Issue 8

ECHOES

Issue 8 | Volume 112 April 2013

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

Packed Spring schedules causing stress students learn to deal with packed schedules, problem solve

By Megan Figueroa & Brianna Harding

Reporters

Ellie Krabbe ‘13

“My

Emma Preston ‘14

ALechoes.com

calendar.

Without a calendar on my phone I don’t know what I would do. I would be very disorganized. ”

phone because I keep messages that are important to remember. I use the calendar and notepad in my phone.”

“I have an agenda that I write everything down on and I use the calendar on my phone. I just try to keep everything on my radar because I don’t think one can solely count on a piece of paper.”

What’s Inside:

sports though. Participating in so many things makes me tired and I’m really behind on my homework.”

On the other hand, Brandon Colpitts ‘14 has different priorities in mind.

His busy school schedule consists of football, basketball, track and DECA. After attempting to keep a job at Menards, he soon realized it was more than he could handle.

“Basically, it came down to enjoying my life a little more. When I had my job at Menards, it was school, sports and work. I had no free time. I decided the money wasn’t worth my life.

I plan on getting a job this summer. Learning my time management took a lot of trial and error.”

With different schedules and priorities, students found their own ways to manage their time. After a little practice, senior year can be a breeze for those who prioritize.

“Being a senior, I knew that I wanted to end my high school career being involved a lot,” Samantha Pike ‘13 said. “My best way of staying organized is making lists. I even make lists about lists just to make sure I get things done.”

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Students preparing for prom.

Fast food: quick, easy, on the go... not so healthy.

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Grayson Harvey ‘14

Making sacrifices for the activities they love seems to be a daily occurrence for some students. Whether they are giving up time with their friends, money from a job, or even the high grades they are capable of, students are prioritizing their many commitments.

Time management doesn’t come naturally to everyone.

But as they get older, more responsibilities for the students force them to decide how they will spend their time.

Education should always come first, but with many things going on how does one still make time for good grades? With sports, jobs, time with friends and family, and making time for school work it can be stressful to try and keep good grades and actual focus on the school work. Students such as Nicholas Pomernackas ‘15 admit to slacking off a bit when it comes to doing homework.

“My main priorities are sports I kind of don’t do my homework because I don’t have time and when I do, I do it as fast as possible so I can get rest,” Pomernackas

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What is your most useful tool in staying organized during the Spring time?

Said. “My grades are pretty good, I just don’t get a lot of practice stuff done I just do what I have to do to get an A in the class,” When students must balance so many things at once you can only expect them to end up stressed out, some from the little things and some from the much larger things. Everyone deals with that stress differently. Some students however, have learned to deal with that stress and do not let it affect them. Nate Meeker ‘15 is one of those students.

“If I’m really tired and we have hard practices then it stresses me out, but other than that I’m never really stressed, after doing it for awhile you get used to it,” Meeker said.

Not many student athletes could dedicate their few hours of relaxation to a part time job. In fact, Morgan Naberhaus ‘14 balances soccer, track, and a job. Sacrificing her free time on the weekend was easier because she spent a lot of time with her friends at sports. However, her education isn’t keeping up.

“I knew I needed to get a job. I’d rather manage my time than not be able to play

Girls soccer gets off to strong start, embraces change.

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Krystal Hopkins & Victoria Holcomb | News Co-Editors

News

Echoes

Students prep for prom

Life skills students put on show

Preparing for the seniors final send off

Lynx Pride Night took place on Thursday, April 11 and was hosted by life skills students.The students start planning their big show throughout the entire year and a month and a half before, they start brainstorming and finalizing their plans for the show. During the week of Lynx Pride Night, life skill

By Britteny Johnson & Krystal Hopkins Journalism Staff An Enchanted Evening is approaching. The end of the 2013 school year is near and with it, comes ALHS Senior/ Junior Prom. Affiliated with prom is the necessary preparations like: finding the right attire, making plans to get ready with friends, finding the perfect place to eat, and how one will be asked by/ will be asking their special someone.

For most students (expecially girls), the main part of prom is deciding what to wear. Girls find their dresses months in advance, and with all the choices it can be a hard decision. The stores become crowded and seem to run out of choices quick.

Then the guys go out to find the perfect tux with the tie or bow tie to match the dress of their date.

Prom isn’t all about the dance. Most people have a group of friends that get together before the dance to get ready. They take pictures together, go to dinner, and some even get party buses to show up in style.

“I went and bought my dress, got my shoes, and made sure to make a hair appointment,” Jordyn Hyde ‘13. “The party bus is the funnest part, last year because its really loud music, and all of my friends were there.”

One part of the prom excitement is being asked if you are the askee, and another is asking if you are the asker.

There are so many unique ways to ask or be asked.

“I was laying in bed and my sister told me to go outside, to talk to my mom or

something, and Tyler had candles that said ‘Prom?’. He had flowers and was dressed up,” Alivia Bascue ‘14 said.

Some students have dates that go to different schools, but Jared Thompson ‘14 takes that to a whole new meaning. His date is living in Chicago, and will be coming in to go to prom with him.

The long distance meant that Thompson had a short time span to make the big ask.

“It (asking her to prom) was easier, because I had a time frame,” Thompson said about asking his girlfriend to prom.

For some students, like foreign exchange student Lorenza Caetano ‘13 this will be their first formal dance they will be attending.

