Since my freshman year, I have been constantly embroiled in the ongoing conversation about Animas High School versus Durango High School. The primary topic of conversation being: “Animas is better than DHS” or vice versa.
No matter what logic is tossed out or how much arguing passes between sides, the conflict between the two schools only grows more complicated. I am a DHS student, and I am not going to bash AHS, as I believe that Animas is a great alternative learning opportunity for those who may not find what they need at DHS. However, I want to make a case for DHS, as the pool of good press for the high school has run dry in the past few months.
People, and the press, miss all of the positivity that goes on in the halls. The fact that my teachers stay up until four in the morning grading papers and planning next week’s lessons is hidden behind the mistakes of our cross country team.
Our Aerospace Design team is consistently one of the best teams in the world and is always a favorite at the international design competition. Our DECA club, which describes itself as “an organization for emerging leaders in marketing, management, finance, hospitality and entrepreneurship,” has placed at state and qualified for nationals for multiple years. The theater troupe 1096 has been putting on professional quality productions and sending alumni on with numerous state and national awards, with multiple members qualifying to go to this year’s national competition in Lincoln, Nebraska. Our school newspaper, El Diablo, has won Best in Colorado awards as well as many individual awards at the state level.
I believe that when people start fighting between Animas and DHS, they miss all of this. They miss that our Interact Club members spent their Thanksgiving installing stoves in rural Guatemala, or that our biology classes spent spring breaks working with and learning about sea turtles and conservation.
Among all of the incredible feats of our clubs, DHS cultivates a fantastic learning environment. One of the most compelling arguments from the Animas perspective is that many kids get lost in the size of DHS. While, of course, that proves true for some, I found my experience to be quite the opposite. I have developed unique relationships with each and every one of my teachers and so they have with me, it just takes effort on the part of the students. The larger learning environment also mimics the “real” world or college. Many of my teachers have become my closest advisers and people with whom I would have no problem discussing personal matters.
Beyond the personal relationships, I believe the high school has some of the best teachers available. One of my Advanced Placement teachers holds a 4.5 average on her AP exams. The highest score is a 5, and among the approximately 100,000 students who take the test, considered the “best” students in the country, the average is a 3.
My classes covered college-level topics and content that I found incredibly difficult and challenging. My classes have been engaging and I can truly say I was always excited to come to school. I’ve heard claims that DHS is “too easy” and “doesn’t prepare students for college,” often even in the halls of the high school, but in my experience, DHS is the exact opposite. And honestly, much of the success comes from the student. The teacher may be the world’s greatest but still may not be able to teach an unwilling student.
The high school has produced alumni who went on to attend Ivy Leagues, top engineering schools, top arts schools and much more. And, for those who weren’t on the college path, our career classes helped students on their way to tech and vocational schools and the workforce, all of whom have just as important of a place in our society. Our high school community and teachers have been extremely supportive of all students, myself included.
I understand that DHS is not the place for everybody. I have many friends who have thrived at AHS, whereas I, and many of my peers, have thrived at DHS. I hope that people do not overlook the amazing opportunities, achievements and environments that DHS has created for me, for my peers, for alumni and for those to come.
Katie Milliet is a head photographer at El Diablo, the Durango High School student newspaper. Her parents are Janis and Charlie Milliet of Durango.
