CMR Stampede November 2016

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Friday night lights come to a close, soon to be replaced with winter sports

TThe Stampede he Stampede C. M. Russell High School

Stampede -- Nov. 10, 2016

WHAT’S INSIDE

C. M. Russell High School Great Great Falls, Falls, MT MT November November 10, 10, 2016 2016 Vol. 52 Issue Vol. 52 Issue 3 3 www.rustlernews.com www.rustlernews.com

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Yellowstone field trip an exciting opportunity for biology students

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An open forum for student expression since 1965

With many contributing factors, selecting a college can be challenging

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Halftime show dazzles at crosstown football game

S The Stampede

editor-in-chief Mackenzie George news editor Katelyn Morley opinion editor Jessica Banks features editor Clara McClain entertainment editor Quincy Schmechel sports editor Ashton Palen online editor Isaiah Vang photo editor Julia Gremaux business managers Emily Cappis Katie Davis

staff writers Allison Hanson Amanda Cornwall Andrew Aron Aurora Oden Chloe Geary Gabrielle Pope Hannah Pate Hannah Pospisil Hayley Woodard Ian Kaiser Lexi Bako Loran Fairhurst Lindsey Robison McKenzie Connell Sarah Ljunggren Zach Mell adviser Beth Britton principal Kerry Parsons

Cover photo by Julia Gremaux.

NEWS

3 -- Katelyn’s column, classroom temps 4 -- Morp tickets, National Merit, TAG, Drama 5 -- Bats in 328 6 -- Bond passes

OPINION 7 -- Jessica’s column, editorial, Thanksgiving 8 -- Election, new students’ first winter

FEATURES 9 -- Clara’s column, Working dog 10 -- Isaiah’s column, Thanksgiving 11 -- Yellowstone trip

CENTER 12-13 -- College planning 14 -- Fall fashion 15 -- Marta Seville

ENTERTAINMENT

16 -- Quincy’s column, Symphony, corn maze 17 -- Netflix 18 -- Best of...Movies 19 -- Spielberg report card, human rights film festival, Banff film festival

SPORTS 20 -- Ashton’s column, pep assembly, Olsen profile 21-- State cross country, halftime show 22 -- Upcoming winter sports 23 -- Soccer wrap-up, volleyball wrap-up, crosstown football

BACK PAGE 24 -- Pat and Claudia O’Connell

College both an exciting, difficult decision Editor-in-Chief

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.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MackenzieGeorge

C. M. Russell High School Great Falls, MT November 10, 2016 Vol. 52 Issue 3 www.rustlernews.com

LEFT: CMR students deck themselves out in costumes for the Spooky Symphony on Oct. 30. TOP: Senior Sydney Dickinson recovers after her race. The cross country team finished its season at the state meet on Oct. 22 in Kalispell. The girls team placed fifth. Photos by McKenzie Connell and Julia Gremaux.

I never used to stress about college. In elementary school, college was just the place you stopped by before you came an adult. College was the site of Saturday football games in Missoula. It was where you lived for a few years, met some new people, and left with a piece of paper.

How wrong I was. As a freshman, the brochures started rolling in from counselors. Keep your grades up, they instructed, and start thinking about what you want to be. We took aptitude tests and career quizzes. I was still certain that college was a long way off, that I had plenty of time.

Sophomore year, though, I started looking at acceptance rates and dollar signs and realized that education after high school was no longer a distant thought. Now I had friends who’d graduated and were starting their first semesters at UM, MSU, and even faraway places like Arizona, California and New Jersey.

I began hearing horror stories about the ACT and the common app. Acceptance letters, rejection letters, letters of recommendation -- all were plentiful. As I evaluated my options, I realized that somewhere along the way, college had transformed from our tailgating site to a place that only

wanted you when you carried a certain GPA and were involved in a certain number of activities.

Now junior year is in full swing, and I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a little overwhelming at times. With the PSAT just behind me and the ACT around the corner, this year carries a new sense of importance that I haven’t experienced yet in my high school career.

My senior friends are finishing up applications and beginning to answer those pivotal questions: in state or out?

Are they planning on playing sports collegiately? Do they know what they’ll major in?

We have also started checking out colleges. There are more than 4,000 in the United States, and no two are alike. Whether urban or rural, with 20,000 students or 5,000, I’m looking forward to a change from Great Falls, where I’ve lived all my life. I’m excited for new experiences outside of Montana.

I’m looking forward to heading to college, maybe for different reasons than the ideas I had when I was younger.

Right now, the standardized tests, extracurriculars, and planning seem extensive, but I know it will be worth it in the end.

S News When you’re

November 10, 2016 rustlernews.com

HOT

and you’re

COLD

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by Loran Fairhurst staff writer

Teachers cope with fluctuating temperatures in building Jeremy Comstock - Room 311 teacher Jeremy Comstock dwells in a palace of Ed McNamee - Room 212 ice,English and he loves it.

Joel Corda - Room 605 CMR guitar and men’s choir instructor Joel Corda finds the transition to his new room a bit chilly. Having spent a lot of time in the choir room (604), and then transition into room 605 Corda knows just how cold it can get over in the performing arts department.

“It was pretty bad there; when that cold snap happened, they let us know that when it happens we’ll turn the heat on.

We were extra cold for about a week there,” e said.

However, Corda said he is well prepared for this winter’s low temperatures.

“Now, I have extra- I’ll say that I’ve saved my winter fat from last year- so I’m OK, but I noticed it was much colder here. I know that Mr. Kellogg wore a flight suit one day to keep warm,” he said.

Despite his preparedness, Corda recognizes that the school -- especially Bill Williamson Hall -- tends to get rather arctic.

The rooms were getting so cold that it was no longer affecting just the students and teachers.

“It’s hard on the instruments, here. We’ll put up with a lot, I think our human teachers will put up with a lot, but our instruments getting out of tune,” He says.

Corda said that the instruments, especially the woodwinds, are very vulnerable to the cold; falling out of tune and risking the integrity of the wood itself.

“I don’t have any blame to put on this, because I know that nobody’s maliciously done any of these things to us,” He said. “Nobody’s cutting a cord, and I know that it bothered our head engineer, Al.” Though the cold is hard, and no one aside from Mother Nature is to blame, Corda does have a great well of pride for our city.

“It’s about the kids. It’s about ‘what is the best environment for them’ y’know? And as far as that [the cold] being addressed on a city-wide scale, I couldn’t be more happy or more proud of our city for actually realizing those things exist; and I know there are bigger problems than us being a little cold.”

Charles M. Russell teacher Ed McNamee said he does not care about the temperature of his room, nor does he take any special precautions to fight it.

“I wear a sweatshirt when it gets cold in my room. I wear shorts in the springtime, and I wear shorts in the fall when this room is 190 degrees,” McNamee said.

Having expressed his simple solution to rooms being too hot or cold, he departs with a sigh of relief that reflects his class.

“I’m so glad we’re talking about the weather and not the election,” he said. “That’s what I’m worried about.”

Wendy Truax - Room 317 Math teacher Wendy Truax tends to struggle with a high fluctuation in her classroom; some day’s it’s very hot, and other days it’s very cold.

“I wear my Cuddl Duds on most every cold day, when it’s below 40 degrees outside I wear my Cuddl Duds,” Truax said. Cuddl Duds are light, insulating clothes.

Truax’s room, regardless of heating or cooling, tends to always fluctuate with the seasonal temperature. Though, the heat never really affects her, she said.

“I was surprised when everyone complained how hot it was. It wasn’t that bad for myself,” Truax said.

“I didn’t need to change anything.”

Regardless of whether her room -- 317 -- is hot or cold, Truax is convinced that she wouldn’t give up her room.

“I love the scenery in that room. I wouldn’t give it up for the heat, because the reason that room gets so hot is that both walls are exterior, and I seriously think it’s a gorgeous room.”

“My room is usually pretty cold. Not as cold as some other people’s rooms that I’ve been in, but it’s definitely on the colder end of the spectrum,” Comstock said.

Comstock said he rarely notices the cold, normally relying on others to inform him when it is or is not chilly.

“I don’t really take too much time to pay attention to what the temperature is,” he said.

Day in and day out, Comstock’s ‘palace of ice’ in room 311 continues to freeze students to the bones. Even fueling the ‘fire’, cool air has been known to come out of the vents.

Comstock’s resistance, or ignorance, to the cold extends to his home life.

Last year, Comstock’s home furnace broke, reducing the temperature to 50 degrees, and he still didn’t believe that anything was wrong until his wife complained about it.

“So I’m really not the person to ask about things being too cold,” he said.

However, Comstock does have a bit of philosophy stemming from a teacher’s room temperature.

“I just always tell students that ‘a teacher’s room temperature reflects the temperature of their heart’. So, my room is cold because I’m cold hearted.”

Student Voices “I wore sweatshirts all week once.”

- Will Winslow “Every class of mine is fine except for English. It’s hot as Hell.”

- Kai Stewart “I just dress accordingly; Bring a sweatshirt when it’s cold, take it off when it’s hot.”

- Tyler LaPierre

“It doesn’t bother me in the winter, in the spring I can tell a difference, though.”

- Alex Cunningham “In the summer we need some AC. I did bring one of those personal fans sophomore year.”

- Jake Horner

News Editor

KatelynMorley

All holidays were created equal, and that’s how it should stay Halloween is over; Thanksgiving and Christmas are now approaching. This means preparations for delicious dinners, Christmas shopping, and much more.

My favorite part of these holidays has always been getting to spend time with family that I rarely see. It’s a time to catch up on what’s happening in everyone’s lives.

However, lately it seems that people are pushing Thanksgiving out of their minds.

Black Friday has always been a tradition that occurred early the morning after, but it has started to take place in the evening when most people are normally eating their Thanksgiving dinners.

Instead of being at home with family, people have left during that time to go catch the latest deal. For someone who loves to spend time with their family on days like Thanksgiving, this makes me feel like our country has begun to focus on things instead of memories. I think that the idea of Black Friday shopping is unique and fun as long as it’s done for the right reasons. It should be to get your family or friends something that they will love, but also it’s something that should be saved for the morning. It shouldn’t get in the way of time with your family.

Something else that rushes Christmas in is the hurry to listen to Christmas music.

Don’t get me wrong, I have a strong love for Christmas music. However, a lot of people listen to it before Halloween even occurs. I understand the excitement for events, but I also believe in living in the moment. How are you supposed to enjoy the holiday or season that is happening right in front of you if you’re focusing on a holiday that’s months away?

So soaking up every little bit of each holiday is extremely important. It’s important to know that yes it may be cool that the new iPad is for sale, but it’s even more important to create countless memories with one’s friends and family. Especially as everyone gets older the material things received over the years will fade but the memories and photos created during the holidays won’t.

So with every tradition that may seem silly or boring just remember that one day they might not be there. Making it important to embrace every holiday no matter how insignificant it may seem. These memories made are more important then those gifts that were given or received.

