Dec. 20, 2018
THE STAMPEDE an open forum for student expression
CMR hosts the Holiday Classic
Winter driving in Montana Page 7 CMR’s biggest fan Page 13 Ski season begins Page 19
Vol. 54, Issue 4
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Grace Carr
Editor reflects on Time’s Person of the Year
The Stampede
C. M. Russell High School Great Falls, MT December 20, 2018 Vol. 54 Issue 4 www.rustlernews.com Instagram: rustler_news Twitter: rustlernews
Time’s has released their “Person of the Year,” and it’s hitting the hearts of journalists across the world. For the first time since the magazine’s creation in 1927, Times has chosen not only journalists but also recognized many of whom that have died. The honorable mention was awarded to “Guardians and the War on Truth” on Dec. 11. The article’s purpose is to honor journalists’ work and also emphasize the importance of reporters in an increasingly violent world. As a young and aspiring writer, grasping the concept of what it means to write the truth is becoming more difficult. The job does not simply entail interviewing, photographing, and reporting. Now, journalists around the world are losing their lives for reporting the truth. Many have been murdered for their work such as Saudi Arabian columnist Jamal Khashoggi who spoke out against his government. Others were killed because of the dangerous environment in which they were reporting such as Ahmed Abu Hussein, who was shot
covering a protest in Jabalia, Israel. Some lost their lives while simply writing in their office, like the staff members of the Capital Gazette staff in Maryland. The reality of these murders did not impact me until I viewed each of the four covers produced by Time. The journalists chosen to represent the “War on Truth” were Jamal Khashoggi, Maria Ressa, The Capital Gazette staff, and Wa Lone with Kyaw Soe Oo. All of whom have either been killed for writing the truth or suffered the loss of a loved one. I looked at their faces and expected to see pain, remorse, and sorrow. Instead, what I saw was bravery. These individuals did not show tears or mourning, but rather stood tall and stared down the camera as if to say “we will not be silenced, and we will fight for the truth together.” Even from a small high school production in Great Falls, Mont., I feel empowered by the article. While it taught me the dangers of becoming a journalist, it also showed me how important the work is and why we must come together to fight “The War on Truth.”
Table of Contents
2018-2019 Staff Editors
Editor-in-chief Grace Carr Advisor Beth Britton Principal Kerry Parsons News/Opinion Sophie Kluge Features/Entertainment Quinn Soltesz Sports Gabrielle Pope Photo Nancy Beston Online Holly Spragg Design Mackenzie Connell
Staff
Callan Garner Jackson Howell Jayla Mitchell Kaylebb Stahmer Maggie Petersen Hannah Pospisil Katie Mygland Madison McKenzie Kerrigan Edwards Malcolm Contreras Taylor Willmarth Elinor VanGilder Gloria Baldevia Aspen Lucero Lauren Rich Dorla Gittins Paige McCorkle
On Dec. 14, hundreds of people gathered in the Thunder Dome, screams could be heard from the commons. The CMR wrestling team was competing in one of their biggest tournaments of the year, the Holiday Classic wrestling tournament. This is a yearly competition held at CMR. Photos by Nancy Beston.
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.
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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Table of Contents Grace’s column Fruit Sales Sophie’s Column Consent Looking ahead Clubs Editorial Cell Phones Mckenzie’s Column Road Safety Winter Break Mental health during Christmas Editors try... getting this bread Center: Hands of CMR Question chart Promising Freshman Holly’s Column CMR’s biggest fan Christmas movies Song recommendations Quinn’s Column Cartoon Zodiac’s Guide to gift giving Winter Holidays Wrestling Gabrielle’s Column Cheerleaders Basketball Winter sports Skiing Hockey Swimming Leadership High School
Cover Photo: Colton Martello wrestles at the Holiday Classic wrestling meet on Dec. 14 held at CMR High School. Photo by Nancy Beston.
NEWS
December 20, 2018 rustlernews.com
3
Fruit Sold
Annual
Fruit
SALES
196 20lb boxes of Gala Apples 46 20lb boxes of Red Apples 91 20lb boxes of Granny Apples 179 20lb boxes of Fuji Apples 412 20lb boxes D’Anjou Pears
By Aspen Lucero and Gloria Baldevia
total pounds 512 10,240
total 412
pounds 8,240
320 20lb boxes of total pounds Ruby Red Grapefruit 385 9,000 65 40lb boxes of Ruby Red Grapefruit
630 20lb boxes of Navel Oranges
total pounds 630 12,600
Top Sellers Students and parents gather at Montana Expo Park on Dec. 7 for the annual fruit sales organized by CMR’s music department. Photos by Gloria Baldevia and Aspen Lucero.
