CMR Stampede October 2015

S The Stampede

C. M. Russell High School Great Falls, MT October 8, 2015 Vol. 51 Issue 1 www.rustlernews.com

Confederate flag stirs debate in CMR’s parking lots

page 5

An open forum for student expression

HOMECOMING 2015 -- Rustlers hit Broadway for 51st celebration pages 11 and 24

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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.

2015-2016 Staff Editor-in-Chief

The Stampede

C. M. Russell High School Great Falls, MT October 8, 2015 Vol. 51 Issue 1 www.rustlernews.com

Features Editor

Staff members

Carli Dieruf

Christina Brennan

Online Editor

Entertainment Editor

Isaiah Yang

Clara McClain

News Editor

Sports Editor

Tamara Miller Opinion Editor

JJ Mitchell

Mackenzie George Advertising Manager

Emily Cappis

Christy Armstrong Andrew Aron Sophie Aron Josh Botti-Anderson Mary Brown Amanda Cornwall Julia Gremaux Allison Hanson Iris Kaiser Katelyn Morley

Quincy Schemechel Abby Shearer Jara Wilkinson Adviser

Beth Britton Principal

Kerry Parsons

Wyatt Gremaux and Jace Davis begin construction for this year’s high school house on Sept. 8.

Johnathan Zuidema practices his swing on Aug. 8. Clarinet players pratice a piece for the upcoming performence.

Photos by Alison Hanson, Julia Gremaux, Taylor Potts.

Contents Cover photo by Jara Wilkinson 2- Table of Contents NEWS 3- Tamara’s column, lunchroom, Ferderer award 4- Teen council, school board 5- Confederate flags 6- AP goals, Key Club re-cap, McLean OPINION 7- Jaylynn’s column, Parsons guest column, Student Government column 8- Relationships, Questionnaire 9- Student voices FEATURES 10- Christina’s column, midget cars, truck/car column 11- Deck the halls 12-13- Same-sex marriage 14- High School House 15- Yearbook camp 16- FFA ENTERTAINMENT 17- Clara’s column, album reviews, fashion column 18- Drama, Quiz 19- TV show review SPORTS 20- Mackenzie’s column, soccer coach 21- Cross country coach 22- Football nutrition, stats 23- Volleyball re-cap, golf re-cap, Q&A BACKPAGE- Homecoming

Carli Dieruf

Editor-in-Chief

Imagine walking down the hallways singing “Beat it” by Michael Jackson as a tribute to how you are really feeling during the school day rather than just listening to the song itself.

I guess to me, the whole fascination with wearing one’s headphones all day is quite unclear. Don’t get me wrong. I love music. Oftentimes I think I actually love music more than those people who are constantly plugged into their devices, singing along to the music that is filled with profanity and meaningless words.

When I’m listening to music there is a reason for it. Back to Michael Jackson’s famous song, “Beat It.” I’m not sure I could walk around school all day, plugged into my headphones. I would most definitely end up striking some seriously awful dance moves while singing a long out loud, causing unplanned

karaoke. The songs I listen to reflect how I’m feeling.

If you see me singing along to “Like I’m Going to Lose You”

by Meghan Trainor and John Legend, chances are I’m either really sad or I’m feeling grateful for the things I have in my life right at that time.

“Stitches” by Shawn Mendes has been my latest favorite, and rather than singing along to it in my car, I find myself on the edge of screaming the words because I love the message behind it.

If you’re reading this thinking, “Wow, she’s kind of crazy,” then possibly music doesn’t really mean much to you. If you want to see truly crazy, you would have to tune into the times when I headbang to Nickelback, whether that be in my room, in my car, or in my third period study hall. There is no shame in loving Nickelback, honestly.

No, I am not that student who sits with my headphones on all day. But, if you do see me with my headphones, decide if you should approach me by determining whether or not that is actually an “I love this song,” or an “I’m actually angry and this song describes exactly how I am feeling,” headbang.

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.

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October 8, 2015 rustlernews.com

NEWS

Tamara Miller

News Editor

So, I know many students don’t like school.

To be honest I could say the same thing. I like staying home, I like being lazy and sleeping in.

I just don’t want to go. If I’m having a bad day and stress is taking over my life? I’ll decide to stay home. However, that isn’t the solution.

When I first started school I missed a few classes here and there, skipped to go get food or to hang with some friends and it wasn’t a big deal. I didn’t miss out on a lot. It ended up getting worse as I got older, however.

During my junior and already into my senior year I’ve gotten into this “rebel” stage where I just don’t care and don’t want to do anything. If I was having a simple ache or pain I would try to find an excuse to stay home. If my parents wouldn’t call me out, I would just wait until they went to work and go back home. It was a terrible time.

Skipping class doesn’t only mess with your attendance but it mess with your grades, and it messes with your out of school life. If you’re someone who doesn’t believe that it won’t affect your life out of school then let me tell you the truth.

If you’re looking for a new job and they want to know about your attendance, they can easily call your school and look at how much you miss class. If the work thinks you’re one who won’t show up, then they won’t hire you, and there goes a good job opportunity.

The more class you miss, the more assignments you miss. When you finally go back to class you have a pile of homework to do and have no idea how to do it and it’ll stress you out. If you’re like me and have anxiety, it just makes you freak out even more.

Now, does it really seem worth it to miss class? Maybe. Depending on who you are. I know me personally I don’t want to continue down this path. I want my teachers to not worry about me and I don’t want to be behind in my classes.

Senior year is literally teaching me that I need to grow up, and fast.

In the real world, this kind of skipping won’t cut it. It could potentially make you lose your job and job experiences and honestly send you down a spirals of upsets, which is something I don’t want to go through.

Extreme makeover: Cafeteria edition

Top Photo: The sign for the CMR lunchroom on Oct. 2.

Bottom: Students at B lunch line up in the wrap line on Oct. 2.

Photo by Sophie Aron.

Ferderer named Montana 2015 health teacher of the year

Health and PE teacher Amanda Ferderer instructs her sixth period PE class on Sept. Photo by Sophie Aron.

Rustler News A place to catch up on sports, academics, and top news • Foreign exchange student profiles •

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by Quincy Schmechel, staff writer As students rush into the cafeteria this school year, returning faces may see many noticeable changes to their favorite lunchtime hangout.

“The most noticeable change is the wrap line,” Principal Kerry Parsons said. Since last year, the space that served as the CMR food pantry has been converted to a wrap line. Parsons said that the old layout left the cafeteria jumbled and crowded to the left.

“The new system alleviated some of the traffic. It’s much more efficient now,” he said. Due to the old food pantry being moved, a new area was built for the food pantry’s new space, leaving it less crowded and with more room for what really matters: a delicious, wholesome meal served to the students at CMR.

by Mackenzie George, sports editor Amanda Ferderer has spent nine years working on the health curriculum for the Great Falls Public Schools District, but she said she still felt humbled when she received a prestigious health enhancement award from SHAPE Montana.

Through a multi-step process that included a nomination and application, Ferderer was selected as Health Teacher of the Year from all health enhancement teachers throughout the state.

The organization that presented the award, SHAPE

Montana, is a professional organization of health educators.

There are multiple levels of SHAPE, including a statewide group, a Northwest SHAPE, and national organization.

Ferderer was nominated for the award by Gary DeGooyer, athletic director for Great Falls Public Schools. After the nomination, she said she filled out an application and sent it to a committee that made the decision.

“It’s kind of an honors system in that once you get nominated, you have to fill out an application,” Ferderer said.

“It went to a committee who made the choice. So really, it was kind of out of my hands.”

The award was certainly fitting. Ferderer is well-liked by her students.

“She is very patient when I have questions and makes class fun,” said Emily Birch, a sophomore who took classes from Ferderer both online and in school. “She is very personal and pushes you to do your best in gym.”

Ferderer’s work does not stop here. There are two more levels involved in the competition. Ferderer will now contend for Health Teacher of the Year across the Northwest and potentially at a national level.

In the meantime, Ferderer isn’t resting on her laurels. She continues to teach Health and PE 3-4, along with developing curriculum for GFPS. Ferderer was also on a committee in Helena developing new standards for the state.

Even after all that hard work, Ferderer called receiving the award “priceless.”

“There are a lot of great teachers here at CMR and across the state of Montana, and it was just very humbling and very priceless to be able to receive such an honor.”

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October 8, 2015

News

Teen Council

Rumors about CMR’s green and gold wall are answered

by Tamara Miller, staff writer Who would have known that a simple wall could cause such a ruckus, such an uproar and, of course, a Facebook fight.

The famous green and gold wall that has been standing just as long as CMR itself has ended up causing a lot of attention and rumors.

The wall does have a senior project’s mark on it, but it also has Mother Nature’s mark. The rumors of Principal Kerry Parsons wanting to paint it grey or tear it down are finally solved.

“If you look at the wall you can see it flexing,” Parsons said. Work orders have been talked about but nothing is official yet, he added. A damaged wall is something that needs to be fixed.

Fixing the wall isn’t the only issue. The main talk in the community is the artwork.

Parsons said he has a love for art, but the art on the wall takes attention away from CMR’s overall theme and architectural design. The appropriateness of the wall does not fit with the professional design of the school, he said.

The topic of the artwork has come up with teachers and school board members, Parsons said, and they will work to find an appropriate mural, color scheme or new design that is appealing to the whole school.

Due to extensive water damage, the wall gets numerous new cracks each year. Photos by Tamara Miller

Art teacher Tess Jacobs said she thinks everyone should get a shot at planning a mural for their school. It isn’t a permanent thing.

“I believe murals should reflect the current culture of a school or city,” Jacobs said.

Plans for a potential new wall will be less about CMR and more focused on the students’ art.

CMR just turned 50 years old, and the building is going to need updates. At previous school board meetings, the issue about updating school buildings was talked about and CMR made the list.

“The sidewalks, and another building for health enhancement are being discussed,” Parsons said.

As a large AA school, CMR is one of the few in the state without two athletic facilities, which causes students to stay here late at night finishing games, Parsons explained.

“A new health building will be more efficient with the curricular and extracurricular activities.”

RUSSELLOG 2016 Pre-order your yearbook now to ensure you get a copy of the 300+ page full-color book. Last year’s book sold out, so reserve a copy now.

