CMR Stampede March 31, 2011

the

stampede

c.m. russell high school great falls, montana March 31, 2011 vol. 46, no. 7

featuring

an open forum for student expression

American Roulette Drama department takes gamble with winter production (pg. 14-15)

Construction Tech. turns class project into home (pg. 8)

Josh Pecukonis yields barnyard profit (pg. 10)

CMR Wranglers relax at Universal Orlando after national competition (pg. 27)

voice it opinion

Drama department produces difficult, right show

Being the paper for such an outstanding school, the Stampede normally has the privilege to report all of the amazing things that members of this student body accomplish.

However, sometimes it is necessary to discuss more difficult topics. Sometimes life has tough stuff, such as school shootings.

Thankfully, the Stampede staff does not shoulder the burden of dealing with these topics alone. Luckily, we have the CMR drama department who March 10-12 produced “American Roulette,” a show directly dealing with a school shooting and its aftermath.

This wasn’t a show that was necessarily fun to watch.

But that doesn’t mean that it should not have been watched.

School shootings need to be discussed. They aren’t fun, but they need to be discussed.

Pushing the issue away and pretending it doesn’t exist doesn’t make it go away, nor does it make it less prevalent.

Furthermore, shows such as “American Roulette” don’t make school shootings more likely to happen. They don’t encourage such heinous acts. But they do force us to take a hard look at our

own actions and examine what about them could drive anyone to the point where they would take their lives and the lives of those around them.

It is also important to note that during the “talk back” session after the show (a session added specifically due to the content of the play in which audiences could discuss the play with director and writer Chris Evans, as well as with the cast); none of the remaining audience members had anything negative to say about the content. In fact, they praised the cast for tackling such difficult subject matter, and dealing with it in the way that they did.

Furthermore, both before and after the show, Evans stressed the fact that the play was not encouraging or endorsing such violence, instead wanting to bring attention to the issue.

The more the causes of school shootings are discussed, the less likely it will be that one will happen. For that reason alone, any form of media that raises awareness about the issue should be applauded.

On the edge: Summer break to summer teaching Being on Summer Break for the past month has been a relief and full of memories. I relaxed on a beach in Hua Hin, rode on an elephant in Chiang Mai, and taught English Grammar to teachers in Sriracha. But even though my three-week summer is coming to an end, I am excited.On March 21, 2011, I start to teach English for my second semester, the Summer Session, at Assumption University. However, for professors like me and some of my colleagues who have been teaching for 20+ years, the experience will be new for all of us.

The Institute of English Learning, our department, recently amended how our program conducts its classes.With these major modifications going into effect for the fall semester this May, our Summer Session will be a “test-run” to make sure everything goes well and to make any last-minute modifications necessary.

In the past, I have served as a “guinea pig” for such test-trials, so being a part of our department’s new programming is nothing new. Still, I do enjoy having something familiar in the midst of change. Thankfully, I already have a semester of teaching experience. And while each class will have its own personality for me to decipher over the next two months, I am excited to take on this new challenge!

Joey Nunez, ‘06

Joey Nunez, a 2006 CMR graduate, is teaching and traveling in Thailand.

He recently spent time in Chaing Mai, where he shot this street scene.

Nunez is spending a year as a teacher in Thailand. Photo courtesy of Joey Nunez.

This past month the CMR Russellog sent ballots to seniors so that they could cast their vote for senior superlatives.

As many of you already may have heard I was selected by my class to represent the distinction, “worst case of seniorities.”

While many who hear this scoff at its apparent absurdity I would like to first of all rewrite the definition of senioritis and second confirm that, however tongue-incheek my peers may have been, I agree with them.

Senioritis often brings to editor-in-chief

The Talking Head tim seery

mind the second semester academic slump. It is the time when the future on the horizon seems so near that the present becomes secondary, and classes, homework, and high school take a backseat.

However, I would like to change the meaning of seniorities. I believe that senioritis is a longing for the future, an optimistic outlook upon this irreplaceable time in our lives.

This is the time when the future comes into a clear focus, allowing us the opportunity to look back on the successes of our four-year experience.

For me, this sense of excitement makes me work harder. To make me pursue my passions and challenge the classical meaning of the word

The Staff editor-in-chief tim seery visual content editor nick green news/opinion editor katie hodges business manager nick schulz features editor shayna leonard sports editor meg smith

staff alecks leavey austin lahr caitlyn aakre christina christianson deja lacey jennifer verzuh josh philyaw kristi gange lindsey buck megan bernhardt mandi monroe

adviser beth britton principal dick kloppel

Charles M. Russell: The Stampede The Stampede, published approximately every four weeks, is a public forum for all voices on campus. These voices include the students, parents, faculty and the community at large.

The opinions and views in this publication are not necessarily those of the Stampede staff, the student body, CMR employees or the school administration.

The Stampede strives to cover the news accurately and fairly; however, when a mistake is made, a correction will be printed in the following issue. All writers are responsible for the content of their articles.

Editors will edit all copy to be free of plagiarism and libel, and all writers will double-check their facts before publication. The Stampede accepts letters but limits the length to 200 words.

The Stampede reserves the right to edit all letters; anonymous letters are not accepted.

The Stampede maintains membership in the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, the National Scholastic Press Association, the Journalism Education Association and Quill and Scroll.

Some material courtesy of American Society of Newspaper Editors/KRT Campus High School Newspaper Service.

228 17th Ave. NW (406) 268-6178 Great Falls, MT 59404 www.rustlernews.com

“senioritis.”

I challenge you to embrace this time and change the meaning of the word “senioritis.”

Wouldn’t it be monumental if we all approached our final semester with nothing less than gusto.

Don’t be tempted to let yourself fall into an academic slump. This is the time where you have the opportunity to refine your skills without any pressure.

I am grateful I was selected for the honor because it has allowed me to alter the definition and make senioritis an illness that kicks our academic immune systems into high gear, making us work harder and with a passion second to none.

Crossing the line?

March 31, 2011 The Stampede

03

Disney takes a radical turn from uplifting to disgraceful, disappointing kristi gange and lindsey buck

The greatest symbol of innocence in the world is a child, but where does corruption begin?

Leonard F. Peltier, a famous American activist and author, once said, “We each begin in innocence. We all become guilty.”

When raising a child, many parents rely on movies to reinforce the values that they have instilled in their children. However, a growing number of controversies in Disney films make it apparent that these images are not the ideas that should be filling the minds of youth.

When you are young you aren’t looking for the undertones that certain movies may have. As you get older, it’s brought to your attention that the movies you grew up watching and loved so much weren’t as innocent as you thought.

Movies such as “Dumbo,” “Lady and the Tramp,” “Tarzan,” and “Aladdin” feature negative stereotypes about race, as well as violence and sexual undertones.

From a young age, children are exposed to a world of sex, violence, racism, and much more in movies that are supposedly created just for them.

For example, in the movie “The Lion King” the main character Simba jumps on the ground, causing a cloud of dust to come up and form the word “sex.”

Some might argue that messages as small as this cause no harm to children and are put in movies for adult entertainment.

However, subconsciously these movies can have harmful effects on children.

In “Aladdin,” the words “teenagers take your clothes off” can be heard during the magic carpet scene. Although Disney argues that the real words are “go kitty, take off,” there is a high amount of doubt among viewers.

Disney’s “Peter Pan” shows a group of Native American characters that live in Never-Never Land and represent numberous stereotypes of the culture, including the use of a peace pipe and the words such as “paleface” and “squaw.” In addition, there are also cliched accents used when a character slaps his hand to his mouth.

In Disney’s “Tarzan,” violence plays a large role in a series of vicious animal attacks and the implied death of Tarzan’s parents. In fact, the villain is killed ruthlessly by hanging vines.

Where do we draw the line of what is appropriate for young kids? In studies

it has been proven that much violence is caused by television, video games, and influences around children. What goes in truly does come out.

In “Dumbo,” there are three black crows, all of which are portrayed as simplistic, uneducated, and poor. In addition, the lead crow’s name is Jim Crow. Jim Crow was the name given to a set of rigid laws that further restricted the rights of African Americans between 1877 and the mid-1960s.

Finally, we are faced with the Siamese cats in “Lady and the Tramp.” These cats sport exaggerated, slanted eyes that play to a highly offensive stereotype of the Asian culture. The cats also spit and slur during speech while displaying bad grammar.

The G and PG ratings on these movies don’t hold much validity. When renting or purchasing movies, do parents really know what they are doing? It seems that instead of preserving innocence we are actually encouraging the loss of it.

When children subconsciously receive information that puts sexual concepts in their head, encourages the use of violence, and tells them that a certain type of person is inferior, they are subconsciously influenced whether they realize it or not.

These films hold a lot of power, and in order to benefit children and their future, they should encourage good principles.

We believe it’s important to portray people in a respectful way. If the world wants to put an end to corruption, it must start at the very center of problems: the mind.

Many factors play into this, but negative influence is one of the biggest factors.

Children and parents alike rely on these films to help implant good morals into the minds of youth. Disney has a powerful influence on young people, and the company should use that influence to help mold children into the best version of themselves that they can be.

If you’d like to see more “I think that Disney movies contraversies in Disney movneed to go back to what ies, go to www.youtube.com and type in “disney sublimithey originally were and the nal messages.”

characters need to be positive role models for young children.

Garrett Lankford, 11

“I think that if it doesn’t add to the supposed morals in movies, it definitely shouldn’t be in movies.”

Allyson Kohut, 10

04

2 head head Higher Education Specialization breeds innovation

tim seery

workforce ready to tackle any challenge.

This climate of specialization does not If you page through a college course book you will undoubtedly find courses mean that one cannot explore the periphthat are much narrower in focus than eries of their imagination and dabble in anything you would see in a high school a variety of pursuits. It simply asks that everyone complete his or her education curriculum.

Classes under the history department by emphasizing one area of focus whose titled, “The American West” in the Eng- knowledge they can utilize to better the lish department called, “The Romantics” human condition.

Simply put, or in the math departspecialization fuels ment that focus on ingenuity. Medical “Logic.”

However, colleges are conthere are colleges and tinually expanding universities that take the scope of their this level of specificaresearch and the tion to a whole new fields of study that level. they offer.

It is not uncomThrough spemon to come across cialization, more recourses that can besearch can be concome as detailed as ducted and more “Liberation Ecology: programs can be Politics and Policy in offered to medical the Creation of a Just, students. Thus you Green Economy” or “Topics in Latin Charles Horace Mayo and his brother William James could say that speAmerican Cultural Mayo joined their father’s medical practice in 1883. cialization fosters environment Studies: Contempo- Innovation and specialization were their standards, an where answers rary Cuban Litera- and they shared a zeal for medicine. Today to society’s most ture and Visual Cul- their practice has expanded to 55,000 medical professionals in Florida, Arizona and Minnesota. pressing questions ture.”

Both of these are offered at Princeton and solutions to the most monumental University, known for its fondness of spe- problems are discovered.

The Mayo Clinic, a not-for-profit medcific courses.

