S The Stampede
Stampede -- Aug. 31, 2016
WHAT’S INSIDE
C. M. Russell High School Great Falls, MT August 31, 2016 Vol. 52 Issue 1 www.rustlernews.com
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New AP, classes unveiled for 2016-2017 school year
Rustler athletes take to the fields long before students hit the books
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An open forum for student expression since 1965
Oregon to Jamaica and everywhere in between: Students spend summer traveling
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Captains provide leadership for fall sports
The Stampede
C. M. Russell High School Great Falls, MT August 31, 2016 Vol. 52 Issue 1 www.rustlernews.com
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.
2016-2017 Editors editor-in-chief Mackenzie George
Editor-in-Chief
MackenzieGeorge
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Editor-in-chief thankful for early introduction to CMR My first day of high school didn’t begin on the first day of school. It was much earlier than that, on an early July morning the summer before my freshman year, when I got my first taste of CMR. Summer running is a program that prepares athletes for fall sports, especially cross country, and that was where I found myself today. My mom dropped me off at 7 a.m. and left me with a group of kids I didn’t know and a coach who’d never seen me before. While my first day of summer running was a bit nervewracking, it was nothing compared to what the first day of school would have been. I was immersed in a small group of runners rather than the entire student body, all of whom were welcoming. Introductions were exchanged before the workout, and I talked to several of them afterward. By the time the first day of freshman year rolled around, I had a built-in friend group at the big, unfamiliar school. Seeing friendly faces in the hallways lightened the load that the first day presented. Last year, I saw several freshmen with the deer-in-theheadlights expressions I’m sure I displayed my first year. But it really doesn’t have to be this way. I advise everybody, but especially freshmen, to get involved in the school this fall. Clubs and sports don’t just improve your soccer or public speaking skills. These are opportunities to connect with students who share similar interests. Starting over at a new school can be
difficult, and having a few extra friends never hurts. For me, the cross country team offered chance to be a part of something at a time when I didn’t know much about CMR. The warning of “Don’t step on the skull!” had been driven into my head a hundred times, but no one had ever told me where the best lunch spots were or the quickest ways to get to class. The upperclassmen on the cross country team weren’t scary -- they were equal parts friends and mentors, which is exactly what this scrawny freshman needed her first few days. High school is truly what you make of it. CMR offers so many opportunities, and not just through sports, although for me, sports have been crucial. Speech and debate, foreign language clubs, FFA, Key Club, the drama department, jazz band, art club, or Exceptionalities…there is something for everyone here. I hope that you take advantage of them. If organized activities aren’t your style, swing by a football game, where the student section’s enthusiasm is electric. Or listen to an orchestra concert or choir performance; CMR boasts some of the best musicians in the state. You’ll make friends and create memories that will last a lifetime. You might not remember your math classes or English discussions, but I promise you’ll look back on your high school career and remember the extracurriculars. Here’s to a rowdy year, Rustlers, with lots of activities to look forward to.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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NEWS
3 -- New staff, Changes 4 -- School bond
OPINION 5 -- Editorial, Get involved
CENTER 6-7 -- Traveling Rustlers
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FEATURES 8 -- Lunchtime information
ENTERTAINMENT
news editor Katelyn Morley
9 -- Drama, “Suicide Squad”
SPORTS
opinion editor Jessica Banks
10 -- Cheerleaders, Captains 11 -- Soccer coach, Golf, Football
features editor Clara McClain
BACK PAGE
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12 -- 4H members, CMR Map
entertainment editor Quincy Schmechel
Photos courtesy of and taken by Stampede staff.
EDITORIAL POLICY
sports editor Ashton Palen online editor Isaiah Vang
adviser Beth Britton
business manager Emily Cappis
principal Kerry Parsons
Cover photo by Julia Gremaux.
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 National Scholastic Press Association, the Montana Journalism Education Association, the Journalism Education Association and Quill and Scroll. Some material courtesy of American Society of Newspaper Editors/KRT Campus High School Newspaper Service.
S News
August 31, 2016 rustlernews.com
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New school year, new faces Left: On Aug. 10 new Associate Principal Nate Achenbach, who came to CMR from Choteau, said he is excited to work at CMR. Right: Principal Kerry Parsons is preparing to begin his second year leading the Rustler administration. Photos by Julia Gremaux.
by Katelyn Morley, news editor getting to know those students and be a part of a great school, Freshmen aren’t the only new people to the school this fall. he said. Nate Achenbach from Choteau is a new associate principal. “I’m just excited to be here and get to know everyone and He was in Choteau for 21 years before coming to Great Falls, the community,” Achenbach said. Achenbach said. Achenbach replaces Beth Gerhart, who Along with a change to the administrative staff, the retired last spring. school is seeing some changes in classes and One of the things “I was looking for a new challenge,” he scheduling. said. Principal Kerry Parsons has had to deal with that drew me to CMR Achenbach was a coach for school sports a lot of these class changes since scheduling is the team atmosphere. took place in the spring. The science two years before he received his education degree, and he said he taught and coached I’m just excited to be department had a staff reduction due to Shelli for 15 years before taking on the position of here and get to know Lavinder-Schwalk being elected to lead the Choteau High School principal for 11 years. Great Falls Education Association. everyone and the Having previously looked at a position “As a result of numbers we decided we at CMR, Achenbach said he took the community. could take a reduction in that department,” Nate Achenbach Parsons said. opening as an opportunity. He had heard good things about the school from former Chris Hibbert is now teaching the CMR principal Dick Kloppel during a few meetings, and he said chemistry classes that Lavinder-Schwalk taught, and Science that piqued his interest in the school. Department Leader Jon Davis is teaching forensics. He started his job at CMR a week before July and has had The art department has also taken on some changes due the opportunity to see the supportive staff and great team to the low requests for AP art in the spring of the 2015-2016 chemistry in the administration, he said. school year. “One of the things that drew me to CMR is the team Teacher Jackie Van Heel stepped up to make availability atmosphere,” Achenbach said. for the class. She will offer AP Art that will occur during both “Everyone’s very positive.” first and second periods. This will allow her to direct students In this new position he gets to work with students whose during first period and then allow them to work while she last name starts with G-M, and he said he is looking forward to teaches studio and sculpture in second period, Parsons said.
