Issue 3

ALHS

ECHOES

Issue 3 2011-2012

The Independent Voice of Abraham Lincoln High School | Council Bluffs, Iowa

Volleyball team reflects on season

Photo by Christian Schlater

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By Blake Willadsen Reporter he Lady Lynx volleyball team has become the model for what success should look like at AL. For the third straight year, the Lynx qualified for the state tournament. Led by Head Coach Yvonne Carson and Assistant Coaches Lyndsey Davids, Ashtyn Neill and Paige Spangenberg the team defeated LC, TJ, and Urbandale in regional play to reach the state tournament. The team met stiff competition in the first round against Iowa City West. The Lynx lost in three sets as West would eventually be crowned 4-A state champions in the final game over Iowa City High.

The Lynx’ road to state was not an easy one. With two seniors (Michaela Kennedy and Hannah Christensen) and two juniors (Olivia Leisinger and Lauren Meeker) There was a lot of youth that needed to step up into a varsity role, but the girls were up for the

challenge.

“We have grown miraculously since the beginning of the year,” Lauren Colpitts ‘15 said. “We all started off as individuals and we’ve all grown to work together. We are more like a family.”

The team entered the state tournament after defeating three tough opponents in regional play.

The Lynx embraced their role as underdogs during the tough games. The girls started play by defeating Lewis Central 3 sets to 1.

Then the Lynx sweeped city rival TJ 3-0 in a packed AL auditorium. The final win to reach the tournament came against Urbandale 3-1. The game held special meaning after Urbandale’s emotional upset over AL’s undefeated 2010 football team.

The Lady Lynx were focused on reaching their goal of reaching state again.

In their biggest games the Lynx stepped up to get the win.

“On our road to state

we played our best games, ” Victoria Krohn ‘14 said. “We performed our best under pressure. That helped us have a better attitude.”

The seniors are well versed in being underdogs.

After working their way up

“We all started off as individuals and we’ve all grown to work together. We are more like a family.”

-Lauren Colpitts ‘15

the ranks Hannah Christensen and Michaela Kennedy have grown into team leaders.

Kennedy embraces being an underdog.

“It’s fun, everyone wants you to win,” Kennedy ‘12 said. “Coming in to a game we have nothing to lose, so if we win that makes it that much more exciting.”

The team bonded really well as a unit on the court and that all started with their friendship off the court. This is obvious to anyone who

will watch the Lynx. From the communication and teamwork during a play to the personalized handshakes each person shares before a set and the “Top Gun” themed nicknames found on the back of their warm-ups it’s clear how close the team has grown.

“In the beginning we did not know our limits,” Kennedy said. “Now we can correct each other on the small things and listen to what each other have to say.

We are more of a family.”

Now. We all get along really well. We all like to laugh and joke around.”

From senior to freshmen, the players were all welcomed into the family.

“We’ve all bonded like a family,” said Krohn. “Certain people are closer, but we don’t have too much drama.”

The success of the volleyball program was evident by watching the enthusiasm displayed by the fans in the stands. The Lady Lynx gathered quite

the following despite having very few home games during the season. The girls filled two travel buses worth of lynx fans to the state match up.

The tradition is also found in the student section as well. One dedicated group of students formed the lynx legion during the 2009 season, the first year the lynx reached state. The tradition continues as the legion can still be found leading the student section in cheers while dressed in crazy Lynx apparel.

The Lynx reached its goal of making state for the 4th state appearance in 5 years. In their final match against Iowa City West, Michaela Kennedy and Lauren Meeker led the Lynx with seven kills apiece.

West would eventually go on to win the tournament.

Fans hope the many young faces that saw the court this year can help continue the tradition of Lynx volleyball in the seasons to come.

What’s Inside:

Heart Monitors in P.E. helping get kids inolved.

Pg.2

Art and all of its different forms.

Pg. 6&7

Iowa vs.

Nebraska Pg.12 alechoes.com

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Brittany Rupp | Editor in Chief

News

Echoes

Heart monitors aim to increase fitness Students must now reach a target heart rate to recieve a grade

By Melanie Krohn Copy Editor Thirty-three percent of high school students across the nation reported they attended physical education classes daily in 2009. Only 23 percent said they had not gotten at least 60 minutes of physical activity on any of the seven days prior to when the survey was taken, according to the Center for Disease Control. To combat these unhealthy and staggeringly small statistics, PE programs across the nation are taking action. Many programs have implemented lessons on nutrition, portion sizes, and more, while AL has taken more of a direct route. PE instructor and health teacher Colleen Somers uses heart rate monitors in her PE classes to promote active behavior and participation.

Ten years ago, Somers attended a conference in Naperville, Illinois, where ideas such as fitness oriented PE (instead of team sports)

and lifetime fitness were introduced. The example of using heart-rate monitors was also promoted. From then, Somers decided to use them in her classes to help students keep track of their fitness levels while in PE class. The monitors were used 8-9 years ago, however construction got in the way and it was discontinued.

This past year, AL was awarded a grant of $33,000 to improve PE classes through a program called “PE For Life.” This grant will be used to enhance and update the wellness center, purchase new PE equipment, and some of it has been spent on updating the heart-rate monitors.

Somers uses them daily in her classes, and PE teacher Dan Wettengel is also introducing them in his classes. They take the form of an athletic-appearing wrist watch. The goal for achieving a good grade is being in the zone of 145-175 beats per minute for half of the time spent in class.

“Instead of grading kids for showing up and looking like they’re doing something, I’m able to grade them on how hard they’re working.

The monitors are telling us exactly how long they have been working at their healthy fitness level,” Somers said.

The only con of these monitors seems to be the organization behind them: putting them on and putting them away everyday. Many students, especially the most fit ones, also have a negative view of them. The more fit a person is, the harder they have to work to get their heart-rate up, making it seem like they need to work much harder than the less fit ones.

“It’s unfair because it helps people who are less active get a higher grade,” Sarah Root ‘12 said. “Most students don’t like them because the monitors are uncomfortable, and they don’t like how they’re graded.”

Somers also said that her PE classes are no longer

about showing up to class and dressing out, they’re about earning a grade. It’s also no longer competitive between students, but a competition of students against themselves to get their heart-rates up and get in shape.

“All students, regardless if they are fit or not, can achieve their target heart rate zone,” Somers said. “Most of us don't have enough time in our days. Why not exercise at an intensity that will burn calories, strengthen your muscles, make you feel better and be healthier when you do take time to exercise?”

In addition to the wellness center, heart-rate monitors, and grant money to be used, Somers has purchased Brain Breaks, tools for teachers to get students moving in their classrooms. Physical activity has been proven to increase brain activity and function, which would come in handy while students sit through the 72 minute class periods.

While these strategies and others are being installed in

Students are now required to wear Heart Monitors and reach a target heart rate during PE class.

Photo By Francisco Franco the school, Somers hopes to see improvement in the fitness levels of students here as the programs change.

"We are trying to put

more accountability for learning how to get fit by offering a variety of activities to encourage more movement in PE classes,” Somers said.

College Access Program continues to help students on their way to college

By Jaidlyn Bookout Reporter

Three years running and it’s just about time to remind everyone about the College Access Program and what it does to help our students.

The College Access Program is commonly known shortly as CAP. CAP is a program that focuses on helping students prepare for college. One could get involved by making a decision to apply in eighth grade and begin the actual program their freshman year if chosen. The students accepted into CAP are either

first generation college students or they come from a family under a certain amount of income.

