Manitou Springs High School

This week, we hosted 23 colleges for our Annual College Fair on Monday, and it was awesome to see students asking thoughtful questions of reps, considering their future paths, and reflecting on how to set themselves up for success through their day-to-day decisions now. A big shoutout to Monica Sanchez, one of our counselors, for all of her intentionality in coordinating the event.

Congratulations to Hayden D. on placing at State Golf for the second year in a row this week! We are also wishing our Cross Country Team the best of luck as they compete in the TriPeaks League Championship this Friday at Monument Valley Park!

A huge thank you to all of our students and staff who participated in the PSAT 9 and PSAT/NMSQT on Thursday. This was a valuable opportunity for students to demonstrate their learning, for our staff to gather meaningful achievement data, and for our juniors to potentially qualify for prestigious scholarships through the National Merit Scholarship Program.

This Saturday, we hope to see many of you at the Manitou 5K, beginning at 9 a.m. at Fields Park in Manitou Springs. All proceeds benefit MSSD14!

Looking ahead, we are excited for Family Conferences on Thursday, October 22, and Friday, October 23. These conferences provide a wonderful opportunity to celebrate student learning and partner with families to support continued growth and success. Links for families to sign up for virtual meetings with individual staff members will be shared Tuesday morning.

Have an awesome weekend, Mustangs!

Anna Conrad

Manitou Springs High School

Principal

When: Saturday, October 10

Time: 9AM

Where: Fields Park, Manitou Springs

Cost: 18 and under - $25

19+ - $40

https://www.fox21news.com/living-local/manitou-5k-returns-october-10-with-new-course-and-community-focus/

The Class of 2027 gathered during advisory to watch Braylon G. play for Team USA in the Inline Skate World Championship vs Canada on Tuesday.

Manitou Springs senior Hayden D. finished off his third consecutive top-10 finish at state, coming in seventh. He matched his 72 from Monday and finished the 2026 CHSAA Class 3A Boys Golf State Championship at 2-over.

His impact will be felt by the Manitou Golf Program as he is the first player in school history to finish top 10 at state three times. Congratulations Hayden!

Students from Spanish 1 and Spanish 2 classes have been working on Spanish Speaking Countries presentations as part of the National Hispanic Heritage Month lesson. Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15th to October 15th, and students were learning about why it is celebrated mid month and other different cultural aspects about this holiday. Students from Spanish 1 created Google slides presentations, and students from Spanish 2 created posters, both providing specific information, like: flag, nationality, location, currency, etc., about the Spanish Speaking Country that they chose for their teams. They also brought food to share with their classmates as part of their projects. By doing these types of presentations, students have the opportunity to open up their minds to different cultures, appreciate diversity, learn new target vocabulary, and expand their proficiency by practicing the target language while presenting.

AP students, please complete your Intent to Test form and submit your payment online OR to Mr. Batson or Mrs. Cat at the front desk by October 30th.

Forms were emailed to students and families last week, and hard copies were also provided to advisors. Please make sure your form and payment are submitted promptly to secure your AP exam registration!

Key Club will be hosting a week-long fundraiser for the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) on the week of October 19th. There will be spirit days every day alongside the following events:

- Coin Wars all week long

- A bake sale Monday during advisory

- A kickball tournament Tuesday and Wednesday during advisory

- And of course, Key Club's annual Haunted House and Carnival on Sunday from 6-9PM.

More information will be coming soon, so keep an eye out for it and please reach out to mshskeyclub@mssd14.org with any questions.

AP Physics took to the field to demonstrate projectile motion using water balloon launchers and golf balls. Looking at launch angles and distance traveled allowed the students to experimentally determine the initial velocity of the launch and then make accurate predictions for the final launch. The students learned how to write accurate lab procedures, collect data, and run regressions on the data for a lab component of the class.

Mr. Borkowski demonstrates how to properly use a Cat paw tool.

All Technical Theatre, Theatre Arts and Choir Classes went to see Sweeney Todd, produced by Theatreworks at the ENT Center. Attending this phenomenal production gave our students much to talk about - set, lighting and costume design, characterization and blocking, and phenomenal vocal performances. Our students were given this opportunity by the generosity of our district Integrated Arts Team. What a gift!