“In Brazil we have prom but you don’t dress like a princess, you wear shorts,” Lorenza said. “We have a ceremony in the church, and after there we go to a party, and you don’t have a date you go alone. I’m excited to go.”

Prom this year will be held on May 11 at the Mid American Center. Tickets for this year’s event will be $25 and for after prom tickets will be $10.

In the end Prom is really a sending off celebration for the Seniors, thrown by the Juniors.

‘I’m really excited for prom, just because it’s a really fun experience,” Jordyn said.

“I’m sad because it’s the big end of the year thing besides graduation.”

With prom in less than a month, all the finishing touches are being made.

Students get the last couple things they need to dress up and begin to make reservations getting ready for the last big party of the year.

By Kate Hiers

Digital Media Co-Editor

the year, this allowed them to buy props and make their show as glamorous as possible.

Keeping the audience very entertained with the various musical numbers such as The Lion Sleeps Tonight, You Ain’t Nothing But A Hound Dog, Don’t Worry Be Happy, etc., collected many laughs.

Many students told jokes as brief intermissions between acts.

Singing a duet to country artist Shania Twain’s Don’t Be Stupid, Megan Rewolinski and James Snodgrass melted

Photo illustration by Fransico Franco. students, and aids work in the auditorium everyday to perfect their performance.

Paraeducators (teacher aids) donated their time after school hours to help prepare their students for the show.

In preparation for Lynx Pride Night, students baked cookies and sold them throughout

and swooned the hearts of the audience.

Megan mentioned that this was her favorite part of the show because she got to sing with James and that Don’t Be Stupid was one of her favorite songs.

Some students mentioned that Megan and James’s duet

touched them the most out of all the performances.

“The part I enjoyed the most was the duet, it was probably the cutest thing I’ve ever seen,” Brittany Hutchens ‘13 said.

Dance team member Megan Michael choreographed one of Lynx Pride Night’s musical num-

James Snodgrass ‘13 and Megan Rewolinski ‘13 singing “Don’t be Stupid”.

Photo by Franisco Franco

bers.

Michael has worked with the kids for almost three years and knows each of them very well. Therefore teaching the life skill students wasn’t difficult due to her relationship with them.

“It’s such a great experience and I love working with them,” Michael said.

The 2013 Lynx Pride Night was said to be the life skill students’ best performance so far.

“It was our biggest crowd yet, between 75-100 people showed up. The show was very successful,” Kristi Waller, life skills teacher, said.

Waller said that one parent

mentioned how their performance brought tears to their eyes.

Performer Carlie Ross said that their favorite song to do was Elvis Presley’s Hound Dog. “I liked Hound Dog the best because I got to play the guitar,” Ross said.

Traditionally bringing a close to their show alike past years the students performed the AL fight song, while inviting the audience on stage to do it with them.

Receiving feedback such as: their best show yet! It was so good it brought tears to my eyes.

Lynx Pride Night was brought to you through the kids by the kids.

Senior projects impact future

Seniors helping their community before heading off to college

BY Jared Holcomb Journalism Staff Senior Projects are an opportunity for seniors to take what they’ve learned throughout high school and apply it to pursuing topics that interest them, while educating other students about their choice.

Senior students from Council Bluffs school district that attend Tucker Center with Jane Hanigan, have the opportunity to take part in projects of their choosing. They apply to the program, and if their project is up to par they have a chance to use it to benefit not just themselves but the people that live and work in our community.

Senior Projects have given students the chance to expand their knowledge and experience with career choices or topics that interest them, give the participants a chance to spread awareness about their chosen field of study for their project. For Brittany Bourlier ‘13, this meant the opportunity to expand on the field of dentistry.

“I chose dental hygiene to do my senior project over because I want to get a feel for dental before I start schooling for it. I am (planning on) creating lesson plans based on what various age groups don’t know about oral hygiene and what they don’t do,” Bourlier said.

For other students, it’s an opportunity use their project to make a difference in our community. They use their passion and the beliefs they have, and apply it to making Council Bluffs a better place, for now and the future. Sara Stone ‘13, is raising awareness about tolerance and acceptance in our school district, through setting up groups and taking the chance to talk with students at their level.

“My senior project is setting up tolerance and acceptance groups at the middle schools in the Council Bluffs area, when I heard that there was a way to give back about something that I’m passionate about changing, I (just) couldn’t wait to give it my best shot,” Stone said.

Students that take on a Senior

Project go through a feasible, but time consuming, application process before they have a chance to start on their projects. To start the projects they have to attend meetings, submit their applications, and pass through a panel of judges in an interview. After the interview however, the path to a finished product is long and rigorous.

“They are looking for students interested in doing projects with community

leaders, that are willing to go through an intense and rigorous process to create this project. The students need to be interested, dedicated, and able to commit the time to follow through on the process to create their project,” said Christy Heckman, counselor.

Students say they gain valuable experience while working hard and showing dedication--they learn so much more about the areas of study they work in.

Art Hoopla

By Brooke Criswell

Digital Projects Co-Editor For anyone interested in visual arts, drama, music, poetry, and dance, mark your calendars for May 2. Open to the public, there will be many performances that fall into those categories. This night is to show students art work, give anyone the chance to perform, and appreciate the life of art. “If you shout loud enough for a chance to perform...they will find you! Those people are true artists,” Heather Maurer, art teacher, said.

This event will be held in the ALHS commons area right next to cafeteria. The celebration and acts will begin at 7:00 p.m and lasts until 9:00 p.m.

