Quite the feat: CRMS students send 500 pairs of used shoes to needy souls around the world

Post Independent (September 19, 2009) CARBONDALE, Colorado — Friends and fellow Colorado Rocky Mountain School juniors Kelsey Bohannon and JJ Worley recently found a way to help needy people around the world, and keep what otherwise would be trash out of area landfills.

Through the Soles4Souls shoe charity, they collected some 500 pairs of used shoes from throughout the Roaring Fork Valley. The shoes will be sent to a warehouse in Nevada, and eventually shipped to villages around the world where people cannot afford to buy shoes themselves.

“I heard about it and it just interested me as a way for people do something for those in need without sending money,” said Bohannon, 16, who lives in Glenwood Springs.

“Some people don't like giving money, because they're not sure what's really going to happen to it,” she said. “There's not much else you can do with used shoes, though. You know someone is going to be wearing them who needs them.”

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Aspen and CRMS End in a Draw

(ASPEN TIMES, September 17, 2009)— One shot rattled the post. Others sailed just wide, or were smothered by alert and daring goalkeepers.

In Wednesday's soccer game between Aspen and visiting Colorado Rocky Mountain School, scoring chances and tense moments abounded — but not goals. After 90 hard-fought, physical minutes, the two teams had to settle for a scoreless draw.

As he walked off the turf after the final whistle, Skiers senior Terry Leitch pulled his jersey over his face and clenched his fists in frustration. Coaches shared a much different reaction.

“I have a young team, and they battled hard,” said Aspen head coach Junior Sutherland, whose Skiers are 2-3-1. “Our goal was to be competitive this year, and you've seen it. … You can't fault the effort.”

“We had a nice, varied attack … and we were able to hold them off, which is a good thing,” CRMS head coach Dan Pittz added. “We're just not finishing, seeing the play all the way through to the end. … If we put that together, we'll go far.”

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All Campus Work Day - A CRMS Tradition

After scrambling out of bed at 8:00 on a Saturday morning, all of us students found ourselves being divided up into groups of both familiar and unfamiliar faces. Once in our groups we all learned about the work we would be doing that day. All of it would take place on campus and most of it would be extremely tedious work – some groups had to move every rock out of the pits in front of the jossman, lay a tarp down and then put the rocks back. Many students grunted in annoyance at the thought of the work ahead but despite this I found myself proud of their efforts to work to their best abilities without complaint. By 12:00 in the afternoon, all the groups had mostly finished their work with a smile on their faces and a pat on the back. For the next hour you would hear about all of the tasks groups had done as students spoke proudly about their hard day’s work realizing that, that day was going to be similar to the school year; school will certainly come as a challenge but in the end our hard will bring us all pride, especially as a community. (Kat Coates, Class of 2010). For a slide show of the day's activities click here.

CRMS Shocks Basalt in Boys' Soccer

CARBONDALE — With a brace and tape wrapped snugly around his sprained, swollen left ankle, Colorado Rocky Mountain School senior Steve Roh soaked in the biggest win of his high school soccer career. For the complete Aspen Times story click here. Congratulations Oysters! At 2 and 0 they are off to a fantastic start!

Grease Smudged Smiles

It’s only been a few days since school began and students are already wandering around campus with ink stains on their hands from writing so much, myself included. Excitement and hard work are already nestled at the doorsteps of the school. The thrill of seeing my returning friends, and new friends alike, makes me forget the grease smudges that line my smile from my first day of silversmithing. Despite this there is still a slight feeling of apprehension for the new year -- question and wonder litter the bustling halls. We have not been here long but have already been able to indulge in a sense of pride. On Saturday we all divided into work groups to help clean up and tighten the loose ends on campus. Our work is visible throughout the campus enabling us to appreciate the new trails to walk and bike on, the freshly weeded areas in front of the Jossman Academic Building, in addition to the many other improvements. I find it hard to believe that after just one day’s work so many people have something so great in common. The new school year seems to be off to a great and challenging start. (Katarina Coates, Class of 2010)

Good luck Mackenzie!

One of our new 9th grade students, Mackenzie S, is headed to the State Championships in Skeet and Trap Shooting this upcoming weekend. Good luck Mackenzie!

CRMS 09/10 School Year Underway

Colorado blue-bird skies are welcoming all of our students back to campus today. From the new students who just returned from their 10 day Wilderness Orientation earlier this week, to the local day students arriving on campus later today, the new school year will officially kick off this evening with a Formal Dinner and Convocation. Tomorrow brings academic classes and our outdoor curriculum in full swing. Stay posted for regular photos and updates.