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News Editor
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“[The] number of student requests drives our schedules,” he said. Previously, teacher Theresa Besich taught only in the business department, but she will now be teaching in resource business and math, he added. Teacher Travis Crawford has moved out of business and into PE full time. Along with that change, teacher Alethea Ballard, who previously taught graphic design, has moved to teach at North Middle School, he said. There has also been additional staff added to the special education department to meet student needs, Parsons said. “Anytime you have a reduction in staff it tightens up scheduling,” he said. However, this hasn’t stopped the staff from adding new classes and features within them. The sophomore PE classes have changed to offer different classes for varying student interests. There was a push for a way to engage kids in PE with different needs, Parsons said. The school has also added dual credit math courses for seniors. English teacher Jeremy Comstock is teaching a humanities course second semester, and social studies teacher Ed McNamee is introducing a sociology class for the year. Stacy Dolderer, who teaches computer programming, is making some changes to the course, Parsons added. “I know our staff will step up and meet the needs of our students,” he said. “We’re all excited to start a new school year.”
After years of waiting, news editor is looking forward to senior year Today is the first day of senior year for about 300 Rustlers. Personally I remember the last day of sixth grade when the teachers gave us water bottles that said “Class of 2017.” At that time my senior year had never even entered my mind because graduation was so far away, but here we are at the start of the 2016-2017 school year. The idea of being a senior is exciting yet somewhat scary -- mainly because I don’t know what I want to do with the rest of my life. I’m also a little freaked out because I will have to manage my own money in basically every aspect of my life. On the other hand, I’m excited to see what this year holds. I’m looking forward to new opportunities and experiences. Also, being a senior comes with lots of perks and traditions that most of us have been looking forward to, including the tradition for senior girls to wear camo pants on Friday
game days or for us to finally pull into the senior parking lot. As for this school year in general I can’t wait to continue to be the Stampede’s news editor and shine the spotlight on what is going on around us. However, I will miss summer more than ever because after last school year I was spent (academic wise). Therefore, a three-month break was much needed for not just me but I think most everyone, even the teachers. I’m ready to tackle this school year and try some new things such as a new club maybe. I’m coming to realize that this summer has gone fast and even though I may not feel prepared I am as ready as I’ll ever be. I’m prepared to challenge myself and see what this last year of high school has in store for me.
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August 31, 2016 rustlernews.com
News
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Bond would pay for much-needed additions, repairs at CMR
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IsaiahVang
Online Editor
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(1) Supt. Tammy Lacey poses by a booth at the fair advertising the bond. (2) The concrete apron surrounding CMR is falling apart. (3) The bond would pay for a new elevator at CMR. (4) The retaining wall near the jock lot is also in need of attention. Photos courtesy of Tammy Lacey and by Jessica Banks and Mackenzie George.
by Mackenzie George, editor-in-chief It’s no secret that CMR is in need of repairs. Take a glance at the retaining wall next to the jock lot, iron bars protruding at odd angles in an effort to keep the wall standing. Along with plumbing upgrades, a new fire alarm system, foundation issues, and a 52-yearold elevator, it is no wonder that Supt. Tammy Lacey is keen on getting a $98.8 million bond passed this October to improve GFPS. The worst part? CMR is just one of 18 schools requiring infrastructure renovations. Two more schools are cost prohibitive to repair and, if the bond passes, they will be replaced instead. “Our schools are one of the backbones of our community,” Lacey said. “When we’re trying to grow our community, many times the businesses we’re trying to recruit come to Great Falls will ask about the public school system. We want to be able to say, as a community, yes, we support them.” The bond covers costs of infrastructure issues in 18 schools, a new phone system, two new schools in the place of Roosevelt Elementary and Longfellow Elementary, upgrades to Memorial Stadium and athletic facilities, and the construction of a multipurpose facility and STEM classrooms at CMR. Lacey added that there are more needs that didn’t make this bond. “It was a very long process in getting to the projects that are on here. We took each of the needs and prioritized them,” she said. Longfellow Elementary stands out as a school in dire need of replacement, she said. The school caters to both the South Side neighborhood and Parkdale, where Lacey says there will always be kids. Longfellow’s foundation issues have become so critical that the superintendent worries it won’t be viable for much longer. “Putting more money into it will never fix it, it will just Band-Aid it, and it’ll just get more and more expensive to fix it,” Lacey said. “So I think it’s absolutely a key piece that we need to build a new elementary school there.” Although the school district utilizes a $2.1 million general fund annually to maintain its buildings, many of these projects were too expensive to complete in the confines of the
