CMR Stampede September 2014 by CMR Stampede

The Stampede

Five decades of excellence Celebrating a half century of academics, sports success

An open forum for student expression

c.m. russell high school great falls, mont. sept. 4, 2014 vol. 49, issue 1

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 compiled from vintage Stampede issues 2 - Table of Contents NEWS 3 - Peyton’s column, School rennovations 4 - New staff mmbers OPINION 5- Laura’s column, Student government goals, School involvement CENTERSPREAD 6/7 - Fall sports preview OPINION (cont.) 8 - Speak your mind, Head to head FEATURES 9- Olivia’s column, Summer jobs ENTERTAINMENT 10 - Drama preview SPORTS 11- Lindsay’s column, 50 years of sports history BACK PAGE 12 - Handbook to becoming a

2014-2015 STAFF editor-in-chief peyton fulbright

online editor tony lynes

visual content editor tom gruner

news/opinion editor laura marsilio

features/ entertainment editor olivia rudio

sports editor

lindsay martinez

advertising manager jaylynn mitchell

staff

drew brennan elea roberts katelyn smith jesse whiteman macquaid brennan logan cowdery april hummel nate johnson shannon o’neil sarina calaman mykelti clark amanda cornwall carli dieruf jade hilbig clara mcclain jara wilkinson

Rustler

adviser

beth britton

principal

dick kloppel

TOP LEFT: Dribbling the ball, senior Ben Evans moves past the defender on Aug. 30 in the first game of a double-header. TOP RIGHT: Junior Madi Rowe makes her way down the field in the game against Missoula Hellgate. BOTTOM: Hamming it up for the camera, the girls soccer team runs laps to warm up for their first game of the day. Photos by Peyton Fulbright.

Editorial Policy

The Stampede -- produced by journalism classes at C.M. Russell High School -- is a public forum for all voices on campus. These voices include the students, parents, faculty and the community at large. The opinions and views in this publication are not necessarily those of the Stampede staff, the student body, CMR employees or the school administration. The Stampede strives to cover the news accurately and fairly; however, when a mistake is made, a correction will be printed in the following issue. All writers are responsible for the content of their articles. Editors will edit all copy to be free of plagiarism and libel, and all writers will double-check their facts before publication. Letters to the editor and guest essays are welcome. Letters

are limited to 200 words, and essays 350 words. All submissions must be signed and include a phone number so authenticity can be verified. The editors and/or adviser reserve the right to edit all letters for grammar and spelling as well as content that may include profanity, be libelous, obscene or not meet general editorial guidelines. Anonymous letters are not accepted. Submissions can be dropped off in room 326 or e-mailed to: stampede@gfps.k12. mt.us. The Stampede maintains membership in the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, the National Scholastic Press Association, the Journalism Education Association and Quill and Scroll. Some material courtesy of American Society of Newspaper Editors/KRT Campus High School Newspaper Service.

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NEWS

Out with the old, in with the new CMR overgoes various renovations over the course of Summer 2014 by katelyn smith, staff writer

It’s the 50th first day. The 50th Prom, and the 50th Homecoming. “The 50th year of CMR is a big deal. The school gets worn down and with the 50th anniversary comes renovations to help improve the school,” Principal Dick Kloppel said. Over the past three months, CMR has been “under construction” due to the remodeling of major parts of the school, including some you wouldn’t notice on a regular basis. “ We replaced the water fountains; these new fountains allow us to see how many plastic bottles we’re saving by using them,” Kloppel said. Some of the new parts of the school you might notice on your own include the new ceiling tiles, water fountains, doors, the newly waxed floor, or maybe even the stalls in the bathrooms on the second floor; which have stainless steel. “It’s crazy how much is being done,” Kloppel said. “If you were to come in tomorrow, all of this would not look the same. You would miss out on seeing some really cool things being done.” Like Kloppel, student body president Karlee Simonson is

looking foward to the new and improved school. “ It’s a relief. It’s nice that the school is being fixed up,” said Simonson. As one of the student body officers, Simonson said she and others would like to work to make the commons a better part of the school as well. “It would be cool if we could get tables for the commons, especially for the people who eat lunch there everyday,” Simonson said. “And maybe get some new benches too.” Along with those, new carpet for the pillars would want to be done next. “The water fountains in my opinion are the coolest part. It’ll really benefit the students who bring water bottles to school everyday and use the water fountains daily,” Simonson said. “It’ll really promote staying hydrated.” The renovations took three months to accomplish. Installing the newest and strongest material will help keep everything up and running as it should. “It’s the tiny things that make the most difference,” Simonson said. “You just have to take the time to look around and notice them.”