Entertainment

Echoes

Lauren Myers | Entertainment Editor

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Shyann VanGerpen: student creativity, artistic skills shine

By Tristan Agersea Reporter

Many of Shyann VanGerpen’s artwork is showcased in art displays around the school. Photo By: Francisco Franco

The creativity and artistic skill of students are being discovered and are shining through like newly mined gold just waiting to be admired by all. Students’ art has been displayed almost all year giving many the chance for artistic fame around the school. This is being done with a little help from art teacher Heather Mauer, who is making sure that every artist gets their chance to really shine artistically.

“I haven’t really been advertising due to the fact that I believe that through whispers, true artists will rise to the occasion,” Mauer said.

An art show is scheduled

to take place on May 2, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m .in the commons area.

Though there are a large amount of students that are going to be in the art show, there is one student who has done exceptionally well.

This student is Shyann VanGerpen, a sophomore with great skill and promise. She has shown that she can really sketch.

“I was six years old when I first tried, art is my way of connecting with people,” VanGerpen said.

VanGerpen has gotten so consistent with her art that Mauer has used an entire display box in the English hallway to show off all of her sketches.

“My brother is an artist and that really inspired me to

try,” VanGerpen said. “I am going to Kansas City Art Institute just like my brother.”

VanGerpen intends on spending the rest of her life doing what she loves, which happens to be art. Her dreams of being a famous artist are getting closer every day.

“This is already my career, I’m already making a profit,” VanGerpen said.

Shyann VanGerpen is one of many talented students and is already on the fast track to becoming everything she ever wanted.

Keep looking through the hallways of AL and beyond to see the artwork of this rising sophomore artist.

Students dedicate time to a variety of hobbies, games Many student interests become hobbies that are a major part of their daily lives

By Tiffany Ferrer Reporter While many teenagers spend their free time watching movies and playing video games, a handful of students are dedicating their time around school to things such as anime, manga, card games, role playing and even Web based games.

A couple of the card games that are played by students are Yu-Gi-Oh and PokéMon. Both of the card games have a certain way to

be played (battles). Just like a fighting game, students bring their cards, set up a layout and begin playing their best cards. Whether it is in the morning, during lunch or after school students chose to battle with their card games.

“I play every morning,” Andy Myers ‘15 said. “I like the old version of YuGi-Oh, even the anime version. It’s not so competitive for me because it’s more of a fun and strategic thinking for me. Even with me playing the card games I still en-

joy other hobbies like drawing anime.”

Other hobbies that fall under the same category are anime and manga, which are types of Japanese comics, cartoons and books. Like the two card games, they are also cartoons and comic books.

The difference from them and the actual cartoons is that they follow a specific rule in a storyline and contribute to more of a realistic cartoon.

Many students hobbies involve an animation theme.

“I read manga all the time, I read Italia,” Court-

ney Christensen ‘14 said.

“Which is a comic about personifications of countries with a mix of comedy. Plus I love Pokémon.”

There are many other hobbies that students have learned. Then those hobbies become who they are. Even if its the smallest hobby it shows the uniqueness of every single student.

From battling back and forth through card games to watching, reading, and learning about a new manga or anime this is just some of the few hobbies out there.

Andrew Myers ‘15 searches for a card.

Donald Perdue ‘13 looks through his hand.

photo by Francisco Franco

photo by Francisco Franco

An Echoes Original Story: ‘Time Jumper’ Part 3: Final Echoes Entertainment presents an original piece of fiction

By Joe Vrenick Multi-Media Specialist Time: 10/12/2009 1:00 P.M There are shots and screams heard from down the hall in the library. Not good! Not good at all! I’m trapped in here and the only way out of the exit is the front door. But I can’t just escape through the front doors unseen and let them shoot up the rest of the library. No. I have to stop them. I head down the hall with Warding’s file and into the Library.

It’s quiet. Too quiet.

They must be somewhere close. I hear some soft footsteps coming closer. I hide in one of the rows and grab a book to use as a weapon.

The footsteps come closer.

I clutch the book, ready

to fight. Closer.... BAM! I throw throw the book horizontally into Roland’s face, grabbing his gun as he backs up, screaming in pain. I take him out but I’m greeted to fire when Greg starts shooting at me. I begin to run off down the isles, dodging the bullets as they fly by. Greg was always a lazy shot. But he’ll expect me to continue running in the same direction I was going originally. I get down and get into the closest isle. Greg gets in view of my gun, not noticing me, and shoot him down. I get up and look at the damage. I’ve got to get out of here.

Time: 10/12/2009 1:57 P.M I hot wired a car in the Library’s parking lot and drove to young Gregor Warding’s home. I park a small distance away from the house and

check the guns I stole from both Greg and Roland to see if they’re loaded. This is it.

I’m going through with it.

It’s going to be for the better of all mankind. History will be changed. Gregor Warding, born July 15, 2000, died October 12 2009. He won’t be missed. I start to walk to the house. I take the dog out on the front lawn with the silencer on. Then climb up to the roof, grab the rifle and look through the scope. Little Gregor, playing in the sandbox alone and unattended.

My finger is ready and about ready to squeeze the trigger, but something stops me. The feel of cold metal on the back of my head. I breath out a sigh. I should have seen this coming...

End of The Time Jumper

Graphic By Jessie Adkins

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Feature

Page Designed By Britteny Johnson and Jessie Adkins

Cheap, fast, and tasty, but is fast food worth it?

