The Stampede
New beginnings
Rustler sports, students look for a fresh start with new year c.m. russell high school great falls, mont. sept. 12, 2013 vol. 48, issue 1
An open forum for student expression
www.rustlernews.com
The Stampede
The Stampede staff strives to produce a publication that is relevant to the CMR student body while maintaining journalistic standards. We help to provide a free exchange of ideas and establish a student voice in the school community. 1- Cover photo by Peyton Fulbright 2- Table of Contents NEWS 3- Peyton’s Column, Attendance Policy 4- Changes in Budget 5- Lesli Evans, Update on Homecoming OPINION 6- Abby’s Column, Speak Your Mind 7- Editorial CENTERSPREAD 8/9- Speeding Around the School FEATURES 10- Olivia’s Column, Senior Projects, AP Classes 11- Over the Summer French Trip, Marsilio Year Abroad ENTERTAINMENT 12- Greighsen’s Column, Drama Department SPORTS 13- Lindsay’s Column, Beginning of the Season in Sports 14- Summer Sports Camps 15- How Well Do You Know Your Rustler Athlete?, Rustler Stats BACK PAGE 16- Bus Drivers
editor-in-chief peyton fulbright
online editor zach pottratz
design editor kendra hix
visual content editor kim michelsen
news/opinion editor abby lynes
entertainment editor greighsen adams
business manager katelyn smith
features editor olivia rudio
sports editor
lindsay martinez
copy editor
stephanie mccracken
staff
cori bonilla drew brennan bailey collins tom gruner whisper harris jadon jennings katelin johnson tony lynes laura marsilio elea roberts max roux jesse whiteman
adviser TOP LEFT: In a close game against the Glacier Wolfpack, junior Taylor Edwards bumps the ball to senior Katie Smith. Photo by Peyton Fulbright. TOP RIGHT: During CMR Night at the Great Falls Voyagers Centene Stadium on Aug.22 senior Mikayla Reddick attempts to dunk fellow senior Christalie Kuglin in a dunk tank set up by the CMR Wranglers. Photo by Kendra Hix. BOTTOM RIGHT: Junior Easton Enott putts in the Great Falls Golf Invitational. Enott went on to win the invite with a two-day combined score of 138. Photo by Peyton Fulbright. BOTTOM LEFT: The Wranglers dance team performs during half time at the Sep. 6 football game. Photo by Peyton Fulbright.
UPCOMING EVENTS September 2013 MIDTERMS: Sept. 27 HALLWAY DECORATING: Sept. 30 October 2013 FLOAT BUILDING: Oct. 1, 2, & 3, 3:30-6 p.m POWDER PUFF FOOTBALL: 6:30 p.m CORONATION: Oct. 3
EARLY OUT: Oct. 4, 12:15 p.m LIFETOUCH RETAKES: Oct. 8, 8-11:30 a.m NO SCHOOL: Oct. 17-18 EARLY OUT: Oct. 23, 12:15 p.m November 2013 CLUB, EARLY OUT DAY: Nov. 1, 12:15 CMR BLOOD DRIVE: Nov. 21 NO SCHOOL: Nov. 27-Dec. 1
Editorial Policy
The Stampede -- produced by journalism classes at C.M. Russell High School -- is a public forum for all voices on campus. These voices include the students, parents, faculty and the community at large. The opinions and views in this publication are not necessarily those of the Stampede staff, the student body, CMR employees or the school administration. The Stampede strives to cover the news accurately and fairly; however, when a mistake is made, a correction will be printed in the following issue. All writers are responsible for the content of their articles. Editors will edit all copy to be free of plagiarism and libel, and all writers will double-check their facts before publication. Letters to the editor and guest essays are
welcome. Letters are limited to 200 words, and essays 350 words. All submissions must be signed and include a phone number so authenticity can be verified. The editors and/or adviser reserve the right to edit all letters for grammar and spelling as well as content that may include profanity, be libelous, obscene or not meet general editorial guidelines. Anonymous letters are not accepted. Submissions can be dropped off in room 326 or e-mailed to: stampede@ gfps.k12.mt.us. The Stampede maintains membership in the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, the National Scholastic Press Association, the Journalism Education Association and Quill and Scroll. Some material courtesy of American Society of Newspaper Editors/KRT Campus High School Newspaper Service.
beth britton
principal
dick kloppel
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NEWS
Making attendance count
Teachers, administrators write new attendance policy by abby lynes, news/opinion editor Going on excursions to the river, Ulm Pishkin, Havre, Candy Masterpiece, shopping, and seeing Star Trek at the movie theater: these are the activities that filled the days of 2013 graduate Libby Carlson when she wasn’t at school her senior year. “I know we abused the attendance policy, but in the end, my grades suffered, and now I know that [the] good fun wasn’t worth it,” she said. Carlson was one of many students who took advantage of CMR’s previously flexible attendance policies, or lack thereof. Over the summer, parents, teachers, and administrators designed a new attendance policy in a traffic light stoplight to address the issue. Students in the green zone may have 0-6 excused absences that are not school related or verified medical. Those in the yellow zone have 7-11 excused absences and receive a customized attendance plan. Once a student is in the red zone, they have 12 or more absences and credit may be withheld unless the student petitions for credit reinstatement at the end of the semester if he or she fixes the attendance issue. Head attendance clerk Mary Breuer attributes problems with the previous attendance policy to parental and student apathy. “They just didn’t care. If they didn’t want to go to math, their parents just called them in, and there were no consequences,” she said. Carlson agreed that the lack of student accountablity had a significant effect on attendance rates. “The administrators [weren’t] giving kids enough responsibility and it [was] slowing down the whole process,” she said. The lax attitudes surrounding attendance in high school affects students in college and in the workplace. “They told us in middle school that high school teachers wouldn’t remind us about missing assignments or late homework, but they did. High school teachers told me that in college, no one cares if I go to class of if I do the homework, but my classes are on a bell schedule and my teachers take attendance every day. As college freshmen, we should be able to handle ourselves,” she said. Biology teacher Jon Davis agreed that the development of bad attendance habits in high school follows students into adulthood and affects their job performance. “In life, you have to show up to work,” Davis said. A student’s absence from class doesn’t affect only the individual.
