Sports Writing – Peter Leensvaart
  • First Place Newspaper Writing: Sports Writing – Ben England

National Student Press Association (NSPA)

  • Second Place 2022 Digital Podcast of the Year – Kira Zizzo
  • Fifth Place 2022 Multimedia News Story of the Year – Grace Uhrain
  • Honorable Mention 2022 Feature Photo of the Year – Claire Bauer
  • Honorable Mention 2022 Best Use of Social Media Promotion – the Rock staff
  • Honor Roll: Claire Bauer, Benjamin England, Matthew Fink, Kendall Foxworth, Jack Gianetto, Madison Loucks, Grace Uhrain, Abigail Wood, Kira Zizzo

Student News Online (SNO)

Other

 

2020-2021

Colorado Student Media Association (CSMA)

National Student Press Association (NSPA)

Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA)

Student News Online (SNO)

 

 

2019-2020

Colorado Student Media Association (CSMA)

  • All-Colorado Award for Hybrid News
  • Second Place Best of Show Award for 5A Print News
  • Reporter of the Year – Kira Zizzo 

Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA)

  • Gold Medalist Certificate 

Student News Online (SNO)

 

 

2018-2019

Colorado Student Media Association (CSMA)

  • First Place 5A Print News
  • Award of Commendation for Hybrid News
  • Photographer of the Year – Maddie Provost
  • First Place Photo Essay – by Amanda Brauchler
  • First Place In-Depth Sports Coverage – by Alec Sutula
  • Second Place Lifestyle Coverage – by Amanda Brauchler, Emily Wilson, Rima Adepu, Julia Blanchette
  • Second Place Environmental Portrait – by Emily Wilson
  • Second Place Personality Profile – by Maddy Merritt, Reagan Davis
  • Honorable Mention Facing Pages Design – by Sam Keer, Alex Shaffer
  • Honorable Mention Commentary – by Amanda Brauchler
  • Honorable Mention Critical Review – by Brooke Andel
  • Honorable Mention Alternative Coverage Treatment – by Amanda Brauchler, Rima Adepu, Emily Wilson, Julia Blanchette
  • Honorable Mention Staff Editorial – the Rock staff
  • Honorable Mention Sports Feature – by Alec Sutula

Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA)

Student News Online (SNO)

 

 

2017-2018

Colorado Student Media Association (CSMA)

  • Award of Commendation for Print News
  • First Place Sports Feature – by Makenna Allen
  • First Place Facing Pages Design – by Emily Humes
  • Second Place Lifestyle News Feature – by Alex Shaffer, Sam Keer
  • Third Place In-Depth Sports Coverage – by Makenna Allen, Alec Sutula
  • Third Place Alternative Coverage Treatment – by Amanda Brauchler
  • Honorable Mention Critical Review – by Alex Shaffer
  • Honorable Mention News Feature – by Makenna Allen, Olivia Allen
  • Honorable Mention Editorial Cartoon – by Ryan Fincher

 

2016-2017

Colorado Student Media Association (CSMA)

  • Award of Commendation for Print News
  • First Place In-Depth Sports Coverage – “Steep Prices for Sports” by Nicholas Purchase, Izzy  Daboub, Jake Adis, Kaiya Espey
  • First Place Lifestyle News Feature – “Newspaper Studying Mental Health” by Haley Lena, Sophie Martinez, Auni Smith
  • Second Place In-Depth News Coverage – “Newspaper Surveying the District” by Nicholas Purchase
  • Second Place Breaking Sports Coverage – “Newspaper Boys Varsity Basketball Advances Through Playoffs” by Lexi Brown, Marco Guillen
  • Second Place Photo Essay – “Newspaper Wishes do Come True” by Makenna Allen, Haley Lena, Christian Liley
  • Third Place Lifestyle Coverage – “The Exchange Experience, Friends From France” by Berit Erickson
  • Honorable Mention News Feature – by Haley Lena

 

2015-2016

Colorado Student Media Association (CSMA)

  • Award of Commendation for Print News
  • First Place Lifestyle News Feature – by the Rock staff
  • First Place Staff Editorial – by Nicholas Purchase
  • First Place Alternative Coverage Treatment – by Emilee Nelson
  • Second Place In-Depth News Coverage – by Emily Klein
  • Third Place Facing Pages Design – by Nicholas Purchase, Rachel Rothman, Sydney Colby

Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA)

 

2014-2015

Colorado Student Media Association (CSMA)

  • All-Colorado Award for Print News
  • First Place Personality Profile – “Leave a Legacy” by Nikki Newman
  • First Place Alternative Coverage Treatment – “Blood Water” by Reese Wilking
  • Second Place Single Page Design – “Blood Water” by Reese Wilking
  • Honorable Mention Commentary – “CMAS? I’ll Pass.” by Sarah Crum

 

2013-2014

Colorado Student Media Association (CSMA)

  • Award of Commendation for Print News
  • First Place News Feature – by Michael Shapiro
  • First Place Personality Profile – by Andrew Bohren
  • Second Place Photo Essay – by Kaitlyn Darbe, Jeremy Purchase
  • Third Place Sports Feature – by Michael Shapiro, Andrew Bohren
  • Third Place In-Depth Sports Coverage – by Michael Shapiro, Andrew Bohren, Bailey McCue, Sriya Sharma

 

2012-2013

Colorado Student Media Association (CSMA)

  • All-Colorado Award for Print News
  • Second Place News Feature – “Working Against the Unknown” by Syd Charvat
  • Second Place In-Depth Sports Coverage – “From London With Love” by Kelcey Beckman, Syd Charvat
  • Third Place Sports Feature – “Unleash the Beast” by Kelcey Beckman
  • Honorable Mention In-Depth News Coverage – “What Chew Gunna Do About It?” by Virginia Vaughn, Tristan Sagar
  • Honorable Mention Breaking News Coverage – “Searching for Answers, and Finding More Questions” by Kayla Neil
  • Honorable Mention Photo Essay – “Back to Black and Gold” by Kayla Neil

 

2011-2012

Colorado Student Media Association (CSMA)

  • All-Colorado Award for Print News
  • First Place Environmental Portrait – by Lauren Scheirman
  • First Place General Column – by Erin Snyder
  • First Place Lifestyle Feature – by Megan Boyles, Danielle Burrage, Maddie Whitten
  • First Place News Feature – by Megan Boyles, Allie Cole, Charlie Melbye, Kayla Neil, Mae Rohrbach, Lauren Scheirman, Maddie Whitten
  • Second Place Breaking News – by Syd Charvat
  • Second Place Editorial Cartoon – by Zach Anderson
  • Second Place In-Depth News – by Karly Hanson, Ashley Park, Lauren Scheirman
  • Honorable Mention Facing Page Design – by Charlie Melbye

 

2010-2011

Colorado Student Media Association (CSMA)

  • Award of Commendation for Print News
  • Second Place Single Page Design – by Emma Kate Fittes, Amanda Becker
  • Third Place Facing Page Design – by Emma Kate Fittes, Taylor Pettaway, Kayla Neil, Amber Cole, Lauren Posey, Lizzie Marthouse, Caley Pavillard
  • Honorable Mention In-Depth Sports – by Zach Tornabene

 

Please note that at this time this list only includes awards dating back to the 2010-2011 school year and may not be fully complete. If you have any questions or would like to know more, please email [email protected].

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