Mcdonald’s vs. Burger King

By Brooke Criswell

Digital Projects Co-Editor

Lowest Calorie Burger:

McDonald’s: Hamburger: 250 Burger King: Hamburger: 240 Highest Calorie Burger:

McDonald’s: Angus Bacon & Cheese: 790 Burger King: Triple Whopper Sandwich: 1020

Everywhere one turns, all across the United States, they can easily point out a fast food restaurant. There are approximately 300,000 fast food places across the country according to facts. randomhistory.org. Of those, 33,0000 are Mcdonald’s.

Mcdonald’s is the largest purchaser of beef and potatoes across the world. Every month, nine out of ten children eat at McDonalds.

“I usually will eat out because I’m busy a lot with sports and so it’s more convenient to stop in between different activities,” Billy Ehrenburg ‘15 said.

With the availability of food being on the go and cheap,

it’s no wonder why people all over the world are eating greasy and more fattening foods now more than they did in earlier decades. In 1970, when the drive thru’s in these restaurants were becoming more and more popular, Americans spent around $6 billion annually at the fast food joints. Then the numbers rapidly increased to $142 billion in 2010.

“I don’t ever really think about what I consume when I eat it, I just eat what I want,” Alicia Wilson ‘13 said.

On a survey taken from 100 students at ALHS, 65% of students eat fast food one to two times a week, 12% eat out 3-4 times a week, 9% eat 5-6 times a week. That leaves only 4% that rarely ever eat fast food.

“I don’t like eating fast food because I know how much healthier other food is,” Madison Kinney ‘15 said. “I love healthy foods, and they make me and my body feel better.”

Nutritionists recommend if you must eat out, to limit it

to only once a month. Over half of Americans are eating four times as much that is recommended.

Consuming so much of a surplus amount of trans/saturated fats and sodium can really do damage on one’s health. According to stopcorporateabuse.org, fast food leads to: heart diseases, cancers, liver disease, obesity, and type two diabetes.

“My family doesn’t make homemade meals all too often, we just don’t have time,” Robert Peters ‘15 said.

Comparing back from the 1970’s until today’s day and age, as restaurants began becoming more popular, the obesity rates steadily began to increase as well.

A recommended amount of calories (give and take for different body types), is about 2,000 per day. At Burger King, for example, if one would order a double whopper with cheese, that would equal 920 calories. That is almost half of your daily intake--all in just one sandwich.

There are becoming more and more healthy options.

One place that is famous for being healthier than the rest is Subway, however this can depend on what one would order though. The U.S Department of Agriculture gives tips on how to make the healthiest choices. First of all, avoiding extra sauces and dressings can help cut out fatty calories. Also, when choosing meat and cheese, they say to leave out foods such as bacon, meatballs, and cheddar cheese. The last big difference is to order it on whole wheat bread. Compared to white bread, it’ll cut back on calories and fat intake.

Over all, people believe they are getting more for their money when they choose to eat out; along with the satisfaction of already having the food ready for one to indulge in. It’s understandable why everyone does it. If people cut back on how often they purchased a fast food meal, the world could see a major difference in American’s health.

McDonald’s vs. Burger King vs. Subway Lowest Calorie Salad: McDonald’s: Side Salad: 20

Burger King: Side Salad: 20

Subway: Veggie Delite Salad:60

Highest Calorie Salad: McDonald’s: Premium Southwest Salad with Crispy Chicken:450

Burger King: Chicken Apple & Cranberry Garden Fresh Salad with TENDERCRISP and dressing:700 Subway: Big Philly Cheesesteak Salad:690

Information gathered from www.bk.com, www.mcdonalds.com, www.subway.com

Facts about Burger King Facts about McDonald’s 1. Burger King was founded Miami, Florida in 1954.

1. McDonald’s sells more than 75 hamburgers every second.

Subway, does eating out add up?

2. McDonald’s has more customers than the entirety of Great Britain.

3.McDonald’s hires more than 1 million people a year.

Info was gathered from http://www. businessinsider.com/

Highest calorie sandwich: 6” Chicken & Bacon Ranch Melt (includes cheese):570

Lowest calorie sandwich: Veggie Delite® Mini Sub:150

One can create over 2 million sandwich combination.

Pizzas can add up to anywhere from 200 to 310 calories

2. There are 11,100 Burger King locations worldwide.

3.The Whopper was introduced in 1957.

Information was gathered from http://voices.yahoo. com/

Photos by Hayley Hochstetler, Devin Rogers, and courtesy of MCT Campus

How many times a week do you eat fast food?

“Like once a month because I like to eat healthy, so I don’t like to eat fast food a lot. “ -Chloe Church’16

“Twice maybe, I eat it because it’s convenient to me but I try to eat healthy.”

-Thomas Black’15

“Every single day for the past three months, because its cheap, good, and it’s fast.”

- Jarrod Cook’13

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Opinion 6 Echoes Cheer and dance: What is or isn’t a sport Page Design by Jaidlyn Bookout | Opinion Editor

By Mitchell Myers Photographer Spinning and dancing in the air, doing turns and gracefully catching the eye of the audience. In time and rhythm, following the beat of the music, each dancer and cheerleader making every move with dead accuracy. Sharp arms pointing in each direction. Each move timed with the beat of the music. Each one smiling, entertaining people. Months of practice lead up to this moment, these two minutes in front of judges.