Specialization in higher education ical practice comprising 55,000 medical serves a distinct purpose. Secondary professionals based in Rochester, Minn. school education is known for having a touts specialization as the cornerstone of medical innvoation. The Mayo Medical wide breadth with very shallow depth.

This system offers a students the op- School, established in 1972 begins by exportunity to take a wide range of courses posing its studens to broad based health so that they leave high school with a solid philosophy eventually leading them to a foundation in all academic subject areas. specialized field of study that results in College provides the depth that high doctors with the specialized knowledge to provide medical answers for the milschool lacks.

Specialization in higher education has lions of patients who come through the a clear purpose: It completes a student’s Mayo Clinic.

Specialization in higher education overall education. High school lets students explore a wide variety of academic completes the holistic education of the subject areas with the hope that each individual while maintaining an acastudent gain some sense of purpose. It is demic environment where cutting edge with that sense of direction that a student research can be performed and new horizons opened. pursues post secondary options.

The very nature of academia lies in The men and women entering our inspecialization. Our colleges and univer- stitutions of higher education will be the sities grant degrees to individuals who pioneers of these new horizons. are experts in a certain field of study. The sum total of these individuals in our so-

Credentials are killing creativity

nick green seen as unprofitable and ultimately futile, The Renaissance man is dead. An over but this is far from the case. Most innovaemphasis on credentials to the exclusion of tion occurs in the minds of creative individcreativity and innovation is its murderer. uals --not in health clinics where the curOver-specialization in higher education is rency of the day is getting through the day. the bane of potential innovators in such Academia needs to foster an environment fields as science and architecture who do of creativity and exploration --not rigid renot excel in the stark overly analytical learning from textbooks. The hallmarks of world of degrees and credentials. math and science are logic and reason, both The “rebirth” of sorts that took place exceptional things, but when a logical in Italy during the 14th Century unapproach leads to illogical imleashed a torrent of brilliant minds movability then creativity upon the world and allowed for must be called into play. individuals (well at least men) If I were to make one to follow their passions unpoint in this rant it would inhibited by the constraints, be this: scientific and fiscal and cerebral that we curmathematical education rently face. The Renaissance, without a genuine intelhowever, is beginning to look lectual interest and a like the last gasp of a very creative bent is pure noble ideal: “Knowledge for and simple money the sake of knowledge.” grubbing.

I am not saying that our I have perhaps situation is the same as it been overly aggreswas during the Renaissance; sive in regards to the sheer bulk of human doctor’s and lawknowledge does in many yer’s motives. They instances require special- Leonardo Da Vinci, noted artist, inventor, are not the only ization. I certainly wouldn’t sculptor and general polymath problem that I see want a brain surgeon whose in our education sysexperience consists purely of a bachelor’s tem. People no longer dream in the grand in biology. What I want to suggest is: while terms they used to. This is the fault of both our technological age requires more study, students and their teachers. Some may pure talent and creativity can’t be over- think that our vast amount of knowledge looked. requires smaller dreams, but I think that One of my biggest gripes with the over- it is exactly the opposite; with cooperation specialization of higher education lies not and teamwork the twin devils of too much with the concept of it, but rather lies with knowledge and too little time can be overthe motivations many students have when come and great things can be done. joining academia. The primary motivaThe polymaths of the Renaissance tion for many medical students or lawyers achieved not because they caved in to the is money, and a true and honest desire to conventional wisdom of their times, but help society and in turn better themselves because they absorbed and then moved is often missing. ahead with life. True knowledge is not atI don’t know how many times I’ve tained by burying oneself in a book and heard people say that they want to be a then hoping to come out a sage. It comes doctor or a lawyer and when asked to their from diving head first into books and then motivation aside from honest motivations having the common sense to swim your money is usually the largest factor not a way out. As in all things, the middle way love of science or a passion for rhetoric but is usually the best, and in higher educathe potential for higher earning potential. tion it is no different. Book smarts would Money isn’t an inherently bad motivator, be nothing without a practical implication, it doesn’t however, get the high quality re- and ambition would be nothing without sults that passion and interest do. follow through.

A search for pure knowledge is now Higher education is not broken our

happeningnow

05

March 31, 2011 The Stampede

At CMR, students are doing more than throwing a bottle into a recycling bin to help the environment.

“We were the main presenters,” senior Katie Noland said about the Montana Environmental Students Alliance (MESA) conference held in Helena March 5. Noland attended a conservation school last fall and since then has been really involved in saving the environment. “[We presented] our composting, electric car and windmill projects,” she said. Noland, along with junior Adam Cordeiro, attended the conference to bounce ideas off other environmental high school students. Other schools attending the conference were from Kalispell, Bozeman, Missoula and Carroll College in Helena.

They also discussed the political aspects involved with saving the environment.

“Pat Williams, an old-time politician, (Montana’s former Representative to the House) had a discussion panel about the difference between partisan and policy directed toward environmentalism,” she said.

After attending the conference, Noland has made connections that will allow her to continue her life working for the environment. She met Attorney General Steve Bullock, as well as Governor Brian Schweitzer.

“I met a lot of higher-up people. There’s a lot of people at the college level and adults in [environmental] projects,” she said.

Noland is currently working on a project for plastic recycling at CMR, and is trying to get others involved.

“I’m trying to get the art department to decorate the recycling containers,” she said. “[MESA made me realize] I could be more involved at the high school level,” she said.

Cordeiro agrees that for the environment to benefit, everybody must try to make a difference.

“The best way to become green is to take the first step,” he said. Cordeiro founded the Going Green club at CMR with teacher Randy Faechner.

He also helped build the greenhouse. When he went to the MESA conference, he met with others who share his passion for the environment.

“Tree huggers, granola ears, whatever you want to call them. It was a happy, cool environment,” he said. Everybody there was environmentally friendly like Cordeiro. Overall, he enjoyed the MESA conference. “[It was] a bunch of college kids coming together to talk about what they’re doing,” he said.

Cordeiro said high school students were invited so that when they get to the college level, they’re already involved in MESA. “I talked about wind energy we’re using out here. I talked about the electric car, the ‘green machine’,” he said. Beyond working with the agricultural department, Cordeiro also plans on doing things for Earth Day. “We’re going to do an Earth fact every day of April on the announcements,” he said. Since Earth Day is part of spring break, Cordeiro would like to plan a cleanup of the River’s Edge Trail. Beyond that, he is going to continue working on the school’s environmental projects.

“I’m going to try to green-ify our school,” he said.

If you would like to get involved with the environment, help celebrate Earth Day on April 22. Founded in 1962 by Senator Gaylor Nelson, Earth Day is meant to bring conservation issues to the political world. Not only that, but Earth Day allows average citizens to be involved with the environment. See the tree for ideas on what to do.

Hi, my name is Katie Hodges, and I am a recovering literary snob.

While I once may have asserted my superiority over the rest of my peers by proudly showing off the Dickens, Austen, Shakespeare, and Brontë that resided on my bookshelf, I will now admit to not only reading but finding enjoyment in Dessen, Rowling, and (dare I say it) Meyers.

Although the first list may provide more insight on the human race as a whole, the latter better provides the very thing literanews-opinion editor ture is supposed to: sheer

Chasing Sanity katie hodges

Thi ngs you an do on Ea

caitlyn aakre

y a D th

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MESA conference offers ideas, opportunities to be green

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• Plant a tree!

• Pick up trash in your neighborhood.

• Use www.blackle.com instead of Google to save megawatts of energy.

• Turn down your heat. Blankets are sufficient.

• Attend the Earth Day convention at the Civic Center Apr. 16.

• Use reusable grocery bags instead of paper or plastic.

• Turn the lights out earlier before going to bed.

Flashlights and candles are great light sources. It’s like camping indoors!

• Unplug chargers when your phone or computer is juiced up.

enjoyment and an escape.

Let’s face it: as enlightening and informative as some “classics” can be, they can be hard to get through. They don’t always make sense, and a great amount of thinking is required to simply comprehend the plot.

Well, I don’t always want to think. I love doing thinking for English class or when I am in the mood to do so, but some days thinking is not an option. It is such days where I am happy to reach for the lighter tomes my bookshelf has to offer.

I would never argue that students shouldn’t be required to read the classics, as they do serve their purpose. But I would similarly never argue that students shouldn’t be allowed access to the

lighter side of literature.

Enjoyment of reading, reading for reading’s sake, should be encouraged in whatever form it comes in. And that form probably isn’t the classics.

Active literacy is a major problem in America, a problem that is not solved by telling students that what they enjoy reading is somehow bad or wrong.

The more students are encouraged to read, no matter what the book, the more likely they are to reach for different novels, maybe even some classics.

So the next time you are tempted to reach for something that is easy for others to scorn, reach for it anyways, and with pride.

06

Class of 2014 presents challenge to CMR faculty and administrators

Tramelli said that attendance is In her years as an educator, assonot the only issue responsible for the ciate principal Julie Tramelli said she academic standing of the freshman has never seen a freshman class quite class. like the class of 2014.

“There seems to be a great sense of “This year is extraordinary,” she entitlement built in with this group, said, commenting on the academic its not the we don’t have leaders, its standing of the freshman class. What just that those leaders are not willing makes the class stand out as a whole to step up and take a stand, they are however, is not anything positive. very complacent. There is also apa“This is one of our biggest classes thy attached to this,” Tramelli said. and has more behavior issues than Prior habits may also account for what I’ve seen in all my years as an this shifted attitude. educator,” Tramelli said.

“When we examined the cumuThis year the freshman class of 431 lative folders of the freshman we students has presented CMR faculty discovered that there are many who and administrators with challenge, have, in middle and elementary frustration, and headache. school, had attendance problems.

“Mrs. Gregoire, [principal of North Missing as many has 20 days of Middle School] said that this was one school in some cases,” Tramelli said. of the toughest eighth grade classes to This summer Tramelli along come through. I don’t want to peg all with counselors and administrators freshman, but the problem is signifiworked on scheduling changes for cant,” Tramelli said. freshmen so that they would have The source of the problem rests in one “hook class” a class that they a lack of motivation and the absence of Students checking in late and getting a pass to first period is a busy time of day for the attendance clerks at CMR. The were interested in and could develop leadership, she added. a passion for. clerks kept track of about 100,000 missed class periods in grades 9-12 first semester alone. Photo by Megan Varner.

“They don’t feel compelled to see “In spite of the changes, there the juniors 87, and the seniors 57. that this is their job, their workplace. The problem comes still is a problem,” Tramelli said. “This semester all of the With the large number of failing grades in the freshmen with students being truant after lunch,” Tramelli said. freshman academies meet weekly and send home progclass, CMR administrators are taking action to mitigate the Tramelli believes that the class isn’t buying into the ress reports to get parents’ attention. Telling them that we problem. value of education and that some of the students are not as teachers are here to support these students both before Principal Dick Kloppel said that the freshman will be getting support from the home environment. school and after school,” she said. given the opportunity to recover the credits they are lack“There is more poverty in this class and more homeTramelli added that the credit recovery process will ing through a variety of opportunities. lessness,” Tramelli said. “Some parents just don’t have the take place with the teacher on record in the classroom .

