Issue 6

ECHOES

Issue 6 Early March 2013

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

still winter...

Significant snowfall results in snowdays

Photos by:

ALechoes.com

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Students make a difference and spread hope

to scoop roads, and we also bought a lot of food and water bottles,” Brittany Young ‘15 said.

According to a National Weather Service meteorologist, the snowfall was greatly needed due to the area’s drought. Although the amount of snow accumulated was nothing compared to what meteorologists predicted, the precipitation did help the drought a bit.

In addition to physical

effects of snow, financial problems also occur. The city, businesses, and some homeowners invest in snowplows various times each year. Each snowfall comes with a price tag.

“I think snow drains more money in the economy than people realize,” Lead Forecaster/Meteorologist Rick Chermok told the Echoes.

Snow makeup days will be April 4 and 5.

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What’s Inside:

inches of snow, people were frantically running around clearing the stores shelves of necessities, expecting to be snowed in for a long period of time. With rumors of the amount snow being severely dangerous, many students prepared in different ways.

Some had bigger priorities than just stocking their fridge with food.

“My family stocked up on grain for our horses, we got the tractor all prepared

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Digital Media Co-Editor

Due to the snowstorm, students faced some transportation difficulties.

Some still trudged through to spend their day off doing things other than being stuck in the house.

“On my way to hang out with my friends there were car troubles and we had to run through like two feet of snow,” Jay Cook ‘13 said.

With the news stations warning residents that there’d be an expected six to eight

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By Kate Hiers

School was called off the night before because of a significant snowfall resulting in a snow day on Feb. 21. Students spent their snow day doing a variety of different activities; from sleeping in to catching up on their favorite TV series.

“I caught up on some episodes of “Switched at Birth” and “Raising Hope” during the snow day,” Jamie Cash ‘14 said.

Local art gallery offers classes, art for all ages

A.L. athletes explain brand superstitions

News Echoes 2 Clubs winning awards, competitions Krystal Hopkins & Victoria Holcomb | News Co-Editors

By Victoria Holcomb News Co-Editor School clubs are here for all kinds of reasons; some in particular help to better students for college and life experiences in certain career fields--just as speech, DECA and robotics are doing. Recently these clubs have participated in many competitions; some advancing to state, while others are moving further on to the national level.

Before entering college, students have the opportunity to take a public speaking class. Although some choose to join the speech club for another way to better these skills. Students going to these practices have an opportunity to participate in competitions such as State and All-State.

There are different speeches one can perform such as after dinner or musical theater as an individual

speaker. Otherwise, if speaking with a group there is improvisation, radio, readers theater, and mime.

As for one senior group, Seamus St.Clair, Taylora Christensen and Isabella Taylor moved on from State to All-State for their Group Musical Theater on a non performing level.

“We got the glory of making it All-State, but we didn’t have to perform or go to All-State,” Isabella Taylor ‘13, first time performer said.

Interested in marketing or management career after high school? Opportunities are around you, through a student run organization, DECA. Originally known as Distributive Education Clubs of America, is now just the name of the marketing association class.

While undergoing extra activities, students in DECA are also preparing for competitions. Practicing role play and taking practice tests on

knowledge of marketing and other various topics to compete for judges from the business world.

“We go to conferences for leadership, compete in District, State, and International competitions.” Kristy Courter, deca sponsor said.

“In projects/activities in civic consciousness, leadership, professional development and social awareness.”

After competing at state, several members placed to move onto an international level going to nationals at the International Career Devel-

Competitors spent hours preparing for competitions. Photos by Francisco Franco opment Conference in Anaheim, California. During the week they are gone in April, competitors will participate in role plays with judges and a one hundred point test over their project area.

Engineering is all around us, it is used in everything we do. As for the students who are interested in how robotics work, there is a team for that at A. L. Back in April “the game” the robotics team will work on, is introduced. “The

game” for 2013 is to pick up bean bags through a process of programming, to moving them around the playing field into various scoring zones.

One of the two robots the team made moved through the preliminary rounds ranked in 4th place guaranteeing them a spot in the final eliminations rounds. The final eliminations brought them to a 4 in 1 win, advancing the team to nationals in Omaha.

“It’s an awesome accomplishment for these students because this is our first year,” said Ryan Higgins, engineering teacher “And this is rare, we got started in December rather than April with everyone else.”

These clubs are now seeing their hard work pay off as they advance to larger competitions. Bringing in more experience and knowledge for next years members.

Students making a difference, spreading hope

Angie O’Neil ‘13 showing off The StoryTellers Bracelet.

Photo Illustration by Jessie Adkins

By Melloney Keller Reporter

Have you ever wanted to make a difference, change, heal, or help the world?

Well here is your chance

join To Write Love On Her Arms. TWLOHA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people who are struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide. This organization invests directly into treatment

and recovery. The TWLOHA organization believes in high school students. They believe that teenagers have the voice that can change the community for the best.

“TWLOHA mission is to spread hope and to show

people that they’re not alone and to never give up hope,” Angela O’Neil ‘13 said.

The Storytellers is a chance for students to raise awareness about something that they truly are passionate about. It helps raise money for TWLOHA and helps others see the world around them. It is also a way to invite friends, family, and the people around to see that hope, treatment and a cure is possible.

“The Storytellers is a campaign strictly to high school teens and to any adviser who want to apply. If accepted the student raises money for TWLOHA and works to help recognize the depression, and mental health issues within the school,” O’Neil said.

Believe it or not TWLOHA has affected people more than we know. To Write Love On Her Arms is more

about helping the people who thought they couldn’t be helped.

The thing about this organization is by joining it doesn’t mean you need to necessarily change who you are it just means you see the world in a different way.

And want to take a stand for something that you feel is right.

“Angie has always been the person to help others and spread the word to help other people,” Sarah Steinmetz said.

“I chose to be apart of TWLOHA after having a lot of friends who have been through addiction, depression and coming close to losing some to suicide many times. I am very passionate about this issue. I know a lot of people who are scared to ask for help because they are afraid they will be looked at differently. I believe that by

making mental health issues more well known, together we can work to bring down the number,” O’Neill said.

The students can start by buying O’Neil’s bracelets at lunch or anytime during the day. They are two dollars each and all the money, including any donations, goes towards TWLOHA. The bracelets are black and have writing on one side that says, “To Write Love On Her Arms.” The other side says, “Storytellers.”

Here is a chance to help others out and to give a little back to the community. By buying a bracelet or giving any sort of donation its saying that this is a organization that people are willing to help out. Weather its a penny or five dollars any spare change can go along ways.

If any question or want to be apart of this visit www.TWLOHA.com.

Technology addiction putting drivers at risk A look at texting and driving in our community ByMaddi Martinez & Tiffany Ferrer

Reporters

Many teenagers today are attached to technology such as their cell phones.

However, when they get behind the wheel of a car, does their addiction stop? There are commercials, billboards, and ads everywhere trying to get the message across to not text and drive. However, many people don’t listen.

Some may think sending a quick text won’t cause an accident, but according to textinganddrivingsafety. com, 1.6 million crashes are caused by texting and driving each year. Students could be very wrong. Edgarsnyder. com states that 37% of drivers admit to sending or re-

ceiving texts while driving, 18% said they do it often or regularly. About 75% of students admit to texting and driving.

“Sometimes (I text and drive), but only if it’s important,” Jamiee Swanson ‘13 said. “Yes, it’s an addiction, once you start you’re not gonna stop.”

Statistics show that younger drivers are more likely to engage in distracted driving.

Some teens think its safe to text at a stop sign or a stop light, but should they even have their phone then?

Some parents also text and drive, making it seem like it’s okay. Texting or talking on the phone while driving can cause distractions, making

students swerve out of their lanes, making you unaware of dangers around them, and other things can happen also causing a wreck. If someone has a phone in hand, he or she may not be able to see a speed bump, a deer crossing the road, or possibly even a pedestrian.

