The student news site of Manitou Springs High School

The Prospector
The MSHS weight room will be moved to where the World Language rooms are over the summer of 2025.
Weight room to be relocated for ADA accessibility
The large screen TV with class composites is next to the new gym door in the Commons.
Class composites uploaded to touch screens in MSHS
A picture of the new soundboard.
MSSD Auditorium receives lighting system update
All proceeds from the Snowball Dance will go to Berkley.
Snowball Dance rescheduled for Feb. 22
MSHS staff and students affected by illness this winter
MSHS staff and students affected by illness this winter
Alicia Strupp stands in front of her diploma from University of Colorado Springs on Wed. May 7. Strupp has impacted both staff and students positively during her time here at Manitou.
Alisha Strupp leaves MSHS to pursue the next step in her career
Mr. Partridge explains to his 1A class the events that happened between the 1840's and the 1860's.
Partridge leaves MSHS social studies department
Students Sierra Tanner (11) and Rylynne Murphy Skillen (11) study for their math class during Advisory.
Students and staff give advice to prepare for finals
Kloe Roth (12) made a piece called “Butterfly” for the art show. This piece is made with linoleum. Roth made this piece because she kept seeing blue butterflies all summer and it reminded her of her grandpa that passed away. “ I loved being able to display this art show because it has such a personal meaning to me,” Roth said.
A look at the MSHS art show
On Monday, April 28, Alicia Mauer helps Jacob Cayton with Biology.
Staff at MSHS share infectious generosity
Cameron Jones sits in his office next to the various athletic awards. Jones is leaving MSHS to work at Russell Middle School. "'I've been blessed to work in a school district with awesome kids and a great community who have supported me in my time here," Jones said.
Cameron Jones leaves 22 year impact on MSSD14
Coach Stuart Jeck and the football team celebrate a homecoming win on Friday Sept. 22. The Mustangs won against Prospect Ridge 53-0.
Jeck takes the next step in his career
Mackinzy Wall(11) practices her discus throw on Wednesday, April 9 at the MSHS field to improve further, even after achieving a school record in discus. Wall threw 126.0 feet, on Mar. 8.
Mackinzy Wall earns school record for discus throw
Abbie reeves, Hannah Rickert, Alex Traenkle, and Kara Donagen pose for a photo at a wrestling competition.
Swim & Dive/Wrestling Season Recap
Girls' golf players Madi Sharon (12) and Addie Dorsey (10) stand in the doorway alongside Cameron Jones, the Athletic Director at MSHS.
Spring Sports Preview: Girls Golf
Two bull Rocky Mountain Elk spare in the winter preparing for the up and coming breeding season.
Stop the defunding of our national parks
Many locals prefer to use the Colorado Springs airport because it offers safe and convenient travel.
Repeated plane crashes impact the public
Elliot Mettler draws a woolly mouse in class due to his fascination of the project that made them.
The ethics of woolly mice
The senior class of 2024 gets to the school early during their final week to decorate the Commons.
The controversy surrounding senior pranks: a fine line between fun and frenzy
ICE isn't welcome in our schools
ICE isn’t welcome in our schools
Letter to the Editor
Letter to the Editor
Letter to the Editor
Letter to the Editor
Letter to the Editor
"Great Big Beautiful Life" was released on April 22, 2025.
Book Review: “Great Big Beautiful Life”
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
RaMell Ross's Oscar nominated movie "Nickel Boys" came out on August 30, 2024.
Review: “Nickel Boys”
Sid Meier’s Civilization VII is the most recent Sid Meier game to be released. The game came out Feb. 11, 2025 and it was available for early access a few days earlier
Review: Sid Meier’s “Civilization VII”
The book cover of Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros in front of smoke.
Review: “Onyx Storm”
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
Lana Kahtava (11) and Kai Jacobson(12) begin to present the awards for the night.
Theater students celebrate The Larry’s
Kai Jacobson (12) and Abby Steen leave Manitou Springs High School with cheers from the students and staff on Thursday, Feb. 8. They arrived at the Buell Theater of Downtown Denver and began rehearsing with the rest of the choir for their performance that Saturday.
Kai Jacobson performs with All-State Honor Choir
At this annual Larry's, 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
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
"Great Big Beautiful Life" was released on April 22, 2025.
Book Review: “Great Big Beautiful Life”
RaMell Ross's Oscar nominated movie "Nickel Boys" came out on August 30, 2024.
Review: “Nickel Boys”
Sid Meier’s Civilization VII is the most recent Sid Meier game to be released. The game came out Feb. 11, 2025 and it was available for early access a few days earlier
Review: Sid Meier’s “Civilization VII”
A latte with a cat design on the top.
Review: Happy Cats Coffee
A poster for "The Order" directed by Justin Kurzel.
Review: “The Order”
The student news site of Manitou Springs High School

The Prospector
The student news site of Manitou Springs High School

The Prospector
Sita Ahlen

Sita Ahlen, Yearbook Editor

All content by Sita Ahlen
Soccer players warm up before the JV game against Jefferson Academy.