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November 10, 2016 rustlernews.com

News

MORP

2016

Student body prepares for annual dance

by Zach Mell and Aurora Oden, staff writers An exciting event is coming up that is planned every year but is canceled quite often, students are beginning to prepare for the event, to hopefully host it in early December.

MORP is an exciting event that the junior class plans every year but is many times canceled.

Junior student body representative Isabelle Pellot said that they are striving to not have it canceled and that it has been canceled in the past caused by lack of money to fund it. Pellot said that it will be a semi formal dance so you have the chance to dress fancy.

“It will be full of fun stuff like possibly getting the jazz band to play.” she said.

Just like Pellot, junior Shakira Brien wants MORP to happen so she can take someone special to the dance. Brien asked senior Kevin Shaver to MORP in front of the whole school during the pep assembly on Oct. 28.

“I’ve been asking Kevin since my freshman year,” Brien said.

They both went to North Middle School and she has known Shaver since she was in seventh grade and he was in eighth grade.

Brien’s words when telling about the way she asked Shaver out were “Go big or go home.” She said she wanted to do something big because this is Shaver’s last year at CMR. She is very excited about MORP this year. She likes the Great Gatsby theme because it’s semi formal, which gives people the chance to dress up in nice clothes but at the same time it is not too formal, compared to prom.

MORP tickets can be purchased in the finance office or the Commons during A and B lunch starting next week.

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GFPS employers invited to CMR’s drama performances for free

by Aurora Oden, staff writer CMR’s drama department is going to invite Great Falls Public Schools employers for free on all opening nights this year.

CMR’s drama teacher, Chris Evans, thinks this is a good thing in many ways. One of his reasons to do this is to say thank you to Great Falls Public Schools and another reason is to get more people to see the shows, which he is very proud of.

“I like to show off,” Evans said.

He wants as many people as possible to see his students’ shows since he thinks they deserve a big audience. The more

people in the audience, the better, he added. He also thinks Great Falls Public Schools should lay more focus on and be more proud about their drama apartment.

“My goal is that we increase our Great Falls district audience,” he said.

He wants more people to realize that it’s not a waste of time to see a high school play.

Their first show, named “It’s a Wonderful Life” which is a live radio play, will take place on Dec. 1-3.

Perkins continues Senior receives National grief group at CMR Merit Scholarship

by McKenzie Connell, staff writer Many students are struck by tragedy at a young age.

To combat this, counselor Christine Perkins started the teen grief group called TAG on Oct. 24.

Talk About Grief can apply to any student who has lost a family member, friend, or other important figure in their life to an illness, accident, or suicide. TAG falls under the different CARE groups at CMR and Great Falls High.

“It’s a little bit awkward for everybody,” Perkins said. Most students’ first meeting can be very emotional, and some students get embarrassed. But after the first meeting, the level of comfort is phenomenal, she added.

“The only rule we have is to respect each other,”she said.

The group is voluntary, and is open to any student who has had to deal with a death. They meet during a portion of the year, and make sure to rotate periods so that students don’t miss too much class. It can be up to an eight-week period, but it just depends on the student’s decision, and if they want to continue or not. The group is sponsored

by Peace Hospice, with many volunteers coming to help the students.

They meet in room 100 during varying class periods as to not interfere with classes.

“It’s a safe place for them to go,” Perkins said. She hopes that students will take advantage of the amazing opportunity, and really be able to talk about their grief.

by Ian Kaiser, staff writer The National Merit Scholarship is a United States academic scholarship competition for recognition and university scholarships administered by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). One C.M. Russell High School student was lucky enough to be selected to receive this amazing opportunity.

Senior Alexis Good said that combined with her ACT score, her PSAT score is what helped her receive this award. Those scores helped her become a semifinalist, meaning next she would have to go through an application process to become a finalist. After that, it was up to fate. And fate would happen to favor Good.

“Mr. Parsons and Mrs. Shoenen came into my English classroom and did a little speech about how somebody in the classroom qualified for this thing, and it’s really cool, and then they said my name and I was like, ‘Oh,’” Good said.

Good is one of hundreds of recipients of the National Merit Scholarship in the United States and has expressed what this award means to her.

“It was cool, exciting,” she said. “Being awarded a National Merit Scholarship means that I’m capable of excelling in school and in areas outside of school and that I’ve been recognized for my successes.”

Although she has decided that she would like to go into political science/government and pursue a law degree, she has not decided where she would like to attend college. She is eyeing the University of Montana, though, she said.

“I’m just excited for whatever comes my way.” Good said.

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November 10, 2016 rustlernews.com

News

5

Threat addressed in room 328 Administration exterminates student health hazards

Ceiling tiles from room 328 were removed and specialized lights put up to ward off bats. Photo

by Beth Britton. Teacher Chris HIbbert lifted up a ceiling tile, showing a large pile of bat feces. Ceiling tiles near the windows of room 328 are stained by the feces of bats living in the ceiling above. Photos courtesy of Chris Hibbert.

by Quincy Schmechel, entertainment editor From Sept. 20 to Oct. 10, teacher Chris Hibbert migrated with his classes between science rooms each period to avoid room 328.

This 20-day game of hopscotch among science classrooms was the result of mysterious stains Hibbert found on the ceiling tiles of room 328.

In previous years, Hibbert occupied room 317, but after teacher Shelli Lavinder-Schwalk was elected to be the president of the Great Falls Education Association, resulting in her working from the GFEA office, Hibbert filled her spot teaching chemistry. He moved across the third floor to room 328 for purposes of using a chemistry lab.

Here, he took notice of the discoloration of the ceiling tiles near the windows, but he only truly discovered the source of the stains after bringing houseplants into his classroom to keep them for the winter.

“I [became] curious about the stains while I was hanging my geraniums,” Hibbert said. “So I pushed up a [ceiling] tile and got covered in bat feces.”

His first reaction was to go to the office and report the issue. The next step was to tell administration and the district about the problem and find a solution.

The knowledge of the stains in room 328 was not new, says Hibbert. Lavinder-Schwalk had also taken note.

“Lavinder had seen the stains,” Hibbert said. “I think

she simply thought they were water stains, which they absolutely could have been. I do believe [the stains] got their color from the feces running through [the tiles] though.”

After telling the administration, Hibbert decided to remove his classes from the room for fear of the toxic effect of bat guano. From there, the classroom shuffle commenced, with Hibbert and his students switching among science classrooms.

“I wasn’t comfortable with teaching kids in what was an unsafe environment,” Hibbert said. “We shouldn’t be put in situations like that -- it was filthy.”

After Hibbert discovered the guano on Sept. 20, it was a 20-day process until he and his students were allowed back in room 328. During this period, lights were hung above the ceiling tiles, which are left on permanently in hopes of warding off bats from returning to the room. Guano was also cleaned by means of an abatement process, which is also used for asbestos and lead.

“We treated it like an asbestos abatement, and we also followed all the health department guidelines for bat infestations,” said buildings and grounds manager Shaun Hammatt. “We tended the room and put a filter in there to filter out all the air. Then our guys went in there with suits and respirators and cleaned everything up and sealed it up tight and threw it away,” Hammatt said. “The crack hasn’t been sealed yet -- we wanted to make sure that no

bats were still getting in there -- so we put in high-powered lights above the ceiling, and as soon as we’re sure there are no bats in there we will fix the panel, which should be this month. We haven’t seen any sign of them since, and it’s been well-monitored.”

Hammatt says that the school district is lucky, as it has its own in-house asbestos-trained team, which is unique among districts in Montana.

Hammatt said the bats entered through a crack in the panel above the window. Behind the panels are concrete beams that run across and tie in behind pillars.

“They were nesting between the crack and the concrete,” Hammatt said. “We have several cracks in other windows and we’ve had bats before, but we didn’t realize there was a very large infestation [in room 328].” Hammatt said the other cracks were checked, but no further issues were found. He said that prior to Hibbert’s discovery, the source of the stains in the ceiling tiles was not investigated.

Hammatt concluded with a positive message, commending his team and the administration.

“I think our guys did a great job keeping risks to a minimum and on the clean up. It’s probably as clean up there as it was when it was built. I just want to commend them and Mr. Parsons and everyone that allowed it to be as smooth of a process as possible.”

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November 10, 2016 rustlernews.com

News

School bond passes, promises secure future for school district

Fast Facts: GFPS Bond • Date Bond Passed: Oct.5 • High School Results: Yes 58%, No 42% • Elementary Results: Yes 62%, No 38% • Projected Costs: $98 million • CMR $11.3 million

• On Wednesday Oct. 5, 2016,

a bond plan that had been in the works since April of 2015 was voted on by the Great Falls community.

by Hannah Pate. staff writer During election season, the main focus of the general public is primarily the candidates. Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump? Denise Juneau or Ryan Zinke?

For Great Falls Public School District this fall there was more at stake.

Two bond issue proposals that started in the spring of 2015 were voted on this October.

Both the elementary and high school bonds passed with more than 55%, meaning just over $98 million will be invested toward infrastructure improvements within the district. A bond issue is when a local unit of government such as the school district proposes spending and asks the public to vote on it as a part of a ballot issue. The money is used to improve infrastructure -- not for hiring teachers, curriculum or materials.

Great Falls Public Schools Superintendent Tammy Lacey was especially emotional about the passing of the bonds.

“It was a very strategic campaign that we set forth starting last April, with the only goal being to make sure that every person in Great Falls that wanted to know about the bond would have information,” Lacey said.

After the board decided to pursue the bond, there first had to be a timeline and specific goals set in place. District officials began with meetings to organize the information into a presentation and train people to present in front of multiple civic groups in the community.

“Over 50 presentations went into this effort,” Lacey said. She and other board members trained community members how to present the bond information to registered voters, allowing them to make an educated vote.

Since each school had specific needs that would be addressed by the funding, separate brochures were made by the district.

“In April and May we went to every school and had meetings with the GFPS staff. We put together lists of staff to help with summer projects,” Lacey said.

She said she was especially thankful for the YES! For Great Falls Kids Campaign. The campaign was comprised of all community members only due to the laws of the state, and Lacey repeatedly mentioned how grateful she was for their advocacy efforts.

YES! For Great Falls Kids committee member Janie Ward reflects on this experience as a lesson in the power of community.

“Looking back and watching how everything fell together, it was amazing,” Ward said.

Her involvement in education began when she earned a degree and became an elementary educator. When she decided to stay home with her kids, her interest in education did not end. Having two students in the district allowed her to stay passionate about how education can impact the community.

“The foundation in any community is your school,” Ward said.

As a YES! For Great Falls Kids committee member, she worked to follow all the state’s campaign guidelines. After coming up with a plan, Ward strategically picked people out of the community for the committee.

“There were all sorts of volunteers who came and helped out. Our goal was to reach out to each registered voter, explain what a bond is,” she said.

Ward emphasized how many people were involved in this effort, a

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YES! For Infrastructure problems at CMR include an old water line and a cracking retaining wall, apron sidewalks, and foundation. These problems will be addressed with funding from the bond, along with STEM classrooms and a multipurpose facility. Photos courtesy of GFPS.

