![IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Junior Zalie Mann performs “I Love to Cry at Weddings,” an ensemble piece from the fall musical Sweet Charity, to prospective students during the Fine Arts Showcase on Wednesday, Nov. 8. The showcase is a compilation of performances and demonstrations from each fine arts strand offered at McCallum. This show is put on so that prospective students can see if they are interested in joining an academy or major.
Sweet Charity originally ran the weekends of Sept. 28 and Oct. 8, but made a comeback for the Fine Arts Showcase.
“[Being at the front in the spotlight] is my favorite part of the whole dance, so I was super happy to be on stage performing and smiling at the audience,” Mann said.
Mann performed in both the musical theatre performance and dance excerpt “Ethereal,” a contemporary piece choreographed by the new dance director Terrance Carson, in the showcase. With also being a dance ambassador, Mann got to talk about what MAC dance is, her experience and answer any questions the aspiring arts majors and their parents may have.
Caption by Maya Tackett.](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/53321803427_47cd17fe70_o-1-1200x800.jpg)
![SPREADING THE JOY: Sophomore Chim Becker poses with sophomores Cozbi Sims and Lou Davidson while manning a table at the Hispanic Heritage treat day during lunch of Sept 28. Becker is a part of the students of color alliance, who put together the activity to raise money for their club.
“It [the stand] was really fun because McCallum has a lot of latino kids,” Becker said. “And I think it was nice that I could share the stuff that I usually just have at home with people who have never tried it before.”
Becker recognizes the importance of celebrating Hispanic heritage at Mac.
“I think its important to celebrate,” Becker said. “Because our culture is awesome and super cool, and everybody should be able to learn about other cultures of the world.”
Caption by JoJo Barnard.](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/53221601352_4127a81c41_o-1200x675.jpg)
The boots, the horses, the cowboy hats.
Hundreds of thousands gather in the Denver Coliseum every year for the biggest celebration of agriculture in the West: the National Western Stock Show.
Since 1906, the Stock Show has drawn crowds to enjoy their array of events. From Jan. 6 to Jan. 21, hundreds of people came from all over the country to compete in the shows, sell their crafts or become Rodeo Royalty, including Isabelle Piche ‘24.
Piche started riding horses at the age of 10, after her grandfather’s passing. Her cousins were responsible for introducing her to horses.
“They had their own company,” Piche said. “It was a dangerous horse sporting facility and training. I got really into it after the passing of my grandfather.”
In 2023, Piche became a Queen’s Attendant for the Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo, where she attended the 2023 Western Stock Show as an Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo representative.
“It was a very surreal feeling when I won my first title as the Elizabeth Stampede 2023 Queen Attendant. I spent the year making the most amazing memories and learning so much,” Piche said.
But, becoming the Rodeo Queen was more of a challenge.
Piche went through a series of tests assessing her on subjects including her horsemanship, public speaking skills and even a written test. She was then crowned the Responder Relief Rodeo Queen of 2024.
“This year, when I won as the 2024 Responder Relief Queen, it was more of a motivation to continue what I love to do,” Piche said.
But, being queen isn’t just sitting around.
“I think a lot of people think that what we do is a pageant. It’s really not,” Piche said.
Piche’s job as Rodeo Queen is to be an ambassador to the rodeo. The Responder Relief Rodeo’s mission is to help first responders through hard times by raising money and awareness for these men and women. Piche works as a helper and supporter of the cause in addition to teaching children about rodeo.
“I love working with kids. I think that’s a lot of my drive,” Piche said.
Piche spends some of her time at the Stock Show educating kids about Western culture. Many Colorado elementary schools bring in field trips to tour the Stock Show with Rodeo Queens to get them excited for the event itself.
Between participating in the school’s Fire Science Program, having over 400 hours of community service and being the Responder Relief Rodeo Queen, Piche stays busy with her work.
“My motivation is making the good out of the bad,” Piche said. “I’ve learned a lot. I look at myself my sophomore year versus now. Tremendous [growth], you know, I was not the same person. And so, I can sit here and say [that] I’ve grown and I’ve also learned a lot, not only about rodeo, but about myself.”