Editor-in-Chief

peytonfulbright

LEFT TO RIGHT: The ceiling tiles were stained yellow until being renovated this summer. Above, Principal Dick Kloppel gives Stampede staff members a tour of the renovations on Aug. 19. Right, new showers are the newest addition to the boys locker room. Far right, stainless steel stalls were added into the boys bathroom on the second floor. New stalls were put into every bathroom in the school. Photos by Tom Gruner.

Wow. It’s senior year. It feels like it was yesterday when I came home for lunch on the first day of kindergarten. I remember sitting on my bed, feeling like a man. A real, full-fledged adult. It feels like it was this morning that I was quietly terrified to go to middle school. I remember sitting in my backyard, talking it through with my dog. It feels like it was this afternoon that I was starting high school. I remember finally coming to grips with who I am, opposed to who I thought I should be. It feels like I blinked, and in that time I went from a little gaptoothed, rosy-cheek kid with a terrible speech impediment to the man I am today. I’m sure in another 15 years, I’ll look back and feel like I blinked and became the man I will be. I wonder what my life will be like in the future. Where will I live? Am I still going to be running a comb through my hair every morning; wiping off the extra pomade onto my jeans? Or more likely, my slacks?

Am I still going to love everything from Elvis to Pantera? Or am I going to turn my back on music because I didn’t follow my dreams of becoming a musician? Or will I even care that I gave up on it? I think it’s a universal trait to treasure the past and fear the future. At times, maybe even resent it because of the change it brings. That change however, is something that makes life worth living. What would the point to life be if everyone knew what was coming? Every life would be identical. Everyone would have the same experiences. One of the most beautiful happenings that mankind can experience is an individual discovering something new. It fills you with wonder and joy; something that pales in comparison to anything that could be created. I guess what I’m trying to say is that life is really awesome because of the fact it can be difficult. It always seems to move too fast, yet somehow too slow at the same time. We’re always looking for the next big thing, when in fact I just want you to enjoy the moment, because you’re living the one and only big thing you will ever be a part of: life.

FRESH NEW FACES

4 news

The Stampede 9.4.14

Numerous staff members join the Rustler Nation for 2014-15

Jordann Lankford Position: American Indian Academic Achievement Coach Where are you from? Great Falls What brought you to CMR? I graduated from CMR and could not be more excited to return. I know a lot of the staff and I am very excited for the opportunity to work with them. What’s your teaching philosophy? If you love your job, it will never feel like work. Make sure you are passionate about what you do.

Kasi Thompson Position: English Teacher What brought you to CMR? The amazing community, students, and staff in the Great Falls School District. More specifically - at CMR. I knew when I graduated from CMR in 2007 that I wanted to come right back and teach at this amazing school. Fun Fact: I have tried out for CBS’s television show Big Brother twice. My plan is to keep trying out every single year until I get on the show. So, if I get on I expect you all to watch it three times a week. Too busy? Tivo it!

Theresa Besich

Erin Thompson

Warren Mayes

Position: Business Teacher and head volleyball coach Where are you from? Dillon, Montana What brought you to CMR? I moved to Great Falls a couple years ago to be with my husband. I have been working in the community and waiting for an opportunity to teach. It just so happened a business position came open as well as the head volleyball voaching job. Fun Fact: My husband graduated from CMR.