I personally, as a dancer and ex cheerleader, believe it is a sport. You train like a football player, or a basketball player. You sweat, even sometimes bleed. Even more so, in the competition, you have to smile while you make your opposing side go down on the scoreboard. I think cheerleaders and dancers do not get enough credit.

I mean look at it, we have to smile while enduring hours of practice, pain, and sweat.

Like any team, we become family.

We get judged on poise, smile, clean cut turns, flips, defying gravity. We take

each individual girl, or guy, and make them into one whole picture. One whole uniform team performing a routine to get the people in the bleachers pumped. We shout at the top of our lungs while remaining perfectly composed. We shout till voices raw. We push our muscles to exhaustion in our moment in the view of others.

Like any person in a sport, we endure pain that we never have before. We hurt in places we never knew could hurt. We shake, rattle, and roll all to catch the eyes of others, for their pleasure. We want to hear you scream, we want to see you go insane in the moment of us getting you pumped. We want to see you awestruck at our performance. That is what makes all of this worthwhile.

It is a rush, like you would get on the playing field. We step in the limelight, our eyes sharp with anticipation of what this will go like. Our palms sweat, our stomachs have butterflies. The music plays,

By Tristan Agersea Reporter

Photo by Francisco Franco and we begin. Each move with the music recalled from memory. Our blood pumps as we push and yell. We sweat as we complete each turn in unison. We scream for you to get pumped.

If you think about it, is that what any sport is about?

Blood, sweat, and tears.

Dedication to a team that will rise as one, or fall as a whole. We are one whole moving body, our coach the brain. Us, other vital organs.

We keep our eyes on the prize and through determination, we achieve as a team.

Do you think that cheer and/or dance are “real” sports? How do you personally define a sport? Some say exercise, some say athletic games, some say competition and some are more extreme and say it’s only a sport if it’s full contact and there is a possibility of getting hurt, like me. So no, cheering and dancing are not sports.

Dance is fun, a good social thing and even a great way to lose weight, but is it a sport? The correct answer is no. Many enjoy

dancing and can even make a career out of it and who could blame them? Dance is even an awesome way of losing weight and I would even consider it somewhat athletic. Saying that, not even in a competition do I see it as nothing more than a social activity.

Cheerleaders amaze the crowd with their intricate and even dangerous; flips, lifts, tumbles and incredible throws. Their cheers inspire both the crowd and all the real sports teams. Here’s a thought, if cheerleaders are literally sideline shows for sports, how could anyone possibly consider the sideline show a sport by itself? Cheerleading has its own competition all over and those who compete put blood, sweat, and tears into it. Cheerleaders are amazing at what they do and should be treated with the respect that they deserve and there are many reasons to consider this a sport and yet, still not a real sport due to the fact that there is nobody getting tackled or beat down by the other team. What I mean to

Brianna Craven: A brazilian lifestyle

First moments of a new life

Carl Wilhelm Stenhammar, Rotary International President once said, “My dream is for every 17-year old to become a Youth Exchange Student. If we could achieve this, there would be no more wars.” Those are probably the truest words I’ve ever heard. As you may know, I’m currently on exchange in Brazil. This past year has been a rollercoaster of so many emotions and experiences, it would be impossible to write all of them down, so I’ll just share the main ones.

On Aug. 20, I stood in the airport with my family and boyfriend, saying that dreadful “goodbye.” I made my way to the security check, looked back one last time, gave a shaking smile, and went on my way. I cried a lot, but thought to myself, “Well it’s only ten months, it’ll just be like a really long vacation!” When I look back, I laugh at how naive my thoughts were. As soon as I sat on the plane, with no one beside me for comfort, that’s when I thought, “Brianna what the heck were you thinking?!” Of course I was more excited than ever, but nervousness is bound to happen at some point, and up until then, it hadn’t even phased me.

After getting lost in the Atlanta airport, running to catch my flight, almost not being able to bring my bag on board, and a 14 hour freezing cold flight to Sao Paulo, Brazil, I finally arrived. I felt so brave and strong, making it all the way to a different country alone, only to find that all of my luggage was lost. Which was hard to explain to the workers, considering no one spoke English. I ended up playing an extremely difficult game of charades, finally getting them to understand. So I walked out of the sliding doors to meet my family, which was the most nerve wracking experience of my life. When I saw them, jumping and waving, rambling in Portuguese, all I could muster up to say was a really silent, “Hi.” I laugh about it now, because first of all, they speak Portuguese, not English, and I was so nervous that I couldn’t talk.

As we drove to Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, I was SO tired, but couldn’t manage to sleep. We passed amazing hills of bright green grass and trees, unexplainable until you see them

with your own eyes, and I remember wondering how it was possible for a simple hill to be so beautiful. Everything was as good as gold, until my first real wave of culture shock set in. We arrived to Cachoeiro, which at first, looked like a poor, dirty, drug filled city, and I thought to myself, “Is this seriously where I’m going to live?” Looking back I wish I could have just smacked myself a few times. I shook the thought out of my head, and told myself to stop judging everything I saw. It had been one day since I arrived, and I already began to adapt to the Brazilian way of life-Having an open mind. My family, spoke no English whatsoever, but were some of the nicest people I’ve ever come in contact with.

