CHS Today

The Voice of Conifer High School

CHS Today

CHS Today
Maya Dawson

Maya Dawson, Editor in Chief

Maya is the Editor in Chief of CHS Today and a senior at CHS. For the 2020-2021 CSMA Best of Colorado awards she placed first in Sports-Feature, second in Personality Profile, and third in News-Feature photo and caption. She has been a global youth reporter with the Team Harmony Foundation and has work published with a number of Colorado Community Media papers, including the Canyon Courier. She has also published with Headliners in Education. On a less dry note, she has a pet Axolotl (look up photos … they are fantastic creatures).

All content by Maya Dawson
The Conifer Library opens to the public at 3pm on weekdays, 20 minutes after the school day ends. Next year, however, class will end an hour later, further reducing public access to the library. “The high school time change is an opportunity to reevaluate what the Conifer branch looks like, and so that has shifted the timeline,” Jeffco Library Board Chair Kim Johnson said.

$2.5 million Conifer Library budget increase may remove public library from high school

Maya Dawson, Editor in Chief
May 11, 2023
On April 12 Teen Librarian Kyler Wesner organized a paper flower craft event at the Conifer library, as requested by the Teen Advisory Board for the Evergreen and Conifer libraries, made up of Conifer and Evergreen High School students.

Conifer Library offers Teen Programs to Build Community

Maya Dawson, Editor in Chief
April 29, 2023
Girls tennis practices at home Friday, April 7. The team has been focusing on moving on the court and different strokes with the racket at recent practices.

“A Building Season:” Girls Tennis seeks to make sport fun, approachable

Maya Dawson, Editor in Chief
April 12, 2023
Senior Ella Johnson speaks at the CHS walkout. “We should not have to, at the beginning of every school year, create in our minds evacuation plans," Johnson said in her speech.

“We need to start being the change:” Conifer students participate in walkout against gun violence

Alyson Meyers and Maya Dawson
April 5, 2023
Senior Mia Constantino reacts to being squirted by senior Regan Pell on March 2 while participating in the 2023 Conifer Area Senior Assassin game. “I think people are having fun, which is what we want," game coordinator and Conifer senior Cora Spencer said.

Conifer Students Participate in Senior Assassin Game

Maya Dawson, Editor in Chief
March 25, 2023
Cardinal was extremely involved in the Conifer community as a member of the school poms team, theatre and choir. “We would always say that we wouldn’t let this disability stop our ability to live life,” Cardinal’s mom Karen Wagner said.

Conifer High student Alexis Cardinal remembered for her empathy, joy

Maya Dawson, Editor in Chief
January 11, 2023
After his AP Chemistry students completed their AP exams, science teacher Brian Bunnell had a tradition of creating tie-dye shirts with the class during finals week. Bunnell and senior Ashley Silvernale ('22) shared a laugh as she chose dyes to create her shirt.

A “life of adventure:” Conifer remembers science teacher Brian Bunnell

Maya Dawson, Editor in Chief
January 5, 2023
The 2019-2020 Diversity Day featured a belly dancer performance during the opening ceremony. Along with a keynote speaker, the Peer Counselors usually bring in performers to share their culture with students. This year an African Drum Corp will be performing at the opening ceremony

Diversity Day name change aims to separate event from politics

Maya Dawson, Editor in Chief
November 3, 2022
Wesley Paxton welcomes students during the 2022-2023 Rite of Passage ceremony to celebrate the first day of the new school year

Conifer High School Principal Leaving

Maya Dawson, Editor in Chief
September 4, 2022
Miriam Koller was inspired to build her own bee hotel by hotels like this one in Germany,

Girl Scout builds bee hotel to protect pollinators

Maya Dawson, Editor in Chief
August 17, 2022
Maverick the golden retriever enjoys being dried after his bath.

Soggy dogs for a good cause

Maya Dawson, Editor in Chief
August 16, 2022
May Be Fern

Young musicians open for Evergreen Lake Concerts

Maya Dawson, Editor in Chief
August 15, 2022
Goldie, a horse used for equine therapy, explores Mustard Seed Ranch while volunteers clean the barn.

Hold your horses: Mustard Seed Ranch offers equine therapy program

Maya Dawson, Editor in Chief
August 15, 2022
Jeff Brodsky, founder and president of JOY International, talks about child trafficking, gesturing to a photo of the woman who made the shirt he is wearing in gratitude for his help in her community.