Position: Math Teacher Where are you from? Cleveland, Ohio What brought you to CMR? My husband was just transferred to Malmstrom AFB, so I applied to teach here. What’s your teaching philosophy? I view my classroom as a team, and we work together toward a common goal. Fun Fact: I am a descendant of Rebecca Nurse (from the Crucible) who was executed during the Salem Witch Trials.

Position: Math Teacher Where are you from? Great Falls What brought you to CMR? Opportunity to work, be a part of the best AA high school in Montana. What’s your teaching philosophy? Math really is everywhere - it’s my task to show you. Fun Fact: I did not like (did not do well in) math in high school because I did not see the purpose - now I see!

Cortni King Position: Art Teacher What brought you to CMR? Three years ago I joined the GFPS art faculty as a traveling art specialist in the elementary system, but for 14 years I taught both high school and college art in Arizona. When the position at CMR opened I decided to seize the opportunity. I am very excited to join the Rustler Nation. What are you most looking forward to this year? Learning! Both mine and my students. :)

Jolyn Johnson Position: World HIstory Where are you from? Great Falls What are you most looking forward to about this year? All of the fun events such as Homecoming, sporting events and the community environment of CMR. What are you most likely spending your free time doing after class? Coaching and when I am not doing that I will be hanging out with my new husband and two dogs.

Steven Hurin Position: English Teacher Where are you from? Power, Montana What are you most looking forward to this year? Meeting students and staff. What are you most likely spending time doing after class? Spending time with my three children, reading and snowboarding. Fun Fact: I lived in Holland for six months.

OPINION

Senior shares experience of first day jitters New year brings

by tom gruner, visual content editor Freshman year. The year that puts you right at the bottom of the totem pole again. Most students completely dread this year, but honestly it’s not as bad as most make it out to be. As long as you put some sort of effort into all you do, you’ll be just fine. I remember my first day of high school; it started off just like any other day of school. Wake up, grabbed some breakfast, out the door, and off to school. Just one difference; you start it off in a giant gymnasium with hundreds of other students--all probably feeling the same: stomachs in knots, profusely sweating, and anxious for the day to be over. No worries though, right? Onto the next few weeks of school and you’re faced with your first big high school event: Homecoming, an activity which I jumped right into. I saw my opportunity to do something for my class and school, and I did it. Homecoming is something I highly suggest all new students at CMR to indulge themselves in. Be involved. Show people you care about your class and your school and that you’re full of school spirit. It’s honestly one of the best ways to be involved. Another great part of high school is the oppurtunity to participate in extracurricular activities and clubs. Involvement in such things can really help you in all four years. The very first thing I got involved in was pep band. I couldn’t be any happier with my decision. The type of people I met made my whole experience easier and also helped me develop my skills as a musician. Maybe pep band isn’t your cup of tea, but there’s plenty of other clubs that will most likely offer something pleasing to you. Pick a hobby or an interest of yours, no matter how bizarre, and I’m sure you’d be able to find a club that fits you perfectly easily. Clubs range anywhere from anime club a music composition club, from long boarding club to botany club, and plenty more in-between. Now that I’m onto my senior year, and I’m still grasping every little thing I can to make my experience just that much better. I’ve become involved in things I would’ve never expected to be part of. That’s the glory of all of it; you find new things, become interested in them, and you try them. One of the best lessons I have learned throughout my three years is that you won’t know unless you try. I know that’s a very cliche thing to say, but honestly it’s 100 percent true. No matter what it is, where it is, or whatever else, you truly will not know what it has to offer unless you take the first step towards it and find out yourself. Basically, high school gives you endless options for involvement. A certain club could open up a door for your future. Making the choices I did to be involved was probably the best thing I could’ve done. Don’t be afraid immerse yourself in all that CMR has to offer.