Band: Junior Hailey Finch $1,394 Choir: Senior Bailey Reeves $2,543; $350 donations Orchestra: Freshman Jasmine Wyman $1,473
NEWS AND OPINION EDITOR Sophie Kluge
The holidays are a stressful time for almost everyone. From getting everyone the right gifts to making sure you budget correctly, the holidays can be a rough time. Besides the social aspect of christmas break, bring a retail worker during the holidays adds a whole other side to the break. A lot of people particulate in last minute Christmas shopping, making any store in Great Falls as busy as it is on Black Friday. Retail employees understand it’s busy in the store, and it isn’t like they’re oblivious to the massive line growing but there isn’t much the workers can do. Another thing that is common during the holidays is the fact that rude customers are inevitable. People love to preach that the holidays are a time for love and thankfulness, but seem to act the exact opposite when shopping for gifts. I don’t want to be here
just as much as you, but I’m not rude to you about it. We try to make the gift shopping process as easy and painless as possible, but it’s especially difficult when the customer is rude. When customers act as if they are better than you, or try to argue with you over prices and are rude about it, it gets old really fast. I am here for eight hours, and when customers constantly gripe about how prices are too high, the time passes too slow to tolerate. I understand that the holidays are a stressful time for everyone and budgeting is hard, but I am just the worker. I don’t regulate prices, nor do I send out coupons. I just scan your item and take your money, so please don’t get mad at me for being the middleman. I would only expect customers to act this way closer to Christmas, but the mean and snotty attitude has been prevalent
since November, and seems to only be getting worse. The closer the holidays get, the meaner some customers get. I have family coming into town who I never see and would love to see them, but instead I am here, checking you out while you throw your money on the counter and make rude comments about prices. For customers that are nice and care about retail workers, we thank you for being nice to us for the two minutes you see us. The small amount of interaction workers have with nice customers makes it a little easier to get through the day, especially while my family is in town. Overall, the holiday season is usually a fun and cheerful time for people, and retail workers would really appreciate if people could treat us with kindness. We are just here to help and try to get you the best experience possible, and it would help if some were nicer.
December 20, 2018
4 rustlernews.com
Sexual Consent and what it means...
Coming Up....
by Hannah Pospisil, staff writer “Rapes can have a huge emotional impact on people, and “Permission for something to happen or agreement to do I don’t want to say just girls, guys can be victims too; the something” is the definition of consent emotional impact that it can have is important to understand One can define sexual consent much like consent in any because it’s not just as simple as something happens and you other context. Consensual sex can be defined as such: two report it and that person goes to jail and that person has to parties (who are not under the influence of drugs or alcohol live with the consequences; there’s consequences for the and are of legal age) verbally agree to sexual relations. victim too, that, as far as emotional trauma and mental issues “It’s Y-E-S, three very simple letters,” said Detective Nick that it can create,” said Taylor. Taylor, C.M. Russell High School’s school resource officer. CMR counselor Jacie Schoenen also has input on the In order to have proper sexual consent, a person must be subject of sexual consent. willing as well as able to give positive affirmation. “The girls that go off to college, my biggest worry is that People under the legal age are not able to consent. In the you’re taking good care of yourself, that you’re not putting state of Montana, one must be the age of sixteen and over yourself in situations where you aren’t safe,” Schoenen said. to be able to legally consent. However, the Schoenen referred back to her own age of consent will vary in other states. college days, and talked about how her “You need to want to do Statutory rape is the charge that is given and her good group of girl friends never to a person that has sexual relations with something, you need to be went out alone, and never left their another person who is under the age of in the right frame of mind, friends behind, no matter the situation. consent. This charge can mean jail time and meaning completely, one With that friend dynamic, young people presence on the sex offender registry. in college are much safer. It is better to Another factor that may prohibit one’s hundred percent sober be with a few trusted friends than to be ability to consent is if they have a mental to be able to consent.” alone. handicap. People with mental handicaps do “This happens, I think, more often to Jacie Schoenen have the same hormones as the kids around guys then we realize and society realizes them; however, it is important to note that as well, [sometimes] we don’t give them their disability might hinder their consent. a chance to consent, but that doesn’t mean it’s okay,” Schoenen “If somebody is, let’s say they are, twenty years old but said. have the mental capacity of, say, a ten year old, legally they Verbal consent is incredibly important. Just because she/he can’t give consent,” said Taylor. doesn’t say no, doesn’t mean it’s consent. Before participating Another factor that can hinder one’s ability to give consent in sexual intercourse, both parties absolutely must verbally is if they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Drugs consent (meaning both parties say ‘yes’ out loud). and alcohol change the state of mind of a person and alter It’s important to start conversations about consent as early their ability to make decisions. as possible. Both boys and girls need to have clear knowledge “Your inhibitions may be diminished because of of what consent is, and how to keep themselves safe in certain something in your system,” Taylor said. social situations. It’s incredibly important to not only understand the “If it feels wrong, it’s wrong. If the hairs on the back of concept of consent, but the consequences of sex without your neck are standing up, it’s standing up for a reason. If you consent. For a person that perpetrates a rape or sexual assault, don’t feel safe, go with your gut,” Schoenen said. the consequences of that crime can lead to jail time and/or A victim can report an assault to any trusted adults, their name on the sex offender registry, for any amount of including teachers, counselors, the SRO, or any staff they time. feel comfortable with. After the assault is reported, it will go “It’s a life lesson, that, unfortunately, some people have directly to detective Taylor, and he will call in the Sex Crimes had to learn the hard lesson, where they don’t understand Unit with the Great Falls Police Department, and the victim necessarily what consent actually is. It is such a basic thing that will make an official report. The earlier the crime is reported it’s amazing to me that some people struggle to understand the easier it is to investigate, but it is never too late to report that, but I think it’s important to know what the consequences a sexual assault or rape. If you have any concerns, call The are if you’re found in a situation where it’s deemed that there National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 was not consent,” said Taylor.