budget. One example is the multipurpose facility to be constructed at CMR. Lacey said that it has not gone unnoticed that athletes use the fieldhouse constantly. Drill teams are the first ones in the gym at or before 6 a.m., and intramurals sometimes finish up around 10:30 p.m. “Kids should be home at 6 a.m. and at 10:30 at night,” Lacey said. “But we can’t make that happen now because of the space limitations, so the multipurpose space, in really adding to the opportunities for students, is key.” CMR will receive more than just the multipurpose space if the bond passes. $4.3 million of the bond will go toward infrastructure issues in the school. Major projects include the retaining wall, trouble with water mains, a fire alarm system, elevator, and the concrete apron along the outside of the building. Even if students aren’t old enough to vote on Oct. 4, there are ways to raise awareness for the bond, Lacey said. Sharing stories of how perhaps the heat didn’t always work in each classroom, or providing details on the rain depository in the North Middle School lunchroom will cause people to take notice, she said. “I think by having those firsthand stories told to parents, that that will hopefully help them understand the seriousness of this situation,” she said. An advocacy group called YES for Great Falls Kids is constantly looking for volunteers to make phone calls or knock on doors. Lacey also recommends talking to grandparents who may not understand the details of the project. Lacey herself has written several articles for the Tribune outlining each building’s needs. “These are the items that really are absolutely essential. They aren’t fancy, they aren’t ribboncutting worth,” Lacey explained. “For the most part, people may not even notice that they have a new boiler. “These are items that are essential to keep our schools really moving into the next 50 years.”
Journalism department’s rustlernews.com provides news, resources, fun Hello, everyone. I’m Isaiah Vang, and I’m the Online Editor. What that means is that I’m in charge of the journalism department’s website. That’s right. We have our very own website -- www.RustlerNews.com. This website is where you can quickly get informed about what’s happening at CMR. We have the same categories as the newspaper to make it quick and easy for you to navigate. We have sports, music, comedy, slideshows, and videos that you can view. Also on the website we have a “fun tab,” which is filled with fun facts and fun reads written by the CMR journalism team. Along with all that we have a newspaper Twitter Account -- @RustlerNews where we can notify you when upcoming games, concerts, and even school activities are happening. Other cool things that you can find on our site include a digital copy of the print newspaper. If you didn’t get a hard copy on distribution day, you can always log onto www.RustlerNews.com and read it there.
We in the journalism department want to always be there to help you, and that’s why on our site we have an Online Resources tab. This tab was created so that you can easily log onto Moodle, Powerschool, and Google Drive. We also have provided you with a Student Government tab, which informs you on who your leaders are for the year. We want to inform you on everything that’s happening at CMR, but we can only report so much. That’s where you come in. We have a Submit a Letter tab where you can tell us exactly what you want reported or what you desire to see happen in the next paper. We want the Newspaper to be a mutual department where we can work together -- staff and students -- so that we can make a fun paper enjoyed by all. RusterNews.com is just a “click” away from having CMR news at your fingertips. Log in now at RustlerNews.com.
S Opinion
August 31, 2016 rustlernews.com
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Make the most of your high school experience The key to enjoying high school is involvement by Mackenzie George and Jessica Banks, editor-in-chief and opinion editor
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I always hear people complaining about how lame high school is. Those people are generally the ones who aren’t active, and I always just want to ask them what they did to improve their high school experience. Did they even make an effort?
Photos by Julia Gremaux.
JB
I totally agree, if you are in high school just to go to school everyday, then I am sure it is boring. Having an enjoyable high school experience requiresinvolvement in activities outside of daily classroom
MG
I’ve also found it’s a lot easier to make friends through extracurriculars. A lot of my friends either run cross country, play tennis, or write for the paper--things I’m involved in.
Stampede file photo
Rustler excellence can have lasting impact on community Being a Rustler means more that opportunity. Another big place that good than just the high school you attend. You wear that name behavior is fundamental is at badge with you everywhere you sporting events. Sporting events offer Rustlers an ideal arena in go. From your first day of freshman which to display sportsmanship and maturity. year to your last day as From Attending athletic a senior, you represent events, concerts and CMR in all of your point of view drama productions actions. It is important is, admittedly, about for us represent our school well. When out in the having fun. But equally as community strive to be on your important is the chance it best behavior, especially during gives each one of us to support our school and build upon the school hours. Last year, CMR students were reputation that thousands of banned from going to Sam’s Club Rustlers have established in this during lunch because of immature community since 1965. The continuation of the behavior. While that ban was in place for only a week, it could reputation CMR has in the easily happen again at Sam’s and community is dependent on the the many other local businesses students who attend the school. patronized by Rustlers. This year let’s work to make We should try to not let that that lasting impact in the happen. Having an open campus community for our school and is an opportunity -- not a privilege ourselves by behaving in a way -- and it is important to not abuse that shows our Rustler excellence.
JessicaBanks
Opinion Editor
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MG JB
Same here, when I was a freshman I wasn’t sure what I was going to do. I knew I didn’t excel in any sports and I was sort of shy. I knew that I liked public speaking but I was afraid of what other people would think if I joined speech and debate. The biggest piece of advice I would give people, is don’t be afraid to try new things, you will never discover what your passions are if you don’t step outside of your comfort zone.
