Recent Scores
  • Sep 28 / Varsity Boys TennisRock Canyon High School - 4, Grandview High School - 3
  • Sep 28 / Varsity FootballRock Canyon High School - 20, Highlands Ranch High School - 17
  • Sep 28 / Varsity Boys SoccerRock Canyon High School - 0, ThunderRidge High School - 0
  • Sep 28 / JV Boys SoccerRock Canyon High School - 3, ThunderRidge High School - 0
  • Sep 28 / Varsity Girls VolleyballRock Canyon High School - 3, Ponderosa High School - 0
  • Sep 28 / JV Girls VolleyballRock Canyon High School - 2, Ponderosa High School - 1
  • Sep 27 / Varsity SoftballRock Canyon High School - 4, Ponderosa High School - 7
  • Sep 27 / Freshman Boys SoccerRock Canyon High School - 6, ThunderRidge High School - 0
  • Sep 26 / Varsity Boys SoccerRock Canyon High School - 0, Regis Jesuit High School - 1
  • Sep 26 / JV Boys SoccerRock Canyon High School - 1, Regis Jesuit High School - 0
Rock Canyon High School's Student Newspaper

the Rock Online
The Homecoming Bonfire burns in the night Sept. 21. According to Fire Science, the fire was approximately 25 ft. high and 500 degrees Celsius. “The Homecoming Bonfire is always a cool tradition to be a part of and it’s cool to see the fire itself and how high it can get,” Mason Conrad ‘24 said.
The Heat of The Moment: A Homecoming Bonfire Recap
Gianna Peterson ‘25 and other fellow Poms dancers perform a dance inspired by the Western Spirit Day during the Homecoming Assembly in the gym Sept. 21. Homecoming week consisted of five spirit days, including Freedom Friday, Tropical Florida Monday, Bama Rush Tuesday, Wild West Wednesday and Home Colorado Thursday. “It was awesome to perform and we had a lot of practice [in preparation],” Peterson said.
A Week to Remember: Homecoming Assembly Photo Recap
Members of the Rock Online and Black & Gold pose with Jack Kennedy and their awards at the end of J-Day Sept. 14. Kennedy was Colorado Student Media Association’s (CSMA) former Executive Director, and previously taught at Rock Canyon. Im so proud of our staff and the awards we won because we truly give it our all. This time, it was especially special, because this was the newspapers first online All-Colorado. Weve won All-Colorados for print and hybrid before, but this year was our first one for online! My favorite part was probably when Jack Kennedy sang the First Amendment at the closing ceremony, hes an inspiration and a great singer, Editor-in-Chief Claire Bauer 24 said.
Journalists Go to J-Day
Thomas Lopez 24 shoots Riley Shanahan 24 with a water gun Sept. 16. Shanahan was Lopezs third target of the first round.
End of Round One: Senior Assassin Update and Leaderboard
The schedule for tomorrows classes and Homecoming Assembly.
Homecoming Assembly Schedule
Back-to-back champions, The Ball Handlers Pt.2, hold up their trophy after beating runner-ups Ray Made Me in the Ruff n Tuff Tournament Sept. 18. The Ball Handlers Pt.2 wore blackout clothing with face paint. The team was led by senior captains Addie Waller, Meagan Carley and Julia Hay. Our team this year was just about the same as last year, Waller said. Having a super tall team and a few boys volleyball players definitely helped, but we all just did it for fun.
The Ruff n’ Tuff Two Timers
Varsity running back Tyler Myer ’25 runs a 60-yard touchdown during the fourth quarter Aug. 31. After scoring the touchdown, varsity lineman Jake Lenertz ‘25 picked up Myer in celebration of his touchdown. “It feels awesome knowing that youre helping the team out getting points on the board,” Myer said. “I like to celebrate by doing handshakes and getting picked up by the linemen.”
Jaguars Smoke Smoky Hill High School: Photo Recap
A graphic displays Unified Kickballs game season
Keep on Kickin’: Unified Kickball’s Game Schedule
Varsity girls soccer outside back Olivia Barrett ‘24 hugs varsity holding midfielder Gigi Fiorelli ‘25 after losing to TRHS May 25. The final score of the game was 0-1, leaving the Jaguars in second place. “This year, it took a long time for everything to start coming together. We had a really tough season. Because we were a 17-seed, we had to upset every game we played, because we only played higher-ranked teams than us. The last thing we expected was to make it to Finals, [it] was crazy and made me nervous and emotional,” Barrett said. “Every single person on the team was incredibly disappointed in Rock Canyon. We don’t need a crowd at every game, but when you make it to State and only have about 20 people there, it’s an awful feeling. We were really embarrassed when student sections [for opposing teams] in the playoffs were five times the size of ours. Everyone felt let down. It’s hard to approach next season—everyone is very emotional, and we are getting a whole new coaching staff which will be a huge adjustment. We [will] go into next season with a good attitude and play the hardest we can.”
Photo Recap: Varsity Girls Soccer Takes Second at State
Varsity boys ice hockey team holds up the 2023 Wales Division Banner May 14. The team won against the reigning championships, the Denver East Angels, 9-2. It felt amazing. It really showed that, with a full group of guys, with the right mindset, we can do anything, right wing Easton Stockert 25 said. We took down the back-to-back champs, which was my personal first time ever beating Denver East.
Stunning the State
A snapshot of the video introduction and title introduces the story.
Bringing the Heat: Homecoming Bonfire Video Recap
Outside the 4000s pod, a black paper banner painted with the words “Route RC 23 Homecoming” represents the overall theme for this years Homecoming Sept. 22. The other pods were decorated with specific locations from the road trip theme. “My favorite design this year is the banner. It is so innovative and [Student Council] really applied their artistic abilities in showcasing the road trips theme,” Veronica Baxter ‘25 said.
Take a Ride On a Road Trip
Connor Brown unpacks his belongings in his new college dorm room Aug. 22. Brown, among other graduates, started his first year of college in late August after graduating from Rock Canyon in May 2023.
“They’re my best friend:” When Older Siblings Leave for College
Members of Class of 2027 raise their hands in the air while playing Simon Says during their freshman orientation Aug. 8
Link Crew Leads the Way
Danielle Harrison poses with her dog on a hike in Colorado. I would recommend for teens to go to Chatfield Park and have a fun beach day, Harrison said.
Summer Fun in the Sun
A snapshot of the video introduction and title introduces the story.
Bringing the Heat: Homecoming Bonfire Video Recap
A graphic displays the headline, Stress About the Dress to introduce the article.
Stress About the Dress
Graphic displays a fall-themed aesthetic with a pumpkin spice drink in the center.
Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice
Lizzie Lemeshewsky 25 and friends show off bracelets at The Eras Tour July 14. Fans made bracelets that they could trade with other Swifties as well. It felt like such a safe environment, being around so many people, trading bracelets with people you’ve never met before and having conversations about which song you hope she’ll sing for a surprise. It felt like one big church service, Lemeshewsky said.
Swifties Storm Denver
The image reads, Hope by Eila Liu to introduce the video.
A Right to Hope
A snapshot of the video introduction and title introduces the story.
Bringing the Heat: Homecoming Bonfire Video Recap
The image reads, Hope by Eila Liu to introduce the video.
A Right to Hope
Kristie Vetter 25 claps after pieing U.S. History teacher Wes Chapman May 4. The pieing took place in the outdoor classroom to prevent mess.
Eyes on the Pies
Papers fly in the air at the annual Senior Paper Toss May 9. The Paper Toss took place at 2:50 p.m. after finals for seniors ended.
The Last Hurrah
Fidels Wish: A Video Recap of Walk for Wishes
Fidel’s Wish: A Video Recap of Walk for Wishes
The Secret Of Life Column Logo, made with Canva.
The Secret Of Life
The image reads, Hope by Eila Liu to introduce the video.
A Right to Hope
The featured graphic for Summer Fun in the Sun.
Opinion: Recommendations for Your Summer
A graphic illustrates the complexity of the different types of love.
Heartstrings: A Reflection on Love
A green Sources of Strength chain says Andrew Tate in the hallway March 2.
Opinion: Is Andrew Tate a Source of Strength?
Rock Canyon High School's Student Newspaper