new goals for government

y o u t

News/Opinion Editor

lauramarsilio

Lee Hulteng/MCT Campus

With the beginning of the school year starting, my late nights watching movies and playing videogames will sadly come to an end. I guess, in a way, it is a good thing that my newly found obsession with shows like “The Walking Dead” and UK’s “The Inbetweeners” will no longer be able to take up as much time as they have. This summer has probably been one of my least exciting, except for one particular trip. In early August I went to Orem, Utah with two friends for Monumentour, one of the greatest concerts I have ever attended. It included the opener band “New Politics”, with the amazing “Paramore” and “Fall Out Boy” headlining the tour. Not only was it a fantastic concert, but it was my first trip without parents. For me it marked my first steps into adulthood. I turned 18 on the day we

left, which made it that more momentous. It was a trip filled with countless moments, including a fun-filled day at Lagoon. The trip also featured some wrong turns. One night, as we were leaving a restaurant, we took a right when we should have gone left and ended up in the Salt Lake City International Airport. Not only was this in the complete opposite direction of where our hotel was, but it was also around midnight and completely dark. We ended up having to go through the parking lot. As we came up to the booth to pay, the man at the desk gave us a strange look as we showed him the ticket that stated we had been in the parking lot for only two minutes. He quickly waved us off because our total came to 0 dollars for the two minutes spent trying to

by karlee simonson, christian rodriguez, and shelly walker, guest writers and student body officers Howdy, Rowdy Rustlers! It gives us great pleasure to welcome our new and returning students to another wonderful year here at Charles M. Russell High School. The experiences, friends and choices you make throughout this year will be those that you will reminisce on for the rest of your life. CMR is known for excellence in academics, fantastic liberal arts programs, diverse clubs and successful athletics. These qualities couldn’t be as powerful without the school pride behind them. It is important to support all of the aspects of our school; participation is key to having an excellent high school experience! As students we are the strength of CMR, providing support and a strong connection to all. Alongside having pride, building relationships, and unity with one another is a vital part of a great school year. Constructing relationships with your peers and your teachers will create not only a better place to learn, but also generate unity we strive for at CMR. With supporting, respecting, and recognizing each other’s efforts and successes we can have the best school year ever! We want this to be the best school year for you. In order to do this we have listed a few goals out of many that we would like to reach. -Gold gowns at graduation for our 50th graduating class! -A suggestion box for all of your wonderful ideas -Quarterly surveys on different subjects -Improving school spirit through numerous activities -AWESOME theme Thursdays -Making the commons look superb -Random acts of kindness For the 2014-2015 year, we hope to see everyone succeed. With all of the wonderful things CMR provides, each of us carries the potential for greatness. This year can be one of the finest years CMR has seen in her bountiful 50 years. High school is what you make it, so together let us make it a memorable one. get out of the area. We were soon on our way back and arrived safely back in our room. On another one of the trip days we ended up visiting East High from “High School Musical”. Sadly, we did not get to go in because school was in session, but we did see East High cheerleaders and one of my friends proceeded to fan-boy. It truly was a big adventure with loud, obnoxious singing, getting lost in the city, and almost getting my upper ear pierced by a man named Scooter. As silly as these moments may seem, they are ones that I will never forget. School is finally starting again and I honestly cannot wait. I am really looking forward to this year with the staff especially since my time last year was great. I hope to make the best out of my final year of high school.

opinion

Speak Your Mind

The Stampede 9.4.14

“College acceptance letters.” Jacob Kerner,12

What are you most looking forward to this year?

“I am looking forward to the open campus’ lunch and football.” Jake Olsen,9

“This school year I am excited to grow with my peers, to develop a better knowledge, better myself as an individual. Or partake in an abundance of T-shirt making and senior lot parking. That should be swell, too. ”

“As a senior, I’m excited to finally be the top class, and to spend this year figuring out what I want to study in college.”