“If you’re not here, you’re not only hurting yourself but the other kids as well,” associate principle Brian Held said; going over makeup work with absent students takes away valuable instruction time. The biggest problem with attendance, administrators and teachers agreed, was that the previous policy in which students could miss ten days of school a semester was unenforced and then removed altogether. “The number one thing was the lack of [an attendance policy], per se. Every year, [the lack of students in school] got worse. There wasn’t a limit,” Breuer said. She is confident in the new policy’s effectiveness. “Kids are trying really hard to adhere to it. I think it’s going to make a big impact,” she said. The difference between the old and new policies is that there are clearer, more concrete guidelines. “With the old one, we didn’t really have a number. Now there’s a number, and they can visually see how much they can miss,” she said. Administrators and teachers report that they have already seen a significant increase in attendance rates. The attendance rate was 98 percent during the first three days of school, compared to last year, when the rate was 94.6 percent for the first three days. “It seems like I have had better attendance these first few days. Parents and students have been more aware of what’s going on,” Davis said. One of the most challenging parts about enforcing the new attendance policy will be monitoring students. “It’s keeping up with people in the yellow zone, etc.” Davis said. Another challenge will be making students realize that there will be no tolerance for absences except in the case of verified medical and school related absences. “The biggest challenge is to make them realize that we’re serious about this; it will happen,” she said. For positive reinforcement, students without absences will be eligible to win prizes like priority parking spots and drawings for gift cards. Administrators may have to adjust and work out minor problems in the system during the first semester, but Breuer said that they remain confident in their decision to change attendance policies. “The AP and the principle knew that had to do something to change it.”
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peytonfulbright Editor-in-Chief
There I was, walking to my car in frozen shoes and snorting harder than a young Robert Downey Jr. If you can even draw a conclusion from that statement, the answer is no, I’m not a coke addict. I had been photographing swimming for the first time. Going into my adventure, I didn’t know where to park, so I ended up walking quite a bit. Fast-forward a few hours to right before I leave: a Bozeman swimmer flops into the water with as much grace as a three-legged hippo, soaking my Vans. I go home, but first I have to walk to my car in the sub-zero temperature. To top things off, I got a bloody nose, adding to my sorry state. Add in snorting back blood so I don’t stain my favorite sweatshirt, and you get the scene I described. Despite a situation that would ruin an adventure for most people, it made me smile because I knew I would have a good story to tell. I love having a good yarn to spin, and that’s why I’m a journalist. Everyone has a story to tell, and it’s my job to make that tale accessible for others. For me, journalism has made high school bearable. Barely, but it is. If everyone here finds something that they can care about, something that can put a smile on their face, something for them to look forward to when they’re contemplating jumping out of the window in math class, they would have a much better time in high school. Go try out for a sports team. Go try your hand at acting in the drama department. Art is all about freedom of expression, so go give that a shot if you do so please. The point is, no matter where you are in life, you need to find things to care about, so why should high school be any different? Even if you don’t want to do anything, just try. It doesn’t matter if you aren’t good at first, because nobody is good when they start. Masterpieces aren’t made over night. Besides, to be great you have to know what it’s like to fail. So I urge you to go out, get involved, and try something new. You know you’ve found what you’re looking for when you still suck at it, but you’re having fun nonetheless.
4 news
9.12.13 The Stampede
Budget cuts hit close to home
CMR students, staff face fewer, overfilled classes, fewer materials to work with
“My students get the short end of the stick,” she said. “It’s not good for the students.” by jesse whiteman, staff writer She said that there are around 75 students who should be in art are not. With overcrowded classrooms, understaffed departments, and overworked teachers Also working in the art department, Advanced Placement art teacher Kerry Brashear C.M. Russell High School principal Dick Kloppel has seen it all. “There are no paper towels in the bathrooms. We’ve made reductions in everything is faced with a struggling class whose work time was halved. “Students might not draw their best,” Brashear said. “[It’s] a tremendous amount of from the allocasion of paper to the supplies custodians have,” Kloppel said. After the Mill Levy failed in June cuts had to be made all around CMR. Kloppel said work in one class.” Brashear said that in one class period, the students may end up with only 15 or 20 that two section of stagecraft, one section of drama, Lifetime Sports, health and physical education classes, art classes, and sections of freshman industrial technology were cut minutes of work time after lectures and demonstrations. She said that in the first semester, the students need to make 12 sound pieces. due to the need for staff elsewhere. “Time is the biggest issue,” she said. “[There are] two sections of stagecraft that students didn’t get to Brashear said another problem was that the students may not even be take,” he said. “Opportunities to interact are limited.” “We’ve tightened our able to take the A.P. test. Kloppel said that the lack of staff has not only led to overfilled belt as tight as it can go Another of the aforementioned class cut was Lifetime Sports taught classes, but it is partnered with a large enrollment in the freshman class. by health and physical education teacher Mitch Maki. The graduating class of 2013 was 288 people—one of the smallest in and we’re punching new Maki said he wanted to be able to keep the class, but with the mill years—and the freshman class is 464. In the past five years, 20 teachers holes.” levy’s failure, he had to pick up two more freshman health/P.E. classes were cut or retired and could not be replaced. in replacement. He said that social studies teacher Brian Halverson has up to 27 “I’m hoping I’ll get it back,” Maki said. “It was a chance for me to get students in classes in a class that is normally limited to 18 and the math off campus.” department has had to cut classes as a whole. “Lifetime Sports are activities you can do for the rest of your life,” Kloppel said. “The teachers are working harder than ever. For the second year in a row, we don’t When Maki was off campus with his Lifetime Sports class, they would go bowling, offer analysis,” he said. “Generally, all our students are losing. And in the long run, our bike riding along the Missouri River, and swimming at the Morony Natatorium Pool. community is losing.” “I kinda want to run it like a college P.E. class,” he said. Kloppel said that one of the departments that suffered the most from the budget cuts Maki said that after the class was cut, every student who had signed up needed to get was the art department. his or schedule changed to make up for the two-period space. Tessa Jacobs now has to split her time between CMR and Great Falls High School. “It affected the kids who signed up for it,” he said. “It just more or less affected me.” “Anything other than art might be easier,” Jacobs said about working at both schools. “We’ve tightened our belt as tight as it can go and we’re punching new holes,” While she said that she likes experiencing both schools, she is concerned about her Kloppel said. students.