“We target a certain group of students that we’re trying to help and assist them going to college,” Phil Hofreiter, CAP Coordinator, said. According to Hofreiter, there are also lots of ways students can benefit.

A student who is in CAP has many opportunities that are beneficial to them and their futures.

CAP offers students a college prep hour which is a supervised study four afternoons a week along with a teacher mentor. The students also receive help in the college application process. Students at that time are assisted when

What CAP offers: Specfic study skills.

Information about the college search that a students normally would not recieve until senior year A head start on planning the future.

writing to colleges, applying for scholarships and for federal aid. CAP students also receive $1,000 upon graduation if they remain in the program through all of high school. Outside of school, CAP students go to summer academies where they take different classes and do leadership activities.

Along with that, they go to college fairs and take trips to college visits throughout the year.

“What I like most about CAP is having the opportunity to visit colleges and think about where I will eventually want to go,” Alex Snipes ‘14 said.

CAP students took a college trip to Grace University where they learned how to develop

a resume, worked on interviewing skills and learned about social media.

Just this past October they went to Des Moines and visited two colleges and also went to the University of Nebraska at Omaha. CAP is also planning on going to an orientation activity at Iowa School for the Deaf this month.

CAP students put many hours into preparing for their future college years. Going on visits, spending extra time studying, and taking time out of their summer. One CAP student find the program very beneficial.

“It’s helping me get ready for college. It’s the College Access Program the name explains itself,” Payton Whiteaker ‘14 said.

News Briefs • Protesters in New York are being asked to leave the parks they have set up camp in. Judges have ruled that their First Amendment rights do not expand to pitching tents in a privately owned park.

• In a State ran prison in Florida more than 80 cats decided to make it their home. The prison was set to close before this invasion of felines.

• A man bid $1,100 on a storage unit in San Jose California and ended up with $500,000 worth of Gold and Silver.

Information gathered from Yahoo! News

News

Echoes

Brittany Rupp | Editor in Chief

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How to prepare your car for winter weather Checking fluids, tire air pressure, and supplies means safety

Photo illustrations by: Shannon Holmes and Brittany Rupp

By Suzanne Peterson Reporter With Winter approaching quickly one can see changes being made to outdoor items everyday. However one thing that may be over looked is that thing you drive everyday. Your car is just as prone to Winter’s harsh attitude as your lawn furniture, and house.

“Get the right kind of coolant (antifreeze) so it doesn’t overheat. You could have it cleaned or flushed, just put new antifreeze in it. Windshield wipers; make sure you have good new wipers, so if it snows or ices you can see out the window,” Mark Gizler, Tucker Center Mechanic teacher, said.

The first thing you should do when winterizing your car is check the fluids. It is the least expensive and easiest preventive maintenance you can do. According to “how stuff works.com” you should change your oil frequently (about every 3,000 miles), and don’t forget to change your engine coolant (diluted with 50 percent water) and transmission fluid, about every two years. If these haven’t been changed or checked, they should be. Pure engine coolants can freeze at zero degrees, but mixing with water prevents freezing and provides great protection for the cold weather. Another thing to consider according to “cars. about.com” is getting new windshield wipers. If your current wipers look frayed or worn, it’s best to get a new pair, and windshield wipers should be replaced every year anyway. Don’t forget to top off windshield washer fluid. If you’ve ever driven after salt trucks have come through to melt snow and ice, you know the importance of windshield washer fluid. Do not dilute washer fluid with water since it can freeze during winter’s harsh temperatures. Even though your oil and transmission

fluids are commonly checked, other fluids that are integral to your vehicle’s performance may go unnoticed. Power steering, brakes, radiator and battery fluids also should be filled to recommended levels.

“Good new snow tires for the winter. You need the right amount of air pressure in the tires. Just make sure they have good traction for the snow and ice,” Gizler said.

Another thing to consider is your tires. Without good tires chances are you will be slipping and sliding with the first snowfall. Have your tires rotated and inspected. The last thing you need in cold, wet weather is to be driving on bald or dry rotted tires. Replace any tires that are too worn.

Experts from “cars.about.com” recommend looking into snow (or winter) tires, depending on your location or length of time you’ll be spending in the snow. Winter tires are made with special low temperature resilient rubber compounds and have deep treads that grip snow and ice. Even the best all-season tires have compounds that get more brittle as the temperature drops, and when that happens, the tires tend to grip less. The winter tire compound remains pliable when temperatures are low, retaining grip and keeping the car’s safety systems, like all-wheel drive and anti-lock brakes, functioning properly. You should also check your tire pressure on a regular basis throughout the winter.

Winter mornings can wreak havoc on an older battery.

The average life of a battery is 3 1/2 years. If your battery is older than that, it’s probably time to replace. Lets say that it is the dead of winter, Monday morning and its five degrees outside and your car won’t start. Chances are your battery can not conduct enough electricity to your engine to get it to start because it so cold. To prevent this have a mechanic check the battery and cables to ensure your car starts quickly and reliably.

“Another thing you should add to your car is an emergency kit,” said Gizler.

Another thing you should add to your car is an emergency kit. This emergency kit should contain Jump cables, roadside flashers or a reflective triangle, a fully charged cell phone, a tow strap, blankets, water, multiple energy bars, flashlight, ice scrapper, and a fold-able shovel. This survival kit should also contain batteries, and a ice scrapper and brush.

Often times in the middle of winter car batteries have a difficult time conducting electricity to the engine. This leads to either a car not starting, or when you sit at a stop light and your car decides to die. Jump cables will help in this situation.

Roadside flashers and the reflective triangle will help to alert other drivers of your presence.

While it may seem silly to keep food in your car, if you do break down and are a few miles or even hours from home, this will keep you in better shape than if you had none.

Having these few but essential things will help to ensure that if one were to either crash or break down that one does not suffer from Hypothermia, or worse. All of these things will come in handy if one to become stranded during a snow storm.

Chances are these items will sit in your trunk all winter but if for some reason you do get stuck you will be very thankful for this survival kit.

Students get a jump start on life by graduating early

By Christina Rivera Reporter The four years of a student’s high school career can be very exciting time for them to truly find out who they are. Most of them look forward most to their Senior year. It’s the last year they have with their friends before they move on to college and eventually start a life of their own. What happens to those who want to skip their senior year and go straight to college? More and more students are choosing this alternative.

Many students are choosing to graduate their junior year mostly to further their education in college and move on. Stephanie Brockman ‘12, who has a one year old daughter, is graduating early.

“It’s beneficial ( to graduate early) because I get to spend time with my daughter, Addison, and start college sooner,” Brockman said. “I want to move on with life.”

Currently, she sees her daughter four days a week because she works three full days and Sunday morning. She mostly wants to have a full time job and “move on to the next stage in life.”

With all their courses met and a plan to enroll at college, they can began the college life before their high school peers. The advantages of graduating early from high school include being almost a year advanced or more in your career. Emma Preston ‘14 said there were misconceptions about her graduating early, but believes graduating early has its benefits.

“I think it might be a thought worth consideration, depending on what you want to do in life,” Preston said. “I haven’t really thought about it. If I were to graduate early I would use it to my advantage to go on a foreign exchange (program). “ Whether it’s studying in a completely different country or somewhere local, many believe that by graduating a year earlier you experience the “real world” sooner. For those who think paying for college is difficult, choosing this route may help you save in tuition. There are many scholarship opportunities if they receive high scores on their ACT or SAT. Many colleges also view graduating early as an indicator that they are well prepared and dedicated. One takes on the responsibility of maturing faster and getting a load of homework with set deadlines. In this day in age, jobs are looking to hire the newest faces in the business as long as they are well prepared.