I think if you never try, you’ll never know. Even the activity isn’t the most important thing. If you’re not into volleyball but your friends are putting together an intramural team, I’d definitely sign up. It’s less about what you’re doing and more about who you’re with. You might surprise yourself.
MG
I definitely feel like one of the biggest issues is that people worry about what others think. I did too for my first couple months. Then I discovered that people are way more worried about themselves and whether they’re going to mess up. That helped a lot. Do you have any advice for people who are pretty shy or nervous about trying something new?
JB
The list doesn’t stop there either. There are opportunities for everyone to get involved. CMR’s wide variety of extracurricular activities really provides students options with how they want to get involved. Any talent or interest you have can be pursued with the variety of clubs at CMR.
JB
Exactly, I have very good relationships with everyone on my speech and debate team, that is where my main friendships come from. I think a lot of people think if they aren’t a star sports player then they shouldn’t get involved at all. But there are so many sports teams and clubs at CMR anyone can join.
MG
You’re right, there are a ton of activities at CMR that don’t involve athletics. With options like French Club, Key Club, Hosa, and DECA, there is literally something for everyone here. A lot of clubs also make a float during homecoming week, which is really cool.
Choices you make today pave the path for your future
Every decision we make in life affects someone. Coming into high school can be a new start for everyone. It offers a chance to begin to affect people’s lives for the good by our decisions. High school is a big step in our progression of life. With this big step come a lot of life changing choices. A lot of the decisions we make in high school not only affect others, but also affect us. Some of these big choices can have lifelong effects. As this new school year starts I hope we can all understand the impact of our choices and learn to make choices that will only better ourselves and others. Let high school be a place you can grow as a person and discover who you really are. Coming to high school can mean big changes. Your friends from middle school might change, or the people who always made really good choices could be choosing differently. Peer pressure is really influential because we all want to fit in and for people to like us.
Sometimes people want that so bad they are willing to compromise their own standards. I encourage you to realize that even if “everyone is doing it” that doesn’t make it right. And a lot of the time, the less popular choice will be the right one. Getting involved with things like drugs and alcohol in high school will only get you in trouble. Oftentimes when people are bored or they have too much spare time, the drug or alcohol path is where they end up. Get involved in high school. Join a club, sports team, or other activity to keep you involved in school events. These four years are the only four that you get, so make them the best they can be. Put in effort to form new friendships, try new things, and make good choices. I cannot stress enough how important it is to make choices that will help you -- not hurt you. I know you will never regret making the right choices.
S Features
August 31, 2016 rustlernews.com
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Lunchopoly Albertson’s
o T Go ail J McDonald’s: Walking: 15 minutes Driving: 3 minutes Here you can find burgers, fries, chicken nuggets, and prizes in the Happy Meals.
DESTINATION INFORMATION
Little Caesar’s:
Features Editor
Walking: 12 minutes Driving: 3 minutes Inexpensive pizza and of course crazy bread. They usually have the pizza ready when you walk in.
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$8 Sam’s Club: Walking: 4 minutes Driving: 2 minutes Serves pizza, hot dogs, soft serve ice cream, and Icees. Not a long wait at all usually anywhere from 2-5 minutes. *Times may vary on your walking or driving speed
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Burger King:
Walking: 6 minutes Driving: 3 minutes Offers burgers, fries, and shakes. Just a heads-up the line here is pretty long.
Albertson’s: Walking: 10 minutes Driving: 3 minutes Pizza, salads, sushi, fresh fruit and various sandwiches ready for purchase.
The CMR Lunch Room by Isaiah Vang, online editor Freshman year. It’s the first day of school and so many things are going through your head. What to wear? Where’s my locker? Where are my classes? Will my friends be here? Are seniors going to beat me up? These are all scary things to think about, but the scariest part about the first day of freshman year is the lunchroom. But no need to fear because I am here and I’ll give you all the tips on How To Do: The CMR Lunch Room. Tip #1: First of all, the CMR lunch room is called “Charlie’s Cafe.” There’s a big green sign right in front, and it’s almost impossible to miss. Tip #2: Once you enter “Charlie’s Cafe” you will see that there are four lines. The first two lines that you’ll see are the hot lunch lines, which are located to the left. Both lines serve something different each day so always check out the whiteboards in front of each line to see the menu. The third and fourth lines are located to the right. The third line is the packaged sandwich line. There you can get pre-wrapped sandwiches. The fourth and final line is a “Subway line.” In this line you can order a wrap just the way you like it. Tip #3: While getting your food, the lunch room will start filling up quickly with your fellow classmates, and this can make it hard to find a seat. I recommend having a friend save you a spot or if the lunch room gets too full, you can always sit outside the lunchroom in the hallways. Tip #4: If you find out that the school isn’t serving something close to your cravings, you can leave campus and go to local restaurants such as McDonald’s, Burger King, and Taco Bell. You could also bring your own lunch, but remember that you have only 30 minutes to eat. Don’t forget your money, go make some friends, and if you got out to eat don’t overspend. If you follow all of these tips then you will have a blast everytime you eat.