Loni Frantzich, 12

“The grand opening of Buffalo Wild Wings.” Matt Grooms, 12

Serena Palmer, 12

“I guess I’m looking “What I’m looking forward most to this year forward to new classes, is the art classes I’m taking. I’m very excited to advance in my artistic skills. I’m trying friends and keeping different types of mediums so I can get used Noah Danielson in line.” to different styes of art. ”

Mitch Brown, 11

Serenity McCartney, 12

“I’m excited to meet new people, make new friends and complete at least 6 TV series on Netflix.” Carsen Smith,11

“I’d have to say, I’m looking forward to meeting new people and having great classes.” Mara Gaibor,10

“Sports and going off campus for lunch... and the Wranglers.” Jackson Johnson, 9

Late start good for all

Early bird gets the worm by jesse whiteman, staff writer I’ve been caught in a bad romance, but not the Lady Gaga kind. So let’s rama-ramama-ah on to the point here: a long summer and a late first day of school is my bad romance. The length of the summer started to drag about a week into August for me. Instead of being riddled with summertime sadness, I was anxious for school. I was anxious to see my teachers. I was anxious to see my friends. I was anxious. What I was not looking forward to, however, was the first week of school consisting of only two days. For entirety of my scholastic career, the first week has always been three days, typically followed by a four-day week, and then onto the Monday through Friday grind. This is a break from tradition and anybody who has watched “Fiddler on the Roof” knows that Tevye the dairyman would not be happy. August has always signified the encroaching school year, and the last Wednesday of the month was the date of impact. There has just been one extra week of nothingness due to people cramming their summer work to meet the first day due date – and the later that first day, the longer the procrastination. But here’s the leather-studded kiss in the sand: the seniors won’t be graduating until June. This has rarely happened, as the end of May is the general mark for graduating. I personally would rather have had a long summer after graduation instead of going into my senior year. So I don’t want your ugly and I don’t want your disease. I want a school schedule that all of my senior predecessors have been given, a fun one in which they never see the school in June.

by peyton fulbright, editor-in-chief School is starting later this year, giving some the chance to start complaining early. For the 2014-2015 school year, the first day isn’t until Sept. 4. As you’ll notice, this is after Labor Day, and also a full week later than usual. It’s about time. It’s never made sense for school to start before Labor Day. Why go to school for three days and then have a three-day weekend? It’s just a tease that makes you miss summer more than you already did. In addition to being logical, it makes sense to start later in the year because of the weather. Every year, the first three weeks are miserably hot inside the buildings. Starting a week later removes one of those weeks. August weather is also some of the nicest weather Montana has to offer. Why waste that in school, only so we can sit inside during the typical rainy month of June? Besides, this is Montana. Winter is barely over when June rolls around. With the late start, some people still manage to find a way to complain about it. While the biggest gripe is that the senior class won’t graduate until June, my response is “so what?” I do not see any way that that is a disadvantage. It does not matter at all. Despite all of the advantages to starting the school year later, the 2015-2016 school year will revert to starting before Labor Day. The start date combined with the late end to this year school year makes for a shortened summer, which is a huge crime. It isn’t fair to students and staff and has no reason behind it. Even though I will be gone from the Great Falls Public School District, here’s to making the school year start after Labor Day a permanent move.

Head to Head

FEATURES

Assistance requested

Students find employment for summer, school year

For the jamboree, 90 to 100 people drive their Jeeps around by jesse whiteman, staff writer the mountains. Sasquatch runs into a Wyoming “They would put goPros on their Jeeps so you could see the resort, screams are heard, and mud,” she said. laughter follows. Also witnessing camera work, senior Brandon Rodgers “We got them back with works for the KRTV News station as the Camera and Sasquatch,” senior Hannah Technical Director. Swan said about a Minnesotan Rodgers said that he “wasn’t really looking for cross-country team staying in something too heavy,” and heard about an opening at Bearlodge Mountain Resort. the station from a friend. The cross-country team trains He watched his current boss work a full shift during in the mountains so that “when the filming of the newscast. they go back to Minnesota, it’s u.s. census bureau “After that I was hooked,” he said. a breeze [to run].” Rodgers said that he works all the Swan said that the prank was shows. in retaliation for a phony marriage “You’ve got 5:30 and 10:00,” he proposal from one of the male runners. said. “Noon news, Face the State; This summer, Swan was an employee a lot of that stuff I can do.” at the Bearlodge Mountain Resort in the Big Horn Having started working Mountains. Many students choose to hold jobs during at the news station in April, or after the school year – for reasons varying from Rodgers said that the summer making money and preparing for an economic future does not change his work to gaining work experience and identifying potential schedule much. careers. “I don’t get too many more “I definitely see myself working at resorts but hours,” he said. it’s not something I want to make a career bureau of labor statistics Extra time he does work comes in out of it,” she said. the form of the Face the State segment Swan said her job as a server was where a guest who has done something for busy but a lot of fun, especially the state does a prerecorded interview to be aired during “Sturgis Week.” later in the week. Rodgers, however, said he has only During Sturgis Week, bikers worked three of the segments. passed through the mountains He said that the favorite part of his job is working on the way to and from South as the technology director; he “controls part of the Dakota. news show” and also runs audio. “I got to serve the Hells “It seems like you’re doing more. You have more Angels,” she said. control,” he said. Swan said that from the Fourth u.s. census bureau Working for a news station in college is something he of July until Sturgis Week, which said he is considering, but he said that he does not know if ran from Aug. 4-10 is the busiest time he will continue after graduating. of year. “I think tech. director is a lot of fun,” he said. “I don’t know “It’s really busy,” she said. “After that it if I’ll make a career out of it.” starts slowing down a lot.” Along with bikers en route to Sturgis, Swan said she saw a Jeep jamboree, archery, and weddings.