Caileen Sienknecht (10) pursues the ball, going up against a Jefferson Academy player. Sienknecht has been playing varsity soccer since her freshman year at Manitou, and has proven herself to be a powerful asset on the field.

[Photo] Girls' Soccer Faces Long Battle Against Jefferson

March 23, 2018
Alyssa Holladay (12) was an incredible force on the field, blocking several shots during the course of the game.

Brooklyn Mack (12), Ava Spangler (11), and Caileen Sienknecht (10) attempt to block a shot from opponents.

Lizzy Butts (10), Parker Hall (10), Mia Heiniger (9), Jayden Omi (11), Sage Stevens (12) and Coco Stevens (10) gather around a fire to converse and cook hot dogs in the evening. "The (StuCo) retreat was an incredible opportunity to get to know each other," Sage Stevens said.

Manitou Springs High School Clubs Focus on Collaboration

Sita Ahlen, Yearbook Editor
August 20, 2017
Junior Varsity Football Team to Advance to Playoffs

Junior Varsity Football Team to Advance to Playoffs

Sita Ahlen, Sports and Activities Editor
November 8, 2016
Cross Country Excels at Coronado Cougar Classic Meet

Cross Country Excels at Coronado Cougar Classic Meet

Sita Ahlen, Sports and Activities Editor
September 27, 2016
Boys Golf will Advance to State

Boys Golf will Advance to State

Sita Ahlen, Sports and Activities Editor
September 22, 2016
Olivia McKenna (9) shoots during the second half of the game, very narrowly missing the goal. McKenna has been playing soccer since she was in elementary school.

Freshman Soccer Players Make Impact

Sita Ahlen, Sports and Activities Editor
May 19, 2016
Girls' Soccer Wins League

Girls’ Soccer Wins League

Sita Ahlen, Sports and Activities Editor
May 6, 2016
Sophomores, Paxton Wolfe and Braeden Lewis, play their first song during the performance. Three judges sat in the auditorium, and very few people sat in the audience.

Manitou Band Earns “Excellent” Rating at CHSAA Festival

Sita Ahlen, Sports and Activities Editor
May 4, 2016
The new executive board of Stuco for the 2016-2017 year: Lily Reavis (11), Monique Heiniger (11) and Amelia McKenzie (11). Not Pictured: Andrea Edwards (11).

Student Body Executive Board Members Announced

Sita Ahlen, Sports and Activities Editor
April 26, 2016
Freshman Friday: Quinn Hersey Makes Memories

Freshman Friday: Quinn Hersey Makes Memories

Sita Ahlen and Mia Elliott
April 2, 2016
Naiya Budler (10) runs at a State race. Budler has been running since her freshman year, and aspires to continue.

Students Participate in Winter Series

Sita Ahlen, Sports and Activities Editor
March 18, 2016

Freshman Friday: Tyler Doherty talks Theatre, Swim

Sita Ahlen and Mia Elliott
March 4, 2016
Maddy Frahm (11) and Shelby Megyeri (11) are both key players on this year's varsity basketball team, and have both been playing basketball since elementary school.

Winter Sports Profile: Maddie Frahm and Shelby Megyeri End Vigorous Season

Sita Ahlen, Sports and Activities Editor
February 25, 2016
Abby Beebe: Mentor and Manager of the Stage

Abby Beebe: Mentor and Manager of the Stage

Sita Ahlen, Mia Elliott, and
February 20, 2016
The team poses for a photo after winning Tri-Peaks League. Coach Roy Chaney said that this is possibly the best swim and dive team Manitou Springs High School has ever had.

