Greetings Ospreys,

The class of 2024 has been setting the bar high for Senior Project TED Talks this week, showcasing not only outstanding professional presentation skills, but also nuanced understanding of their research topics. Ninth grade parent Kathy VanDelden sat in on Toby Phillip's TED Talk this morning, bringing along several others who work with them both at Pine Needle Mountaineering to hear his talk on how the combination of German reunification and East German cultural policies influenced the rise in popularity of techno music. She shared the following:

"Just wanted to drop a thank you for having the TED Talks open for anyone to attend. Toby’s coworkers enjoyed being there and seeing what he’s been working on for so long. As a parent of a freshman, it was great to see what Vivian will be preparing for in a few short years. Just one more reason why I love the work you guys are doing for these kids…well done!"

Don't miss your chance to attend a TED Talk! View the Senior Project TED Talk Schedule to see times and topics for next Monday through Wednesday's presenters.

We had a slew of community partners working alongside students and staff this week to bring real world professional experience into the classroom and students out of classrooms into the professional world. Thank you to Emelie Frojen from San Juan Citizens' Alliance for sharing her expertise as the Energy and Climate Program Associate with our sophomores as they dig into issues of environmental justice through the Humanities 10 piece of their interdisciplinary Energy Project. Sophomores will be heading into the field in the coming weeks to study hydroelectric, solar, gas and oil energy production. Then, they'll engage in service learning projects through Sophomore Inspire Week, April 25 through May 1.

Our 9th graders were out in the field this week for Career Site Visits, checking out a wide variety of jobs and talking to community partners about the educational and life paths they took to get to their current positions. Thank you to the following businesses and organizations for opening your doors and taking the time to share your experiences: Woodbridge Construction, La Plata Electric Association, Durango Emergency Communications Center, Durango-La Plata County Airport, Santa Rita Water Reclamation Facility, Weaselskin Equestrian Center, KDUR

Durango Fish Hatchery, Black Diamond Lodge, Purgatory Resort and Animas Surgical Hospital.

Osprey Theatre Company presents “An Evening of One-Act Plays” at Durango Arts Center

Taryn Valverde '25, Animas Quill

On Friday and Saturday, April 5th and 6th, the AHS Osprey Theatre Company presents “An Evening Of Original One-Act Plays” at the Durango Arts Center. The show is only $5 for students and $10 for adults, so let’s show up and support our homegrown troupe!

The plays being presented are written from the minds of two of our very own senior Ospreys. “The Building On 5th Street,” by Maddie Tharp, is a paranormal Scooby Doo inspired murder mystery that takes place in the 50’s. This is the same play that landed Maddie as a finalist in the Denver Center for Performing Arts High School Playwriting Contest. Maddie is assisting Joy in the direction of the play, as well as starring as one of the main characters.

Maddie shared, “I think it’s really cool to be able to see young artists actually making professional-level art and getting to display it in a professional way.”

“The Rewind Ring” by Caleb Bates introduces a boy named Cal Johnson who on his birthday discovers a dark secret from his late mother: that her ring has the power to manipulate time. Caleb is also directing his own play, which is his first experience as a director.

Caleb reflected, “Staging this has been interesting because I have been an actor in the company for multiple years at this point, so getting to direct a play has been a very different angle. I get to be kind of in control of the whole production [and decide] this is what I want the scene to look like, this is how I envision the characters. It allows me to suggest ideas to my fellow actors and end up creating a image that in a way what I saw when I wrote it, but is creatively different, as I have gotten to see my actors and how they have taken on the roles that I’ve given them. It’s also allowed me to enhance the overall story.”

There will also be a guest appearance from Rad-bunkulous Improv, our newly founded Osprey improv troupe. 

Art of Comedy teacher Oliver Kennedy gushed about his troupe: “The more we do improv, the more the kids are like ‘whoa we’re so funny!’, and the more they want to perform and show off. And that’s how Radbunkulous was formed. They love it and they drive it, which is so cool!”