$60 first semester $70 second semester Pay in the Finance Office or order online at www.yearbookordercenter.com Or call 866.287.3096

by features editor, Christina Brennan Lately there has been a lot of speculation in the press about Planned Parenthood and what exactly is going on in their offices. Many people believe the only thing Planned Parenthood offers are abortions, but this is not true. Only 3% of Planned Parenthood’s medicine services are abortions, according to the 2014 Planned Parenthood Annual Report.

In fact, Planned Parenthood is not just for adult women. Teen Council is a group of high schoolers that meet every Monday night at Planned Parenthood to talk about reproductive health, sexual safety, and forms of contraceptives.

“We are a very comprehensive curriculum,” said the Teen Council leader in Great Falls, Kate Nessa. “We approach our sex ed in a very medically accurate way, and talk about a lot of topics that are very important and relevant to young people.”

She said she would like everyone to realize how valuable teenagers are and how much potential they have to make a difference in our community. Nessa added how important comprehensive sex education is.

Nessa said she has been associated with Planned Parenthood for 10 years, but Teen Council has been benefitting the Great Falls community for 15 years.

One student of the nine council members who has benefitted from the teachings of Teen Council is junior Hannah Pate. She said that she joined because she feels that it is important for people, especially at her age and generation, to be educated. Pate added that she believe the more educated people are at a younger age the better decisions they will make as adults.

“In the community we are trying to provide educations and be peer advocates,” Pate said.

“So if someone had a question about anything I could answer it to the best of my capabilities.”

Pate went on to say that the Teen Council members are available for their peers who need information.

“We want to help them through hard times in their teenage years and answer any misconceptions they might have,” she said.

Key Club Start your year off right by doing nice things for others.

(order #7732)

Meets Mondays @ 4 p.m. in room 325

October 8, 2015

News

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DID YOU KNOW? W.t. Thompson designed the flag and called it the “White Man’s Flag”.

The original flag had seven stars.

Top: On Sept. 30, Zack Hardy, Colton Hamilton, Michael Carter, Tyler Hardy and Samantha Scheer show their southern pride.

Right: Zack Hardy and Colton Hamilton display both flags on the back of Hamilton’s truck. Photos by Jara Wilkinson.

KKK displayed the flag at rallies.

Heritage or Hate?

Opinions regarding Confederate flag range from support to disapproval

by Jara Wilkinson and Sophie Aron, staff writers

A flag that originated in America’s deep south in 1861 remains a source of conversation in Central Montana. Just ask Colton Hamilton and his friends.

Hamilton and a few other CMR students have been proudly flying the Confederate battle flag on their trucks during the first weeks of school. Their actions have caught eyes of students and welcomed many arguments over the flag into our community.

“I’ve been flying the flag since about two weeks before the [South Carolina] shooting,” senior Colton Hamilton said. “I originally bought the flag from my manager.”

Hamilton said he has studied the history of the flag inside and out. His dad’s side of the family is from Texas, and many generations ago, his grandfathers fought for the flag.

Hamilton’s dad is happy that he chooses to fly the flag. His mom doesn’t agree with the flag personally, but she is glad to see her son sticking up for what he believes in. “My mom lets me fly it.

She told me I can’t fly it around our neighborhood, though. A lady complained to my mom when she saw the flag at our house,” he said.

Hamilton has received more positive comments than negative.

He’s also had many questions about it. “One night I was in a gas station in Ulm. I was inside and next thing I know, an Army soldier walked up to me. He said ‘Is that your truck out there with the Confederate Flag?’ He shook my hand and said ‘It’s great to meet somebody up here with a brain.’”

Like Hamilton, sophomore Madison Taylor agrees with the flag and what it stands for.

“I’m a black girl, and I hang around the biggest rednecks I know,” she said. Taylor said she has lived in many places in the south, including Georgia and Kentucky. She said the reaction to the flag down south is the same for her in the north, too.

“To me, the reaction is the same everywhere. It honestly doesn’t

depend on where you’re from. It depends on how you were raised, how you were taught to look at that flag,” Taylor said. “People from all over the U.S. find it racist, and disrespectful. Other people think it means freedom and forgiveness. In my mind, it’s a flag. It doesn’t represent racism. It’s the rebel flag, and flying it shouldn’t be a crime.”

Unlike Taylor, junior Hannah Pate believes the flag comes from a dark background and shouldn’t be allowed in schools.

“I don’t think students should be able to fly it because if it were a KKK flag, it would be a big uproar,” Pate said, “Kids aren’t allowed to fly swastika flags, so they shouldn’t be allowed to fly the Confederate flag. That’s what it compares to in my mind.”

Pate said that it is impolite to generalize the people who fly it, but the flag and most students are not contributing to a respectful community. She has had a dislike for the flag since about sixth or seventh grade. She did not know the history of the flag, but she knew that it was used to represent the south, and the south supported slavery.

“The more it got brought up, I decided to educate myself on the true meaning and past of the flag. It never changed my negative connotation with the flag though,” she said.

Pate strongly believes that educating yourself to the history of it, should be a [requirement]. Sophomore Elijah Sundstrom has no connection to the South, but he has a hatred for the flag.

“I don’t think [students should fly the flag] because we don’t have the [freedom of speech] until we’re 18,” Sundstrom said. Sundstrom feels that it could be a way of bullying due to the meaning of the flag.

“Nobody cared about [the flag] until it somebody got offended and said something,” Sundstrom said.

Montana is one of the northernmost states, and Sundstrom sees no meaning in flying it here. “People from the south are denying the racial background,” he said.

April 12, 1861

March 4, 1861

May 1, 1863

April 9, 1965

April 13, 1979

Civil War begins in Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina.

The Confederate flag is adopted as the official flag of the Confederacy.

The Confederate flag is no longer the official flag of the Confederacy.

Civil War Ends.

The flag is featured on TV’s “Dukes of Hazzard” alongside “The General Lee.”

The south had 3 different national flags during the course of the war.

the flag represents the people who fought against the union which is now the United States of America.

The Civil War was fought to maintain white supremacy

23,000 people have attended confederate flag rallies this year nationwide.

July 10, 2015 The confederate flag is taken down from South Carolina’s Capital.

October 2, 2015 A Minnesota high school bans the confederate flag from public schools.

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October 8, 2015

News

Three Associate Principals share goals for the year

Mike McLean steps in to sub for Bjornstad

by Jara Wilkinson, staff writer Starting a new school year is all about welcoming new faces, and previous ones. For 24 years, CMR has welcomed back Mike McLean on the first day, even after his retirement.

“I was asked to fill in, but it is fun to be back,” McLean said.

McLean has taught for 35 years total. He has taught just about every math class offered at CMR. “This is my first year teaching math literacy, but helping students become better students is one of my favorite parts of teaching,” he said.

McLean officially retired from teaching last spring, but he is filling in for Kerry Bjornstad while she is on maternity leave. Bjornstad is expected to be back to school after Homecoming week.

“This is my 53rd year of being at school on opening day,” he said.

“From the time I started school when I was little until now.”

McLean attended high school in Plentywood, Mont. Later on, he attended Minot State for college, where he played basketball and baseball.

He said his second favorite part of teaching is being around his peers and coworkers.

“Now, Mr. McLean won’t tell you this, but all of the students love him, and he has such a big heart,” math department leader Terri Dahl said.

by JJ Mitchell, opinion editor Being an associate principal takes a lot of work.

You have to make sure everything is running smoothly. Just, ask Beth Gerhart.

Her plans for this year are to start the freshmen off with good habits for the rest of high school.

“It is important to get them on a good path,” Gerhart said.

It is the freshmen’s first year in a big school and she wants them to feel welcomed and excited for the years to come.

“I want them to start coming to school every day and just having good school habits,” she said.

Kerry Parsons is the new principal this year, and Gerhart has worked with him in the past.

“I worked with him a couple of years ago, and I am really excited to work with him again,” Gerhart said.

This year there are 13 new teachers at CMR, and Gerhart gave them some advice for their first time working as Rustlers.

“CMR is a great school to teach at. We have a great facility and students,” she said.

Paul Soldano is the new AP in the building, and he is ready to start somewhere new.

“I taught at North Middle School, last year and I am excited about being here at CMR,” Soldano said.

His goals for this year are to make sure the students are OK with their classwork and out-ofschool work.

KEY CLUB CORNER

“I pledge on my honor to uphold the objects of Key Club International, to build my home, school, and community, to serve my nation and God, and to combat all forces which tend to undermine these institutions.”

Reciting the familiar Key Club pledge at the front of room 325 calmed me. After a long three months of no service projects, I was ready to get back into it.

It made me proud to see that almost the entire room was full and as we went through introductions, I relaxed. I was home.

With projects like Trick or Treat for UNICEF, the March of Dimes, and the Walk for MS, C.M. Russell High School’s Key Club proves to be quite the

Q: Although getting an abortion may seem like the A: best way out of a hard situation, it’s much more

How much does an abortion cost?

expensive than the doctor’s bill alone. Besides the possible physical complications and continuing guilt and regret that lasts for years, a child must die for an abortion to be “successful.” How much does an abortion cost? One human life.

“I want to start them on the right path that they will take for the rest of their lives,” Soldano said.

When it comes to the new teachers, he said he wants them to come talk to anyone they need.

He has been in their shoes before and knows what it is like to just sit there and not know who to talk to.

“I want them to feel comfortable to come talk to one of their colleagues if they need help with anything,” Soldano said, adding that he is looking forward to getting to know and working with Mr. Parsons.

“I heard he is a great man to work with and I’m excited to build a friendship with him,” Soldano said.

Anita Ranieri’s goal is to start the year off with a great attitude.

“The start of every year is the same. Students are complaining about coming back to school and I want to change that. I want them to feel welcomed back,” she said. “I am very excited to work with Mr. Parsons and get to know him along with everybody else in the school.”

She wants the students and staff to have fun and do really well in the years to come.

“I just want everyone to have a good year and enjoy what is happening around the school,” she said.

Iris Kaiser

vice president

adventure. Having been a member for three years now, two of those being on the board, I always feel as if I’ve seen everything this club has to offer.

And then a new project pops up and I’m amazed all over again. Our club is full of some of the kindest, most caring people I’ve ever met. And even though I can be a little off track and goofy, I take a great amount of pride in the club and everything we do.

Seeing new people walk through the door with smiles on their faces makes my day. Hearing my friends say, “I’m joining Key Club!” or having kids message me on social media asking about meeting times is the best feeling in the world.

Before you choose to have an abortion or encourage someone you know to have one, take the time to get the facts.