28% of high school students work part time

The average hourly wage in food service is $8.79

Most students work less than 20 hours a week

oliviarudio

Features/Entertainment Editor

This summer I forced myself into living around a great elephant in the room. A small cluttered pile in the corner of my room had never inspired so much dread as the passive aggressive reminder it omitted that by the beginning of this year I had a sizable amount of summer homework to complete. Although I’ll admit the work load was not unreasonable for the three months’ time allotted, I still reserved the last minute to complete it. During the struggle of my last ditch effort to abandon the elephant in my room, I realized I didn’t want a whole year of late nights owing to an inattentive regard towards impending deadlines. Summertime was ending fast and I needed to find a remedy for the easy living I had grown accustomed to. It wasn’t until I found my super cool “Nighthawk” hardback notebook that I was able to revisit that corner. Soon enough, the pages began to fill up with lists of what I needed to do and personal deadlines I needed to complete them by. It worked miracles in helping me reduce that scornful pile, which is why I would make a strong suggestion to pick up a super cool notebook to become your “classified school survival guide” and help you organize school, sports, music or life in general. Of course it’s no magic serum that makes me get my work done, but what’s so great about it is it allows me to organize my thoughts. I believe a large part in willing yourself to finish your school work and any other extracurricular activities is being able to visualize yourself getting it done. Of course the ultimate part being you actually finish the work, but if the stress of the year starts getting to you, organizing your thoughts will help a lot more than organizing your pencils.

ENTERTAINMENT

Opening night Performing arts department prepares for new year

by laura marsilio, news/opinion editor Walking into Bill Williamson Hall students can hear the wonderful sounds of beautiful singing, intricate string compilations, the soulful sound of the band, and the laughter-filled dialogue coming from the drama room. With a new school year on the rise the music and theatre departments of C. M. Russell High School are looking towards a great year filled with fun memories. The orchestra has a lot planned for this year. Not only are the concerts outlined for later in the year, but Steve Olson, the orchestra teacher, already has ideas for their first concert. “I am planning on having the first concert be a Halloween themed concert,” Olson said. With this being one of the larger changes he hopes to bring to this school year, Olson also hopes to play a piece as a full orchestra, which would include members from the band. Along with the school orchestras he has big preparations for AA Orchestra Festival. “For AA this year I am planning on the program being all original film music,” he said. Not only does Olson have a good aim for orchestra, but he also has big ideas to better himself as a teacher. He has begun writing movie scores and has joined a class at the University of Montana. “I’m taking lessons again. So I’ll be going to Missoula twice a week to take a two-hour lesson at U of M,” he said. Unlike Olson, Russell Kellogg, the band teacher, does not have a plan set in stone. Instead, he hopes to watch how the band students interact with one another in the first few weeks. “I don’t have anything planned yet because I need to see how the group responds and grows,” Kellogg said. In the band room, students will get to experience the new approaches that he likes to bring each year. “Every year is a new one with a different mix of strengths and weaknesses,” he said. Kellogg enjoys bringing his passion for excellence and his sense of humor to spark an interest of music in all of his students.