Junior features editor mourns the loss of her kitten Having an animal die is one of the hardest things that can happen. It’s the loss of a family member, a best friend, and a compassionate companion who never expects great things of you. In July my family had to put my kitten Bach down. He was only 11 months old so that made it even harder. I just wanted him to recover from his pancreatitis, but he was too sick and he wasn’t getting better. The vet said that he would probably never be healthy again. It felt like a bad dream. I wanted to wake up the next morning to Bach snuggling up on my pillow or attempting to suffocate me with his fur when he lays on my face. Unfortunately, he wasn’t there and he wasn’t going to be on my pillow ever again. I wasn’t going to hear his loud purring in my ear or feel his fur against my hands. I’m still struggling to comprehend those facts. While I was struggling to come to terms with Bach’s death, my other cat Mozart was confused and sad, too. He didn’t understand where his brother was and why his people
were sad all of the sudden. Mozart got more prone to cuddling than he was when Bach was at our house; I think he was trying to make us all feel better. A few days after Bach died we adopted a new kitten. Normally, we wouldn’t have gotten another cat so soon, but Mozart needed a friend to play with. So we got a little black kitten that we named Zimmer (after Hans Zimmer, as composer names are sticking with our cats). He’s fluffy, has a loud purr, and chirps instead of making the traditional meowing noise, all things that Bach did when he was in our home. I miss Bach, but I’m ready to let Zimmer start to snuggle his way into my heart. Left: Mozart (left) and Bach (right) take a nap snuggled together.Right: Zimmer gets accustomed to his new home. Photos by Clara McClain.
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August 31, 2016 rustlernews.com
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“Suicide Squad” hits theaters with DC’s anti-heroes by Quincy Schmechel, entertainment editor One always get excited for a superhero movie, so a movie about villains becoming the heroes was bound to be a success. Therefore, it was no surprise that the hype for “Suicide Squad” was dominating social media months before the movie hit theaters on Aug. 5. Acquiring numerous Twitter hashtags and even its own Snapchat filter, it is needless to say that I, like many others, was beyond excited to see the movie. The first thing worth mentioning, besides the obvious hype and excessive advertising for the movie, is the special effects. Superhero movies are known for pushing the boundaries of special effects, and “Suicide Squad” was no exception. I also saw the movie in 3D, which I would usually be a bit miffed about, but the 3D effects were well done and only enhanced the special effects. The way the director, David Robbie, chose to show super powers and action were done so well; they weren’t overdone, and they managed to pull the audience in extremely well for the entirety of the two hour and ten minute long movie. Secondly, the movie featured an all-star cast, including Will Smith, Cara Delevigne, Jared Leto, and Margot Robbie. Smith made a wonderful Dead Shot, and Margot Robbie performed as a grand Harley Quinn. However, I personally believe Cara Delevigne should perhaps stick to modeling, as she makes a weak actress and a poor Enchantress.
Contrastingly, Jared Leto made a good Joker, considering he had to play the iconic super villain role typically attributed to Heath Ledger’s rendition in 2008’s “The Dark Knight.” As hard at it is to stand in the shadows of Ledger’s iconic performance, Leto wore the crazy smile and makeup of the Joker quite well. Although I thought the movie was pretty great overall, I believe there were also some major weak points. Most notably, I believe the backstories of the characters to have been both weak and overly stereotypical. A villain wanting the best for his 11-year-old daughter is not new or exciting. It’s overdone. Also, everyone knows about the crazy love and infatuation dynamic of Harley Quinn and the Joker, but it could have been more clear and developed. Personally, I would have loved to have seen a more in-depth look at how they fell in love instead of just Harley handing over an assault rifle. Lastly, I thought Kitana’s role was a little out of place and almost added in as an afterthought just to get another character crammed into the movie. The plot was also quite rushed and weak, as if the director was attempting to cram in cool effects and cinematography, with a total lack of true plot. Overall, I thought “Suicide Squad” was a good movie with great effects and a good cast, with just a few weak points, and I’d give it an overall 4 stars out of five.. This movie is recommendable to people who like action and superheroes, but not for anyone who wants a good plotline or story.
by Quincy Schmechel, entertainment editor Undoubtedly one of the most active departments at CMR, the drama department plans to make the 2016-2017 school year no different, and it shows. Juniors Mary Brown and Emma Tovson said that they, as well as the department as a whole, share a great sense of excitement for the upcoming school year. “Starting in September we will be working on ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ and later we will be doing a comedy called ‘Shakespeare Abridged,’” Tovson said. “Then we’re doing a Thespian show, which will be written by Mary Brown, and finishing off with Stuff 5.0.” Tovson elaborated, saying that there are several things about the upcoming year that will set drama Drama performs a skit about apart. Firstly, the department is drinking and driving before prom planning on bringing a twist to the on Apri 4, 2016. Drama girls do a iconic tale of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” rendition of “Cell Block Tango” on “‘It’s a Wonderful Life is not only May 5. Stagecraft works on the a classic Christmas Story, but we’re set for “Our Town.” Stampede file setting it apart because we will be photos.