Great Falls

variety of people in the community were playing many roles to make this happen. She was excited to see the number of staff members who were enthusiastic and dedicated to the bond efforts.

“A lot of teachers and a lot of principals went door to door. That was exciting to see,” she said.

C. M. Russell High School principal Kerry Parsons is more positive than he has ever been about the future now that the bond has passed.

“It’s always been a great school, and I’ve always felt positive, but this will enhance some structural deficiencies,” Parsons said.

He started off in the district as a student, graduating from CMR with the class of 1984. Ten years later, he came back to his high school as a biology teacher and basketball coach. He later served as an associate principal, and he is now in his second year in the job of principal.

Structural and infrastructural improvements are what he is most excited about, including the new multipurpose structure and the STEM classrooms.

“It certainly increases our gym availability for practices and competition. The other thing it will do is allow for a better delivery of health enhancement curriculum.” he said.

When Parsons wasn’t at work at CMR, he was out going door to door, talking with voters about the bond and the needs of the schools. He delivered yard signs, and organized volunteers to help with the efforts.

Overall, Parsons is thankful that the bond passed, and he said it shows that the community cares about education.

“I feel very fortunate, and I think we are blessed as a school district but also as a community that our voters rallied around this desperate need.”

included:

was a flood of emotion.

“ThisItincredible thankfulness, Thankful to our community and all the volunteers that made this happen.

”

Superintendent Tammy Lacey

Kids efforts

• 1070 yard signs • 570 volunteers • 50 letters to the editor • 236 volunteer shifts (2-4hrs) • 10 guest editorials • 13 TV news pieces • 3 Tribune editorials

S Opinion Editorial Policy

JessicaBanks

Opinion Editor

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 Montana Journalism Education 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.

November 10, 2016 rustlernews.com

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Teenage drivers face dangers on snowy roads Snow and black ice are just some of the things that are encountered with winter driving here in Montana. With the ever changing weather the roads can create uncertain driving conditions.

These conditions create hazards for any driver. During this time it is more than important to be aware of everything going on while on the roads. It is important to slow down when stopping at stop signs and lights.

It is extremely wise to go slower than the recommended speed.

When stopping is needed a smart approach would be to brake sooner than one normally would. With unforeseen ice From one can stop at a normal time and slide through the intersection causing a wreck. Stopping sooner point of view will prevent the risk of this possible accident.

Keeping extra space between vehicles while driving is important for anyone. This one action will help prevent collisions caused by sliding or losing control of a vehicle.

As the weather covers the lines of the CMR parking lot many struggle to park with ease. Knowing where to park when the lines are covered in snow is hard; however, parking wherever someone wants creates obstacles in an already dangerous driving environment. Having to swerve up and down the rows just to find a spot on top of other cars driving by in all different directions is even more dangerous.

Some ways to prevent the parking lot madness would be to be aware of where others have parked. When pulling into the lot look and see where other cars are parked. Use the currently parked cars to line up with. Pull right up next to one to create a nice neat line of cars instead of a uneven mess. Also try to avoid making up your own spot, if you want to park away from others try to still look down the way at an already parked car to judge where to park. Also don’t just drive around like known of the same rules that were in place before don’t exist. The speed

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Art by Katie Weidow

limit set by the school should be paid attention to even more when the ground is not visible and ice could be hiding anywhere.

Winter driving is inevitable due to where we live, but there are things that can help keep drivers safe. Everyone should be more aware of their surroundings and avoid distractions while behind the wheel. Slowing down and stopping earlier than one normally would is extremely important, whether or not ice is visible on the road. Don’t add to the risk of an accident by driving recklessly in these conditions, no matter how fun it may be to drift in the snow.

As the weather here varies and is unpredictable at times we encourage everyone to be safe. Be cautious and smart while driving.

Thanksgiving: The Forgotten Holiday

By Jessica Banks, opinion editor Fall is one of my favorite times of the year. I love the beautiful leaves changing colors, the crisp air I feel across my face walking to my car in the morning, and watching snow cover the earth in a white blanket.

Not only this, but the fall season has some of my favorite holidays, and I think most people enjoy this time of year for the holidays as well. led with exciting decorations for the holidays. Many stores go all out. During the months of September and October stores are decked out for Halloween -- pumpkins, yard decorations and costumes fill a section of any store.

As soon as the Halloween season is over, you would think the Thanksgiving decorations are soon to follow. However, this is not the case. I have seen in stores that the decorations go right from orange and black to red and green.

Many people think as soon as Halloween is over it is time to start decorating for Christmas, Hanukkah, or any other holiday celebrated at that time. I know of a store that during the month of October has

Up until now my life has been pretty the same. I have gone to school every year for the past 13 years. I’ve taken math and English and all of the other basic classes that every other student takes.

In my big education adventure I have always had the question in my head of what I would do when I grew up. What the next chapter of my life would be like. About once a year we had counselors come and talk to us about our future, and the question “What do you want to do when you get older” rarely came up in conversation.

Now that I am a senior, I have had the conversation about what I want to do in the future probably once a week. It’s scary to think that the next chapter of my life is so close. Now when I ask myself and when others ask me what I want to be grow up they need an actual answer.

The next chapter of my life is sneaking up, and it’s right around the corner. In my many years of school I have researched and considered many occupations, and they vary to all extremes. From wanting to be a brain surgeon

pumpkins and goblins on one side and ornaments and mistletoe on the other, skipping right over the holiday in the middle.

Thanksgiving break is even taken over by Christmas preparations with Black Friday shopping starting Thanksgiving evening.

Thanksgiving is such a great holiday to spend time with family and to give thanks for all that we have.

We shouldn’t be so quick to overlook Thanksgiving. Don’t get me wrong. I love Christmas; everything about the Christmas season brings me joy. But I do believe that it should be celebrated at its proper time.

I don’t think putting up a Christmas tree and Christmas lights on November 1 is necessary. After Halloween instead of skipping right to the decoration boxes labeled Christmas, I think it is important to give Thanksgiving the time it deserves.

It is a holiday with a great meaning that is overlooked way too often. A whole holiday dedicated to being grateful and showing thanks. I think that is pretty amazing. Let’s not forget this November holiday in the rush of preparing for the Christmas season.

to a high school math teacher my mind has considered all of the options.

I am so glad that I had the opportunity to try out classes that allowed me to try new things and see if that subject sparked a future career interest of mine. I would advise anyone and everyone to try all types of classes in high school.

I would have never thought I would be interested in writing or anything in journalism if my sophomore English teacher wouldn’t have recommended that I take Introduction to Journalism.

Everyone has talents and skills they don’t even know about yet. This is the last opportunity for free education so take advantage of it.

Try everything, then when it comes to the time when you have reached that next stage in your life, you will know what you want to be, you will know what you like and what you don’t. But you will never get to that point if you don’t step outside of your comfort zone to try all of the new and different that you can.

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November 10, 2016 rustlernews.com

Opinion

Trump claims presidency

by Mackenzie George, editor-in-chief After a long, embattled road to victory, Donald J. Trump will have his chance to “make America great again.”

The results of the 2016 presidential election were unlike any America has experienced.

Fraught with controversy, e-mail and voice recording leaks, sexual allegations, and low popularity ratings for both candidates, it would only make sense that the United States breathed a sigh of relief when all the ballots were sent in.

And on Nov. 8, Trump pulled away from former Sec. of State Hillary Clinton, claiming 276 electoral votes to Clinton’s 218. Clinton did maintain a miniscule lead -- about 200,000 -- in the popular vote, the first candidate to do so since George W. Bush beat Al Gore in 2000.

AP Government teacher Brian Halverson uses the election as part of his class curriculum and found plenty of interesting material to use this fall. “[This election] has degenerated into a bizarre series of personal attacks as opposed to past elections about visions or ideas,” Halverson said. “None of the candidates talk about issues.”

With the trio of presidential debates garnering a huge amount of national attention and spurning Saturday Night Live skits, Halverson had plenty of material with which to analyze the candidates.

“I have watched the debates for 20-plus years now, and I’ve never seen that level of political instability,” Halverson said. “They had more of a negative effect -- turned people away from the candidates.”

But Halverson said that the negative tone of the election made it more interesting to follow. It wasn’t difficult to remain neutral when discussing the race with students, he said, because “I don’t have a partisan bone in my body.”

“I try to communicate the importance of political awareness and the importance of voting,” he said.

Halverson explained that there are two ways to support a candidate: either for their positive side or a desire to vote against their opponent.

In the end, though, each candidate’s policy is what matters.

“Yes, there will be a winner and a loser, but the policies that go into effect after the election is over is what matters for our country.”

Donald J. Trump claimed nearly every swing state, as well as some unexpected ones, to win the presidency on Nov. 8.

Photo: Creative C o m m o n s / Wikimedia.

“

I was excited.

“

I was surprised. [I expected it] to be close. And it was really close.

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Connor O’Hara, 9

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Emily Weber, 11

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I am surprised. I would never have thought that people would’ve voted for Trump after everything he’s done. It’s crazy to me that I’m a part of a generation that now has a crazy millionaire as our President. Jake Shie, 12

A New Winter Experience

New Rustlers share their opinion on the upcoming season

by Jessica Banks, opinion editor As winter approaches, new students from all over the country are in the for the ride of a lifetime with a new winter experience in Montana. Freshman Samuel Avery is among the select few who will undergo a very cold winter for the first time.

“I have heard that winter is going to be absolutely awful. I’ve heard it snows and is freezing constantly and that it is just going to be terrible,” Avery said.

He moved from California this summer. He said that during winter it sometimes gets into negative degrees, and rarely snows. He considers anything 30 degrees and below cold.

Many students are not used to coming to school when the weather turns bad.

Avery said that in California it didn’t matter if it was cold or not, if the road was frozen they wouldn’t go to school.

Avery is not the only student who is taken back by the lack of snow days at CMR. Junior Bailee Jones is another new Rustler. She says that last year her school had four snow days from the wind chill temperature.

“I am from Minnesota, and the winters there are really cold. We can get down to 30 degrees,” Jones said.

Little did she know winter is about to get a lot colder a lot faster. She said that in Minnesota they didn’t get snow until the middle of December, so the

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first snow in October really took her by surprise.

Although the cold temperature and excessive snow isn’t always glamorized in Montana, there are some aspects of winter students enjoy.

Senior Brandon Davis moved to Montana from Arizona last year. He got a taste of the end of winter last year and is excited for the new things he learned last year in the cold of Montana.

“I like to snowboard. I enjoy it for a couple days out of the winter,” Davis said.

Not only is the cold a change for Davis, but the snow was very different. He said it only snows in Northern Arizona, but not where he was from.

“I had never seen snow like this until I moved here,” Davis said. “We had some rainy days off where I lived.”

Because winter this year will be colder for all three of these students, they each plan on taking precautions to prepare for this change in season.

“I wore jeans probably two times last winter, and I know that will be a lot different this year,” Avery said.

Both Davis and Jones also plan on changing their clothing because of the cold.

“I bought way more sweaters than I normally would when I went school shopping,” Jones said.