“We are offering credit recovery through the freshman tools in the tool box to support their students in educa“We had parents doing make up work for kids,” Traacademy,” Kloppel said. “Freshmen can recover credit tion.” melli said. “We don’t want this [credit recovery method] to with their academy teacher, they are holding class after According to statistics provided by the CMR attenbecome habit. We want the students to learn they will have school, utilizing Saturday school. The bottom line is that dance office, the freshman class is accountable for 2,543 to answer to due dates,” she said. there is not one person in the building who will not help truancies during first semester. The sophomore class was When presented with the data provided by the CMR them. The teachers here want to see them succeed.” responsible for 1,159, the juniors 696 and the seniors 763.

Attendance Office and the CMR Records Clerk Kloppel “Many of these students failed by 2 percent ,” Kloppel That number may correlate to the number of failed was pensive. said. “Grades and attendance are in direct correlation . I classes during the first semester. According to data pro“There are no excuses for kids failing classes—no exdon’t know any students that are in school everyday and vided by the CMR Records Clerk, freshmen earned 194 cuses for failing with the staff that we have at this school.” who attend class who fail.” failing grades first semester, while the sophomores had 75, tim seery

ABSENCES

TRUANCIES

“F” GRADES

First Semester 2010-2011

First Semester 2010-2011

First Semester 2010-2011

(# of class periods missed)

(# of class periods missed)

(# of individual F’s)

Seniors: 24,554 Juniors: 23,540 Sophomores: 27,683 Freshmen: 27,352

Seniors: 763 Juniors: 696 Sophomores: 1,159 Freshmen: 2,543

Seniors: 57 Juniors: 87 Sophomores: 75 Freshmen: 194

AB TR F

07

March 31, 2011 The Stampede (Counterclockwise from left) A large crack underneath the south apron worries Principal Dick Kloppel. Pillars that support the school are beginning to sink into their foundations.

This locker handle belongs to one of the 600 lockers in the building that need replacement. Large slabs of concrete along the south apron are beginning to crack, as well as sidewalks throughout campus. Photos by Katie Hodges.

CMR building in need of some tender loving care katie hodges

You walk on my floors. You walk through my doors. You slam my lockers. And I am getting older.

Although I am not as old as my counterpart across the river, at 46 I am starting to feel my age and am beginning to need more and more TLC. Luckily, however, building technicians and administrators are dedicated to keeping me in good shape.

“You maintain the bricks and mortar,” CMR principal Dick Kloppel said.

However, the building is starting to require more attention than that.

The list of upgrades the building needs is a lengthy one. The pillars that support the school are sinking into the apron. The apron itself is cracking. The black plastic underneath the windows is also cracking, leaking water into the building. About 600 lockers are starting to break, and components of the heating system need to be fixed badly.

Ceiling tiles and heating components are a major concern. Many of the ceiling tiles need replacement, but at approximately $6 a tile, replacement doesn’t look like an option coming up any time soon.

“The cost of doing that alone will be incredible,” Kloppel said.

Heating mixers for the building, which control how hot or cold each room gets, also need to be replaced. Kloppel used two of the foreign language rooms as an example, where the German room tips the thermometer at around 52 degrees, but across the hall a Spanish room has all of its windows open.

“If you don’t maintain it, then you end up having to replace [it],” Kloppel said.

One of the more pressing issues outside the building is the south apron, which is cracking. At one spot, daylight can be seen though the crack, and Kloppel said that during evacuations, when many students walk on the apron at once, it is possible to see the apron moving.

“Obviously, the integrity of the south apron is an issue,” Kloppel said.

Also along the south apron are the railing slabs. Kloppel originally thought that the 400-lb slabs were held on by rusty bolts, but on further research discovered that they were connected to the building with thick pieces of rebar.

“Those things aren’t going anywhere,” Kloppel said.

Christopher

Head building technician Ken Cartwright is more concerned about a different sort of issue along the south apron: the pigeons and the pigeon poop.

“The quality of air coming in is very important,” Cartwright said.

“It’s not really been taken care of.”

Cartwright, who has been working in the building since 1979, has seen major changes to the building, including renovations to the fieldhouse, which added locker rooms, health rooms, and art rooms to the building.

“In 1997 we had a big addition in the gym,” Cartwright said. “There’s been a lot.”

Although different issues crop up every year, Cartwright recognizes that the district tries to allot money to the school.

“You never know what’s going to come up,” Cartwright said. “Every year they [the district] come up with something to help us.”

Another project that needs to be accomplished is a new floor for the stage.

“The stage needs a new floor,” Kloppel said. “That’s been on the drawing board for some time.”

Kloppel is not the only person in the building hoping for a new stage. Stagecraft and video production teacher Tom Spencer, who works with the stage on a daily basis, would also be happy with a new stage floor.

“This is the original stage floor,” Spencer said. “Stage floors receive such wear that they are made to be changed out every year.”

Due to the number of screws and nails put into the stage every year, there are quite a few holes in the stage floor.

“It makes it very scarred,” Spencer said.

Spencer hopes to eventually put in a floor made up of a composite wood panel system so that sections of the floor could be traded out and refurbished as needed. Currently, custodians give the floor a shiny finish every summer, but that presents its own challenges to actors.

“It looks like you’re yellow from the knees down,”

Christopher the cat needs a home This handsome boy walked into someone’s home Christmas day through the doggie door asking for help. He was obviously live trapped at one time as his ear has been notched. He is an extremely loving and carefree boy. Christopher prefers to be the only cat in the house.

If you are looking for a large lap cat.this is the boy for you! Stop in at the Great Falls Petco to visit Christopher!

Spencer said. “One of the first things we do is get the floor dirty every fall.”

Spencer, who has been teaching at the school since 1977, has seen many changes in Bill Will hall, from the addition of the drama room to changing the drapes in the theater from a “hideous gold” to the current black and red.

“They have already done a lot of the things that need to be done,” Spencer said.

Kloppel agrees, especially when it comes to technological updates around the school. This can mean anything from adding a projector to the fieldhouse to adding computers.

“We went from one not networked lab to 19 labs with internet access,” Kloppel said.

Most of the updates have focused on education, such as adding LCD projectors and Smart Boards in many classrooms.

“Maintaining the instructional component is key.”

Become a Pet Paw-See Foster Parent!

The Pet Paw-See is a dedicated group of volunteers who perform animal rescue and animal welfare activities. Pet Paw-See volunteers come from all walks of life and age groups; they share a common belief that no animal should be homeless.

One of the most important functions of the Pet Paw-See is to foster homeless animals while these animals await their “furr-ever” homes. A number of Pet PawSee volunteers willingly and generously open their homes and hearts to homeless animals and provide these animals with food, nurturing, and good care.

Sadly, there are many more homeless animals than there are foster homes. The need for more foster homes in the Great Falls area is great, and the Pet Paw-See is always seeking new fosters to provide temporary homes for homeless pets.

If you would like more information on joining the Pet Paw-See and being a foster parent for a homeless cat or dog, please contact Leslie Raynes, President, at 231-1132.

Thank you on behalf of the animals!

08

Junior Derek Powell works on the interior of CMR’s High School House on 3rd Avenue Northwest in March. Photos by Jen Verzuh.

High School House

Students build a home annually to assist the community of Great Falls

mandi monroe

When it comes to preparing for a career in construction, there is a class Senior Joshua Mohawk knows will get him there.

Construction Technology is a class some students take for the construction experience, because it is the career path they hope to pursue. “It is a hands-on experience, and it’s a trade I can use in my line of work.”

Joshua Mohawk says. “This is my second year taking it, and it’s a fun class.”

Since 1997, 13 high school houses have been built

by CMR students, not including this year’s house.

Great Falls High students also build a house annually.

The students do almost everything.

“Footings, foundation, floor, build the walls, sheet the roof, everything except the electrical and plumbing because you need a license for that.” said the classes teacher, Tom Maurer.

The students are prepared for real construction by being graded on “safety, staying on task, being prepared and being on time,” he said.

The house is located near West Elementary at 1000 3rd Ave NW, and though the class is fun, students here have to be on task.

“The work has to be spot on; you cannot be off just a little bit.” Senior Jacob Smith said.

This is Junior Cameron Decelles’s first year, and he said his favorite part of the class is “dry wall, where you keep the frame from showing and it’s not so much work.”

25 between 55 students work on the house, with each student devoting two periods the class house each day. For students who would like to take this class, Maurer said, “Plan ahead. Try to take it junior or senior year because you need to get your prerequisites first.”

The prerequisites are Woods 1-2, which is a yearlong class or Pre-Construction 1, which is only a semester.

Maurer recommends that students take two years of the class “the first time is like a trip. You do things

once and don’t get to do it again, but the next year you know what you’re doing,” One of the driving forces behind the high school house is Neighbor Works. Neighbor Works is a nonprofit organization that rebuilds Great Falls neighborhoods and creates home ownership opportunities for families. They also create the plan for the high school house each year, which is then approved by the city center and then CMR takes it into their hands.

After the house is built, a burning question may be: where does it go? Well, the house is not only a good learning experience for students, but an aid to the community.

“It goes to a family who couldn’t usually afford a house, but they can afford this one,” Mohawk said.

High School House proves to be more than an exceptional class for real experience, but something that has been helping Great Falls families for more than 13 years.

Chickens, Mice Magic

&

March 31, 2011 The Stampede

09

312 students to participate in first annual STEM Expo lindsey buck

With chickens, mice, birds, and magic, the Great Falls Public School STEM Expo is expected to be more than just an exciting science fair.

“I am so excited to see so many students and community members showing an interest in STEM Expo and preparing projects,” gifted education teacher and event coordinator Mary Rearden said.

Sophomore Julie Curtis prepares to isolate DNA for the upcoming STEM Expo on April 2.

The STEM Expo will feature students’ projects in the science, Photo by Lindsey Buck. technology, engineering, and math fields. Students will have the eryone who has prepared a project had to design some form of opportunity to share their projects with judges as well as people participation for the people who come to the event,” she said. from their community.

One person who will be enjoying the event is CMR teacher It was put together by a committee including Tom Moore, Ruth Uecker, Katie Kotynski, Shelly Kelly, Kim Kellogg, Jon and advisor Tom Cubbage.

“It is really new to me, so I am excited to see what kinds of Konen, Luke Diekhans, Jan Mader, Jean Jones, Beth Thomas, projects and activities are at the expo,” Cubbage said. He said Chris Olszewski, and Rearden. It will be held on April 2.

“We wanted students to extend their learning in science, math, that even though some students might be nervous to present and technology classes to investigate their own projects and de- their projects, he knows they will do a good job.

“The purpose from my perspective is twofold. Education of velop expertise and excitement for science, technology, engineering, and math,” Rearden said. She said she wants to see many the public about science, technology, engineering, and math, and to educate the public about what kinds of things Great students get involved in this event, as well as prepare projects.

“We had hoped we would have at least 50 projects this year, Falls students are doing in the science and math areas,” Cubbut we have 163 student projects involving 312 students and bage said.