There’s many internships for undergraduates in college and this could mean landing

a job in your desired career.

In many ways, graduating early offers many benefits, but in the long run its up to the individual if it fits them best to do so.

“It can be beneficial or bad depending on the person.

It’s good if you have a goal in life and for the military, so you can enlist early,” Sarah Steinmetz, Tag Specialist, said. “It gets you away from the behaviors of high school.”

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Ericka Davis | Opinion Editor

Opinion

Echoes

Students should “give it a ponder” Students slowly shuffle down the packed corridors of school, pushing and shoving, cracking jokes and laughing about class. The latest gossip roles off the tongues of school girls and jocks alike. It’s high school, teens yearning to be adults but still naive. Comments of how that’s “so gay” and “what a fag” can be overheard and it’s amazing how discrimination can be so prominent in our school. You can hear it in the lunch room, in the hallways, in the classrooms.

It’s high school, what we say is innocent enough but students don’t recognize how hateful these words are, or how hurt it leaves kids to be called “queer.” These every day expressions are all part of something greater. What seems innocent enough, over time, contributes to large scale prejudices. We are growing up in an environment where we are blind to the dehumanizing effect the words like “fag” have. We can not see the environment we are cultivating, but the fruit of it is bigotry.

Teen suicide is an American travesty.

We

are among the top half of countries in teen suicide, nearly 1.5 times above the average rate and homosexual teens are nearly three times more likely to commit suicide as well. In a country where the motto is “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” why are so many teens just giving up? Social pressure, excessive bullying and contempt of school are all cited among the leading factors of teen suicide. Every 14 minutes at school a teen can hear a homosexual slur.

Five times every class period someone within earshot will call some one else a “queer” or “fag,” and five times a class period we fail to stand up for the rights of millions of Americans and even the basic rights of what it means to be a Human Being.

We as individuals should all bare the weight of this responsibility. The student who utters “this is so gay” is just as much at fault as his peers and teachers who do nothing to correct him.

If that same student rattled off a racial slur or antiSemitic remark he would undoubtedly be reprimanded,

but we turn a blind eye to remarks of sexuality and by doing so, permit it. If we as a school adopted not only a zero tolerance policy for discrimination, but also a mind set of tolerance towards all races and creeds, we could create a school environment where suicide and depression weren't norms, and where we as students weren’t just a statistic.

To change a statistic would take just the start off one person, Just one person, standing up and saying that this is wrong. Degrading others just to feel as though you are better than the other person. Consider this the ripple effect. One person stands up and says “Hey that’s not cool” another student sees that and does for another student.

One can’t help but to wonder what would happen to this school, if everyone walked through the hallways and simply kept these terms to themselves.

The staff voted 17 to 0 in favor of the column

Student asks for pants acceptance

By Devon Jefferson Sports Editor

I’m almost positive that I haven’t left the house, school, or almost anywhere I go these days without people saying, “Dj, pull your pants up”, or “Nobody wants to see your underwear”, and keep in mind, I’m hearing this more than once from more then one person. It’s literally almost like a broken record effect, everyone feels they need to tell me about where my pants fall at on my body, and that indeed I do totally respect everyone and every one’s given right to voice their opinion, it drives me nuts!

I’m something like a gentle giant. Tall as ever but the width of my waist is about the size of a bean pole. It’s been like this ever since I hit this earth, even though my baby chub years were cute, they were very short lived. I made the transition from short and chunky, to tall and skinny

within the first five years of my life. I remember when I was younger my mom would buy me Guess jeans, and Tommy Hilfiger shirts, all kinds of designer stuff from the baby Gap, but about after a month or two after I got it, I couldn’t fit in it anymore.

Yet being a youngin in the game of “life,” I couldn’t fathom the fact that I was literally growing out of my clothes, and that this would be a constant factor I would have to take into consideration everyday of my life. You cant tell me that when you go to throw on your favorite pair of pants and they slide farther up your leg then the tube socks you have on that you don’t have a problem. I go shopping, looking for a 30 inch waist and a 36 or 37 length in my pants, and its like I literally get lost trying to find my size, in all of the other sizes that don’t fit me that the stores carry. It’s almost like a curse, the curse of the tall and less meaty. Yet pressing further into the issue, during the winter time I cant wear any shorts or light clothing because I’ll end up getting got by jack frost. So that means I have to find decent jeans that are comfortable, semi fit, and at least look good.

It’s like having a second job going shopping for clothing for this guy. I mean I even have somewhat of a checklist or evaluation procedure for when I’m buying things. Like for

How do you feel about deragatory terms and how they are used in everyday conversation?

instance, I don’t know how long its been since I could fit regular, boot-cut, or straight leg jeans with out looking like an M.C. Hammer impressionist. Or the last time I could buy a pair of pants that would be able to cover my bottom all the way flush to my ankles.

Or the last time that I had a pair of jeans where the butt pockets were actually on my buns, not my lower thighs. I mean don’t get me wrong, gods gift to me for being extremely tall is pretty awesome, I mean I can reach tall shelves, advantage in sports, and I can see through large crowds like a boss. Yet every two seconds hearing about how the level of my bridge isn’t acceptable it is somewhat annoying. I fully understand that it might be annoying to see my Calvin Klein designers when I bend over, but remember back in elementary school when all the teachers said, “ If it’s not something nice or very important, keep it to yourself,” it would be ideal if maybe, possibly, we could revert back to that. I try my hardest to be aware of where my clothes hang off my body, and careful about wearing things that are too short, so if there was anyway that the masses at the school could throw me a bone on this one, I’d catch it like spot. So with all do respect, please, get off my pants.

Bargain hunting not worth risk of injury

By Danielle Peabody Editor-in-Chief

The line stretches around the outside of the building.

People pitch their tents and pull out their camping gear to stake out in front of the store. They await the opening of the front doors to rush in and get the hottest deals on the current demanded items. Bellies are full from Thanksgiving dinner, the bitter cold whips bare skin, many are sleep deprived from staying out since midnight. Despite all these factors, patrons of many department stores across the nation bare the rough conditions in order to get the best deals for Christmas presents. It’s finally time for the busiest shopping day of the year: Black Friday.

My very first Black Friday experience is one

that I will never forget. The terrors of that dreadful day are forever ingrained in my mind. Here I am, an innocent, new employee of ShopKo just preparing for another day at work. So I thought.. I was stationed in the back of the store in the electronics department. It was my first time working back there, but my job was to cashier.

Merely to check people out.

I had done this before, it was just going to be like a regular day, only really busy. The front doors finally opened at 4 a.m. and I couldn’t help but laugh as I watched customers sprint through the double doors and trip over each other. Many fell down, some got back up, but others were left behind. People just couldn’t be inconvenienced by stopping to give a helping hand to the person they just trampled over because they just had to get their hands on the best deals! It became quite amusing and in my fit of laughter that I couldn’t contain, tears started to fall from my eyes. I couldn’t believe how ludicrous these people were being, what was the big deal anyway? It’s. just. stuff. While I watched people scramble through each aisle and hurdle over one another, reality set in.

I wasn’t just here to watch

these people and make fun of how ridiculous they were being, I was there to help them, to assist them in all of their madness. It was then that I realized that all of these people were coming straight at me in a dead sprint.