“Sometimes I text and drive, they are normal conversations. Mostly from my wife asking to pick something up. I don’t think anybody should text and drive.

I don’t think I should either.

No, it’s just way too hard to prevent texting and driving.

I know there’s laws for it,” said Chris Moore, Drive Tek teacher.

Textinganddrivingsafety. com statistics show that driv-

ers that text spend 10% of their driving time outside of their lane. Some drivers try to justify it by holding the phone closer to the windshield, others say to increase the distance between them and another car or that it’s okay to text at a stoplight or stop sign. Even though there are laws prohibiting drivers to text behind the wheel or even have a cell phone in their hand, people don’t listen, and put other people on the road in danger. In Iowa alone, it is illegal for novice drivers to have a cell phone in hand while driving, but it is also illegal to text for any driver. Don’t let the attachment to cell phones be the reason something bad happens tomorrow.

Echoes Poll

do you text and drive?

148 of the 181 people polled said they knew someone who does. Who is that person?

News

Echoes

Krystal Hopkins & Victoria Holcomb | News Co-Editors

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Senioritis spreading to underclassmen

Sports count as credit

Lazy ‘disease’ affects grades, attendance, behavior

One less P.E class required for athletes

By Tristan Agersea Reporter

An epidemic is sweeping the school district and not everybody seems to care.

This epidemic is called Senioritis and it’s spreading.

Grades and attendance are taking a hit and it may affect more than many seem to think, whether it be the attendance policy or grade policy.

Senioritis, formally a “disease” only associated with the senior class is now being exposed to the younger kids. Seniors may have many reasons to not come to school. It may be a schedule that isn’t full, ahead on credits, may not need a certain class, or just simple

laziness. The laziness factor seems to be the only excuse that the younger classes have.

“It’s a terrible thing to catch,” Tana Schroder ‘13 said.

The fact that the younger classes are getting struck with this sickness could be very upsetting to the them in their later years attending school. The consequences of credit loss alone could possibly hold them back a year or two. This can include not walking with their fellow classmates and friends, smaller graduating classes, more money spent by the taxpayers to keep students in school, less college acceptance range, and an overall degeneration of the education of many students and future members of society.

“My freshman year, I was only in class for one period a day... Teachers barely knew who I was and I still passed

all of my classes thanks to the ‘tests only’ grading scale,” Marcus Parker ‘15 said.

This is now affecting more than just the students, but also the faculty member’s jobs. Skipping is starting to disrupt classes due to so many absences. Everybody is in a different place in the class and it can distract teachers when they must help everyone individually rather than as a whole group class.

This can cause a delay in the entire educational plan for all students, including those who don’t skip. Teachers and students alike seem to be irritated and enraged with this unneeded spread of Senioritis.

“Senioritis has just been gradually getting worse. I think when students skip that it does hold back the class when I have to reteach concepts that people have missed when they are gone.

Saying that, I also think

Senioritis is a relatively normal reaction to the end of your high school years and the start to your adult life, but just a reminder to my seniors, you do have to complete your work in order to graduate and get to start your adult life,” English teacher Samantha Adams said.

This attendance epidemic is spreading and without a cure, more might fall to the Senioritis sickness.

“It’s their last year and they are just anxious to get out A.L.,” Kristine Swanson ‘13 said. “I think it gets worse towards the end year.”

No matter how much the district tries to fight Senioritis, it is always going to come down to the students.

Students are the only ones who can stop this “disease” in its tracks.

Digital Media Co-Editor

A physical education waiver is a new opportunity offered to students. The waiver states that if students participate in cheer, dance, JROTC, or any school-sponsored athletic competition for the entire season, that activity will count as a year of physical education. To get a physical education waiver students must have parent and principal’s permission.

Students may apply for one waiver throughout the duration of high school. The waiver will become effective next year.

Teachers have mixed feelings of the upcoming policy.

“I agreed to it, but I still feel students need to get physical activity.

Some programs such as marching band, and JROTC don’t provide enough, but I’m still for it,” weights teacher Justin Kammrad said.

Students are excited to take advantage of this new opportunity.

“Marching band is hard work and takes a lot of effort like PE, so I’m thrilled to take advantage of the credit,” Marina Galaska ‘16 said.

Despite the difference of opinion on this new policy, physical education is no longer required for all four years of high school.

Thank You!

Photo by Gerry Appel

Kinney Leaves the District

By Kate Hiers

Counselor Christy Heckman says goodbye to Rob Kinney. Photo by Alex Snipes.

By Brooke Criswell

Digital Media Co-Editor With becoming a teacher, comes great responsibility.

There will be tough times and there will be inspiring events. Robert Kinney Jr., a history teacher, has made the choice to leave Council Bluffs.

“My family made the difficult decision to relocate to the Des Moines area. I was the last to leave and it was time for us to all be together again,” Kinney said.

Everyone seems to have an inspiring mentor that helps them decide which career to go into. Kinney enjoyed most of his social studies classes in high school.

“I remember individual teachers more than I remember specific classes,” Kinney said.

“I was influenced by many great teachers I’ve had growing up.”

Good and bad memories

are bound to get formed within 14 years of experience at A.L. His top two favorite memories are when the social studies department had a team for Homecoming Olympics. The otwher one was recently working with the varsity girls’ basketball team. There were not the best of times as well.

“Teaching during the remodeling of AL was a challenge. One day a guy was outside my window and started to use a jackhammer to break up concrete right in the middle of class,” Kinney said. “We didn’t get a whole lot done that day.”

Although Kinney is gone, Kelly Boyle, a graduate from Briar Cliff University is here to take over the history class.

“I know Mr. Kinney had great relationships with people in this building,” Boyle said. “I could only hope to do the same.”

With a new location, in a new job, there can be many events to look forward to

involving oneself in.

“I am very excited to be part of the Lynx family.

I know Abraham Lincoln has a rich tradition that over the years has been built by many great students and staff members,” Boyle said.

Boyle is not new to teaching a class of teenagers.

Two other high school jobs prior to this new experience has taught him how to handle many situations.

“My first teaching job was at Thomas Jefferson, right here in the district.

After seven years of working there, I moved to Sioux City where I was lucky enough to teach social studies at West Side High School,” Boyle said.

Trading in old routines for new ones cannot always be easy. Preparing for a new job can take great assistance during the transitioning

...for participating in the newspaper fundraiser. Approxiately $100 was raised.

English teacher Samantha Adams Dressed up as Lady Gaga, and head football Coach Justin Kammrad dressed up as Snoop Dogg. period.

“I was fortunate to have a few workdays to get organized and spend time leaving about the functions of AL from Mr. Kinney,” Boyle said.

Kinney’s teaching career is far from being over.

He will immediately start searching for a new teaching job in his new location.

“I just hope I was able to make an impression on some kids in the same way my teachers made an impression on me in school,” Kinney said.

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Page Design by Jaidlyn Bookout | Opinion Editor

Opinion

Echoes

High school sweethearts:To be or not to be

By Megan Figueroa Reporter Dating in high school always sounds like a good idea--you see some cute guy/ girl, start talking to them and begin to build a relationship.

Eventually one person or both begins to gain feelings and you either move on to the next step, which is dating, or one person gets “friendzoned.” For some people it works to be in a relationship during their high school years, to balance themselves out, but stop right there, because more than likely you’re not that person.

Month to month the things on our minds, as high school students, change.

From our favorite song, to our best friends, the clothes we wear, and who we think we like. Drama, jealousy, loss of interest, or sexual pressures are many things that impact relationships in high school. These things constantly take a toll on our decision making. So, take a second to think about exactly how successful a high school relationship can be?

High School is a time to experience new things and meet new people. When you’re in a relationship,

having friendships with the opposite sex often causes jealousy and trust issues. All of these things, in turn, may cause the relationship to end.

To me, I don’t understand the point of dating when it causes people to miss out on so much. On social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram you will often see couples taking pictures together and individuals changing their relationship status from “single” to “in a relationship”, more often than that you see people going in and out of the relationships with new people. How can you possibly get to know someone that fast in order to be on the level of being in a relationship?

