The student news site of Manitou Springs High School

The Prospector
Cat Albanese works at her new computer in the front office on Monday Feb. 26.
New office secretary Cat Albanese is welcomed to MSHS
Thomson and the 2023-2024 school year office aides celebrate Thomsons last day with dips and cake at the end of the day.
Thomson enjoys her final days at MSHS
Jennifer Trainor reads over her list of scholarships for the senior class.
Jennifer Trainor helps seniors finance their futures on Free-Money Fridays
Over winter break the hallways were renovated with new carpet, fresh paint, and LED lighting. See the difference above.
Hallway renovations surprise students after winter break
Stacy Thomson and Cory Urban pose with new pet of the front office, Clark the betta fish.
Clark joins the front office staff
Science teacher Andrew Slama shares what made him want to become a science teacher while sharing fun memories and useful advice for current and future students.
Teacher Throwback: Andrew Slama
Brown teaches social studies classes, which have many assignments involving heavy reading and research.
Teachers speak on missing work among MSHS students
Meghan Taylor (12) celebrates with the rest of the COYAC members in the Colorado House of Representatives after the hearing of HB24-1039: Non-Legal Name Changes and HB24-1040: Gender-Affirming Health-Care Provider Study. The bills were drafted all of the legal language was put down by the Legislative Council, because our job as COYAC members, is really to create proposals of things that we see you going through our job is not to write the legal language because, unfortunately, something that the COYAC director has reminded me many times, Taylor said. When I called her at like 9:30pm asking her for help was ‘Meghan you do not have a law degree’. Unfortunately, I do not. Im still in high school. Its really a pain. I wish I did.
Meghan Taylor authors Colorado bill on non-legal name changes
Ethan Anderson (12) stands beside several of his art pieces on display outside of Erin Gocinskis room in the SILC building. He made the piece on the top left, titled Pensive, with charcoal.
Ethan Anderson to attend MCAD to pursue the Arts
Jake Thomson has been playing club baseball since he was 7 years old. I was lucky enough to play for the same travel team for my childhood. I played for Majestic baseball from the time I was 7-15, Thomson said.
Jake Thomson continues his baseball career
Seniors Hailey and Kate Johnson are excited to take on the season.
Spring Sports Preview: Girls soccer looking to rebuild for a fun season
Last season, the team took home the Tri-Peaks League Championship. With only two graduated seniors gone, the team is packed with experienced athletes for an exciting upcoming season.
Spring Sports Preview: Track and Field begins an exciting season
Nate Gentzel(12), Canon Feist(12), and Jake Thomson are ready for baseball season to begin and have have high hopes for their senior season. I’m proud of the work that everyone has put in this offseason to get to where we are now, and I really feel like this team will be something special, Thomson said.
Spring Sports Preview: Boys Baseball
Madison Sharon (11) and Addie Dorsey (9) smile together with excitement for a new season to start. Girls golf had their preseason meeting on Friday, Feb. 2, and will officially start their season on March 4. Addies an amazing golfer, Madison Sharon (11) said, and Im really excited to play with her.
Girls golf begins their anticipated season March 4
The Cross Country State Championships were held at Norris Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs this year.
Seniors Cody Kelley and Cody Wyman place at the Cross Country State Championships
Manitou Springs Highschools Great Gatsby themed prom will take place on Friday, April 26.
Prom ticket prices soar again
Letter to the Editor
Letter to the Editor
Letter to the Editor
Social studies teacher Lawrence Housley embraces Colorados social studies standards in his classroom.
Colorado’s inclusive social studies standards are superior to Florida’s
Letter to the Editor
Letter to the Editor
Letter to the Editor
Letter to the Editor
Letter to the Editor
Juan Carlos’s latest movie “Damsel” came out on March 8.
Review: “Damsel”
Mac Millers fifth mixtape, Best Day Ever, was released March 11, 2011.
Review: Mac Miller “Best Day Ever”
Pensive made with charcoal on paper.
Independent study art gallery: Ethan Anderson
Beket Wendell-Evans, Isaac Boczkiewicz and Meghan Taylor run the script for the spring play for practice at MSHS on Mar. 6. The first rehearsal was on Mar. 5.
A final theater production for class of 2024
Bride by Ali Hazelwood released on February 6, 2024.
Book of the month – February: Bride
At this annual Larrys, MPAC President Kai Jacobson (11) and Vice President Meghan Taylor (11) took liberty in naming and presenting every award given.
The 2023 Larry’s: What to expect of this long standing tradition
The Cast and Crew of Too Many Daughters after arriving back at the High School with their 1st Place Trophy and Outstanding Supporting Actor Award.
MSHS wins Pikes Peak Regional One-Act Competition
At the end of the show, the characters celebrated Beowulf and Gunborg defeating Grendels mother.
MSHS performed their fall play: “Beowulf (and the Bard)”
Henry White (12) in the play Our Town that was performed in the fall of 2021.
Henry White leaves his mark on MSHS theater
Senior Koda Oxford recreates Shakespeares Hamlet. Theater was greatly restricted this year, and thespians were unable to act in traditional ways.
Koda Oxford’s finest hour
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
Boulder Honor Band members Devin Rocha (11) and Hailey Matas (12) at their concert in Boulder.
It’s an Honor to be in Honor Band
Juan Carlos’s latest movie “Damsel” came out on March 8.
Review: “Damsel”
Mac Millers fifth mixtape, Best Day Ever, was released March 11, 2011.
Review: Mac Miller “Best Day Ever”
Bride by Ali Hazelwood released on February 6, 2024.
Book of the month – February: Bride
Sanctuary of the Shadow by Aurora Ascher released on Jan. 10.
Book of the month – January: Sanctuary of the Shadow
The Intern by Michele Campbell was released October 7 of this year.
Book of the month – December: The Intern
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 junior 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 other MSHS games, specifically basketball and volleyball. She however dislikes white chocolate and blue cheese. VerVaecke is excited to continue growing her journalistic career as an editor this year.