For free literature about abortion and the alternatives, write to: Great Falls Right to Life 500 Montana Ave. NW Great Falls, MT 59404

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October 8, 2015 rustlernews.com

OPINION

Jaylynn Mitchell

Opinion Editor

I am part of the dark side, AKA yearbook. I know this is newspaper, but I am going to write about yearbook for this column.

Yearbook is stressful. Just ask any of my editors and they will tell you it’s a very difficult, stressful job.

I have been in yearbook since my freshman year and I knew one day that I would be Editorin-Chief I looked up to all the Editors-In-Chief my past years and I just loved how they took charge and made sure the book got done. Most of them seemed calm.

One question: How did they do it? Because I already had four anxiety attacks, and it hasn’t even been first deadline. Cool. But we just got the ladder done so that is something I could check off my list of a thousand things to do in that class.

But this is my last year in high school journalism, and when I start to think about next year I get nervous because I don’t know what I will do.I have made friendships that I will have for the rest of my life and I always think what I would do if I didn’t sign up for yearbook my freshman year.

When I tell my friends how stressed I am in this class they always say “Just quit it,” and I reply “I just can’t.”

It is part of my life and I love it. I love designing pages and assigning people what pages they are doing for the six deadlines.

I love staying late and eating pizza and brownies. Hearing all the crazy stories about the chair races they had (without me). And finally, my favorite thing of all, scaring B. Me and my fellow editors love that. She comes into the room not knowing where we are, and then all of a sudden jumping out. Or when I hid in a trash can and jumped out and made her scream.

I am going to miss all these things that I do and I’m going to miss ever secoud of it next year.

I already know that I am going to miss this room next year while I am in Missoula, but the memories I have made in room 326 I will keep forever.

I know it is the dark side, but I love it.

Respect is always something to remember Illustration by Julia Gremaux

The Homecoming game is tomorrow night, and we would just like to remind students about how they can maintain a good reputation for our school.

What do we want to be remembered for? Some might say “winning.” But is that really the only thing we want to set us apart from other schools?

Wouldn’t it be great to be known as the nice school? We witness so often the fights on the stands and inappropriate profanity screamed at officials and other teams, and that is nothing to be proud of.

Rustlers should be focused on cheering for our teams, providing them with positive support and giving the most

Stam

ped

Poin t of view

e attention to our students and athletes.

We don’t need to focus so much energy on screaming at other teams, telling them we hope they lose.

We should be screaming spirited chants to make our teams realize that we’re actually focusing on the game. Everyone will appreciate the school spirit.

As we head in to the season for cross-town games and state tournaments, we hope the green and gold set themselves apart from their competition.

Let’s make sure that being a “Rowdy Rustler” is a good thing.

Principal Kerry Parsons welcomes students to 2015-2016 school year We are now several weeks into the 2015-2016 school year, and I am very pleased with how this school year has started.

When I graduated from this high school in 1984, never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that I would return as a teacher, a coach, an associate principal, and now as the principal of this great institution.

It is such an honor to be the principal of C.M. Russell High School. One of the many requirements of this position is for me to articulate how I will help this school work towards achieving the goals of Great Falls Public Schools.

These goals speak to student achievement, stewardship of resources, and creating a safe and secure learning environment for ALL of our stakeholders. I have asked our faculty to consider these goals when performing their many challenging duties.

In addition, I have stressed the philosophy of “customer service” as a means to help deliver the best product possible. The product I am referencing is the delivery of the best educational experience possible for our students.

In this comprehensive high school, “the product” includes academics, co-curricular and extra-curricular opportunities, clubs, socialization, relationships, school spirit, and citizenship.

It is certainly our responsibility as a faculty and staff to facilitate and foster these expectations and to stress the responsibility of our “customers” to take advantage of all of the great possibilities that are available.

Principal Kerry Parsons

STUDENT GOVERNMENT SPEAKS UP I think this year has started off really great, the students body as a whole is doing well this year. As students body officers we’re really trying to get everybody involved this year and have a lot more attendance at CMR events. Hopefully this year there will be some changes in student participation. The other student body officers and I hope to see all parts of CMR coming together to support one another. We would also like to see more class participation in homecoming, pep assemblies and other theme days. Every Friday is green and gold day also known as spirit Friday. We would like for it to be known that everyone is the school dresses in CMR attire or green or gold. It is a great way to support your school and all events going on at CMR. Our student body has great potential to be more supportive and involved in school activities as well as extracurricular activities.

This year we plan on having better attendance at all events and want a better attendance at the pap assemblies. Pep assemblies are there to get people involved and add spirt to

Olivia Flamand

student body president

your average day. Supporting organizations such as the art programs, sporting events, clubs and blood drives. We want everyone to get involved in something, whether is academics or sports. This year will be the best year of the CMR student body. My four years spent here wouldn’t have been the same without the teachers, staff and the peers that have surround me. Considering it is my last year at CMR I would like to participate in as much as I can, but I’d really like to see that from everyone. I want to leave a good outlook for others and for the classes in future years. CMR is a great school and with my last year I just want to enjoy my time and peers. I’m excited to see what this year brings the school and the senior class. Most of all I’ve enjoyed my experience her at CMR because of the activities and events provide. Get involved in school and participate as much as you can. CMR a better place to learn and teach where relationships lead to success.

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Opinion

October 8, 2015

The Truth in a Nutshell

If you could be allergic to any food what would it be and why?

“I would be allergic to sushi because it just tastes bad.”

Dave Diangel, 10

There’s no doubt that relationships have changed since 1965.

The question remains, for the better or worse?

by Abby Shearer, staff writer

A smile and a wink. A flirtation.

Holding hands. A hug in the hallway. A peck on the cheek. A quick kiss while no one is looking. A full makeout session that leaves little to anyone’s imagination.

Whoa! Wait just a minute.

Times have changed, or at least that’s what I’ve discovered.

I have found that teen relationships have changed drastically over the last 50 years.

Math teacher Mike McLean was in school in the 1970s and said that PDA was never accepted in school or even in society. Hand holding was considered OK, but anything outside of that was frowned upon.

“Back in the 70s handholding was considered a big deal,” McLean said.

It took time for relationships to evolve. McLean said that PDA started to get worse over the last 20 years. He said that he thinks it’s gotten worse because people started to not suffer consequences for their actions. People in general started to lack when it came to caring about what others did.

Science teacher Murray Metge was in high school in the late 1960s.

“Although there were displays of affection, it was not publicly viewed,” he said.

In school there was the occasional hand holding and the rare hug, but there was no major making out in the hallways, according to Metge.

Relationships took longer to get physical, and an even longer time for a kiss on the cheek. In school PDA was considered wrong, and Metge believes that students need to take their time and not publicly display their affection.

It was much the same for biology teacher Christine Sundly, who was in high school in the 1980s.

“PDA was not something that was done,” she said.

Thirty years ago students didn’t feel the need to advertise their relationship, and Sundly said that today relationships are more temporary.

Sundly also feels that if students wish to physically express their feelings then they should do it in private.

At CMR in the early 1980s, drama teacher Chris Evans was a student.

“Yes, there was PDA in the hallways, just as there is now,” Evans said.

He said that the intensity of the relationship never changes.

Relationships might be short, but for that amount of time it is real and intense for those two people.

Evans said that people display their affection because they want to show everyone that it’s real, and that they don’t care what people have to say about it.

He admits that he is glad that it’s not his kids who are displaying their relationships in the hallways, and

“If I could be I would be allergic to beets because they taste like dirt.”

Brittany Snider, 10 in the end he does not feel there is a need to publicly display affection.

Like Sundly and Evans, science teacher Mike Beck was in high school in the 1980s.

“Yes there was PDA, but there wasn’t as much of it as there is now,” Beck said. “For some reason the kids that felt they had to display PDA in the hallways were the unpopular ones.”

Today, Beck said, it seems as though there’s less value to relationships.

He thinks that today’s generation has technology to help them date and to quickly break up. People can break up over a text or an e-mail so relationships have become less personal.

Sophomore Mikayla Cole said that PDA or any display of affection should wait until after school. It does not need to be viewed by everyone around them. When she passes a couple making out she tries to “maneuver around them so it’s not as close” to her. Cole thinks that relationships move so fast that they seem to have no meaning.

“Displays of affection should not be publicly viewed,” she said.

“There’s a point not to be passed.”

Dave Diange, a sophomore football player, agrees.

“Holding hands is OK. A hug is OK and so is a quick kiss,” Diange said. “But making out is too much.

[It’s] kinda weird.”

I would be allergic to sugar because then I would be a lot healthier.”

Camryn Murphy, 10

“ Probably gravy because I don’t like it and it doesn’t taste good with anything.”

Michael Ferda, 9

“Definitely broccoli, so that I wouldn’t have to be forced to eat it.”

Kayden Finkbeiner, 10

“Probably mushrooms, because they have an odd texture and I just don’t like them.”

Olivia Spencer, 12

“I would be allergic to onions because they’re disgusting.”

Tyson Hatch, 11

October 8, 2015

S

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Opinion

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tudent voice

What do you think should be the priority for the Great Falls school board? Why? Vanessa Luongo, grade 11 What do I think the school board’s priorities should be? Hmm, let me think.

Ah, yes. I think they should do a district cleaning of the windows because if you haven’t looked at them, they are disgusting! In some rooms there is still stuff on the windows from over five years ago.

Another thing, they should pay more attention to the arts and less to sports. For example, every year I see sports teams with new jerseys and cheerleaders with new uniforms; I mean, they look cool and all, but I’m pretty sure cheerleaders don’t need 76 different uniforms each year.

The art department, on the other hand, gets nothing. They start off the beginning of the year with nothing but lots of different ways to fundraise.

Another thing is I think there should

be is a class on how to deal with taxes, balancing checkbooks, handling expenses, and other stuff that you’ll actually encounter at some time in your life. I hear of people complaining all the time about how they wish they learned how to deal with these subjects in school.

Lastly, I think they should work on school lunches. Their intentions were to make the meals healthier for students, but all they did was change everything to wheat and lessen the portion sizes to the bare minimum. There’s barely enough in a meal for a growing teenager. When they serve fries all you get is a pinch of fries, maybe two pinches if you’re lucky.

Also, the sandwiches are the size of your palm. I mean, school is great and all, but it definitely needs some work.

COOPER LOTT, grade 11 When reading the school board’s mission statement, it says, “We successfully educate students to navigate their future.”