The things that happened when they reached me are unexplainable and they are things which I shall never discuss. What I will say is for shoppers on Black Friday and employees on Black Friday. To the die hard Black Friday shoppers: Look, I understand how important your “savings” are. You want hot new items for as cheap as they come and this is no doubt the day to do it, but honestly when you trample over other people, people just like you, please remember that it could be you. Someone has actually died from being trampled on this horrific day. Please be considerate of those around you. That “stuff” isn’t important enough to kill someone over. For employees, be sure you know what you’re doing. If you’re unprepared for the terrible experience that awaits you, you will be destroyed in its wrath. Just remember that holidays are a happy time, so please no trampling! Be safe and I bid you happy shopping.

Opinion

Echoes

Ericka Davis | Opinion Editor

Students debate best food options

By Suzanne Peterson Reporter Good. Fast. Cheap.

Introducing fast food. What more can you ask for? Don’t get me wrong, home-cooked meals are great, but most of the time fast food is...greater than great. One day, right after school you have work or go to practice, with about 30 minutes to spare. Are you really going to go home and cook lasagna, salad, garlic bread, and some cherry pie for desert? Good luck, but I will tell you what I'm about to do. I'm going to go hit up the dollar menu at a drivethru. Five dollars at a fast food restaurant will satisfy me, while saving money, or I can spend $20 for buying the ingredients for my home-cooked meal. Not to mention that it takes some time to make a homemade

meal, and to digest it. Have you people with money ever thought about the homeless?

If a person living on the streets is lucky, and gets $2, he is most likely about to go a fast food restaurant, not go to the store and buy some supplies to make a “home cooked” meal (I know he doesn't have a home, he can go to a campsite and make a fire. Or just skip the campsite and just start a fire somewhere). McDonald's, Burger King, (Have it YOUR way!)Arbys, Subway, Jimmy-Johns (freaky fast), Runza, Wendy's, Long John Silvers, Taco Bell,(Late night munchies!)

Taco Johns, Popeye's, Pizza Places, traditionally African American fast food places (fried chicken, watermelon, all that good stuff) Chinese and Arabian Fast Food places: with all the possible places you can choose

from, you will save more money than a home cooked meal, while still having the satisfaction of enjoying your meal. I can imagine some of you already. “Fast Food is soooo nasty,” or “Its all unhealthy.” Now let me tell you, first off, we all know what or who's nasty, (and believe me, its not the food,) and second, you can order a lot of non-fatty food. It may come as a shock for some of you, but don't overeat, (like I’m one to talk) and exercise.

Your choices are easy. Never look at a fast food restaurant again (just stay home and eat home cooked meals for the rest of your life) or eat fast food, but watch how much you eat, and exercise (hint, exercise is the key word). I didn't forget about all of you sneaks who go off campus to eat. Fast food is where you will be driving to, am I right or am I right? And

teachers, I'm not stupid. I know some of you hit the fast food. Sometimes it’s nice to go out with friends or family you haven't seen in a while and grab a bite to eat. You’re not going to always find a hair in your food, and half of the time its probably your own hair. The “dirty, greasy” tables? Its called a drive-thru, giving the employees a piece of your mind, or bring your own Clorox wipes. If you’re worried about getting some disease, don’t be. You could get a disease from home cooked meals. And you can get a disease from something that isn't even eating (STD’s anyone?). So remember the next time, you’re debating between quickly grabbing a bite, or driving home and making a home cooked meal before the “big” game, work, practice or whatever it may be, think: Good. Fast. Cheap.

Photo By Jessie Adkins

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Echoes Editors-in-Chief Brittany Rupp Danielle Peabody Section Editors Danielle Peabody Brittany Rupp Ericka Davis Lauren Myers Devon Jefferson Christian Schlater Photo Editor Christian Schlater Shannon Holmes Design Editor Kevin Dickey Business Manager Emmalee Adams Ad Staff Arianne Boehme Photographers Francisco Franco Jessie Adkins Graphics and Cartoons Elizabeth Beck Copy Editors Melanie Krohn Brian Williams Ericka Davis Lauren Myers

Photo By Jessie Adkins

By Brittany Rupp Editor-in-Chief I can’t begin to tell you how happy it makes me to walk into my house after a long day of dealing with the responsibilities of being Editor in Chief, President of HOSA otherwise know as Health Occupations Students of America, and taking three different college classes to the smell of homemade dinner. It’s a feeling that just does my weary heart good.

In fact, when I do have to eat out after a day at school, I often cringe.

I understand that the idea of fast food is so alluring because of the “fastness” of it all, and the grab and go persona it gives. However

when we get right down to it, it’s really.....icky. Because it’s so fast let’s think about how long those “yummy” burgers are actually cooked for and what they are actually cooked in. Your food is in fact being cooked in a small factory, assembly line included. Since your food is being cranked out in a similar fashion as to how the first Model T was cranked out in the early 1900s it is not of the best quality.

How many times have you gone to McDonald’s, ordered chicken nuggets and french fries, and then 30 minutes to an hour later, you received an empty stomach feeling, plus that feeling of being extremely bloated?

That is what I like to call to the McDonald’s Hangover.

By no means am I targeting McDonald’s alone, but with every fast food restaurant, you are basically filling yourself up with empty calories, not to mention all the greasy, hidden fats and oils that could run your car if you broke them down. All you’re doing is hurting your body, even if you do get a salad or something healthy.

Also, when one goes there, I’m willing to bet my not very big paycheck that you go there by yourself or with friends.

Now lets go back the warm fuzzy feeling of eating at home. Not only are you eating healthier, but you are actually spending time with the people you (reluctantly) call your parents, you are also building a relationship

with them. Plus, home always offers a better feeling than a greasy, rarely cleaned booth. While this next statement is more of aimed at parents, we are less likely to do stupid things if we see and talk to our parents. Scary but proven fact. Another perk is that you have no fear of somebody messing up your food, or finding that long piece of greasy hair in your food. (Doesn’t that give you a great image?!)

So you know what you should tonight? Go home and ask if dinner could be home cooked tonight, or even better make it yourself.

Tell your parents about that A you got on that test, and fight childhood obesity, avoid that random things that end up in fast food, and unwind.

Exploring a new world

By Hunter Hiffernan Foreign Correspondent

The educational system in Denmark is set up in a way that I believe suits everyone well. It’s not like a high school, but more as a college in many ways. School can start and stop at different times of the day but it’s usually between 8:05am and 3:00pm. There are generally four classes that are one hour and

a half long, however, with long breaks.

With so much freedom in Denmark the people sign up for “high school” by choice and at any age. With that in mind, I am 17 years old and sit in class with people who are 15 years of age to people who are almost 30 years. Laws of a different country are always one thing I think every exchange student will run into that is so much different than the laws in their home countries. Denmark and America, let’s just say are not so much alike.

Experiencing the Danish life, feels to me as if I am experiencing in some ways freedom.

The drinking age is 16, younger if your parents will allow you to and older if you’d like to drink in public. Biking is illegal if you are intoxicated and one person allowed per bike.

Dress codes are unusual and censoring on television isn’t a law. Teenagers aren’t required to go to school, only encouraged. Having sex is usually ok after you turn a certain age, it’s just advised to use protection. Looking at the

laws in Denmark, it probably seems to the American people that Denmark has way more freedom but needs to be a bit stricter; at least I said that before I came here. However, it’s the fact that they have more respect and freedom.