Dick Kloppel
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news 5
9.12.13 The Stampede
Heart of a family
Evans goes from slight asthma attack to open heart surgery within 48 hours by max roux, staff writer What began as soft pressure in the left of her chest, and then into open heart surgery meant that the month of July was not a good one for CMR Drama ParaProfessional Lesli Evans. Within 48 hours of a simple visit to the doctor, Evans discovered that at the top and bottom of her heart, three arteries were so clogged that not even a cathader could fit inside. It all started when Evans was in need of stronger asthma medication, and she went to her doctor to request a higher dose. “Even the doctors were clueless as to what was about to happen,” Evans said. The cardiologists Evans was visiting performed an EKG, and when the results came back no issues were of concern. She then received a blood test and found out that her enzyme level was only .79 percent which is usually normal, “my enzyme levels were not even close to a dangerous level,” Evans said. That Sunday she was given the opportunity to stay the night in the hospital, but instead chose to go home. On Monday Evans underwent an angeogram, and from there it went downhill. For her husband Drama Teacher Chris Evans, the worry set in immediately. “Red flags went off as two doctors walked into the room,” Chris Evans said.
What the doctors told him next will forever be etched in his memory, “I am surprised that you didn’t wake up to find your wife dead.” Lesli Evans needed an immediate triple bypass, and within hours of receiving the news Evans found herself on the operating table, preparing to undergo open heart surgery. To replace the clogged arteries, a vein and two mammaries were removed from her leg, and replaced the arteries on her heart. Emotionally Lesli Evans said, “I felt nothing other than pure shock,” while her husband had only two thoughts in his head, “What do I tell the kids if she dies, and what do I tell the kids if she lives?” The surgery wasn’t over yet. Once her arteries were replaced and she was sewn back up, a complication appeared. Her heart began to flutter and needed to be defibilarated immediatley. Evans was cut back open and her heart was put back into a steady rhythm. Thankfully, there were no more complications and the surgery was a success. “I have no idea how long they had been clogged. It could of been congenital!” she said. “I am lucky they found the clogged arteries when they did,” Evans said. “I am lucky to be alive.”
Behind the scenes of Homecoming
Stagecraft designs and builds Homecoming set by greighsen adams, entertainment editor CMR takes a blast to the past, leaving the stagecraft department counting down the clock until homecoming. Junior Adam Wood, tech hand in stagecraft, spends most of his time prepping and building the homecoming set. “For Homecoming, some of the things we do [are] cover our flats and paint them in order to match [the] Homecoming theme,” Wood said. Although the tech aspect of stagecraft brings us a final project, the design team, led by senior Samantha Tracy, is the creativity that brings us the concept. “A challenge is coming up with an idea,” Tracy said. “It takes a little bit of innovation in order to think outside the box in order to get things done in a timely manner.” A challenge faced is transferring images from a
small scale onto a large flat. “We take pictures and make them our own to avoid plagiarism, then put them on overhead projectors [and tracing them onto the flats,] then getting a team together to make the rest of the set,” she said. “Being that stagecraft is a one period class, doing everything on time [can be difficult].” According to Tracy, setting up Homecoming requires a lot more effort than people realize. “It’s [everything from] deadlines and rough drafts [to] coming up with a final idea,” Tracy said. Unlike many other classes, stagecraft forces each student to work with others. “The most [challenging] is working with people when you’re used to working with yourself,” Tracy said. “I realized [teamwork] is to the benefit of the whole group rather than just one person.”
ABOVE: Chris Evans and family rejoice after her unpredicted open heart surgery. Photo by Max Roux. ABOVE RIGHT: Homecoming flats begin getting decorated. LEFT: CMR’s tradition of the royalty chair is prepped for Homecoming. Photos by Greighsen Adams.
OPINION
Speak Your Mind
How do you think social media is affecting today’s youth? “I think it’s teaching “Social media in moderation can be OK, I think, but I do worry about the amount today’s youth bad of time some of these kids spend on their things, like sexual electronic devices. I’m also concerned references and that the amount of time ‘socializing’ online might impede their ability to other subliminal communicate face to face.” messages. Also, it -Jill Showen, English Teacher seems to be telling kids they have to be “Depending on “It is affecting skinny or pretty to fit kids school work the program, in.” that’s what because they -Breana Hylla, 11 affects the would rather “Kids are getting addicted so that’s practically all they do anymore. They go home and sit on the computer for hours on end.”
-Maryah Shrock, 9
“I think it’s turning people against actually being social. They hide behind a screen and don’t get the actual social aspect.”
-Rebekah Howell, 11
be on social media than do homework.”
-Miranda Vercolen, 11
person, not the actual media itself.”
-Blaize Wegner, 12
“I think it takes away from reality. They’re becoming more worried about what’s happening online than what’s happening in real life. It creates false realities.” -Breanna Chappell, 10
“I think it takes away from the time people used to have to think before they spoke.” - Danielle Stark, Culinary Arts
“It lowers your self esteem because of mainly cyberbullying. They think typing is easier than talking to a person verbally, and they think it comes with no consequences.” -Jade Hilbig, 11 “I think it’s coming back on personal contact between people in and out of school. I’d rather have a face to face conversation with somebody rather than type on a computer.”
-Brennan Lukas, 11
“Social media has affected the youth of today by creating drama and allowing other people to get in someone else’s business. People’s lives are more publicized. I wish today’s generation would be more independent.”
-Taylor Hamilton, 12
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abbylynes News/Opinion Editor
August 28 is the new January 1, and it’s never too late to make New Year’s Resolutions. The beginning of the school year means starting from scratch. It’s an exciting time; what has happened in the past doesn’t matter so much, and we can achieve and reach for new goals, make new friends, dye our hair, try out a fresh, different style, or participate in extracurricular clubs and activities. The possibilities are limitless. We are free to reinvent ourselves and become better human beings. To do this, I have created a set of new school year resolutions that I aspire to live by. They include: going to as many sporting events as possible, decked out in my Rustler gear, getting a 4.0, participating in every homecoming activity, making random acts of kindness a part of my daily life, dressing up for Theme Thursdays, applying for as many college scholarships as possible, and doing more yoga. I encourage each Rustler to come up with his or her own list of resolutions. We harness the power to make this school year live up to its potential and be great. Things are changing at C.M. Russell High School. The Great Falls School District recently hired a new superintendent, Tammy Lacey; Brian Held is CMR’s newest Associate Principal; administrators adopted a different, stricter attendance policy; and GFPS is struggling to come up with funds and make budget cuts in the wake of the summer’s failed mill levy. Despite challenges and adversity, Rustler pride remains. Students have been criticized in recent years for supposedly lacking school spirit, but in a school where students stay at a football game until 1:30 AM because of a rain delay, I would say just the opposite. Enthusiasm and support for fellow students is commonplace among Rustlers. Students must realize that it’s not the teachers’ obligation to make Homecoming, games, and dances fun and spirited; the responsibility lies within the student body. It’s our school, and it takes the hard work, effort, and participation of every student to make these activities fun and worthwhile. Help with Homecoming, dress up for Theme Thursdays, take hard classes, audition for the school play, incorporate green and gold into every outfit. Embrace high school; we will never get these four years back. The potential for the 2013-2014 school year to be awesome is limitless. Let’s make it count, CMR.