”
Jazz Workshop When: January 4 for: top GFh & Cmr jazz band & choir students Where: cmr, COncert @7:3o pm
Morp When: Jan. 11, 8-11 pm Where: Times Square Theme: Under the stars *Get tickets at finance office COuple: $12 Single: $8
Finals Jan. 15- 7th period jan. 16- odd periods jan. 17- even periods Jan. 18- End of SEMESTER
Merry Christ mas
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BPA & regional competitions: Amiya Williams Q: Where and when is regionals? Regionals in Jan 21. It is held here at CMR High. All the schools in the A: surrounding region come here and compete. Q: Can you give me a rundown of the competition? Basically, depending on what events your are in you are going to compete everyone else who is those events. You come, you sign up and get A: against your times. Can you give me a rundown of the competition? Q: You could be on team events; you could be on financial analyst team, small business, global marketing. There are a lot of different options. You could be A: doing presentation management, speeches (those are individual). You can take tests. There are all sorts of different things you can compete in. are some of the events? Q: What You could be on team events; you could be on financial analyst team, small global marketing. There are a lot of different options. You could be doing A: business, presentation management, speeches (those are individual). You can take tests.
Clubs
Layout by Nancy Beston, photo editor Writing by Quinn Soltesz, features/entertainment editor
December 20, 2018 rustlernews.com
There are all sorts of different things you can compete in.
know that last year all CMR BPA members qualified for State, Q: Ihow do think the team will do this year? have a lot of new members, but they are seniors, and they are really excited A: We to be in BPA. I’m excited to see the outcome. I think we are going to do really good, we have a lot of advantages with us just because of how great they are and how great they are doing in the business classes. It’ll be great to see how good everyone can do.
Q: What are you looking forward to most about regionals? Definitely looking forward to just being with the rest of the club and competing A: against everyone. And that feeling when you do do good and win. me about the fundraiser spaghetti dinner that the BPA team Q: Tell will be having? Thurs., Jan 10, it’s the boys basketball game. We are going to be holding a A: On spaghetti dinner. It’s going to be seven dollars a person, and for kids only a couple dollars. You’ll get spaghetti, salad, a roll, dessert, and a drink. There’s gonna be some raffle baskets and some auctions. So definitely come out and support and get some good food!
What are clubs up to?
BPA plans their spaghetti dinner fundraiser at their weekly meeting. Photo by Quinn Soltesz.
Speech and debate competes in Helena on Dec. 15. Photo provided by Steve Hurin.
Speech and Debate update Speech and Debate, a hallmark of high school clubs, is entering into the heart of its season. CMR Speech and Debate Secretary Kier Brown gave insight into how the team is doing this year. “[The meets] have gone fairly well, for how new our team is this year,” Brown said. With many freshman members and a new assistant coach (a lawyer from outside of CMR), the team has grown a lot. On Jan. 11-12 CMR will be hosting the Electric City Optimists Invitational. This meet is sure to be a valuable stepping stone towards a successful state competition in Kalispell on Jan. 25-26. Brown has done well personally this year and placed second in policy debate at his most recent competition. “If anyone wants to try, they should. It’s fun after you start doing it, it’s hard to get started with building your case, but it’s a lot of fun afterwards.”
KEY Club: The service leadership organization DECA: The has seen a major growth in membership this year as many freshmen have joined. The club recently put together a holiday gift basket to send to Mike Beck, a teacher at CMR currently deployed in Afghanistan. Other projects include an EagleMount Ski Program and running the concessions at basketball games.
business club is preparing for its state competition at Fairmont Hot Springs in February. All club members will compete in this competition if they choose, and many hope to advance to the international competition in Orlando in April. In addition to this, chapter president Andrea Newbrough is seeking a State Office position at the state competition. If Newbrough attains this office, she will be the first to represent CMR in a number of years.
