Aspen High School Skier Scribbler seniors say sayonara

The Aspen High School (AHS) Skier Scribbler has been around since 2001, but this year was Sarah Ward’s — the current advisor — first year having students graduate whom she’s mentored since their freshman year. 

On Thursday, May 23, the seven seniors who worked for the paper gathered one final time in the classroom, joined by two Skier Scribbler alum and the rest of the paper’s writers. The ceremony began with the class’ prospects for the future and a lunch from Big Wrap in Aspen. It ended with the younger students reading send-off letters to each senior.

“Never lose your upbeat spirit, and always remember how amazing of a human being you are,” Sydney Klausman, sophomore, read to Rylee Smith, senior.

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With AHS’ graduation quickly approaching, scheduled for June 1, this was the seniors last chance to spend time with the class and advisor. Ward, who had struggled this year with breast cancer but is now in remission, has been with the paper since 2017. 

“There’s not that many classes that I’ve had since freshman year, and this may be the second, so I got to go through so much with them,” she said.

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Two of the paper’s three Editor in Chiefs (EICs), the paper’s graphic artist, and the head photographer will be graduating this year. 

“It is safe to say that your graphics have saved everybody during each layout cycle, and they never fail to add more character to the paper,” Quintessa Frisch, EIC and junior, read to Trey Morrissey, senior and graphic artist. “I admire your creativity — you never seem to run out of ideas for comics, graphics, or brainstorming.”

Stella Iverson, an EIC, has had Ward as a teacher since her freshman year, and Elsa Tullar was an EIC for the Scribbler as well as the AHS yearbook.

“Stella Iverson was in my first semester class her freshman year when we came back from COVID in 2020 and everything was online,” Ward said. “What we went through together as humans was just so different than what I’ve been through with any other students before.”

Between COVID and breast cancer, Ward has made a deep connection to many students, including the two alumni who came back to visit her. 

While she was gone for her cancer treatment, the students had to successfully lay out and submit the paper to the printing company without any guidance. Overall, the group became incredibly close, as was showcased in their speeches to each other. 

“We all loved your stories in class and your amazing contagious laugh that made a mediocre joke seem like the funniest joke in the world,” Araya Thompson, junior, read to Adeline Christensen, senior. “I think it’s safe to say that we are all going to miss being around you every other day.”