When people decide to be in a relationship, they give a part of themselves to someone. This gives them the idea that they must sacrifice certain things for their significant other, like not hanging out with their friends, spending all their free time with them, and even letting them take precedence over school and sports. Why would you let one person make an impact

By Christina Rivera Reporter

Photo by Francisco Franco on your entire future? By taking away school and sports, you may lose a chance to get scholarships or even getting into the college of your dreams.

So before you get into a relationship with anyone, take a second to think about if you really want to change many aspects of your life for one person.

We have all heard stories of couples who meet in high school and are still madly in love with each other. For me, I think this is the cutest thing--meeting in high school and getting married.

Yes, I do agree that the word “marriage” may scare a lot of us, but imagine falling in love with your high school sweetheart. Although, not all

relationships in high school are a success there are many pros to dating in high school.

First of all, you will always have a date to the school dances. Even though many girls/boys say they don’t mind going alone, the reality is that when you look back ten years from now you are going to wish you had a date. Why is that? Well, you know how your parents always go back and look at their dates to their high school prom and have hilarious stories about them? That is something you will miss out on, plus you won’t have those special memories of going to prom with someone you love.

Another reason why dating in high school is a good idea is so that once you get to college you know who will and will not work out with you. High school should be a time where you experiment meeting new people and finding yourself within them. You want someone that makes the real you come out and who wants to live life to the fullest alongside you. Once you get an idea of the type of people you are compatible

with in high school, it is just going to be that much easier to find someone in college.

Personally, I think high school dating is the best.

You are young and free.

You don’t have to settle down with the person you are dating because the older you get the more pressured you are into staying in a relationship. Your high school boyfriend/girlfriend may not be the person you end up staying with, but new friendships can build off of them.

Even though it may not have worked out as a boyfriend and girlfriend relationship they can become your best friends. Honestly, sometimes it’s easier to talk to someone who knows your ups and downs because they always know how to cheer you up.

While many would argue that teenagers are too young to date or not mature to be involved in a “real relationship” dating in high school has its advantages.

Whether you agree or not you should make the most out of your high school experience. You only live through it once, so why not build lifelong relationships along the way.

Price tag to flaunting the “coolest” gear

By Blake Willadsen Editor-in-chief When I was in in grade school I had these sneakers that were made by Starter.

They were a pretty cheap running shoe but I was convinced that the high tech

shock absorbers and fancy laces made me at least 3x cooler. I was convinced that these shoes would get me at least ten more laps on the pacer test in PE and get me all the ladies. Of course, I realized that this was all in my head. Their commercials were convincing, but even so, I eventually realized that they were just trying to sell me a product. The company was just looking for my money.

Flash forward to this year just after winter break, Students were showing off their new gifts in the hallways. I noticed a kid with a shiny new pair of Beats

by Dr. Dre headphones...

and then I walked a few more steps and saw another pair...and then another, and then another. This pattern continued and as I walked into class I couldn’t help but think of those stupid shoes from grade school.

It’s almost as if Beats were becoming the Air Jordans of our generation (don’t believe me? listen to the song “Wing$” by Macklemore).

I’m sure your parents asked you what Beats were before they bought them, and there was a pause where you had to think about what exactly it was that made them so special. You probably told them that Beats headphones provide a “mu-

sic experience”. That they help you “feel the emotion and hear the music the way artists intended it to sound from the studio”.

I’ve listened to a pair of beats and they sound good. I listened to several different genres of music and samples of pieces just to see how it changed them. It sounds like there is a lot more depth in them than your standard $20.00 earbuds. However, with a price tag of $199.95 for the cheapest headphones they have to offer(and top price tag of $399 before customizations) you might want to reconsider going out to get one. There is a lot of things that $400 can buy, but

headphones? While there may be one or two future musicians or producers in this school, there is no way that everyone that has a pair of Beats here needs that kind of quality “music experience” on a daily basis.

When you see any pro sports team warm up for a game chances are you will see a player or two with beats on. Most NBA players have them and Lebron James even holds a stake in the company. This kind of thing has been done over and over in marketing. Beats are meant to be a status symbol.

Why else would people walk around with them around their necks for more time

than they actually spend listening to music?

If that is what you are looking for, then please buy up the Beats. While you’re at it, take your iPhone 5 along with. Snap a picture of all the new Nike gear you picked up as you lace up your brand new Jordans. Tip your New Era snapback to the side, but be careful not to peel the sticker off. Pick up some new PINK gear from Victoria’s Secret and brush off those Miss Me jeans.

Just keep this up until you go broke. I’m sure you are cooler than most of us, but I can’t help but notice that you blend in pretty well with the rest of the crowd.

Questioning the mysteries of music choices

By Britteny Johnson Features Editor

We live in a world of technology and solitude.

When the two collide, we can listen to music in the comfort of our own headphones. This fascinates me, because everyone has a mysterious collection of music that they listen to.

There is a world of options for music: genre, artist, soundtrack, etc. It’s an infinite playlist of anything anyone could ever want.

When picking from this infinite playlist, I always am curious of how every-

one picks what they will be listening to. What makes the jukebox in someone’s head tick? That beat that lies in someones heart is the thing that occupies my thoughts.

What makes a song worthy of being played on our mp3 players, ipods, phones, or in our minds? Would I love what they have decided to love? Am I missing out on something I didn’t know about?

Personally, I love everything that makes me happy, or keeps an upbeat tune, or

has a catchy beat, but some days I love to just listen to songs that are slower, meaningful, that sound just beautiful. I always wonder if people have a similar love for music as me, and if we would get along stunningly.

I read a book once, quite a good book if I may say so myself, that talked a lot about music and how this girl was given CD’s to listen to, to experience different types of music. It really made me think about music differently, I started listening

to different kinds of music, and it widened my playlist.

I realized that the genre I had stuck to for the longest time, wasn’t the one I liked the most.

For my listening pleasure, I love to use Spotify.

Once you pick an artist or song to listen to, Spotify gives you similar artists or music. What I love about this is that once you find something you like, you can find new artists and music that might just be your new favorite. This gives you the

opportunity to have a wider span of music than you may have had before, some of the music even being things you never would have found on your own.

Though it will always make me wonder what everyone else is listening too, I also have this feeling that if I really knew, it would take away the mystery(which, of course, is all the fun). For now, my mind shall race trying to decide which one I really, truly want: mystery or music.

Opinion

Echoes

Staff Editorial

Jaidlyn Bookout | Opinion Editor

Forgetting the significance of books It is hard to believe that we--students attending a public school with a plethora of educational resources-take for granted the amazing variety of materials and knowledge that we’ve been granted. A perfect example of this is our school’s library.

A library is an unlimited amount of knowledge, history, and imagination that is at our fingertips, yet we choose to turn a blind eye.

We can understand that through technology such as Kindles, iPads, and computers the use of books is currently declining, but the Echoes feels that students are forgetting a very important aspect of books.

Books are the foundation of history; the cornerstone for human knowledge. They are the irrefutable proof of human experience and creativity. If we get rid of books and solely base our

knowledge and documentation on technology, whose to say it will be unfettered in the years to come?

“A lot of us like to touch the books- like to see the pictures. I don’t know, I’ve just always loved books,” library clerk Shirley Hutchison said. “If you’re not very technical, it’s always easy to pick a book up.”

The relationship between technology and people has just started to begin crossing paths with that of literature to people.

For years, humans have

any sense.

Technology is an unreliable source of information that can be altered or erased, whereas books are a solid source that remains unchanged.

A library contains more information, imagination, history, and Photo by Francisco Franco culture than one could used books to transmit imagine, yet we neglect it information between each because of ease of access. other in a thorough and We agree that technology direct manner. Only recently is more maintainable and have many decided to turn to convenient than using books, computers instead of paper, but when dealing with the however, it doesn’t make transfer of human history to

future generations, do we really want to exchange accuracy for convenience?

