The student news site of Manitou Springs High School

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(1) Saige Drotar (9) and Lexi Hammel (9) dress up for Green and Gold Day on Wednesday, May 13 at Manitou Springs High School. After they signed their yearbooks, they went to Kona Ice to enjoy different flavors of shaved ice and outdoor activities. "I really enjoyed going to the shaved ice trucks and being able to participate in all of the outdoor activities because it was so warm out," Drotar said.
Students enjoy Green & Gold Day
Manitou Springs High School has been an important part of the Manitou Springs community for many years.
Administration to strengthen competitive standing and applicable learning
Gabby Santos clears out her classroom to make room for the upcoming renovations to the front entrance of MSHS.
Breaking News: Construction begins on secure entry vestibules
Madison Anderson (12) wins the final Rock Paper Scissors battle and gets a medal and all of the collected beads.
Sources of Strength hosts Rock Paper Scissors event
Vienna Montoya-De Smidt (12) and Rhys Parratt (11) place test tubes in a 60 degree water bath. This helps kickstart the bacteria’s growth. “I think he does a really good job of having applied learning and integrating concepts in a very hands-on fashion,” Montoya-De Smidt said. “ I think there was a lot of confusion about how bacterial transformation works and how plasmids interact and such. So being able to actually do it yourself and have it demonstrate the concept and essentially teach yourself how to do it and receive a product, is incredibly rewarding and so that just reinforces your excitement to learn.”
AP Biology conducts jellyfish lab
Brandon DeMatto speaks to the House of Delegates at their meeting on May 4. Although the House of Delegates was only founded during the 2025-2026 school year. They have already proposed multiple ideas to admin.
New House of Delegates proposes policy for high school
Kristin Stout (12) and John McLeod (12) get Chick-fil-A as a celebration for a prom proposal.
Chick-fil-A’s Phone Coop Challenge
GSTA sells concessions and tickets at their movie night on Friday, April 4.
GSTA Club hosts their first fundraising event
Loaf ‘N Jug gas prices on Manitou Ave on Apr. 14.
Increased gas prices effect the community
Kyle Blasi, one of this years Mani Award winners, smiles for a photo in the Media Center on April 8. Blasi has been a student at MSHS all four years of high school.
Kyle Blasi wins Mani Award
Brynn Berardi (9) plays in the soccer game against Woodland Park on April 23, 2026.
Freshman Berardi plays two varsity sports
Naomi Porter (12) celebrates with other girls varsity riders after her 7th place finish at race #3 in Leadville, Colorado. Porter's strong finish contributed to her winning of the Most Improved Female award at State.
Porter shreds her way to success
The MSHS boys basketball team reaches the end of their season after their last game for regionals at Montezuma Cortez against The Classical Academy.
MSHS basketball finishes their season at regionals
Coach Gregory explains drills at baseball practice.
Spring Sports Preview: Baseball
On Tuesday March 3rd the MSHS soccer girls take off their gear and pack up while laughing and talking after practice.
Spring Sports Preview: Girls Soccer
The clouds part over Manitou Springs High School's parking lot after hanging low all day.
Be aware of your environmental impact
A flag of The Ukraine flying on the wall of a Colorado house. Many people across the state and America take their side with The Ukraine, and pronounce Russia the aggressor.
War is more complicated than you think
Nearly 20,000 acres of land was offered up for lease for oil and gas companies to take. This includes open forests and mountains.
Government decision to lease public land for oil and gas bad for Colorado
Nate Owen helps Quinn Scott (11) with calculus for an upcoming test.
Practicing for SAT benefits students
The car belonging to an MSHS parent has the words “I stand with Minneapolis abolish ICE.” written on the back on Jan. 29 in the MSHS parking lot.
Know Your Rights: Your Rights and the Rights of ICE
Letter to the Editor
Letter to the Editor
Letter to the Editor
Letter to the Editor
Letter to the Editor
Becket Wendell-Evans (12) performs as his character Orgon on the closing night of "Tartuffe" on April 18.
Student actors reflect on Moliere’s “Tartuffe”
Becket Wendell-Evans directs a song in Dave Williams's class on March 17.
Seniors take on leadership roles in music classes
The cover art for "MLB The Show 26" features Aaron Judge.
Review: “MLB the Show 26”
Cover of album, “The Mountain” by Gorillaz.
Review: Gorillaz “The Mountain”
"Project Hail Mary" is director duo Phil Lord and Christopher Miller's newest film, featuring Ryan Goslings, released on March 20. It is currently one of the highest grossing movies of 2026, and is set for another run in theaters.
Review: “Project Hail Mary”
Becket Wendell-Evans (12) performs as his character Orgon on the closing night of "Tartuffe" on April 18.
Student actors reflect on Moliere’s “Tartuffe”
Becket Wendell-Evans directs a song in Dave Williams's class on March 17.
Seniors take on leadership roles in music classes
Members of the cast of "Suzette Who Set to Sea" hold their "1st Place" and "Outstanding Ensemble" awards won from the Pikes Peak Regional One-Act Competition in 2022.
Breaking News: The One-Act competition returns after a two year hiatus
Kyle Blasi and Morrigan Schulz rehearse for their student directed play.
MSHS students undertake writing and directing plays
Beckett Wendell-Evans holds Meggan Milliron in the air during a practice dance.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Benjamin Parham (11) holds up his first place trophy from the Battle of the Bands on May 2 at the SILC amphitheater. Parham represented The Beanie Boys because his bandmate, Dante Alexander (11), had to leave early.
Breaking News: Beanie Boys win the first MSHS Battle of the Bands
Annie Riggin works with Manitou choir teacher Abby Steen in preparation of her All-State Honor Choir performances.
Annie Riggin selected for Colorado All-State Honor Choir
The MSHS Symphonic Band plays the Fight Song as they round the track. The band practices for the parade every year.
MSHS band brings the sound of Homecoming
Lucas Grieb (12) & Lance Warner (12) pose for a band photo, outside in Manitou Springs, CO, with their guitars.
Euphoria: Manitou Springs High School’s up and coming band
Anton Akse (12), principal chair tuba, focuses on how his instrument sounds in the concert hall as opposed to the rehearsal space.
Abeel and Aske play in top youth orchestral group
The cover art for "MLB The Show 26" features Aaron Judge.
Review: “MLB the Show 26”
Cover of album, “The Mountain” by Gorillaz.
Review: Gorillaz “The Mountain”
"Project Hail Mary" is director duo Phil Lord and Christopher Miller's newest film, featuring Ryan Goslings, released on March 20. It is currently one of the highest grossing movies of 2026, and is set for another run in theaters.
Review: “Project Hail Mary”
"The Romantic," by Bruno Mars was released on February 27, 2026, it is his fourth solo album.
Review: Bruno Mars “The Romantic”
Disney Pixar's newest film "Hoppers", released on March 3, is set to be Pixar's first hit on almost a decade.
Review: “Hoppers”
The student news site of Manitou Springs High School

The Prospector
The student news site of Manitou Springs High School

The Prospector
MaKenzi VerVaecke

MaKenzi VerVaecke, Editor-in-Chief

MaKenzi VerVaecke is currently a senior at Manitou Springs High School. She helps to manage football in the fall. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and watching TV shows. One of VerVaecke’s favorite things is to go to MSHS games, specifically basketball and volleyball. However, she dislikes white chocolate and blue cheese. VerVaecke is excited to continue growing her journalistic career as Editor-In-Chief this year.

All content by MaKenzi VerVaecke
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MaKenzi VerVaecke