9.12.13 The Stampede
opinion 7
Bring on the thunder
The crowd, decked out in Rustler green and gold, cheers on the Varsity boys football team during the Sept. 6 football game against Glacier that lasted until early Sat. morning. Photo by Peyton Fulbright.
Sept. 6 early morning football game shows just how much “Rustler Spirit,” support, tradition CMR students have for athletes by kaydee parsons, guest writer When I was asked to write an article explaining a fan’s perspective on last Friday’s football game, I didn’t even know where to begin. Heading to the game Friday night I never imagined that I would be a part of AA football history. In the pouring rain, with the score tied toward the very end of the 3rd quarter, our team started running off of the field leaving me confused because in Montana we usually play through rain, snow, sleet or hail. After Mr. Kloppel told the student section that we needed to leave the stands due to the lightning, some went out to their cars expecting
Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Everyone loves Key Club!
the delay to be a short while. Little did we know, the game would delay for close to 3 hours. While waiting for the rest of the game to begin, we sat in the stands and wondered how the team was holding up in the “dog house” (locker room). Assuming the boys were starving, a faithful fan came across the field with a cooler full of sandwiches, which I’ve heard was a huge “hit” to our football players. Play then resumed around 12:30 am. I was so excited to see that there were about 20 students that stuck it out and came back to watch our Rustlers finish out the game through the cold and rain. With our cowbells and noise
Stampede hopes to see packed student sections, crowds in support of fellow Rustler athletes They say there’s nothing more those relationships and friendships see that infamous green and gold deafening than silence. False. There’s nothing more deafening than the CMR student section in the midst of a football game. From In their various point of view stages of glitter, green, gold, and camouflage, the student section during the Sept. 6 football game was something for the history books and we, at the Stampede, would like to applaud all of the attendees for that. We hope to see not only more of this fantastic, CMR Rustler tradition at not only football games but also the other sporting events students at this school are a part of. CMR isbuilt on relationships. It is a social atmosphere where all of
OUR
Meet with Key Club on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. in room 325
makers, we were able to make as much noise as we could to try and make up for the empty stadium. Many of us who were there toward the end had lost our voices and could hardly speak the next day. Though the game didn’t turn out the way we had wished, it was a great experience and one not many fans have endured. I’m proud of the fans and the way they exemplified school spirit. It was an experience I will always remember. I’m hoping we can pack the house this Friday when we take on the defending State Champion Butte Bulldogs!
lead to a place where the learning and chance for success is better. Relationships are give and take. If the football team wants a screaming, cheering crowd then those football players should go out and support volleyball. We as reporters and as photographers want to go and capture that true CMR rowdy Rustler spirit we know runs through veins of our student body. We want to see people in the crowd, hanging on to every suspensful moment, being the Rustlers we know they are. We know this can happen, we’ve seen it. We want to encourage all of our student body to continue supporting all activities at CMR. We want to
painting the auditoriums, halls, stadiums, courts, and fields. Get out there, Rustlers! Show our community just how responsible and supportive we can be. On Friday, the CMR Varsity boy’s football team takes on Butte, let’s get out there and show them our support! Sept. 13th and 14th Lady Rustler volleyball has the Great Falls Invitational, meet them on the court and cheer them on. On Sept. 28 soccer battles against Billings Senior, be sure to be there! Everyone in our school deserves to be recognized, let’s show them just how much we care and support their various endeavors!
FEATURES
10
Giving back
oliviarudio Features Editor
Over the summer, Austin painted a mural along the retaining wall next to the jock lot for a portion of his senior project. Photo by Kimberly Michelsen.
Senior project class allows students to help out in community by jesse whiteman, staff writer After seven years teaching senior project, English teacher Jamie McGraw has seen a lot of “wild and crazy things.” McGraw said she has seen projects that range from learning how to fly a plane to excavating dinosaur bones, to giving tattoos to training a service dog for 18 months. “It brings me a lot of joy,” McGraw said. Senior project is an English class available to seniors along with Advanced Placement English, Medical Preparatory English, and regular English. McGraw said that in senior project students must “come up with some kind of project,” and complete 15 hours of community service. In May, the students present their projects
to the student body. But the course is more than community service. “We still cover all of the senior curriculum requirements,” she said. “All seniors have to write a research paper.” McGraw said that the course does not consist of “added material, just replaced material.” Having already completed his community service by painting a mural over the summer on the retaining wall by the jock lot, senior Drew Austin is now moving on to the internship portion of his project. “I learned painting a wall is a pretty big project,” Austin said. He said that since art and athletics take place in the same building, he thought that
it symbolically represented the connection between the two. His internship hours will be split between photography with Lindsay Garpestad—which he has already completed—and with an art teacher, he said. In his photography internship, he has already learned a lot. “I learned how to take senior pictures,” he said. He does offer some advice to anyone who intends to take senior project. “If you really want to get things done, you’ll get it done,” he said. And after years of working with the seniors, McGraw said she knows how valuable the experience can be. “I believe in it. I believe in the skills that it teaches.” McGraw said.