Seeing this, I believe it is important that the school board should not only educate us, but take our choices, opinions, and suggestions into consideration. I honestly believe that they want what’s best for us, but we also need to keep moving forward continuously. We need to learn about, and how to use, the new technologies that are coming about. They also have a list of belief statements, one of which reads “Each student will have fair and equitable opportunity for quality instruction and academic success.”

Some students’ success is tied (often) to their teachers’ thoughts and opinions, not only on the subject they teach, but about life, and other students. This makes me feel uncomfortable because there are obviously favorites in certain classes, and sometimes even kids who get degrading and horrible treatment. That is not always the case, but when it is, it fractures the bond the teacher has with that student and lowers their chance for success in that class.

When teachers are degrading to a student, not only does their education suffer, but they as a person suffer. If we are not to be seen as people, then are we just objects? We have feelings, goals, and stories. When those are made fun of, they can be ripped from us, and we become less and less like people.

Therefore, the school board’s priority should be to see us not only as students, but as people. How they handle that is up to them, but they must be careful, for they are handling the next generation.

michelle li, grade 10 I think that some of the more notable changes I’d like to see the school board make are in the math curriculum. I think the math curriculum is never constant and is confusing to all students. If the curriculum is constantly changing, how are students supposed to learn? It’s very confusing and I’ve heard many other students complain about it as well. There needs to be a good basis of math teaching and it needs to be stuck with. I think that teachers should also be observed more so that they can get pointers on their teaching so that it helps students learn in a more positive, stable environment. I think that if those changes were made, there would be a better overall learning environment.

Gabriella hagen, grade 10 I think that the school board’s priority for this year should be education, plain and simple. I think all students should be given equal education and opportunities. The school board should focus on creating the best learning environment possible for all students and on developing a curriculum that works and is to be stuck with. They need to focus not only on what we learn but on how we learn. I think their focus should be less on developing and administering standardized tests and more on making us more focused, culturally aware, and teaching us life skills that we can use not only for certain classes, but in the future. I think that if school furthered our education in life skills and useful things that more students would focus and absorb what they learn because they know it would be useful in the future.

ELLA CARLTON, grade 10 As a student at CMR, I think the school board as of this year should really prioritize supporting and promoting more clubs. I feel as though students would prioritize school more due to the fact that they will become more involved in the culture of the school.

Also possibly giving kids a whole exposure to different social groups.

Studies show that if kids are more involved in the school they are less likely to drop out.

Something else that the school board should prioritize is promoting and holding more pep rallies, as they make kids more excited and supportive of their teams, boost morale, and encourage school spirit. I think that breaking up normal routines of school days keeps kids more on their toes and helps them to enjoy school more.

As a cheerleader, I can say that the

austin haney,

school gets excited about performances and the performers enjoy it as well. I think more fun theme days and fundraisers, like the Gold Rush theme at the Butte football game, help kids get excited to don school colors and support sports teams.

I think it shows a unified front for CMR when players and parents look at a high school section awash in green and gold. It certainly helps me to become more excited about being a part of a school that supports its causes.

I also really liked the “We R One” shirts worn at last year’s basketball crosstown games that helped support cancer patients.

If CMR did more things like that to support causes, I think school spirit and excitement about belonging to a community such as CMR would be far more noticeable in the students.

grade 12

One of the more recent concerns for the Great Falls School District involves facilities. The oldest buildings currently in use date back to 1925, with the more recent ones dating from the 1970’s. CMR itself has just passed the half-century mark, and many of our area schools are showing their age. Many are also viewed as community landmarks and have added historical preservation concerns to be addressed.

I believe an update to our school buildings should be the most important item on the agenda put forth by the school board. We are facing an increasing population within our district, and unfortunately we don’t have the space we need to efficiently handle these increased numbers of students.

Some ideas currently in the works include building new elementary schools to replace Roosevelt and Longfellow, moving some district facilities from Lowell to the site of the old Russell school, moving the public pre-school from its current location to Paris Gibson Education Center and turning the Skyline building into another elementary. Also included would be repairs to Great Falls High and updates to CMR. Both high schools are in need of updates to better improve the learning environment and to provide better services to students.

To me, the most important thing is to make sure our historic school buildings can continue to serve both our community and our students well into the future.

S

October 8, 2015 rustlernews.com

FEATURES

Christina Brennan

Features Editor

I absolutely LOVE Halloween! If any of you have ever talked to me, even for five minutes, you would know that I eat, sleep and breathe Halloween.

I love the concept of becomeing something completely different just for one day. The characters I create are, in a twisted way, part of who I am. Halloween is the one day where I can showcase my makeup and bare my soul on my face. It’s so much more than just dressing .

Since I was a little girl I always wanted to have the scariest, biggest and most extravagant costumes. I started small; a baby M&M, a queen one year, vampire the next, but nothing was big enough. Sophomore year I decided it was time for something better than anything I had ever done.

It was very last minute that I decided to dress up that year. Halloween had not been the same since I wasn’t going trick-or-treating anymore, I no longer knew how to celebrate the final day of October.

I had almost lost all hope when I stumbled into the special effects makeup section at the party store the night before Halloween. I bought a stackable oil based bruise kit, a neck wound prosthetic and Spirit Gum adhesive and remover.

I spent 45 minutes, before I went to sleep, just going to town on my makeup. By 11:30 p.m. I was pretty confident in mess I had just whipped up.

The next day I woke up at 5:30 a.m., slapped on the blood and gore and headed off to my 7 a.m. class. When I got there I was surprised at how people reacted to my last minute costume.

I made people jump, cringe, and even give me second looks full of concern.

But it wasn’t until my third class of the day, where I made a varsity football player so scared that he couldn’t even look at me for the rest of the period, that I knew I had found my true passion.

I have come a long way since my last minute makeup masterpiece of 2013. I have learned how to make my own prosthetics, apply fake hair, and slit my throat in a lively way.

I plan my costumes months in advance. My process begins in January and does not end until the night of Halloween. Each year I try to find a way to outdo myself. I spend more time, more money, and put more heart into my creations every year.

Homework for my readers: find something you love as much as I love Halloween and special effects makeup. I just want all of you to feel as happy and excited about something as I am with Halloween and makeup.

Keep your eyes open for me in the hallways on Oct. 30, come say hi, I’ll have candy.

Answers to the quiz on page 18: 1:b 2:c 3:a 4:a 5:a 6:c

Freshman Kolby Hannah, who has competed in midget car racing across the country, will head to Las Vegas later this year for one more competition. Photos courtesy of Kolby Hannah.

Midget cars equal success for freshman

by Mary Brown, Staff Writer There is one freshman who doesn’t have his license, but he has probably driven more miles than most students at CMR. Kolby Hannah’s quirky sport of choice is not something offered through the school. This contest is called quarter car racing, or its more common term: midget car racing.

Over the summer, Hannah won the Unrestricted Animal class in Indianapolis. Hannah participates in three different classes when he races, and each class is separated by the weight of the car and engine size.

Quarter cars may be smaller race cars, but they can sure pick up speed. Hannah said that his cars can reach anywhere from 40 to 45 miles per hour.

“When we drive, we try to get left side weight,” Hannah said.

The car setup that Hannah uses to get this left side weight leaves his car with only half of a seat. Not only does this help to cut down on his car’s weight, but it keeps his body in the position he wants it to be in.

Racing in these cars tends to be a tight fit. The older or taller you are, the more problems you may have trying to fit inside of the car. These cars may be small but so are the tracks. These

START YOUR ENGINES

small tracks make it so that only 11 cars can fit on the course at a time, said Hannah.

As with any car sport, there is always the possibility of a crash. Hannah said that he had a crash during the first weekend of last year. The crash ended up with Hannah flying over the plastic wall that surrounds the track. Despite that incident, Hannah still enjoys racing.

“It’s just like the rush,” he said. “It’s really fierce out there.”

Even though this is his last year racing midget cars, Hannah said he is looking forward to racing street stock cars. While he normally practices on the dirt track at the Electric City Speedway, Hannah is excited for his chance to go on the real track.

You would think that being a racer would give him some road rage. Instead of being upset, however, Hannah has a different attitude.

“Not really [do I get angry],” he said. “I just pass them.”

With one final race coming up this year, Hannah gets to step up his game one final time in December. After competing in Billings, Great Falls, Las Vegas, and Indianapolis, Hannah will return to Las Vegas and hopefully take home the prize.

Allison Hanson

Two years later Chevy introduced the LBZ Duramax, which featured several improvements. LBZ became a quick favorite of Have you ever driven around town and seen a shiny jacked tuners, thanks to a stronger block design, larger connecting rods, up Duramax pickup truck? You think to yourself, “Dang! That’s and new piston design heads that could handle more pressure. In a nice pickup.” Or for many of you guys out there saying “Dang 2006 GM was also introduced the six-speed Allison transmission that’s a nice dirty. Look at them wheels!” to the Duramax powertrain.

A Duramax, is also known as dirty max In 2007, Chevy introduced the LMM or dirty which is a Chevy diesel pickup.

Duramax engine with 365 horsepower and Looking back at the history of this pickup 660 lb ft of torque. DPF was an active catalytic you start to realize the improvements Chevy converter and it dramatically reduced the has made over the years. In 2000, Chevy and amount of particulate pollution. It reduced Isuzu designed the first Duramax engine fuel mileage due to the need for extra fuel to be that featured the LB7 with an outstanding burned when the filter was full of soot.

300 horsepower and 520 torque for its time.

The very last engine that Chevrolet It was an all-new design for turbocharged introduced is the current version of the stock diesel.

Duramax. The engine is known as the LML. Photo courtesy of Austin Prewett.

A couple years later, Chevy changed This brings to market a massive 397 hp and 765 their design and engine to the LLY. It made lb-ft of torque. the engine have more power with 310 horsepower and 605 lb-ft All of these engines have so many of their similarities but of torque. It is more accessible for repairs with the new style to each of these engines can up the other one. Such as the Lb7 has support and gain more power. no emission which is the discharge of gas. The Lly is less prone Chevy introduced the all new variable vain turbo which to have head gaskets to go out. The Lbz has more power and changes when it takes off and makes the exhaust temperatures torque than the Lly and Lb7. The Lmm has more horsepower cooler. It makes the vehicle more efficient and the new exhaust and torque. It is less prone to gaskets and injectors going out. system is known as the exhaust gas recirculation system, which Lastly the Lml has more horsepower and torque than all the rest. routed a portion of the exhaust into a cooler before sending it It is more advanced. It has a better turbo and throttle response back through the engine for a secondary burn. but way more emissions than the rest.

