“Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.” -John Maxwell.  

Within the last 14 years of Rocky Mountain High School’s opening, there have been many changes. Since 2008, there has been a whole generation to pass through the walls here at Rocky. There have also been several changes with things such as technology, student dynamics and changes in school administration. As Rocky Mountain continues to grow, changes will become more apparent. 

Mrs. Traci Kidd, the Safety Office secretary, has worked here at Rocky since the school’s opening and she has encountered several changes. As years go on, modern technology gets smarter and makes things easier for teachers. Kidd said that for years they have had to “manually put in [things like attendance],” but now that it is all computerized it has “made things much easier and more efficient.” 

 Another substantial change she has seen is administrative dynamics. Kidd said, “We’ve had a lot of teachers, admin and office staff come and go over the years, so there is always some different dynamics with new staff.” With these new additions to Rocky’s staff there have been many new policies in place. The changes with teachers and staff happen regularly to keep everything up to date and running smoothly.  

Like everything, Covid-19 has affected many things. For schools, it changed many things. At the beginning of it, the schools were shut down, and everything was done online. This made it exceedingly difficult for teachers to teach and for students to learn. It even changed the way schedules worked. Rocky runs on a block schedule (A/B). Every semester a student will ideally complete eight classes, with four classes on “A” days and four classes on “B” days.  

However, with Covid, schedules were changed to the same four classes every day for a quarter. This made every class condensed and moved at a much quicker rate, as well as shifting schoolwork to be done online rather than using paper. Ms. Danielle Blumhardt, English and Newspaper teacher, also said that before Covid, “not everyone had class sets of computers, and teachers would have to share computer carts.” Computers have been one of the “biggest changes” she has seen.  

Not only did Covid change how classes work, but it has also shifted student life. Rocky has been known for its pride for sport, and its student section. Rocky has quality teachers and awesome students and according to Blumhardt, Rocky just “tends to dominate.”  

While Rocky is still dominating this year, student pride has changed. Kidd admitted that student pride is “different from what it used to be.” Especially with losing a bunch of students to Owyhee, Grizzly spirit has been shushed; however, as the Covid regulations settle down, and students are slowly returning to games, many are optimistic that soon Rocky will be louder than ever.  

This year is Dr. Ali Chapman’s first year working here at Rocky Mountain. She began working here to “Become part of a strong community who unites in student success and growth.” Since her time here, Chapman has already made an impact. She strives daily to be there for her students and make them ready for the next chapter of their lives. Chapmans says that she likes to “ask and gain opinions from her students, and adjusts her curriculum to the interests that are shared.” She takes time to know her students individually, helping them feel safer here at Rocky.   

Rocky has been impacting the people and community here in Meridian for the past thirteen years. There have been many people to come and go; however, Rocky Mountain will forever hold an impression in their hearts. There is much appreciation for Rocky, and the staff that works so hard to make Rocky what it is today. GO GRIZZLIES!