Mostly, the Danes have a higher maturity level, which allows them to have more independence and choice. The freedom of young people, in some ways also define how they are and the way they act. They tend too have a higher maturity level, which helps them become more social, successful and creative. You would think that any ways, however, being socially accepted is quite difficult sometimes.

When they are young, they tend too group into their own crowds and once they become good friends, it’s hard for them to accept others into their social network. The first day of school, I walked into the classroom, the boys greeted me with a nice handshake and a warm welcoming but the girls introduced themselves using the internet site, facebook.

Reporters Blake Willadsen Victoria Holcomb Jaidlyn Bookout Joe Vrenick Suzanne Peterson Britteny Johnson Christina Rivera Foreign Correspondent Hunter Hiffernan Webmaster Brian Williams Adviser Gerry Appel The Echoes is published by the newspaper staff of Abraham Lincoln High School, and exists to serve as an open forum for the students, faculty, administration and community.

All state and federal laws regarding the publications of student materials shall apply, and the Echoes will not publish materials which also fall under the guidelines established by the Council Bluffs Public Schools system, and are deemed libelous, obscene, or a material and substantial disruption to normal classroom activities.

The views expressed are not those of the Council Bluffs Public Schools, faculty, or administration.

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Danielle Peabody | Editor-in-Chief

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Students express artistic talents through many outlets

Photography

By Brittany Rupp Editor-in-Chief

Tattoos

By Brittany Rupp Editor-in-Chief

“I wanted one to express my religion,” Cleo Harris ‘12 said about his rosary tattoo along with a bible verse.

Archaeologists believe that tattoos originated around 3,300 B.C. according to “designboom.com.”

Something that resembled tattoos was first found on “otzi the ice man” who had been mummified in and discovered in 1991. This body contained 57 “tattoos.” Most of them looked, however, to have been placed for therapeutic reasons.

This was the first form of a body art that was discovered by scientists, later tattoos were found on Egyptian Mummies.

In the past, tattoos were often times a symbol of religion. To this day they still do, and often times they mean so much more or simply represent something that we believe in. Some students have gotten tattoos to show the

art for their religion.

“I got a tattoo for my uncle who passed away eight years ago,” Alex Binkly ‘12 said about his tattoo which is of a cross.

Often times this form of art travels in families. Older children receive tattoos about something meaningful and younger siblings follow in their footsteps.

“I really wanted a tattoo and my brother was getting one too,” said Hondo Huerta ‘12. His tattoo being of a quote about brotherhood to symbolize their brother bond.

Tattoos over time have become a part of everyday life.

They first began as a symbol of religious beliefs however they have morphed into our everyday culture as something we use to express ourselves and what we want and believe and show to the world.

Alex Binkly ‘12 has a tattoo in remembrance of his uncle. Photo by Francisco Franco

In today’s digital age almost everyone has access to a camera and also to Photoshop. It is no wonder as to how this has developed into a form of art and as a way for people to express themselves through a camera lens.

“I do believe photography is art,” Bri Harding ‘13 said. “I have a tendency to notice the unnoticed things and want to document things I like.”

Photography has a history just like every other form of art. In 1827 Joseph Nicephore Nicpe made the first photographic image, according to “about.com.”

He began to use the sun as a way to capture light and form a picture. Today these were considered the prototype for modern photography. The idea of capturing light and using it

for a picture is still used today.

Just by getting on Facebook, one can see that students share in this same fascination.

“I like it because you can take pictures and make the viewers say ‘wow’,” Hayley Hochsettler ‘13 said.

“It’s (Photography) definitely art. You can’t just pinpoint a camera at anything, you have to think about composition.”

Some students like to take pictures for the joy of others and for memories.

“I just like capturing other people’s lives in a candid form and how it can pause one moment and keep it in your memory,” Carley Fields ‘14 said.

Photography has given the world a way to express and say what often times words not cannot convey.

Hayley Hochstetler ‘13 uses photography to entice a feeling of emotion. Submitted photo

by Hayley Hochstetler

Painting

By Brittany Rupp Editor-in-Chief

Street Art

By Brittany Rupp Editor-in-Chief Street art, although considered by many as more of an illegal nuisance when done without consent, also has origins as legitimate art. This form of art is very different from what other people see as art.

Often times it is looked down upon. However for the few that practice it, it gives a new take to a can of paint.

“You can express your feelings you get to make what you want to make,” Jeff Duncan ‘14 said. “It’s different from drawing because a pencil can only go so far.”

Graffiti has been around since the ancient times and was originally used for inscriptions, figures, and drawings and has been found in ruins, according to “Huntfor.com.” In the 1970s in New York young African American and Puertro Ricans began to adopt signatures and tags, and they proceeded to express them selves on walls of buildings and on train cars.

Artist take their feelings to the street and public buildings in street art. Photo by Francisco Franco

Often times when one thinks of painting they think of large museums that are quiet and meant for the average person who is over the age of 65.

However for some, the feeling of picking up a brush and painting can serve as a way to also express one’s true feelings.

“It allows me to show the things I’m thinking and feeling and just make something cool,” Trent Kutchara ‘14 said.

Painting is one of the earliest forms of art and is probably one of the most known thanks to the well known painters. This form of art can be traced all the way back to the time of the homo sapiens of the first forms of human beings. It also has evolved and developed throughout the different time periods in history. Going from very primitive to Picasso’s moving pieces.

“It’s colorful and it’s fun,” said Shyla Ronk ‘14 You can color it with another color besides gray.”

Painting is one of the most ancient forms of art that is still around today. Photo by Francisco Franco

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Feature

Danielle Peabody | Editor-in-Chief

Echoes

Student Spotlight: Hennings reveals his magic

By Suzanne Peterson Executive Reporter Ladies, and gentlemen, the performer you’re about to read about was shown a magic trick by one of his friends when he was 12 years old and has wanted to learn magic himself ever since.

Julian Hennings ‘14 is a young talented magician who wants to pursue a career in magic. From performing and all the other marketing and promotional steps a magician does, Hennings beieves it really has its benefits.

“Magic always tends to amaze me,” Hennings said.

Whether it’s practice makes perfect, or perseverance being the key to success, Hennings believes magic is more than a hobby. “(Magic) is a lifestyle that you must stay dedicated to,” Hennings said. “In my opinion, you cannot classify yourself as a magician without knowing the history and basics of magic. It takes practice and the correct magician state of mind, otherwise you are a trickster.”

Hennings says he tries to promote himself as much as possible, from preforming at different parties/events.

He also promotes himself by his fan page on Facebook; the Julian Hennings Fan Page, where he is constantly uploading videos. Along side, his parents are very supportive.

“My parents support me a lot. They keep me going,

and they’re kinda like my managers. They set up gigs, and help promote my business along with me,” Hennings said.

Just like any other hobby, one may have a favorite memory.

“My favorite memory was of this one little girl, that when every time I trick, she would stand up and yell out ‘That was awesome!’ and that made my day. I love being able to watch the reactions after doing a trick.”

But unfortunately, there’s also the bad.

“I got cussed out by my favorite magician of all time.

I asked him if he would ‘like’ my fan page on Facebook, and then multiple comments/ post followed, making mine invisible for him to see. I posted it two more times, and still many comments and posts followed. So, I posted it for a third time, and then he replied back with name calling, cussing and he even threatened to ‘bomb’ my fan page.”

Along with entertaining, Hennings can make the big bucks.

