Looking back on it, I couldn’t imagine myself going to any other high school. Aspen High School is unique in so many different ways. Not only is Aspen High School ranked the #1 Public High School in the State of Colorado, but it also offers many unique opportunities that I couldn't have taken advantage of otherwise.
Ex-Ed
I don’t think there is a better week of the school year than Ex-Ed. The process leading up to it is stressful… You know how many points you have, but you have no idea what your lottery number is going to be…I honestly don’t know why students opt out on a fun-filled week, or they drop out of it because they go a local course or they were placed on a course that they didn’t want to go on. If they didn’t want that course, then why sign up for it in the first place? Regardless of the course, you make the best of it.
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Calling most/all of our teachers by their first names
In general, most students call their teachers Mr ___ or Mrs/Ms___, but being the laid-back town that Aspen is, we refer to most of ours by their first names… Or by nicknames… TamTam, Bono, Rtrain, Sbense… (miss you TamTam)
Traveling Long Distances for Athletics
Given a few exceptions, such as Basalt and Roaring Fork, the next closest high school we travel to for sports is at least an hour away. Those on the ski team (club or high school) travel more frequently and for a longer period of time and sometimes even out of the state. (Even though it says 5hrs 12mins, it is generally longer because we are on a bus...)
Parking
Ideally, student parking is only for current seniors, unless you were an underclassman who was able to seek out a senior for their second parking sticker. Mark Grice was the one to watch out for with the bright orange boot in the Middle School and High School parking lots. John Maloy was also always on the hunt for student cars parked in the high school lot.
The Red Stairs
Located in the heart of school, the red stairs are used as a reference point, or meeting place..You always have to be careful and watch out for that one uneven step towards the top of the staircase...I remember being terrified freshman year thinking that you could only use the Red Stairs if you were a senior... However, the red stairs are now black after my senior class pulled off one of the greatest senior pranks.
Freshman Geology Final Exam is on Highlands
Except if you took Geology in the Spring, you hiked Red Butte... It is very uncommon that people can say they took one of their finals while skiing. It's definitely something that makes this school special.