We feel that when it comes to the knowledge of our children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, we want the best of the best. We want our future kin to have an easier life with more technology to aid, however, we want them to know the truth and not something that could potentially be changed.

Books to us are a more stable informational outlet, that will never fully die.

As famous physicist Albert Einstein once said, “If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.”

The staff voted in favor of this column 21 to 2

Mixed emotions as graduation day awaits

By Hayley Hochstetler Graphic Designer Editor As graduation looms closer and closer, I feel as if time is speeding up. The first two thirds of my senior year has flown by at a crazy

fast pace. It seems as if first hour was Monday and by the time I got to fifth hour, it was Friday already. I’m not protesting against Fridays or anything, but I just wish my final trimester of high school would slow down just a little bit. It’s a strange thing to think about how I’ve known most of the people in my graduating class since the seventh grade, but May 25 might possibly be the last time I ever see some of their faces again.

College runs through my mind on almost a daily basis, too. Part of me is really

excited to get out and start a new chapter in my life, but part of me is stressing out big time. It’s not the stress of having to choose a college anymore, rather the nervousness of being on my own. Some people can’t wait to move away from home and it’s not that I’m not excited to move away, I must admit I’m just a little scared for what the future holds. This is the start of my life, and that alone is frightening to me. As a 17-year-old, it doesn’t really cross my mind what I’ll be doing 20 years from now, or

Realizing dangers of new trend: smoking hookah

By Arianne Boehme Advertising Staff

By Emmalee Adams Business Manager As we scroll through Facebook and Instagram, we see pictures of friends, food, and newly purchased items at the top of our list of photos being posted. One of the new “trends” being set though, is the use of hookah, marijuana, and alcohol being made public.

This new trend is something many teens believe makes them look “cool” for posting, but don’t realize that the same consequences of posting pictures can get you in the same amount of trouble as actually using them in public. We are not here to

judge anyone for what they do in their public lives, no one is perfect, but to merely warn you of what can happen.

Many teens believe that smoking hookah is better for them then smoking a cigarette or other substances, but the reality is, it isn’t.

Hookah contains large levels of toxins such as tar, carbon monoxide and carcinogens and can cause the same health problems as a cigarette: cancers and heart disease, only at a higher risk than cigarettes. Another risk that many people don’t think about is the potential to spread infectious diseases.

Many people smoking from the same pipe, hose, and mouthpiece can spread germs quickly as the pipe and mouthpiece may not be cleaned and disinfected well

enough.

Now that we got the health risks out of the way, let’s talk about the social and career risks that come with going public about your social lives. Many businesses have began doing social media background checks. These social media sites aren’t limited to just Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Supervisors also look at personal blogs, Myspace and any other sites that are publicly available.

So as you’re posting all of your pictures of illegal substances, employers are also deciding not to hire you, ever.

In our opinion, being public about what you do is definitely not cool. No one cares that you smoke hookah, smoke pot, or drink alcohol. Let’s get real

Echoes

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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 Mitch Myers Graphic Design Editor Hayley Hochstetler Copy Editors Arianne Boehme Emmalee Adams Jessie Adkins Reporters Christina Rivera Cody Self Danielle Rambo Holly Jensen Josh Cross Maddi Martinez Megan Figueroa Melloney Keller Nathan Vorce Taylor Crinklaw Tiffany Ferrer Tristan Agersea

where I’ll be living, or if I’ll have kids. That’s the nervous part of me.

The other part of me is the part that wants to get out and explore the world. As an aspiring photojournalist, I want to travel around the world and capture the beauty that this Earth holds, as well as capture sports in action.

Being on my own in some place that is foreign to me is exciting, yet it makes me a little uneasy.

I also think about moving out a lot. It’s very disconsolate, but happens to everyone at some point. I

don’t want to leave my parents or my little brother, my little brother especially. It’s like leaving my best friend.

I don’t know what I’ll do without him always getting on my nerves and giving me fashion advice. (Yes, my 15-year-old brother gives me fashion advice. Sorry, TanDigital Media Editors ner, I had to say it!)

Brooke Criswell No matter where life Kate Hiers may take me, there are two things that I know I Video Production Assistant can control: my future and Jazmine Orellana my choices. It might be a struggle, but it’s a struggle Lead Bloggers that I’m ready for. The jourKristin Molgaard ney starts soon.

though, this is high school and students are going to do what they want. Does this mean that you need to post pictures of yourself?

What point are you making by showing the world that you smoke, do drugs, or drink? Posting pictures of yourself doing illegal things only shows how careless

and arrogant you are and that you don’t care that jobs, family, and peers can see you and judge you.

Before you get out your phone at a party, think about the consequences that may come after you post that picture to Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Scott Brown

Multimedia Specialist Joe Vrenick Foreign Correspondent Evan Giles 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

Feature

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Britteny Johnson | Feature Page Editor

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Small holidays left unnoticed: March edition 1

By Holly Jensen Reporter

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What If Pets Had Thumbs Day

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St. Patrick’s Day

Worship of Tools Day

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There are plenty of different days people celebrate, such as Hanukkah, 5 Christmas, and Valentine’s Day, but what about “Panic Day” or “International Waffle Day”? There’s a whole gaggle of unheard of holidays waiting to be celebrated.

Many may be asking, “Why would I celebrate that?” Who doesn’t need an excuse to have friends over and eat all the food in the house? Filling up on unnecessarily large amounts of food has its good moments but it’s also a time to celebrate and enjoy good times with family and friends. Some of the holidays one can celebrate are, “I Want You to be Happy Day”, “Something on a Stick Day”, “Hug a GI12 Day” and plenty more. Another great holiday to celebrate is “Make Your Own Holiday Day.” With this holiday, anything is possible-celebrations could be for anything from a person to an inanimate object.

A few students here at AL talked about what they would celebrate.

“National Eat a Candy Bar Day and everyone gets a free candybar,” Sara Borgaila ‘14 said. “(I would choose this) Because I really like candy bars.”

There are plenty of other

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International Waffle Day

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Make Your Own Holiday Day

awareness is lacking with people.

Many of these days are skipped, passed, and glanced over as they come and go on the calendar.

“I don’t get the news about them until they’re over,” Borgaila said.

Another question that comes to mind is where did these holidays come from? Who decided that

“National Eat a Candy Bar Day and everyone gets a free candy bar,(I would choose this) Because I really like candy bars. “

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the state, city, or towns regulations to the holiday, federal employees will be paid for a free vacation day even though they are given the day off. Schools, postal offices, banks, and sometimes businesses may be closed on such holidays.

Americans don’t just celebrate 7 holidays with each other but with the whole world. Americans aren’t the only ones who celebrate holidays such as Christmas, Easter, and New Year’s. Other countries like Germany, Algeria, and Australia also share these holidays but celebrate them in different ways. Due to Christmas usually being in the heat, Australians tend to celebrate outdoors and have barbecues while Germans have a whole ‘nother holiday to help celebrate Christmas, Saint Nicholas Eve. On Saint Nicholas Eve, the children leave out their shoes by the 14fireplace and if a child is good then they get treats and if they’ve been bad then they get twigs, much like America’s stocking tradition.

Holidays don’t have to be something that’s put in place for people to celebrate. It could be something that a group, or even just a person celebrates because they feel the need to in whatever way they feel necessary. Holiday’s are meant to bring people together no matter how or what one celebrates.

Panic Day

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Sara Borgaila ‘14

peanut butter should get its own day? This process started long ago when the Roman Catholics created Christmas to help celebrate their religion and the birth of a great biblical leader, Jesus. Other holidays such as Valentine’s Day and Saint Patrick’s Day were made into the great holidays that they are by card companies.

