The student news site of Manitou Springs High School

The Prospector
Edward Buckley (12), Landon Foster (12), Brenner Gauvin (12), Adam Krych (12), Jacob Jacobsen (12), Hunter Larsen (12), Evan Fugate (12), Shaena Vigil (12) and Liam Linster (12) are just nine of the 48 AP Scholars for the 2023-2024 school year.
Manitou boasts 48 AP Scholars
MSHS staff, Sam Duff, David Williams and Riley Walker all participated in the 5K. Duff placed 1st out of all high school staff. "I thought it was a great turnout for the inaugural event," Duff said.
Breaking News: Inaugural Manitou 5K raises $12,300 for MSMS
Naomi Porter (11) and Cordelia Portman (11) are excited to have free period products at MSHS.
Period products now free in restrooms
Senior Honor roll students gather to celebrate accomplishments during the back to school senior class meeting on Aug. 22.
Seniors dominate spring 2024 honor roll
On Sept.13 Amanda Kerrigan’s advisory plays chess.
MSHS admin takes a stand on cellphones
Nici Sharon(12) kicks a soccer ball during the girls soccer season of her junior year during a game. Nici Sharon has found that being goalie has grown on her over the years.
Nici Sharon leaves her mark of determination on the girls soccer team
Brooke Ferguson (11) and Miranda Chasteen (11) read to help with their seasonal depression.
Students at MSHS confront seasonal depression
Amy Duess (11) interacts with her other classmates during Advisory.
German exchange student leaves impact on MSHS
On Nov.15 Kyan Bunker welds a hitch together at his job Royal Welding.
Bunker makes sparks fly
Kyle Blasi (11) buzzes in and begins working to find his answer at Knowledge Bowl practice in Andrew Slama's room on Oct. 22 so that he gets called to answer the question first. A scrimmage between three teams was held during practice that day, which helps the players prepare for any trivia question that could be thrown their way.
Knowledge Bowl members wish to see a fresh perception of the team
The girls swim and dive team together after practice at the Woodland Aquatic Center. The team will head to their first meet, The Big Cat Brawl in Littleton on Dec. 9.
Winter Sports Preview: Swim and Dive
The girls cross country team placed as the runners up in the state competition on Nov. 2.
Fall Sports Season Recap
The team celebrates their win with medals after the race.
Girls cross country places as state runner up
The girls cross country team placed as the runners up in the state competition on Nov. 2.
Fall Sports Recap Oct. 28-Nov. 3
Preston Rhodes(12) and Cohen Barrett(11) prepare for the upcoming season at open gyms.
Winter Sports Preview: Boys Basketball
Ben Perkins (11) watches his team in action at the first home football game on Friday night at Richardson Field.
CTE risk begins in high school sports
Why putting your phone down is good for your health
Why putting your phone down is good for your health
A wolverine wanders around in the snow most likely trying to find food or guarding his territory. Female wolverines' territories can get to 230 square miles, while males can get around 380 square miles. Wolverines can smell a carcass under 20 feet of snow.
Reintroduction of wolverines to Colorado is important for ecosystem
Camden Jacobson (12) spends time doing make-up work in Social Studies Lab during Advisory. This close to the end of the year, time is thin and the will to work with it.
Senioritis: The psychology and why it’s good and bad for students
Manitou Springs Highschool's "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
Letter to the Editor
Letter to the Editor
The Chromakopia album dropped on Oct.28 and it was Tyler, the Creator's eighth studio album.
Review: Chromakopia
“Haunted Sweet Home” was published by Sarah Pinsker on September 3, 2024.
Review: “Haunt Sweet Home”
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 was released on Oct. 25. The game has a variety of missions and storyline, it is very engaging and is interesting to follow.
Review: Black Ops 6
Caddo Lake was a movie released on October 10.
Review: Caddo Lake
"A Song To Drown Rivers" by Ann Liang was released on Oct. 1, 2024.
Review: A Song to Drown Rivers
Beckett Wendell-Evans (11) and Meggan Milliron (10), teach the cast of the musical Wendell-Evans and Milliron demonstrate how to properly hold someone in arabesque for Quinn Ballard (11), who will execute the hold, on Sep. 23.
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
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
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
The Chromakopia album dropped on Oct.28 and it was Tyler, the Creator's eighth studio album.
Review: Chromakopia
“Haunted Sweet Home” was published by Sarah Pinsker on September 3, 2024.
Review: “Haunt Sweet Home”
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 was released on Oct. 25. The game has a variety of missions and storyline, it is very engaging and is interesting to follow.
Review: Black Ops 6
Caddo Lake was a movie released on October 10.
Review: Caddo Lake
"A Song To Drown Rivers" by Ann Liang was released on Oct. 1, 2024.
Review: A Song to Drown Rivers
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
The team celebrates their win with medals after the race.

Girls cross country places as state runner up

Makenzi VerVaecke, Editor-In-Cheif
November 20, 2024
To commemorate the field being renamed after Rykovich he was awarded a plaque and there is a new sign underneath the scoreboard.

MSHS stadium named for beloved coach George Rykovich

MaKenzi VerVaecke, Editor-in-Chief
October 14, 2024
Varsity football players ride atop a fire truck during the homecoming parade.

Manitou Springs celebrates homecoming week

MaKenzi VerVaecke, Halli Leonhardt, Cordelia Portman, Kaleb Cervantes, Krissy Stout, Jarrin Hall, Madison Sharon, Maddie Fonkert, Marisa Fonkert, and Enzo Mendoza
October 7, 2024
Logan Moore has committed to Dordt University to play football.

Logan Moore commited to Dordt University

MaKenzi VerVaecke and Jarrin Hall
October 4, 2024
The Manitou Springs High School football team hosted a Strong Man Competition over the summer to build a team connection and to test their strength.

Fall Sports Preview: Football

MaKenzi VerVaecke, Editor-In-Chief
August 29, 2024
Hall brought a new depth to Yoga class. Hanging behind Hall are mandalas he had students color and write "I am" statements that described a virtue they represented.

Caleb Hall moves on to pursue master’s in Yoga Therapy

MaKenzi VerVaecke, Editor-in-Chief
May 20, 2024
The Senior Edition: 2024

The Senior Edition: 2024

MaKenzi VerVaecke, Editor-in-Chief
May 10, 2024
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 Thomson's last day with dips and cake at the end of the day.

Breaking News: 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 Greene's (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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