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Best Day in the Life:
A Day in the Life of a Colorado Rocky Mountain School Student
By Quentin Cantu, Class of 2006
At about 6:45 a.m. the luscious scent of my roommate’s new coffee infiltrates my nostrils. My expression naturally forms a smile as my eyelids begin to half-open. I remember it is Monday. I struggle trying not to fall into the lapse of Sunday night sleep once again. But I remember the death penalty debate our Geopolitical Studies class is having today and the fact that I am still completely undecided on the issue. In panic, I jump out of bed and into the shower with my cup of fresh joe, trying desperately to pick a stance before class. Before I know it, I am walking to Geopol without having made any progress on my opinion. As the period starts, my senior classmates commence the debate by bringing up valid points and interesting evidence. Just before I am tempted to remain in social seclusion for the entire class, I realize that this is no different from any other day at CRMS.
Classes end for the day and students start to attend their Active programs: I accompany the rest of the Snowboard Team to the local ski haven, Snowmass Mountain. As we arrive and traverse up the lift, my more advanced counterparts convince me to launch off of the snowpark’s newest jump. I, with my relaxed reputation to keep, agree without thinking much of it. As we leave the lift and start riding, I begin to look around; the sun is set perfectly in the center of the sky, the snow is so soft it feels as if I am floating, and the trees around me are glazed with the perfect hint of white. In a blissful daze I realize that I would not rather be in any other place in the world. My subconscious state is interrupted by the shouts of my teammates. When I come to, the rest of the team is yelling at me to take off of the huge jump that lays some 200 feet ahead. I start laughing; these kids must be kidding. I glance at them once more and see that everyone else has already launched. This is no joke. Just before I am tempted to surrender to my fears and ride around the jump, I realize that this is no different from any other day at CRMS.
As we come back from the mountain, I meet with my Student Council copresident about what we have planned for the meeting tonight. We are discussing the issue of the school’s driving policy and how the student body believes that boarding students should, under valid conditions, be able to ride in day student cars. All the Council members deliver their points, and we openly analyze other boarding schools’ policies on the matter. I begin to think about how long the school’s current policy has been in place: for decades. I remember the number of faculty members who approached Council members themselves in utter disagreement with any policy change. Just before I am tempted to call off a presentation to the faculty in fear of any tension it might cause, I realize that this is no different from any other day at CRMS.
In Geopol class, I listened intently to both sides of the death penalty issue and walked out decidedly against any act of taking a human life. As every other day at school, I am pressed to question my own morals and learn more about them through an experience rather than lecture or lesson. On the mountain, there was that tiny second of time that I thought about the worst consequences that could come with hitting the jump. At that second, I took off, and I am still alive. As every other day at CRMS, I learn to conquer my everyday fears and realize how trivial they are compared to those I might experience in the future. In the Student Council meeting, I let members continue to voice their dissidence with the driving policy. As all other days at Colorado Rocky Mountain School, I realize that we are exemplifying the responsibilities of future global citizens; questioning the status quo, taking advantage of the freedom of speech, and voicing our thoughts.
I return to my room completely fatigued and ready for a night of peaceful sleep; I am only comforted by the knowledge that tomorrow will be another day of new adventures.
Board Members:
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Michael Kennedy, President
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Email
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Staff Members:
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Jeff Leahy, Head of School
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Email
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Event, Gala & Fundraiser(s) Date & Description:
Annual Auction - October 28, 2006
Telluride MountainFilm Festival - February 2007
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