Girls’ Swim Places First at League

Sita Ahlen, Sports and Activities Editor
February 7, 2016
Atticus Fredrickson (11), at weight 182, wrestling against Peyton

Loss Against Peyton for Wrestling Team

Sarah Bogush and Sita Ahlen
January 28, 2016
Girls' Swim Excels in Recent Meet

Girls’ Swim Excels in Recent Meet

Sita Ahlen, Sports and Activities Editor
January 28, 2016
Hardworking Hockey Players Balance School and Sports

Hardworking Hockey Players Balance School and Sports

Sita Ahlen, Senior Reporter
January 21, 2016
Review: The Force Awakens

Review: The Force Awakens

Sita Ahlen, Senior Reporter
January 5, 2016
Seniors, Maddie Dayhoff and Sami Williams chat as they donate blood.

Annual Blood Drive Comes to End

Sita Ahlen, Senior Writer
December 8, 2015
Annual Holiday Craft Fair is Near

Annual Holiday Craft Fair is Near

Sita Ahlen, Senior Reporter
December 3, 2015
Manitou StuCo representatives present a few sentences revolving around driver safety.

Annual Drive Smart Assembly Encourages Students

Sita Ahlen, Senior Reporter
November 19, 2015
Sawyer Schroeder (10), Alliah Halcomb (10) and Bryce Coop (11) hug it out during the end of the assembly.

Freshman, Derek Ornelas and Jake Underwood await the end of the assembly.

Palmer students present their lines in the dark gym.

Focusing on trying to beating University the girls work hard.

Volleyball Places 7th in Division

Sita Ahlen, Senior Reporter
November 18, 2015
Shelby Hard (12) looks through the new computerized telescope.

New Astronomy Club Hosts Stargazing Event

Sita Ahlen, Senior Reporter
November 16, 2015
Matt Rivera (11) and Luke Ganger (12) fight on-stage about the marriage between their children.

Review: Servant of Two Masters Finishes Production

Sita Ahlen and Bella Galardo
November 13, 2015
Pictured from left to right, Taylor Holladay (12), Erin Ihrig (11) , Allie Washington (11) , Alyssa Holladay (10), Shelby Hard (12), Amanda Nagel (10), and Kylie McKee (11).

Alyssa Holladay, (10), Amanada Nagle (10) and Kylie McKee (11) work at a station talking about constellations.

Mr.Barger, works on the new telescope as Shelby Hard (12) and Taylor Holladay (12) wait to head home.

Talented Band Students Play in Honor Band Concert

Talented Band Students Play in Honor Band Concert

Sita Ahlen, Senior Reporter
November 12, 2015
District 14 awarded by win on 3B

District 14 awarded by win on 3B

Sita Ahlen, Senior Reporter
November 5, 2015
Ehrin Aycock (11) listens intently to Krona Emmanuel (11), who presents on Pakistan.

Language Night Pulls Large Crowd

Sita Ahlen, Senior Reporter
November 5, 2015
Manitou Student Creates Black Student Union Club

Manitou Student Creates Black Student Union Club

Sita Ahlen, Senior Reporter
October 29, 2015
The Force Awakens and so do Our Hopes for New Star Wars Movie

The Force Awakens and so do Our Hopes for New Star Wars Movie

Sita Ahlen, Senior Reporter
October 23, 2015
Kind of a B16 Deal: Manitou's Newest Wave of Eligible Voters

Kind of a B16 Deal: Manitou’s Newest Wave of Eligible Voters

Sita Ahlen, Senior Reporter
October 21, 2015
Manitou Students Create Documentaries in Film Academy

Manitou Students Create Documentaries in Film Academy

Sita Ahlen, Senior Reporter
October 20, 2015
Mustangs Triumph Over Huskies in Homecoming Thriller

Mustangs Triumph Over Huskies in Homecoming Thriller

Sita Ahlen, Senior Reporter
October 14, 2015
Freshmen pose for a photo wearing their groovy outfits.

Totally Tubular: Students Dress up for 80’s day

Sita Ahlen, Senior Reporter
October 6, 2015
Editorial: Donald Trump more like Donald Dump

Editorial: Donald Trump more like Donald Dump

Sita Ahlen, Senior Reporter
September 29, 2015
Star players on the volleyball team, Brooke Garretson and Angala Jensen, are both seniors this year.

Fall Sports Profile: Volleyball’s Garretson and Jensen Still Seek to Improve

Sita Ahlen, Senior Reporter
September 25, 2015
Max Piccioni (10) and Spencer Briggs-Hale remove their most recent catch from the net.

[Photo] Biology Bug Project 2015

Lizzy Anderson, Senior Reporter
September 18, 2015
Ethan Carpenter (11) holds up an American flag during the bands half time showLast year, Woodland Park vandalized schools grounds, creating conflict between the two schools.