Now the government can declare federal holidays which means that the holiday is recognized by the American government and each holiday has a meaning to America’s history as a nation and to its people. On a federal holiday, depending on

Extra Terrestrial Abduction Day

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Something On A Stick Day

Everything You Think Is Wrong Day

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National Goof Off Day

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National Doctor’s Day

Behind the celebration of St Patrick's Day

By Alex Snipes Photographer

Photos courtesy of MCT Campus and Haley Hochstetler

holidays already in place to celebrate--it’s all just a matter of being patient enough for them to come around. Another good use of your “Make Your Own Holiday Day”, is to give it to someone who matters. Just spend the day celebrating them and how great they are or just take a6 moment to tell them how important they are.

“I would have Natalie Appreciation Day,” Natalie Wilson ‘14 said.

“Everyone brings offerings and has to be super-duper nice to each other and there is no fighting and no war and everyone has to give someone else a cookie.”

There is nothing wrong with having a day of personal celebration either.

Everyone deserves some personal celebration so spending the day pampering and enjoying it may 13Some other not be such a bad idea. things to do could be making good food, watching movies, or listening to music. Spending the day being happy is a day well spent. Another student decided to spend the day celebrating someone else.

“I would give Eric Cavanaugh ‘National Tap Dance Day,’” Borgaila said. “Because he loves tap dancing and would be all over it.”

Sadly some of these holidays go unnoticed and uncelebrated as their

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The Feast of Saint Patrick, commonly known as St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated every year on March 17th. It is the anniversary of St. Patrick’s death in 460 AD, the most commonly recognized of the patron saint of Ireland, it is also celebrated to honor the arrival of christianity in Ireland. Saint Patrick’s Day is widely known throughout the world.

One may be surprised by just how many countries celebrate it, like: Argentina, Japan, Great Britain, Switzerland, and

Russia. In the United States, St. Patty’s Day is celebrated in honor of IrishAmerican culture. Americans celebrate very similarly to the Irish. For instance, the color green, clovers and leprechauns are the most commonly known symbols of this holiday, descending from Irish culture. Originally, blue was the color associated with Saint Patrick, but later evolved into green. Green ribbons and shamrocks have been worn in celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day since the early

17th century. Saint Patrick used three leaf clovers to explain the the holy trinity to the Irish. Leprechauns are an American invention based on the mythical creatures from the Irish culture that have expanded into a symbol of Saint Patrick’s Day. Each of theses symbols of St. Patty’s Day are familiar to Americans and celebrated with traditions. The most common celebrations in the U.S are parades, drinking green beer, and eating corned beef and cabbage.

Parades are a worldwide celebration of

the holiday, along with wearing green.

Though cabbage has long been an Irish food, corned beef only began to be associated with St. Patrick’s Day at the turn of the century. Irish immigrants living in New York City substituted corned beef for their traditional dish of Irish bacon to save money. Saint Patrick’s Day has brought American’s to understand Irish culture and be a part of Irish-American tradition.

Feature Into the bond of two best friends:

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Britteny Johnson | Feature Page Editor

Echoes

Making memories, sticking together

By Danielle

Rambo Reporter

Sometimes a best friend turns out to be someone you didn’t like before, and that’s how it was for Isabella Taylor ‘13 and Taylora Christensen ‘13. They didn’t like each other at first and became friends in the ninth grade. The two girls had both bad-talked each other at one point but have overcome that to become best friends.

“We are friends because we are the only two people that think the other one is funny, and we can read each other’s minds,” Taylor said jokingly.

The two have been best friends for about four years and still see their friendship going on in the future.

“Both of us will probably be married to someone but we still want to live with each other.” Taylor said. “And we

will have a cat.”

The differences between the two girls only varies a little but they do have different personality traits.

“Sometimes one is more responsible than the other and the other might be more frisky,” Taylor said. “And what is different about us compliments the other one.”

The two believe that their friendship will withstand almost everything.

“The only way our friendship would end, would be if one of us killed the other,” Christensen said.

Of course they have other friends to hang out with, but some students have that one friend they tell everything and do the craziest stuff with.

“She’s(Isabella) the one I go to when I’m upset,” Christensen said. “We had a lot of fun times when we went to Isabella’s grandparents in Georgia for vacation.”

The two have had great memories together and some

are pretty crazy.

“One time we were on the bus headed to a speech competition,” Taylor said.

“And we were eating chocolate chip cookies and Taylora had gotten chocolate all over the front of her pants, so I told everyone she had pooped her pants.”

It is evident that the two girls don’t let what others think about them affect how they preserve themselves.

“We went to the bathroom and Isabella was helping me get the chocolate off my pants,” Christensen said. “And as Isabella was wiping off the chocolate from my pants, girls in the restroom gave us weird looks.”

These two best friends do many things together at school. They participate in show choir, jazz choir, drama, student council, they are both co senior presidents, and they both sang songs for Valentine’s day.

“On Mondays and Saturdays we basically spend the whole day together,” Taylor said. “We also have choir together on Tuesdays and Thursdays and fifth hour with each other.”

They also participated in the talent show. Both have done things together in the previous talent shows but haven’t been able to come up with something together this time, so they are going solo on this one.

Both of the girls are seniors, so time together will be rare. Since college is coming up for them, they are willing to find time to spend with each other.

“We aren’t going to the same college,” Christensen said. “But that won’t stop us from seeing each other.”

These two friends have been through alot. At first things were rough, but they ended up as best friends and have had some crazy memories.

Isabella Taylor ‘13(left) and Taylora Christensen ‘13 (right). Photo illustration by Alex Snipes

Black History Month, made to remember escaping slavery wrote about his experience as a slave.

On top of his books and newspapers Douglass went This past month as far as Ireland and Britain many things were going to speak to others about the on for students, ending Abolitionist movement. the basketball season, the He not only fought for the ACT, and finishing second equality of blacks but for trimester. With so much womens rights as well. going on some students Malcolm X was a çivil rights may not have realized that activist, born right across the the month of February was bridge in Omaha, Nebraska.

Black History Month. Last Malcolm X joined the month was the Nation of Islam time to stop for at where he fought least a second and “ As an African American, I want black hisagainst racism, look back at the tory month to be just as important to people but unlike other past, the month to activists and remember what of other ethnicities as it is to African Ameriabolitionists people of the X saw cans. It would be nice if everyone was more Malcolm African-American violence as an race have been aware of African American struggles so they option in the fight through. Thinking racism. are more understanding of why we celebrate against about how certain While traveling leaders worked it. “ to North Africa to create change and the Middle and how those East Malcolm changes still affect Julian Henning ‘14 X experienced everyone no matter a complete what ethnicity “change in someone may be. and Sojourner Truth. heart”. After returning to the “As an African American, Martin Luther King Jr, U.S. Malcolm X realized that I want black history month to the man who stood up for violence wasn’t the answer be just as important to people all African-Americans in the and that peace was needed of other ethnicities as it is to Civil Rights Movement. King in order to work towards African Americans, Julian used nonviolent protests in equality. Shortly after, before Henning ‘14 said. “It would hopes to move a step towards he could share his ideas of be nice if everyone was more equality amongst blacks and peace amongst others, he aware of African American whites. King spent his time was assassinated. It wasn’t struggles so they are more leading organizations and just African-American men understanding of why we striving towards a greater that fought for equality, but celebrate it” freedom until his very last women too.

Black History Month moments of live. King was “ I think that black started as a tradition in assassinated just before he women were very brave and 1926, first known as “Negro was about to lead a protest in they took action in what they History Week”. The second 1968. believed in, Tony Outlaw week of February was “I think it’s messed ‘15 said. “If it wasn’t for chosen to represent Negro up that assassinations women fighting for our History Week because of have happened to African rights and doing the things the birthdays of Frederick Americans, but I think in they did like the underground Douglass and Abraham some sense they knew the railroad some of us (African Lincoln, two men who fought some catastrophic things Americans) probably for the equality of blacks. would occur for fighting wouldn’t have freedom. I Later on Negro History week for that cause back in those really thank the women for was officially recognized times” Jay Cook ‘13 said. what they did” as Black History Month Frederick Douglass was Harriet Tubman, the by the US government in an abolitionist who after head lady of the underground

By Jaidlyn Bookout Opinion Editor

1976. Ever since then every president has designated this month to represent the history of AfricanAmericans. This month is dedicated to showing respect and simply recalling on the rough but brave history of the ancestors of today’s people. Some important African Americans from the past are Martin Luther King Jr, Frederick Douglass, Malcolm X, Harriet Tubman,

railroad, runaway slave, and life-saver of numerous slaves.