Differences in Brazil Many things in Brazil are different from the U.S, including school. The setup of school, the students and teachers. I enrolled in school a couple days after my arrival, and began my life as a foreigner. The moment that I walked into the classroom, I was bombarded with looks and questions. In my city, the people aren’t used to seeing a naturally blonde girl with blue eyes. For me, making friends wasn’t too hard. Thankfully, Brazilians are super outgoing and friendly--some of the nicest people in the world. They don’t hesitate to greet you with open arms and smiles. After only a week, I had adapted to school.

I don’t have to do any school work, even after the amount of time I have been here. None of my credits count here, so I have nothing to lose. For me, school means sleep. In all honesty though, I actually miss studying. School here gets so boring after a long time of not doing anything, that I wish I could just have an assignment or two!

Not only is school different, but the food is a new experience too. I live in the state of Espirito Santo near the coast, meaning we eat a lot of seafood. The daily meal consists of rice, beans, a vegetable, and some kind of meat. I’ve become so accustomed to the food, I don’t know what life will be like •

say is that nobody is going to knock down the pyramid during competitions or performances.

“Some cheer and dance, like in the major leagues, I would be able to consider them sports but that’s only because they actually do really dangerous throws and moves and actually do have fans and everything... but cheer and dance here at ALHS is not even close to a real sport,” Dustin Middlemist ‘13 said.

Though many see these activities as sports, there are also many that don’t see it as anything more than a sideshow to real sports. I have no intentions of insulting or demeaning what these people do. My opinion in what defines a sport is full contact only; this usually consists of football, hockey, rugby, etc. There are more things that I don’t consider sports such as tennis, track, and swimming. Though all of these are great games to participate in and people can even make a life around these events to me that’s really all they are; GAMES.

By Brianna Craven Foreign Correspondent

in the U.S without an everyday course of “arroz” and “feijao.”

My way of eating has changed too. I don’t only eat one plate of food anymore, I eat two or three...like the Brazilians!

The changes and differences don’t just stop at food and school, the transportation here is frightening! I don’t think the police give a second thought if they see speeding or swerving. Weaving in and out of traffic here is such a normal thing.

You would think there would be many accidents, but there’s actually not that many. Now that I’m used to the traffic, I don’t pray for my life everytime I get into the car. On the other hand, the majority of the people here take buses, which was really confusing at first, since there’s hundreds of different buses, but I eventually got the hang of it.

The seasons are opposite, while it was winter there, it was summer here. Summer vacation in Brazil is around three to four months long, and is usually spent at your beach house.

My beach house was in Marataizes. Summer in my city is the hottest heat I’ve felt, making me sick many times because of the humidity and how my body reacted to it. In Cachoeiro, my city, is hot year round--the temperature never drops below 70 degrees. Most people would call that paradise, but I however, prefer the cold! The beach houses are almost just as big as your normal house, which means your maid usually comes with. Yes, most houses have a maid, or two, depending on how much money and house you have. From what I’ve heard, a lot of exchange students become really good friends with their maids. I know that I did in my second family, and even in my third family, which I’m at now. In my third famiIy, I have a maid named Maria, she’s the sweetest and most cheerful woman ever. I come to her with so many of my problems since I’m usually left home alone because of the hours of my sister’s school and how often my host mom works. It’s nice to have someone to seek comfort in.

A tough holiday experience

Throughout my exchange, the holidays were probably the toughest. Holidays are a time for family and friends, which I didn’t have with me. In Brazil, Thanksgiving isn’t celebrated, so I didn’t do anything besides my normal activities.

On Christmas, I went to a farm with my second host family.

Everyone opened presents, ate a big meal and stayed up until about 5 a.m even though staying up until ridiculous hours of the morning is pretty normal here. I tried my best to stay happy, but let’s just say I’m glad that I never have to experience another Christmas without my family again! I spent my birthday alone, until host mom brought me cake and presents.

I cried at how thoughtful it was of her, since she didn’t need to even do anything for me in the first place. Brazilians have such warm hearts, they would never let you go unforgotten.

Check out the next issue of the Echoes for more on Brianna’s Story

Opinion

Echoes

Staff Editorial

Jaidlyn Bookout | Opinion Editor

Giving thanks to students and staff D

Photo by Francisco Franco

ear Abraham Lincoln High School teachers, students and staff, Our newspaper has been around since 1900 and is still thriving today, thanks to the cooperation and participation of you, the teachers, students and staff.

Without each and every one of you, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Your cooperation helps us give you a voice in the Echoes and that is only possible through your help.

Teachers, we greatly appreciate you allowing us to take students out during your classes to get an interview or photograph.

We know you do not have to allow us to interrupt your classes. We apologize for any inconvenience we have, and probably will cause you in the future--we thank you.

We also appreciate the administration’s support in all that we do. The administration provides us with interviews, from the simple topics to the controversial issues we cover. We also would like to thank you for the opportunities to participate in field trips and other events through newspaper to strengthen our journalism skills.

As students, you all have opinions you would like the school to know about.

You are willing to share your knowledge and ideas with us to incorporate into our stories and articles.

Everyone has a chance to help out. Although, it is your choice whether you do or not, we would like to thank you for what you do.

The Echoes staff works hard, time in and outside of

school, to ship our paper.

Teachers, you are even more generous to allow us as a staff to be excused from regular classes in order to finish shipping, when it comes down to our final stretch, finalizing all of the little details. Your participation makes the Echoes staff feel more like professional journalists rather than just high school students.