When bare feet bear a burden

Maya Dawson, Editor in Chief
August 2, 2022
EPRD Staff member Patrick Quinlan helps INSPIRE participants Mac Teaff (center) and Grace Arnold (right) to fish at a program outing.

INSPIRE-ing opportunities for all

Maya Dawson, Editor in Chief
July 15, 2022
Dylan Compton glues tennis balls together to form scales for his sculpture of a fish. Sculpture Evergreen provided kids with recycled materials to create their own sculptures

Center for the Arts Evergreen Hosts Third Annual Day of the Arts

Maya Dawson, Editor in Chief
July 7, 2022
Conifer's class of 2022 graduated last Saturday, May 21st. "In reality we’ve all graduated at the end of the year, we’ve all done the same thing. Really, what it comes down to is that valedictorian is who devoted the most time for school," class salutatorian Jeb Barber said.

(Invalid)dictorian

Maya Dawson, Editor in Chief
May 27, 2022
Olesya Tretyak during her time in Colorado (2014-2015), kneeling with the dog of her exchange family. "Now we get air alarms multiple times a day and night, so we go back and forth to the bomb shelter," Tretyak said.

Ukranian Former CHS Exchange Student Discusses War

Maya Dawson, Editor in Chief
April 5, 2022
AP Chemistry teacher Brian Bunnell holds a part-time teaching position this year due to the school's decreased funding

CHS sees funding decline as enrollment drops 7% in two years

Maya Dawson, Editor in Chief
January 26, 2022
Sophomores Danica Wehr and Alyson Meyers sign the letters ASL, the acronym for American Sign Language

[Photo] ASL Club at Conifer

Danica Wehr, Reporter
November 22, 2021
Wrestling Coach Nick Adamson coaches members of the wrestling team at a pre-season practice. “A lot of what this year is going to be about is restarting and rekindling the program to remind people what it was and get them back on board," Adamson said.

Wrestling With the Season Ahead

Maya Dawson, Editor in Chief
November 17, 2021
“Sometimes I’ll just put the outfit on a mannequin and decide, okay, we’re gonna go stick this in the woods and take pictures of it,” Clagett said. She shares her finished dresses on Instagram, along with design concepts and other art.

Sustainable Sewing: Easier than it Seams

Maya Dawson, Editor in Chief
October 30, 2021
Wageman resupplies at an aid station along the Leadville 100 course. “The aid stations were amazing. Like, the most energy you’ve ever seen in your life," Wageman said.

XC Coach Places Third in Leadville 100

Maya Dawson, Editor In Chief
August 29, 2021
The Lady Lobos chant, preparing themselves for the next match. "We put up one heck of a fight," junior Cora Spencer, the team's Libero said.

Volleyball Returns: New Setup, Same Passion

Maya Dawson, Editor
August 22, 2021
Freshman Nolan Schwemlein (right) races a D'Evelyn runner to the finish of the Conifer Climb. Schwemlein's final time was 23:41.

Cross Country Takes on the Conifer Climb

Maya Dawson, Editor
August 21, 2021
Isabella Namaksy stands before a map of the Colorado Trail after completing her five-week solo hike.

Hiking the Colorado Trail Alone

Maya Dawson, Editor
August 20, 2021
Assistant Principal Cassie Ally greets Lobo Camp attendees and walks them through the camp agenda

Lobo Camp Gives Students a Fresh Start

Maya Dawson, Editor
August 13, 2021
9 year old Skylar paints a canvas to accompany the clay flower she created in a previous session aboard the School Bus studio

The Bus-iness of Art

Maya Dawson, Reporter
August 11, 2021
Tipsy takes a break from playing in the snow to kiss owner and trainer Alexis Hall. "As I started working with her I realized she is incredibly smart, incredibly talented, and shows potential for so much more," Hall said.