Music Appreciation students learned about Aaron Copland. Copland wanted to create "useful" American music. He realized that to describe a massive landscape, he needed to leave "space" in the music. We discussed this concept as we looked out over Garden of the Gods and the open expanse that spreads out to the plains.

In AP Psychology, students participated in the Sensations Lab! After learning about the different sensations in the body and how they affect our psyche, students got to experience this in real life. Volunteers were blindfolded and then presented with a variety of items, in which they had to use their senses (touch, taste, smell, or hearing) to determine what the item was. It was a fun way for students to see what they are learning in the real world.

The Prospector is the online news website of Manitou Springs High School. The student journalism featured on this site and on our Facebook and Instagram accounts is created by the Advanced Journalism class at MSHS and is a public forum for student work. Check out our work on these forums or read the articles we posted this week below:

Review: "Resident Evil" by Philip Lengerich

MSHS sees first wave of Bond projects completed by Felix Banagale

Choosing your path after high school can be daunting: It doesn't have to be by Emelia McCollough

1. Buy a Yearbook

Here is the link to purchase a yearbook through Jostens: [link provided]

Prices:

• Until September 18: $60
• September 19–October 16: $65
• October 17–November 20: $70
• After November 20: $75

2. Senior Recognition Ad

Create a yearbook ad to celebrate your student’s remarkable journey!

Link to purchase a senior recognition ad: https://www.jostens.com/apps/jcom/router.mvc?affiliateId=1009002

3. Senior Photos

Link to submit a senior photo: https://photos.jostens.com/HKCE9K

Senior Photos must be school appropriate, vertically aligned, and high quality photographs.

More information will be sent out soon regarding the submission process, senior ads, and additional yearbook details.

The deadline for Senior Photos is November 20, 2026.

Questions?

Contact our Yearbook Faculty Sponsor: Joel Ellis (jellis@mssd14.org)

Mr. Johnson and Mrs. DiSantis are leading a trip to Greece during the first week of June 2027 which is open to current 7th-12th grade students. This life-changing experience will help students build confidence, independence, and global perspective. Please visit EF’s website to get answers to common parent questions. EF Tours is our trusted travel partner, and they have 60 years of experience helping students explore the world.

📌Friday, October 9: Boys and girls varsity cross country @ Monument Valley Park @ 3PM

📌Monday, October 12: Boys soccer Vs. Salida @ Salida HS (JV @ 4:30PM; Varsity @ 6:30PM)

📌Tuesday, October 13: Girls volleyball Vs. CSCS @ Home (C @ 4PM; JV @ 5PM; Varsity @ 6PM)

📌Wednesday, October 14: Orchestra Concert @ SILC Amphitheater @ 5:30PM

📌Thursday, October 15: Girls volleyball Vs. Woodland Park @ Woodland Park @ (C @ 4:30PM; JV @ 5:30PM; Varsity @ 6:30PM)

📌Friday, October 16: Boys varsity football Vs. Banning Lewis @ Banning Lewis @ 7PM

📌Monday, October 19: Boys soccer Vs. Woodland Park @ Woodland Park (JV @ 4PM; Varsity @ 6PM)

📌Tuesday, October 20 : Girls volleyball **Senior Night** Vs. St. Marys @ Home (C @ 4PM; JV @ 5PM; Varsity @ 6PM)

📌Thursday, October 22 : Parent/Guardian conferences - 12:30PM Student dismissal ;Girls volleyball Vs. Thomas MacLaren @ Thomas MacLaren (C @ 4PM; JV @ 5PM; Varsity @ 6PM)

📌Friday, October 23: Conferences - No School ; Boys varsity football Vs. Florence @ Home @ 7PM ; Boys and girls cross country Regional Meet @ Denver Park @ 2:45PM

Email: aconrad@mssd14.org
Website: www.mssd14.org
Location: 401 El Monte Pl. Manitou Springs, CO 80829
Phone: 719-685-2074
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manitouspringshighschool