Tubman risked her life over and over again in order to free other slaves. Harriet Tubman was an abolitionist and a union spy but dedicated her whole life to fighting for what she believed in and helping others. Tubman even became the first woman to lead an armed assault in the civil war

in 1863. She continued to believe in equality and helped others her whole life until dying of pneumonia in 1913.

After everything that these people, the ancestors of today’s’ people, have been through February was the one month dedicated to them.

For the ones who risked their lives for something that they believed in. These people

Photos and collage by Hayley Hochstetler

never got to see how the world is now, they never got the chance to see how racism isn’t like how it was before. There are no more segregated movie theaters, or restrooms based on the color of ones skin. There are still some controversies here and there but what these people fought for has come such a long way.

Entertainment

Echoes

Lauren Myers | Entertainment Editor

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Local art gallery offers classes, art for all ages The Artist League: new gallery that is gaining popularity, growth

By Lauren Myers Editor-in-Chief A local gallery, The Artist League, wants to help build a stronger, better understanding of the art in Council Bluffs. It is a gallery built from several different local artists from the midwest where new artists come in and others continue onto their venture.

“It’s an art gallery that offers more than just looking at art,” said owner Taylor Burkam. “We have classes such as calligraphy, graffiti, painting, Origami, and so on starting this spring, for people of all ages. (The gallery) is A smaller place for the time being, but steadily growing into something great.”

Burkham recently opened The Artist League and is an AL graduate.

“I opened on December first of 2010,” Burkam said.

“And have since been open five days a week. I graduated from AL in 2003. I’m married to an amazing woman

named Paige, and we have a nine month old baby boy named Nikolai.”

One student attends the local art showcases on Friday nights that they offer with her mother. She enjoys seeing all of the artwork from the artists as well as spending more time with her mother.

“My mother told me about it,” Sara Stone ‘13 said. “I like seeing the different ways people can express themselves. I have always liked going to art galleries ever since I was little and it provides something for my mom and I to do together that we both like.”

For Burkam, having those of any age valuing music and art is important.

“I would tell students of any age, especially, high school students, that the Arts in America are really lacking,” Burkam said. “School systems don’t seem to see the value in them, but things like music and art are what have kept people going for thousands upon thousands of years. Find what you want to do for a living (in my case it

took me 10 years after high school) and do it. Very few peoples’ passions will lead them to monetary wealth, and we’re not here on Earth long. So do what you enjoy.”

The Artist League is all about the importance of art and supporting local artists.

“As for supporting local artists, there is nothing like owning an original piece of art,” Burkam said. “Don’t worry about the name of the artist, if they are famous or if you think the piece you purchase will be worth money for future sale. Buy art that soothes your soul and makes you feel satisfied when you look at the pieces.

When Pablo Picasso started out, how many people do you think bought his work thinking it would someday be worth millions? Probably not many. Buy art to enjoy personally.”

The Artist League is located at 1010 South Main #400. They are open Mondays through Thursdays from 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. and Friday thru Saturday from 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Photos by Lauren Myers

Review

Old Market Hot Shops are friendly, low key, unique

Photos by Hayley Hochstetler

By Brooke Criswell & Katie Hiers

Reporter

Hot Shops was established by a few of the artists in the building, that all shared the same vision.

“Doing what we love is the key, we want to express ourselves through our art in a space where others can see it freely,” ceramics artist Tim Barry said.

In 1999, the diverse yet tantamount artists all pitched in with creativity, experience, and funds when pur-

chasing what is now the Hot Shops.

Finding the Hot Shops was definitely easy due to the edgily decorated orange building. Before even entering the store there were loads of interesting things in the vicinity. Admission was free and you’re allowed to just go in the workshops that have their door ajar.The variation of interests could reach out to anyone that fancied any type of art.

It’s a very low key place,

people come in and out as they please. We even got the chance to visit with a wide variety of artists. Everyone in the building is very open, unique, and friendly. Most of the artists have a prodigious background in multitudinous fields of expertise.

Artists there ranged from merely high school graduates to older adults. A woman in her early 60’s has traveled from continent to continent,along with others, in pursuit to find the finest

beads, stones, gold, etc. She has a collection that goes back centuries, and are one of a kind.

Everyone there is so passionate about their work.

They all spend countless hours on each and everyone one of their pieces. Expressing themselves in ways so dissimilarly from one artist to the next. Whatever genre of art they execute, the artists were all so eager to converse about anything and everything their pieces consist of.

Things that we favored the most were the variety of different artists and how precise everyone’s work was.

The amount of dedication that was put in every piece was immensely moving.

If you’re going to make a trip out to the Hot Shops, make sure to clear your schedule. With the endless floors of diverse art it wasn’t hard to get wrapped up in all the amazing artists displaying their art. By the close of our trip we didn’t realize that

so much time had flown by, it’s such an amazing experience though so each minute counts.

By seeing everyone’s artwork, it sparked both of our interests in enrolling in classes held there. Anyone could participate in learning these skills. Some of the top classes were; pottery, painting, and glass blowing. All of which do cost money, but most have an open studio time to work even after you’re out of class.

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Entertainment

Lauren Myers | Entertainment Editor

Review

Echoes

Dropkick Murphys spreads unique sound

By Cody Self Reporter

The Dropkick Murphys are a wide spread punk band, spreading a unique sound of cultural Irish music mixed with punk rock.This band prides itself in having an upbeat and energetic style of music while displaying a strong Irish pride through many of their songs. From the intro song to MTV’s Nitro Circus (“State of Massachusetts”), to the band’s highest selling album to date (Going Out in Style), the band’s commercial success seems to continuously bound forward. Signed and Sealed in Blood (the band’s new album released on January 8th, 2013) is no exception.

But before talking about the 2013 album, a look back on the band’s history is necessary to understand the significance of the group. The Dropkick Murphys are an american punk band that started making a name for themselves through performances in the Boston area.

Since the start of the band in 1996, the Dropkick Murphys have risen through the musical ranks in punk hierarchy.

With many previous successful songs, such as “Shipping Up To Boston” (featured in the 2006 movie “The Departed”) or “Tessie” (the band’s most successful song to date), the band had very high expectations to fulfill with their newest album. As does every driven punk band, The Dropkicks not only met, but exceeded all previous expectations.

Starting the album with “The Boys Are Back”, it is

clear the band met the challenge head on. The mixture of classic Irish instruments with a driving punk tempo, the “Boys” put a strong first impression right away. This upbeat style is displayed in many other songs in the album, such as in “Burn”, “The Battle Rages On”, and “Out of Our Heads”. This rocking sensation is perfectly balanced, however, with other slower, more traditional Irish songs like “Rose Tattoo”, “Jimmy Collins’ Wake”, and “End of the Night”. The slower tempo mixed with the traditional Irish riffs show the band hasn’t forgotten their origins or culture. The album finally ends with the bonus track “Lucky Charlie”, displaying a short, yet very rock and roll closure filled with more punk sound and speed. Listening to “Signed and Sealed in Blood” leaves me feeling a sense of hom-

age and kinship with Boston-that, and it makes me want to break things.

The release of their 2013 album has been more of a celebration of the band’s success through the years than anything. The Dropkicks have a unique way of embodying the fighting spirit in all of us, while touching base with the importance of life itself. Throughout the nearly seventeen years of music together, the band has gone from being a small Massachusetts’s group playing St. Patty’s day gigs in Boston, to selling out shows, playing music for Academy Award winning films, and being a proud anthem to may Boston sports teams. I have no doubt after seeing the commercial success the band has achieved, that the Dropkick Murphys will rock the Irish socks off of many generations to come.