“I have a standard birthday package ranging fro $50- $150 for kids, and $100-$300 for normal parties and events.”

Others believe that Hennings has a talent. “ I’m in awe of his innate magic abilities, Football Coach Justin Kammrad said. “(Julian’s’) not bad. Criss Angel is the man, but Julian’s good because he’s able to preform magic better than

any other student.”

Hennings figures that kids need that the most, amongst all the negative influences.

Brandon Colpitts ‘14 gave magic a try one day, and said it didn’t work out that well. “(When I see him preform a trick my reaction is) just wow. I try to figure it out, but I can’t. I like the variety of tricks he has. If he keeps working hard, he can go places.”

Social Studies Teacher Bryan Pregon preforms card tricks of his own for 15-20 years and sometimes they challenge each other to come up with a method to accomplish a certain idea.

“I like being able to share a moment of amazement with people seeing something that you can’t wrap your head around and figure out at face value. Of course (Julian has) talent he really loves preforming magic and I think his enthusiasm shows in his tricks.”

Pregon offers some advice to Hennings. “When you perform for people, never make spectators feel stupid...lots of magicians have a “I am cool and you can’t figure this out” attitude that makes them come off as a jerk.”

Hennings likes to think that he does magic to show kids that anything is possible and hopes to continue his life-long career in magic.

“Its not all about the magic tricks. Never give up, you have to stay dedicated.”

Unique holiday traditions differ amongst families

By Victoria Holcomb & Britteny Johnson Reporters

November 24, families will be gathering around tables for Thanksgiving feasts and quality time together. Different people give thanks for different things. For example, Andrew Jensen ‘14 is thankful for another year with his grandma. Another sophomore, Ashtyne Madsen ‘14, is thankful for being able to be with her family, especially the ones she rarely sees.

One tradition that seems to run in families, is watching Thanksgiving day football.

Cousins sometimes have rivalries over different football teams and the team that is winning and losing.

“My dad likes to watch football and I don’t want to go anywhere else,” Madsen said.

Most students sit down on Thanksgiving to a meal of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and the occasional ham, but the unique selfmade side dishes are what set families apart.

Such dishes as cheesy corn and potatoes, chicken, cranberry sauce, and mac and cheese casserole.

What a lot of people like about Thanksgiving is the food, but that’s not everyone’s favorite. “I like just hanging out

with family, because we only do it once a year,” Krystal Hopkins ‘14. Another student, Austin Russell ‘13 likes when everyone gets together and has fun.

Black Friday shopping is not common for teens, even though cheap Christmas presents are nice, many teens don’t want to wake up that early or are afraid of getting hurt. On Black Friday, some get together and watch college football. This year, the game is Nebraska vs.

Iowa. This rivalry is one for the history books.

With the teams being so close in location, it gets extremely heated with the supporters and fans of each team butting heads with one another about the outcome of the game. (For more on the Nebraska vs. Iowa game, see page 12.)

Some traditions are important to students like getting to spend time with family, and eating together with people they don’t normally get to see.

“I want to keep having lunch and dinner with my family,” Emili Davis ‘14 said, about which tradition she wants to keep for upcoming years.

No matter which traditions a family has, they usually stay the same, and continue for many years. Or in some cases, when students don’t have set traditions, they still eat similar food and gather with the same people, annually.

Julian Hennings

Julian Hennings casually plays with his stack of cards, one of his many props used for magic tricks featured at his shows. Photo by Jessie Adkins

Entertainment

Echoes

Lauren Myers | Entertainment Editor

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Video games continue dominant influence Students play and compete with games in everyday life

By Blake Willadsen Reporter Everybody knows that kid. He wears the Call of Duty t-shirt to school twice a week. He has already preordered the collectors edition of “Modern Warfare 3.” He posts on Facebook every time he “prestiges.” He is known only as “the gamer.”

For him and many others, gaming has ceased to be a hobby and is now a lifestyle.

Still, most consumers are satisfied with casual gaming.

The video game industry has exploded since the days of “Pac-Man” and “Pong.”

More and more households are buying gaming consoles, and smart phones are easier to spot on the streets. Video games are becoming more common place thanks to certain companies’ mainstream approach.

Smart phones are an easy way to game. Gigaom.com reports that by Christmas this year 1 in 2 Americans will own a smart phone. Thanks to popular platforms like iPhone and Android, games are always going to be in the pockets of many students.

That means half of America will soon be addicted to

“Angry Birds.” In fact, the game has been downloaded over 17 million times, according to the creators at Rovio.

While smart phones are a simple way to get on a game and start playing, they are not built for longer and more complex video games. The Nintendo Wii has become synonymous with video gaming. The simple hand motions that the game requires are fun and easy for anyone ages 3 -100. Popular titles like “Wii Sports” and the “Super Mario” series have been played by everyone and their grandma.

Nintendo has embraced the wide appeal the Wii has and continued to produce games with simple controls. This makes it more accessible to a market that probably had not played much video games before the Wii. The Wii has been successful, but there has been criticism for its lack of depth. Experienced gamers have steered clear of the Wii because it does not pose a challenge for many until the controller starts to spazz out and causes your character to die. The Wii controller is notorious for forgetting where the gamer is at.

Alex Beck ‘13 plays a popular video game on the computer. Photo By Elizabeth Beck

“The hardware makes the easiest game in the world difficult,” Derek Gilman ‘13 said. “To just get the controls right is a struggle.”

The lack of high definition graphics on the Wii has caused even the biggest Mario fans to look elsewhere.

The hardcore gamers have stuck with the more traditional style consoles like Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Sony’s Playstation 3. The Games aimed at hardcore gamers focus on longer or more challenging gameplay and better graphics. For example, according to Ign. com the campaign mode on the latest halo game, “Halo: Reach” is about 9-10 hours.

That is a lot longer than the 20 minutes you will spend on a round of “Wii sports” golf.

“Story, graphics, and controls are important to a game, but there has to be a balance,” Gilman said. “The best games are the ones like ‘Portal,’ where the controls and graphics balance and it makes a perfect game.”

Things are not looking too good for hard core gamers though. Starting with the Wii, each of the gaming companies have switched their focus to a

more mainstream gaming approach. Sony released the Playstation Move, a Wii-like peripheral that uses a camera and two wands to track your motion. Microsoft released the Xbox Kinect that uses a variety of cameras to follow your every movement.

The Kinect has seen huge commercial success and has pushed many new adopters into purchasing an Xbox 360.

Video games are starting to reach all types of people thanks to the new platforms.

“There really isn’t a certain type of people who come to get games,” Elizabeth Welch ‘12, a seasonal employee at Gamestop said. “We cater to all people, from young to old, and all types.”

With more and more families buying these systems the line between casual gamer and serious gamer is thinning. The dedicated gamer is now slowly being replaced by the seven year old boy and their father as the target market for gaming companies.

Video games are now much more than what they use to be. They have expanded to inolve everyone. The door is now open for anyone to start playing video games.

Students weigh in on digital, paperback comic books

By Joe Vrenick Reporter Before the years of the digital age, most of the media we consumed had to come the old fashioned way. We got news from the newspaper, or we tuned into the evening news on Channel 7. If we wanted to watch TV, we would have to go home and watch it, and if we wanted something recorded we would have to record whatever we were watching on a VCR. And if we wanted comics, we would have to go to our nearby comic store or news stands. Today, most things from past centuries have all adapted to the digital age. Everything has moved onto our computers, phones, and iPads. Photos, TV, news stories, and now comic books.