Students earn college credit through challenging AP classes
Reveling in their academic strength, Winter Ashcraft and Brandon Rogers use their AP textbooks to step higher. Photo by Kimberly Michelsen.
by kimberly michelsen, visual content editor Even though high school has its own challenges, there are a few students who decide to go above and beyond the job description. Senior Winter Ashcraft, one of the few, has decided to take AP classes for a couple of reasons. “One of the coolest things about it is that you dig a lot deeper into the topics and it redefines your perception and what you thought you knew,” Ashcraft said. Ashcraft has taken U.S. History in the past and is taking two AP classes this year: Economics and AP Government. She says that although they are hard, the classes provide a new perspective of schoolwork. “It’s nice because even though we use stuff out of the book, a lot of what we learn
is absorbing different viewpoints [through open discussion],” Ashcraft said. While Ashcraft agrees that time management is a large part of what makes the classes difficult, junior Brandon Rogers, who is taking AP U.S. History and Inorganic/ Organic Chemistry this year, said he feels that it is extremely important. “I think the biggest thing is organization. If you start falling behind, it’s impossible to catch back up,” Rogers said. The most appealing thing about AP classes to Rogers is “the payoff at the end.” College credit is part of it, but Rogers said he most enjoys the feeling of accomplishing something difficult. “I like the challenge of it. It’s more rigorous than normal classes.”
I’ve always greeted dawn like a long lost enemy. Some inexplicable force has always delayed the ripening of my spirit to make me at least a semi-tolerable person during the mornings. I’ve never been a morning person. Although I wish I possessed the power to rise and shine and sing with the cheery birds outside my window, this idea is far from my reach. Now, being thrown back into early morning wake up calls in order to get to school, I find it even harder to rise and shine. So in order to be able to attend school without struggling through the morning like a zombie, I’ve made it a point to make my life a little easier with simple tricks that will help me ease my way into the day. After spending three months staying up through the night abusing my Netflix account, it’s hard going back to bed at a reasonable hour. I know it seems easy. If there’s one thing I’m good at it’s sleeping, but I find myself struggling to shut off my laptop and then after that struggling even more to stop scrolling through Tumblr on my phone. It should have taken me one or two times to reduce the reason I’m so tired down to my religious pre-sleep use of electronics, but perhaps now that I’m addressing the problem head-on it really seems quite simple. No more electronics before bed. I’ve found if I’m tumbling for even 15 minutes it takes much longer for my brain to shut down and drift into a beautiful R.E.M. cycle. This makes it harder for me to be able to pop out of bed when my marimba-sounded alarm goes off. In order to not fall back asleep after such a harsh awakening, I try to turn a light on and play an upbeat playlist. This helps keep me awake so getting out of bed is far easier. Once I’m out of bed I try to get moving whether it is running, yoga, or dancing to that playlist that was previously keeping me awake. Getting my blood moving is effective in keeping my eyes propped open and in a better mood by the time I get to school. However, the most important part of my efforts to waking up and staying that way is eating breakfast. There is nothing better than a nutritious meal to kick start my day. I’ve developed a love affair with bacon so deep that skipping breakfast would be sacrilegious. I know I’m not the only person who bears the burden of not being a morning person, so if you find yourself struggling this year to wake up at the crack of dawn, I advise you to try some of these tricks and who knows maybe little by little we can convert ourselves to into being someone who actually enjoys that dreaded time of day.
features 11
9.12.13 The Stampede
French students say “Au Revoir” to the United States for a two-week summer trip to France by olivia rudio, features editor At the beginning of the summer Edin Agamenoni would have never guessed the death of a mouse would prompt him to reach into his pockets and spare change to a 7-year-old. This summer Agamenoni, accompanied by two other CMR French students, junior Michelle Braget and senior Christalie Kuglin, visited France from June 11-28. The students toured famous sites and stayed with a host family for one week. During Agamenoni’s homestay, his 7-year-old host brother, Malo, lost a tooth. In France, instead of having a fairy to come give children money they have a small mouse. Soon after losing the tooth the family caught a mouse in a mouse trap. “They told him it was the mouse fairy and didn’t give him money,” Agamenoni said. Since Agamenoni was staying in Malo’s room, before he left he put money under his pillow. Braget decided to go on the trip at the beginning of last year, and that gave her ample time to work on her French. “It was nice because we had a heads-up,” Braget said. To aid her communication skills was a packet of common terms to use during her homestay. GFHS French teacher, Kathy Jackson, the leader of the group, provided the packet. The trip consisted of 13 students, three of whom were from CMR, and two chaperons--Mrs. Barosh and Jackson. “You just have to put yourself out there and try,” Braget said. “I said a couple things wrong, but they were happy I was at least trying to speak their language.” Agamenoni also struggled with adapting to the language. “Right before we met our host family, I was really scared,”Agamenoni said. Fortunately, he said he got along well with his host family, especially his host brother, Victorian. “He was a really cool guy,” Agamenoni said, “We got along great. He was probably as good at English as I was at French.” Agamenoni was thankful for this because he was able to help him out at times with his French. “I was able to understand them by the third day,” he said. Agamenoni spent one week with his host family eating pain du chocolat with nutella every day for breakfast, roaming
the beach, and shopping for French clothes. “I didn’t want to look like a tourist in Paris,” he said. He didn’t see a single member of the group during his homestay, which he said was uncommon. “Everybody else saw each other all the time,” Agamenoni said. “Everybody thought I was dead.” The main event everybody else got to see each other was the féte de la musique. “When we got to see each other it was really exciting,” Christalie Kuglin said. Kuglin also was anxious before meeting her host family. “It was scary. You were separated from everyone you knew,” Kuglin said. “I was really nervous. I didn’t think I knew as much as I did.” As it turned out, the week with her host family ended up being the favorite part of her trip. “Me and my host sister, Fanny, were a lot alike,” Kuglin said. “She took me ice skating, to a tropical aquarium, féte de la musique, and to the beach.”
Left: Three lucky French students (from left to right) Edin Agamenoni, Michelle Braget, and Christalie Kuglin were able to see many castles while in France like the one behind them. This was their first night in France. Above: Agamenoni, Braget, and Kuglin gather together before ascending to the second level of the Eiffel Tower to overlook the night lights of Paris on their last day. Photos courtesy of Michelle Braget.