The plays will feature many familiar Osprey faces from our theatre electives. Sophomore Thalia Campbell, a member of Radbunkulous, explains why it would be a good idea to come and see the performance: “I feel like it’s a good way to see comedy as well as showing people it’s okay to be weird and embarrassing.” 

See you at the DAC, Ospreys!

Next Week's Events

Juniors will take the CMAS Science test Wednesday morning, as described in the spring testing letter.

Students and families who are transferring to AHS or joining our 9th grade next fall are encouraged to attend the New/Transfer Student Academic Advising Session for Fall 2024 on Wednesday at 5pm.

The April TWIGS Parent Coffee is Friday morning at 8:30am and the School Excellence Committee meets Friday at noon, online via https://meet.google.com/uan-yqbd-eee.

2024/25 Student Schedules

The 2024/25 Course Catalog is out, and Erin and Elliot are meeting individually with all 9th, 10th and 11th grade students for academic advising. Course requests will happen via Infinite Campus starting April 22. Read more here to learn more about Fort Lewis College dual enrollment classes and other options for advanced coursework.

2023/24 AHS Yearbooks

Purchase a yearbook directly from Jostens for $40 by May 20.

Fall 2024 Enrollment

Fall 2024 Enrollment is now open for incoming 9th through 12th graders, with limited seats in each grade and a waitlist for our 9th grade. Families considering AHS for next school year are strongly encouraged to visit our campus or attend an online information session. The next Campus Tour is Thursday, April 11 at 8:45am. View all dates and RSVP here.

Current 9th, 10th, and 11th grade families, please complete re-registration as soon as possible to ensure we have an accurate count of open seats for next year. Email libby.cowles@animashighschool.com with enrollment questions.

Have a great weekend and thanks for all you do to help the Ospreys soar!

Upcoming Events

Senior Project TED Talks (12th grade): Mon. 4/1 through Wed. 4/10; see TED Talk Schedule

Osprey Theatre Company presents An Evening of Original One-Act Plays: Fri. 4/5 and Sat. 4/6, 7pm at the Durango Arts Center

CMAS Science Test (11th grade): Wed. 4/10

AHS Campus Tour: Thurs. 4/11, 8:45am; RSVP here

TWIGS Parent Coffee: Fri. 4/12, 8:30am

School Excellence Committee Meeting (online): Fri. 4/12, 12pm via https://meet.google.com/uan-yqbd-eee

Application Case Study Workshop: Sat. 4/13, 9am to 12:15pm

Professional Development Day (no school): Mon. 4/15

Energy Project Field Trip (10th grade): Tues. 4/16

PSAT10 (10th grade): Wed. 4/17

SAT (11th grade): Thurs. 4/18

PSAT8/9 (9th grade): Fri. 4/19

Energy Project Field Trip (10th grade): Fri. 4/19

Animas Wilderness Experience: Fri. 4/19 through Thurs. 4/25

TWIGS Event: Increasing Protective Factors to Support Teens: Tues. 4/23, 6pm



AHS Prom: Sat. 4/27

Sophomore Inspire Week (10th grade): Thurs. 4/25 through Wed. 5/1

TWIGS Happy Hour: Fri. 5/1, 6pm at 11th Street Station

LINK Internships (11th grade): Wed. 5/1 through Tues. 5/21

Class Trip to Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park (9th grade): Tues. 5/7 through Thurs. 5/8

Professional Development Day (no school): Mon. 5/6

Teacher Appreciation Week: Tues. 5/7 through Fri. 5/10

TWIGS Parent Coffee: Fri. 5/10, 8:30am

All School Exhibition: Thurs. 5/16, 4-7pm

Graduation: Fri. 5/24, 4pm at Community Concert Hall

Transitional Presentations of Learning: Tues. 5/28 through Thurs. 5/30

Last Day of School: Thurs. 5/30