It is not uncommon knowledge that upon first glance the students of Aspen High School may seem rather homologous. However, after looking into all of the differences between each individual, it becomes clear that the population at our school is, in fact, and extremely diverse group of people. To celebrate the culture of our school, and the students and faculty within it, AHS will be celebrating its third annual Unity Week, a tradition that will hopefully continue on for many more years to come.

This week, the week of February 27, each day will hold a different activity. The following are each of the five days.

Monday: Ex-Ed Slideshow:

Monday will hold the Ex-Ed Slideshow. Ex-Ed is one of the longest standing traditions at AHS, and is one of the most important and influential aspects of our school. From bringing together the unlikeliest of friends, to giving completely life-changing and out of typical comfort experiences, a large part of our district revolves around the idea of experiential education. While experiencing our own courses, it is also influential to look at what other students in our school have accomplished, as well as to scout out future possibilities.

“Reminisce about one of the most special things we do; Ed-ed. It brings kids together, and it acts as a sort of bridge between grades. It makes the community at Aspen incredibly unique, and I think it is one of the most successful things we do here,” said senior and Head Boy Harry Kahn.

The Ex-Ed Slideshow will take place in the District Theatre.

Tuesday: Ex-Ed Lunch:

For the Ex-Ed lunch, all students are to have lunch with their previous groups from the 2016 school year. The purpose of these courses are to first go out and explore the world around us and gather new experiences, and to second make friends with students we may not have had the opportunity to bond with otherwise. In order to maintain these friendships, it is lunches like these that matter most. Keep up the tradition of Ex-Ed and attend your lunch in your leader’s room.

Wednesday: Karaoke Lunch

“The Karaoke Lunch does a really great job with including our whole school in a fun and entertaining activity. Last time we tried this it worked out amazingly and it was incredibly fun. I hope this lunch holds the same potential, and brings our school together as a family,” said senior and Head Girl Claire O’Sullivan.

Recently started by O’Sullivan and Kahn, our school now how has a class competition between each grade. Through various games and competitions, each class has the opportunity to win points, and eventually the entire game at the end of the year. The karaoke lunch is the perfect place for students to win their class points, while also singing their hearts out and and entertaining the commons.

Thursday: Ski Day

Ski day, a tradition at AHS, is one of the most fun and location oriented activities our school puts on in the winter. In an effort to bring the entire school together in a fun and unique way individualized to Aspen, students can head up and shred the slopes with their peers. If you don’t ski, no worries! Head to the arc for some fun on the sledding hill.

“Ski day is a great Unity Week activity. It brings us together in a way in which we dont usually have the opportunity to bond. For the class competition we will be counting attendance, so it’s really our goal this year to gather a large turnout,” said O’Sullivan.

Friday: Cultural Carnival

The final day of Unity Week will be a Cultural Carnival. The student body has the opportunity to enter into the Skier Dome and walk around to different booths to get a taste of a different culture. Posters describing ceremonies, festivals, foods, sayings, and more adorn the decorated tables filled with treats and goodies. You can walk in a small circle and feel as if you have taken a small tour around the world.

“The Cultural Carnival allows students to experience different cultures that other students are proud to be a part of, which is extremely unique that we get that opportunity,” said Ella Horn, a senior at AHS. “Many people have no clue about the simple impacts Unity Week can have on students, but I can attest that it is a breath of fresh air in Aspen High School’s community.”