An Echoes original story:

‘The Jumper,’ Part 1 Echoes Entertainment presents an original piece of fiction

By Joe Vrenick Multi-Media Specialist Before: In the year 2045, two years from where I am now, half of the world will be a crater. A result of one man’s power gone too far!

The United States will turn to fascism and the high chancellor, Gregor Warding, will make Time Jumping illegal, launch a nuclear bomb at Moscow, Russia turning it into the world’s largest crater, starting World War III with the rest of the world.

Three years after that, humanity will cease to exist.

Not unless I can stop this from happening. Not unless I Time Jump to the past and prevent the birth of Warding, and the passing of Warding’s families success & secrets.

Time Jumping is simple to describe, but happens to be more complicated than it sounds. The design of the Jump Device, or JD’s, is a lot like a “Spider-Man” web shooter. You simply set the time you want to go to on the dial, and you press the trigger with your fingers. There is a catch to this though!

On your first trip with the Jump Device, you can only go back in time.You can not go forward! Going forward from the time period that you are in now has caused major problems in the time stream which kind of explains how the events to come came to be in a sense. You can only go forward in time after the first ten minutes of being in the time stream you jumped back to. And when you jump forward, there is a limit. You can not jump back to your original time line. You can only go forward four years ahead of the time stream you are in. So let’s say you jumped to the year 1986.

The only places in time you can jump to are 1987, 1988, 1989, and 1990. You can not jump anywhere forward beyond that point. In order to continue living in that time stream, you need to continue on with life normal. Day by day, hour by hour, second by second. You will fry up in the jump stream if you attempt to go any farther back.

Present time: My JD reads October 12, 2045. My mission, find the files of Gregor Warding’s birth in the public archives, destroy them

before I destroy the target. 9 year old Gregor Warding, future high chancellor! I have my orders, and I have my target. Time to go.

Time Jumped to, October 12, 2009. Time of day, 12:30 P.M. I hate jumping. I’ve had to do it before. I was a test subject to see if Time Travel was possible. And it was possible. But for some reason, my sense of smell doesn’t agree with me. It just smells weird for a few minutes of being in a different timeline than the one you’re originally from. I check my surroundings. Seems to be legit.

I need to get moving.

The town seems to be going through the usual daily motions. All seems normal and quiet. Not too many people out on the street. But there is two people here that really catch my eye. Two people who I know very well. Ronald Black and Greg Novak. Warding’s personal assassins sent into time and make sure nobody changes the past. I knew them before they went off and betrayed this nation. They notice me from across the street, and draw their weapons. This isn’t going to be fun...

Upcoming movie release dates March 8th- Oz-The Great and Powerful

Upcoming Century Link Events

April 5th- Jurassic Park 3-D

March 13th-14th-Taylor Swift

April 27th-Jason Aldean

April 12th- Scary Movie 5

March 29th- Kid Rock

May 12th- Carrie Underwood

March 15th- The Incredible Burt Wonderstone

April 26th- The Big Wedding

April 5th- Harlem Globetrotters

May 25th- The Color Run

March 29th- G.I. Joe: Retaliation

Information gathered from: movieinsider.com

April 12th-13th- International Horse Show

Information gathered from centurylinkcenteromaha.com

April 5th- The Evil Dead

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Sports

Blake Willadsen | Sports editor

W

By Josh Cross & Nathan Vorce

Reporters

I

N T E R I N

As the winter season comes to a conclusion, so do multiple sports.

Some students are excited and are looking forward to the upcoming sports season, while others are getting ready to go back to life without activities, and then there are still others that are simply transitioning from one sport to another.

The swim team recently capped off their season by going to a district meet Feb. 2. Patrick Jones ‘15 is one swimmer that feels like he had a good season.

“After this season I feel really ac-

R E V I E W

complished, I gained close to 100 points from finishing in top spots in races and I also lettered for the second year in a row.”

However, Jones still has more physical activity to do. “I didn’t participate in any spring sports last year but this year I’m going to try track and hopefully stay in shape.”

Jones has many memories of his past swimming season, but a couple stick out in particular.

“Most memorable moment was at districts, which was the last swim meet of the season, and everyone broke times and cheered for everyone, it reminded me of a movie. Or there was the time were the seniors put my shoes on a kick board in the middle of the pool after I put my clothes on.”

Another winter sport that is ending is bowling. The bowling team made it to the state tournament this year. And that was just the goal for Josh Ryan ‘13.

“You don’t get to state without lots of practice,” Ryan said.

Though even with all the work, Ryan still had a good time.

“The season was enjoyable, and I had a lot of fun.”

The wrestling team also completed its season, and Wesley Eledge ‘14 is one wrestler that thought this season was better than last year.

“While I felt like my season could have been better, I still feel like I had a good season and I was satisfied with the end of the season.”

In basketball, the boys went 5-17 and the Lady Lynx finished the season 16-8. They lost to Des Moines Dowling 53-30 in the second round of districts after beating TJ in the first round of districts.

The winter season of sports draws to a close, so do many athletes seasons. However some still are prepping for a whole nother season or sports.

Athletes sign to play in college

By Blake Willadsen Editor-in-chief Every year, when February rolls around, thousands of high school athletes make commitments to play college sports at their schools of choice. At A.L., a handful of athletes are making that next step and signing to play at several universities across the state and midwest.

When it came time to start thinking about the future, Connor Dean ‘13 didn’t have much hesitation when deciding to continue with baseball.

“I love the game of baseball,” Dean said. “I know it builds character and its something that I’m passionate about.”

Dean was ahead of his classmates as he committed to play baseball at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside in October and signed in November. After visiting five different schools in Minnesota and Missouri as well as elsewhere, Dean decided that Parkside was the best fit.

“I really liked the coach there. He really made me feel like I was at home and helped me make the right decision,” Dean said.

Miguel Espinoza ‘13 recently committed to play soccer for Iowa Western Community College. Espinoza has been looking forward to playing college soccer for a long time and finally made it official on Jan. 20 when he verbally committed to the Reivers. “(College soccer is) another level. You have more discipline, way more disci-

Boys soccer hyped for season

By Christina Rivera Reporter For the boys’ soccer team, the end of winter and the emergence of spring signalizes that soccer season is right around the corner. Their first practice is scheduled for March 11, but until then conditioning is every Tuesday and Thursday in the gym.

“Condition has been a little different this year,” Varsity Captain Efrain Guerrero ’13 said. “One week we do cardio and the next we scrimmage.”

Soccer has been part of varsity captain Efrain Guerrero’s life for many years, and this season he has high expectations for the team.

“When I was growing up, I didn’t always have my parents around and soccer was my way of getting away from everything. It was a way that I could catch my breath,” Guerrero said.

“My hopes this year for the team is not to win every game or make it to state, but to make sure we leave some sort of legacy to this team because it is about loving the game and loving everyone on your team.”

Goalkeeper Logan Moore ‘14 wants to improve his diving skills for this season and win allstate. As for the team, he expects to do better than last year.

“I hope to go to state and leave nothing behind,” Moore said. “Our boys are going to bring soccer back to school.”

For senior Jerome Christiansen his biggest concern for the team is learning how to cooperate together.

“I think understanding more how to play as a team is something we need to improve on.” Christiansen said. “(I hope) to do better this year than last. We have more potential.”

Sophomore varsity

Echoes

player Pedro Valdez also agreed that the team lacked teamwork.

“We need to work more as a team. There is not that much communication between the team.”

Once practice officially starts, teamwork is an area where many of the players vowed they wanted to improve on.

However, many players are also looking forward to other things this season--their game against Thomas Jefferson.

“I think the most anticipated game is against T.J. because we will be playing them at Creighton.”

Guerrero said. “T.J. is our biggest rivalry because we haven’t been able to beat them for seven years.”