Tipsy Talks

Maya Dawson, Reporter
May 11, 2021
Poem: lovely nothings

Poem: lovely nothings

Maya Dawson, Poet
May 4, 2021
IMG-1504

Poem: Watered down

Maya Dawson, Poet
April 29, 2021
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[Photo] Short Story: Surrounded

Haylee Williams, Fiction Writer
April 27, 2021
Poem: Wishbone

Poem: Wishbone

Maya Dawson, Poet
April 25, 2021
IMG_3466

Poem: Canvas

Maya Dawson, Poet
March 2, 2021
The proposed blueprint for the MEC collective covers 100,000 square feet and would host over 50 sports and activities with an ice rink, basketball court, bike park, and indoor and outdoor tennis and pickleball courts, among other facilities

Local Rec Center in the Works

Maya Dawson, Editor
April 17, 2021
Senior Amy Sessions brings the ball down the court

Season’s end Brings Fresh Start For Lady Lobos

Maya Dawson, Reporter
March 5, 2021

Poem: mechanical wings

Maya Dawson, Poet
March 2, 2021

[Video] Senior Memories

Maya Dawson, Editor
February 27, 2021
SafeBAE offers student education and support for sexual assault survivors

Title IX: It’s About More Than Equity

Maya Dawson, Editor
February 8, 2021
Many students are struggling to fit lunch into a day full of school, sports, and family obligations

Lunch Loss Results in Struggling Students

Maya Dawson, Editor
January 27, 2021
‘The Night Circus’ Review

‘The Night Circus’ Review

Maya Dawson, Editor
January 10, 2021
Junior Zoe Watts is one student facing the mix of uplifting and devastating messages platforms like YOLO bring students

YOLO: Friend or Foe?

Maya Dawson, Editor
December 7, 2020
Edica Pacha partnered with Womxn of the Mountain to create this mural celebrating indigenous culture

Team Harmony

Maya Dawson, Editor
November 14, 2020
Sophomore Caidan White leads an effort to include a conservative speaker on next year’s Diversity Day panel.

Diversity Day not Diverse Enough?

Maya Dawson, Editor
November 5, 2020

A Sign of the Times

Maya Dawson, Editor
October 29, 2020

Gen Z vs The Polls

Maya Dawson, Editor
October 23, 2020
Water fountains have been taped off as a COVID-19 precaution, but even with high acid rates students may fill their water bottles at the school

Acid Found in School Water

Maya Dawson, Editor
October 23, 2020
High-energy songs keep dancers warm despite freezing temperatures

Conifer Jazzercise Hosts Cancer Fundraiser

Maya Dawson, Editor
October 22, 2020
Pom-poms are cast aside as the team prepares to rehearse their routine

Poms with Potential

Maya Dawson, Editor
October 15, 2020
Sixth-grader Laird Hendricks waits for a friend before beginning his ride

Mountain Bikers Unfazed by Bumpy Season

Maya Dawson, Editor
October 1, 2020
Allison Gorrell worked with the girl’s basketball team during their preseason practice on Thursday, September 24th

Alumni Returns to Conifer

Maya Dawson, Editor
September 24, 2020
Hanna Banfield, Allison Beston, and Samantha Shaver compete at the Ram Blaster cross country meet

Cross Country Careens to a Close

Maya Dawson, Editor
September 17, 2020
Easy Entrees is located across from the Yellow Barn in Conifer

Quick Meals, Full Bellies

Maya Dawson, Editor
September 11, 2020
Southern Lilies Florist sells succulents in addition to flowers.

New Florist in Conifer

Maya Dawson, Reporter
March 2, 2020
This is Geffre, one of the worms purchased by CHS students.

The Early Bird Sells the Worm

Maya Dawson, Reporter
February 25, 2020
The inside of the Mercury Cafe features an enchanting blend of decor.

Slam Poetry: Not Your Mama’s Nursery Rhymes

Maya Dawson, Reporter
February 21, 2020
Other Colorado schools literary magazines

Literary Magazine

Maya Dawson, Reporter
February 19, 2020
Senior Stella Martin, who plays one of the lead roles, Janet Van De Graff, sits in costume next to her costar, Dylan Roberts.

The Drowsy Chaperone

Maya Dawson, Reporter
February 19, 2020
The dance will be held off campus at the Marshdale Memorial barn, a venue typically reserved for weddings and banquets. Photo courtesy of The Barn at Evergreen Memorial Park.

The Conifer Winter Dance

Maya Dawson, Reporter
January 22, 2020
Conifer Student Media at the Washington Monument

Journalists vs. DC

Maya Dawson, Reporter
December 19, 2019
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