Duramax’s Durty Secrets

October 8, 2015

Students bring theatre to the halls of CMR

Features11

The four classes use Broadway shows as inspiration for Homecoming decor

by Mackenzie George, sports editor With Homecoming week comes many traditions that have withstood the test of time at CMR. Dress up days, powder puff football, and coronation are events that keep the school vibrant and active throughout the week. Homecoming is also a chance for individual classes to show off their creativity with hallway decorating.

With this year’s theme being Broadway, seniors decked out their halls with memorabilia from “Grease,” juniors worked with the musical “The Lion King,” sophomores created instruments and sheet music with their theme “School of Rock,” and freshmen used “West Side Story” as inspiration for their hallway.

With a roaring theme like “The Lion King,” the junior class is excited to show the rest of the school what they’ve been working on. Junior secretary/treasurer Quincey Borggard said that her class has had some good ideas so far.

“We still have a lot of work to do, but we have some big things planned,” Borggard said. “We have been working every Sunday and some Thursdays for about six weeks.”

Meanwhile, representatives from the sophomore class have spent their Saturdays and Sundays for the past two weeks working on their “School of Rock” designs.

Sophomore Julia Gremaux has hosted decoration days on the weekend at her house. Gremaux said that although volunteers have been working hard, Cascade she’d like to seeCounty some more helping hands show up before the sophomores’ work is judged.

“It’s been productive so far. People have a fun time while working,” Gremaux said. “Hopefully we do well in the decoration competition.”

Top left: Seniors nearly complete their hallway on Oct. 5.

Top right: Juniors work on their decorations on Oct. 5.

Bottom left: Elephants, giraffes and other animals parade across the junior” “Lion King” hallway.

Bottom right: Seniors used “Grease” as their hallway theme.

Photos by Jara Wilkinson.

Name; Julia Gr

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You’re not just hurting yourself...

Be safe or Be sorry What’s your plan? .

A message brought to you by the Cascade County DUI Task Force

14 Features

October 8, 2015

Students begin the foundational work at this year’s High School House

1

Breaking

by Katelyn Morley and Allison Hanson, staff writers When CMR’s High School House construction crew walks through their finished home just eight months from now, what happened on Sept. 8 will be a distant memory.

But Day No. 1 on the job site -- complete with visitors from throughout the community -- is the first step toward a brand new home for one Great Falls family.

On Sept. 8 the High School House project began with plenty of people coming out to make the yearlong building experience happen. For the start of the program’s 37th house in the GFPS district, the CMR administration, superintendent Tammy Lacey, parents, counselors, city commissioners, teacher Landon Stubbs and students gathered at 1104 5th Ave. NW for the groundbreaking.

Some other attendees included Dani Stark, who teaches the interior design class that helps decorate the inside of the house, and Nina Lawhon, who sold the property to NeighborWorks. “[It’s] such a cool real-life opportunity. It’s an amazing program, [and] I love that I can teach this,” Stark said. Stark isn’t the only teacher contributing to this project.

“This is the best program in the state,” Stubbs said. Stubbs participated in a construction class when he was in high school and now he has the opportunity to teach it. This year will be his fourth year as the lead teacher.

Ground

“I love working with my hands,” he said. On open house night the students get to show their friends and family what they built, for Stubbs that is his proudest point of the project.

Before a student can begin this adventure they must pass a few training courses. A prerequisite for this class is pre-construction. They must be CPR/ First Aid certified so that everyone is prepared if something happens during construction. To accomplish this they must have 10 hours of safety and then they receive a transferable card from the OSHA program. The first two weeks of class they spend on safety, Stubbs said.

Josh Meyers, a senior, has been a part of the program since his freshman year. As a student working on the house, he said he is excited to have the experience. “[My favorite of the project is the] finish work so you can see the end,” Meyers said.

Junior Austin Cooper is starting his first year on the project. Cooper took previous construction class last year and decided to join the High School House team. He enjoys that this house is available to less fortunate people to get a home and enjoy it, Cooper said.

Senior Jace Davis is starting his first year of High School House also. He enjoys coming to the project and hanging out with others.

“Take the class if you have the opportunity,” Davis advises.

5

2

3

4 1. CMR Principal Kerry Parsons gathers with other Great Falls Public School officials and various guests and students on the High School House ground on Sept. 8 as the crew started the months-long process of building a house in cooperation with NeighborWorks. 2. Teacher Landon Stubbs shares information with students. 3. Senior, Jace Davis inserts a wire in a wire cutter. 4. High School House students gather with Stubbs before groundbreaking on Sept. 8. 5. High School House students prepare for breaking ground. Photos by Allison Hanson.

Features 15

October 8, 2015

Summer camp

2 3

Yearbook staff members invest time, energy to plan 2016 Russellog 1

4

5

by Iris Kaiser, staff writer After being stuck in a Suburban filled with an almost endless stream of chatter for about seven hours, senior Christina Brennan was ready to stretch her legs and get the week started.

On Aug. 3, Brennan and four other seniors on the Russellog staff headed to Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., to spend a week with other high school yearbook staff members from across the region to discuss and go over sidebars, captions, and everything else that goes along with the process of creating the perfect yearbook.

Brennan said that meeting everyone and sharing ideas really helped to make a strong connection between everyone and that it was a lot of fun, especially when they headed to Silverwood for the day.

“I would give anything to go back and redo that week,” Brennan said.

Brennan explained that she has been on the Russellog staff for three years, and that with this being her last, she’s sad to see it go. Brennan never took the Intro to Journalism class, but rather jumped right into yearbook her sophomore year. She said she is sad about leaving, even though the school year has only just started.

“Yearbook has been my life,” she said, choking up.

Brennan isn’t the only one with senior year blues. Fellow senior and four-year Russellog staff member Tamara Miller said that during her last year on staff she is a little nervous.

“I’m just hoping I made an impact on the ‘newbies,’” Miller said.

Although she said it is depressing with this being her last year, she said that it is exciting to be a part of designing her senior yearbook. Filled with ideas from yearbook camp, Miller is ready to take on senior year.

Like Miller, senior JJ Mitchell is fired up and ready to go.

Using her ideas gathered from the camp, Mitchell is prepared to make this last year memorable.

Mitchell, the editor-in-chief, has made many memories during her four years of high school, and she’s happy to have them with her through the next chapter, whatever that may hold.

“They’ll be with me throughout my life,” Mitchell said of her memories.

One of her fondest memories will always be the last night of yearbook camp, when it was late and everyone was tired and ready for sleep, she said. That and grabbing ice cream from Dairy Queen with the rest of her yearbook pals.

And like every senior, Mitchell is sad to see that her time here at C.M. Russell is coming to an end. But with fun things to look forward to like Homecoming and sports events, it is an exciting time to be a student.

The 2016 Russellog will be released in May. It is for sale in the CMR finance office for $60.

6

1. The five Russellog seniors all pose for a quick picture.

2. Senior Christina Brennan shows off her wild side by posing for a funny picture.

3. Senior Austin Haney prepares for take off.

4. The girls on staff are ready for Silverwood rides.

5. The seniors take a fun boat ride in Coeur D’Alene.

6. The group is ready to hit Roller Coaster Alley.

Photos by Beth Britton.

16 Features

October 8, 2015

Members of the Electric City FFA joined together for a 2015 - 2016 group shot.

FFA actively prepares young people for their futures

by Christy Armstrong, staff writer Four years ago at her freshman Homecoming, senior Chloe Williams first heard of the school’s FFA. Following the discovery she stopped by room 401 to check out the group, and she hasn’t turned back since.

“Anything in general you want to do FFA prepares you for; it’s not just agriculture or competitions. It teaches you professionalism and how to behave in a workplace,” Williams says.

As an active member Williams gets involved in a lot of the activities, and has found that she enjoys the public speaking and organization skills more than other activities such as the competitions.

From these competitions and other events, Williams has gotten to travel a lot more than she would otherwise. They travel to about four to five competitions in a single year, each for a couple of days, in addition to hosting the State Fair in Great Falls each year. The state convention is also hosted in Great Falls every three years, with Louisville, Ky. hosting the nationals.

“You’re always learning something, whether it seems useful or not, it’s going to be useful either way. It’s an organization that prepares you to be a professional and be an adult,” Williams said. “But you also have fun.”

Williams has focused most of her time on organization and social skills, in order to become a dental hygienist when she is older. Williams has been interested in the mouth and teeth from a very young age, or the oral cavity.

“When I was in elementary school we always had a lady come in and teach us proper care of the oral cavity, and it just sparked my interest,” Williams said.

Williams has reached out to students who had never heard of the FFA before, and has said she believes that anyone can learn something by giving the FFA a chance.

“If you haven’t learned about FFA yet stop by room 401.

It can directly or indirectly benefit you in many ways,” Williams said.

For senior Austin Hader, who has also been an officer for the last two years, FFA has become something he will willingly throws all his energy into.

“I want to be a veterinarian when I get out of high school,

and [the FFA has] a really good veterinarian’s program,” Hader said.

Hader, currently the reporter and last year’s the photographer, spends a lot of time gathering and distributing information. He writes newsletters to keep people informed, and communicates with reporters and stations around the state to get their names and activities into the public’s eye.

With around 79 members in this chapter Hader has plenty to keep him busy, holding him to a professional level of work.

He also assembles the FFA scrapbook, which includes photographs and information from various events, which also acts as the FFA’s own version of the yearbook. ”FFA is an agriculture based organization that shows you leadership skills and career skills to make you better at life, plus it’s like one big family. I have friends in a small town called ‘Ekalaka’ that have their own chapter,” Hader said.

Despite being mostly student run in finances and activities, Jodi Koterba has watched over CMR’s FFA as the mentor, and a former member herself.

“I was in FFA when I was a student, they liked to make fun of me cause I was a member in the 80’s so I had nice big hair,” Koterba said.

Koterba helps students develops leadership, citizenship, and career skills in very diverse activities. They have 27 competitions, for everything from public speaking to livestock judging. This can include wildlife, forestry, veterinary sciences, horse judging among others. The skills learned from these experiences can stay with students for their whole lives and lead to future career paths, which is one of Koterbas favorite parts of the job.