Entertainment Editor
QuincySchmechel
Drama department gears up for another successful year performing it as a radio show,” Tovson said. She went on to say that not only is she excited for the radio show, but also for the Shakespeare show. “Shakespeare is obviously an integral part of theater, but this show mixes a lot of comedy with the classics,” Tovson said. “All the shows are fun and feel-good shows, and people should look forward to new faces as well,” Brown added.. Perhaps one of the most noteworthy things about the drama department is the opportunity for self expression that it provides students. This couldn’t be more true for Brown, who is writing an all-original Thespian show for the department this year. “We do a Thespian show every year, [which] we take to the Thespian convention in Missoula. The show this year is called ‘Con. Alt. Del.,’and it’s about a group of people trying to survive in the wake of an apocalypse,” Brown said. “I’m writing it, and I’m also the first student writer from CMR. It should be an interesting show.” Tovson expanded about the show,
saying she was beyond excited to see how it finishes out and to be apart of it. “I’ve been reading all of Mary’s edits, so I’ve [been able] to see the show evolve and am very excited to get to audition for it and see its final form,” Tovson said. Besides productions, the department is also working hard to fundraise by selling Martinson’s chocolate, raffle tickets, and poster ads while also getting ideas for Homecoming and performing arts assemblies. “We’re excited to show the school the Homecoming set we’ve spent all summer working on,” Brown said. Both Tovson and Brown shared a high level of excitement, talking about what CMR should expect from drama. “We have a lot of great stuff planned, from fundraising to shows,” Tovson said. “We’re really excited to see the new talented faces coming to the department, whether that be in the audience, in a theater class, or up on the stage.”
Junior aims to retain sanity during difficult upcoming school year I’ve never been someone who was nervous about first days. First days are easy. You go in, you see the same friends you hung out with all summer and all the friends you didn’t see. You form your first impressions about teachers and the classes they teach; whether they’ll be all homework or mostly group projects and whether the teacher is going to be your favorite or a pain in the neck. You identify the troublemakers and the class clowns and the brown-nosers in every class. You hear about everyone’s summers -- where they went, what they did, who did what with whom. And that’s how first days go. They’re easy. But now it’s junior year, and although I’ve never been fazed by first days, this one is terrifying. All last year, my friends who were juniors told me all the horror stories: ACTs, SATs, honors and AP classes and homework, sports and friends and tests and colleges and how everything piles together into several mental breakdowns a day. It wasn’t exactly
uplifting. Now junior year is here and I’m trying to make the most of it, but I’m also so worried that I’ve bitten off more than I can chew. As it gets closer, I’m realizing how busy I’m going to be and that I’m going to have to learn to prioritize… a lot. But maybe being busy won’t be quite so bad, and I’m already aware that this year is going to be very full of learning and new experiences, and therefore i’m hoping to grow from it as much as I can. I guess the way I see it is this: This first day is the only first day of junior year I’m going to get. This is the only junior year of high school I’m going to get. So yes, I’ll have a big work load, just like everyone else, but there are so many wonderful things to look forward to, like looking at colleges and prom and Homecoming. This is the last year before senior year, before everything is the very last time before graduation, so I might as well enjoy it.
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Seniors offer leadership for autumn sports On Aug. 26, varsity and JV cheerleaders practice stunts and routines to prepare for the upcoming year. Photo by Julia Gremaux.
Cheerleaders’ attitudes remain positive through tough workouts
AshtonPalen
Sports Editor
by Julia Gremaux, photo editor Cheerleading isn’t just pom-poms, tricks in midair, and peppy spirit. It takes dedication, and the team members practice for two hours a day three to five times a week, says junior Jalyn Lundy, a CMR cheerleader. With so many hours and days of practicing, cheer becomes a huge commitment and a family, junior cheerleader Leeanna Schearer said. “I’ve given up a lot of things for this, but it’s to do what I love, so it’s OK,” she added. Although they condition every practice, each person on the team has their own strengths. There is no one person that is the same physically; they do a lot of stunting which requires a lot of strength, but again everyone has their own skill abilities Schearer said. “At every practice we condition, stretch, stunt, and practice cheers and dances,” says fellow junior cheerleader Zoey Keel. They have more than 100 cheers and about seven dances they learn throughout the year, including pep rally dances and Homecoming routines. Their only break is about a month and a half between the end of basketball season and tryouts for the following year. Other than that they practice yearround to be sure they don’t lose their stunting skills and keep everything working smoothly, Keel said. “Team bonding is a big deal to us,” Schearer added. “This year we’re going to do something at
least once a month to keep team spirit high. We also bond through games and practices as much as possible.” There are no set requirements to being a cheerleader; everyone has different skills, Keel said. It helps, she added, to have extra experience like tumbling, because it gives the team a better variety when it comes to performances and games. “We cheer at all the sports except for cross country, wrestling, soccer, softball, swimming, track, and golf. But sometimes we help those sports if they ever need us for tournaments,” Lundy said. Cheerleading isn’t restricted to school activities and sports; all around the world cheerleading has become a competitive sport. Groups of cheerleaders compete and are judged on their stunts, tosses, jumps and more. Although CMR has not competed for several years outside of the school system, this year they are putting it into consideration, Lundy said. “Our priority is of course keeping spirit within the sports that revolve around our school, but we have been considering competitions for a while now. It all just depends on what we have left for time,” Keel added. “We are always finding things to change and different ways to do things to be the best we can. It’s all about gaining more and more experience and having the ability to push ourselves as individuals and together as a team.”