Yes, the dream of collecting vintage Batman and SpiderMan comic books has gone

digital. Marvel Comics and DC Comics now have a wide variety of comic books that can be read digitally on their websites, or downloaded straight on to your iPhone, iPad, or other device. Both Marvel and DC have released several different titles for customers to chose form.

From “Amazing Fantasy (1962) #15 (The very first appearance of SpiderMan)” to “Green Lantern: The Sinestro Corps” and even farther to “Detective Comics (1939) #27 (the first appearance of Batman).

With most of today’s modern technologies, there is a wide line between the people who like the product, and the people who want the product to vanish off of the face of the earth. This applies for digital comics as well.

There are plenty of people out there who think digital comic books are the next big thing.

“I love both,” said digital and paper comic fan Carley Fields ‘14. “But digital comics are just way more convenient for me, because I’ve always got my phone, and since I’ve got the Marvel and DC apps, I can read them anytime in class without really knowing if I’m reading them or not.”

Other people prefer how you’d get comic books in the good old days. The days where you would walk into a Barnes and Noble, or a local comic shop or news stand, grab your new issue of “Fantastic Four,” “X-Men” and “Superman”, pay your $4.50, go home and slowly read them page by page.

“I prefer paperbacks, because it’s much better to hold it and actually own it instead of looking at a screen,” Nickel Hermanson ‘12 said.

There has also been some buzz about digital

comics being released for the Kindle Fire. On Oct. 15, DC announced it was to exclusively releasing 100 of their graphic novels on Amazon’s Nook. Some of the titles being released digitally include the two famous graphic novels written by Alan Moore, “Watchmen” and “V for Vendetta.”

Because Barnes and Noble wasn’t able to get these 100 digital books for the Kindle Fire, this made the owners angry. So they decided to act, and removed those 100 DC graphic novels from their shelves immediately.

In the end of it all, we are all left with a choice.

Will we go digital and adapt to technology? Or will still kick it old school and read comics off fine paper? Either way, we will still enjoy our favorite heros in their epic adventures.

Photo courtesy of MCT campus

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Lauren Myers | Entertainment Editor

Entertainment

Echoes

Disney re-releases movies to theaters in 3D

By Britteny Johnson Reporter “The Lion King” in 3D, brought millions of people to movie theaters starting Sept. 15, 2011 and ending just a mere two weeks later.

Those millions of people got to experience the first of four other movies that Disney will be re-releasing in 3D. “The Lion King” was in theaters for just two weeks and in the United States alone made close to $62 million. This may have help make the decision seem right for re-releasing four more popular Disney movies in 3D. Though most know that Disney must have been working on the adaptations for some time now.

The movies that Disney has picked to release again vary in date from “The Little Mermaid to “Finding Nemo.”

Along with date, there is also variety of plot. In ‘The Little Mermaid” you get to see a

young girl trying to figure out who she is, falling in love, and making a choice to be human or mermaid. On the other hand you have “Finding Nemo” about friendship, and a father’s love for his son, and the lengths he will go to get him back. This variation of movies gives the audience the flexibility of being four or forty-four. Some of the audience members may never have seen or might not like “Monsters Inc.” and “Finding Nemo” but have seen and liked “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Little Mermaid” and vice-versa, so there really is something for everyone.

The second movie that Disney will be releasing is “Beauty and the Beast” on January 13, 2012.

Proceeding “Beauty and the Beast” will be “Finding Nemo” on September 14, 2012, “Monsters Inc.” on January 13, 2013, and “The Little Mermaid” in September of that same year.

“With my three girls, ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and

‘The Little Mermaid’ will probably be the favorite,” Sarah Steinmetz, TAG teacher said.

Disney took yet another step into the twenty-first century when they made the choice to not only re-release these movies, but also make them 3D. “I think it’s pretty cool, because we need more 3D movies. I think 3D is a nice effect besides just actual movies and TV,” Julian Henning ‘14 said.

These movies are childhood classics for almost anyone here at Abraham Lincoln, having grown up watching them.

“I’m probably most excited for “Finding Nemo”, because that was one of my favorite movies as a kid,” Dani Helm ‘14 said, of which movie she is the most excited to see released in 3D. In the next few years one can expect to laugh, cry, and be on the edge of their seat once more as their favorite classics come to life again in a whole new way.

Cartoon By Elizabeth Beck

Joslyn Art Musuem offers student opportunites

By Jaidlyn Bookout Reporter

A popular piece of glass art hangs in the main lobby of the Joslyn Art Museum.

Photo by Christian Schlater

As teens become interested in new things some may not realize what cities outside of Council Bluffs truly have to offer. Nebraska’s largest art museum--the Joslyn Art Museum--might be a beneficial place that the city of Omaha has to offer.

With over 11,000 pieces representing artists and cultures from ancient times to our present days, there’s a lot to see and do in this one building.

“They have a huge variety of different types of artwork,” Mary Filbert, art/ fashion teacher, said.

Some people may not know just what this museum has to offer. The Joslyn Art Museum has adult, kid and teen programs and holds numerous events that are offered to the public. Joslyn also offers art studio classes year round along with many other classes for teens. Want to switch up your volunteer work a bit? JAMbassadors are Joslyn’s high school

volunteers. Being a volunteer at the Joslyn Art Museum gives the opportunity to work with artists, interact with museum visitors and help with a variety of “behind the scenes” jobs.

“I might go for just for college applications because volunteer work is good for that,” Morgan Naberhaus ‘14 said.

Joslyn doesn’t just offer classes but the opportunity to see various collections of art. Joslyn has a permanent collection which holds a variety of different art.

Anywhere from antiquities from Egypt, Greece and Rome to the historic drawings, sculptures, and prints by the natives of North America. Joslyn is internationally recognized for its collection of artists and explorers of the American West, such as watercolors and prints from the Swiss artist Karl Boder and Alfred Jacob Miller. Joslyn doesn’t just have a permanent collection but a temporary collection of special exhibitions as well.

Currently Joslyn features three different special exhibitions. While taking a

glimpse of these collections one will see anything from various watercolors, photos of both urban and suburban landscapes, to the 19th century engineering and the 20th century structures of earth. These many collections and exhibitions can give historic and artist value to its viewer. The art in these collections can show one what couldn’t seen by the people of our age before.

“Students have wonderful access to a variety of different things, different people and experts, access to really fine artwork, written material, all kinds of things,” Filbert said.

With all that this building has to offer the benefits are blinded to the majority of teens.

“People aren’t really interested in that kind of stuff, Naberhaus said. “It’s more about social life, and football games. That kind of stuff.”

Despite the different opinions on art museums. If any students are interested in art and history or just want something new to do you may be surprised at

Sports

Echoes

11

NBA Lockout threatens season

Fans unsure when work stopage will end

By Devon Jefferson Sports Editor “Money makes the world go round,” an old, wise peasant once said somewhere down the line, yet no one would have thought that the actual saying would become a fact, especially for professional basketball. For those involved in the NBA world, it seems that the big orange ball with black lines on it and those hardwood courts players stampede up and down have been frozen in time. A shot from halfcourt was put up before the season ended, and when the clock ran out, every player and team owner followed. So in layman’s terms, all of the players and owners couldn’t agree on a fair split of the league’s “BRI” (Basketball Related Income). It seems more than just a 50/50 split for both sides is being proposed to get the season started, and as of press time, games have been cancelled through December 15. With a union of players headstrong on getting their piece of the pie and teamed up owners out to get what they put in, it’s becoming more urgent and difficult to resolve the issues.