The next months of winter could be an interesting experience for these students and others who have never experienced winter quite like Montana.

“I am really excited for winter to be over,” Davis said.

”

Winter

Or Summer

7 randomly selected classes were asked if they were excited for winter. Out of 122 students 79 of them were excited for the upcoming season, the other 43, not so much.

65% 35%

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November 10, 2016 rustlernews.com

SNIFFING out the school

Bridger Chambers and Cyrus search the building for contraband

by Allison Hanson, staff writer orking full-time at the age of seven months, one pup has already started his career as a sniffing machine.

Cyrus, a Golden retriever, spends his days at his handler’s side, smelling out items including drugs, alcohol, and gunpowder. He has visited CMR with his owner, Bridger Chambers, in the past. Chambers previously worked in Three Forks as a Special Ed teacher until pursuing a career as a handler with his father.

“It’s pretty cool that I get to work with a dog. I didn’t know my dog could pay my bills,” Chambers said.

Chambers and his father, Keith, have two dogs -- Cyrus and Jetta. The dogs are able to sniff out marijuana, cocaine, heroin, prescription drugs, some over-thecounter medications, gunpowder, gun shells, and alcohol.

The most common things they find are gun shells and gunpowder, Chambers said.

“That’s kind of to be expected because we’re in Montana,” he said. Cyrus can sniff out odors left in a locker. Although a student might not have that drug on them, there is residue that could possibly be there.

“So he always works from left to right. When he smells an odor, he will just sit down. It’s called a passive alert,” Chambers said of how Cyrus alerts him to the presence of contraband material.

Chambers and Cyrus keep on the move driving about 50,000 miles in 8 months.

“Our biggest business is schools. We probably have 430 visits that we do over a school year,” he said. “We have worked out in the oil field. We have done pre-release centers in Billings. We have done prisons in the past.”

They complete two visits each day. Cyrus started his training right when he was a weaned, which is basic obedience. Cyrus went through this training for six to nine months before being fully trained. They test the dog to see how high their drive is for a toy.

“Cyrus sees all of this as a reward,” he said. Chambers never thought that a drug dog could lead to a business.

“I never owned a business. This is all still pretty new.

This is our third year doing this. But it is just a part of a

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Bridger Chambers discusses what job duties he does during the year, with Cyrus by his side.

Chambers directs Cyrus to another set of lockers needing to be sniffed out making sure they don’t have a hit on any.

franchise based out of Houston,” Chambers said. The name of the franchise is Interquest Detection Canine, which is owned by Chambers and his father. They visit locations in Montana, North and South Dakota, and Wyoming.

The hardest part for Chambers with his job is being away from family in Butte.

“We travel so much. I would say average I’m probably home one week out of the month. I come home on the weekends,” he said. “I have four kids. It’s tough not being able to see them every night compared to other people.”

When Chambers and Cyrus visit schools, he said many students are excited to see them.

“They are excited to see a dog in school. Kids want to tell you about their dogs, which is awesome,” he said.

Chambers doesn’t want to be intimidating when entering a school; instead, he would like to feel welcome. It’s taken Chambers’ father more than three years to find every illicit drug the canines train for.

“We found more drugs that you wouldn’t expect, [such as] cocaine or meth,” he said. When Cyrus alerts on something, Chambers hands it over to the school administration.

“We would like to talk to the kid if we have a hit on their locker or vehicle. We work under reasonable suspicion versus law enforcement works with probable cause,” he said. Chambers said that there is a lot of anger from students when this happens.

“It might be hard, but I don’t view [it] as hard. Just because I don’t think they are mad at me. I don’t want to bust them. I just want to make sure the school is safe,” he said. “We want schools to use us as a deterrent, to provide a safe environment for them.”

photos by Julia Gremaux.

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Cyrus sniffs out lockers with Chambers assisting.

What can the school search?

With a strict set of rules that needs to be followed, School Resource Officer Nick Taylor takes precautions when a handler and a drug dog comes in. A permission from a guardian needs to be given or a warrant needs to be issued before Taylor can search because he’s a part of law enforcement.

School administration, however, has every right to search students’ belongings. T.L.O. vs. New Jersey is a case that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court in the 1980s. T.L.O. argued that her fourth amendment right had been violated against unreasonable search and seizures, according to uscourts.gov. The court cited with the school, T.L.O. took her case to the New Jersey Supreme court, which was later found that it was unreasonable and the evidence could not be used.

“Your right to privacy doesn’t supersede the school’s right to keep kids safe,” Taylor said. Administration has the right to search backpacks, lockers, vehicles, and personal property such as pockets or jackets, Taylor said. “[It] has to be based off of reasonable suspicion. They can’t just go up and randomly pull [a student] out of class,” he said. SRO’s don’t work directly with Interquest. Interquest Canine has a contract with Great Falls Public Schools. Taylor said he has nothing to do with these searches; he’s just the last resort if something is found and can give out tickets for contraband.

“Marijuana, that’s the most common illegal drug [at CMR],” Taylor said. “We deal with a lot of pills, too.”

ClaraMcClain

Features Editor

Features editor plans for her future through college visit College preparation is a scary thing to start thinking about, especially as a junior.

However, if I don’t start thinking about it now, when will I have time to think about it?

It’ll just sneak up on me and then I’ll panic.

So, I decided to visit my absolute dream school: Southern Virginia University, for their open house on Oct. 15 and then spend the 16-19 exploring Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington DC. My mom, being the wonderful lady she is, planned the entire thing and also arranged for me to meet some of my family on my dad’s side.

I fell in love with SVU’s campus. It is such a beautiful school; it used to be a women’s college and was the turned into a hotel before it became SVU, all the building are brick and it just seemed like a place I could learn to call home quickly. The Appalachian mountains that can be seen in Virginia made sure that I wouldn’t be homesick for the Montana skyline. That’s one thing I was worried about, being homesick for the

mountains that I’ve seen my entire life.

The faculty was incredible, they were so open to any question I had and seemed to genuinely want me at their school. During the little open house I spoke to the English professors and I’m so excited to potentially have the chance to work with them as I work towards my degree. I can’t wait to go to college now.

I have a goal to work towards now. High school finally has a purpose for me. I can see the end, and at the end there’s a prize now.

SVU is a small school, so I won’t feel like I’m lost in a sea of student faces or that my teachers don’t know who I am, much less notice if I’m at school or not. I want to feel like I’m a valued member of a school -- not just another person they’re taking money from.

This is a college I could see myself at, learning and growing. I can’t wait for college now.

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November 10, 2016 rustlernews.com

Features

It’s Thanksgiving!

Paige Peterson, 12 “I am grateful for the band couch because it is a place that I can go to relax and take a nap when life is getting crazy, and it’s just a fun place to hang out.”

Favorite Thanksgiving Food *Sample taken from 50 CMR students

Pie

Stuffing

20%

24%

Mashed Potatoes

Nico Sanchez, 11

Bruce Fisher, 9

“I am thankful for friends and family that teaches me to be the best that I can be because without them I’m a bum.”

“I’m thankful for Adam Agamenoni and his awesome ways of life and his God-like powers in football.”

28% Turkey

8%

Other 20%

*Art by Amanda Cornwall and Isaiah Vang

Kelsay Jensen, 12 “I’m thankful for all of my wonderful friends because they’re always there for when I am down. They are always there to make me laugh, and we can have knowledgeable conversations about the universe but also make fart jokes, and I think that’s important.”

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Happy Thanksgiving Poem by: Isaiah Vang

The leaves are changing from orange, yellow, and red The time is shifting giving you an extra hour in bed Winds are blowing giving off a cool breeze Bundle up or else you will freeze During the fall season there’s a holiday you should know Not a day about presents, not a day about snow But a day about giving thanks to all whom you know This is a day that is worth living This wonderful day is called Thanksgiving This is a day you eat till you’re full Mashed potatoes, turkey, and a cranberry bowl Don’t forget about the macaroni and cheese Stuffing and corn a meal that will please After your food this holiday is not done There is a special day tomorrow that will bring the most fun Price cuts and deals, no rules to obey This fun activity is called Black Friday You wait outside while it’s still cold Then after a while they finally let you go Don’t worry about thinking of grabbing a cart Just run, run, run and get a head start Push and shove to get your way Don’t worry about the others, they’ll be OK Grab your items and get ready to pay Stand in line forever it’ll feel like all day Once you get home from getting all that you need Don’t worry about dinner because there’s still turkey This is a day that is worth living Everyone have a Happy Thanksgiving

Isaiah Vang

Online Editor

Halloween to Christmas!? A message about Turkey equality In the month of October we are super excited for the holiday called Halloween. We can’t wait to dress up and go knocking on door to door to receive candy. It’s a fun holiday that is great for the whole family.

When this holiday is over, however, people quickly transition into Christmas. They totally forget the holiday that is in between the two: Thanksgiving. This holiday is so important because it sets the mood for Christmas. After a day of getting sweets and dressing up, we then transition into the ideal of being thankful. It’s a day to appreciate everything that we have and know.

In many countries, citizens don’t have the freedom that we have here in America. We take a lot of things for granted. That’s why it’s good that before we celebrate receiving gifts and the magic of Santa Claus that we

humble ourselves and give thanks to everyone.

It’s a shame that we carve pumpkins to immediately put up the Christmas tree when the turkey gets forgotten. Turkeys need their right to be known, respected, and eaten. The holiday Thanksgiving is extremely important. It’s that one day of the year where you can eat as much as you want without being judged for it. It’s a time for family and friends to get together and talk about what they were thankful for.

That’s why this year let’s not quickly transition to Christmas. Instead, let’s slow down and respect the turkey and give it as much praise as the Christmas tree. Be humble and be thankful.

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November 10, 2016 rustlernews.com

Features

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YELLOWSTONE’S AUTUMN ADVENTURES Photos by Jessica Banks

Mammoth Hot Springs is a site in Yellowstone that has a lot of Hot Springs. Visitors can go on tours at this site and see a lot of the always changing Earth’s creations.

Norris Geyser Basin

Mammoth Hot Springs

Norris Geyser Basin has the world’s largest geyser, Steamboat Geyser. The last time this geyser erupted was Sept. 3, 2014. This basin also has many other geysers that erupt often.

The mastermind to the Yellowstone operation

by Katelyn Morley, news editor

During this trip all of the students participated in water quality testing. The students were divided into groups and each group tested a different aspect of the bodies of water.

They tested water at Firehole lake and Belt Creek.

Layne Sundly, 11

Water Quality Testing

After at least 20 years, biology teacher Christine Sundly is still excited to chaperone CMR students to Yellowstone National Park.

Over all the years of planning this school trip it is still a work in progress, due to weather and closed roads affecting activity plans, she said.

“We missed four spots [due to bad weather],” Sundly said.

On the way to a few locations there were icy roads that led up a hill, causing the bus to slide.

This, along with other weather conditions, caused the trip to take detours to new sites.

This year, Sundly and chaperones Kerry Parsons, Jon Davis, and Murray Metge accompanied 31 students to Yellowstone on Oct. 5-7. “[This year’s trip] was one of the best ones I’ve had

overall,” Sundly said.