One student participating in the STEM Expo science field is 19 community demonstrations,” Rearden said. Some of these demonstrations include newly hatched chicks, mice from the sophomore Julie Curtis.

“I hope to gain more insight about the science, technology, McLaughlin Research Institute, and a chemistry magic show deand math subjects,” Curtis said. She will be isolating DNA, a signed by honors chemistry students at CMR. Students of any age are welcome to participate. Since the concept she said she is familiar with due to her biology class STEM Expo has never been done in the past, there are many de- this year.

“I will receive the knowledge of being better involved with tails to work out, according to Rearden.

“There are so many different aspects and details that I need to my peers and ideas,” Curtis said. She said that although she is attend to for it to be well organized, and I want it to be perfect. not nervous, she believes that it will be challenging to put all of I want everyone to have a great time without any glitches,” she the time and effort in that is required to make her project persaid. Rearden said that the STEM Expo was not only created for fect.

“Seeing all of the students’ projects is part of what is so great students to but for the community as well.

“I recommend that people come to the Expo. One of our goals about this event.”

and part of the design was so that it is as much for people who come to the event as it is for those presenting at the event. Ev-

Top: Test capsules with DNA inside are prepared to hold and isolate DNA. Middle: Mice from the McLaughlin Research Institute will be featured at the STEM Expo. Bottom: Sophomore Julie Curtis puts a case of DNA into a machine that seperates DNA from spit and saliva. Photos

by Lindsey Buck.

10

Counting Sheep

Josh Pecukonis turns dreams into business, future christina christianson

It is with pride that senior Josh Pecukonis surveys the small flock of sheep on his family’s farm north of Great Falls.

They mean much more to him than simply a way to be involved in 4-H; they represent his future, and he has wasted no time in getting his business – All Smiles Navajo-Churro Sheep, Rabbitry and Poultry – started.

Pecukonis takes care of sheep, rabbits, birds, cats, and one guard llama. Of all his animals, Pecukonis said he is proudest of his sheep and rabbits. “[They] are my own line,” he said.

Pecukonis got started shearing sheep after his family acquired four of them 11 years ago.

“We always called for someone to do it for us, and sheep shearers are in low supply,” he said. As a result, as Pecukonis acquired and bred more sheep, he said he decided to pursue a shearing certification by taking a class through Montana State University in Bozeman.

“The class was three days long,” Pecukonis said. After those three days he knew how to use his electric shears and had earned his certification. Today, he shears his flock about twice a year.

Pecukonis also breeds his sheep, which are registered with the Navajo-Churro Sheep Association. The baby lambs are then sold online through his website -- http:// allsmilessheep.webs. com -- and the wool is sold online on eBay and Craigslist.

“The nice thing about Churros is that [their wool] is beautiful naturally,” Pecukonis’ mother, Anita Pecukonis, said.

The Pecukonis farm

currently is home to 32 female sheep (ewes) and nine male sheep (rams). They have this many sheep for “genetic diversity,” Pecukonis said.

After a while they will acquire other rams from different flocks to keep the gene pool varied.

“Sheep are a triple purpose breed; milk, meat, and wool,” Pecukonis said. While he sells the wool, Pecukonis also makes goat-milk products such as soap that he sells on his site.

Along with sheep, Pecukonis also breeds Josh Pecukonis looks apon his sheep and guard llama (above). “Llama’s fend off foxes, coyotes, and dogs,” Pecukonis rabbits. He has more than said. Many of his animals enjoy the nice spring day outside (below). Photos by Beth Britton.

60 rabbits altogether, including a large number of meat rabbits, or New Zealands.

“These are the same as the Cadbury bunny,” he said.

Pecukonis’ pride in his animals doesn’t stop over,” at home. He is a member of 4-H and actively his mother said. shows his breeds at both 4-H shows and the Pecukonis takes much of the responsibilityfor local fair. his animals.

Pecukonis plans to go to school this fall “I can feed all the sheep, rabbits, and birds at MSU-Bozeman to double major in Animal in 45 minutes,” he said.

Science and Horticulture. His ultimate goal, His parents help take care of the animals after college, is to “open a plant nursery and when Pecukonis goes to his part-time job at have animals on the side.” Pecukonis already Big R. His parents will keep his sheep after he has his own greenhouse and has spoken to the leaves for college, but many of his birds and Montana Legislature about his work and the rabbits are currently for sale.

National Flower Growers Convention, which “He is high maintenance,” Pecukonis’ was held in Great Falls. mother said. “We have orders like every day, “He has lots of little flower friends all but if we didn’t enjoy it, we wouldn’t do it.”

Steps of Shearing in Photos

Pecukonis holds up the newest of his rabbits, a 10-year-old Velveteen.

Josh Pecukonis shears his sheep, Annabelle, with help from his mother.

March 31, 2011 The Stampede

DECA takes talents to Sunshine State

2010 HOSA State Champions and Winners State Champions

alecks leavey

Fifteen thousand businessminded students from around the globe will compete in Orlando, Florida next month; eight of them are C.M. Russell’s very own.

Nathan Hood, Austin Baune, Chyanne Kohler, Alanna Whitehorn, Josh Wike, Dawson Reisig, Brit Kessner, and Adam Barton all qualified for nationals this April after placing in the state conference, and are led by Dave Stukey, CMR’s company instructor and DECA club teacher.

“We’ve got a good group this year,” Stukey said. “They’re really fun to work with.”

And the work has paid off. Besides earning a trip to Nationals this year, members of the team took second place overall in 2010.

This year, each student will participate in numerous solo events including marketing, business, and entrepreneurship, while also competing in team events for categories like public relations, which Hood,

11

Baune and Wike are collaborating on.

The International DECA Career Development Conference is an annual competition; one at which CMR students have fared well at in previous years.

“It gives them a chance to meet people from all over the world, and it’s a lot of fun for them,” Stukey said.

From April 29 to May 3, the stu- DECA team meets up during club period on March 25 to dents will compete, discuss nationals trip to Orlando, Florida next month. Photo learn, discover, and by Tony Vielle. display their knowldent in finding success. edge with fellow After their hard work, they peers from all parts of the world hope to reward themselves with a and the country The conference is challenging, trip to Universal Studios and Cape but Stukey and his team are confi- Canaveral.

State Champions

Jared Knupp Darby Lacey

Medical Terminology Jared Knupp 1st Concepts of Health Care Kelsey Smith 1st Heidi Winslow 2nd Human Growth & Development Sarah LaPierre 1st Maria Bernhardt 2nd Maddie Sechena 3rd Nutrition Leslie Bellwood 2nd Pharmacology Darby Lacey 1st Medical Spelling Jacob May 3rd

Leslie Bellwood Jacob May

Persuasive Speaking Heidi Winslow 1st

Leslie Bellwood 1st

Extemporaneous Speaking Jared Knupp 3rd

Extemporaneous Health Poster Alex Potts 2nd

Prepared Speaking Jessie Hardin 1st CPR/First Aid Darby Lacey & Kelsey Smith 1st

Career Health & Display April Lechman & Desarae Sipes 2nd Shelby Sechena & Vicky Evans 3rd

Emergency Medical Technician Bryce Kent & Kyleigh Fisher 2nd

Medical Reading Darby Lacey, Lauren Cates, Emily McMichael 2nd

Nursing Assisting Lashai Wood 1st Biotechnology Sarah Lapierre 1st

Medical Photography Jordann Brown 1st Mikaela Shaw 2nd Sarah LaPierre 3rd

Sports Medicine

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Just Dance

Senior Sarah Howard earns place in Chicago performing arts school jennifer verzuh

CMR senior Sarah Howard, above and right, practices her dance moves at Miss LInda’s downtown dance studio, where she teaches part-time. Howard, top, runs through a dance routine that she chroreographed with her stepping class. Photos by Jennifer Verzuh.

So, I finally got a job. After diligently calling employers and filling out a plethora of applications, I finally was called, interviewed, and hired.

So I know that several of my fellow peers have gone through the same process. The constant thought of “How will I afford that $120 pair of jeans from the Buckle?!” or “My life will end if I features editor don’t buy that new

Shaynanagins shayna leonard

One Montana resident is ditching the cold winds of Great Falls and heading for the official Windy City.

“I can’t wait to be in Chicago,” Sarah Howard said. “Columbia’s going to be freaking awesome!”

Howard, a C.M. Russell High School senior, was recently accepted into the performing arts school Columbia College Chicago, where she plans to major in dance performance and minor in teaching.

Howard has been dancing for 14 of her 17 years, and in that time has studied multiple types of dance, including ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, step, modern, praise, lyrical, pointe, and musical theatre. She said hip hop is her favorite.

“I feel like I can express myself best in it,” Howard said.

Howard has been studying dance at Miss Linda’s School of Dance since she moved to Great Falls in March 2010.

“I actually went there the day after I got here and signed up,” she said.

Howard said she loves dance because it allows her to express herself.

“I don’t have to hold myself back when I’m dancing,” Howard said. “I don’t have to think about other people, just myself and what I’m doing.”

After graduating from college, Howard said she hopes to dance on London’s West End and eventually open her own studio in Scotland, as she has a real passion for teaching and Scotland.

“I really liked the area,” Howard said.

“It felt like the kind of place I could spend the rest of my life in.”

Howard is getting experience as a dance instructor right now at Miss Linda’s, where she teaches stepping and subiPad!” Yes, I know it is tragic.

OK, so it isn’t really that bad, but as a teenager it feels like my life goal is to have the latest trends and technology. However, I don’t want my parents to buy it then it’s not really mine, you know what I mean?

So, therefore, I got a job so I can buy the surplus of clothes and shoes and such for my life to be complete.

So, you may ask, how did she do it? It seems like everything I do I just can’t seem to capture the employment due to my age, inexperience, image, etc.

Like I said in my last column I do have some advice. I know it sounds crazy, but the first step you have to take is: apply.

It may take away 25 minutes of video game play-

stitutes in hip hop and praise.

“I like it a lot,” she said. “Knowing that somebody’s looking to me for something and that I can help them become a better dancer.”

Kaylee Osentowska, 12, is currently in a hip hop class at Miss Linda’s, which is often taught by Howard. Osentowska said Howard has made her more confident.

“She makes me more open to new styles and techniques,” Osentowska said.

“She’s always fun.”

Osentowska has been studying hip hop for four years and lists many of the same reasons Howard did as to why she loves it.

“It’s very flowing,” Osentowska said.

“It’s a great way to express yourself in ways that words can’t.”

Osentowska was happy for Howard and her recent success at being accepted into Columbia.

“I think she’s going to have a great time doing the thing she likes every day,” she said.

Osentowska, however, wasn’t the only person excited for Howard.

“We were so excited when we found out about it. We were jumping and hugging,” Linda Fuller, aka Miss Linda, said of her and Howard’s behavior after they learned she’d been accepted at the Chicago school.

“She’s really determined,” Fuller said.

“She’s not afraid to do anything.”

Fuller said she’s typically at the studio six or seven days a week.

“I admire her for being so goal-oriented,” Fuller said.

ing, but it’s the only way you will get a job.