“Probably my first students telling me they got jobs using the information they learned in class,” Koterba said. Students who take agriculture or competitive lessons from the FFA often give themselves a step up in an otherwise confusing future, as well as building friendships along the way. Listen to the morning announcements to hear future plans the FFA has in store that might peak your interest to give room 401 a try.

“FFA has something for everyone because we all like to eat, and agriculture is our food,” Koterba said.

Junior Haelee Essebaggers leads a horse judging team presentation on April 9. Observing feeder hogs is on the agenda for senior Matthew Ammons in September 2014. Photos courtesy of Electric City FFA.

FFA in action Clothing Drive for Children’s Receiving Home From the end of November through Thanksgiving and before Christmas Break the FFA will be hosting a clothing drive for the Children’s Receiving Home, where clothing you no longer need or have outgrown can be donated to those in need.

Anyone who wishes to donate their extra clothing can deliver it to room 401, where it will be stored until the actual clothing drive starts and it can be donated.

Coming Soon, Annual FFA Pumpkin Sales Coming to C. M. Russell’s Commons on October 20th, FFA will be selling pumpkins grown right here at CMR. Coming in two sizes of mini 3-inch pumpkins available in two colors and 10-inch Jack O’ Lantern pumpkins available in all four, the minis will be sold in orange and white varieties, while the larger Jack O’ Lanterns will be in all four colors of orange, red, pink and white.

Be sure to stop by from 3:30 p.m. to the end of open house to pick one up before they sell out.

Summer days for the FFA From leadership camp at Highwood for the younger members to a Wet & Wild fun day inspired by the television show “Wipeout,” the FFA has kept busy even when school is not in session.

Members get to experience an Agriculture carrier tour in Kalispell and help with the State Fair exhibit display, while taking part in competitions by judging livestock, soil, range and public speaking. And when all is said and done, a back-to-school BBQ greets the returning students.

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ENTERTAINMENT

C

lara McClain

October 8, 2015 rustlernews.com

Troye Sivan - “Wild”

Entertainment Editor by Amanda Cornwall, staff writer

Smartphones are truly great things, but for things that we as a society have started to rely on more and more, they sure are unreliable.

This weekend I made the mistake of updating my iPhone 6 to iOS 9 before waiting to see just what it was like for other people. As usual, the new update was trash and everyone hated it.

Now, for the most part, I don’t have any issues with the updates that Apple puts out.

It will take me a while to get used to it, but generally my phone is fine and none of the bugs that other iPhone users complain about plague my life.

However, the one time I didn’t wait before updating, my phone breaks because of it.

I’m not talking the keyboard was glitching or the home screen went wonky. I’m talking my phone no longer operated as a cell phone, let alone a smart phone.

It no longer connects to the cell towers, which means that I can’t text or access my data.

I can only send iMessages when I’m connected to wifi. Then, I went to the AT&T store and the wifi stopped working, which means my mother is paying for a glorified pocket watch.

It’s no longer even an iPod; it’s a pocket watch that lets me customize the background.

Which would be fine if there weren’t people who might need to contact me.

So I was thrown back into the 20th Century and had to try to assume that no one needed me.

It was a constant internal mantra of, ”Nothing is happening. Nothing is happening, I swear.”

That was hard in this age of data constantly being at my disposal; having that forcibly ripped away was weird and shocking.

Now I see why people from older generations are constantly saying we need to unplug from our phones; they really have no idea what that does when you’ve been on a phone or computer basically your whole life. It’s awful and they just don’t understand why we like being on our phones so much. Through my little 4.7” iPhone screen, I can get in contact with people from all over the country, all over the world, instantaneously.

No matter where I am in the world, I can send my mother a text saying that I love her, I can go on Maps to figure out where that really cool coffee shop my friend is, or go figure out exactly what is going on news wise in my home town. All that information and so much more is gathered in a rectangle of metal that I keep stored in my back pocket. Smartphones have more computer power than some of the first computers that sent rockets into space for NASA. If that isn’t what people want this generation to have, that’s just too bad because smartphones are here to stay, and no matter how buggy they get, we’re still going to buy them. Of course, we’ll also bother the help lines until they get fixed, but that’s just what we’re willing to do for instant information and communication.

After waiting nearly a month and a half in between the announcement of this EP and the actual release of it, I was entirely ready to sit in my room in the dark just to immerse myself fully and give it the attention it deserved.

And that’s exactly what I did and I don’t regret it one bit. Troye Sivan is a musical genius, and I will fight for that.

After “TRXYE” I fully expected “Wild” to be fantastic, and Sivan did not let me down. My first thought upon listening to this EP was, “Wow, OK, when did Troye grow up?” because when watching his YouTube videos he seems like a cute, small, soft little guy who’s all pastel colors and boy talk, but “Wild” is all forbidden romance and even more boy talk and it kind of punches you in the face.

I did not expect a song like Bite to

come out of sunshine Troye Sivan, but it did. And though it sounds like it should be in a not-so-child-appropriate scene in a movie, it definitely showcases Sivan’s vocal abilities; from deep-voiced to soft-voiced, he really puts all he’s got into it, as he does with all of his music.

In just six songs Sivan pretty much covers everything a good album should have; a light, happy song to sing with your friends, one that makes you want to cry, one that makes you crazy romantically frustrated, one that makes you feel powerful, one that breaks your heart a little bit, and one that makes you feel homesick.

I think “Wild” topping the Billboard 200 at #1 is enough proof that Sivan did an excellent job and I cannot wait for him to release more music this year.

Twenty One Pilots “Blurryface”

by Amanda Cornwall, staff writer Let me just start off by saying, these two guys cannot pick a genre to save their lives. But, somehow they make it work, so I’m just going to go with it.

I’ve only been a fan of Twenty One Pilots for a little over a year, but within a week of listening to them I had already purchased their entire discography simply because they are that good. And of course, when “Blurryface” was announced I preordered it right away and art by Amanda Cornwall anxiously awaited its arrival because I knew Tyler and Josh would blow me away once again.

The album really doesn’t have a set genre at all, but it’s basically sad music that makes you want to dance. The beats are fantastic and the lyrics could make a grown man cry a little bit. Not Today makes you want to sing loudly in the car with your best friends even with its darker lyrics, but Goner just straight up makes you want to sit on your bed and cry.

Fairly Local makes you want to wear a beanie and glare at everyone who walks past you because you feel cool, The Judge makes you wish it was raining so you could walk around in it and be happy, and Ride sounds like it should be the song playing in the background of you taking a walk at sunrise and having a moment. I would go on, but this would be an even longer review. All the songs, though they differ greatly in genre, could all fit perfectly in the soundtrack to anyone’s life.

Emily Cappis on Fashion Leaves are falling, football season has arrived and the cool breeze of autumn is most definitely here. Yet with everything going on my main focus seems to be a constant: what am I going to wear to school?

I know I’m not the only one with this daunting feeling in the pit of my stomach.

As the season of scarves and boots approaches I want to get my advice into the world for those who struggle with dressing for success.

The easiest way to start is with a simple pair of jeans, and then from there you should decide if you want to go with dressy or casual.

Personally, I prefer dressy because I hate feeling like a dirty hippy. So for a dressy look any color shirt works, except blue because blue on blue just leads to a mess, trust me.

One of my favorite looks is a flowy shirt that just hangs on your shoulders.

You can never lose with that combo.

When it comes to shoes anything works, Converse, sandals, combat or knee-high boots.

Since this is a semi-dressy outfit, you may try to do your hair in a cute little braid, or you may be like me and never do your hair because it’s a lost cause.

Although fall fashion is the easiest to dress for there are still some mistakes made. Such as printed leggings. What I mean is printed leggings are just a fashion don’t.

I have yet to see a person who pulls them off nicely. They just don’t make you look like a grown up.

In my opinion they look like something my 5 year old cousin would wear. Another mistake often made is boots, boots are like people they come in all shapes and sizes.

If you are shorter like me I don’t recommend knee high boots, just because they make your legs look extremely short.

Maybe try a cute pair of short boots.

I am a firm believer that with the right pair of boots you can conquer the world.

Victorious (Single) - Panic! At the Disco

by Amanda Cornwall, staff writer I’ve been waiting for Panic! to release a new album since “Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die” came out in 2013, but instead they just keep dropping singles. But this one is phenomenal so I guess I can forgive them. It has a kind of halloween-y vibe, reminiscent of Let’s Kill Tonight off of “Vices & Virtues”, it kind of sounds like *insert witch-y noises here*.

It’s also got the kind of anthem vibe to it, like an entire concert arena could sing the chorus in sync and it would be beautiful.

And wow, Brendon Urie puts his vocal range on show once again. Show off. He has no problem hitting the high notes

and he certainly never misses the low notes, “and he knows he’s hot,” to quote Christina Brennan. This single came out of nowhere and slapped basically everyone right in the face.

It’s “A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out” and “Vices & Virtues’” love child; it has the same addicting beat as Ready to Go off V&V and the same anthemic kind of chorus that I Write Sins Not Tragedies has. And literally everyone knows I Write Sins, if not by name then by its addicting chorus. I think this single proves pretty well that it’s time for Panic! to release their album. Get to it, Brendon.

18 Entertainment

October 8, 2015

Rustler Quiz How well do you know your school?

1. What happens if you step on the skull in front of the office? a.) You are required to sweep it b.) You have to kiss it c.) The nearest senior gets to punch you in the face 2. What do senior girls wear on Fridays? a.) Green and gold mardi gras beads b.) Camo army pants and black shirts c.) Blue and white to support Great Falls High 3. How many sports activities can students participate in? a.) 14 b.) 15 c.) So many 4. What does the KEY in Key Club stand for? a.) Kiwanis Educated Youth b.) Knowledgable Everyday Youngsters c.) They make the keys for the school right?

Stagecraft students work on the Homecoming set during sixth period on Sept. 29. Photos by Allison Hanson.

Drama department prepares for 2015-2016 school year

by Quincy Schmechel, staff writer The drama department is hitting the ground running, hoping to come out of Bill Will and into the halls of CMR. “We’re going to be all over this building. We are a virus, but a very happy virus. You can’t get rid of us with hand sanitizer,” drama teacher Chris Evans said about the upcoming school year.

The drama department kicked off the school year with hard work and preparation. They have already planned their parts for Homecoming coronation, a Wicked theme, and held auditions and call backs for their first show of the season, “Our Town.” The cast list was posted on Sept. 18.