After we have shipped, you as readers give your evaluation and feedback-this helps us tremendously in improving not only the Echoes but ourselves.

None of what we do, would be able to be done without all of you, as a whole, helping us.

Our greatest thanks given out to you, The Echoes Staff

Finding the benefits of interschool dating

By Krystal Hopkins News Co-Editor

I’m sure you have noticed when looking around our halls there are quite a few couples.

They walk to their classes together holding hands, and

sometimes show a little too much PDA for some of the rest of us. However, there are also people who are in relationship with people from other schools. I myself have a boyfriend at Lewis Central, and with him not being here, there are some difficulties that come with it. Whether they’re from Lewis Central, Saint Albert, Thomas Jefferson or even from a different school district this can make people wonder, is the relationship going to work? Or will it not be as strong?

One of the more obvious difference between couples that go to school together and these interschool relationships is that they don’t get to see each other as often. However, I think

that actually makes the relationship stronger. It makes you find more time to hangout outside of school.

Many couples I know only hang out with each other once or twice a week, but I hang out with my boyfriend almost every other day. So even though you don’t see each other at school that doesn’t mean you won’t see them as much.

There are actually some pretty good benefits to these relationships. When you go to different schools you already have your circle of people you hang out with, so you hang out with your friends at school, then you still have an independent life which helps ensure you don’t get so attached to each other that you lose sight of

your friends.

However, there is a level of trust you need to have in order to make it work. When you don’t see them as much that can be hard to do. Trust issues play a key role for break ups when you go to other schools. Some have trouble knowing there are hundreds of other possible girlfriends or boyfriends at their school. However, when you think about it there can be the same trust issues when you date someone from your own school, its all about communicating well.

Another thing I would definitely consider a benefit to having an interschool relationship would be promS. Yeah with an “s”, because not only do you have someone to go to prom

with when you’re in a relationship, but if you’re dating someone from another school you can go to their prom too! Besides who doesn’t want the option to wear their pretty, and expensive dress more than just a single night?

In the end it doesn’t really matter how far away someone is to you, or what school they go to, but there are so many people in the world, what are the chances you’ll meet your “soulmate” at the same school you go to? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that’s always true, there are plenty of exceptions.

But when you meet people from school, work, sports, church, etc why date people just from your school?

Hacking activists group: Anonymous Fighting for justice through sneaky tactics and digital protests

By Holly Jensen Reporter

You may have heard of them, but their rising popularity on the internet will surely bring them more attention. The hacktivist group, Anonymous, has taken Twitter by storm with their antics of hacking twitter accounts, protests, and shutting down websites.

They seek their own form of justice through the internet and it doesn’t seem as though they’ll be stopping anytime soon.

These vigilantes of the internet take on a task of defending cyber rights and the other simple rights being denied to our fellow humans using hacktivism.

Hacktivism is a when a person uses their hacking

skills to help bring light to an issue and show the dark underbelly of the problem.

Anonymous takes care of people and things that have been pushed under the rug by the government and refuse to give in or give up.

The Anonymous have attended rallies, created websites, and stood up for what they believe in. In one case, over a thousand members attended a rally for an alleged raping. They believe that there were more than just the two attackers that had been put up for trial and decided to take a stand.

They reportedly began in 2003 and have gathered their forces to keep the case fair and to brandish their

power as they feel necessary.

These people have started to balance out the people who believe they can be protected by their status or money.

To help keep some of the anonymity and to represent their stance against offenders of their personal policies, members wear Guy Fawkes masks. This mask is worn to or carried on a person where it can be seen when attending rallies or other public events supported by Anonymous. This mask was made famous by the movie “V is for Vendetta” back in 2005. This gives people the idea that they are trying to hide themselves and that they are common thugs. If you were to attend a protest

against an overbearing and threatening person or group wouldn’t you want to protect not only yourself but your family?

I see the Anonymous group as people who are willing to take a stand for what is right no matter the cost. They stand up for what they truly believe in and fight for justice. With their strong beliefs and gung-ho attitude their rising numbers are no shock.

Their skill for hacking, being so anonymous, and zealous actions easily makes some people uncomfortable. Yet to me, their courage and insistence for justice is personally, admirable.

Echoes

7

Editors-in-Chief Blake Willadsen Lauren Myers Section Editors Britteny Johnson Jaidlyn Bookout Krystal Hopkins Victoria Holcomb Business Manager Emmalee Adams Advertising Staff Amanda Peters Arianne Boehme Suzanne Peterson Photographers Alex Snipes Francisco Franco Graphic Design Editor Hayley Hochstetler Copy Editor Jessie Adkins Reporters Christina Rivera Cody Self Danielle Rambo Holly Jensen Josh Cross Maddi Martinez Megan Figueroa Melloney Keller Mitchell Myers Nathan Vorce Taylor Crinklaw Tiffany Ferrer Tristan Agersea Digital Media Editors Brooke Criswell Kate Hiers Video Production Assistant Jazmine Orellana Lead Bloggers Kristin Molgaard Scott Brown Multimedia Specialist Joe Vrenick Foreign Correspondent Evan Giles Brianna Craven 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.

Any student, faculty, or staff member wishing to contribute materials will need to submit a letter to the editor within deadline restriction; however, final publications is at the discretion of the staff. Letters to the editor are encouraged, and must be 400 words or less in length and signed; letters will be printed as received. Every attempt will be made to verify the authenticity of the author, and no anonymous letters will be published.