The boys’ varsity soccer team will be playing against T.J. at the Morrison Soccer Complex on May 16 located at Creighton University.

Miguel Espinoza signs his letter of intent. photo by Hayley Hochstetler pline,” Espinoza said. “It has just been my dream since I was a little kid to play college ball. I really feel like it’ll bring out my character and the best player in me.”

Espinoza is happy with his commitment and is hopeful that it can get him noticed by other schools, such as Creighton, once his time at IWCC is up.

“It’s really close to home and some people may look down on it, but that’s because they really don’t know about it (the school). They are coming out with amazing athletic programs. You can see how just this year the football team won the national championship and the soccer team was really close to making it to nationals,” Espinoza said. “I think if this year we get our act together, we can maybe make it to nationals and win a national title.”

Lauren Meeker ‘13 has committed to play softball at Minnesota State University-Moorhead, a division II school. Meeker says it felt

like she visited “a million” schools and after narrowing her list down to Augustana, Morningside, Buena Vista, and Minnesota St. she felt Minnesota was the “best fit.” “(Moorhead is) not huge but it’s not small. I just liked everything about it, I felt comfortable there,” Meeker said. “My parents were there for me the whole entire time when I was deciding, but they just kept saying you will know when it’s the right one and I guess I did. They just wanted me to find what I like.”

These students have finally closed their college search. Several other students will be playing athletics past high school. Connor Gann has committed to play baseball for Midland University. Sean Powers will also be playing college baseball.

A few other students are still searching for the right fit.

Stay tuned to the Echoes for any future updates on athlete commitments.

Spring preview A look ahead at the upcoming track, soccer, tennis seasons

By Josh Cross & Nathan Vorce

Reporters

With the beginning on a new weather season, comes a new sports season here as well. With spring comes a whole new round up of sports. Here is a look at the seasons ahead.

Some students, like Ali Heithoff ‘13, are eager to play soccer. Ali is one of the captains who is excited after rehabbing back from her season ending injury last year. She is also excited for the team and has tremendous faith in them.

“We are going to do

pretty good. We got moved down to division 2A which means we have a better chance for a winning season and a state tournament,” Heithoff said.

Heithoff has been playing soccer since she was four, and since then it has just been part of her life.

High school can be a good time to try something again. Ryan Edmondson ‘15 did not participate in track last year, but he did at Kirn, and is making his return to the sport this year.

“I like it. (track) It’s good exercise and it kept me in shape,” Edmondson said.

Like many other runners, Edmondson hopes to improve speed in his running.

Most runners accomplish this with constant practice.

“I hope to improve my mile time, half mile time,

and hurdle time,” Edmondson said. “I run around Glenwood a lot, and I also train at the YMCA a lot.”

Assistant Track Coach Justin Kammrad is looking forward to the upcoming track season. “(The start of track) is very exciting, I have higher expectations for them, I expect good things out of the kids. We have opportunities with a lot of the kids to do great things. We will be very competitive this year and have a much better team than last year.”

The spring sports have made many students happy about their new athletic opportunities. The people at AL are anticipating watching the young student athletes compete in these sports.

Echoes

Blake Willadsen | Sports editor

By Krystal Hopkins News Co-Editor

During all sports seasons of the year, athletes train hard, practice, play games, and condition.

Some also eat healthy, and practice on their own time to improve themselves for the next game.

However, some athletes also believe the brands they wear and superstitions they have can affect their focus and performance for the game.

Baseball is one of the sports with the most superstitions, like wearing only certain brands.

“I always wear Easton batting gloves and Nike cleats,” Connor Gann ‘13, 2nd baseman said.

For some players the brand doesn’t matter but the clothes do. “ I

always wear a blue or red cut- off, and tape or a guard on my wrist,” shortstop Connor Dean ‘13 said.

Before a Baseball game there are also many things that the team or individual players do and don’t d o .

There is an unwritten rule to not touch the chalk (or foul lines) before the game. Also, about halfway through the season, the team starts doing a different stretch while warming up. Some of the players write inspirational quotes inside of their hats that they would like to remember during the game. Gann decided upon “time’s up lets do this” from a Leroy Jenkins YouTube video.

The idea behind these “good luck” methods is to have a

Sports

12

NIKES ON MY FEET AL athletes hold brand superstitions and routines steady

little extra boost to win, however some question whether they work. Most athletes believe they do help, but not in the way one might expect. When the players are getting ready for a game, having a routine gets the players mentally focused. “(Baseball) is a very mental game,” said Dean.

“It’s easy to come unfocused.”

Even when off the field

many athletes wear sports brand clothes all the time. One of the most popular brands is Nike. Nike is one of the most recognized brands globally, thanks to the Nike “swoosh.”

“It’s widely known and popular with the cool kids,” said Dillon “Gibby” Gibson ‘16. “It’s what the celebrities and pro athletes wear, if I wear Nike I

can jump like Jor-

dan.”

Nike sponsors countless stars and collegiate and professional teams. These iconic athletes further the appeal of the brand.

Whether one believes in superstitions or not,

these athletes take them seriously and will no doubt continue to believe.

Students take on boxing, MMA fighting

Leggett ‘13 gets his first victory in this match on Sept. 28.

By Jessie

Adkins Photographer

Fighting isn’t a sport that you just try out for, it’s a sport that people seek out because of their interest in the sport. It requires a lot of time and training to be the best.

They don’t get automatic respect like athletes do in other sports, they have to earn it.

A few select students have stepped up to try to earn that respect, in the ring.

Jake Leggett ’13 has been training since his freshmen year in mixed martial arts.

Starting off with westling, he switched to MMA. He watched it on television one day and since he liked wrestling, he thought, “it would be a lot of fun.”

“After I started training (for MMA) I didn’t want to limit myself to wrestling and I like using my hands and feet and just putting all

my skills and arts together insteading of just using one style” Leggett said.

As Leggett was preparing for his first fight, there was a lot going though his head. Leggett’s fight was Sept. 28, the day AL had its homecoming football game.

“I was very excited and very nervous, the anticipation was killing me. I was just thinking I’m here to do my job, and do what I was here to do, to win.”

It wasn’t an easy win for Leggett, the match had a lot of up and downs, and even though at points it didn’t seem possible, he came out the victor.

“I went in right away and as soon as we went in I went for the kill I gave it everything I had, punches, kicks, I picked him up and slammed him. He actually caught my neck in a choke, it took awhile to fight my way out of that, once I got out I proceeded to pound him until the bell rang.

“Second round I hit him many times, dropped him and then starting raining down punches until he rolled over, then I put him to sleep.”

Fighting isn’t an easy task, it takes a lot of strength and energy. Even though it was physically and mentally exhausting, Leggett didn’t give up.

“My whole family was there, everyone was cheering my name. I went through hell to get there, and I worked too hard to be beat by him in front of my whole family,” Leggett said.

Two other fighters, Brandon Bywater ‘15 and Devin Newland ‘15 box at the Council BLuffs Boxing club.

For Bywater, his first match was nerve wracking. “(It was) scary, really scary, I didn’t know if I was going to be beat up or not, I was nervous with everyone watching me.” Bywater said.

But regardless of his fears, bywater pulled through, winning the silver glove for

Photos submitted by Brian Alspaugh Fotography

iowa, weight 156.

For fighters, preparation is a big key to success. Every fighter has their own ways to prepare, both physically and mentally.

“I listen to music, try to concentrate on who im fighting and how I’m going to beat them.

You can’t eat until after you weigh in, and we have

to sit in a sauna for an hour.

I workout every day except saturday and sunday,” Bywater said.

“First, to start off we sit and relax, we hit mits to warm up. Long Term, we eat right, run a lot and drink a lot of water” Newland said.

For Bywater, the reasoning behind why he likes boxing is simple.

“(I like) That you can hit someone as hard as you want and not get in trouble for it,”Bywater said.

Though it may be a lot of work, the fighters here at AL think it’s worth it. After seeing lots of success, they are looking forward to seeing fighting in their futures.