CMR student finds new experiences, adventures 5000 miles away from home
Laura Marsilio, sports a Dirndl, a traditional dress worn at Oktoberfest, one of the most famous festivals in Germany, and the largest fair in the entire world. Photo by Kimberly Michelsen.
by zach pottratz, online editor Coming in as a freshman to CMR, junior Laura Marsilio never thought that she would spend her junior year attending Dom Gymnasium in Freising, Germany. “My mom and I hosted two exchange students before I went, and I always thought it would be cool,” she said. A week before the 2012-2013 school year, Marsilio packed her bags and headed for Freising, where she spent the year with her host family, which included one of her past host sisters, Helena Candell, who persuaded her to enter in the foreign exchange program. But Marsilio said her mother was her main reason to go to Germany. “Since my mom was German, I thought Germany was a good place to go,” she said. “I did it mostly to learn the language, and I also wanted to see how the culture works over there.” One of the difficulties of being with a new family in a foreign country, Marsilio said she wasn’t used to having other kids in the household, let alone three of them. “It was different trying to get used to having people in the house compared to being the only one, especially because two of the three kids were older than me,” she said. “Helena is two years older than me, Farenc is a year older than me, and Nora was a
year and a half younger than me.” Marsilio didn’t just stay in one place. She traveled extensively throughout Europe to places such as The Black Forest; Madrid and Valencia in Spain; Vienna, Austria; London; and Ireland. After returning to the United States, Marsilio must now retake her junior year at CMR to be able to graduate. “It’s awkward in most of my classes, because I don’t know anyone, but it’s pretty much the same because in Germany, starting there, I didn’t know anyone, and here I don’t really know anyone in my classes,” she said. Even though Marsilio is back in the United States, she said she’ll miss the “people, and obviously the food,” but the most memorable part has to be sledding in a place called Leutschach. “The most memorable part would have to be sledding with a bunch of people on New Year’s, and one of my friends and I got stuck on the top of the mountain because we lost our sled down the hill,” she said. “So we had to wait for someone to come give us a sled because it was really steep.” Even if it means repeating a year of high school, getting stuck at the top of the mountain, and adapting to a new environment, Marsilio said her time in Germany was worth it.
ENTERTAINMENT
12
greighsenadams Entertainment Editor
Into the minds of actors
Q&A with two drama department stars What are you most looking forward to this year? “‘The Foreigner.’ I saw it in Yellowstone a couple years ago, and I absolutely loved it.” Dallas Flemming, 11 “I want to act with strong actors. That’s what I’m most looking forward to this year.” Guil Poelsma, 12 ABOVE: Raging against the world, junior Karlee Simonson performs her monologue before the Advanced Drama class on Sept. 6. ABOVE RIGHT: Reacting to the comical performance of Simonson’s monologue, seniors Taylor Vercolen and Samantha King and junior Alicia Henson laugh as Simonson dramatizes her anger with some sarcasm and unique viewpoints. ABOVE FAR RIGHT: Taking his place in the spotlight, teacher Chris Evans tells of his plans for the new year’s drama department.
What was your favorite production that you’ve been a part of? “Probably ‘Noises Off.’ That was the biggest one I’ve been a part of. I love the people, and it was insanely funny.” Dallas Flemming, 11 “Probably ‘1940s Radio Hour.’ I had a really small part, so it shouldn’t be my favorite show, but it had just the entire package. It was funny, it had sad parts, and everyone who was casted was really fun to be around.” Guil Poelsma, 12
Drama department stages a comeback
CMR drama begins school year with new ideas, sets by kimberly michelsen, visual content editor When Juliet called Romeo’s name from the balcony, she received an unexpected surprise. Likewise, when the drama department attempted to put on the play “Romeo and Juliet” last spring, they didn’t get what they thought they would. Namely, the play was postponed. Drama teacher Chris Evans said there were a few reasons for the delay. First, Evans said students’ grades were not sufficient as a cast. When he compared the cast’s grades to the standards the swim team has for its swimmers, Evans said half of the cast was not elligible to perform. Second, the cast wasn’t respecting school rules, he said, pointing to incidents of skipping class. And third, because the cast was so busy with springtime activities, Evans said they were tired and not learning their lines. However, the past is the past, and Evans said he looks forward to this year with excitement. “We’re gonna to have a good year,” Evans said. “We’ve taken our lumps, and we’ve learned our lessons and we’ve moved forward.” A lot of changes occured within the drama department this past year that the actors, stagecraft students, and teacher have had to deal with. One of the differences between this year and last year is that
Evans is not taking on a seven-period load. “We discovered that [having seven classes] was insane. It didn’t give me a chance to breathe,” he said. Typically, teachers have only five classes, but Evans said that he had to take over the two Stagecraft classes after Tom Spencer retired. This year, there are two fewer classes due to the budget, but Evans said he still has a good set of students. “There are people who are stepping up to take [past actors’] place[s] and are just as passionate and just as ready to rock this thing,” Evans said. Even with the number of kids, Evans said that he has to “start looking at smaller cast shows.” The reason is simple: people are busy and can’t always make rehearsal times. Evans is looking on the bright side of this by saying that he can now tailor his shows to talent instead of trying to fit a large number of actors into every show. Unfortunately, this change of events has prompted Evans to put off “Romeo and Juliet” for a longer period of time. The first show Evans plans to test his theory with is called “The Foreigner,” which will be performed somtime around late November. He said he looks forward to the comedy and the opportunities available throughout the year. To help encourage his actors’ creativity, Evans has left the second semester open for ideas. “Spring is still up in the air.”
The heat was strong. The line long and I was right in the front. We were packed together waiting for the security guards to let us into the air conditioned arena. Finally, at 12:45pm the doors opened and we all shuffled through, trying to get as close to the stage as possible. After more waiting, the two girls walked onto the stage. Labor Day weekend, I traveled to Seattle, and got to see Tegan and Sara as well as “Fun.”. The spur of the moment concert was the highlight of my trip. I arrived at the arena two hours before the concert was to begin and when we were finally allowed in, we had to sit on the ground for yet another hour. Even though sitting isn’t all that great, when the performers graced the stage, it was well worth all the numb body parts. Yes, I was squished into the people all around me and there were times the heat was almost unbearable, but being able to see one of my favorite bands, made everything worth the sweltering heat and uncomfortable positions. Tegan and Sara had the stage first, opening up for “Fun.” and, although that was a tight fit, the real sweating and crushing of strangers’ bodies against mine happened right after the girls exited. The pit was already packed full and then, everyone decided they wanted to be in the front, so I was slammed against other people who were just as hot as I was. While we waited for the band to enter, the chanting began. It was a soft sound at first, waiting to be built upon. As the excitement for “fun.” flourished, I began the chant as well, hoping the noise would bring my favorite band closer to stepping out. Finally, three figures walked onto the stage in a corner and began to sing. Of course, the shouting from their fans drowned them out, but I didn’t need to hear them. I knew all the words by heart. One song after another, I stood near the front row singing and jumping with the rest, trying to get the lead singer Nate Ross’s attention if only for a second. As the concert came to an end, I followed blindly like the rest of the more hardcore fans to the exit where sweet air awaited me. The four doors open for the couple tens of thousands of people left me sticky and pressed close into them as we all crammed toward the light and fresh air emanating from the other side. The experience was one I would love to repeat, but not with festival style seating where I am shoved into other people and lacking the much needed oxygen to my brain. I loved being able to go to a concert, and I cannot wait for my next one.