Advertising will not be accepted for all products or services that are illegal for minors to possess or utilize. Advertisers wishing to reserve publication space should call 712-328-6481 ext. 425.

Member Publication

8

Sports

Blake Willadsen | Editor-in-Chief

Echoes

New look Lynx focus in on meeting goals Strong start brings high hopes for the Lady Lynx tory over Glenwood. The right midfielder’s late goal in the 77th minute became the eventual game winner in the 3-2 contest.

The start of the year has been exciting in a few ways.

The Glenwood victory was not expected, but the new uniforms this year where highly anticipated by the girls.

“I like them a lot (new uniforms). My sister, Jordan is a sophomore in college and they had the uniforms we had last year,” Madison Kinney ‘15 said. “The new uniforms are a lot fresher and a lot cleaner than the adidas ones.”

The move to 2A has made little difference during the regular season, but it will change what their postseason schedule will look like.

“We won’t play a different schedule during the regular season now that we moved to 2A, but when it comes time to qualify for state (districts) we will play different teams than we would from last year. otherwise it’s just the same,” Murphy said.

Coach Andy Ruff introduced a new formation this

By Blake Willadsen Editor-in-chief In the first year after joining division 2A, the girls soccer program is making big steps. The team is 4-0 after upsetting a Glenwood team that was ranked ninth in the state. There is plenty of new things happening on this team including a new division, new uniforms, new formations, and more.

The goal this year for the team has become clear to Alexa Murphy ‘15. The girls have worked hard in the offseason and during games it is starting to show results.

“I think making it to state is an assumed goal for all sports that we want to make it to state,” Murphy said. “We just need to focus because it’s going to be postseason soon and we will be out of school already so we kind of aren’t taking it as seriously as we should. We just need to focus and then we can reach our goal.”

Murphy played a key role in the Lady Lynx vic-

year and the girls are responding well.

“Instead of what we played last year, the formation gives us lots of different opportunities to create an offense while we still have enough time to get back and win the ball on defense,” Kinney said. “We all were confused and thought it really wouldn’t work out at first but then it did. So far it’s proven to be worth the change.”

Kayla Beck ‘14 feels the team has really progressed from last year.

“We’ve played together for awhile now and I think we are more about being a team this year,” Beck said. “It’s not so much about one person scoring a goal and more about being a team. We all have the same goal of going to state so we aren’t going to let anything get in the way.”

In the 4-0 start to the year, the team’s opponents were all held to under three goals.

During that period, the Lynx had two shutouts and a top ten victory. The Lynx will play at the Ralston Tournament April 19 and 20. Regionals for the girls will be May 23 (location TBA).

Ali Heithoff ‘13 passes the ball off to a teammate.

Photo by Francisco Franco

Madison Kinney ‘15 pursues the ball during a game versus Roncalli Catholic.

Photo by Francisco Franco

Spring ball: Softball, baseball players look ahead to season

By Megan Figueroa Reporter

tried upping the numbers for softball, welcoming anyone that is willing to come out and work hard for the team. She said she already has chemistry with the girls and is ready to really get going with the team on May 6.

With the knowledge of the game, after playing in high school, Hallagan knows the commitment and hard work The new year of softsoftball takes. She is excited ball and baseball has, so far, to see how this year goes. shown a promising season She knows that the softball for the teams. Coaches James program still has some develLarsen, who oping to do, but teaches history thinks that will for 9th grade, I don’t know how to explain it but our connection hard work they and new softball can go far. coach Valerie with the coaches and players is fun and we all get along, “I foresee Hallagan, who the season goteaches physical but when it’s actually time to go to work we get what we ing quite well, science, for 9th the girls seem grade, will also need done, that is why our team will be successful this to have good be on the field chemistry tofor the Lynx. year, I think. gether. We have This year a lot of talent, Hallagan has but we are still working on getting more HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ONLY! girls out for softball,” Hallagan said. I’m excited for a * TWO WEEKS good year of softball and the UNLIMITED girls seem to be really excitTANNING ed too. We have some work to do, but the girls seem willing to work hard and get the $ job done!”

SPRAY TANS Coach Larsen has come back for his 9th consecutive year coaching here, his 8th year as varsity head coach.

The baseball team has had 3 winning seasons in a row which hasn’t been done *Must present valid high school student I.D. card. Not valid with since the 1970s. The sucany other offer. 14 & 15 years of age must have parental consent. See store for details. Expires 5/15/13 cess of the group has a lot to 15th & Cornhusker - Bellevue 96th & Q - Omaha do with the chemistry of the 42nd & Dodge - Omaha 110th & Maple - Omaha 7th & Broadway players and coaches, they get 144th & W. Center - Omaha 168th & Burke - Omaha Council Bluffs 14th & Farnam - Omaha 168th & Q - Millard along as a family. Both play78th & Cass - Omaha 84th & Giles - La Vista ers like Jacob Titus ‘15 and No Appointment Tanning • Open 7 Days a Week • www.ashleylynnstanning.com Larsen agree that the season

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Jacob Titus ‘15

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is looking promising based on how they work with each other.

“I don’t know how to explain it but our connection with the coaches and players is fun and we all get along,

but when it’s actually time to go to work we get what we need done, that is why our team will be successful this year, I think,” Titus said.

Both teams are ready to start out the season strong

and end it with the same enthusiasm. Coaches and players both seem ready to have a great season with a lot of fun and dedication.