This October, the drama department has tons of plans, literally.

“We don’t bring in pounds of food, we bring in tons,” Evans said of the drama department’s annual campaign, Trick or Treat So Kids Can Eat. This fun Halloween idea entails members of the drama department going out in the community asking not for candy, but for canned goods to donate to the CMR food pantry.

“We dress up in fun costumes and go door to door,” said junior Siobhan Sahadat. “This is my first year [participating in] Trick or Treat So Kids Can Eat, and I’m very excited. It really puts a good word out for CMR drama,” she said.

The department is not planning to fizzle out after their Halloween haul. Later in the year they plan on another play, “Tall Girls,” about a girls’ basketball team during the dustbowl.

“It’s a really interesting show,” Evans said. “It’s written almost poetically.”

After their spring play, drama wants to take their stuff to Broadway. Gone are the days of pop ballads at the annual drama showcase of CMR’s best singers, dancers, and actors.

Stuff is going Broadway.

“It’s not going to be obscure and it’s not going to be pop songs, everything’s from Broadway,” Evans said. “We’re going to have our best singers and our best actors. We’re going to go out with a bang.”

It is evident that many changes are to be made in the drama department during this upcoming school year. From beginning to end, there are big things planned.

“We’re a busy department. We have kids doing [all kinds of] shows throughout the school. We’ve been asked by student government to be a little bit more active in the pep assemblies.

Basically whenever [we’re wanted], we come running. We’re getting out there,” Evans said. “I love that.”

Evans remarks that the biggest change he’d like to see for drama this coming year has more to do with the audience than the stage.

“I’d love to see more people from CMR in our audiences,” he said. “The community is supporting CMR really well. I would love to see more teachers and students in our audiences. And we’re [working hard] to get us there.”

5. When is the last day of school? a.) June 9 b.) Not soon enough c.) June 6 6. CMR was named after a man who did what job? a.) Farming b.) Singing c.) Painting 5-6 Correct answers You’re a true green and gold rustler... or at least you guess like one. Your knowledge reaches to all corners of the school, from the different clubs and sports to school etiquette and the diverse population. You really know what’s up at CMR. 3-4 Correct answers You are the average CMR student. While you may not know all of the happenings here at the school, you still have the information that some people don’t have.

Over all, you are still one of our CMR rustlers.

0-2 Correct answers You are probably having more fun then those who chose the actual answers... or you attend Great Falls High. If that’s the case, maybe you should think about swimming the river.

Answers can be found on page 10

Entertainment

October 8, 2015

Science Fiction Fans Rejoice

19

Science fiction TV and movies are making a grand return to their fomer glory Zombies seem to be the new craze; along with any crime show that makes people wonder who the killer is. “IZombie” is the perfect combination of the two. A woman named Liv went to an outrageous party on a boat as a human and came back as a zombie. Eating brains is now her only way of not turning fully into a brainless zombie. The only problem with having to eat brains is having to get them without killing the people who own them.

Liv came up with the perfect solution and gets a job as a corner. She gets to eat brains without killing people, but it has one side-effect, the brains give her visions. About how they died and who murdered them. Liv uses this information to help solve their murder.

Shipwrecked on a deserted island for five years changes a person forever; especially an ignorant billionaire. As he returns to the city he is no longer just an average billionaire. He lives two lives one as the Arrow, a crime fighting hero who uses a bow as his weapon of choice, and a secretive billionaire who does not divulge about his time on the island.

Almost everyone has heard of Superman, but not many have heard of his cousin Superwoman.

Superwoman didn’t want to come out of hiding as her cousin had all the bad guys taken care of, but when a crisis happens involving her stepsister and Superman is nowhere to be found she has no choice but to help her people.

The hit movie, “The Avengers,” brought together Marvels superheroes to form an advanced team to defeat a major alien attack against the Earth. The movie was such a success Marvel decided to extend the movies life. Creating the show, “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D.” A smaller team to continue “The Avengers” job of saving the world.

Many people have seen the hit movie “Iron Man,” showing that a hero doesn’t necessarily need super powers to fight crime. “DC Legends of Tomorrow” takes the similar concept and makes a hero called “The Atom,” a genius billionaire who makes a suit to help clean up his city from the injustice that has engulfed it. Unlike “Iron Man,” this hero, “The Atom,” doesn’t feel working alone would be the best way to help his city. Along his side are a misfit band of heroes and villains from the previous T.V. show called, “The Arrow.”

“Fear the Walking Dead,” is a new spin off the hit T.V. show, “The Walking Dead.” It explains the beginning of the zombie apocalypse, when the sickness began taking over. Taking place in Los Angles, “Fear the Walking Dead,” has different characters to follow than “The Walking Dead.”

Although “The Walking Dead,” beloved cast is not on this show doesn’t mean the new cast aren’t nail-biting to watch throughout the show.

Page by Julia Gremaux

S

October 8, 2015 rustlernews.com

SPORTS

During varsity soccer practice on Aug. 19, soccer coach Willie Pyette pushes the girls to play their best as they run drills. This all takes place at West Side Kiwanis Park, where Pyette puts the soccer team into intense situations to help them prepare for future games.

Photos by Julia Gremaux.

Mackenzie George

Sports Editor

It was late July, and I was walking through the jock lot for cross country’s summer running program. The feeling was similar to school— eight a.m., tired, wishing I was sleeping in like most everyone else on a Monday morning in the summer.

Just a month ago in the fieldhouse, I’d been doing laps around the floor with my gym class, and I was already back.

Most people can’t imagine losing part of their summer for a sport that won’t officially start for months. But for other athletes, they don’t give it a second thought.

The team had been working hard for months; our summer running program starts in June, long before the halls are filled with students for the new school year. With our first meet in Cut Bank rained out, everyone was eager for a real race, some competition in a season full of long practices.

We made the bus trip to Bozeman on Sept.

12. If it had been any other summer day, I would have loved the 80-degree weather. The sun was shining and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. But when you’re a cross country runner, you don’t want the sun out on race day.

There isn’t much spectatorship at a cross country meet. It isn’t the most appreciated sport. It will never garner the kind of crowd a Friday night football game will. I’ll admit that it’s not as interesting as a fast-paced basketball game or volleyball match.

So while there were parents lining the course as we ran past, the atmosphere is totally different from a competition in the fieldhouse or at Memorial Stadium.

Still, it’s important for the 35 CMR students who devote time—after school and on the weekends—for the sport.

But isn’t that why all athletes play a sport?

Because it’s important to them? Giving up part of their summer is insignificant.

Whether it be a golfer playing round after round in hopes of improving by a few strokes, or a football player weight training before and after practice, athletes at CMR take their sports seriously and deserve the support of the student body.

When you’re at the next Friday night football game, or watching crosstown soccer, remember all the hard work the athletes have been putting in even before school started.

Golfers have been competing since midAugust. Cross country has been logging mileage since June. All five volleyball teams have been practicing tirelessly.

And what a great feeling it is when a summer’s hard work turns into a successful game, a winning touchdown, or a PR.

Girls soccer welcomes new coach for the 2015 season

by Julia Gremaux, staff writer Fans screaming all around the soccer field, yelling with all their might to cheer for their team, but out of all those chaotic voices one seems to overcome them all, the coach.

CMR soccer coach Willie Pyette began his soccer career unlike any other, by actually not playing.

Pyette began his coaching career in 2000 when his two daughters began to play in the Mini Bolts soccer program. As his daughters began to move through the soccer teams, so did Pyette. He followed them and their teams through every step of the soccer program from Mini Bolts to Thunder Bolts, and eventually the CMR soccer team.

Pyette’s daughter Lindsy was on the soccer team that won last year’s state championship for CMR . Isabelle Pellot believes Pyette’s “soccer dad” background helps him know the soccer players’ thoughts while on the field, giving him an advantage with working alongside the team. With the right amount of intensity and optimism, Pyette helps the team pick themselves up after a bad game or practice, senior Eme McLaughlin adds. “[Pyette] grounds us and keeps us on track,” senior Koriana Myers said.

Being the new coach at CMR is a challenge to Pyette because he has big shoes to fill. Many of the current soccer players grew a relationship with the last coach, Rob Zimmerman. Even so, new relationships are already forming on and off the field this season with Pyette and the team. Pyette did have a head start as he helped coach the Rustlers the last five years as well. “[Pyette] brings humor even when it’s not needed,” Isabelle Pellot said sarcastically.

Every coach’s technique is different and for a player it is hard to make adjustments to this kind of coaching change. But as well rounded as the CMR soccer team is, they welcomed this transition. With players that have played over 10 years of soccer, along with great diversity of freshman, sophomores, juniors, and seniors they are able to make change work.

With Pyette’s knowledge he lets the team lead themselves by setting examples for others to follow Koriana Myers said.

“I believe that when we practice, we should run drills that one: look like soccer, two: put kids in a competitive situation to improve their technical skills,” Pyette said. “[I] really enjoy it and really like this group of ladies a lot and enjoy coaching them. Plus it’s a lot of fun.”

ask the team Q. how do you like coach Pyette’s coaching style?

Koriana Myers, Senior Coach Pyette lets us be examples for eacther and gives us the knowledge to lead ourselves.

Q, How

does

Pyette’s

soccer dad background help his coaching?

Eme McLaughlin, Senior It helps with his relationship with the team; like we are his own daughters.

Q. How

are

Coach Pyette’s

coaching methods different from the previous coach?

Isabelle Pellot, Sophomore Coach Pyette is more flexible on abilities. for instance this year we are able to do powder puff.

Sports

October 8, 2015

21

From athlete to coach Standout runner returns to her alma mater to help coach cross country team

by Mackenzie George, sports editor Keely West said that after college was over, she backed off from the intense running mileage she was logging. But after signing on as assistant cross country coach for the 2015-2016 season, it’s unclear how well that’s going.

“I usually run six days a week, between 40-50 miles a week,” West said.

West was a standout cross country and track athlete at CMR before continuing her running career collegiately at MSU in Bozeman. She lettered all four years in both cross country and track at CMR. She placed third at the state cross country meet as a freshman and earned second as a sophomore.

West said that her sophomore season was her most successful due to her hard work during her freshman track and cross country seasons and running in the summer. Despite having to overcome multiple injuries, the most major one being IT band syndrome, she secured a scholarship to MSU and continued running in college.