Once you have applied to about three or four places wait about a week. If no one has called you, start calling them. Ask a question like “have you looked at my application?”

Your constant calling and asking of questions may seem like it will be like nagging, but by showing initiative they will remember your name when they do come across your application.

A job is taking responsibility, taking initiative, and displaying yourself as a mature young person.

Also, this time of year is the perfect time to apply for a summer job, don’t wait until summer, and start now!

Again, good luck out there.

Foreignexchange Pauline Roussez

Mira Rumpel

French and German girls develop strong friendship deja lacey

Despite living in two different countries for most of their lives, the love of bread has brought juniors Pauline Roussez and Mira Rumpel together.

Rumpel said the crusty, brown bread that she had in Germany was some of the “best” and that it’s one of the things that she misses the most. Roussez also thinks that the bread back in France is better than the bread in America.

Roussez and Rumpel are two of nine foreign exchange students at CMR this year. Rumpel moved to America in August and will be leaving on June 14 but while she is here she has made some good friends with Roussez who is from France. For both of the girls, food is a bit of a change, but so is style.

“If I was in France and (the kids) saw me dressed like this they would make fun of me,” Roussez said.

“The style in France is more structured, like they all look alike but, (Americans) all look different. You guys each have your own different styles like you guys are dressed in pajamas,” Roussez said.

Style is not the only thing that they notice that is different, “The people in France are more respectful but the teachers are more strict,” “I’ll miss the teachers when I leave,” Rumpel said.

Rumpel and Roussez agree that when they leave they will not be missing many of the guys.

“Out here I’m like who am I gonna ask to prom. There’s like nobody I want to ask, but in Germany I would have like five or six guys that I would want to ask.”

Along with missing the guys from their home towns, Roussez said she misses the parties.

“I miss the parties because in France there’s a party every weekend,” The change has also affected the girls’ social lives.

“One of the reasons that I’m friends with Pauline is because she speaks French,” Rumpel said. She is currently taking French 2-3 and is constantly using her friend to practice.

Roussez said that people were nice to her when it came to trying to understand what she was saying but with Rumpel as her friend she has some time to speak French and be understood.

Moving for both young ladies has been an experience for them to meet some new people and enjoy new things. Roussez has said guitar class is her favorite,and Rumpel enjoys her sewing class. When they leave Montana it will be the separation of “a great friendship.”

March 31, 2011 The Stampede

The “sickness” sets in Seniors begin to feel affects of the dreaded

13

Senioritis that has recently plagued CMR

austin lahr Laziness, lack of studying, dismissive behavior, skipping classes. These are just a handful of symptoms of the dreaded sickness that has recently plagued CMR. That’s right, SENIORITIS. It infects most, if not all, seniors around this time of year, and this year’s seniors are no exception.

“I’ve had four years of high school, and I’m done,” senior Rhiannon Mitchell said. “I want to get out of here. I’m done with high school, and I’m ready to move on.”

This attitude is in fact quite typical, government teacher Ed McNamee said.

“As this time of year starts to progress there’s a lot of [seniors] that want to move on and try something different,” McNamee said.

Some seniors are embracing the world of opportunity, preparing for college, getting jobs, moving on and living their lives, and some are just embracing the weather outside.

“The weather is getting nicer and it really makes me want to be outside,” senior Ryan Otto said.

Though he blames the weather, Otto said the true reason for his senioritis is the fact that his time at CMR is almost up.

“I worked really hard first semester, then second semester came around and it hit me. I’m almost done with high school,” Otto said. “After that I just didn’t have the drive to do anything anymore.”

When seniors contract senioritis, a major symptom is an overwhelming lack of motivation, which Mitchell admits is the worst part about this sickness.

“I just don’t have any motivation to do anything

in school. I do what I need to get done and that’s about it,” Mitchell said.

Although senioritis may seem miniscule, it is far from having its worries.

“The best part is knowing you have senioritis, which means you’re almost done with high school, but the worst part is that you don’t have the drive to do your work and you could fail,” Otto said.

Mitchell admits that a major pitfall of senioritis is that her grades have not been as high as they could be.

“As a result of my senioritis, my grades have been dropping,” she said. “I try to fight [senioritis], half heartedly, but I try.”

“The most difficult thing, as a teacher, is to get seniors to understand that there is actual value in a grade, and that in the current economic climate that we are in that this is important,” McNamee said.

McNamee said that another byproduct of senioritis is fear, the fear of moving on and actually doing something in their lives.

“I think a big part of senioritis is that the seniors begin to realize it’s over, and there’s a part of them that’s excited and a part of them that is scared,” He said.

Mitchell admits that the idea of moving on with her life can be a scary thought.

“Yes, I’m scared to go, but at the same time I want to get out of here and move on to something bigger,” Mitchell said.

“The struggle with seniors,” McNamee said, “is the freedom they want and enjoy also comes with hefty responsibilities.”

Art by Christina Christianson.

Fighting The Sickness: How to combat Senioritis Don’t procrastinate - The No. 1 downfall of those who with senioritis is procrastination.

The act of putting off an action or in this case an assignment for another time. This in turn can prove fatal to a student’s grades. “Don’t put things off, it always catches up with you.” Mitchell said.

1)

with teachers - find your 2) Communicate teachers and talk to them about what is go-

ing on. Teachers are willing to help those in need, and it probably helps judging on the fact that they are the ones who can pass you or fail you. “Students who communicate the best are usually the ones who find the most success.” McNamee said.

3)

“Don’t kick out your coverage”- Make sure you are doing something you can handle and that you have a focus on.

Do your work - It may be hard to focus but the easiest way to get through senior year is to buckle down and do the work; it will all be worth it in the end.

4)

5)

Time Management - MANAGE YOUR TIME. Time is the most important factor in graduating, and paves the way for what awaits outside of high school.

16

Book

music

movie

tv

entertainment

The Looking Glass Wars takes another twist down the rabbit hole austin lahr

The story of “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” has been an entertaining and enticing story since 1865. The novel recounts the stories told by 10-yearold Alice Liddell and her adventures down the rabbit hole, meeting the mad hatter, and traveling through the Looking glass, but what if its author Lewis Carroll had the story all wrong?

Frank Beddor’s New York Times bestselling novel, “The Looking Glass Wars,” takes the reader on a thrillseeking adventure of the true Alyss (A.K.A Alice Liddell) from Wonderland. Young Alyss Heart is heir to her mother’s throne, when the queendom of Wonderland is under attack

by Alyss’ maniacal aunt, Redd. Alyss is forced to flee to Earth, where she struggles to forget the existence of Wonderland.

Thirteen years later, her faithful guardian and head of Wonderland’s Millinery, Hatter Madigan, has brought her back to Wonderland to join the forces of the rebellion named Alyssians to vanquish the evil that Redd has spread all over the Wondernations.

At first I was a bit skeptical because I own one of the original cop-

April 2011 Film Preview

video game

ies of “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and “Through the Looking Glass.” I might have passed this off as a childish retelling of a great story if I had not continued to read and fall down the rabbit hole myself.

Beddor, to my surprise, takes what was once just the drug-induced ramblings of Carroll and essentially created a story that instilled thoughts and morals in this invigorating interpretation. Not to mention the incredibly written science fiction styles. Not only does this novel have the most interesting insight into the world of Wonderland, but also an insight to the characters.

“The Looking Glass Wars” is by far the best interpretation of the chaotic story that is Alice in Wonderland. If you’re looking for an epic sci-fi thriller that kicks the action up a notch on this classic children’s story, then I suggest you fall down the rabbit hole yourself.

April 2

Hop: This live action/CGI-animated film centers around teenage rabbit, E.B. (voiced by Russell Brand), who runs away from his father the Easter Bunny (Hugh Laurie) to pursue his dream of becoming a drummer, and on the way meets Fred (James Marsden), and fights evil chicks trying to take over Easter.

April 15

Scre4m: In the fourth installment of the slasher series, Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) returns to Woodsboro for a book tour just in time to see a new Ghostface killer terrorize the town yet again. Also starring David Arquette, Courtney Cox, Emma Roberts, and Hayden Panettiere.

Rio: The animated film features the voices of Jesse Eisenberg, Anne Hathaway, George Lopez, Tracy Morgan, and more in this tale of Blu (Eisenberg), a rare blue Spix’s macaw bird who is forced to confront his fear of flying in Brazil in order to win the affections of Jewel (Hathaway), the only known female macaw.

The Conspirator: Director Robert Redford tells the true story of Mary Surratt (Robin Wright), the only female co-conspirator charged in Abraham Lincoln’s assassination and the first woman to be hanged by the U.S. federal government. Also starring James McAvoy, Evan Rachel Wood, and Justin Long.

April 22

Water for Elephants: Based on the New York Times bestseller of the same name this film revolves around a love triangle between “Twilight’s” Robert Pattinson, Academy Award winner Reese Witherspoon, and Christoph Waltz’s characters in a traveling circus setting.

Apollo 18: This sci-fi film covers the events of a government cover-up after a post-Apollo 17 mission to the moon results in the deaths of crew members after they discover aliens on the moon.

April 29

Fast Five: The fifth installment of the streetracing series features the return of original cast members Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, and Jordana Brewster with Dwayne Johnson as a DSS agent on the gang’s tail.

Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil: Hayden Panettiere replaces Anne Hathaway as Red for the sequel that centers on Red and Wolf (Patrick Warburton) investigating the disappearance of Hansel and Gretel (Bill Hader and Amy Poehler).

Compiled by Jennifer Verzuh

Apps to Live By

Compiled by Alecks Leavey

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March 31, 2011 The Stampede

Mother Monster’s new single hits airwaves, video sparks controversy

austin &

jordan’s

scene rant

caitlyn aakre

Lady Gaga has been compared to Madonna before, but her new single, “Born This Way,” is too similar to Madge’s classics for some to handle.

The song has been called a mix of “Vogue” and “Express Yourself” by the Queen of Pop. I’ll agree, the chorus’s background has similar beats to many Madonna songs. Regardless, the song is unique, like its songwriter and audience.

The song’s call for Gaga’s Little Monsters to love themselves sounds similar to Madonna’s “Express Yourself,” but she’s asking for self love rather than love from men. She exclaims, “I’m beautiful in my way/‘cause God makes no mistakes.” Her self-empowerment is passed on to her Little Monsters when she tells them to “put your paws up baby/ ‘cause you were born this way.”

She took her Mother Monster role to a new level in her video for “Born This Way” when she gave birth to, well something.

Her story starts with Gaga appearing in a pink triangle on a unicorn. Dramatic music, not part of the song, starts and Gaga begins to narrate a story about Mother Monster (Gaga) and her birth experience with evil. Evil is represented by a machine gun, and she questions how she’s going to keep control of it.

For a die-hard Gaga lover, the beginning is true Gaga, but it’s more confusing than usual.

Especially because later, she appears in an empty room with several little monsters and they

The local music scene, namely the 406 Club and similar venues, have seen a lack of attendance to shows. Bands such as Kadmin, Black Market Assassin, Deth Label and My Reflektions rarely perform for large crowds, mostly due to the lack of attendance and interest in the music.

start dancing with little clothing on.

Later, she appears in a tux with a painted face to coordinate with a Canadian model, Rick Genest, also known as Zombie Boy. Genest is tattooed from head to toe to appear as a decomposing body. His appearance doesn’t make any more sense as she simply dances around and hangs off him as he looks straight ahead. His appearance is intriguing, however.

The rest of the video doesn’t really have a storyline because she continues to dance mostly nude and seems to be melting with others in an orgy affair, nothing new to Lady Gaga videos as she’s had similar scenes in Poker Face.

Lady Gaga has always been open about her sexuality and she sings, “No matter gay, straight, or bi/ Lesbian, transgendered life/ I’m on the right track baby/ I was born to survive.”

She has been advocating for the LGBT since the beginning of her career and continues to do so.

The end of the video shows Gaga’s devotion and thanks to Madonna, as she appears as Madonna for “same DNA/ but born this way.”

Many people think Gaga was ripping her off, when in reality, there are reports Madonna gave the go-ahead and good luck to Gaga when she first heard the song.

The video and the song just go to show that Lady Gaga is still her true self and isn’t going to change, so take one look, CMR, because she was Born This Way.

Left: Lady Gaga appears in one of her signature outfits.

Above: Lady Gaga perfoms at the 2011 Grammys. She released Born This Way early for her fans, and performed it for the first time that night. Jay L.Clendenin/Los Angeles Times/MCT

A: So Jordan, have you heard of any local concerts going on lately?

J: I have, but I don’t have that many chances to attend them.

A: That’s odd. There’s “all age” concerts about every week or two, in fact there’s one tomorrow.

J: I’d like to see a few in between my shifts at work!

A: I know that the last few shows that I’ve been to, not a lot of people have showed up, which makes it even harder for the local bands and groups to successfully thrive in this town.

J: I know! I’ve missed my fair share of shows, but I make an effort to go to every single one that I hear about.

A: I don’t know what is to blame in why the music scene continues to struggle.

J: I think that the people that really want a larger music scene in this town could work slightly harder at getting the word out, and encouraging participation from our community.

A: I can totally understand that. When shows are planned and flyers are placed everywhere, some people show up, but even then there is little support.

J: I don’t know if people in this town are just lazy or people just don’t like the music, but the 406 Club has not only rock bands, but rap groups as well.

J: Hopefully, the diversity in genres will provide for more people interested in the talented folks that play to entertain us.

A: I really don’t know what the deal is, but if the local music scene is to continue, there honestly needs to be more support.

the the

406 Club

Scene: 5515 2nd Avenue N; located at the old Murph’s Bowling Alley

the

take place on Thursday- Saturday nights Time: Shows usually; however, shows can be any night of the week

17

18

“Mommy” a new role for students Sophomore Amber Rupp, junior Holly Komeotis settling in to parenthood

S

leepless nights and new responsibilities are soon to become a reality for sophomore Amber Rupp.

Rupp is among many girls either parenting or preparing to have their first baby, and she knows firsthand that having a child is a big responsibility.

“I don’t think that I could hold a baby for nine months and not love it. Baby is going to be No.1 priority,” Rupp said.

Three months ago Rupp was a typical 16-year-old teenager.

Now she

is an expectant mother of one. “ I got pregnant the very first time that I had sex. I was 15,” Rupp said.

Rupp is four months pregnant and said she is extremely excited to have her baby.

All of her friends are staying positive and “they are ready for this baby to come out,”

she said. Rupp’s mother is also supportive, process as simple as possible to make it out but her dad doesn’t know yet. of high school.

“My mom was trying to stay calm at Between paying bills, trying to keep refirst, but after a while she freaked but then lationships, and learning how to be a good she got really happy. She’s excited to be a mommy, “you have to stay grounded,” Kograndmother,” Rupp said. meotis said.

However, not everyone was as support“(Having a baby) is actually really excitive when junior Holly Komeotis became ing. I spend so much time with him , I find it pregnant. Komeotis said she lost some of her a good experience.” friends because Even though she enjoys her son’s she had a baby. company she doesn’t think that any“I don’t have one should just go out and start mak“This is my baby any friends anying babies. and I’m not going to more,” Komeotis “It’s really hard, but it’s a really said. joyful feeling.” be ashamed of it.”

Komeotis’s “People think that we are trying Holly Komeotis son, Leon was to get pregnant, but I got pregnant born on Decemthe first time that I had sex, and I was ber 11, 2011. most definitely not trying to get pregnant,” “I had friends that made promises. They Komeotis said. told me that they would be right there by Leon has made a habbit of waking up at 3 my side, and as soon as I started to get a.m. and not going back to sleep until 6:30. bigger I stopped having friends.”

“I didn’t think that he would be so reguConcerns with money are being lar about it,“ Komeotis said. “I can expect taken care of by both of the girls’ him to get up at three. That’s why I have an parents. open first.”

“My mom is helping out a lot, Along with being tired, Komeotis has to deal with the looks that come from other and so is his mom,” Rupp said.

Even though Rupp is attending people.

“I just had to start thinking to myself that school, taking care of herself and dealing with her family, she isn’t concerned about if they don’t like it they don’t have to look,” Komeotis said. “This is my baby, and I’m not money.

“I still plan to go to college. My mom is going to be ashamed of it.”

Rupp recently left to attend Paris Gibson helping me right now, but I know that she Education Center to finish her high school won’t always be there to help me.”

Komeotis is focusing more on just get- year, but Komeotis plans on staying at CMR. “I feel strongly about staying at CMR,” ting out of high school.

“Sometimes it’s hard to still get up and she said. “This is where I started and this is come to school, but I know I need to get my where I kinda want to finish.”

GED. It really helps that my boyfriend stays up with the baby so I can get some sleep.”

Preparing to have a baby in high school is a challenge and so is trying to juggle a baby and textbooks at the same time, but both girls said they are trying to make the

Rain Rain go away so I can see another day.

But drink and drive and you could stray off the road and into your grave.

This message is brought to you by the Cascade County DUI Task Force

Holly Komeotis and her mother go through the process of feeding Komeotis’ baby Leon in order to calm him down. Photos by Deja Lacey.

Spring Break A week of adventures

March 31, 2011 The Stampede

Spring Break is near and that means one thing: summer. This is your first taste of what your summer could hold. Instead of settling for the normal events that form your usual weekends, get out and see Great Falls and all that it has to offer. From the abundance of museums to the natural beauty of our city. Take a daytrip to Giant Springs and have a picnic or walk along the River’s Edge Trail. Get out and enjoy all that Gibson Park has to offer. Including the skate park, basketball courts, and the pond.

Use this spring break as an opportunity to experience something you normally wouldn’t.

Photos and text by Kristi Gange.

Shopping

When looking for the best places to shop, the malls located in Billings and Missoula are often said to be the best. Instead of just going there to shop, make a whole day of the trip by enjoying a movie or meal somewhere new and different from Great Falls.

Take a break from the commercial shopping centers and visit small boutiques instead.

From the many that are located in Bozeman, to our very own downtown shopping center.

Look beyond your everyday shopping endeavors to find something you normally wouldn’t.

Although junior Alyssa Malisani will be participating in the usual spring break activities such as watching movies and shopping, she is more excited about having a certain person with her when she does those activities.

“I’m excited because my mom is coming home. I miss her a lot when she is away,” Malisani said.

Last September Malisani’s mother was stationed in Gitmo, Guantánamo Bay Military base in Cuba. She is enlisted in the U.S. Navy and will be stationed on the base until October of this year.

Not only will Malisani spend spring break with her mother, but she will also get to share a more important date with her.

“She is coming home for my birthday and Easter, which is very exciting. It’s nice having my full family back and spending time together,” she said.

While Malisani is looking forward to spending time with her mother, she said that her father has a different idea to encourage family bonding.

“My dad wants the family to all spend a night together in an igloo,” she said.

Malisani said that they had built an igloo at the beginning of March for a mountaineering class that they were taking.

Although she said she is tired of the cold and would prefer to not stay in an igloo again, she is mostly just excited to have her mother back.

“It’s a stress reliever having her home,” Malisani said. “I get to skip school to spend it with my mom, which is the best present I could get this year.”

Museums

19

While many know the basic history of our town, there are many museums in town that delve deeper into the creation and existance of Great Falls. Use spring break as an opportunity to educate yourself on the place you call home.

If you are interested in learning more about the history of Great Falls and it’s people, check out: Cascade County Historical Society, the Lewis and Clark Historic Trail Interpretive Center, Malstrom Historical Foundation, the Ursuline Centre, and the History Museum.

To expand your art knowledge, there are a number of museums that exhibit artwork for the community to explore.

These museums include the C. M. Russell Museum, the Galerie Trinitas, the Montana Art Gallery Director’s Association, and the Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art. Great Falls offers one museum that is geared towards teaching children about art. The Children’s Museum of Montana provides an affordable and fun family resource in Great Falls.

The visitor center and trail at the First Peoples Buffalo Jump near Ulm tells the story of the people, the animals, and the landscape of the buffalo culture.

20

Justin Bieber epidemic hits students full force caitlyn aakre

It’s an illness brought from Canada.

Discovered by R&B singer Usher, it’s affected everyone, mostly 11-year-old girls.

But at CMR, the epidemic extends to older students.

“I’m gonna be Bieber’s ‘One Less Lonely Girl,’” junior Brandon Knowles said. Knowles is just one of the “Beliebers” attending CMR. “I got a Twitter so I could follow Justin Bieber,” junior Jenni Peer said.

“Me too,” junior Colton Carter said.

All three are proud Bieber fans. They aren’t afraid to tell the world, and Carter and Knowles proudly wear Justin Bieber bracelets. During the interview, Peer was playing Bieber music on her iPod. Each could recite the words to any song chosen.

“I like ‘Pray’ and I like ‘Baby’,” she said. “[My favorites are] ‘Down to Earth’ and ‘Love Me’,” Knowles said. As male Bieber fans, Knowles and Carter both receive criticism.

“There are haters with all greatness,”

Carter said. As a true fan of Bieber, Carter is in full support of his new haircut.

“I like it better. [It’s] more mature, more sophisticated,” he said.

“I like it cleaner,” Peer said, “I like my men clean-cut.”

“I think his new haircut makes him look mature. and smokin’.” junior Georgia Mae Morrison said. Morrison agrees with the others about his talent.

“He is really talented and really down to earth,” she said. “He can play the guitar, piano. He can play the drums.”

After seeing “Never Say Never,” Bieber’s autobiographical success story, Morrison has more to love about Bieber.

“He’s his own thing. [He] isn’t created by a big company [like] Disney or Nickelodeon,” she said, retelling his story of YouTube star to radio-hopper until he got discovered by Usher. She added that her friends are divided on the issue of being a fan of Bieber.

“They’re divided,” she said. “People either love or hate Justin Bieber.”

Join our TEEN COUNCIL!

Top: Brandon Knowles, Jenni Peer, and Colton Carter.

Left: Justin Bieber competes in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game. He won MVP. Bottom right: Carter sports his Justin Bieber “Never Say Never” bracelet.

Photos by Caitlyn Aakre, Kevin Sullivan/MCT.

Here’s a scenario for you: IHOP needs a new breakfast and they need you to create a new breakfast item for their menu, what country and what meal would you use as your inspiration?

CHART

Italy - Spaghetti

Kylynn McDermott

junior

because I could eat it 24-7

Japan-the nuclear Pancake

Tanner McPherson-Carey

March 31, 2011 The Stampede If you could go anywhere (that’s school appropriate) for spring break where would you go?

Greece Long Beach, Calif.

senior

Hmmm...

Probably Italy.

German

In Willy Wonka there is a garden made out of candy, what plant would you like to see made into candy?

sour patch kid Sunflower

Cactus push-pop Maybe a rose made of sour bubblegum.

Jacob McCann Chocolate Cake- Flavored junior

Brooke McFerrin senior

Ol’ McDonald senior citizen

Waffles. Obviously.

Peru beans and rice

I didn’t fight in two wars to be eating foreign food. I’ll stick to gruel sonny.

Helianthus Hogsmeade.

I’d head on down to Topeka for the big gopher poison convention.

Which Dr. Seuss book is your favorite, and why?

1 fish, 2 fish, red fish, blue fish feet feet feet -I like the pictures

21

If you were going to host a game show, what would your catchphrase be?

Solid Two four six eight - win a game and get a date.

Green Eggs and Ham, My game show would feature hands down, Essentially people fighting to the death for because it was the first gold coins, and my catchphrase book I ever read on my would be “Grab that Money!!” own..

The Grinch, because we have the same sized heart

Ah I like ol’ doc Seuss’s book Sounds like city folk o’ remedies. He has all the cures talk to me. But, I could even for the dropsie. go for some sasafras flavored okra.

...And boom goes the dynamite!

What in tarnation, son!

HOBBIES 22

www.rustlernews.com

Students find ways to express their personality

freshman Ginger Clarke knows and does well.

“It’s a good way to vent and a good thing to do in my free time,” Clarke said, of her Animé, an art form that originated in Japan.

Clarke, who has been drawing for three years, said most of the time her artwork is done with Copic markers, fast drying two-nib markers made in Japan, but she also works in watercolor.

“When I was younger I would always watch it,” she said. “I like the styles of it.”

She said she likes how she can put herself into her drawing.

“You can put your emotions into (your art) and be creative with it,” she said.

Students’ personalities can be defined through their hobbies, which also help relieve stress.

Senior Lauren Mathis started her hobby the minute she could hold a game controller.

“I grew up with all brothers,” Mathis said. “It’s something that I can work at and be better at.”

Mathis, who owns systems from the Game Boy Advance to the Wii and others, said her favorite games are those dealing with zombies.

“I love zombies,” Mathis said. “Plus I have to get ready for the 2012 zombie apocalypse.”

Mathis said that she would like to make a career out of gaming.

“If I can’t be a vet or a chef I want to be a video game designer,” she said. “I can incorporate a lot of art and technology into (video games).”

If Mathis becomes a video game designer she said she would make

sure the games had some added necessities.

“I personally don’t like shooting games,” she said. “I would make sure there is a storyline so the players can be part of the story.”

She said that girls can be good at gaming.

“Most people, especially guys, are surprised to find out that I’m a girl gamer. Yeah, I’m a female, and yeah, I can game it up. I dislike stereotypes about gaming (that say girls can’t game),” Mathis said. “I know a lot about it.”

Senior Kaci Felstet loves the accessory of her hobby.

Felstet, who has been playing guitar for a little over three years, said she loves her acoustic electric guitar.

“It’s a way to express how I’m feeling, and a good release of emotions,” said Felstet, who mostly plays Indie and Folk music. “It’s also relaxing.”

“A friend of mine had given me a guitar, and I like to sing, so found interest in it,” she said, adding that she has been working on music of her own.

“I have written my own songs; they aren’t great right now, but I’m learning and getting better,” she said.

However, there is one more reason why Felstet likes to play guitar. “(Playing the guitar) is a good hobby that doesn’t take a lot of your time,” she said. “You can come to it when it’s convenient for you.”

Art work by Ginger Clarke

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Do you want your name in the paper or on our website? Do you have a story to tell? Contact the CMR Stampede in room 326, or write a letter to the editor. We want your opinion.

Follow us on Twitter @ RustlerNews Happy Spring!

Bathe Your Own Dog Grooming by appointment Owner/Operator Ruth Johns Open Tuesday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 a.m.

1100 Smelter Ave.

453-9963

I can’t change the weather, but I can make you look “cool” 819 9th St. S

781-3469

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April showers bring May flowers

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To Dye For Tie-Dye

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josh philyaw A passion for drawing is a hobby that

The yearbook release party is set for May 19. Reserve your book in the Finance Office to be guaranteed a copy.

KeepingActive

23

March 31, 2011 The Stampede

From graduation to boot camp, seniors prepare to join the Armed Forces

meg smith With graduation right around the corner, it’s the elephant in every senior room: the future. Some are traveling off to college and some are taking a year off. But others are debating between which branch of the armed forces to join.

Aaron Duffy, 17, has decided to join the Army National Guard.

“I’ve always wanted to do it,” Duffy said. “My family has a lot of military background.”

Senior Lauren Dinkins also has family in the armed forces.

“My brother is active duty,” Dinkins said. “And since I don’t live with my family, it makes me feel closer to him.”

Dinkins plans to make a career out of the Army National Guard, which, due to armed forces rules, can only be 22 years long.

However, other future soldiers have different plans for their careers.

A future police officer, Spencer Mellinger, 18, decided to join the Marines after graduation. He will head to boot camp in August.

“I get money for college to go into the police academy,” Mellinger said. “It’s the most direct route there.”

But while some might think making the choice is the roughest part, they haven’t hit boot camp yet.

The Marines require a mile and a half in 13 minutes and 30 seconds, 44 military crunches in two minutes, and four pull- ups.

“I see the other kids slacking off [in weight training class] and I know I can’t afford to do that,” Mellinger said.

The Army National Guard also has strict standards for sit-ups, push-ups, and a two -mile run.

“All winter I’ve been working out three times a day with a run, some cardio, and lifting weights,” Duffy said.

Senior Bryce Kent, 18, has also decided to join the Army National Guard.

“So far I’ve done some hand -to -hand combat training,” Kent said.

In contrast to my usual pithy paragraphs identifying any flaw I can find in today’s sports society, I want to take this month to extend a wish for good look to the athletes taking part in spring sports.

After the phenomenal season by the CMR girls swim team, I find it necessary to give them the major props they deserve. They performed above and beyond and are truly a once- in- a- lifetime team.

So, enjoy the rest of the year girls, and, job well done!

To the swimmer boys, sports editor

The Final Point meg smith

Dinkins has lost 42 lbs. since joining the Army National Guard due to her intense cardio classes.

She has been running every day, doing power step classes, and kick boxing.

“I know what I have to do to get where I need to be,” Dinkins said.

The basic training might be physically exhausting, but these future soldiers need to worry about the mental exhaustion as well.

“The hardest part has been keeping motivated to work out,” Kent said.

Dinkins knows the importance of keeping a strong mind and pushing through the physical training.

“I am not weak minded,” Dinkins said. “[The military] will break you down and then build you back up.”

And others have expectations after they break through the basic training.

“I just hope to come out more of a man,” Duffy said. “I want to be more mentally mature.”

Dinkins also has anticipations, but on a bit broader spectrum.

“I want to get women into the infantry,” Dinkins said. “One day they’ll have to use a woman just as much as they’ll have to use a man.”

congratulations on a successful season in the pool. I hope you continue to work hard and take home a state title next year.

Now I want to extend my best wishes to the up and coming athletes of the spring sports season.

To the tennis boys and girls who are amping up for the season, I know that this will be an exciting, thrilling, successful year. So swing your rackets hard, hit the balls fast, and take home state and personal wins!

The next sport I need to send my well wishes to is the speedy road runners of the track team.

I hope to see broken records and the next David Wilson emerging from this season.

And to the pole vaulters, shot putters, javelin

throwers, and jumpers who don’t often get the credit that kind of muscle strength deserves, may you throw farther, jump higher, and clear taller heights then ever before.

Now, I want to send a hearty good luck to the softball girls. After an excellent season last year I know they will pull out spectacular victories this year.

It’s so exciting to know that in almost every sport CMR is state renowned and seen as a serious contender.

So go kick some...grass, and take home state titles!

24

pening Season

Spring sports begin to bloom

Date Softball:

Tennis:

Time

Site

April 9 12:00 p.m. Great Falls Multisport April 9 2:00 p.m. Great Falls Multisport April 1 1:00 p.m.

April 1 3:00 p.m

Boys/Girls April 5 3:30 p.m.

Track:

Opponent Glacier Flathead

Helena High Meadow Lark Helena Country Club Capital CMR

Memorial Stadium

Upper right: As rainy weather drives them inside, softball girls make the best of it as they practice catching and passing at a March 22 practice.

Bottom left: Darby Semenza practices pole vaulting at a March 22 practice.

Bottom middle: Watching their runners as they warm up in the fieldhouse on March 22, the coaches prepare for an indoor practice.

Bottom right: Warm weather allows Jack Martinez and Brit Kessner the chance for an outside tennis practice on March 28.

Photos by Meg Smith.

Helena Capital

As the fall and winter sports fade to the background, CMR is amping up for a ferocious spring sports season. But practices have to be taken inside quite often this year as spring showers drown out the dedicated athletes. That hasn’t stopped them though. Avid players hit the gym to get in shape for their first big competitions. Yet some athletes brave the weather as they don their sweatsuits in anticipation of the less -than-perfect weather.

March 31, 2011 The Stampede

Your Pick for the

Hard winter training yields spring track benefits for Rayl

Madness

Runner looks to surpass last year’s success katie hodges

“UConn all the way!”

- Riley McDermott

A Final Foursome nobody expected Chris Dufresne Los Angeles Times (MCT)

“UConn over Butler because UConn has the best player: Kemba Walker!”

- John Cislo

“UConn because I like the name.”

- Cheyann Trueman

“VCU because they have so much momentum right now.”

- Amy Borger

25

Connecticut, Virginia Commonwealth, Kentucky and Butler are set to gather next weekend for . . .

A symposium on anthropological studies? A barbeque?

The Ultimate Frisbee national intramural championships?

Actually, it’s the last place you’d have thought these schools would end up: the Final Four in Houston.

Connecticut and Butler booked passage Saturday, with VCU (shockingly, over Kansas) and Kentucky (not as shockingly, over North Carolina) filling the final two slots Sunday.

VCU who?

The names are Jamie Skeen, Joey Rodriguez, Bradford Burgess, Ed Nixon and Brandon Rozzell.

They are coached by Shaka Smart, who graduated magna cum laude from Kenyon College, although none of the smart money this year was on him.