SPORTS
Hitting the ground running CMR sports start off new season
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lindsaymartinez Sports Editor
“[The season] has had its ups and downs, but I’ve gotten better and hope to keep getting better as the season goes on.” Senior golfer Dylan Halverson
“We have a good energy and work ethic that will take us far. Hashtag beat the hawks!” Senior soccer player Gwen Malisani
“We’ve only had our home and Cut Bank time trials, but based on those times we’ve got a good season ahead of us and we’ll do well at state.” Sophomore Cross Country runner Patrick Hodges
“We are doing really well so far. We have a positive attitude and support each other which has helped with our team chemistry. I expect us to keep playing a strong game and never giving up no matter the score. We know how to fight. It’s going to be a good year.” Senior Volleyball player Taylor Mangan
“The season isn’t too good so far; it’s been a disappointing start. But I think we can turn it around. We still can win the state championship.” Junior football player Payton Sexe
The changing of the guard. Montana to Young, Manning to Luck, the Magic and Bird era to the Jordan era. This time around it’s a lower-profile change: Fulbright to Martinez. That’s right, Peyton Fulbright, noted Red Sox fan, passes the reins to myself, who, among other things, is a New York Yankees fan. And of course, I must answer to the questions surrounding the Yankees concerning a certain Alex Rodriguez. A-Rod, a self-confessed performance enhancing drug (PED) user in 2006 stands accused once again. This time he was given steroids by a Miami “doctor” from a clinic called Biogenesis. Several players received 50 game suspensions for the scandal, but Rodriguez was suspended 211 games, which would have been the rest of this baseball season and all of next. For now, though, the slugger is still allowed to play while he is appealing his suspension. The decision from Major League Baseball’s commissioner Bud Selig on whether or not A-Rod’s suspension will be upheld will likely not come for many months. To me, even as a Yankees fan, this is unbelievable. For A-Rod to be playing while the other players are suspended without pay doesn’t make sense. The Yankees, like the Rangers, Tigers, and others are in the playoff hunt. However, the other teams are losing their players to suspension while the Yankees get to have A-Rod play, giving them an advantage to make the playoffs. There is no doubt in my mind that he used some kind of drug, and he should have to face the consequences for what he did now, not later. He never was suspended by Major League Baseball for his steriod use earlier in his career. Rodriguez is 38 years old, and I expect him to retire if his suspension holds, whenever that decision may come. However, I think he should be out of baseball now because of what he has done to the game. Baseball is all about the individual and their personal stats. What do you remember more about last season? Miguel Cabrera winning the Triple Crown or the Giants winning the World Series? I think you answered Cabrera, which proves that stats are king in baseball. No player is judged by the number of championships won, like basketball or football players are, they are judged on their statistics. Steriods skew statistics and records, and their users should not be tolerated because it ruins the most beloved aspect of the game of baseball, America’s favorite pastime.
14 sports
9.12.13 The Stampede
LEFT: In the midst of the Sept. 6 football game, Junior Bryce Cuchine picks up yards after the catch. Rain and lightning delayed the game’s conclusion until early Sat. morning. The Rustlers lost 20 to 14. ABOVE: During a match against Glacier on Aug. 31, senior Kylie Otis tags out with junior teammate Taylor Edwards. Photos by Peyton Fulbright.
Rustler athletes make use of summer to prepare for season by lindsay martinez, sports editor or many Rustlers, the term “fall athlete” can be deceiving. That’s because CMR’s football, soccer, volleyball, cross country, and golf athletes work on their sports all summer long. Athletes attend camps as a team, work out, and have open gyms in order to prepare for the fall sports season. Despite all of this, practices didn’t officially start until Aug. 15 for golf, Aug. 16 for football, and Aug. 19 for volleyball, soccer, and cross country. Senior Tiffany Lefebre found herself up at 7 a.m. from Monday to Thursday during the summer to prepare for this fall’s cross country season. Lefebre said that about 10 athletes came every morning to train, as well as the two cross country coaches, Doug Darko and Nathan Gregier. The team warmed up together and completed a run between three and seven miles, according to Lefebre. As the cross country season is so short, Lefebre said she values the pre-season as a
F
time to get to know her teammates, as well as a time for preparation. Meeting with the team during the summer to work out “is about going out and doing some running.” Summer workouts get the runners in shape, so they can make the most out of the brief season. Lefebre said her ultimate goal for this year is to have a good time and stay in tip-top shape. “That’s what it’s all about,”she said. According to senior Gwen Malisani, a captain of the girls soccer squad, her team attended camp in July at Carroll College in Helena. Malisani said the team went hard three times a day, scrimmaging and playing games such as world cup. Scrimmaging helps the team “to see who’s playing well in what position,” Malisani, a 2012 allconference pick at goalkeeper, said. In addition to the camp, the team also had open gyms twice a week for one hour from the end of June until the beginning of the season in August. Open gyms were usually attended by about 15 girls. Malisani stressed
the importance of staying in contact with the team and getting to know new players to the program. As for how the summer activities will benefit the Lady Rustlers this fall, Malisani said, “[We] didn’t take any time off and kept improving.” Senior Kylie Otis, a defensive specialist in the back row, said the volleyball team also was working on its game during the summer. According to Otis, the team had open gyms twice a week. She said open gym was mostly for scrimmaging to simulate games, while technical parts of the game of volleyball were saved for the beginning of the season. Otis’ goal for the season is to “be competitive at all times and win some games.” Open gyms were especially important for the volleyball players this year as the team welcomes new coach Stephanie Anderson to the Lady Rustler volleyball program. “We were all comfortable around her and she helped team unity,” said Otis, of open gyms with Anderson. For Rustler football players, the season extends far beyond not just the fall, but also the summer. Junior Matt Grooms said the team meets for open gyms from February to May in order to be ready to open the football season in the fall. Grooms, a defensive end, said the team also attended football camp at the University of Montana in June. The camp is, “a fundamental thing working on your specific position,” as well as an opportunity to scrimmage, often against small schools, according to Grooms.
