The new lighting control board in the MSSD auditorium was installed during the week of Feb. 3, due to safety and quality issues during productions.

Student Landon Foster (12) makes a pizza for his job at Savelli’s. Savelli’s hires many Manitou Springs High School students.

Griffin Saulsbury (12) is the captain of the Manitou Springs High School robotics team.

Students Jarrin Hall (12), Makenzi VerVaecke (12), and Coral Shlomo (11) pet therapy dogs on Mustang Strong Day as the dogs wander around the classroom.

Logan Moore, Hayden Martinez and Trafford Havens are senior leaders for the MSHS Baseball team this year.

Girls’ golf players Madi Sharon (12) and Addie Dorsey (10) prepare for the upcoming 24-25 season with the support of Cameron Jones, athletic director.

In the session three/four block, Natalie Traenkle (11) plays pickleball in the old gym as one of the activities offered. Playing pickleball makes her happy and makes her closer friends with the people she plays with. “I think the point of Mustang Strong Day is to help students and teachers connect with one another and encourage people to try new things,” Traenkle said.

Melvin and Murphy Skillen pet Ndora, as they think about how many schools would do this. “I haven’t really heard of any other schools having therapy dogs come to the school. I think it’s really cool that our school does this,” Melvin said.

McLeod pets KC as she jumps on him. He thinks about how he feels happy. “I think it’s a good idea to help students reflect on mental health. It’s still a school day, but you don’t have any homework and you get to have a break from the stress of school,” McLeod said.

In session two, Rylynne Murphy Skillen (11) enjoys her time with KC, a puppy from the therapy dogs in Gabby Santos’s room. “I got to see dogs, the dogs make me happy, it improved my day,” Murphy-Skillen said.

Nelson and Hoaglund stand side by side, feeling connected. Hoaglund has been to four different high schools and they think Manitou is unique. “I’ve never seen a school do this before, it’s awesome that manitou does this,” Hoaglund said.

John McLeod (11) is happy and thinking about why Manitou does Mustang Strong Day. “The activities are for everyone there is something for everyone and it shows we are all different but we can all come together,” McLeod said.