The group of students were very polite and well behaved, which she said caused her and the chaperones little worry.

Each year, she applies for a grant, which this year gave her $3,000 for the overall trip, she said.

Along with all the early preparations she made an appointment at the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center, assembled an itinerary, and used closed road information to plan the activities accordingly.

The goal of this trip is to introduce students to something new. They aimed to show different sides of nature involving science research of Belt Creek and the Firehole River.

This trip is planned not just to show students new things, but also to create lasting memories for them, Sundly said.

The discovery center has animals, including wolves and bears, which test differerent products like coolers and garbage cans for bear-proof capabilities. This is the only facility in North America permitted to do these tests.

Lexi Bako, 10

Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center

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November 10, 2016 rustlernews.com

Features

FALLING into fashion Mikayla Sprague, 11

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page by Clara McClain and Katelyn Morley

Ayse Mehmke, 11

Her reasons for dressing the way she does:

Her reasons for dressing the way she does:

“The way I dress is a direct reflection of my personality. I always go for the look good feel good type of life, and try to show that in my clothes.”

“I don’t dress for trends, I’m more confident in what I like and the stores just produce what’s trendy and I get them.”

Shirt: American Eagle $50 Shirt: Express $49 Her style icon: “I don’t have [a style icon]. This all comes from my personality and how I feel.”

Jeans: California boutique $26 Her style icons: “It’s kind of stereotypical, but Kendall Jenner, Kate Hudson, and Gigi Hadid.”

Jeans: Pacsun $40

Andrew Aron, 12

Shoes: Unknown $40

Jillian Painter, 10

Shoes: TJ Maxx $30

Jacket: Goodwill $4

Her style icon: “I don’t really have a fashion icon. I like

Pinterest, and when I go shopping I look for versatile pieces that I know I can make at least three outfitis with.”

Sweater: American Eagle $45

Shirt: Goodwill $4

His style icon: “[I don’t have

anybody] that I want to look like.”

Scarf: Target $3 Her reasons for dressing the way she does:

“I like being able to express myself through my clothes and makeup. Dressing up makes me feel good about myself and it gives me a little extra confidence through the day.”

Jeans: H&M $7 His reasons for dressing the way he does:

Jeans: Apricot Lane $40

“I dress cheaply because I don’t spend too much money on clothes. I don’t want to look like every other person here.

I like looking nice but never where it prevents me from doing things.”

Shoes: Zumiez $60

Shoes: TJ Maxx $15

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November 10, 2016 rustlernews.com

Features

Spanish exchange student returns to Charles M. Russell for another year

by Aurora Oden, staff writer Senior Marta Sevilla, who was an exchange student from Spain last year, decided that her time as a Rustler would last a little longer. She came back this year to be a senior and graduate from CMR. Sevilla’s decision to stay for another year was based on all of the activities she did and all the people she met. She also said that it would be hard for her to do her last year in Spain since she was here last year, which was another reason for her to come back.

She made this decision in January after being in Montana for about half a year. She didn’t travel with an organization this year though, so she planned all of it herself, but her host family wanted to host her for another year so she is staying with the same family.

“The things that are different are the things that brought me back,” Sevilla said. She thinks a lot of things are different compared to her home country, especially the school. She likes the American school more than her Spanish school since the school here is about more than just schoolwork.

“I did swimming. I really liked it,” she said. She liked swimming so much that she decided to continuing swimming this year again. The sports at CMR are something she really appreciated since they don’t have

sports or the school spirit in Spain. All sports are kept outside of school in private clubs in her home country.

Another thing she liked about being a Rustler is the relationship between students and teachers. She also appreciated coming to CMR as an exchange student since she thought the school took care of the exchange students very well and that it’s a really welcoming place.

“I like that it’s not a big city,” she said of Great Falls.

Moving from Spain’s capital, Madrid, to Great Falls is a big change, but Sevilla said she really enjoyed being in Montana. Seeing and being around the nature and spending much time with the family are some of the things Sevilla appreciated the most. The only thing she doesn’t like about Great Falls is the distance to everything since it is hours of driving if she wants to visit another city.

“I hope I can go back at some point to the U.S.,” Sevilla said. She was first thinking about college in the United States, but it would be too expensive compared to college in Spain, which is free.

Sevilla’s plan after her graduation is to go back to Spain and study something business-related in a college in her home country. Another thing she’s going to do when she is back in Spain is to eat a lot of food since Spanish food is something she really missed here.

Be thankful for what you have.

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

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November 10, 2016 rustlernews.com

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Inctotae. Militi sum am repudicatus sit, totat harit as repeditas sed eturemp orerum ratur, quam alibear upiende reicium volupta

Haunted corn maze attracts the attention of many visitors

by Hayley Woodard, staff writer

Haunted houses are one thing, but a haunted corn maze is another.

The Applestem corn maze is an annual maze that is open the last three weeks of October in Vaughn.

Each night the maze is haunted by volunteers, and this year CMR drama students are playing major roles.

One of those who haunted the corn maze is senior Michael Lynn. Lynn is an advanced drama student who admits he isn’t even into haunted houses.

“It’s fun. I typically hate going to haunted houses [or] haunted corn mazes. They’re just not my type of thing,” he said But working at one is a different story.

“I worked at a haunted house before and loved it, so to work at a haunted house with a bunch of my friends for the drama department made it really fun,” Lynn said. “There’s nothing like dressing up as a fictional character.”

He got his inspiration from the “Walking Dead”, and scaring the living crap out of people.

And being legally able to chase people with baseball bats was also fun he added.

Of course, Lynn wasn’t the only the only person haunting to dress up, others did as well but not all were really appropriate.

“You had a person dressed up as Harambe. You had dinosaur guy, which was kind of funny because you’d see the dinosaur head duck down, poke up and run.

And then you have costume people like me who [did] take it seriously, that are there to scare people No matter what someone wears they’re going to get a reaction scaring people “So there’s different

reactions, you get the people that jump say stuff, you have the people you literally chase out of the corn maze that then ask to take a picture with you.”

Working at a haunting house or haunted corn maze isn’t all fun and games, “When you get scared you get the flight or fight reaction. And some people don`t have the flight they have the fight, so one girl ended up stabbing me in the face with a corn stalk, the bottom part, the thick part of the corn. If i hadn’t had my half mask it would have hurt real bad,” Lynn said.

Another drama student turned scarer Carrie Lycett had had similar issues.

“The rule is we’re not allowed to touch anybody and we respected that, respected the corn maze. But people didn’t respect us, so that was the only not fun aspect,” she said.

Lycett had her own mishap related to the corn maze, She got lost getting there. “We got lost going to Vaughn. We were like an hour late [because] we passed Vaughn, practically on our way to Canada.”. Lycett did eventually get there, but it wasn’t what she expected.

“When we got out there I kind of imagined it different. The corn was only about three feet tall, and it was really cold and really dark,” she said. Despite getting lost and the corn maze being not what expected things went well for Lycett and the others.

So well in fact CMR drama will be back out scaring next year’ “The owner was happy we will definitely be doing it next year,” she said.

On Oct. 29, the corn maze in Vaughn had a quiet day.

It was mostly kids jumping from hay bale to hay bale with their parents watching them closely. This year’s maze featured spooky performances by the CMR drama department. Photos by Sarah Ljunggren.

October symphony gets ghoulish

by McKenzie Connell, staff writer To see a Beanie Baby sitting next to a row of Elvis impersonators is definitely not what is expected at a regular Great Falls Symphony concert. But at the Spooky Symphony on Oct. 30, conductor Gordon Johnson and the musicians decided to change it up a bit.

Each section had been assigned a different theme, making the stage a mixture of witches, animals, and skeletons.

Watching Johnson stroll onto the stage in a cloak was an unusual event. As the first Halloween concert that has ever been performed by the symphony, it was hard to pick pieces that are challenging and still fun to listen to, Johnson said.

The concert started out with a dramatic flourish of a wand. The group raised their instruments and let out a chord, shocking the audience into silence. During the song it was easy to visualize the story by listening to the rise and fall of the notes.

The “Sorcerer’s Apprentice” was a crowd pleaser. The audience was able to hear the symphony play, and see Mickey Mouse himself in the percussion section.

Clarinetist Sheri Rolf warms Even in a blink, a big up before the concert. moment can be missed. The Symphony raises money through a trip raffle, and as the Symphony’s executive director, Hillary Rose, asked her partner to draw a name for an early bird prize, he pulled a box out of the pumpkin and got down on one knee. The entire crowd paused, and then everyone realized what was happening. The applause after Rose’s yes was deafening.

After intermission, pianist Josh Wright, performed “Dance of Death” by Franz Liszt. The entire performance demanded the attention of the audience, and when he was done, a standing ovation was a must.

The final piece was a selection from composer John Williams’ Harry Potter movie score. Wright played the introduction of the piece, a familiar tune to many in the audience.

This concert featured many different surprises, so if anyone was looking for a nap, this wasn’t the concert to attend.

Entertainment Editor

QuincySchmechel

CMR students attend their rivals prom across the river

by Quincy Schmechel, entertainment editor I love prom. I absolutely love it. There’s almost nothing I adore more than the day of prom. I know prom doesn’t really matter, that it’s rather pointless and quite full of extravagant expenditures and a fair amount of stress. You pay for a dress or rent a tux and buy flowers and pictures and go out to a nice dinner, and that all in all it’s a dumb way to spend money. But, nonetheless, I still love it, even if it leaves my wallet empty for weeks to come.

However, I’ve never had the unique experience of being nervous for it. I’ve always attended CMR’s prom, which is customarily in the spring, and I’ve always known what to expect; who will be there, what to wear, where to take pictures and where to sit when I can’t dance for another consecutive song. I know that as everyone lines up behind the seniors in front of the door on the airport stairs, there’s the standard social exchange among everyone: the “I love your dress!” and “Where’d you guys go to dinner?” type of compliments and questions. Girls beg their dates to take pictures of them with their

friends and there’s always the long senior walk when the doors finally open. But going to Great Falls High’s prom on the 18th, I don’t really know what to expect from across the river.

Great Falls High always has their prom at the Civic Center in the winter, which will be different from all previous dances I’ve attended. There’s no senior walk, and probably a million other differences (and chances to embarrass myself) that I haven’t even begun to consider.

Like CMR, Great Falls High has its own set of social norms; they have their own traditions, rules, and taboos that it seems students were simply born knowing. Despite my growing fear of my imminent social faux paus, I’m also growingly excited and impatient for the day to arrive and to create memories among new friends and to achieve new experiences. And more than that, I’m even more excited to go to CMR’s later this spring, too.

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November 10, 2016 rustlernews.com

Entertainment

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NETFLIX SEASON: Stampede staff offers viewing guide for an entertaining winter

by Mackenzie George, editor-in-chief With fall well underway and winter looming, outdoor activities such as football games will soon be replaced with nights in.

With streaming options like Netflix, hundreds of movies are at the tips of your fingers, and the options can seem overwhelming. Your guide to a successful season of movie nights, previewed by Stampede staff, awaits.