by Jessica Banks, opinion editor To have a successful sports team there need to be skilled players, good coaches, and teammates that are ready to push themselves. However, it is not just physical skills that contribute to the success of sports teams. Senior Lindsey Anderson is starting her fourth year on the volleyball team. She is a captain for her team and said she is ready to assist in leading her team to victory. “If captains can’t lead their team, then it is hard to function as one unit, and it is the captain’s job to see that the team runs smoothly,” Anderson said. Many sports teams nominate seniors as captains not only because of their age but because they have watched captains in their past. Senior Sydney Dickinson, the cross country captain this fall, says that past captains for her have always been very encouraging. “They never looked down on us and I as a team member could always rely on their support as captains,” she said. Reaching the leadership position of any team is a big achievement in many athletes’ eyes. Many captains demonstrate similar character traits, but each captain has his or her own way of being a leader and a role model. Mckenzie Nicholson, also a senior at CMR, is one of the girls soccer captains this year. “Being a captain means being someone your team can depend on and look up to as a stable player and leader,” Nicholson said. Anderson agrees that dependability is a huge part of being a team captain. She also adds that being calm
mannered and a good problem solver are fundamental skills for captains to have to help lead their team. Dickinson sees another part of the role of a captain and finds this to be one of the most important qualities in a good captain. Even though cross country is more of an individual competition sport, that doesn’t mean team bonding is any less important. “I think it is important to form personal relationships with each person on the team because it brings us closer,” Dickinson said. Both soccer and volleyball are team sports, so team building and the quality of friendships within the team are important to how the team plays, and for Nicholson this has been displayed in past captains. “Besides all of my past captains being amazing players individually, they all worked hard to bring the team together and inspire us to be the best we could on and off the field,” she said. Anderson also said that her past captains have been athletes she has looked up to. Her freshman year captains were ones that stood out to her the most. “Katie Smith was one of the captains my freshman year, and she was always so nice and never struggled with difficult situations,” Anderson said. “She always knew exactly what to do.” No matter the sport, one thing that doesn’t change from field to court is the qualities and character traits of a good leader,” Dickinson said. “Being a good captain on a team doesn’t mean taking control of the team, but getting everyone involved to participate to the best of their abilities.”
Palen suggests integrating sports from local to the international level Will sports ever fully integrate the sexes? While watching the Olympics this summer I saw that only one sport was really integrated -- Equestrian. You rarely see in high school or even in college, men participating in women’s sports or women participating in men’s sports. Not that people aren’t trying; when I came into our first football practice I saw a girl playing for the freshman football team. It is great whenever someone tears down the boundaries between the two sexes; it is the next step to equality. However, some male athletes feel uncomfortable when having to face up against women athletes. I have known wrestlers who have forfeited their match and taken a loss rather than compete against a female wrestler. This leads to the girls rarely participating in the sport that they dedicated hours of their time to. These guys don’t think about how these girls feel; the girls may feel like they are not good enough to play that sport, which is completely untrue. Female athletes work just as hard as the male athletes, although they still do not get the recognition that their male counterparts do. They work out just as long, go through all the practices and still get disrespected by the men they try to go up against. In track and field the fastest man ran the 100m in 9.58 seconds, the fastest woman ran
the 100m in 10.49 seconds. That’s a difference of only .9 seconds. Women are ready to face up against men in whatever sport they want, as long as the athletes continue to break down the barrier between mens and womens sports. These female athletes need to have support from the community, their teammates, and their coaches. It is a brave decision for a woman to play a sport depicted as a “manly sport” such as football or wrestling. The same goes for men wanting to participate in “girly sports” such as cheerleading and gymnastics. The guys who participate in cheerleading often get made fun of because it’s seen as a feminine sport, but male cheerleaders have to be in great physical shape in order to be able to lift and throw the other cheerleaders for their stunts. Male gymnasts are some of the fittest people in the world. To be able to hold one’s body weight between two unstable rings, let alone do tricks, is an amazing feat of strength. While our local athletes may not be at the Olympic level, they still deserve support from their peers to be able to continue to work towards their athletic goals. Whether they are a female football player or a male cheerleader, they still strive to be the best in their sport.
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August 31, 2016 rustlernews.com
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Q&A
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Savanna Voyles by Ashton Palen, sports editor
How well did you do in the tournament?
How did the team do overall?
How do you think the team will do this year?
Senior Savanna Voyles follows through after driving the ball. Taken on August 8th Photo by Julia Gremaux.
I took fourth. Boys took 4th; I don’t know about the girls. (The girls took 8th)
The girls could use a little more work, but I think we’re getting better as the season goes on. The boys,on the other hand, will do pretty good this year.
What are your golf goals for your senior year?
My biggest goal for the year is to place top 10 at least in state.
Will you continue golf in college?
Probably not, but I will continue to play for fun. I will probably play softball in college.
What is your favorite thing about the team?
My favorite thing about the team is that we all joke around with each other and laugh and smile.
New head boys soccer coach is pleased with effort of young team by Ashton Palen, sports editor Coach Kumal Lacasse is the new head coach for the Rustler boys soccer team. But that doesn’t mean he’s new to the sport. Lacasse has been coaching for 20 years, many of those in club soccer, but for the last six years Lacasse has been an assistant coach for CMR. Lacasse served as an assistant under previous head coach Joel Marinaccio, who stepped down last year after four seasons at the helm of the CMR program. This will be Lacasse’s seventh year at CMR and his first in the head coach position. Lacasse said he is excited to lead this year’s team. “There are not many seniors, but the underclassmen are skilled and eager to learn,” he said. Lacasse also is lookijg forward to the competitiveness of his players. “It feels like they really play for something on the high school level,” he said. Lacasse is happy with the youth of the team because they’re focused and have fantastic effort, but he wants them to “work hard and come hungry.” The first-year head coach has no predictions for this season. “It will play out the way it plays out,” he said. But if his team is as skilled and competitive as Lacasse wants and if they “compete week in and week out” he believes that this season will be a winning one for the Rustler boys.