Let’s jump back to the 1998-99 season when superstar players such as Michael Jordan played a huge part in the labor dispute and eventually obtained a 57- 43 split, meaning that 57 percent of all revenue in the league

went to paying players, and the other 43 percent was what the owners were paid. For 13 long years, players benefited from this split, until the end of the 2010-11 season. Now, Jordan is leading a pack of owners determined for a split that is favoring the owners.

Not only are the owners keeping a foot dug into the ground in this tug of war match, so is the union, called the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA).

Fans across the world, and at school, are struggling without NBA games. Some fans are backing the bosses.

“I sympathize with the owners more because they need to make money too, and people always complain about ticket prices and things when like 54 percent of all those profits go to the players,” Nick Decker ’13 said.

Other fans support the players.

“I’ve got to side with the players just because they are the main entertainment and I feel like for this to work out, the players need more money and more of the split,” Jake Radford ’13 said.

For Jordan, it’s almost like a deja vu feeling, plus a new outlook on the situation.

Currently, he and a group of owners are pressuring for an agreement on a 50/50 split of all income. NBA Commissioner David Stern is pressing for a decision to be made on this split or else an even harsher split will be

thrown into the mix and will most likely end up being the final say. A split of 53/47, with the owners on top of the deal, and since Jordan is teaming up with the owners, it’s probable that their side gets the bigger piece of the pie once the cut is made.

Though all 30 teams have representatives now, it’s hard for their united voices to be heard in this loud conversation of numbers, not to mention that with the new deal comes many factors that will effect the players. Clauses like stiffer luxury tax agreements for salary caps, and the developmental league clause changing from two years of professional experience now extending anywhere from one to five. Yet with all of the crazy numbers, percentages, wages lost and almost every aspect of the league being looked over to be changed, it’s hard to keep up with the constantly changing scene.

By the time that this story has been published and copies are being distributed throughout the school, there will have been indefinite movement in the situation.

Whether that movement will be forward or backward one’s guess is just as valid as Stern’s. So the best advice that can be given to all fans around is to have faith that one will flip to TNT soon and see LeBron James facing up to Kevin Garnett, and bringing the excitement back.

Fantasy football allows the average football fan to be a general manager of a pseudo football team in the National Football League, (NFL) or a coach on the sidelines.

Part of keeping oneself on the leader board depends on how the “manager” or player maximizes the talent on his/ her roster. In order to acquire a good roster and set a good lineup, players need to watch the standings for each athlete: amount of touchdowns, field goals, yards gained, number of sacks, amount of interceptions, etc. This means that players need to keep track of how well athletes are performing for their team.

“Fantasy football keeps you involved in how certain players and teams are doing in the actual NFL,” Klement said.

Staying involved with an athlete’s performance and status gives players an edge over their competition.

Discussing how athletes are performing helps players

choose their roster and set their lineups for games. It also allows players to discuss something that they all have in common and something they enjoy. For many players, this is a reason to start or join a fantasy football league. It’s something that brings people together socially and can act as a fun pastime for friends.

“It’s fun and it gives you something to do,” Klement said. “If you play well enough, you can earn money also.”

When players start their league, each person puts a certain amount of money down. This goes towards the final jackpot, the fantasy bowl. Though not only obtaining a few hundred dollars and a title for one’s team, one of the biggest rewards of them all would be the bragging rights. The recognition, though in a fantasy world, that ones team was bigger faster and stronger then all others-truly a feeling of supreme conquest.

The NBA lockout has left many fans in limbo, wondering if they will be able to see their favorite tearms play. Photo illustration by Christian Schlater

Running a football team in an imaginary world

By Danielle Peabody Editor-in-Chief It’s the first week in the snake draft, fifth round.

Time to pick the lineup for the upcoming game. For quarterbacks, Josh Freeman is matched up with Matt Schaub. So far this season, Schaub averages more yards per play than Freeman, more touchdowns and less fumbles.

Freeman, however, has more interceptions and more yards per play in rushing. So what exactly does all of this mean?

To fantasy football players, it means either a win or loss for the team they have created.

Fantasy football players must decide which athlete will lead their team to more victories.

“You need to research players that you think you want to draft and see who did well the year before,” Alex Klement ‘12 said. “You need to find the best people for each position.”

12

Sports

Echoes

When States Collide:

Photo courtesy of MCT Campus

Two diverse state colleges face off for title

By Blake Willadsen Reporter College football fans pride themselves on the many classic rivalries that have formed over the years. Many rivalries are formed simply because of geography. So naturally, when Nebraska announced its departure from the Big 12 Conference to the Big 10 Conference, fans rejoiced, and not just Nebraska fans.

Iowa football fans knew that this meant that the two teams would finally get a chance to annually square off.

The two teams have played infrequently over the last twenty years. The last time the two teams faced off in football was in 2000.

Both teams have changed

significantly since that match up. Nebraska has gone through a coaching change and Iowa was only in its second year with new head coach, Kirk Ferentz.

During the formation of the new Big 10, the two were paired in the same division guaranteeing they will play each other every year. The Leaders Division consists of Iowa, Nebraska, Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, and Minnesota. These teams will be competing for a spot in the first ever big ten championship game Dec. 3.

The game will be a perfect opportunity for football fans across Council Bluffs to enjoy a football game, instead of the madness that is the day after Thanksgiving. Even those who don’t favor one team or the other will be paying close

attention.

“I will be at Buffalo Wild Wings with my brother cheering against the Nebraska fans,” Kyle Decker ‘14 said. “My team is New Mexico State. Nebraska fans can never admit defeat. They always blame it on the ref and bad calls, or injuries,etc.”

The heckling is not onesided though. There has been trash talk between fans for years. Even the teachers have made friendly rivals.

“I have been pestered many times (by Iowa fans),” Basketball Coach Jay Sealer said. “I get disgusted seeing all the Iowa apparel around the school.”

While there is a fair amount of excitement surrounding the game some fans are nervous of the outcome. Lincoln, NE will be a harsh environment for Iowa fans to walk into.

“I’m more worried about the game (than excited). I don’t want Iowa to lose,” Hawkeye fan Ellie Krabbe ‘13 said. “I’m too afraid to go to the game, so I’m going to watch it at home with my extended family.”

The game holds special meaning for many of the players as well. Iowa’s starting Cornerback Shaun Prater knows more about the rivalry than most. Prater is a native of Omaha, where he attended Omaha Central High School. Central won the state championship with Prater and his good friend, former Husker, and current Washington Redskin Niles Paul. Prater and his brother Shane were both offered scholarships to Iowa, but Nebraska skipped over the Praters. This will be the chance for Prater to show off to friends and family against

his childhood favorite. Even though the two teams haven’t played in years both fans feel they are out for revenge.

Smack talk will not be as outlandish now that the two teams play very similar schedules.

“Anytime a game would be on, Iowa or Nebraska, we would argue about it,” Nebraska fan Chase Herbst ‘13 said. “Last year before we (Nebraska fans) got into the Big 10 they (Iowa fans) kept saying wait until next year.”

Next year is finally upon us. The big game will take place on the finale of the regular season for both teams. The game will be Nov. 25 (more commonly known as “Black Friday”) at 11 a.m. on ABC. The game will alternate stadiums each year and will start at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln.