CMRStampedeDec2012

the

News......................

stampede

Ready for retirement:

Crawley prepares for retirement pg. 3

Opinion..................

Christmas Morning: Students share the worst Christmas presents they’ve received

pg. 9

Features...............

Behind the costume: Longtime Santa speaks up pg.13

CENTERSPREAD........

Building a house:

High School House students, teachers share experiences

pg.14-15

Entertainment....

High School Musical: Drama

department performs musical pg.18

Sports..................

Full Schedule:

Students explain the joys, hardships of juggling multiple sports pg.27

Back Page.............

Fear: Horror movies

through the years pg.

28

Hitting the slopes Showdown opens 2012 season with powder, new experiences Pg. 25

An open forum for student expression

c.m. russell high school great falls, mont. dec. 20, 2012 vol. 47, issue 6

www.rustlernews.com

The Stampede

The Stampede staff strives to produce a publication that is relevant to the CMR student body while maintaining journalistic standards. We help to provide a free exchange of ideas and establish a student voice in the school community.

2012-2013 Staff

editor-in-chief lindsey buck

online editor

caroline perkins

design editors

zach pottratz whisper harris

visual content editor sierra rutledge

news editor abby lynes

opinion editor kendra hix

business manager tayler korb

features/entertainment editor jen verzuh

sports editor

peyton fulbright

adviser

beth britton

principal

dick kloppel

staff

greighsen adams tanner gliko tina keller gemma kern stephanie mccracken kim michelsen paige maurer natasha walker joey serido joe wilmoth brandi aguirre kasey bubnash tom gruner katelin johnson collin marquard kaitlin mosley travis pomeroy sammy popham hannah ragland olivia rudio julia segebarth emily shaulis katelyn smith jesse whiteman

228 17th avenue northwest (406) 268-6178 great falls, montana 59404 www.rustlernews.com

Table of contents Table of Contents 1 - Cover photo by Kasey Bubnash 2 - Editorial policy, Editor’s letter, photo

by Zach Pottratz 3 - NEWS, Crawley’s retirement, Abby’s column 4 - Fundraising, Volunteering 5 - Steel Company 6 - Early Grads, Finals preparation 7 - OPINION, Editorial, SRO, Kendra’s column 8 - Being PC, freedom 9 - Talking vs. texting, Worst Christmas gifts 10 - FEATURES, Jen’s column, Bilingual students, band choir All-NW 11 - Bad Moods 12 - Artist in residence 13 - Santa 14-15 - High School House 16 - Alternative holiday foods 17 - Religion 18 - ENTERTAINMENT, 1940’s Radio Hour 19 - Music 20 - Video game review 21 - Chart 22 - SPORTS, Snow Sports Peyton’s column 23 - Hockey, Basketball, 24 - Wrestling, Basketball, Swimming 25 - Skiing 26 - Seniors’ final year of sports 27 - Students who play multiple sports 28 - Horror Movies

THE BUCK STOPS

HERE

Lindsey Buck

The problem with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches is that there is never balance.

There’s always too much peanut butter, which makes your mouth stick together like it was hot glued, or too much jelly and it tastes like a heaping pile of sugar.

Our Congress is a lot like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich—one that is about to drive us off a metaphorical cliff.

With the expiration of many tax cuts set

Editorial Policy

The Stampede -- produced by journalism classes at C.M. Russell High School -- 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.

Letters to the editor and guest essays are welcome. Letters are limited to 200 words, and essays 350 words. All submissions must be signed and include a phone number so authenticity can be verified. The editors and/or adviser reserve the right to edit all letters for grammar and spelling as well as content that may include profanity, be libelous, obscene or not meet general editorial guidelines. Anonymous letters are not accepted. Submissions can be dropped off in room 326 or e-mailed to: stampede@gfps.k12.mt.us.

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.

to hit soon, Americans everywhere will be suffering if our elected “leaders” can’t make a deal. Republicans are unwilling to tax the top 2 percent of Americans; Democrats are unwilling to make many spending cuts.

Part of leadership is standing up for your beliefs and holding a firm stance. However, a more important part of leadership involves coming together and compromising, because there will never be a complete agreement about anything.

Humans come from different backgrounds and with different ideas; there is simply no way to accomplish all we wish if individuals in Congress are unwilling to give up part of what they want.

We have little control over what Congress does over the next two weeks, but we do

have control over something else: how we act in situations similar to this hard pressed debate.

Each day, as students, we must compromise something, whether it is going to that dreaded math class in order to gain knowledge needed for college, or giving up our chocolate bar at lunch to gain a friend.

Life is all about trade-offs; so, do everything you do in order to accomplish a greater good. Regardless of what you give up in the short run, it will always make you better off in the long run.

Don’t be a nasty sandwich. Balance your peanut butter with someone else’s jelly, because it’ll taste better for everyone in the end.

News

Volunteering, steel company, early graduates...

Superintendent to step down in June 2013

Crawley reflects on six years in Great Falls Public School district, announces retirement

Abby Lynes

THE LYNES

READING BETWEEN

by linsdsey buck, editor in chief, abby lynes, news editor Selling cookies and being a Girl Scout camp counselor is how Cheryl Crawley realized that children were not only inspiring to her, but also that she wanted to work with them for the rest of her life.

“When I think back, I realize that I was a teacher all my life. I’ve always been struck by providing for all kids,” she said.

Crawley, the Superintendent of Schools, recently announced her retirement after six years in the Great Falls Public School District. Even though she will miss her job, she said she is proud of the district’s accomplishments over the years.

“We’ve done some really fun and wonderful things.

I’m so proud of what we do,” she said.

Crawley began her career in the field of education by becoming a teaching assistant at Montana State University. Later, she took teacher education courses in order to receive a degree in education. Crawley began one of her most monumental jobs in Salem, Ore., where she was the Director of Student Services. She then spent three years in Marin County, Calif., and then took her career to Montana.

Overall, Crawley has spent 48 years in the education

system.

In Oregon, she was responsible for federal programs, bilingual education, and guidance and counseling. Crawley said she was astonished by the number of students who did not speak English, and she Right: Reflecting on her past 48 years in education, Suprintendent of Schools Cheryl Crawley is most proud worked to “[develop] a of her work with bilangual students and special needs students. Left: Crawley began her career as superinfull bilingual program.” tendent in the Great Falls Public School District six years ago Photos by Peyton Fulbright.

Crawley also discovered program for homeless students, despite the increasing that there was a “real push to not allow” students with lack of funds for education.

HIV into schools.

Crawley said that she is most proud of providing “24“People were so frightened by HIV,” she said. hour progress data” to students, creating a “balanced Crawley worked with staff members and students economic development for our region,” and giving to diminish false conceptions of HIV and to implement “employees the very best in professional development.” safety guidelines that would allow staff to work with Even though the failed mill levy and budget cuts have students who had HIV. challenged the administration, Crawley said that “if you “We had to find common ground,” she said. get in there and really work,” it is possible to accomplish After her time in Oregon, Crawley said her love for “all “deep and systemic” changes. kids” inspired her to start her career as the Superintendent She said that the administration continues to work of Schools in Great Falls. on improving the student dropout rate by 100 percent, She said she has experienced many hardships while in getting the community involved in ending bullying, and office, including a failed mill levy, a “multi-million dollar refurbishing Great Falls High. shortfall” in the budget, and a loss of 90 employees due to “It needs to be a total community effort,” Crawley economic challenges. said.

“Taking those planned cuts over several years Upon announcing her retirement, Crawley said that -- while not at all easy to do-- has left us in a stable she “cannot express what a pleasure it has been to serve financial condition,” she said in her Nov. 12 retirement as your superintendent for six years.” announcement to the district.

In her six years in office, Crawley said she gained However, Crawley said that the district has incredible knowledge and will “be there to support” the accomplished many things that she is very proud of. next superintendent.

During Crawley’s time in office, the rate of student “I’ll be cheering at the sidelines at everything they do dropouts has fallen 2.1 percent, Skyline School has been after I leave.” opened and 280 children are currently served under a

At 5:25 p.m. on the blustery night of Saturday Dec. 8, I sit hunched over in my mom’s Xterra, warming my hands in front of the heater before I have to leave my cozy cocoon. It isn’t long, though, before it came time for me to brave the cold, so I slowly creep out of my car and make my way towards the front end of the Civic Center. The night is still and silent and the brilliant array of stars twinkle above my head, incandescent, with promise, just as they must have for Abraham in the Bible, the Torah, and the Quran.

As I approach the front of the building, I spot a group of people huddled around a menorah, laughing and talking with one another in the

dim light cast by the Christmas tree to the right.

They are cheerful and friendly, welcoming me in to their Hanukkah celebration. When the clock strikes 5:30, the group sings a quick Hebrew prayer and the menorah is lit with cheers of, “Happy Hanukkah” and joy. Everyone takes a donut and departs, eager to get back to their warm cars.

This is how a typical night of the “Festival of Lights” in Great Falls looks. I had the immense pleasure of attending one of these celebrations as well as a few other religious services over the past month to see how they celebrate during the holiday season. Each one was different from the rest in terms of tradition and style of worship,

however I found that each shared common goals: to commemorate times of happiness and triumph and strengthen our ties with friends and family by spending time with one another.

The more I exposed myself to different religious customs and beliefs, the more I came to realize how insignificant our differences are.

The most important thing to focus on is our similarities, for they unite us. We all participate in the human experience – the joy, suffering, learning, and pain. The holiday season is about choosing to be joyful despite the suffering we all face. Its purpose is to reveal the light present in all human beings.

The Stampede 12.20.12

04 -- News

Freshman entertains Cambridge Place residents, spreads holiday cheer with accordion melodies

Haney said he encourages anyone to volunteer. Whethby collin marquard, staff writer er you donate your time to helping the community, or playSenior citizens at Cambridge Place sit in silence at their ing the accordion, its worth the effort to feel that feeling of retirement home, waiting anxiously for the arrival of Austin generosity, he said.

Haney and his esteemed accordion.

“I encourage everyone to do this, no matter what your “I’m here to make their time and play for their joy,” talent may be,” he said.

Haney said.

Haney said he remembered one old man in particular.

Haney volunteers every two weeks at Cambridge Place, Haney was playing at the Cambridge Place, as his weekly playing his accordion for all the residents. Haney said his schedule intended. However, a new face joined the audimother got him involved in volunteering. He already had the ence. accordion and was learning to play.

The new man sat quietly and watched as he played, he He said the first couple days of him playing for the elders, said. After he finished the song he just learned, the old man he would recieve tips. Except, he would refuse. He said he came up to him and shook his hand. He told Haney that felt it was wrong to take tips from these people because he that was the song him and his wife danced to on their wedenjoyed it and loved it. ding ago, almost 70 years ago.

“Personally I think everyone should volunteer,” he said. “[I’m] glad I get the opportunity to brighten their day Haney said one thing he looks forward to is talking with even if mine isn’t at its best,” he said. his favorite resident, Andy Kukay.

Haney said that someone’s attitude makes a big differ“I remember talking to Andy the first couple days of vol- Austin Haney shares his music with residents of Cambridge Place Dec. ence when doing something such as volunteering. He said unteering there. My most vivid conversation with him was 1. Photo by Collin Marquard. if you’re not in a good mood, then you won’t be giving off when he told me about the first airplane he ever saw,” he said.

A lot of people at the home are lonely, and don’t get many that positive engery to those around you. Haney said that even when he is in a bad mood, visitors, Haney said. So, Haney said he thought he should go and visit these people and he looks forward to that day where he makes people happy and joyful. “[Being anything but happy] just won’t do it. I look forward to playing for them,” he give them something to look forward to, someone to share their day with, someone to express their feelings to. He said that Kukay would talk for hours about his old mission days, said. Haney doesn’t just play for strangers. He use to play for his grandfather who was especially the WW1 parade. Haney sits for hours at the home talking to the people of Cam- very proud of him for learning an instrument like the accordion, he said. “[There are] very few feelings that compare to doing something such as that [volunbridge Place; he said he lets the old folks talk to him about whatever they want. Whether it’s the meatloaf they had for lunch or an important memory, such as the airplane for Kukay, teering].”

Haney will listen becauses he cares about them, he said.

Fruit, chocolate equals money

Departments find ways to raise funds with a declining budget

by stephanie mccracken, staff writer When it comes to surviving a declining budget, band director Russ Kellogg knows it all comes down to apples, oranges, pears, and grapefruits. Fruit sales have always been the answer.

“The discretionary money we get from the school is very little; we wouldn’t be able to cover costs [without fundraising],” Kellogg said.

For the music department, the annual fruit sale has been an ongoing tradition since its beginning in 1974 at Great Falls High.

“The tradition has been really strong,” he said. “It’s successful enough for people to contact us if they are not contacted.”

“We had overwhelming support from the community,” choir teacher Lynn Ryan said.“The money goes to many different things – scholarships, trips, festivals, instruments.”

Other departments, such as Industrial Tech, come up with a different way to raise funds.

“Industrial tech builds things and sells them and the money goes back into the program,” Principal Dick Kloppel said.

Departments continue to be affected by the decreasing

Dozens of vehicles drive through the Ag barn at the Montana Expopark Dec. 7 as music students Melanie Nicholes, Melissa Weber, and Taylor McCarthy help complete the annual fruit fundraiser. Photos by Beth Britton.

budget.

“As long as our enrollment continues to decline, the budget will decline,” he said.

The budget increases or decreases depending on the number of students enrolled at the school.

“For every student the district gives a certain amount of money,” Kloppel said.

Some areas of the school have been so badly affected the money is completely gone for them.

Some clubs like Color Guard, cheerleading, and Wranglers used to have a budget, but that is no longer the case, he said.

“They’re totally funded by fundraising,” he said.

Clubs such as German Club also fund themselves.

German teacher Anne Bulger and her students have been selling German chocolate advent calendars ever since her ar-

rival in 2000. At that point all the foreign language classes sold advent calendars to support the foreign language department.

“We use the money for treats in club and a German dinner, and if we take any field trips we will pay for kids who can’t afford it,” Bulger said.

Clubs and departments aren’t the only thing affected.

Sports have taken budget cuts as well.

Many sports have separate fundraisers. The football team sells gold cards, and this year the volleyball team sold cookie dough. Many years ago, however, fundraisers weren’t necessary for sports.

“Thirty years ago when a coach needed a new set of uniforms the district bought it for them, now it’s all funded,” Kloppel said. “They get enough money to outfit about four players.”

News -- 05

12.20.12 The Stampede

Canadian steel company to open plant to work in part with school district by jesse whiteman, staff writer As rain poured down in Montreal Oct. 29-Nov. 2, C. M. Russell Industrial Technology Department leader Mark Yaeger toured through a Canadian steel plant.

“It rained the whole time in Montreal,” Yaeger said. “We hit it right at the wrong time.”

Yaeger’s time in Canada happened to fall during Super Storm Sandy.

Joining him were college students from Great Falls College-MSU and several officials from the Great Falls Development Authority to meet with the CEO of ADF Group Incorporated, a steel manufacturing company that intends to set up a plant in Great Falls.

The company was given the permit to use the land near the Old Havre Highway on Dec. 6. Their ground breaking is projected to be in April. ADF will be manufacturing modules, which are like miniature refineries. The company plans to form a partnership with Great Falls Public Schools, which will help train future employees.

“The reason they came to Great Falls was for a western United States, western Canada distribution site,” Yaeger said adding that Great Falls is a prime location that the president of the company directly wanted.

“They have some contracts with the petroleum company in Alberta,” Yaeger said. “[Students will be] fabricating modules. The modules make a mini-refinery.”

He said that Great Falls offers a quick route from the United States to Canada on the Old Havre Highway.

“This road from [U.S. highway] 87 to Chester is simple to the highway,” Yaeger said.

Due to the size of the mega loads the company will be shipping to Alberta, it complied with the Montana Department of Motor Vehicles by shrinking down the loads so that they would be allowed to use Highway 87.

The metal plant also will provide a college-type building run by GFC-MSU for the employees to learn how to use the technology, tools, and machinery.

Yaeger said both CMR and GFHS are involved with training students to go directly to work in and study at the plant.

He said that at both buildings they have technology to help with drafting skills for the company.

Career-Technical Education Facilitator Tom Kotynski reinforced the schools’ involvement with the plant in a sort of marriage.

“We’re trying to work out a deal that we can provide curriculum and equipment to help them with their work force,” Kotynski said.

Kotynski said that the schools may even offer a duelcredit class for college and high school to help ready themselves for going to work for ADF. Some of the technology that is going to be used is not available at the college. The students will be trained to become Computer Numerical Controlled operators, welders, and fitters which is working steel to fit into certain designs.

“They’re going to be looking for people who can draft, people who can read plans, and people who do fitting,” Kotynski said.

Kotynski said that when ADF starts employing, the people who go to work from the schools are more likely to stay in Great Falls in effect paying property taxes that will boost our economy. ADF is replacing the Anaconda after they closed a few decades ago.

“If they provide as many jobs as they say could happen, it would be a tremendous economic boost for the community,” he said.

“We’ll start training first of the year,” Yaeger said.

“They’re going to be good for us, for Great Falls.”

Left: Mark Yaeger poses in front of the steel design for Tower One of the World Trade Center made by ADF. Photo by Jesse Whiteman. Right: Officials from ADF tour through the CMR industrial technology building Dec. 11. Photo

by Sierra Rutledge.

The Stampede 12.20.12

06 -- News

Seniors work to meet graduation requirements by second semester Upperclassmen look forward to completing high school and entering the adult world by tanner gliko, staff writer By the time the CMR student body returns to school after the holiday break, early grad Ali Basta will already have moved 177 miles to the south and be attending classes at MSU Bozeman.

Basta, who said she has not yet decided what career she will pursue, will start by taking her core classes at MSU. She said that the main reason she is doing the early grad program is to get a jump start on college.

“The faster I go, the faster I get done,” she said.

Basta said she’s been a p p l y i n g Keirsten Anderson for many Alison Basta scholarships Kaela Brown and colleges Kelsey Cuchine in preparation Jennifer Irwin for her early graduation, but Jessica Irwin she’ll have six Katelyn Kempa extra months Amanda Morrison to work on her Elisabeth Nelson career.

“I think I’ll do better as a college student than I will as a high school student,” Basta said.

Because she is graduating early, Basta said she will not get to walk at graduation with her class. However, she said that she is

receiving her diploma on May 7, 2013, so she will be able to attend prom and the senior celebration.

“The second semester of your senior year is supposed to be, like, the best one,” Basta said.

For various reasons, including starting college early and joining the military, a total of 18 seniors have decided to do the early grad program and graduate after first semester.

Alex Miller will be graduating early to join Special Forces in the Air Force. He said that with the extra time graduating Destiny Popham early will Michaela Weiler give him, Charles Alberts he’ll be able Taylor Koth to rise higher in rank and Taylor Kuntz gain more Cody Marez knowledge.

Alex Miller “[It will] Justin Ohlsen get me an early start Jacob Scalf on my Air Force career,” Miller said. “That way, someday I could be the top dog.”

Miller said he is working harder than ever in school to prepare for graduation. To physically prepare himself for his career, he

Early grads

Completing their second semester of senior English in advance on Dec. 3, early grads participate in the Montana Business Challenge, during which they run businesses against other schools around the state.

Soon they will take the WorkKeys test, which will assess their workplace skills. Photo by Tanner Gliko.

said he is working out at a gym every day after school.

“I’m busting my butt doing a lot of homework and studying a lot more than I used to,” he said.

Counselor Patti Ashmore said she thinks graduating early is “a great opportunity for kids to get an early start on college” as it allows them to finish high school sooner and get a head start on things such as the military and college. However, she said that there are several academic and nonacademic experiences that early grads could miss out on.

“They could be cutting themselves short, missing experiences second semester,” Ashmore said.

In order to graduate early, students must get an academic variance approved by a

committee based on their grades, attendance history, and plan for the future. Ashmore said the counselors help the early grads by making sure they have a plan, know about the half tuition opportunity for early grads at the COT, and are not making a choice that will damage their education.

“We just double and triple check to make sure that they have a plan, and that their plan makes sense,” she said.

If a student is ready to get started on life outside of high school right away, the early grad option can be a great chance to get rolling.

“I would say that early grad is a good opportunity for those students that feel they need to get out of high school early,” Ashmore said.

Students seek best ways to survive semester finals by tina keller , staff writer When it comes to studying for finals, junior Maddie Russell knows exactly what she will be doing.

“I make a detailed schedule of exactly what I will be studying and when so I stay on track, Russell said.

To survive her cram session, Russell makes a play list of piano music. She said the piano music helps her study because it is relaxing. In addition to the weekend before the finals, Russell studies the night before each of her tests.

Senior Vicky Evans also has a system for studying. She brings home all her notes and old worksheets to review over the weekend and throughout finals week.

In order to survive the last week of the semester, junior Amber Hay said she needs coffee and lots of it. Many other students also need their caffeine to get through the 90-min-

Finals MONDAY WEEK

JANUARY 14

ute testing periods.

When she goes to her finals, junior Cassie Cichozs said her must-have item is a book for entertainment.

“Last year I read a whole book during finals week,” she said. Though reading is a great way to pass the time after the test, Russell said she needs something creative to do. “[After a final] I like to draw or do something with my hands,” Russell said.

Finals week does have benefits. Russell said she enjoys the longer lunches because she actually has time to go out to eat. Cichozs said she likes the early-outs because she is able to get things done in the afternoon.

“I really don’t think finals are that bad.,” Russell said.

“As long as you study [before] it’s an easy week.”

TUESDAY JANUARY 15 7TH PERIOD

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 16 ODD PERIODS

THURSDAY JANUARY 17 EVEN PERIODS

FRIDAY JANUARY 18 END OF SEMESTER EARLY OUT

Opinion

Editorial, being PC, texting vs. talking,......

ADF to build steel plant in Great Falls, provide jobs for students, community

ADF Group Inc. will builld a steel manufacturing plant in Great Falls. The plant will hire 300 workers, some of them being CMR students. Photo by Joey Serido.

We at The Stampede love good news, and this is some of the best we’ve heard in quite some time.

Great Falls is about to Our opinion receive an economic shot Our school in the arm, and CMR is poised to take part in it.

Our voice The town hasn’t had any real variety of job growth since the Anaconda Smelter closed on Sept. 29, 1980. That might be about to change.

In October 2012, ADF Group Inc. announced plans to build a steel manufacturing facility in Great Falls. The company said that it will start with about 300 jobs with the opening of the factory.

The factory will hopefully be successful in attracting more and varied jobs to Great Falls.

In October and November, the city of Great Falls sent a group of educators and city officials to Montreal, Canada, to discuss ADF’s plans for the factory in Great Falls.

Industrial Technology Department leader Mark Yaeger was a part of this delegation.

On Dec. 12, Yaeger and the GFHS Industrial Technology department leader Lyall Tesch traveled to Montana State University in Bozeman to visit the engineering school. ADF wants to establish a close partnership with the schools so in turn they have a very close source of well trained employees.

The news about ADF is good news when one considers how dependent on Malmstrom Air Force Base, and that if the base was to be closed it would be a crushing blow to Great Falls economically.

A large percentage the jobs in Great Falls either are in the Air Force or are tied to the Air Force in some way.

With the recent end of the war in Iraq the military has shifted away from a militant stance to a stand down and reconsolidating phase. Malmstrom Air Force Base is one of the bases that could possibly have its missile mission removed.

The factory attracting more jobs would steer the economy away from being militaryoriented to being more business-oriented.

When the factory expands it will help to attract more business to support the workers.

The steel facility will also provide a local employer for CMR students who are in the trade classes such as Metals Manufacturing and Welding.

The jobs that ADF is bringing are good paying jobs.

Our students will have a great new opportunity to get local jobs directly out of high school. ADF will also provide more training at the plant.

The company will eventually be pulling students from CMR, GFHS, and the MSU College of technology to have direct hands on training at the factory.

CMR needs to take advantage of this opportunity to form a strong relationship with a business outside of the school.

We would like to see more relationships like this established, so CMR students and others students in the community can gain work experience and important skills.

We believe that job experience provides more for teenagers than just money; it provides a learning environment that helps them understand how the world functions.

Therefore, we encourage Rustlers to get involved with this new company and see it as a great opportunity, because it’s not every day that a steel plant in built in this city.

We at the Stampede hope that it will pave the way for more businesses to open up in Great Falls and the town will experience some of the economic and population growth that some of the other cities in the state have been experiencing.

SRO NICK TAYLOR Last month I saw a great article in The Stampede by Tom Gruner about bullying.

The article brought up some great points and really sent the message about everyone having an active role in helping prevent bullying type behavior.

What many people don’t realize is that sometimes bullying type behavior can actually be criminal.

Montana’s Disorderly Conduct statute states that a person commits the offense of Disorderly Conduct if they use threatening, profane or abusive language towards a person, disturbing their peace.

Also, Montana’s Privacy in Communications statute makes it a criminal offense to use profane language or threaten bodily injury with the purpose of intimidating or harassing someone through any electronic communication.

GINGER SNAP

Kendra Hix

I like to think that I have a pretty high tolerance level. I mean, I have great dislike for a lot of people and things but I tolerate them. However, one of the things that I cannot stand is when someone says “That’s racist.”

When I don’t like or agree with someone it’s not because they are African American, Native American, Asian American or just plain American.

I don’t like you because of your morals, ethics or the stupidity that is spouting from your mouth. It has absolutely nothing to do with the color of your skin, hair, eyes, or the shape of your ears.

People also are allowed to call each other horrible things that if said years ago they wouldn’t be permissible.

Now, though it seems that people in the halls especially are just constantly calling each other rude things without repercussions or even a shred of remorse.

That’s not how life should be lived.

We shouldn’t endorse those actions.

This includes telephones, text messages, emails and even Facebook.

Although bullying is an issue that has been around forever, there has been an increase in awareness recently.

The thing we all need to keep in mind is that bullying doesn’t stop when you get out of high school. Bullying will occur throughout most of our lives and we all need to understand how to cope with these issues.

We have to learn to deal with all types of people and situations. There is nothing wrong with making it clear to the individual causing the problems that they need to stop. And also make it clear that if the behavior does not stop that it may be reported. If the bully doesn’t get it after you have warned them, maybe the school administrators and I need to be involved.

Just remember, in many cases, it is how you respond that can make a difference and determine if things get better.

I’ve said some of these horrible things to people and I wish that just once someone had looked at me and told me to shut up instead of laughing at what I said.

While I tend to think of most “bullying” as a joke, I think that I have been one before and I think that if just one person had said that I was being a total jerk and to shut my gob, it would have stopped me.

Think of all of the things that could have been stopped had one person stood up and said something.

All it takes is one person to say that “this is ridiculous” before others will start thinking the same thing.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m still going to tease people and those people know that I truely am, just kidding. I think that’s a major component in friendships and relationships is being able to tease them.

However, I’m also going to say when someone’s gone too far and is being a complete jerk without bringing race, religion or any other thing that makes them different from me into the situation.

It’s the little people who change the world and I challenge you to be one of those people.

The Stampede 12.20.12

08 -- Opinion

The right to freedom

Appreciating CMR’s administration for giving the Stampede journalistic choice

art by samantha tracy

Political correctness tarnishes individuality, infuriates some around the holidays

by chandler pomeroy staff writer Merry Christmas! Oops, sorry; I meant to say happy holidays. Wouldn’t want to offend anybody right? Wait, what if somebody doesn’t celebrate the holidays?

Would have a nice winter break work?

Yeah, let’s go with that.

Being politically correct has always been not only nice and courteous, but it has become a part of American custom. It is a way for everybody to use the same word and avoid offending one another. However around the holidays things seem to get out of hand.

Many cultures clash during the season that would normally remain silent. People want to let it be known that they are different and don’t fit under the same roof.

Well, a few issues arise when everybody and their dog are doing this.

Personally I celebrate Christmas and all other fun holidays surrounding it. I understand that others don’t think exactly as I do. Where is the problem then?

The problem is that if I say “Merry Christmas,” other people have the right to correct me. However if they say happy holidays and I correct them it would be frowned upon. Why does this happen? Am I being insensitive for celebrating a holiday that I believe?

I would have to say that this is the fault of America for feeling guilty for past events. While not directly relating to holiday political correctness, slavery, Indian removal, and the civil rights movement got the ball rolling. However those events have passed and none of us are personally responsible.

I really think that America is slipping into that careful country phase. We feel that we have wronged others and don’t want to make things worse.

It is time to move on. My beliefs should not be less valued because of our past.

Again, this may be a rare occurrence but the situation is like having a smudge on your shirt. If you don’t think about

it everything is fine. However you take a quick glance and now you will be disturbed for the next few minutes.

While being politically correct may seem like a hindrance, it has its perks as well. It helps you sit in that neutral area when speaking with a new acquaintance.

If you don’t want to seem like an inconsiderate jerk because you have no knowledge of the person, the vague politically correct terms fit nicely.

I appreciate that attempts are being made to make every person drop outdated phrases, but sometimes it is pushed a little too far.

All in all, the cons outweigh the pros which bring a conclusion that it is an unnecessary part of society.

It may have been created for a more organized way of communication but we want to be individuals.

Why should we be forced to act like everybody else; doesn’t that ravage the society that is so great to live in?

by whisper harris, design editor Last month, when I wrote an article about the iKnowSurvey I had no idea what to expect when it was published.

When it did get published, several of my teachers told me they really liked it.

As a student it made me feel empowered—I mean who else, besides the members of a student newspaper has the power to speak out against something that they don’t like.

That power feels good.

And as a journalist it made me happy that people not only read what I wrote, but cared enough to tell me that it was good.

But those same teachers who told me my piece was good, also told me to be aware that Mr. Kloppel could, and probably would call me down.

That made me nervous.

Luckily, I didn’t get called down.

But having teachers tell me to be aware that my opinion could get me in trouble, got me thinking.

It made me think about how lucky I am, not only as an American protected by the First Amendment and freedom of speech, but also that I attend a school where the administration allows me to say what I think.

Some schools don’t have that freedom; some high school journalists are censored and told what they are allowed and not allowed to publish.

And whether change comes from what I write doesn’t matter to me. What matters is that I can say it.

12.20.12 The Stampede

2

Opinion-- 09

Head Head Talking vs. Texting

by katelyn smith, staff writer Take a look around the school; get a close up of all the students. The majority of them are on their phones.

This is what our society is coming to.

Children and adults alike are spending more time on their phones than actually talking to people in person. Yes, texting is a lot quicker, and you don’t have to plan anything out, but you lose emotion. The conversation starts to lose its charm.

Talking in person gets your point across more directly.

When you speak to someone face to face, you’re easily able to sense how that other person is feeling.

Whereas with text it’s easy for a person to call someone names, or say something that could potentially get them in trouble. Also, it’s easy for people to ignore you if it’s over text. If the conversation is in person, then you face what’s happening, and you don’t avoid that situation in the future.

Imagine texting someone and having them ask you out. Over text, that isn’t very classy or memorable.

If it’s in person, yeah it could be awkward, but it would be a lot sweeter. If one is shy person, talking in person would help him or her get over their fear. If society keeps expanding technology wise, as fast as it is now, you can almost guarantee that by 2020 even school

might be all virtual.

People wouldn’t have to leave their house for anything besides shopping for necessities. I wouldn’t want to live in a world where everyone constantly on their phones. If people are always on their phones, then they most likely won’t be watching where they’re going.

So if they’re in cars, that could end badly.

Even with the new “no using the phone while driving” law, there are still a ton of people who text and drive.

Keep your conversations more memorable, make them more fun, and enjoy talking to people in person, because you never know when one day you won’t talk to them anymore. Think about in 20 years when you have children, and them being addicted to their phones, and or iPad’s. How would you feel if all they wanted to do was text their friends? Think about our society’s future. Think about how our world will end up if we keep doing this.

by brandi aguirre, staff writer Imagine a world without texting.

You have to DIAL phone numbers and hope that your friends are at home. Perhaps they have an answering machine and will hear your message hours later. Or maybe you happen to run into them at the store. You can talk in person.

Imagine that.

Or, maybe not.

Count your blessings because the best way of communicating – TEXTING – exists in 2012.

Why is texting the best way to communicate?

Let me enlighten you.

In life, things become complicated; you can’t always talk over the phone or in person. It just is not possible.

Also, people don’t always have the privacy they need. If you want somebody to know about something that the whole world doesn’t need to know, it is hard to communicate on the phone because people can overhear.

What if you were sick and

couldn’t talk because your voice was gone or your throat hurt every time you said something? The solution?

Text whatever you want to say without hurting your throat.

Not everybody is outgoing and can come out and get right to the point. Some people are fearful and get nervous when talking to others.

Texting helps people pop their bubbles of shyness, allowing them to share important information with friends and family members.

The person may still be shy when communicating with their thumbs, but texting can be easier than speaking face-to-face. Even if a shy person wanted to ask a personal question – something they are too afraid to ask in person -- texting could help.

Everybody likes to talk to friends and family members they haven’t seen in a while. A lot of people are busy with school, work, or just life in general. You can’t keep in touch with everyone all the time. So, just check in with a quick text and say “Hey,” or see how the person is doing without having to listen to them go on and on about life.

Talking may be a little easier than texting, but you can get more privacy and lose the embarrassing pauses with a few taps of your thumbs.

The best, worst Christmas gifts from years past by greighsen adams, staff writer It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Or not.

There is a time in our life when Christmas presents just aren’t as they once were. Junior Levi Maxwell knows what it’s like to get a gift that deserves to be given back.

“I got a pair of pants six sizes too big,” Maxwell said.

Trying to buy for teens becomes too much of a challenge for some, but sometimes parents and grandparents get lucky.

“I got a laptop and a printer last year. It was useful and it was mine,” junior Courtney Benefiel said.

She also said she hates getting socks, and her grandma sends them often.

Christmas presents also can bring back the feeling of childhood. According to sophomore English teacher Tammy Petzold, her husband accomplished the childish joy of Christmas.

“One thing my husband got me was Heman and Shera DVD,” Petzold said. “Talk about bringing back my childhood.”

Although her DVDs came from the heart, she’s received gifts that weren’t as touching. She said she doesn’t like anything regifted.

“If you don’t want it, I don’t either,” Petzold said.

To students and teachers alike, Christmas can revolve around the presents and the sweets that accompany the holiday fun, but to one librarian, the holiday means much more.

“My mom was in the intensive care unit on Christmas morning; she was taken off a ventilator and was taken out of ICU,” Patti Hilbig said. “We thought we were going to have to disconnect her because she had a 20 percent chance [of living].”

Knowing family can be lost quickly, Hilbig decided to take a vacation with her children to spend time with them during the holiday season.

“I gave all my kids tickets to Las Vegas , including myself,” Hilbig said. “We went in February when my son was of legal age.”

Sometimes the best gifts aren’t store- bought, but something made from the heart. According to substitute teacher Jayne Brennan, her most prized gift came from her son.

“The best [gift] would be an ornament with my son’s picture on it,” she said.

Photo illustration by Kasey Bubnash

Features

Religion, artist in residence, holiday recipes...

Students express fluency in multiple languages by sierra rutledge, visual content editor

Seniors Larsen Blake and Tim Blystone on Dec. 18 during Russtones. Photo by Sierra Rutledge .

All-Northwest band, choir musicians to travel to Oregon for performance

auditions and sent them where they would For junior Alex Marks, Valentine’s be viewed by professionals, band director Day is a day to look forward to, but it has Russ Kellogg said. Then, if they made nothing to do with hearts and chocolates.

All-Northwest students have a month to “What I am looking forward to is prepare on their own after the audition. getting to sing with the best singers there “They have two and a half days of are in Northwest and get out of the comfort really long rehearsal [and] they will zone I have with my own choir,” Marks perform the last day,” he said. said. “I love meeting new people and Thirty-four students from Montana, seeing what they have to along with students from “It’s an extreme offer and just hearing all the five other states, will honor; there’s a lot of the different voices.” rehearse at the Portland Marks is one of 13 Convention Center and competition to get in.”

CMR students who have perform at the Portland Kellogg been given the honor to Opera House. be a part of the Northwest division. The “They will do a performance for music National Association for Music Education teachers in attendance,” choir teacher puts on the All-Northwest Music Festival Lynn Ryan said. “They are students who every two years. are dedicated to high quality and when put This year the Northwest division together give an amazing performance.” consisting of Alaska, Oregon, Idaho, “It’s an extreme honor; there’s a lot Wyoming, Washington, and Montana will of competition to get in. It’s an award take place in Portland, Ore. Feb. 14-17. for achieving an extremely high level,” To be selected, students recorded Kellogg said. by stephanie mccracken, staff writer

JEN

Jennifer Verzuh

IT’S RAINING

[

Parents tell their children over and over again how terrible television is for their brain. However, a love for English television, mostly “Dragon Ball Z”, encouraged junior Guilherme Poelsma want to learn a second language.

In 2010, Poelsma moved from Holland to Montana where he was finally able to use the English language regularly. At home it is mostly Portuguese that is spoken because his mother is originally from Brazil.

“My mom would make me study Portuguese for an hour every Sunday from when I was two until I was 10,” Poelsma said.

In Holland it is required that each student take an English c o u r s e throughout

]

I have a problem and whether you know it or not you share this problem with me. Our only movie theater in town refuses to play independent films, even well-advertised ones featuring A-list actors.

Sure, we can wait until the movies finally come out on DVD months later and be forced to scour movie rental places until, if we’re lucky enough, we at last discover it. This is unacceptable.

You may have heard of a tiny film called “Silver Linings Playbook.” Trailers and commercials for the film are all over the internet and television.

It stars several major actors, including Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, and Robert DeNiro.

I’ve been eagerly awaiting the film’s release since I first heard about the movie several months ago, so you can imagine my disappointment when its December release date came and went and the movie still wasn’t playing in our local Carmike Cinema.

This isn’t the first time this had happened, I face this kind of disappointment on almost a weekly basis. Great Falls residents are forced to miss out regularly on great films because Carmike simply decides it won’t make enough money and it isn’t worth showing. I am infuriated by this.

Last year I missed out on seeing “The Artist”

school. After learning English and becoming more used to the language, it quickly became a favorite.

“I feel like I’m betraying my heritage, but English is my favorite because I speak it the most,” he said.

Poelsma knows how to fluently speak Dutch, Portuguese, and English.

He has dabbled in Greek, Latin, German, French and Spanish. While learning all of these languages may seem like a daunting task, it has its benefits for Poelsma.

“People think that it’s awesome and that I’m really smart,” he said.

The next language that is on the list for Poelsma is Japanese because of his enjoyment of anime.

Senior Jellyn Delos Santos was in the same boat during the fall of this year. Her stepdad was being moved to Montana from the Philippines with the military.

At home there is little English spoken; they speak Talog which is Santos’s native language. But it isn’t hard for her to transition between the two.

When learning English in school as part of the curriculum it was a little hard to “understand the words and to speak them,” she said. Santos said that on a scale of one to 10, learning English is about a seven.

While it was a dire need for Santos to learn English before moving to America, the ambition for Poelsma to learn multiple languages lies somewhere else.

“It wasn’t ambition to learn; it was my mom.”

Photo by Sierra Rutledge.

which went to win the Academy Award for Best Picture, as well as many other 2012 nominees and winners.

Frankly, I’m fed up with this current system and must urge Carmike Cinemas to expand their selection of films. Yes, we live in a relatively small Montana city and not New York City, but that doesn’t mean we should have to miss out on high quality films simply because they aren’t “mainstream” enough, are slightly artsy, or have a smaller budget.

12.20.12 The Stampede

Features-- 11

Thespian Festival Thespians share fears, excitement over auditions for upcoming silent show

Top: Auditioning for the Thespian show Junior, Sarah Johnson awaits her next cue from drama teacher Chris Evans on Dec. 18. Bottom Left: Sophomore Logan Kropp performs his audition peice after school. Bottom Right: Thespian Shelbie White gives Chris Evans the silent treatment during auditions for “Emotional Baggage” Photos by Oliva Rudio.

by olivia rudio, staff writer If junior Shelbie White’s prediction is correct, anyone going to the Thespian Show will be attending sans socks.

The Thespian Show is set to happen this February at the University of Montana. This year the CMR Drama Department is putting on “Emotional Baggage,” a silent show set in a train station for the Thespian Show, which gathers thespians from all over the state to compete and perform for other schools.

“I think we’re going to knock their socks off,” White said.

Due to the fact the show has no dialogue, the actors have to perfect their physical acting.

“I found [physical acting] fun because you have to use more of your body,” White said.

The actors may also have to wear a mask which requires their motions to be more theatrical.

“The eyes are the windows into the soul in telling emotion, “White said. “Without the masks you have to use more physical acting.”

Drama teacher, Chris Evans, started working with thespians on physically acting a couple of weeks ago through mask work.

This holiday season hear the choirs singing not the sirens ringing

“Actors are so facially oriented,” Evans said. “If you can no longer rely on your face, it’s all in your body.”

Evans said the students enjoy the physical acting because it’s new, but he likes it for a different reason.

“When you see someone depend on physically portraying something emotional, it’s more powerful.”

Evans auditioned 17 thespians on Dec. 18 and has to cut nearly half of them.

“They audition for a reason; they want to be in the show,” Evans said, “When they don’t get the chance I feel horrible.”

The cast list will be posted Dec. 20; waiting in amongst the rest of the thespians in anticipation is sophomore Logan Kropp, who said he also dislikes the audition process.

“If I had my choice, I wouldn’t audition, it’s the worst part about being in a play,” Kropp said, “but that’s the only way you can get in the show.”

Kropp said he is impressed by the script and is hoping to be able to take part in it.

“I read it and I thought if we really put good effort it will be a really great show,” Kropp said. “It’s not about how much talent you have; it’s how much work you put into it.”

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The Stampede 12.20.12

12 -- Features

Guest artist teaches skills, shares a vision

Q&A with Deegan Fox

by claire knox, guest writer Knox: Where are you from and what did you study in college?

Fox: I was born in Columbia Falls and went to school at the University of Montana. I started studying other things, but decided that I hated them, so I went to art. I was originally in drama, but I didn’t like being forced into someone else’s vision, so I quit.

Knox: Why have you come to Great Falls?

Fox: I submitted an application to be an artist in residence and was hired by the school system. I’m coming to each high school for two weeks a piece to share my art and my process, do a print making class and give students a different perspective on the print making style.

Knox: Can you describe the piece you are working on with the schools?

Fox: It’s called an exquisite corpse.

It happens when you take multiple artists and have them do sections of a body -- head, body, feet -- and then mix them together. It’s a very large collaborative project for people to do together. It’s very “jump in and go do art” and there’s something very fun about that.

Knox: What is the best part of being an artist in residence?

Fox: I love to share what I do, share what I know, and broaden students’ artistic horizons, and see what they do.

Some artists here are better than me, and it’s interesting to see what they come up with. I also get to see young artists’ voice in printmaking being born, and I get to be there for them when it happens.

Knox: What made you interested in being an artist in residence?

Fox: I like to bring art to people, and I will take any excuse to make art. Everyone should have the chance to make art.

Knox: What makes good art or a good artist, in your opinion?

Fox: It depends on each individual person. I like to see something I can’t do. I like to be impressed. Fresh ideas are the best.

Knox: Anything to add?

Fox: Art is a very important part of the world. Everyone needs to have exposure to it. Also, go to the museum.

There is always something going on there, and it’s always worth it.

Artist in Residence gives students new perspective by claire knox, guest writer It’s expression. It’s free thinking.

It’s a wild burst of imagination. It’s art.

For two weeks, professional artist Deegan Fox worked with the advanced art classes at CMR to create a giant, collaborative piece of art along with Great Falls High and Paris Gibson Education Center.

For junior Drew Austin, it was a rewarding experience.

“It was great to work with an actual professional artist, use professional tools, and get advice,” Austin said.

Fox’s specialty is printmaking, a style that Austin has tried before.

“I’ve done it twice before. I like it, but it’s frustrating because there are so many variables, like the amount of ink, pressure on the block, depth of the carving, and the placement,” he said.

“If you don’t get it right, it screws up the whole thing.”

When it’s done, the final project will be a large, hanging work of art with pieces created by artists all over the city.

“The project is basically one huge

combination of everyone’s ideas. Everyone carves a head, body, and feet; then they are all mixed up and put together in different orders. You get to work with other people’s art and your own,” Austin said.

Working with all of the other artists across the school was the highlight for him.

“I like seeing all the final products.

I also like seeing all of the creative minds we have at CMR. It was very engaging.”

Junior Bridger Scholten also enjoyed working with the other students.

“It reminds me of a math problem.

About 450 students make three stamps each, creating so many possible combinations,” Scholten said.

The printing also fascinated him.

“Printing was really cool. It made me think about how things like books were printed before the use of modern technology,” he said. “My favorite part was carving the blocks. Every person’s carving style was different so your personality came out in your carving.”

Artist in Residence Deegan Fox works with the school’s most talented artists and art teachers Kerry Brashear, Theresa Jacobs, and Jackie VanHeel on Dec. 6 to create a collaborative hanging piece of art. Fox spent two weeks at CMR after having spent time at GFHS and Paris. Photos by

Sierra Rutledge.

SANTA The man behind the suit

Great Falls man shares experiences of more than half a century portraying Mr. Claus

Features -- 13

Never too old for Santa

12.20.12 The Stampede

“can still close [his] eyes and feel the excitement of seeing Santa Claus,” which led to his decision in his early twenties to spread joy by purchasing a suit and becoming Santa himself.

What started out as an act he did for the enjoyment of his family and the neighborhood kids “ballooned from there.”

He was soon playing St. Nick at clubs, the Downtown Christmas Stroll (where he says he “almost froze to death a couple of times”), banks, Senior Girl Scout Sierra Rutledge visits with Santa in December 2011.

Photo courtesy of Sierra Rutledge. television, Holiday Village Mall, and “any place they needed a Santa” in Great Falls and the surrounding area.

In his roughly 60 years as Mr. Claus, Klemencic has certainly learned how to make an entrance.

“I’ve come up in there by dog sled, police car, fire by sierra rutledge, visual content editor engine,” he said. “I’ve popped in by box.”

I lived in a happy world as a 10-year-old. Santa was real While he has “great pride” in playing Santa, it and life was good until my big brother decided that it was hasn’t always been an easy job. time for my life to be over. He simply said, “Sierra, Santa is “I was doing Santa and a little girl came,” not real.”

Klemencic said. “She was bald, she had cancer and I I was beyond crushed, but I had to keep the secret beasked her mother if I could come over to their house cause of my little sister. I lived in fear that I would be the to play Santa to her. I brought her a doll and then one to ruin Santa for her. Now that she is 15 and I am 17 I went out and cried.” still swear that Santa is real.

He later attended that same young girl’s funeral a But before my brother had learned that Santa wasn’t real few years later. we had a Christmas system set in place. One of the three of Klemencic also recalls another memorable tale of us would wake up after everyone had gone to bed and once his time as Santa that led to his life being in danger.

Santa had come. After we were all awake we would sneak “There was a woman two doors down, just moved out into the living room to see what Santa had brought us. in from Spokane and I thought I’d come by and say hi We had a secret mission every Christmas trying to get our and Merry Christmas [while in my Santa costume],” stockings to look exactly the same as they did before we he said. started.

No one answered when Klemencic knocked on This tradition didn’t end until we all learned that Santa the woman’s door despite him hearing someone isn’t real and my brother insisted that the Santa gifts be inside, but he thought nothing of it. The next thing he wrapped. He ruined my life twice. knew, however, two police cars were heading down Being a Girl Scout I come in contact with kids from kinhis street. dergarten all the way to juniors in high school. If I don’t “A woman’s calling [saying] ‘there’s a guy in a believe that Santa is real and I mean really believe it then Santa costume trying to break in my house,’” he said, I can easily slip the secret. I never want to be the one that laughing at the memory. destroys a kid’s childhood.

Klemencic credits his success as Santa to his Last year when Santa came to visit my troop meeting childlike personality.

I’m pretty sure that I was more excited than the younger “My wife says I’m the only kid she has still girls. I screamed and insisted on being first in line to sit on growing,” he said. “I was meant to be Santa and I was his lap. I may have pushed someone out of the way. meant to be a grown-up kid.”

When it was time for Santa to leave we were lost at what Klemencic’s annual gig as Santa has lasted over a to do so the little girls wouldn’t notice that he was just a perhalf a century and what kept him suiting up each year son with a car. I convinced them that the sleigh was going had nothing to do with the pay check. to fly by the other side of the building, but when he wasn’t It all came down to the kids. seen I said that I must have misheard him.

What made the job worthwhile, he said, was the I believe in Santa for the kids. I would like to never expeexpression on kids’ face when they look up and see rience the tears of them crying because Santa isn’t real. I’m Santa. pretty sure that I won’t be the one to tell my kids. That is my future husband’s job. He just doesn’t know it yet.

For all intents and purposes, Santa is real and that is that.

Senior clings to childhood belief

Geared up in one of several suits, local resident Richard Klemencic embodies Jolly Old St. Nick. Photo courtesy of Richard Klemencic.

by jennifer verzuh, features and entertainment editor As a young child Richard Klemencic’s life changed with the opening of a door.

“When I was a little kid I opened the door and Santa was there, and I ran in screaming for my mom.”

That Santa was his father.

The lifelong Great Falls resident, now 82, said he

The Stampede 12.20.12

16 -- Features

Vegans and Vegetarians

2J ’s is a popular place for vegans and vegetarians to shop for food free of meat, meat substitutes, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Senior Erica Gettis enjoys “vegan chesse” and “veganaise.” Photos by Emily Shaulis.

Students share reasons behind alternative dietary choices

2J’s often. by emily shaulis, staffwriter “At 2J’s they sell vegan cheese, A Christmas dinner usually involves ham, chicken, turkey and tons of sweet veganaise, vegan soy whip, vegan ice cookies. But, for senior Erica Gettis, cream, vegan yogurt and much more,” Gettis said. “That dinner contains no meat store is really helpful and no dairy products. since there aren’t very Gettis became a “Being a vegan is a many vegan places in vegan when she was in challenge sometimes.”

Great Falls.” middle school.

Erica Gettis She said that “I remember coming vegan food is not home from school one day in 7th grade and my dad was much different than regular food and dumping all of our milk into the sink. that it requires substituion such as milk He had also thrown away anything and eggs with coconut milk and powder containing milk derivatives like whey, egg replacer.

Gettis said that her two favorite lactose, milk powder, etc.,” Gettus said.

She does admit that dairy and meat vegan meals are vegan pizza and vegan taste good and that she was “devastated” baked macaroni.

“I usually never eat out at restaurants, when she couldn’t eat these products anymore. At first she thought her dad Vegan Baked Macaroni was crazy, but then learned why he was doing it, she said.

“He had done some research and claimed that ‘milk was bad for you’,” Ingredients: Gettis said.

2 tablespoons oil Everyone in her immediate family 1 large onion, finely also became vegans, including her chopped 8-year-old brother. Her extended 16 ounces macaroni family, however, are not vegan.

2 cups water “Both sides of my [extended] family 1/2 cup roasted red peppers live in Pennsylvania, and none of them or 1/2 cup pimiento are vegan, so making different meals 1/2 cup raw cashews or 1/3 isn’t a problem,” Gettis said. cup smooth cashew butter Being vegan hasn’t been easy 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice for Gettis; it comes with its difficult 1/3 cup nutritional yeast moments, she said. flakes “For me, being a vegan is a challenge 1/4 cup white wine sometimes. I love eating and everything 2 teaspoons onion powder that has milk or meat tastes so good,” 2 teaspoons garlic powder Gettis said. “I have definitely eaten 1 teaspoon salt something on accident that I wasn’t supposed to. Vegan food isn’t bad Directions: tasting, though, and it’s not bad for you, 1. Preheat your oven to 350 which is a definite plus.” degrees.

When it comes to buying food for 2.

Cook the macaroni vegan meals, Gettis said she shops at according to the package’s instructions and drain well.

3. Heat the oil and saute

[

]

but when I do I usually just get salad or fries,” Gettis said.

People usually have questions for her about being a vegan, she said.

“I get this one a lot: ‘Where do you get your protein’ or ‘Milk builds strong bones and has calcium, though’,” Gettis said. “Some people just don’t care and then there are some people who will argue with me about it.”

Gettis takes on a completely different challenge than most high school students do by being a vegan.

“No matter how much I don’t like it sometimes, I know it’s [dairy/meat] not good for me and I shouldn’t eat it.”

Freshman Diane Rinck also faces the challenge of having a different diet than most teenagers.

the onions until they’re soft and starting to brown.

4. When the onions are cooked, mix them thoroughly with the drained macaroni.

5. Put the water, red peppers or pimientos, cashews or cashew butter, lemon juice, nutritional yeast flakes, wine, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt into a blender and blend until totally smooth.

Don’t be afraid to do this for several minutes.

6. Stir the blended mixture in with the onions and macaroni.

7.

Pour the combined onions, macaroni, and blended mixture into a greased 3-quart casserole dish.

8. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, uncovered. Serve immediately.

“I became a vegetarian in the third grade because I found out what meat really was and how it was made,” Rinck said. “It scared me and I thought it was cruel and gross.”

Because Rinck is the only member in her family who is a vegetarian, she said she makes separate meals for herself.

“I eat everything that’s made that doesn’t have meat in it and then I usually make a meat-free meal that still has protein.; Rinck said, “I really like black bean burgers.”

Rinck said that she is sure she has ate something she wasn’t supposed to but she’s never done it on purpose.

“At times it is [difficult], but I’ve just adjusted to it,” Rinck said. “It’s like a different lifestyle.”

When it comes to grocery shopping, Rinck said that she shops at regular stores that people who eat meat shop at.

“I usually get meat-free meals, like Morning-Star,” Rinck said. “It’s a company that makes meals that are vegetarian and meat free.”

And when having to eat out too much, Rinck doesn’t find much struggle in trying to figure out what to order.

“You would think it would be [hard], but you can order anything without meat or they usually have a meat-free or pasta section on the menu,” Rinck said.

Like, Gettis, Rinck said she receives a variety of comments from people when they find out she’s a vegetarian.

“They’re always surprised and usually always ask me, ‘Is it hard’ or ‘How can you be a vegetarian in Montana’,” Rinck said.

For both Gettis and Rinck, there are struggles that come with being a vegan or vegetarian, but they continue to live that lifestyle because they said they know that it is right for them.

The Stampede 12.20.12

17 -- Features

Hope for the holidays

by peyton fulbright, sports editor, abby lynes, news editor One of the beautiful things about people as a human race is that they all think and believe different things. Cultural groups have their own common religions. Separate religions celebrate different holidays in various ways. Judaism celebrates Hanukkah. Christian’s have Christmas.

Atheists have no religious ties to a holiday, so what they do can vary; Jehovah Witnessses don’t observe holidays. This holiday season, the Stampede is taking a look at what different CMR students and Great Falls community members celebrate.

Greek Orthodox

Entering Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, the mood is quiet and contemplative. The sanctuary is elaborately adorned with icons of Jesus and his disciples while white beeswax candles slowly burn. A reader chants the liturgy while attenders of the service silently follow along. This is a typical Orthodox service, and it hasn’t changed for thousands of years.

“There was only one church started in Constantinople called Orthodoxy,” said Greek Orthodox Sam Pappas.

The Orthodox Church is the second largest church in the world, and is considered one of the oldest denominations of Christianity. Every year, the church fasts for forty days before Christmas, then breaking the fast with a soup or fish dinner. To Pappas, Christmas is all about spending time with loved ones.

“It’s a holiday where you get together with families and rejoice.”

Atheism

After growing up in a Catholic family, sophomore Max Roux had difficulties identifying himself as an atheist to his parents.

“Coming out to my parents was hard. I did it in church. We ended up leaving because my dad was disappointed. He’s OK with it now, though,” Roux said.

Roux decided that atheism makes sense to him after a “close family member,” who was “really religious” and “prayed all the time” died.

“If God wasn’t there for him, I don’t think He’s real. Things started to click. I’m a logical person, and for me the Bible isn’t very logical. I’d rather go with science. It explores and solves problems. Religion just answers questions with God. [Atheism] is the path I’d rather walk.”

Although he doesn’t agree with religion, Roux said he still respects others and their religions.

“I have respect for everyone. Some people think that atheism or your religious beliefs are what make a person. It doesn’t define people. It’s ignorant to think it does,” he said.

The Aitz Chaim of Great Falls has a menorah set up in front of the Civic Center, where they have a lighting ceremony each night of Hanukkah.

Photo by Peyton Fulbright.

According to Roux, because of his religious family he still takes part in the holiday celebrations.

“My family is Catholic, so I still celebrate. I’ll still go to church with them on Christmas Day,” he said.

Despite the fact Roux has no spiritual connections to the giving season, he said he tries his best to help out where he can.

“Instead of praying, I do community service. I’ll go volunteer somewhere. Since I can’t participate religiously, I can at least give back in any shape or form that I can.”

Jehovah Witness

Despite the fact that followers of his religious denomination don’t observe holidays or birthdays, senior Warren Krone says that doesn’t prevent him from joining in with the fun associated with the holiday season.

“The only difference for me is that I don’t get gifts.”

Krone is a member of the Jehovah’s witnesses, a Christian denomination with three churches in Great Falls. He said that his mother is a nondenominational Christian, so his family does have a nice dinner on Christmas Day, but the holiday break doesn’t affect him greatly.

“I just hang out with my friends,” he said.

Though there tend to be many misconceptions about Jehovah’s Witnesses, Krone said, “Usually, when I sit down and talk to [my friends] about it, they understand.”

He says people should know that they are a Christian group.

Judaism

Latkes sizzle on the stove, friends and family laugh and talk, the scent of grease wafts throughout the whole house, and the menorah is lighted.

“To me, [Hanukkah] was always my favorite holiday,” Adam Koslen said.

Hanukkah is an 8-day Judaic holiday typically celebrated in late November to December in commemoration of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. In purification of the temple, the wicks of the menorah were said to have burned for eight days when there was only enough oil for one day. To celebrate the miracle, oily foods such as hashbrownlike latkes and donuts are consumed. Each night at 5:30 p.m. in Great Falls, one candle on the menorah is lit up in front of the Civic Center.

“I always liked lighting the candles and being with family,” Koslen said.

He sees the Hanukkah season as an opportunity to show compassion towards others.

“All in all, even though the traditions are different, the holiday season is all about reaching out to others, being with the ones you care about, and helping people.”

Entertainment

World of Warcraft review, music reviews, chart...

Audiences applaude creativity, comedy of winter musical Actors, singers take journey back to “1940s Radio Hour” by kimberly michelsen, staff writer

When one look on stage and sees a crotchety old man, the person behind it almost disappears. Pops, the crotchety old man in “1940s Radio Hour,” was played by senior Kyle Spriggs.

“He seems very strict with everybody, Preparing on Dec. 6 for the final show, Tayler tired of everybody,” Spriggs said of his Korb teaches Nic Beargeon the steps to his character. part. Photo by Sarah Carpenter. Above: In full Spriggs said that he enjoys everything dress, Beargeon runs through the play with about theater, especially playing wellother actors during dress rehearsal on Dec. 12. developed characters. He tried out for a play Photo by Peyton Fulbright. freshman year when his brother brought him into it.

“I thought about [going pro] in my sophomore and junior years,” he said,

Moving forward with dance

by kimberly michelsen, staff writer

Dance. The thrill, the motion, and the beat let dancers express themselves. Tayler Korb, a senior, has danced for years, and there’s something about it that takes her farther, she said.

“I’ve been dancing since I was three, and it’s just something that I love. It’s my passion. It helps me stay true to who I am,” she said.

Korb is a captain of the Wranglers, along with seniors Kierra Refeld and Nicole Rogers. As a captain, Korb has to choreograph parts of the dances that the drill team performs. Recently, Korb’s talent has been requested for many performing arts, including this year’s musical, “1940s Radio Hour.”

“I thought it was very nice that they asked me,” she said.

This is the first time Korb has choreographed a dance on her own.

For Wranglers, all the captains work together to make something beautiful, but for this job, Korb said she was on her own.

Korb said that this opportunity to use her own ideas in the dances for the musical paid off.

“I thought [the actors] did really well. They performed [the dances] great and put great character in them.”

adding that he isn’t sure now that he would be able to put himself out there.

Even the musical was a change in the script for Spriggs.

“Being a musical, it requires a lot more work than a play does,” he said. He has to memorize lines, music, and stage movements.

“It’s really nice to initiate an emotional response from people.” Spriggs said.

Sophomore Jacob Riddle also found the musical to be a unique experience.

“I’ve always been pretty active in the drama department, and I’d never been in a musical before,” he said.

When auditions came around, Riddle

discovered a surprise about how they worked.

“I thought we were just going into separate rooms with the judges, but it was in front of everybody,” he said.

He sang “Dashing Through the Snow” and executed a cold reading, which is when an actor is given the script and has to perform parts of it impromptu. During auditions, Riddle saw only a portion of the script, but after he got a part he said he noticed how powerful the whole play was.

“Now that I’ve read the script it’s a lot deeper than I thought it would be.”

The musical hit the stage on Dec. 13-15.

Saxophonists catch jazzy outlook of ‘40s by kimberly michelsen, staff writer

Go back 50 years. Rhythm and blues seep onto the streets from every pub, for those who were around to hear it. World War II tore men and women away from their families, but the radio shows were a little bit of happiness that distracted those left behind.

“It was a time when music, dancing and going out to the clubs at night helped people forget the hardships of war,” senior Sarah Carpenter said.

For Carpenter, grasping the ideas of the ‘40s is what the 1940s Radio Hour is all about. She, along with all the other saxophone players in the jazz band, had to learn new instruments for the musical.

“We had to learn different instruments because back in the ‘40s saxophone players were expected to play flute, clarinet, piccolo, and basically all woodwind instruments,” she said.

Carpenter had to learn to play the bass clarinet, which she said was different from the saxophone because she has to hold it in front of herself rather than to the side, like a saxophone is held.

Carpenter said that learning new instruments is “always fun, [and] definitely a challenge. It’s preparing me for college, when I have to play all instruments in band and orchestra [in order to Receiving instruction on their singing and acting, Alex Marks, Hannah Cubbage, become a music teacher].”

Libby Carlson, and Taylor Wilkinson rehearse after school on Dec. 4. The RussDuring the summer, Carpenter participated in the community tones also accompanied the singing during this rehearsal. Photo by Beth Britton. play “The Wiz.” She said that she enjoyed the CMR musical better “I find it to be rather difficult when you first start, but once you than “The Wiz” for one major reason. start to get noise out it’s more enjoyable,” Lebrun said.

“We didn’t get to see the show because we were in the pit. The She said that the big difference between these two instruments audience would laugh, and I would wonder what was funny,” she and the saxophone is that “a different musical part of your brain has said. to kick into gear.”

A co-performer in “The Wiz” and “1940s Radio Hour,” senior Though the musical appeared as a challenge, Lebrun said she Mandy Lebrun also liked the CMR production better. liked how it turned out in the end.

“For this one, I’m actually a main player, so I don’t just get to sit “Rehearsals [took] a lot of work, but the finished product there. I’m actually on stage, so I’m a part of what’s going,” she said. sound[ed] pretty good.”

Lebrun had to learn to play the flute and clarinet, and she said her experience with these instruments was challenging.

12.20.12 The Stampede

Entertainment -- 19

Sounds of the Season

The OLD

The NEW

by hannah ragland, staff writer

by tom gruner, staff writer

ARTIST: Bringing a modern Frank Sinatra feel to the holiday season, Buble provides a calm, l hae Mic le smooth voice for all of our Bub Christmas Favorites. Buble includes classics like ”Jingles Bells,” “Silent Night,” “Blue Christmas,” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” He also adds a twist of his own with his original song “Mis Deseos, Feliz Navidad,” and “Michael’s Christmas Greeting.”

ARTIST: Nat King Cole embodies Christmas a different way. Instead of Nat Kin using the slow tempo to Cole g tug at the heartstrings of his listeners, he keeps a lot of his music upbeat and cheery. He appeals to emotion by making people want to get up and dance, especially with the one they love. He can turn any slow, boring Christmas song into a great American Classic just by adding his own touch to it.

SONG: The subtle music behind Bing Crosby’s soothing voice blends together into Bing y b a classic Christmas favorite.

Cros urself o le ve Y This song is one that is al“Ha erry Litt A M istmas” ways on my December playr h C list. The slow tempo and positive message remind people to stop worrying about the little things in life and just enjoy being around family during this season. Though there are many versions of this song by many different people, I think Crosby’s is superior; his voice seems

ALBUM: Frank Sinatra’s “The Christmas Album” is on Fra my list of favorites simply Sina nk tra because Sinatra puts his heart “ Th e Ch into everything that hesings. ma rists He preserves the Christmas classics by keeping them the same. The only thing he changes is the emotion hidden inside the song.

His ability to portray feelings through his voice is astounding. Some of the classics in this album include Silent Night, Jingle Bells and I’ll Be Home for Christmas.

SONG: Telling their very own little Christmas Story through song, this American Christian pop rock band brings a fun, upbeat sensation to the holiday season.

Not only singing holiday songs, Capital Lights can get anybody up and moving during any time of the year with their power rock style.

Senior Peyton Nelson has a conversation with a resident at Rainbow Retirement Home. She and the honor society visited the home on Dec. 17.

Photo by Jennifer Verzuh.

Capt al

“His Light Chris Favorit s e tmas Stor y”

ALBUM: Adding their own original jingle-jangle to some “Le y…let of the holiday’s classics, ” bab deer rein alternative rock-pop punk band Relient K jams out on this album with some of our favorite Christmas songs. Beginning with some of the classics including “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Sleigh Ride,” and “Angels We Have Heard On High” and ending in some originals titled “I’m Like a Lion (Always Winter),” “Santa Clause Is Thumbing To Town,” and “Boxing Day,” Relient K has pulled together a delightful holiday album.

K entRelti it snowit

Winter

Stinks.

Let’s make fun of it!

Lift Tickets $33 Student season pass $350

CMR Honor Society spreads holiday cheer at Rainbow retirement home by jennifer verzuh Elizabeth Washburn may be a senior citizen, but Christmas still hasn’t lost any of its magic in her eyes.

“I love everything about Christmas,” she said.

Washburn, a resident at the Rainbow Retirement Home, was treated along with many of the home’s other citizens, to Christmas-style karaoke and instrumental music on Dec. 17 by the CMR Honors Society.

“We love having all the entertainment,” Washburn said. “We really appreciate the music.”

Honors Society member Tayler Korb said she really enjoyed volunteering.

“I met some of the best people there; they were hilarious,” she said. “It was nice just to go see them and say ‘happy holidays.’”

Korb said she had such a good time that she is considering visiting the home again in the future.

“I’d love to go back. It’d be good to stay in touch with them,” she said. “To be [the] family that they don’t have.”

Justin Dean, president of Honors Society, said visiting the elderly was something they’ve “wanted to do since last year.”

Currently the society is involved in a competition with four other schools that involves them raising money for a prize of $5,000, which they can donate to a charity of their choice. CMR chose the school’s food pantry. However, their visit to the Rainbow had nothing to do with gathering funds.

“Going to see them wasn’t to raise money, just to see them,” Dean said. “They’re pretty cool people. They should be heard by somebody.”

RIDE THE SHOWDOWN BUS!

* $10 Round Trip * Leaves 7:30 a.m. from the

McLaughlin Center at UGF * Departs Showdown at 4:30 p.m. * DAILY from Dec. 21 - Jan. 1 * All Saturdays, Sundays and school holidays until March 24 Visit showdownmontana.com

The Stampede 12.20.12

20 -- Entertainment

World of

Warcraft Players fascinated by adventures of online game by sammy popham staff writer

Swords clash, and spells fly, roots entangle your feet, and arrows go through your back and out your hardened heart.

This is no “Hunger Games.” This is no television show. This, my friend, is “World of Warcraft.”

I have played “World of Warcraft” for four to five years and I love it. When I was nine I first learned about the game from the ‘Night Elf Mohawk’ commercial, so I created a trial account.

Back when I made my trial account, players couldn’t talk and they could only play for 10 days, but now when you create a trial account you can talk all you want and play as long as you want. However you can’t have what the extensions offer, and you can’t level up past level 20.

The game confused me at first with all its lingo and weird abbreviations, and since I joined a role play realm everyone was Role Playing and talking about Out of

Character and In Character.

I kept getting yelled at because I mixed the two. Out of Character is when you aren’t role playing or not In Character. In Character is when your character is not leveling and interacting with others. But you learn pretty quickly with the help of others, if they aren’t stubborn.

I was lost for the first few months of the game, just trying to level and figure it out, but something kept drawing me in, and I didn’t let the confusion drive me away.

I think it was just the curiosity of adventure in the game and making a goal and reaching it, like getting that new spell or that cool piece of armor.

Every time you level you can either go explore some new place without getting killed and actually having a fighting chance, or fight in a battleground, dungeon, or get a mount.

I loved having the ability to get a mount. It was fun to be able to ride giant

saber tooth tigers, rams or whatever mount you can get at level 20, depending on your race.

Once I started learning the game and all its lingo I realized that there is so much you can do in this game. “World of Warcraft.” is more than just the typical online games where you can only do a limited amount of things.

Online games like “Sims” have a limited area of what you can do in the game, and they don’t give players freedom to do what they want. In “Sims” you stay in your house and do nothing except invite friends over or clean up.

In “World of Warcraft” you can go anywhere or do anything; you don’t need to be a certain level to go someplace, even though it would be wise so you don’t die.

Also “World of Warcraft” is big compared to some games. Almost at every five levels you can explore a new area. The only time you stop exploring is when you achieve the highest level possible, which takes a long time.

There is a lot more to this game than leveling and exploring. You can meet up with friends, chat, Role play, go shopping, and even have pet battles. “World of Warcraft” has almost everything that can be in an online game and then some.

Now, after four years of playing, I have reached the highest level possible and have

Four years ago, when freshman Sammy Popham began playing World of Warcraft, she found that it had “almost everything that can be in an online game and then some.” Photo by Tammy Popham.

gotten a lot of cool things and met many new people. My character is a Night Elf Druid, or simply, a shape shifter. She has a lot of history behind her from four years of playing, some good, and some bad.

If you play a character long enough you can go fight whoever you want and do whatever you want without anyone telling you otherwise.

Overall, my experience has been a challenging yet fun one. Adventure and friends are swarming throughout this game; there are so many things to discover.

Why wait?

Want to know more about “World of Warcraft”? Visit worldofwarcraft.com, or wowwiki.com.

12.20.12 The Stampede

What would you do if your grandmother got run over by a

reindeer?

Worst Christmas gift ever recieved?

Do you believe in Christmas miracles?

Why or why not?

Chase after Santa

I would laugh in the heat of the moment

All Christmas gifts are good because of the thought behind them

Socks Yes, I guess it’s a magical time of year

No, a miracle is a miracle

How and when Looking at one of did you find out my presents and Santa Claus there was a K-mart tag wasn’t real?

If you were a Christmas gift, what would you be?

Brand new pair of skis

I was sitting on Santa’s lap and pulled his beard

Q&A with ‘Hobbit’ star Martin Freeman

Martin Freeman portrays hobbit Bilbo Baggins on set of the new film “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.” Photo courtesy of Star Tribune/MCT.

by colin covert Star Tribune Minneapolis (MCT)-- Although Bilbo Baggins is a diminutive Hobbit, he may be the most human-scaled character in all of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth fantasy world. He is a quiet sort who enjoys nothing more than a nice cup of tea by his snug hearth. No adventurer, he’s dismayed in Tolkien’s novel when the wizard Gandalf and a cadre of dwarves recruit him for a battle with a seemingly invincible dragon.

Still, for an actor to play the timid Bilbo takes some nerve. Millions of Tolkien readers have their own image of “The Hobbit’s” protagonist. Stepping into his oversized

Mistletoe because people would have to kiss and it’s the gift of love

Have Dinner

A barbie doll Yes, because people give on Christmas

In fourth grade my brother told me

Dog

footprints is not a casual lark. Little wonder, then, that Peter Jackson wanted Martin Freeman to star in his “Hobbit” trilogy, which launches worldwide this week with “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.”

The English actor specializes in taking the Everyman role in adaptations of much-loved bestsellers. He has played hapless earthling Arthur Dent in the film of “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” and Dr. John Watson in the BBC series “Sherlock.” In a phone conversation last week, Freeman said he didn’t feel he was sticking his head in a dragon’s mouth by taking on the iconic Bilbo.

Q. How would you describe the young Bilbo, who is a much older minor character in “Lord of the Rings”?

A. He’s not particularly bold. He’s not the main guy in the room. He’s not an alpha male. There’s a timidity to him which is part of his pomposity as well, as we join him at the beginning of the show. In many ways he wouldn’t say boo to a goose. But he’s quite pent up and I guess that comes out extraneously through his fidgeting.

Q. Did donning Bilbo’s large feet affect your performance?

A. The feet were key. If your feet are 6 inches longer, then your gait changes. Your balance, your equilibrium, everything changes. Those things don’t have to be a conscious decision. But they do add to it.

Q. Does it really feel like entering a fantasy realm to perform in a Peter Jackson megaproduction?

A. You’re aware that you’re entering a magical realm.

On the other hand it’s highly practical, highly pragmatic and very unromantic. The magic and all that is what the audience sees. What you see day to day is going to work.

Albeit very pleasurable work. You’re still making a movie, which is graft, you know?

Q. Does it require more imagination to act opposite computer-generated characters like Gollum?

Eat the reindeer CD of an artist I never heard of Yes, miracles are more likely to happen at X-mas Kind of always known he wasn’t real

A Drumset

McEwen

Holly

Cherry

Mary

Allison

Nicholas

Ashcraft

Winter

Rodriguez

Christian

The CHART

Entertainment -- 21

Kill the reindeer and cut him into steak

Socks and underwear Yes! It’s full of magic

Santa isn’t real?

Barnes and Nobles gift card

A. Yeah, given I’ve never seen a warg (big bad wolfhounds with a taste for Hobbit flesh) let alone killed one, that does require a lot of imagination. It’s a leap of faith between you, the director, the digital people, everything, to kind of construe exactly what it is I’ve got my sword embedded in. It does call a lot on the imagination. I found I really enjoyed that. After all, we’re people who do for a living what we all do when we are 5. Haven’t grown out of it.

Q. What’s it like to work amid a troupe of 13 dwarves?

A. On a film like this you get to do intimate stuff and huge stuff with hundreds of people around you. It’s nice when there’s a large number of you, because you never get tired of each other’s company. You kind of rotate more than if there’s three or four of you and it becomes a bit claustrophobic. After days when it was sort of solitary I enjoyed it when these guys came in. It was company.

Hobbit Checklist

by tim blystone and larsen blake, guest writers In honor of the release of the first film of the new “The Hobbit” trilogy The Stampede is proud to present a checklist to see how just part-Hobbit you are, from the minds of the two biggest Tolkien enthusiasts this reporter knows.

You May Be a Hobbit If You…

-Experience regular cravings for mushrooms -Have excessively hairy feet -Enjoy smoking a pipe (bonus points if you blow out smoke rings) -Eat at least three breakfasts -Are shorter than five feet -Can frequently be found at your local hangout, the pub -Enjoy gardening

Sports

Hockey, snow sports, juggling multiple sports...

Shot heard around the school by peyton fulbright, sports editor

STUCK ON THIRD

Peyton Fulbright

With six seconds left in overtime, senior Joey Marzion sprints down the court and takes the Rustler lead with a layup.

Glacier High School gets the ball and quickly inbounds it to Michaels. Down by two points, Glacier has accepted defeat and CMR has already started to feel the thrill of victory.

From three quarters length of the court, Glacier junior Bryan Michaels desperately launches a shot in attempt to even come close to the basket. He makes the basket. Glacier defeats CMR in overtime, 62-61.

“I’ve never seen a shot like that. I had already thought ‘we had a great run, but we’re just a little short.’ I wasn’t expecting it to go in. It was one of those ‘wow, I can’t believe what happened’ moments. I’ve never seen that before,” Glacier head coach Mark Harkins said.

CMR head coach John Cislo felt the same shock as Harkins.

“I was in disbelief. I’d let it go. It was a long shot. I didn’t think it had a chance. It’s rare, one of those once-in -a-lifetime shots for a kid,” Cislo said.

According to Harkins, Michaels’ shot is the greatest sports moment he has ever witnessed, because he’s never seen anything like it in his career as a coach or a player.

“We’ve never practiced something like that. At the end of pre-game warm-ups, we’ll all shoot from half court to see

if we can make it, and then at the end of the season we see how many we made. But we’ve never tried it from that far,” Harkins said.

Michaels said he couldn’t have even had the opportunity to make the shot if it wasn’t for his teammates.

“It was a really heads up play to inbound the ball with only a few seconds left. It gave us a chance,” Michaels said.

Michaels said that his teammates’ reaction were the best part of his shot.

“It was exciting, but it was fun to see my teammates. They were all really excited,” he said.

According to Cislo, although they lost, he still admires the shot.

“It’s not a conference game. It’s not a playoff game. It’s not a tournament game. You just have to appreciate the shot for what it was,” Cislo said.

Although he was the game’s hero, Michaels remains humble.

“I’ve seen it before in YouTube videos, but never in real life. It was just crazy, a really lucky shot. Extremely lucky. I’d like to say I could do it again, but I don’t think so. The day after the game I went to the gym to shoot around. I tried the shot again, and I air-balled it by a mile. So I wouldn’t say it’s in my near future.”

Bandwagon fans. They only support whichever team is good. They are the kind of people who care more about looking good than loyalty. They make things hard for loyal fans.

They are the scourge of the sports world. If you’re a bandwagon fan, I almost guarantee that I will hate you, and I will never have respect for you.

If you ever want to insult a true fan, just call them a bandwagon fan. As a Boston Red Sox fan who isn’t from Massachusetts, I get called one a lot. Granted, you could make an argument that I started out as a bandwagon fan; but for me to

truly be one, I would have had to given up on them. Which would be easy after this last season.

I became a Red Sox fan in 2003. I was just starting to get interested in baseball, so I picked a team that was good. The next year, the Sox won the World Series, so everyone assumed I was a bandwagon fan. The same assumptions were made in 2007 when they won it all yet again.

Neither time has it been true, though. I’ve stayed loyal to them, despite some rough seasons.

Especially after this year, since they finished with the worst record since I’ve been alive.

Top left: Feeling the pain of near victory, senior Josh Horner reacts to Michael’s shot. Top right: Beating the buzzer, Glacier High School’s Brian Michaels makes a 55-foot basket to win the game on Dec. 7.

Bottom: Experiencing the agony of defeat, seniors Joey Marzion and Anthony Bonilla react to their overtime loss. Photos by Peyton Fulbright.

The one case that really chaps my cheeks is all the Griz fans who have jumped ship recently.

They have a few bad seasons, and a gargantuan percentage of their fan base are suddenly Bobcat fans. If you aren’t a big enough person to ride out a few tough seasons, you aren’t a big enough person support any team.

So if you’re only going to remember two things, make it these: call me a bandwagon fan, and I will hate you. If you are a bandwagon fan, I will hate you. Have a nice day.

12.20.12 The Stampede

Q &A with Ken Griffey Jr.

Sports -- 23

The Michael Jordan of baseball

time on a 144-square-inch TV with 52’ flat screens on either side.

One thing that I noticed about Griffey is that he doesn’t think that he is better than anyone else. He treats people with respect.

He said he is thankful for everything that he has been blessed with.

Griffey granted me an exclusive interview when he returned from his hunting trip. He answered all of my questions thoughtfully and honestly.

Here is part of our conversation: by natasha walker, staff writer This past month, I had a once-in-alifetime opportunity. Ken Griffey Jr., one of the most famous baseball players in history, came to my home to go on a hunting trip with my dad and his friends.

He hit 630 home runs during his career, which spanned from 1989 until his retirement two years ago. He played for three teams -- the Seattle Mariners, the Cincinnati Reds, and the Chicago White Sox. The day he arrived at our home, he stayed up until the early hours of the morning visiting.

Griffey is one of the most down-toearth guys I have ever met. He gave me eye contact and engaged me in conversation the entire time.

He owns 14 cars, and was going to fly to Italy after the hunting trip to pick out his second Ferrari. His home has a bowling alley and a “man cave” where he enjoys watching six football games at the same

NW: Did you know in high school that you would become a pro baseball player or did you ever dream of it? (He was 17 when he first got recruited and was the first pick in the country.)

KGjr: I had a chance because I just kept playing and I knew I was going to turn pro. I didn’t know what kind of a career I was going to have; I just knew that I was good enough to be able to turn pro and try to make a living at it…and I was fortunate enough to do that.

NW: When was the moment that you knew that your life was going to change into something big in baseball?

KGjr: I never really thought of myself any differently than anybody else. I just wanted to go out and play. And I knew that I could play. I just never would go, “OK, I’m bigger than this person, or I’m bigger than that person.” Because sports can be

very humbling. One minute you could be on top, then the next minute you could be on the bottom. So it’s just trying to maintain and focus and do the best job that you can.

NW: What does it mean to be a good teammate?

KGjr: It means that you are respected by everybody on your team, that when things go wrong, they look at you to help fix it.

When things are going well, they look at you to maintain it.

NW: Is there any advice you would give to a high school student whether it’s for academics or athletics or just life in general?

KGjr: Sports are a small part of life.

Always have a strategy or exit plan just in case things don’t work out. But always keep an eye on your goal and never let someone tell you that you can’t do something.

NW: Of everything that you have accomplished in your professional career, what are you most proud of?

KGjr: Probably just bein’ a good person.

NW: You are a hero to many people, but who is your hero?

play a sport that people could watch and give them some sort of entertainment for a couple hours and give them something to talk about. A hero for me is someone who puts in the time and doesn’t ask for anything. A person for me would be Coach Joe Hayden, but everybody called him Papa Joe. He was my summer ball coach in Cincinnati.

NW: If you could sum up your life in one sentence, what would that sentence be?

KGjr: More than what I expected.

NW: OK, last question: What would you most want to be remembered as?

KGjr: That he went out there and played the game the way it was supposed to be played.

Far left: Griffey signs his Seattle Mariners jersey last month during a hunting trip to Montana.

Left: Griffey gets ready to go hunting. Photos by Natasha Walker.

KGjr: I think the word “hero” is thrown around really loosely; you know, I don’t save lives. I was just fortunate to

Wrestlers compete in annual Holiday Classic tournament

Above: Warming up in the aerobics room, senior Riley Wavra and junior Isaiah Yates prepare for the Holiday Classic. The annual Holiday Classic tournament took place on Dec. 14-15 at CMR. Right: During a tournament on Dec. 18, Sam Cantwell wrestles a Bozeman team member to the ground. Photos by Kasey Bubnash.

by joey serido, staff writer When wrestling coach Aaron Jensen examines the age of the athletes on his squad, he can almost predict what kind of season it is going to be.

“We have 20 freshmen on the squad, but they are eager,” Jensen said. This could be considered a weakness, Jensen said, but his athletes “work hard” and “listen well.”

On Dec. 14-15 the wrestlers took part in the Holiday Classic, the annual wres-

tling tournament held at CMR. The team treats the Holiday Classic as a big deal, but a lot of the preparation for the rest of the season as well, Jensen said.

“We still have to work on getting everybody into each of their weight classes,” he said. “We have a good, solid core of juniors and sophomores that is aggressive and works hard. We are going to be much improved from last season. We keep getting better so I hope for a good season.”

Overall, the team has high hopes for the season, and one wrestler who has been on the team for four years is senior Brian Evans.

“The team has lots of room to improve,” Evans said. “Practice is a lot harder, but hopefully it will pay off in the tournament.”

The team did not place during the tournament, but some individual wrestlers placed. Junior Isiah Yates was fourth.

Travis Brugman and Payton Sexe also placed.

24 -- Sports

The Stampede 12.20.12

Season begins confidently by julia segebarth, staff writer Perhaps one of the greatest strengths any team captain can have is confidence in his or her teammates, and senior Anthony Bonilla is a prime example.

“We have the right tools to win and we click very well. I have [a] tremendous amount of confidence in the team, and I believe we can take state,” Bonilla, the varsity boys basketball captain said.

Bonilla has been playing for Rustler basketball throughout high school, this is his first year as captain.

“The difference between this year and last year is that we have more depth on our bench, and we are more athletic and can run up and down the court more,” Bonilla said.

According to Bonilla, the team is looking forward to the challenges of facing tough opponents and being pushed hard by their coach, John Cislo.

Cislo said last year’s team was more athletic and this year’s team has a “big ceiling” to fill. He said he knows his athletes have the capability to reach the top, but they have a long way to go. This is why he pushes them so hard during practices, especially when it comes to consistency, he said.

So far the boys team has won three games against Havre, 69-41, Helena, 49-42, and Sentinel, 49-31. They lost against Glacier, 61-62. The girls team won two games against Helena, 56-27, and Havre, 52-48. They lost two games against Glacier, 43-49, and Sentinel, 35-47.

Girls team member Taylor Edwards, a sophomore, agrees with Bonilla.

“I love my team. I honestly wouldn’t want to play with any other group of girls,” Edwards said. “I [have] complete and total confidence in them, and if we keep on working hard and together, I believe that no one can stop us.”

She said she knows that the team isn’t very tall, but they have other talents to compensate for a lack of height.

Tonight, students can catch the boys competition against Helena Capital in the CMR fieldhouse. The girls are on the road in Helena.

Dribbling down the court, sophomore Taylor Edwards runs for the basket in a match against Sentinel. Photo by Kasey Bubnash.

Girls swimming seeks six-peat

Kicking down the lane, sophmore Hannah Weatherwax works towards a state championship dream on Dec. 18. Photo by Peyton Fulbright.

by greighsen adams, staff writer Swimming is a love-hate relationship.

Or at least that’s how junior Alicia Fowler, a member of the swim team for the past three years, feels.

“During practice, I ask myself, ‘Why am I doing this again?’ But when you get in the water for a meet, it’s a whole new world,” Fowler said. “The lights are brighter, the room is louder and you’re just so excited to be there and to be part of such an amazing family.”

Being on the swim team, Fowler said the coolest thing that’s ever happened to her was helping win the state title last year, the fifth consecutive year the girls’ swim team took state.

“It takes a team to do amazing things, but we’re not just a team,” Fowler said. “We’re a family.”

And it was a family member who helped inspire one girl to swim and ultimately become a coach.

My sister tried to drown me when I was five,” swim coach Julie Anderson said. “I feel like it’s my calling to teach others to swim.”

Not only does Anderson coach during

the school year, but also is a swim instructor during the summer.

“I started swimming when I was five and I’m also an instructor for [swim] lessons over the summer,” Anderson said. “I’ve helped over 5,000 kids swim.”

Anderson said that by coaching and teaching she’s giving back to the community.

“The best part is being around the kids and helping them succeed in life in and out of the pool,” she said. “And of course the five straight championships don’t hurt either.”

Those championships came from a result of coaching by both Anderson and Ed McNamee, the head coach who is to be deployed for the third time to the middle east. He leaves sometime before Christmas.

“It’s not any easier than the last time [Mac] left because I’ve been with him for 10 years and I’ve built a relationship with him and his family,” Anderson said.

Although Anderson loves to swim, when she reached high school that had to change.

“I swam up through high school,” Anderson said. “When I hit high school, I became allergic to chlorine.”

Sports-- 25

12.20.12 The Stampede

WAIST DEEP: Showdown opens with seven inches of snow by kasey bubnash, staff writer The air was brisk as the snow slowly floated erine said that she also likes Showdown because of through the air at Showdown on Dec. 7. In the its close proximity to Great Falls. midst of the perfect silence, the untouched blanket “Showdown isn’t too big, but it’s not too small.” of powder was abruptly shattered. With his snow- Catherine said. “I also love the fries from the lodge board hidden under the deep remains of the recent cafeteria.” blizzard, senior Ben Yturri looked as though he was Catherine said that while skiing, her favorite mufloating down the mountain, a cloud of glistening sic to listen to is the soundtracks from the Toy Solwhite following him. dier Production movies, such as “Set Your Sights” “I go [to Showdown] every weekend,” Yturri and “Come Find Us.” Like her older brother, Cathsaid. “It’s a friendly hill and lots of people go there.” erine said she also took a day off from school and Unlike many students at CMR who choose be- headed to Showdown for the first day of the season. tween skiing and snowboarding, Yturri has masSenior Blayne Kent also was among the many tered both. He said that his parents got him into CMR students at Showdown on Dec. 7. In terms of skiing at a young age, then he recently picked up preparation for the season, Kent said he didn’t need snowboarding because he wanted to try something to do much. different.

“I had my gear set already,” “I like both skiing and snowKent said. “It’s all classic military “Skiing is a good way boarding,” Yturri said. “There stuff.” to get your mind off are benefits to each sport.”

Kent said that he has been Ben said he made the decision snowboarding since he was 8 things.” to skip school on opening day years old, but he just got reKatie Diemert and car pool up to the mountain with several ally into it last year. In order to get to of his fellow skiers. Among them was CMR senior Showdown, Kent said that he sometimes carpools Katie Diemert, who has been snowboarding since with friends, but he mostly takes the bus. Kent also she was 8 years old. said that although he loves everything about the ski Diemert said that although she isn’t fond of the season, his favorite part of snowboarding is going long chair lift when it’s windy, her favorite part of through the tree runs at Showdown. snowboarding is hitting the big trails.

“Showdown is the closest [mountain],” Kent “Showdown is nice since it’s close to Great said. “And I love the tree runs. They have lots and Falls,” Diemert said. “Skiing is a good way to get lots of trees.” your mind off things.”

Diemert isn’t the only girl at CMR who enjoys Located an hour’s drive south of Great Falls, Showthe ski season. Junior Catherine Yturri, who has been down’s lifts open at 9:30 a.m. and close at 4 p.m. An Top: Hitting the powdery jumps at Showdown, senior Joe Giles and junior skiing for 12 years, says her favorite part of skiing is all-day student lift ticket is $33, and an all-day adult lift Chris Gold enjoy opening day on Dec. 7. Above: With the newly fallen snow, Showdown’s chair lifts are open for business. Photos by Kasey Bubnash. going as fast as she can down the mountain. Cath- ticket is $38.

]

[

Showdown Schedule 2012-13 DECEMBER 17-20 CLOSED]

21-Jan 6 Open Daily Except Christmas Day 22 Ski with Santa24 Open Until 3:30PM 25 Closed Christmas Day 27-29 Kids Camp 30 Bump Off League Kickoff 31 Torchlight Parade/Fireworks, Band (food and drink specials)

JANUARY 5 FreeRide/Freestyle Competition 6 Bump Off League #2 12 Multi-Day Programs Begin, Music 13 Bump Off League #3 20 Bump Off League #4,Music 21 Open for Martin Luther Jr. Day 26 Music 27 Terrain Park Competition

FEBRUARY 1-28 February Frenzy (Every Wednesday in Feb. $20 Tickets) 2 Stan King 3 Run Bump Off #5, Multi-Day Program Break, Music 9 Music 16 Music 17 Bump Off League #6 18 Open Presient’s Day

MARCH/ APRIL 2,3 Team Roadtrip 9,10 Throwdown at Shwodown 16 Brock Stokke Bash Bump Off League #7, Music 17 St. Patty Day Celebration, Music 23 Terrain Park Rail Jam, Tacky Attire Day & Mountain Mob, Music 24 Bump Off League Finale #8 30 Easter Egg Hunt 31 Open Easter Sunday April 6 Mannequin Jump, Music April 7 CLOSING DAY

26 -- Sports

Skaters hit the ice as hockey season heats up by katelin johnson, staff writer Despite the fact that his team practices twice a week and competes across the region, freshman Sean Morris feels that his sport gets no respect.

“It feels like nobody cares about it,” Morris said. “Nobody talks about it at CMR.” As a hockey player on the Great Falls Amateur Hockey Association, the “Americans,” Morris plays as a defender. Morris said he enjoys it; it is just where the big hits are, he plans to attend college and might continue to play hockey.

Morris is just one of many Rustlers who compete on the ice and enjoys the game.

Also enjoying the game is junior Cole Funseth.

“I thought I looked cool and my parents got me involved,” Funseth said.

Funseth is one of the goalies; he said it is an exciting position and the team relies on him.

One of the reasons Funseth said he likes hockey is because it is not affiliated with school and has been playing for 11 years.

“It’s [more fun] because the coaches aren’t as strict and you bond better with your teammates,” he said. So far this year, Funseth’s team has a 4-1 record.

Funseth has plans for the future that do not involve hockey, however. “[I’ll] probably just go to college, not for

hockey or anything, “ he said.

Freshman Luke Wilson is also undecided as to what his education plans for the future are.

Wilson said he wants to try to play college or junior hockey and he may even go to boarding school. Wilson said he got into hockey because of the influence of his parents.

“My parents are from Canada; my whole family is from Canada and my dad played it,” Wilson, a forward center said.

During practices, there is no goofing or messing around, and Wilson said the team is really disciplined. “[The team is] pretty good, and I think we work together pretty well,” he said.

Wilson said he likes that hockey is not affiliated with school and that there is also more talent that comes out of it. There is more of a chance for people to advance, he said.

The team plays against many other teams in cities across Montana including, Butte, Billings, Havre, Helena, Glacier, Bozeman and Salmon, Idaho.

For junior Bridger Croft, hockey is a family affair.

Croft’s father, Tim Croft, is the assistant coach.

Croft, who has been playing for 11 years as a forward, said it is interesting since his dad is always watching, and he

The Stampede 12.20.12

thinks the reason why he wanted to play is because his dad played.

Croft never gets tired of hockey, he said.

“It’s faster than more sports and it’s different, a lot different,” Croft said.

Tim Croft said his son has skated with the Great Falls Americans a few times.

Tim Croft said he isn’t harder on him at all, since his son is a good skater and he does well in school.

He said he has been having a great time coaching his son since he was a little kid.

Math teacher Steven Skaer has also played hockey since he was a kid.

“I played from first grade [until my] senior year,” Skaer said. He was introduced to skating when his parents took him to the rink.

“My parents took me to open skating [for] the first time and I was five. I got out on the ice, fell down, split the back of my head open and the first thing I said when I sat up was ‘I want to play hockey.’”

For more information on the amateur league, visit www.gf-ice.org or www.leaguelineup.com

Top: Waiting for the puck to come his way, junior Bridger Croft holds his ground at the Dec. 5 practice. Above: Breaking away from the defense, freshman Sean Morris skates to score a goal on Dec. 5. Photos by Kasey Bubnash.

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Sports-- 27

12.20.12 The Stampede

Lindsay Martinez, sophomore

Jayse McLean, junior

Kaydee Parsons, junior

Juggling sports a circus for athletes, scholars by tina keller and natasha walker, staff writers In addition to volleyball, basketball and softball, junior Kaydee Parsons is an expert juggler.

In high school, she has had to learn time management skills that allow her to handle multiple sports, BPA Club, student council and her academics. “[This year], because there wasn’t volleyball state, [I had] two weeks off, but with open house there is no down time,” Parsons said.

Parsons is one of many Rustler athletes who compete in a sport each season, making their schedules very hectic.

Between practices, games and additional clinics there is no free time, Parsons said. She, like many other athletes at CMR, she has a year jammed packed with sports.

Parsons said she finds time to do homework whether it’s in the locker room, on the bus to an away game, or late after a practice. Having teachers for parents helps Parsons find the motivation it takes for making time.

“Playing [sports] makes me feel stress free and relaxed,” Parsons said.

She said she looks forward to the up and coming softball season after winning state last year. Though Parsons

loves volleyball, she said her favorite sport is softball because she is best at it.

At the end of the day when she thinks of quitting because of stress or lack of stress time, Parsons said, “[I] remember it is something I love and has improved my life.”

Parsons isn’t the only athlete at CMR managing a hectic schedule. Junior Jayse McLean plays football, basketball and baseball. His seasons run together.

During basketball season McLean has both football and baseball open gym. There is no spare time, he said. He has Practice during the week, games on the weekend and open gym but he still finds time to maintain his grades. Like Parsons, he has teachers for parents to help motive him.

His love for sports keeps him motivated, too.

A love for sports also motivated sophomore Lindsay Martinez motivation. Starting out the school year playing soccer and golf at the same time, she then moves into a busy basketball season. After basketball she jumps into the tennis season. On top of the sports seasons she maintains a 4.0 grade point average. She is no stranger to balancing a crazy schedule, she said.

“I do sports because I really want to represent CMR

well. CMR is in high regards around the state, and they have a lot of respect, which makes playing for them worth it,” Martinez said.

Last year as a freshman, Martinez won third place at state in doubles tennis with her partner Lisa Spencer. She describes it as one of her greatest accomplishments. Martinez also got the chance to win third place at state soccer this year.

“Soccer is my favorite season because I feel closest to my teammates. Being on the soccer field is the best feeling ever,” Martinez said.

In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors, camping, and backpacking, but she is unable to partapate in any clubs because of her hectic schedule. To take a break from the stress, Martinez can be found whipping out a batch of chocolate chip cookies.

When Martinez gets home from sports and school she said she feels, “exhausted, and it is hard to have energy and to be motivated to do any homework.”

Martinez’s advice for managing it all is to “use time wisely, and to not be lazy. Grades in the long run will be more important than sports.”

Balancing stress can be difficult for some students

currently plays an important role as a shooting guard on the basby kasey bubnash, staff writer At the beginning of her high school career, senior Millie Reed ketball team, was also once a part of the CMR football program.

“I quit football to focus more on basketball and my grades.” was a well-rounded athlete, involved in both volleyball and basketball while maintaining good grades. But all of that changed Marzion said. “It wasn’t too much pressure. I just didn’t want to get hurt and not be able to play basketball.” after her sophomore year.

Marzion said that on both the basketball and football teams, Reed made the difficult decision to quit both sports. She said that although juggling sports and schoolwork sometimes made politics have always played a role, but he loves basketball too much to quit because of something so suit difficult to get everything done, she had oth“Athletes should be judged perficial. He also said that although he ener reasons for throwing in the towel. joys being able to focus solely on one sport, Sports are meant to be extracurricular acby their talent rather than he does miss participating in football. tivities that provide ways to have fun, make their last name.”

“I did miss football a lot,” Marzion friends, and keep students out of trouble. But Millie Reed said. “Especially watching my team in state managing multiple sports plus school, friends, knowing I wasn’t there to help them like I and family can become too much for some should have been.” young athletes to handle.

Quitting football, though, has given Marzion a chance to put According to Reed, many multi-sport athletes claim that politics play too important a role in school sports, and in the end all of his athletic effort into basketball, which he is very optimistic about this season. Marzion said that CMR boys basketball not some athletes choose to stop competing.

“I feel like sports should be about building you up,” Reed only has a good chance of making it to state in the 2013 season, but also winning it. said. “But they were just tearing me down.”

“It’s going to be a real good year for CMR basketball,” MarReed also said that she does miss being a part of the basketball team, but for volleyball, she didn’t say the same, mostly zion said.

While Marzion is staying focused on basketball, Reed said because of the major politics that played a role in the program.

“I was so tired of the politics and other crap that came with she will be enjoying her freedom from all school affiliated sports.

“Athletes should be judged by their talent rather than their it,” Reed said. “I just stopped having fun.”

Reed isn’t the only athlete who felt overwhelmed and under- last name,” Reed said. valued while playing multiple sports. Senior Joey Marzion, who

[

During the game against Glacier on Dec. 17, senior Joey Marzion rushes down the court. CMR lost 62-61 in overtime. Photo by Peyton Fulbright.

]

The Stampede 12.20.12

28 -- Horror Movies

Horror The evolution of movies that will chill you to the bone

by olivia rudio, staff writer As the days get longer and the nights colder, the activities for a teen to do in Great Falls are limited.

While I would recommend doing something healthy and productive like yoga and doing your homework, I just as strongly recommend settling down and indulging in some horror. It may not seem fitting to indulge in things pertaining to ghouls and ghosts for the holiday season but sharing scary stories used to be an important old English Christmas tradition. So instead of sitting down and listening to Bloody Mary for the millionth time, you microwave some popcorn and watch some of the greatest horror movies made in the last half century.

60s

“Night of the Living Dead” (1968) was significant because it featured the first black to be casted in a non-specific lead role. It starts out with a bickering brother and sister who are taking a Sunday drive to a graveyard. In the graveyard they are accosted by a zombie and the sister, Barbra (Judith O’Dea), attempts to make a run for it in the car, which runs out of gas. She later finds herself in an abandoned farmhouse with another frazzled survivor, Ben (Duane Jones). For the rest of the movie Barbra appears to be struggling with some sort of post-traumatic stress symptoms and becomes pretty useless for the rest of the movie while Ben goes on fighting off zombies.

Why it’s scary While this movie doesn’t provide any scenes worthy of letting out any blood curdling screams it will make you want to check under your bed more than once before sleeping with the lights on. This movie is scary because black and white films are beyond creepy. Whether it is the poor resolution or the idea of a world devoid of color, an eerie sense always seems to be lurking between gray shades of black and white cinema.

70s

“The Omen” (1976) is about an American ambassador, Robert Thorn (Gregory Peck) whose son dies in childbirth.

Unbeknownst to his wife, Katherine Thorn (Lee Remick) adopts a son, Damien (Harvey Spencer Stevens) whose mother died while giving birth to him. On Damien’s

Orange County Register/MCT

fifth birthday, his nanny hangs herself off of a building.

While this would cause great distress for most 5-year-olds, Damien seems oddly OK with it. This makes sense later in the movie when the audience discovers Damien is the Antichrist.

Why it’s scary Children generally symbolize innocence and purity.

“The Omen” contradicts this idea entirely and the idea that so much evil can be found in what we as humans view most innocent is disturbing. It is also unnerving that the child is set to grow up in close contact to high political power. While the pacing of the movie is slow at times, the idea of evil corrupting the innocence of childhood, although not the first movie of its type, hit on the collective nerve of movie goers in the 70s.

80s

“It” (1989) was a miniseries that followed seven childhood friends who claimed to be a part of a “losers club”.

As these outcasts were brought up in a small town, Derry, mysterious murders begin to plague the city. After one of the misfit’s brother is murdered, each of the children begin to have strange encounters with a clown named Pennywise (Tim Curry). The kids work to find and destroy Pennywise together. After they appear successful, they all make a promise that if he came back they would try to kill him again. 30 years later, six of the friends all get phone calls from Mike, who still lives in Derry, saying they need to fulfill their promise.

Why it’s scary Since it was a two part miniseries, watching “It” in one sitting takes a lot of time and dedication. If you’re up for the challenge, “It” is bound to scare you. The production covers a wide variety of fears; like clowns, spiders, or cannibalism, so it’s very likely that you will be chilled at some point in this movie. Plus, Curry’s performance as Pennywise the clown will make you never want to go to a circus again.

90s

“Silence of the Lambs” (1991) is a scary movie from the first scene to the last. It opens up with Clarice Starling

(Jodie Foster), enduring a frightfully laborious workout, sprinting up and down hills alone in the forest. We later find out that Clarice is training to be a FBI agent at an academy in Quantico, Virginia when her boss Jack Crawford (Scott Glenn) has her work with a mad psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) to help her with a case dealing with grotesque murderer, Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine).

Why it’s scary The thing that makes “Silence of the Lambs” stand out is there is nothing supernatural. The frightening part about Silence of the Lambs is everything that happens is based off of human choice. There is no shining or zombies, but what happens in this movie could actually happen in real life. Not to say that it would but you never know how far away that man loading a couch into his van is from the brink of insanity. This psychological thriller pushes you to think “what if” and makes you shudder.

00s

“The Others” (2001) stars Nicole Kidman as Grace Stewart, a woman waiting for her husband to return from World War II who is searching for help raising her two children Anne and Nicholas who have a rare sensitivity to light. Help arrives when three servants Mrs. Mills, Mr. Tuttle, and a mute girl Lydia come to help look after the house and children. This proves to be a challenge since there are many restrictions to when the curtains can and can’t be open. Later Anne opens up to Mrs. Mills that she thinks ghosts live in the house, Grace scolds Anne for believing in ghosts but starts to notice strange behaviors in the house.

Why it’s scary Everything in this movie is so isolated, from the isolation of the house to Grace being left alone to tend to her two kids. It is eerie because neither the audience nor characters really know what’s going on; this builds a suspense that blends with a perfect balance of startling moments that will make you jump. The vulnerability of the poor children and their bewildering condition, that makes them appear even more innocent, plays with your emotions which makes the whole situation all the more intense.