“It really helps us build team unity and become a better player,” Grooms said of the camp, which was attended by enough Rustlers to form a varsity and underclassman team. Athletes use the camp to work on intricate aspects of football so players can focus on big picture concepts during the season, according to Grooms. “We expect the same as we expect every year: a state championship,” he said. Montana high school golfers not only practice their individual games during the summer, but they also start their season well before school opens its doors. CMR’s golfers had a tournament in Billings Aug 19-20 and in Great Falls on Aug 26-27. Junior Mark Solomon thinks having golf as a fall sport is important because of the state’s weather. “Usually playing in the fall is better than playing in the spring in Montana,” said Solomon, citing rain and snow in the spring months that would not be ideal golf weather. Although Solomon said he dislikes how quickly the golf season ends, (state golf is Oct. 1-2 this year in Missoula) the season length helps golfers with their school work. Solomon said golf finishes right when school starts to get more difficult, leaving him more time to focus on school. Still, while golf season is in progress, Solomon will be focusing on his game in order to achieve his ultimate goal: “to win the state tournament as an individual and contribute to helping the CMR boys win the team title.”
sports 15
9.12.13 The Stampede
How well doyouknow your
Rustler Athlete? by peyton fulbright, editor-in-chief To be the best, an athlete has to spend countless hours working their hardest in the gym and on the field. Because of those amassed hours of practice, athletes spend a lot of time alongside their teammates. At the Stampede, we observed this and decided to answer the ultimate question: who knows you better; your teammates or your friends? We asked a fall sport athlete a question about themselves. Then, we asked one of their teammates and one of their friends what they expected the athlete to say. We put their answers as well as the athlete’s response in this handy-dandy chart for your convenience.
MarkSolomon
EastonEnott
IanDeBoo
Gap wedge or 52 degree wedge.
Sand wedge.
A five iron.
What’s your best round of golf?
A 74 at the Missoula country club.
A 76 at the Billings invite.
62.
What’s your favorite tv show?
Ridiculousness. Anything on the Modern Family. Golf Channel.
You’re 100 yards out, and your ball is in the rough. What’s your go-to club?
Would you rather read a book or watch the movie?
The movie.
Watch the movie. Watch a movie.
Mark Solomon, 11 KatieSmith
TaylorMangan
Bump, set or spike?
Spike.
Spike.
Spike.
Beach volleyball or on a court?
Court. Sand would get everywhere.
Court.
On the court.
When I’m not playing it.
Losing.
The bruises.
BrandonStout
HarlyRowe
What is your favorite team to play on the road?
What is the worst part about volleyball?
DrewAustin
Skyview because I know some Great Falls High. Great Falls High. girls there.
Katie Smith, 12 Prefer to play football in the hot or in the cold?
In the cold.
He’d prefer to play in the heat.
Favorite soda?
Cherry Coke.
He doesn’t like soda.
Best part about football?
Team chemistry, especially on game day.
Playing the games.
Stepping onto the field at the start of a game.
Stats and calculus.
Choir.
Choir.
Favorite class in school?
Brent LaLonde, 12
BrentLalonde
In the cold. Protein shakes.
RUSTLER STATS
The CMR football team attracted 180 athletes on Aug. 16 to the first day of practice New coach Stephanie Anderson was recieved by 65 Lady Rustlers on the first day of volleyball Aug. 19 Junior golfer Easton Enott had a two day score of 138 to win the Great Falls Invitational Aug. 26-27 Senior Shay Lavallie ran the CMR cross country time trials in 16:48 good for a first place finish on Aug. 30 The Rustler football program has collected 13 state championships under the guidance of coach Jack Johnson Girls varsity and junior varsity soccer combined to score 7 goals on Sept. 5 against Butte in wins for both teams CMR volleyball’s record for the most kills in a season is 464 spiked by Mary Lester in the 1999-2000 school year
16 bus drivers
9.12.13 The Stampede
Traditional transportation Bus drivers talk about motivation, hardships of their job hardest part,” Neshem said. by abby lynes, news/opinion editor and Bus aide Kim Bangen remembers trekking through Sun whisper harris, designer At the end of each day, Sharlene Hartse goes home on Prairie in five feet deep snow ,“you couldn’t see five feet in front of you,” she said of the experience. a positive note. Bangen has worked as a bus aide, for five years and her “Just seeing their[the students] smiling faces and job includes siting with the students and, “[making] sure knowing they’re happy is the most rewarding part.” Hartse is one of 18 bus drivers who transport CMR they get on and off the bus safely and to their home safely,” Bangen said. students to and from school each day. In order to work as an aide Bangen Fellow bus driver Christine Neshem feels had to have First Aide training and the same way, adding that the connections CPR classes, and she had to know she feels with students is a large part of the “[I like] meeting new joy she finds in her job. people, seeing new faces.” how to get wheelchairs on and off the bus. “[I like] meeting new people, seeing new Bangen makes connections with faces. I’m the ultimate people person. You the kids. They, “talk about how their hear some of their personal stories,” she said. day [was] and what their plans are for the weekend,” she Hartse agreed. said. “It’s my favorite part of the job,” she said. Working with teenagers can be negative, but Bangen Bus drivers have to, “know everything under the hood. We have to do a walkaround of the bus and make sure said, “very seldom do [I] have any negative kids; they are usually very happy.” everything looks OK,” Hartse said. Bangen’s favorite part of her job is when, “[I] see their Along with knowing their bus, the drivers have first smiling faces and know that they’re happy.” aid and CPR training and must be in good health. Despite weather challenges, the diverse range of “It’s all about the safety,” she said. Possessing good, defensive driving skills is an students that Neshem forms relationships with make her important part of being a bus driver, especially in the job worthwhile. “Everybody’s different; I love everybody.” winter. “Driving in the snow and the ice in winter—that’s the
Christine Neshem
A day without school buses Students can safely text while riding the bus
The amount of students texting while driving goes up.
Information gathered Parents have to wake up from the American earlier to drive students School Bus Council to school. at schoolbusfacts. com by whisper harris, designer
Fewer students get to school at all.
There is a spike in traffic. Families have to spend more time and money at the pump
More students are late to school.
Workers arrive late because of increased traffic.
1 school bus takes 36 cars off the road.
Students are 50 times safer riding the bus than driving themselves
Kids die in crashes that could have been avoided if they had taken the bus. Photo by Peyton Fulbright.