Knocking Kansas out Sunday proved the Rams can head butt: Borrowing a line from the

movie “Major League,” Smart said, “There’s only one thing left to do, win the whole . . . thing.”

One national semifinal will pit Connecticut, the ninthplace team out of the Big East, against Kentucky, which needed a last-second shot in the opening round just to escape Princeton.

Kentucky is making its first Final Four appearance since 1998.

The Wildcats were supposed to do this . . . last year... but couldn’t find their tournament way past West Virginia.

Connecticut missed last year’s NCAA tournament, and until about three weeks ago, it appeared Belmont was more of a threat to reach the Final Four.

Butler vs. VCU is just, well, absurd -- a No. 8 vs. a No. 11, with the winner playing for the national title?

Butler had its “Hoosiers” ride last year when the Bulldogs made a historic run to the title game in their own city, Indianapolis.

VCU was a 350-to-1 shot to win the NCAA title when the

tournament started. That made them nags, not Rams. VCU had to argue its way into the 68-team field, defeat USC in a preliminary game, and now hopes to become the first team to win seven games en route to an NCAA title.

This is the Frozen (stare) Four.

Connecticut needed five straight Big East tournament wins just to boost its seeding to a No. 3, while Kentucky (obviously) deserved better than its No. 4.

This marks the first time since seeding began in 1979 that no No. 1 or No. 2 made the Final Four.

This hasn’t been your average NCAA season -- almost all the experts had it wrong.

The “expert” from the Los Angeles Times (me) had two teams still standing Saturday night -- North Carolina and Kansas -- before morning (and those teams) broke on Sunday.

VCU is only the third No. 11 to make the Final Four, joining Louisiana State in 1986 and George Mason in 2006.

For many athletes, it normally takes two or three seasons of hard work to even think about placing at state, but this was not the case for runner Patrick Rayl.

Rayl, a sophomore, took fifth in state in the two mile last year, and is currently working hard to maintain his winning streak.

Rayl, who also runs the one-mile, said he has been “preparing to work hard to get to state.”

During a long Montana winter, however, this isn’t easy. Rayl has been preparing by running on the stairs and by running in the cold, but he won’t run if it is too snowy out.

“If it’s really cold out, I just work on endurance,” Rayl said. “It seems harder to breathe.”

But track coach Doug Darko thinks that this will end up paying off for Rayl in the end, and he has even made a bet with Rayl to inspire him to a win.

“If he wins the state meet, Coach Darko will shave his head,” Darko said.

“It would be well worth it.”

Darko recognizes the work Rayl has put in over the winter.

“He’s trained pretty hard all winter long,” Darko said. “He’s quite a ways ahead of where he was last year.”

Along with looking for a time improvement, Darko hopes Rayl makes allstate, or places in the top six.

Rayl is simply proud of how far he has come.

“It makes me feel like I worked really hard to get to where I am.”

26

STARTERS - Girls

Cody Clausen

alex lowry

STARTERS - Boys

Rustler teams storm Butte CC for 2011 state tournament

russ morin tyler stanich

“The most memorable moment was beating Senior to advance to the state tournament because we worked so hard to get to state.”

“The most memorable moment of the season was when Coach Cislo wanted both me and Jayse in the high post.”

Overtime: one of the most exciting situations in all of sports. On March 11 the CMR boys basketball team tied Billings West 44-44 at the end of regulation in their second round game after defeating Glacier High 51-46. The final score was 55-49, with Billings West coming out on top. The Rustlers then faced Missoula Sentinel in the loser-out round, where they lost 47-43. It was a strong showing at state that capped off a successful season for the defending state champions, who finished the season with a 15-9 record.

“It was pretty darn successful... we did some really, really good things when people outside of our locker room doubted us,” Assistant Coach Brian Crosby said.

“When we step back and look at this, the fact that we played Friday night at the state tournament... and that we had a chance to play for the state championship...it’s a tremendous benefit to our kids and our coaching staff,” Crosby said. “I think that where we got better is where we turned into a defensive team, and we could just flat lock people down,” he said.

Both Crosby and senior forward Gavin Hagfors identified the loss of senior point guard Jake Bleskin as a huge loss for the team.

“I think Jake Bleskin getting hurt really hurt our team as far as ball handling, and Tyler [Stanich] did a great job of stepping in, but it really would have helped to have a natural point guard,” Hagfors said.

Even though the Rustlers hit a rough patch and lost several consecutive games on the road, Crosby credits his team for persevering.

“Our kids stayed positive, the kids bought into what the coaching staff was trying to tell them,” Crosby said.

“I think we took it [the streak] pretty constructively; we knew we had to work harder in practice and just become better... start in practice and it will transfer over to games,” Hagfors said, adding that he and his teammates were excited to go to the state tournament.

“I think we were all really optimistic; we were playing well at that time, and I think we all felt we had a good shot at taking state,” Hagfors said.

Kurtis Parsons of the Rustlers received All-State honors for his average of 12.1 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.

“Looking back I know all of our kids tried our hardest, and that all you can really ask for,” Hagfors said. “You give it your best, and I feel like everyone on our team did this year, and hopefully that continues in years to come.”

Girls share highlights of rollercoaster season

nick schulz “The most memorable The last second three-point shot by Hannah Vining in the March 4 playoff game against Great Falls High to send the moment of the season was CMR girls basketball team to the state tournament marked when we were tied with the beginning of a “rollercoaster” state tournament, accord- GFHS and Hannah made the winning shot at the ing to Assistant Coach Steve Yates.

The girls started the tournament with a 55-38 loss in the buzzer.” first round to Missoula Sentinel, but then bounced back to beat Helena High 50-32 and Butte High 61-48 in the loserout round. They advanced to the consolation championship, where they lost to Bozeman 54-33, but still secured fourth place in the state tournament.

“Sometimes we let frustration get the better of us,” Yates said, adding that the team almost always “bounced back.”

Yates emphasized how proud he was of the team for what it accomplished this season -- especially the seniors.

“I have no regrets.

“It’s anticlimactic when you don’t win it all, and [the seniors] have set a good example,” Yates said. “They have Although we came a little really worked hard and put in the time, and unfortunately short of our goal as a team, I think we had a great even when you do that sometimes it doesn’t work out.”

Yates said that the girls’ lack of consistency was their season!” biggest shortcoming throughout the season, but noted how the players were “very coachable,” and when there was a problem in their play, they “always did their best to fix it.”

Team manager Lindsey Mosley said that turnovers were the Achilles heel of the team this year. Although Mosley wasn’t able to be in the game with the player, she said she would like to have advised them to “stay calm and take good shots.”

Senior point guard Haley Vining expressed her frustra“Hannah Vining’s last tion of not being able to contribute to the team due to injury. second three for the win She also commended her teammates for staying positive against Great Falls High.” throughout the season.

“We came to practice each day wanting to improve,” Vining said.

On top of a fourth place season, sophomore Diondra Denton of the Lady Rustlers was recognized for her contributions to the team by being named an AA All-State player.

She was the top scorer for the team with an average of 11.4 points per game, helping to lead the Lady Rustlers to a 17-8 season.

All in all, both Vining and Yates had a definite sense of “We overcame adversity accomplishment and pride in the season when it drew to a and grew close as a team.” close.

allison sullivan

“It was a great season -- I’ll remember it all.”

Boys reflect on giving season their best

allison sexe

gavin hagfors

“The high point was winning our playoff game against senior. The low was one week later when we lost in the semis to West.”

The Rustler crowd jammed into the Butte Civic Center and cheered on both the boys and girls teams. Photo by Pat O’Connell.

sara wier

kurtis parsons

“I would definitely change how we played in overtime against Billings West at the state tournament.”

diondra denton

“The most memorable moment of this season was when we beat West, because it was on our senior night and they were the No. 1 team in the state.”

March 31, 2011 The Stampede

Dancing, wizardry, create memories in the Sunshine State Wranglers take part in national dance competition in Florida nick green

“Expecto Patronum,” bellowed junior Christina Green jokingly upon arriving at Hogwarts, Florida.

“We just wanted to relax and forget the stress of competing.”

After a hard day of dancing Green and the other Wranglers were finally able to relax at Universal Studios in Orlando. The CMR Dance Team competed in Florida on March 12 at a competition put on by the National Dance Association.

“We had to earn our bid (at the competition) by learning a dance at our 3 day camp and then being judged on it,” junior Danielle Braget said.

Aside from the usual practices in preparation for performing at basketball and football games the Wranglers had to put in a great deal of effort to make it to National’s.

“We spent a lot of time making sure everything looked good, and was performed right,” sophomore Nicole Zarling said.

“Fundraising was definitely the hardest part of the year for me,” senior Megan Varner said.

Aside from the obvious physical toll of dancing the Wranglers face anothe obstacle in that they are, largely, responsible for fundraising. Not considered an official sport (it’s classified a club) the Wrangler’s are repsonisble for funding their

normal yearly activities along with getting the funds needed for National’s.

Dedication for the drill team requires more than fundraising though, sacrificing a great deal of personal time is also a must.

“Getting through 5 a.m. practices was the hardest part of drill for me,” Braget said.

The hard work has really payed off for the drill team, though, and despite a lot of hard work Varner feels her high school experience has been a good one.

“When we performed ‘Transformers’ (a routine) at the girl’s playoff and we saw the crowds reaction to something we had worked hard on was really great.”

“I love kick and hip-hop, the audience love’s hip-hop,” Braget said.

The year is winding down now for the Wrangler’s, and for Varner her time as a Wrangler is drawing to a close; her trip to Florida, however, will stay with her for a long tim.

“It was good to be able to bond as a team,” Varner said. “Watching the other teams, and seeing what they came up with was also a really good experience It’s been a great year.”

The CMR Wranglers, above, take a moment to pose for a group photo. The Wranglers were in Orlando for the National Dance Association competion. Pictured at upper right, junior Hannah Grooms senior Megan Varner and juniors Danielle Braget, Christina Green, and Georgia Mae Morrison smile for the camera. At lower right is the entrance to the Universal Orlando Resort. The Wranglers spent the day at Universal going to Hogwarts and a Dr. Seuss-inspired theme park. Pictured below are juniors Georgia Mae Morrison, Christina Green, Lenaya Jung, Danielle Braget, Hannah Grooms and senior Megan Varner in front of the Hogwarts Castle at Universal Orlando.

Pictured at bottom left, juniors Christina Green and Lenaya Jung experiment with human sizedplastic balls. “Those were the most fun thing ever, it was was awesome,” Jung said. Photos courtesy of Hannah Grooms.

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P R O M in the morning on the Red Carpet

The cameras flashed. The gowns sparkled. Every girl emulated the elegance of Old Hollywood.

This dazzling array of 1920’s glammour was seen throughout the night on March 26 as couples walked the red carpet before entering the 2011 CMR Prom.

These couples were greated by Marilyn Monroe and Justin Beiber. They next looked to all four walls of the venue to watch the black and white movies depicting Old Hollywood love stories.

ng 2011, i K d n a een Prom Qu nd Gavin Hagfors din a Jessie Har

Prom P

rincess

Royalty