If you like sci-fi: Stranger Things (TV-14) Kicking off with the disappearance of a 12-year-old boy named Will, “Stranger Things” combines mystery, science fiction, and action in a small town setting for an entertaining television show. While police chief Jim Hopkins searches for Will, his frantic mother Joyce investigates on her own.

Soon after the kidnapping, a young girl appears with unusual powers. Will’s friends discover that she has escaped from a lab who primarily tests on young children. The girl, named Eleven and the subject of government research, opens up a frisson in the dimension after time in a sensory deprivation tank.

Kidnappings and murders shock the town, the work of a monster created by the new dimension. The show may sound “out-there,” but it is extremely well done. The town has a distinctive early-1980s vibe, and the soundtrack is impressive. Fans of “Super 8” or “E.T.” should check out “Stranger Things.”

If you like comedy: Bob’s Burgers (TV-PG) A program that on the surface appears to be about a family struggling to keep a small burger joint in business in a corporate-dominated world really carries some real-world relevance. Crazy escapades by family members move the show along, many of which shenanigans occur in an effort to earn money to keep their business afloat.

Bob Belcher and his family are subject to strong writing and witty jokes. The three children all contribute different types of humor to the show. Louise is volatile, a sharp contrast to sister Tina who is most dreamy and restrained.

The brother, Gene, is fiery and sometimes lewd. But all three siblings have good chemistry; they clash, as all siblings do, but always revert back to familial love.

“Bob’s Burgers” has been running for seven seasons, and with good reason. Each episode presents an easy-tofollow plotline packed with laughs and usually a message underneath.

If you like documentaries: “13th” (TV-MA) This in-depth study of the United States’ prison system and racial tension that spans centuries is both gut-wrenching and insightful. Titled “13th” after the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, abolishing slavery excluding one important loophole, this 2016 documentary begins with photos of slavery in the 1800s and works its way up to criticism of both 2016 presidential candidates--Hillary

Clinton supporting a crime bill in the 1990s contributing to escalation in prison population and Donald Trump rallies with black protesters being mistreated by white supporters.

Though biased, the film provides astounding statistics about mass incarceration and the politics behind it.

(Although the U.S. contains just 5 percent of the world population, the country also houses 25 percent of the world’s prisoners. Black males make up one in three of those incarcerated.) This film is incredibly relevant, what with the Black Lives Matter movement and controversy over police brutality. “13th” is difficult to stomach, but it is an important subject to understand, and timely as well.

“Bob’s Burgers” has been running since 2011 and still remains popular with viewers. Photo: Creative Commons/ YouTube.

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November 10, 2016 rustlernews.com

Entertainment

Entertainment’s best of...

Stampede staff ’s top picks for actors and characters Actors

Logan Lerman

Lerman got his start as demigod Percy Jackson in the Percy Jackson - The Lightning Thief in 2010, and there wasn’t a girl on the planet without at least a little bit of a crush on him. From the bright blue puppy dog eyes to the charmingly crooked smile, he is an all around cutie pie. If he asked you for a dollar on the street you’d probably give him one, plus five more.

Leonardo DiCaprio

The entire world collectively shed a tear the day Leo finally won his Oscar. Between What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993), and his heart-wrenching performance as Jack Dawson in Titanic (1997), Leo won the support of just about everyone around the world. Basically Leo deserved to win an Oscar just as much, if not more than, any other actor.

Dylan O’Brien

It is incredibly rare to find a girl who is not completely in love with Dylan O’Brien; it’s actually pretty hard to find a boy not in love with him, too. His ADHD spazzy portrayal of Stiles in the hit TV show Teen Wolf has always had a soft spot in girls’ hearts. It’s also obvious that O’Brien can capture audiences by being the audacious hero in the movie adaptation of The Maze Runner (2014).

Eddie Redmayne

Eddie Redmayne was pretty under the radar until his big role as the esteemed Stephen Hawking in the fantastic movie The Theory of Everything (2014). He absolutely stunned audiences with his geekish charm and perfect portrayal of the theoretical physicist.

Between Redmayne’s adorable British accent and smile, he won over people's’ hearts around the world.

Danny Phantom

While fully aware that Danny Phantom is a cartoon character, you can’t deny that you had a tiny bit of a crush on him when you were younger. He was a little bit of a dork and that’s what made him so adorable; he was an awkward, geeky ghost boy with dark hair and blue eyes. And it was nearly impossible to resist his charm.

Hedwig

pets

If you’re a Harry Potter fan, chances are you’re a die-hard Harry Potter fan. Once you’re into it, you’re into it for life, and you’ll know how important Hedwig was to Harry. She was his first real birthday present from lovable giant Hagrid, and she was basically his best friend. She was also his only connection to the wizarding world when he was at the Dursley’s, and I don’t even want to imagine what that poor boy’s life would’ve been like without her.

Salem This cat is basically a teenager stuck in a little black cat’s body.

We all have a friend (or may ourselves be that friend) who never fails to combat a situation with a witty and sarcastic remark. Not only was Salem the cutest black cat we’ve all ever seen, but he proved to challenge the theory of dogs being man’s best friend with his sage advice and hilarious attitude with Sabrina. We were all a bit jealous of our famous teenage witch.

Shadow Everyone knows Golden retrievers are basically the best dogs on the planet. Sure, they may not be “totally there” upstairs sometimes, but they’re still undeniably the sweetest animals to ever exist, and Shadow from Homeward Bound (1993) is no exception. He literally crosses freezing rivers and crawls through the mud for his owner, and if that doesn’t tug on your heart strings, I don’t know what will.

Marley Hold the tissues, please. Although Marley from “Marley and Me” (2008) goes down as probably the most chaotic and destructive pet in history, he had a certain charm and lovable quality about him from the very beginning. We all fell apart when the news of Marley’s death hit audiences right in the feels. After learning to love the adorable menace, it was hard to let go.

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by Amanda Ccrnwall, staff writer and Quincey Schmechel, Entermtainment editor

Actresses

Emma Watson

Every little girl needs a strong, powerful female role model, and Emma Watson filled that role perfectly as the brave, headstrong Hermione Granger in the magical Harry Potter series. She wowed audiences with her phenomenal performance in the role for almost 10 years, and she continues to wow people everywhere with her feminist activism as a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador.

Jennifer Lawrence

Everyone remembers Lawrence’s jaw-dropping performance as Katniss, the girl on fire, in the popular “Hunger Games” series and in her Oscar-winning performance in “Silver Linings Playbook” (2012) but what truly sets Lawrence apart is how down to earth she is. It’s admirable when stardom doesn’t go to someone’s head, but even better when they still maintain a popular image and are comfortable in their own skin.

Julie Andrews

Julie Andrews, or perhaps, Queen Clarisse Renaldi of Genovia, is basically a literal queen. Though Andrews isn’t a young, “hip” actress, she still has an air of elegance surrounding her and enough grace to make the actual Queen jealous. Next to her elegance and grace, Andrews is basically everyone’s grandmother. She just has that loving, grandmotherly feel about her.

Millie Bobby Brown

Millie Bobby Brown is relatively new to the acting scene, but she absolutely stunned the world with her role as the small, but dangerous, Eleven from the hit new show Stranger Things (2016). She doesn’t actually have many lines in the series as of yet, but her awkward not-quite-normal attitude and budding romance with her new friend Mike made her one of the most popular characters from the series so far.

Samira Wiley

When Netflix phenomenon “Orange is the New Black” (2013) hit the scene, Poussey Washington smashed through with it. Samira’s iconic role as the smart, oh-sohuman Poussey warmed the hearts of viewers of the show, which is set in a New York women’s prison. Not to mention we all shed a tear of sadness and frustration after Samira’s time on the show came to an end in season four.

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November 10, 2016 rustlernews.com

Entertainment

Steven Spielberg

A

B+

B

Saving Private Ryan

The Lovely Bones

Jurassic Park

REPORT CARD

by Amanda Cornwall, staff writer Steven Spielberg is basically a god in the directing/ producing field. He’s the magician behind some of the most iconic movies, like Jaws (1975), which was, believe it or not, one of his first big movies. To this day, my dad can’t watch that movie without putting his feet up off of the floor, and I believe that says a lot about how convincing the movie is and what a fantastic job Spielberg did with it. I mean, sharks don’t generally go after people, they’re basically big dumb ocean puppies with bad eyesight, but for the two hours and 10 minutes of run time, everyone believes that sharks can really be these great big water chainsaws.

Alongside his crazy directing career, he also has a very impressive producing resume. He was an executive producer on Back to the Future and its two sequels, and it’s hard to find a part of BTTF that isn’t just amazing. Marty McFly is the spitting image of every teenager ever, and Doc is basically how every teenager feels during finals week. Spielberg is a magician in his field, and everyone knows it. His movies are among some of the most iconic and famous movies of all time, and I’m sure we all hope there will be more to come.

1998

Super 8

2011

2009

Back to the Future

War Horse 1989

2011

1993

B-

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C

Jaws E.T. the Extra- 1975 Monster Terrestrial 1982 House Twister 2006 1996 Gremlins 1984

MHRN film festival highlights local non-profits

The film was hosted by the square, who also had a movie submitted. Photo courtesy of Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art.

by Hannah Pate, staff writer One of the most impactful mediums is film, and when motivating activism it can be especially effective. The Montana Human Rights Film festival that was hosted in Great Falls last month proved just that.

The festival, held at Paris Gibson Museum of Art, addressed social justice issues from homophobia to domestic violence, and each film shown was chosen by a local non-profit organization.

These included the Great Falls YWCA, LGBTQ Center, My Neighbor in Need, and the Montana Human Rights Network.

The first film shown was “Given to

Banff Mountain Film Festival To Visit Great Falls

by Quincy Schmechel, entertainment editor

Each fall, epic depictions of kayaking, skiing, climbing, and all manners of other outdoor sports and mountain culture come to the Great Falls Civic Center -- on the screen, of course.

The Banff Film Festival visits Great Falls as its first stop on its tour throughout the United States and the rest of the globe.

The festival features six to 12 short films shot around the world and entered into the Banff Mountain Film Festival’s competition categories. The judges select the most touching, motivational, and fantastic films to be featured in the world tour.

This year, Banff will be at the Mansfield Theater tomorrow night -- on Nov. 11. The show starts at 7 p.m. and tickets are $15 if purchased in advance or $17 on the night of.

In case you miss it, other stops around the state include Bozeman, Kalispell, and Missoula throughout the month of November. Tickets can be purchased at the Civic Center tomorrow night, on the City of Great Falls website at https://ticketing.greatfallsmt.net.

The festival offers a unique experience to viewers through the eyes and experiences of up-and-coming filmmakers, extreme athletes, and people trying to make a difference. Last

Walk,” a short drama about domestic violence on Native American reservations.

The viewing was followed with a Q&A session with speakers who have seen the impact up close.

Jules Shindel, the organizing director for MHRN, was especially excited about the outcome.

“We believe in the power of film at MHRN and wanted to use that medium to build community while spreading information and awareness.”, Shindel said.