All content by MaKenzi VerVaecke
Jake Thomson has been playing club baseball since he was 7 years old. I was lucky enough to play for the same travel team for my childhood. I played for Majestic baseball from the time I was 7-15, Thomson said.

Jake Thomson continues his baseball career

MaKenzi VerVaecke, Editor-In-Cheif
March 20, 2024
Nate Gentzel(12), Canon Feist(12), and Jake Thomson are ready for baseball season to begin and have have high hopes for their senior season. I’m proud of the work that everyone has put in this offseason to get to where we are now, and I really feel like this team will be something special, Thomson said.

Spring Sports Preview: Boys Baseball

MaKenzi VerVaecke, Editor-in-Chief
February 23, 2024
Thomson and the 2023-2024 school year office aides celebrate Thomsons last day with dips and cake at the end of the day.

Thomson enjoys her final days at MSHS

MaKenzi VerVaecke, Editor-In-Cheif
February 8, 2024
The Commons kept the same lighting and flooring after the hallway renovations.

Students and staff experience new building renovations

Dalton Gates, Morgan Flannery, Cordelia Portman, MaKenzi VerVaecke, Ari Clark, Angela Rowe, and Katelyn Fonkert
January 17, 2024
NHS executive board was awarded the Eliza Pickrell Routt award. Members of the executive board got a certificate and the society got a plaque to present.

NHS wins the Eliza Pickrell Routt Award

MaKenzi VerVaecke, Editor In Chief
December 11, 2023
Kate Johnson(12), Liz Johnson(12), McKesson Rhodes(12), and Cassidy Blechmen(12) after tryouts on Nov. 16.

Winter Sports Preview: Girls Basketball

MaKenzi VerVaecke, Editor-In-Cheif
November 17, 2023
Kate Johnson and Nate Gentzel(12) practice point after touchdown attempts at the end of practice.

Kate Johnson breaks barriers as a female football kicker

Makenzi VerVaecke, Editor In Chief
October 24, 2023
Student Council also plans many things besides Homecoming, like all the back to school activities.

[Photo] Inside StuCo: Homecoming week

Krissy Stout, Junior Reporter
October 6, 2023
NHS member Brenna Cote goes to senior advisories on Friday Sept. 29 in attempt to get the last missing seniors to pre-register.

NHS pre-registers students to vote

Makenzi VerVaecke, Editor-in-Cheif
October 3, 2023
Mustang football captains for the 2023-2024 season are Nate Gentzel (12), Braydn Dowling (12) and Logan Moore (11).

Fall Sports Preview: Football

Makenzi VerVaecke and Kaleb Cervantes
September 6, 2023
Ashur Lavigne (11) flashes a W while his team celebrates after the teams first win and football game of the season on Friday Aug. 25.

MSHS celebrates the Back to School Assembly and the first home football game

Dalton Gates, Makenzi VerVaecke, Jack Boyd, Cordelia Portman, Kaleb Cervantes, and Halli Frost
August 30, 2023
The team talks about the beginning of the game during halftime while Mack helps by giving advice for the next half.

Manitou girls soccer makes history

Makenzi VerVaecke, Senior Reporter
May 24, 2023
Gardner coached a state winning track team in 1993.

Gardner’s career at MSHS

Makenzi VerVaecke, Senior Reporter
May 3, 2023
Jessica Moen ramps up the excitement for session four of Teen Mental Health First Aid during Advisory in her classroom.

Sophomores learn mental health first aid for teens 

Makenzi VerVaecke, Senior Reporter
March 24, 2023
Madrid Mack (12), Cassidy Kuzbek (12), Grace McCumber (12), Payten Smith (12), Elanor Fugate (12) and Erica Sherwin (12) are all excited to play and finish their high school soccer careers with a bang.

Spring Sports Preview: Girls’ Soccer

Makenzi VerVaecke, Senior Reporter
February 24, 2023
The basketball game theme will be Ties to honor Erik Melgoza because he wore ties everyday.

Mustang Basketball to donate Friday’s door fees

Makenzi VerVaecke, Senior Reporter
January 12, 2023
FCA members Kate Johnson (11) and Hailey Troxel l(11) want you to join the new MSHS club FCA.

New FCA club at MSHS

Makenzi VerVaecke, Senior Reporter
January 10, 2023
Kaleena Jones (12), Grace Allen (12) and Sami Benge-Kulzer (12) are the only three seniors that have continuously played on the Manitou Springs High School girls basketball team for their whole high school career.

2022 Winter Sports Preview: Girls’ Basketball

Makenzi VerVaecke, Reporter
November 8, 2022
Musical chairs competitors get serious about victory!

MSHS brings back the homecoming pep rally

Makenzi VerVaecke, Reporter
October 6, 2022
Key Club members volunteer for the Pikes Peak Marathon by making helpful signs.

Key Club serves Manitou Springs community

Halli Frost and Makenzi VerVaecke
September 20, 2022
Zach Brown plays Kill Doctor Lucky with junior Lilly Noon at Game Con 2022. Brown co-sponsored Game Club with Mr. Gillard this year.

Zach Brown: Science

MaKenzi VerVaecke, Junior Reporter
May 23, 2022
C Team basketball coach Gabby Santos tapes Tori Greenes (9) ankle before practice. This is a job Nunley used to do.

Nunley’s absence felt by student athletes

MaKenzi VerVaecke, Junior Reporter
February 28, 2022
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MaKenzi VerVaecke