“It was one of the most frustrating injuries because I could walk just fine with no pain, but the second I tried running it was excruciating,” West said. “I didn’t end up racing very much of my junior track season. As frustrating as it was, it only fueled me even more to be that much better my senior year.”

The training program at MSU was much more intense than the regime at CMR had been. Her freshman year of college, West doubled her mileage and placed around 60th at the cross country conference meet. She improved her sophomore year and placed seventh at the same meet. During her collegiate career, West earned all-conference for the Big Sky Conference, placed second in the conference for track, and helped her cross country team earn second place at the Big Sky Conference meet.

Now, West has returned to Great Falls to teach first grade at West Elementary and help coach CMR’s cross country team. She said she feels very lucky to be able to spend the day with her students and often feels that there is not enough time in the day.

“There are so many things I wish I could do with

Top right: Keely West talks to brother Cooper after the Great Falls Invite race on Sept. 25.

Above: West cheers on JV runners during their race. The team cheers before their race.

Right: Olivia Bauman is all smiles during her race at the Great Falls Invite.

Photos by Austin Haney.

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Roofing Specialist Siding Soffit & Facia Rain Gutters

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them, but the days go so fast it is hard to fit them all in,” West said.

Although she said running competitively is a feeling she loves more than anything, West is enjoying coaching.

“The joy I get from watching other runners work hard and achieve their goals is so amazing,” West said. “The runners on the CMR team have all worked so hard and been so open to all my feedback and advice. It’s easy to love being their coach.”

That doesn’t mean it hasn’t been an adjustment.

“I am such a competitive person that I caught myself trying to race all the boys on the team instead of taking time to encourage and motivate each runner,” West said.

West’s younger brother Cooper West is also a talented runner at CMR. The coaching staff is strong this year with the addition of both West and longtime coach Branch Brady. Head coach Nathan Gregier is enjoying having West back.

“She fills in a lot of the gaps that Brady and I are unable to,” Gregier said. “She brings recent college experience to the team, and she’s able to do workouts in the morning which neither Brady and I can do.”

The rest of the runners are glad to have West around as well. Not many people would consider a run relaxing after a long day of teaching first-graders.

But maybe that’s why West is the perfect person for the assistant coaching job.

Attention creative writers!

The Rustler Writing Project meets each Thursday in room 326 from 3:30-4:20 p.m.

Come join us!

See Ms. Britton for details.

Poetry, short stories, fiction, non-fiction

22 Sports

October 8, 2015

Fuel for football

By the Numbers

Athletes change their habits to excel in sports

sports news from around CMR

by Carli Dieruf, editor-in-chief A lot of high school students have a difficult time maintaining good grades while still having a social life. Junior Xavier Pace thinks that is an easy task, but there is one thing that has him working constantly. Football.

“Football takes up most of my time. There’s not room for much more,” Pace said. “After football and homework I have maybe an hour to myself, if that.”

Senior Andrew Grinde has the same lifestyle. Because football practice it a few hours after school and games are scheduled often, the players rarely have any time to relax.

In their free time you will see them doing activities only to improve themselves for the season. The going never stops.

“I eat healthy and I run and lift daily,” Grinde said. So although some of the players do have some free time, it’s still completely focused on football for the majority.

Senior Karl Tucker also puts football and grades first every year since he has started playing. Tucker only has free time occasionally on the weekends because after his homework and practice, he goes straight to bed.

“After I’m done with football and homework, its already time to sleep,” Tucker said.

Much like a couple of other sports, the players may be required to gain weight to prevent injuries and to have an

upper hand while playing. Pace, Grinde, and Tucker drink only water and some other healthy juices, but they do not drink soda.

“There’s no limit,” Grinde said. “I think the players decide that themselves and later realize what is the best for your body.”

To gain weight the players eat and work out as much as they can until they can no longer physically handle it.

“I haven’t really had to gain much weight yet but when I do need to I just eat until I literally can’t,” Pace said. “Aside from me, there is always someone trying to gain weight.”

Grinde and Tucker both binge on PB&J’s when it is time for them to gain weight.

“I’ll usually eat 6 times the normal amount,” Grinde said.

“I’ll have anywhere up to six meals a day, usually a bunch of PB&J’s. I love them because they make me feel full, fast.”

Tucker and Grinde have been given nutrition plans to follow after high school by their colleges which requires them to eat certain foods and strict times of the day. The meal plans are much different than their current eating lifestyle and the boys are well aware of this.

“I’m really going to suffer,” Grinde said. “But I’m going to see plenty of PB&J’s after college.”

59-7

Score when Rustler football defeated Butte on Sept. 25.

145

Sophomore Duncan Hollar’s two-day score at state golf, good for a seventh place finish on Oct. 1-2.

7

number of goals Lady Rustler soccer team scored against Great Falls High in their shutout win on Sept. 29

15:49.36

Senior cross country runner Collin Buck’s time at Butte Invitational on Oct. 3

5

the number of sets it took the volleyball team to defeat Great Falls High at crosstown on Sept.

29.

Andrew Grinde Yale University

Xavier Pace Wants to attend UCLA or Gonzaga

Karl Tucker Montana State University Photos by Christina Brennan

Sophomore Ben Kaul tees off at crosstown on Sept. 21.

Volleyball celebrates on Sept. 18.

Photos by Julia Gremaux.

Sports

October 8, 2015

Senior golfer reflects on successful season

Rylie Carmichael tees off at the Great Falls Invite on Aug. 18. She recently placed 11th at state.

Photo by Austin Haney.

By JJ Mitchell, opinion editor When Rylie Carmichael started playing golf when she was 13, she was very excited about starting a new sport.

“My dad always played, and one day I went with him and I just starting going every day,” she said.

When her freshman year came around, she wanted to join the golf team and become better at the game.

“Golf is a really tough game,” Carmichael explains.

You are on the golf course all by yourself with your teammates, and when you need help you ask them.

“There are no time outs, no halftime and no coaches on the course to guide you through a tough situation, only your teammates,” she said.

Carmichael wants to focus more on her game since this is her last year on the high school golf team.

“This year I have learned to not compound my bad shots,” she said.

When you do a sport that has a lot of people, you have that bond with them.

“My confidence has improved from past seasons, as I have a strong bond with several golfers around the state,” she said.

Carmichael had a strong state tournament to round out her high school career. She placed 11th and helped lead the girls team to a ninth place finish.

On the boys side, CMR finished 12th and were led by Duncan Hollar’s 145, which earned him seventh place.

Carmichael also gave advice for underclassmen who want to join the golf team.

“Just go out and try your best, you will love the family environment that the team has,” she said.

Volleyball takes off

Players reflect on progress of 2015 season

by Katelyn Morley, staff writer There are many positions in volleyball, but for junior Zuzu Rudio, her main focus is to be on her toes, ready in the front.

As a player on both varsity and junior varsity, her main priority is to be the setter.

Rudio has to set up the hitters for the team.

Despite a shaky varsity record this fall, Rudio said she and her teammates continue to improve.

“It’s definitely going to be interesting to see how we play together and how it shows on our record,” Rudio said.

Rudio isn’t the only person interested in how they play together.

Theresa Besich, the head coach, is making sure the team is putting in a lot of time and focus. Each practice, Besich and the team focus on getting better than the past week.

“I love coaching,” Besich said. Getting to know her players and how fun they are is something she enjoys. Her team is Top right: Jumping to hit the ball, junior Lindsey Anderson focuses at the Great Falls Invite on Sept. 11. Photo by Becca Bergman. Bottom right: Freshman B team gather to talk with their coach on Aug. 31.

Photo by JJ Mitchell. Bottom left: Varsity players celebrate in the fieldhouse on Sept. 11.

Photo by Becca Bergman.

dedicated to what they do, she said.

As the head coach she says she looks forward to her team contributing to the entire group and show up to practice ready to work hard.

With the sophomore and freshman teams, Besich believes that everyone is doing well. Also, all the teams are focusing on what they need to do to keep progressing.

As a sophomore on junior varsity, Kyra Willis values this as an advantage. She gets to learn from more experienced players who give her advice, Willis said.

“It’s fun and I enjoy my teammates,” Willis said. The team continually improves and she is looking forward to the rest of the 2015 season.

“Just always work hard because your spot isn’t always guaranteed.”

23

advice advice advice

What was the best advice you were ever given?

“The best advice someone has ever given me was probably “fake it till you make it!” As an athlete and a student my life is filled with moments when you need to push through and get the job done no matter what. There always will be times in my life where I feel like I can’t accomplish a goal yet through perseverence anybody can accomplish anthing they want. In sports I find this advice to be especailly important because when I’m having an off day all I need to do is think positive until my practice or run for that day is back on track.”

“The best advice that someone has ever given me was from my last year’s XC season.

Coach Darko, who’s now retired told me on a day when my knees were bothering me, “Think of something random, like a word, or ice cream.” Thinking he was crazy and doubting this would help my knee pain, I tried it and thouht of ice cream. As I ran up the hill imagining a yummy ice cream sundae, I started to forget my knees completely. Today, whenever I’m having a tough running day or breathing problems, I try and get my mind to ice cream, and take Darko’s advice.

“My adivce: everyone makes mistakes but the best people are the ones that can learn from them.

Remember life’s rough and tumble, it’s a wild and wooly beast, but it’s a blast.”

advice advice advice

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS! Faculty-Staff Renuion

Homecoming 2015 Rustlers from yesterday join today’s students for annual celebration

by Jara Wilkinson CMR Homecoming is known for coronation day, for float building, for the parade, and many other things. You wouldn’t think of seeing teachers from 20 years ago coming back, but this year you will.

Math Department Leader Terri Dahl and the rest of the CMR reunion committee are excited to welcome back staff from the past.

“I’m most excited to see old teachers, and staff,” Dahl said.

“Teachers that have helped me become the teacher I am today.”

Mary Gernaat, the person organizing the reunion, used to be a FCS teacher at CMR. Years later, she returns to see old friends, and view the progress of CMR since she left.

On Thursday, Oct. 8, everyone that is in town will be meeting at the Elks Club.

During the weekend, they also will be having dinner and rekindle old friendships.

“It started out by word of mouth. It’s not like we had a system to find everyone’s address, so we had friends call their friends,” Dahl said. “We sent out a [letter in the mail], we started a Facebook page, and our web page.”

The web page is where people can leave questions, comments, and pictures. They will be putting up a slideshow after the event.

“Lots of hard work was done for this, but Mary is really good,” Dahl said.

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