Hope After Loss for Football Team

Sita Ahlen, Senior Reporter
September 17, 2015
First trans solidarity rally and march, Washington, DC USA

Suicide Prevention and the LGBTQ+ Community

Sita Ahlen and Aubrey Hall
September 15, 2015
"It was an alter that a family made for their passed away loved ones, it stuck out because there wasn't any real color anywhere. It was a cool sight to see." Steven Jensen (11) comments.

Spanish class travels to Cabo San Lucas over Winter Break

Meghann Root and Sita Ahlen
January 23, 2015
Jonathan Nagel (11) at the meet at home against Sand Creek on Thursday, December 4. Nagel took first place in his weight class on Saturday's meet on Saturday, December 13 at CSCS.

Wrestlers place 2nd at CSCS tournament

Sita Ahlen, Reporter
December 17, 2014
Choir students during the encore of "Down by the Riverside".

Winter Choir Concert is a Success (Listen here)

Sita Ahlen, Reporter
December 13, 2014
The team poses for a group photo.

Cheerleaders Place First at League

Sita Ahlen and Aubrey Hall
November 21, 2014
Kelsey Hartwig and Kaylin Cole stick high-V's.

Mahalia Henschel (11) holds her left-post lib.

Susie Robbins, Arabella Forcellini, Alyssa Prince, and Kendahl Bent pose at the end of their pyramid.

Stormy Garrigan (11) holds up the O in Manitou.

Devon Arabia (11), Mahalia Henschel (11), Kelsey Hartwig (11), and Stormy Garrigan (11).

Girls Cross Country Finishes Strong: the Faces Behind a Phenomenal Season

Aubrey Hall and Sita Ahlen
November 14, 2014
A parked car was hit during the chase.

Manitou Student’s Car Stolen, Involved in Police Chase

Sita Ahlen, Reporter
November 11, 2014
Students and teachers generously donate blood that could potentially save lives.

Plasma for Penrose: Blood Drive

Sita Ahlen and Meghann Root
November 7, 2014
Students hang out and eat provided snacks to regain energy from giving blood.

Vivienne Kreidel-Lincoln (11) waits patiently for her turn to be release from the clutches of the Penrose Hospital employees.

Rebecca Alford (11) relaxes while calmly giving blood.

Before they run the course the girls huddle up.

Cross Country Girls Qualify For State

Sita Ahlen, Reporter
October 20, 2014
Rachael Bradshaw (12) has loved to sing since she could talk. Her mother sparked her interest when she sung to Bradshaw as a child. Bradshaw started singing in choir in sixth grade, and says, "I think singing is a great way to express emotions that we might otherwise suppress." So far she has been a star honor choir student and has participated in three honor choirs. She has performed in Western Slope three times, Adams State three times, and All State once. Out of the three, she said thatAll State was her favorite one to participate in. When she begins college, Bradshaw hopes to start an a capella group, but she's not interested in carrying it out professionally.

A Family of Singers: Manitou Choir Auditions for All State

Sita Ahlen, Reporter
October 16, 2014
Review: If I Stay

Review: If I Stay

Sita Ahlen, Reporter
October 13, 2014
Kaitlyn Davidson (9) races towards the finish line.

Young, Agressive, and Constantly Improving: Cross Country runners push their boundaries

Sita Ahlen, Reporter
October 7, 2014
The cross country team smiles and waves to the observers and attendees at the parade.

Manny the Mustang always shows up to make kids smile!

The boys' varsity soccer team enjoys towering over everyone while tossing candy.

[Photo] Hoorah for Homecoming!

September 25, 2014
The choir, under the new leadership of Ray Killian, warms up before performing during the parade.

Noel Stephan (11) and Travis Struble (11) slowly run out candy to throw for the kids.

Mendoza (12) and Culver (10) share many goals for this season, including they share quite including to winning more term goals, winning Regionals, going to State as a team, and winning 1st place at Tri-Peaks.

Fall Sports Preview: Boys Golf is Ready for a Big Win

Sita Ahlen
September 19, 2014
Students and teachers watching the Assembly

First Assembly

Sita Ahlen
September 9, 2014
Ethan Carpenter (10) after making a hole.

Shining Mountain spotlight for youngest golfers

Sita Ahlen
September 5, 2014
Load More Stories
Donate to The Prospector
$0
$500
Contributed
Our Goal

Menu
Activate Search
Home
Sita Ahlen