One thing she wishes she could have changed is the date and time, since there were multiple events in the community

going on that weekend. The timing was not entirely a problem, however. Shindel believes that the election season and this festival intersecting could be especially impactful.

“I think showing “Milk” especially at a prime time slot was key,” Shindel said.

“That film above all shows the importance of voting for the interest of people, dignity and justice.”

year’s subject matter included extreme skiing, river rafting, mountain climbing, Montana surfing, environmental impacts, and man’s best friend.

While some films are deeply moving, touching, and leave the viewer with resounding messages, others are centered around extreme athletics and intriguing concepts.

“I’d say it’s definitely worth it to go,” said senior Andrew Aron, a filmmaker himself. “In addition to seeing extreme sports, which is the hook for a lot of people and probably the most exciting aspect, it provides a way to learn about cultures you couldn’t learn about through traditional media.” Aron says that the mountain culture films are usually the most impactful to him, as they’re designed to be more thought-provoking rather than visually impressive.

With the Banff Film Fest being cheaper than the movies and featuring many short films, it’s well worth the less than $20 admission that offers expounding films that one may never otherwise experience.

“It’s very inspiring to see people accomplishing the seemingly impossible,” said Aron.

“It’s absolutely worth it to go.”

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November 10, 2016 rustlernews.com

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Pep assembly riles up students for hometown game against the Bison “

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I thought the pep assembly was very well done. Caleb, Trevor, and Trisha did a really good job of hyping people up for the crosstown game.

”

- Isaiah Vang

I mean, we crushed it. We went in there that day thinking, “these other classes are gonna give us a good game” but no, we blew them out of the water.

”

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- Leonard Ormseth

1

3

4

5

6

1: Student Body President Trevor Funseth gets involved with the pep assembly as a freshman stands on top of a gorilla suit.

2: CMR cheerleaders get in formation during their pep assembly performance. 3: Isaiah Vang and Cole Strong drum out during the last moments of the pep assembly. 4: Peyton Robinson focuses in while playing the symbols during the assembly. 5: Senior Leonard Ormseth gets competitive trying to win for the senior class during the pep assembly. 6: Jessie Dahl and Nico Sanchez jam out on their drums while performing at the pep assembly on Oct. 28. The pep band performed many songs to rile up the audience for the anticipated crosstown game. Photos by Sarah Ljunggren.

Olsen succeeds in coming back from an injury

by Ashton Palen, sports editor Getting injured is just about the worst thing that can happen to an athlete, and an injury that takes one out of two different seasons is a nightmare. Just ask senior James Olsen.

Olsen broke his leg twice -- once during football and once during basketball -- all he could think of is getting back onto the field.

“I was really angry about missing football, but then I recovered enough to play basketball then when my leg started to hurt again and the doctor said it was broken, I thought I was going to go crazy, so when I was able to play football this season it was really a relief.”

Football Coach Gary Lowry said Olsen stood out the most in his mind this season because of the work he put into recovery and getting back on the field. By the end of the season, Olsen had a total of 171 receiving yards.

Olsen said he felt humbled when he heard Lowry’s comment.

“I don’t think I did any better than anyone else out there,” he said.

“Maybe it was because I came back from a big injury and had a great season.”

After coming back this season, Olsen wasn’t expecting anything huge to happen.

“I’m just happy I got to play,” he said. “I missed my junior season but I think I made up for it with this season.”

The Olsen legacy won’t end with James.

His little brother, Jake, will be a senior next year.

“Jake works hard.

He’s already out there with the wide receivers and football just ended,” Olsen said.

AshtonPalen

Sports Editor

Trump talk is nothing like what’s said in the locker room On Oct. 8 the Washington Post released a video that shocked some people in America -- presidential candidate Donald Trump talking on a bus with TV host Billy Bush about his sexual escapades bordering on sexual assault. He defends his speech by saying it was nothing more than “locker room talk.”

At some point in our lives, we have all been in a locker room, whether we were athletes or we were just taking the required gym classes. So it’s safe to say we have all heard so-called “locker room talk,” but I don’t believe that it gets to the extreme of boasting about sexual assault.

Granted, there may be extensive cursing or gross jokes thrown around the locker room, but never to the point of bragging about what many consider to be rape.

The locker room may be a place where many things are said, but I have never heard anyone in my life take it to the extreme that Donald Trump took his “locker room talk.”

If you ask any athlete, the locker room is not a place to be bragging about forcibly

grabbing women by the genitalia. You are more likely to get knocked out than to get a high five. I cannot say this for every man, but in my four years of high school I have never heard anyone disrespect women as Donald Trump did on that bus.

Even in middle school when we are considered the least mature at handling matters of a sexual nature, I never heard anything that came close to what was said. Donald J. Trump is a presidential candidate and yet he thinks he has an excuse for bragging about sexual assault.

Trump has had many people come out to speak in his defence, such as his wife Melania. Melania came out saying that her husband is the kindest most caring man that was only participating in boys talk, “I heard many different stuff -- boys talk,” she said. “The boys, the way they talk when they grow up and they want to sometimes show each other, ‘Oh, this and that’ and talking about the girls. But yes, I was surprised, of course.”

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November 10, 2016 rustlernews.com

Sports

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Band, Wranglers, and cheerleaders perform at crosstown

From left ro right, cross country athletes Mackenzie George, MacKenzie Dean, Aimee McCracken, Dan Colwell, and Hayden Silk run at Anaconda on Sept. 16. Photo by Ashton Palen.

Cross country athetes find success at state

by Ashton Palen, sports editor On Oct. 22, CMR cross country competed at state,where the boys placed ninth and the girls placed fifth. Many CMR runners ran personal bests; others placed in the final race.

Junior Cooper West placed 10th out of 97 runners. He placed tenth overall with a time of 15:35.68.

“I didn’t do as well as I could have, but I am happy that I placed in the top 10,” West said.

Although he had mixed feelings about the finish, there is no doubt that being the 10th fastest runner in the state is a good feeling. But West didn’t have any mixed feelings about the rest of his season.

“I met a lot of my goals this season. I made it to state and I placed in the top 10,” West said.

West wasn’t the only runner who was happy with the season. Sophomore Gordon Gentry placed 33rd overall at state. Gentry had an eventful season this year. After missing summer practices, he started off towards the bottom of the team, but after a lot of conditioning Gentry rose in the ranks of the team finishing the season as the No. 2 runner for the boys team.

“I went from having no time to being second in the team and in the top third in state,” he said.

Gentry is a sophomore, and he has several goals he hopes

by Chloe Geary, staff writer Under the lights of Memorial Stadium on Oct. 29, junior Trisha Elliott dressed up in an inflatable dinosaur costume to perform for the crosstown halftime show.

She played the flute with the marching band. They performed “Fat Bottom Girls” by Queen and “Uma Thurman” by Fall Out Boy. Several band members were nervous about performing, because during their practice for the show they were unable to practice on the football field.

“The show went well considering that we were unable to practice on the field,” Elliott said.

The other groups that performed were the Wranglers and the cheerleaders.

For junior Michelle Li, the performance was her first crosstown as a Wrangler. “You definitely feel the time crunch, but as a team I think we looked good out there.”

The Wranglers weren’t the only group who felt the time crunch.

“We may not have had a lot of time, but I think we performed pretty smooth,” said Elliott, adding that they’re already thinking of their next performance.

“Being a dancer, you always think you can give a better performance every time,” Li said.

to accomplish in the next two seasons.

“I would like to place in all-state, or at least the top 20,” Gentry said.

The boys were not the only ones who had an eventful state meet. The girls had record breaking times. Trisha Carlson came in third place overall and set a CMR record at 17 minutes and 18 seconds. Carlson has always liked running.

“I’ve really liked cross country ever since I started running,” she said.

After setting the CMR record, Carlson is starting to look towards college prospects.

“I’m stuck between two colleges, but I’m definitely going to be running in college,” she said.

Carlson has bittersweet feelings about this being her last season, but she is excited about the prospects for the coming season.

“Cooper is a really good runner and will make a good leader in the next season. If we get more sophomores and freshmen like Gordon I think we’d be unstoppable,” Carlson said.

Breaking the CMR record and placing third at state made Carlson feel better about ending the season.

“I was really happy that I broke the CMR record, it was a A penguin playing the sousaphone leads the troops onto great way to close out my senior season.” the field for the halftime show. The band played “Fat

Bottom Girls” by Queen and “Uma Thurman” by Fall Our Boy. Photo by Jessica Banks.

Remember the child.

Focus on the future.

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

For an abortion to be successful, a child must die.

For free literature about abortion and the alternatives, go to: Great Falls Right to Life * 500 Montana Ave. NW * Great Falls, MT 59404 *visit nrlc.org or abort73.com

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November 10, 2016 rustlernews.com

Sports

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Getting Ready for

WINTER SPORTS

by Gabrielle Pope

Sophomore’s Brendan Lindseth, Tyler Baker and Hunter Clark are practicing at open gym on Oct. 9, 2016. Photo

by Gabrielle Pope.

Max Sechena, as a junior, wrestlers at a home match on Jan. 14, 2016. Stampede file photo.

Wrestling

IN

“

- OLIVIA BAUMAN

THEIR

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Current junior Olivia Bauman was pictured swimming during pre-season Nov. 13, 2015. Stampede file photo.

Getting ready to dive into her second season on the swim team, senior Hannah Flosi is focusing on a positive attitude and hard work.

“To reach my personal goal of getting a 104 in my 100 fly, I am going to need to work really hard in practices and just stay motivated,” said Flosi, who transferred to C.M. Russell High School last year.

Swimming is a difficult sport, and encouragement is an essential just as it is in a lot of other sports. “I know that I like hearing people cheering me on, so to help the team I’m just going to maintain a positive attitude and encourage my teammates,” she said.

The freshmen joining the team this year are a great addition to the team, Flosi said.

“The new freshmen are awesome, and just in general I’m really excited to be a part of the team this year. This is definitely going to be a fun season.”

WORDS

I’m looking foward to going out and having fun with my teammates while we win basketball games.

- DANIEL SILVERSTEIN

“

“

This year I am going to try to focus on weight training to help my swimming and I’m looking forward to getting to be with all my friends, but also meeting the new people that join the team.

Swimming

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I’m going to work towards achieving my goal of winning a state championship. I am also looking forward to my team getting it done this year and beating Great Falls High School at crosstown.

“

When it comes to goals, senior Max Sechena has set his sky high for the 2016-2017 wrestling season.

Sechena is looking forward to being a good role model to the younger wrestlers and helping out the team in more ways than just doing well in competitions.

“As a senior, I have to be more of a leader. Saying that, I have to change my mindset a bit. Like, there are younger people looking up to me. I’m not the underdog anymore,” Sechena said.

“It’s my last year as a wrestler. It’s my last chance to show everyone what I’m capable of doing,” Sechena added.

The competition is going to be tough for him this year.

Not only does he have to expand himself mentally for his teammates, but he also has to work hard to beat the other wrestlers.