Preparing for their fall season, varsity players practice breaking blocks on the evening of Aug. 17. Photo by Julia Gremaux.
Returning football players ready for 2016 season Summer two-a-days have prepared team for statewide competitions on the gridiron
by Mackenzie George, editor-in-chief we have played together and know what it’s With 13 state championships and a history like to be in different situations.” as a dominant force in the sport, football is a When fighting for a starting position, senior time-honored tradition at CMR. Its hall of fame Adam Agamenoni said athletes play with a boasts the most athletes of any sport in the chip on their shoulder. fieldhouse. “You have more pressure than someone But behind the football team’s success are who is starting out without competition,” hours and hours of hard work, much of it put Agamenoni said. “But a lot of kids feel that in over the summer. Tough workouts and long pressure just knowing the position could be two-a-days are what form taken if they aren’t trying the talented team students hard enough.” We have the talent, and staff watch at Memorial Senior Austin Kirchner is mindset and work ethic to Stadium each autumn. Senior glad to have some returning Max Sechena, a linebacker make it happen, so all we players. for the Rustlers, believes that need to do is perform. “The team looks great,” summer workouts make a Max Sechena the defensive tackle said. “I huge difference come game feel like I have personally time. improved my play, and we have a bunch of “We have had a lot of guys putting in more people who want to prove something.” work throughout the offseason,” Sechena said. Like Sechena and Agamenoni, Kirchner Summer is also a time to figure out positions understands how crucial two-a-days are in and the playbook. preparation for the regular season. Although “We have our offense and defense down, he says the workouts are “really hard,” they but each week we make certain changes to help grow the team’s work ethic. account for the other team’s playing style,” “It helps sharp[en] the team into a bunch of Sechena said. “By the time our first game hard workers who are willing to do anything to comes around, the coaches will know who will help each other,” he said. start and who will be a swing.” Agamenoni added that summer workouts Swing players do not start but receive provide an opportunity to show coaches varsity minutes. All around the state, teams toughness and knowledge of the game. are returning seasoned players, so bringing “[Two-a-days] show who wants to play,” back as many returners as possible is key. Last Agamenoni said. “They’re pretty mentally and year, Sechena said, the team suffered from physically draining and the hardest practices inexperience. of the year.” “Only a few guys on our team had varsity Giving up a good part of their summer reps coming into the season. This year over isn’t an issue for the football team. Kirchner is half of our starters are returning from last excited to see what the season will bring. year,” the second-year starter said. “That “It’s going to be a big year for us,” he said. makes a huge difference for a team because
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To guide you on your way... Livestock 4-H members show their goats at the Montana State Fair. Photo courtesy of Cascade County Facebook Page.
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by Jessica Banks, opinion editor The week of the Montana State Fair is a week most people look forward to -- riding rides as the sun goes down, eating fair food until you can’t eat any more, and singing along at the concerts all night long. 4-H teens look forward to the fair as well, but for a different reason. Fair week for them means interview judging, working the ice cream booth, and showing and selling the animals that they have raised in the past 4-H year. Katie Koterba, a senior at CMR, said she enjoys the fair because as a 4-H member she gets to enjoy it in a different way than other people. 4-H members spend a lot of time both preparing for the fair and during the week itself. Freshman Shelby Banks said her preparation includes about five hours each day for two to three weeks before the fair starts. Koterba says that for her preparation for fair week, one of the trickiest things is putting together her photography projects. “I take and go through over 2,500 photos to decide which ones are the best and which will win the highest awards,” Koterba said. Nathan Hessel, a sophomore at CMR, also puts a lot of time and effort into his State Fair projects. Hessel said one of the most difficult projects he entered was his leathercraft projects because of how much detail he had to add. However, it is not all hard work. Many 4-Her’s really enjoy fair week, and all their time and effort pays off. “I work very hard because I enjoy making all of the projects, and it helps me to grow in my skills,” Banks said. 4-H helps youth develop skills like cooking, public speaking and leadership,and it benefits their future by developing these skills early. Many 4-Her’s spend every day at the fair doing something different. Koterba said that she spends three days at the fair before it starts, and then six of the days the fair is open she is there participating in livestock judging, working the 4-H ice cream booth in the livestock barn, and competing in public speaking. All of that adds up to more than four hours a day at the fair. Each club in Cascade County 4-H takes a shift working the ice cream booth, and while working in the heat of the mid-summer Montana sun isn’t most people’s first choice of summer activity, 4-Her’s enjoy this part of fair week. “Working at the ice cream booth is probably my favorite part of fair week because I really enjoy scooping the ice cream, working with my club, and at the end of our shift we get a free ice cream,” Banks said. Banks, Koterba, and Hessel can all testify that the heat is their least favorite part of fair week, but that in no way lessens the fun. “It takes a lot of time and work, but it is so fun and worth it in the end,” Hessel said.
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