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“I hope my students have as much fun as I do,” Kellogg said. Chris Evans, the head of the drama department, hopes to have as much fun as the students do. His plans for this year include sticking with tradition and trying something a little bit different. “Every other year is a musical year, and this year is our musical year,” he said. The musical production that Evans has planned will take place during the fall. This year the students will be producing “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” based on the beloved comic strip. Evans also has decided to produce a play that he did during his first year here at CMR. “We’re going to end our year with a play I did four years ago in 2010 called ‘American Roulette’,” said Evans. Evans said members of the student body have requested it, and it will be performed as a wrap up for the 2014-2015 school year. It is a drama-filled production based on a school shooting. With such intense topics students need to be passionate and the drama department has more than enough of it. “I’m looking forward to the amount of passion the students are showing towards drama and theatre,” he said. When it comes to the choir, the relationships they build with one another can create a new found appreciation of music. Lynn Ryan, a choir teacher, does not want any of the new students to be afraid to join and try new things. “You often try to compare yourself to upperclassmen, but they were freshmen once too, and you shouldn’t compare yourself to them so early on in your high school career,” Ryan said. This year she will show that tradition is always great, especially in school. Her plan for this year is to stick to some of the traditional songs that they have done in the past. “[We’re not doing much different] because we’ve redone [these songs] since last year and we’re just going to stick with [them],” she said. She also leaves the possible performances to the imagination. “You’ll have to come to the shows.”

SPORTS

Athletes, fans honor 50 years of CMR

Fall Sports History

Volleyball

Football

First season in MHSA: 1984 CMR titles: 2

First season in MHSA: 1900 CMR titles: 13

Girls Cross Country

Boys Cross Country

Offensive starters wait for their names to be called at the Aug. 29 opener. The Rustlers beat Missoula Sentinel 33-28. Photo by Peyton Fulbright.

Sports Editor

lindsaymartinez

by lindsay martinez, sports editor A clap. Then another clap, this time behind the back. Two extensions of the arms with fingers forming the sign. All the while chanting “Russell Hustle” to the beat of a steady drum. The whispers of excitement and hands filled with white powder held in front of every fan. Students waiting long moments for football players to emerge from the locker room. Once the Rustlers storm onto the field, each person releases his or her baby powder into the Friday night sky. A white cloud forms, and smells different than the Memorial Stadium pretzels or nachos that fill the stands. Moments later, clumps appear in hair and on faces, and dark jackets become pale. A field house that houses history and is home to green and gold bleachers and a gym floor with the famous symbol. The faces of stellar student athletes from every sport sit mounted upon green or gold paper, looking down at the fans and athletes who came after them. These are just a few traditions that characterize C. M. Russell High School and make it stick out around

the state after 50 years of operation. What began in 1965 as a high school on the opposite side of the river from Great Falls High School has become an incredible establishment. Students excel in academics and activities, including sports, to honor namesake Charles M. Russell. Overall, fall sports at CMR have collected 32 team state championships, a number that many Rustlers look to add to this season. One such athlete is Lindsy Pyette, a senior captain and forward on the girls soccer team. “Our team has a lot of returning players who have all experienced heartbreaking losses in the past and this year we know what we have to do to win,” she said. The Lady Rustlers have never won a title, with their best effort coming in 2006 when they finished second to Bozeman. Pyette said winning a title in the 50th year of CMR would be a huge success. “It would let all future Lady Rustler players know that winning the championship is possible.” Senior golfer Cole Stenzel also feels ambitious this season. “We’re mostly seniors, so we have some good