Sechena knows that there is always room for improvement, and he plans on further developing his skills in practice. He wants to excel in his technique and work individually with the coaches and against tough opponents.

He said he plans on conditioning more to make him stronger, mentally and physically.

“Ideally I would want to get to state and win, and so does every other senior. But my goal is to at least get to finals and do good,” he said

- KAI STEWART

Boys Basketball

Basketball season is on its way, and senior Xavier Pace is more than eager for his final season.

“I have pure excitement for this season,” Pace said. “It’s my last season so I might as well try hard and have fun.”

The varsity team this season has been been playing together since Pace’s sophomore year, with the addition of two new Great Falls High School transfers.

“Our team has a lot of chemistry, [and] that’s why we work together so well. I think the two new players will fit into our chemistry really well,” he said.

Pace said he knows that to win you have to have a drive for it, like a want or a need.

“A lot of the players this year want to win, and that’s what is most important,” he said.

Pace said he will be working on scoring more this season and doing better and trying harder to help his team.

“The last few years we have been in a rebuilding period,” he said. “We were all just learning how our teammates work and what the different components of our team are, and I’m ready for us to flourish this season.”

Girls Basketball

Current junior Addison Gardner, was picture after her free throw shot on Dec. 11, 2015. Stampede file photo.

The stars are not the only thing that junior Addison Gardner will be shooting for this basketball season.

“I have big goals to reach this season. I guess improving my shooting percentage is the main thing I need to work on, but overall it will be a pretty good season,” Gardner said.

“I’m most excited to just spend time with the girls,” said Gardner, adding that she is confident in her teammates and looks to them for encouragement and entertainment.

Open gyms have been going well for her, and she is more than happy with her teammates and the new freshman additions.

“I don’t think there are going to be any huge differences this year, but I’m looking forward to a few small changes for the better. This will be a fun year.”

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November 10, 2016 rustlernews.com

Sports

The CMR student section throws a cloud of baby powder into the air as players run onto the field. Photos by Jessica Banks.

Girls JV Soccer Round-up

by Loran Fairhurst, staff writer Growth as a team is a natural occurrence, like that of a sapling to a tree, and in the case of Charles M. Russell’s Girls Junior Varsity soccer team, growth is a constant.

“Overall we didn’t really finish how we wanted to, but as the season progressed we got a lot better. As a whole we improved a lot.” varsity player Kelsey Hogan said.

Though it is true that they didn’t make it to state, the fact that the varsity team improved from the start is a great thing.

“We didn’t start too good, but if it was basically on a graph it would be, like, a linear line… We improved a lot,” Hogan said.

Yet, despite all the growth as a team, their start wasn’t the greatest, and that lead to a lack of bonding and a lack of communication.

“I think it was mainly our bond as a team; we weren’t connected at the beginning of the season, but by the end we were good friends.

The whole team worked really well off and on the field.”

Overall, the team improved and grew together a lot, yet, it wasn’t quite enough. Let’s reword this; it sounds a bit dark.

“I hope next year- and after I leave- the girls, the freshman girls, they realize how important it is to work on the bonding before the season even starts so they don’t like miss half a season so they can start off right into it.”

Boys JV Soccer Round-up

by Loran Fairhurst, staff writer Teamwork is essential to modern day life, and nowhere is it more of a necessity than on the field. Having not made it to state, the boys junior varsity team still keeps their spirits high, and hope to improve for next year.

Junior Brandon Allen said “We had our ups and downs but it was like stepping stones.”

A member of the JV team, Allen has been playing soccer since he was just four years old, and dreams of continuing his soccer career into college.

“I don’t think I’d go professional, though,” he said.

Like Allen, JV soccer player Payton Cochran has visions of himself playing soccer into his college years, but perhaps not to the degree of professionally.

Going through the season, Cochran- similarly to Allen- feels the team had a steady growth since the beginning.

“Everyone worked as a team, everyone enjoyed each other’s company on the team, and it just sometimes didn’t go the right way in the games,” Cochran said.

Though varsity soccer failed to make it to state, Cochran stayed positive and offered a few tips of advice for the entire team.

“Simply sometimes we would play low or other times we weren’t consistent; we just have some communication error burt for the most part I wouldn’t change much.”

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Senior optimistic about next year’s chances on the gridiron

by Lindsey Robison, staff writer “All I could do was pour my heart out into the field and try as hard as I could,” Alex Cunningham said. The senior played Sept. 29 at Memorial Stadium against the Bison. With the loss C. M. Russell endured, Cunningham doesn’t think it’ll taint the Rustlers’ reputation.

“I think we’re still respected, hopefully feared in a way actually. It was a bump in the road, and I think the Bison know not to get too comfortable,” he said.

To Cunningham there’s nothing that can tarnish the pride that’s felt from player to player.

“We lost our groove and unfortunatley didn’t put our all into our games, but next season I know we’ll earn back our title and championship.”

The varsity footballl team battles the Bison at crosstown on Oct. 29. The Bison won 34-7.

Volleyball season comes to a close

by Hannah Pospisil, staff writer Charles M. Russell’s Varsity volleyball team is wrapping up the season, and hoping to end in victory “I feel like at times we’re on a rollercoaster. So we have very high points, and then at times we revert back to things that we, you know, want to avoid or stay away from so those would be our low points, but I do think towards the end we have been having more high points than low points,” head coach Theresa Besich said. “Overall, it has been a rollercoaster ride with more high points than low points.”

Besich makes sure that the team competes to the best of their ability every match. She also said that the girls worked on not only learning from their mistakes but also letting their mistakes go so it doesn’t affect their performance.

“I have a great group of girls.

[We have] a lot of fun. They all have great senses of humor, they all work hard, [and] they are challenging at times in a good way,” Besich said.

“They’re fun to see everyday. I enjoy coming to practice and just seeing them.”

The points that the team focused on this year was forgetting their mistakes and competing to the best of their ability.

Besich said her favorite part of being a coach is the team that she spends her CMR’s varsity volleyball team talking to head coach Besich and playing in front of observant crowd on time with.

Sept. 23. Photo by Julia Gremaux.

“At times definitely grown as a player,” Beck it’s challenging, but overall the said, adding that she enjoys the relationships that you get to build intensity and environment of the with the girls, and seeing them game. everyday is definitely, definitely “Our team’s strength is that worth it,” she said. we are like really close with each Senior Camryn Beck also had a other, and it’s really easy to like, fun season. communicate with each other and “Our home crosstown game know like what we’re doing wrong was probably the highlight of this and pick ourselves back up, and year because it’s been years since we’re really good at picking each we beat Great Falls High in three other up,” Beck said. sets and we did this year so it was pretty exciting,” Beck said.

“My coaches have taught me a lot throughout the season, so I’ve

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O’CONNELL

November 10, 2016 rustlernews.com 24

Pat & Claudia dedicate lives to supporting the Rustlers

by Mackenzie George, edidtor-in-chief Pat O’Connell says that sometimes he is asked what CMR will do without him. It’s a fair question, because his presence has been a constant fixture at the school for decades. He’s on the sidelines of Memorial Stadium, near the basketball bench, or outside the chain-link fence of the tennis court, always with camera in hand.

His response to that question, though, doesn’t allude to how involved he is at the school.

“Very easily. It will just go on,” he said with a shrug.

But without him, 35 years’ worth of CMR students wouldn’t have been preserved in photographs the way they have been since Pat and his wife, Claudia, became involved at CMR.

A trip to Glacier Park decades ago brought several elementary school teachers -- Claudia among them -- and their spouses together for a weekend of hiking. It was there that Pat was coerced into a photography job.

“I brought a camera, and I was taking pictures of this and that, and one of the teacher’s husbands says, ‘I like the way you take pictures; come join me this fall,’” Pat said. “And I said no, and he said yes, and I said no, and then I learned you don’t argue with Jack Johnson.”

Johnson, the storied head football coach who led the Rustlers to 13 state championships, wanted 24 pictures each game. He offered to buy Pat a roll of film. But when Pat showed up to the game, the student section clamored for him to take pictures of them, too. He ended up purchasing film of his own to cater to the kids.

The project only exploded from there. Soon Pat was taking pictures of basketball, cross country, track, and prom. Notable subjects included Nathan Gregier, now head cross country coach; John Cislo, head basketball coach; and Tony Arntson, Helena High’s head football coach.

“When you take 35 years, a lot of people go through,” Pat said with a chuckle.

He ran into a problem when CMR started offering girls basketball.

“It bothered me,” Pat explained. “It was a new sport, maybe 35 people in the stands, and who’s the weird guy with the camera taking pictures of girls running up and down the court? So I asked one of the parents I knew, and she said, ‘That’s no problem; they all know who you are anyway.’”

“People are comfortable with Pat,” Claudia added.

“He has the personality, and his reputation is good. He’s FAR RIGHT: Pat and Claudia O’Connell relax in their living room on Nov. 7. TOP RIGHT: Pat has taken poster pictures for sports teams for 31 years; this football poster is from 1990. BOTTOM RIGHT: Famed quarterback Dave Dickenson was the subject of Pat’s photos when he was at CMR. LEFT: Pat O’Connell snaps a photo with his Canon. Photos by Mackenzie George.

trusted.”

Pat might be the one clicking the shutter, but Claudia supports CMR in her own ways.

She bakes brownies for newspaper and yearbook classes. Each month, the High School House class receives treats as well.

“It keeps us involved, young, mindful of what kids are like,” Claudia said. “And they are good, and they do appreciate things.”

Last spring the couple received the Silver Apple Award from the Great Falls Education Association in appreciation for all they do.

The annual Silver Apple Award goes to people who promote and support public education and youth in Great Falls.

Claudia burns CDs of Pat’s pictures for every CMR athlete. Now, CMR has a machine that can create 11 CDs at once, but that technology wasn’t around when she started making them.

“I had to do one at a time, on the computer,” Claudia said. “Technology has changed so much, and made it a lot easier.”

Sorting, editing, and sharing the pictures is time-consuming, but the O’Connells do it for “pleasure,” Claudia said. “It’s not a chore.”

Gregier appreciates everything Pat and Claudia do for his cross country team, especially the infamous popsicle run. Claudia buys several packages of popsicles for the athletes, hosted at the O’Connells’ house once each season. Pat also takes the team’s poster picture.

“Pat and Claudia have been part of the cross country program for a long time,” Gregier said, motioning to the CD burner that is kept in the cross country office. “And he does it all just out of the goodness of his heart.”

Outside of the school, the O’Connells enjoy traveling and spending time with their 5-year-old grandson. The couple has become a part of CMR’s routine. Both humble, they say that the school will have no problem going on without them.

But finding someone else willing to put as much time and effort into photographing student life will be near impossible.

The O’Connells invite students over before prom to take photos. Pat shoots every sport at CMR along with drama, newspaper, yearbook, and prom. His favorite event, though, is the all-night graduation party.

“I like that because it’s a way to say goodbye. It’s a closure,” Pat said. “See, I hate seniors. I love juniors. I hate seniors because seniors go away. Juniors come back.”