the Rock Online
Rock Canyon High School's Student Newspaper

the Rock Online
Maddie Leonardi

Maddie Leonardi, Reporter

Hi, my name is Maddie and I’m currently a junior. This will be my first year on staff. In my free time, I love watching movies, reading books, drawing, and hanging out with my friends. This year, I am excited to learn more about our students and our community, and give them a voice through the newspaper. This year, I hope to improve my graphic design and writing skills.

All content by Maddie Leonardi
The image for the Ambitious Application Tips graphic by Maddie Leonardi and JJ Nielsen-Mayer.

Ambitious Application Tips

by Maddie Leonardi and JJ Nielsen Mayer
May 19, 2023
A graphic reads Five Ways to Prepare for the SAT, introducing the article.

Five Ways to Prepare for the SAT

by Maddie Leonardi, Reporter
April 11, 2023
A graphic shows how music can affect listeners mental health.

Music and Mental Health

by Maddie Leonardi, Reporter
March 2, 2023
A graphic introduces volunteer opportunities for the winter/holiday season.

The Gift of Giving

by Maddie Leonardi, Reporter
December 21, 2022
BEC30535-96E1-4860-A77E-C651EA6C18CA

Music to Fall Into

December 1, 2022
A graphic displays student reviews of plans for Homecoming.

Regal Reviews

by Maddie Leonardi, Reporter
October 6, 2022
Jack Vannatta holds up an airplane model in his classroom Aug. 30. Vannatta has been teaching for seven years after his time in the Navy. “My favorite airplane is definitely the mighty E-2C Hawkeye,” Vannatta said.

FRIDAY FACULTY FEATURE: the Science Behind Being Jack Vannatta

by Maddie Leonardi, Reporter
September 23, 2022
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the Rock Online

Rock Canyon High School's Student Newspaper
Rock Canyon High School's Student Newspaper

the Rock Online
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