experience.” Stenzel said. He added, “If we can win one, we can win them all.” The boys golf team finished in first place at the Great Falls Invitational Aug. 18-19. This tournament was on the Rustlers’ home courses of the Meadow Lark Country Club and Eagle Falls. The state tourney, however, will take place in Bozeman at the Bridger Creek Golf Course. “Everyone on our team can play at other courses, we just need to perform at state. Home course advantage is nice, but every other AA school but Bozeman has the same disadvantage as we do,” said Stenzel. The boys golf squad has not won the team title since 2003, but can change that Oct. 2-3. Regardless of whether teams add trophies and rugs to the field house this fall, it will be a year to celebrate. Emily Cappis and Megan Paul couldn’t make the first football game of the year, but Cappis said they are excited to “go to all the football games and basketball games.” Neither freshman knew this year marks the 50th anniversary, but Cappis said they look forward to learning about CMR traditions.

It’s back to school. Back to pencils, paper, textbooks, and lockers. Back to all the things we students avoid like disease all summer long. It’s also back to Friday night lights at Memorial Stadium, races at the Anaconda golf course, gyms filled with cries of “side out,” sunsets at Siebel soccer park, and early morning tee times when the grass is still wet. Fall sports are back, and they are just another reason to smile this September as we return to C. M. Russell High School for another year. And of course, this is a very special year as we celebrate 50 years of our school. I would like to encourage all students to participate in being fans these next few months. There is no better way to get into the swing of the school year than to hang out with friends and cheer on your classmates at their various events. Students should try stepping outside their comfort zones to get involved in more CMR activities this year. Take it from me; I had never even gone to a volleyball game before last fall. Then, I went one Saturday afternoon and found out it is actually lots of fun. The game is fast moving and exciting, and the fans can have a huge impact on the game. In high school sports, I have found that a loud and positive crowd always helps the home team. Volleyball

First season in MHSA: 1971 CMR titles: 8

First season in MHSA: 1964 CMR titles: 4

Girls Soccer Boys Soccer First season in MHSA: 1991 CMR titles: 0

Girls Golf First season in MHSA: 1966 CMR titles: 2

First season in MHSA: 1991 CMR titles: 0

Boys Golf First season in MHSA: 1956 CMR titles: 3

Information obtained from the Montana High School Association Montana High School Records Book at mhsa.org

and football players especially feed off the energy of the student section and play their best when they have crowds to cheer them on. Being a real fan goes beyond just attending the football and volleyball games, though. Go stand at the finish line of one of the cross country races, and you will be amazed by the toughness of our athletes. You can hear their feet pounding the grass, and see the determination on their faces as they reach towards the finish line. Soccer is exciting too, with nearly nonstop action for 80 minutes and occasional nice weather. I may be biased, but to me a goal in soccer is one of the best moments in all of sports. And finally, although high school golf is not an ideal spectator sport and most of the meets are during school, students can still wish the golfers good luck or tell them good job after returning from events. Still, just merely attending events is not enough. Rustler fans must strive to be positive and respectful. Let’s do our best not to get into arguments about who can stand in what row at the football game. Avoid yelling at people to “Cheer or leave.” Respect officials and opponents. And please, do not heckle some girl trying to serve a volleyball. Whether you can make it to sports games this fall to support your fellow Rustlers or not, I hope you have a fun-filled year and enjoy celebrating this noteworthy year.

lth

Helpful hints for navigating CMR

The bleachers in the gym have specific spots for each class. Freshmen sit in the northwest section, with sophomores directly across. Seniors sit in the southwest section with juniors directly across. Girls bathrooms on the second and third floor are located on the inside of the middle hallway and the boys bathrooms are located on the outside of the center hallway.

Med-Prep Classes

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The Stampede 9.4.14

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Above the breezeway to the fieldhouse is a gold banner while above the breezeway that leads to Bill Williamson Hall there is a white banner. There is no fourth floor or pool -- no matter what an upperclassman tells you. You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to eat lunch in the lunchroom; you can eat in the commons, court yard or leave campus to go out to lunch.

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All room numbers in the 400s are in Industrial Technology.

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All room numbers in the 500s are in the fieldhouse.

Media Center

All room numbers in the 600s are in Bill Wiliamson Hall.

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Counseling Center

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by elea roberts