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KEY Club poses for a photo to send to Mike Beck. Photo provided by Jessica Goosen.
20, 2018 6 December rustlernews.com The Stampede staff wishes you happy holidays
The Stampede staff wishes you happy holidays. We hope the joy of the season stays throughout the year. May the holiday season raise your spirits so you can return to school full of energy and motivation. The school year started off busy for us and FROM OUR others as well. Homecoming, from Sept. 24-28, was a week-long celebration with Dr. Seuss, OF spirit and music everywhere. Pep assemblies VIEW and a blood drive took place to help the Rustler Nation come together. The production of “The Sound of Music” started all the way back in June for some members of the cast. Athletic activities are on the forefront for every athlete and crowd member. These and many other activities have kept CMR busy since Aug. 29. Many of us are aware what a busy schedule looks like. With that being said, the upcoming holiday break presents an opportunity to blow off some steam and relax for a while. After the break has come to an end and the winter festivities have calmed down, school continues right where it left off: a pep assembly rallying spirits for crosstown basketball on Jan. 10. MORP is scheduled for Jan.11. Students start to study harder than ever as on Jan. 15-17, semester finals take place. A look into the more distant future, Prom is on March 23. The Stampede staff is excited for our annual Secret Santa gift exchange and we hope you are excited for presents, too. The holiday season is about happiness and reconnecting with old friends and family. It is a time for sweets and relaxation. Celebrate the festive time with your friends, family, loved ones, even The Russtones perform at the your pets. After all, the holidays are about holiday concert on Dec. 17. Photo by Beth Britton. appreciating one another.
POINT
DESIGN EDITOR
OPINION
Social media vs. young children
by Taylor Willmarth, staff writer mean that they are ready. Based on the inappropriate “Instagram requires everyone to be at least 13 years posts made by adults, age is not a direct representation old before they can create an account.” of maturity. This is according to the policy page on the social If parents are going to allow their children to have media’s website which also states, “If your child is social media in any circumstance, they need to monitor younger than 13 and created an account on Instagram, what is coming through their feed and keep tabs on you can show them how to delete their their interactions. It’s a necessity account.” to be friends with your child on all Still, thousands of children under of their accounts. My parents can the age of 12 have various social be found on my follower list and I media accounts. Many of them possess have no problem with that. accounts behind the backs of their Children are also not often parents, but a fair number of guardians aware of how emotionally are aware of and approve of the policy attaching and harmful social violations. media can be. Seeing friends and Instagram and other online classmates doing activities that networking platforms struggle to they were not invited to participate enforce their posted age restrictions, but in can be devastating for a child’s do age restrictions really matter? sense of self-worth. I believe that According to Influence Central, 10.3 kids are especially prone to being is the average age that kids get their first impacted by offensive content phone in America. Many of those kids often found in memes and other get social media along with the new posts. device. I believe that this is where we go Many memes represent wrong. Social media was not designed closed-minded beliefs that feed Photo by Nancy Beston. for children, and it harms them more undesirable traits in our country. I than it helps them. think it is important to remember that these kids will Social media does not help young children grow someday be decision making adults. socially. The hours they spend trying to keep up It’s important to remember that social media is with their ridiculous amount of online “friends” only enjoyable, and that’s why kids are drawn to it. Sharing decreases their social development. Nobody has close satisfying moments, funny videos, and silly memes has connections with thousands of people. Kids who become a significant part of our world. Before diving spread their time out among that many people will fail into the world of social media, I believe that potential to form tight bonds with real friends. young users and their parents need to be fully aware of Every child is different, so parents need to tailor what they are getting into. their rules to their child. Congress says that kids are allowed to have an account at age 13, but that doesn’t
McKenzie Connell
Editor ponders eating habits Diets and health plans are as much of a fad as the shoes people wear and the hairstyles people have. Since a young age, my generation has gone through multiple MyPlate ideas, from the pyramid to today’s plate. Few things have stayed constant in today’s changing society, but there are a few. Fruits and veggies have always been known to be “good for you,” although scientists have been creating and developing new health foods yearly. My family has experimented with multiple health fads and few have stayed. When I was six years old my mother decided that the family (excluding my dad) would be going vegetarian, almost vegan under the name “Eat to Live.” This was due to the community we were living in, where many of my mom’s friends were health fanatics and preached how wonderfully healthy they all felt. We replaced many of our meat dishes with tofu and other substitutes. Dairy milk was removed completely from our diets and replaced with soy milk. Like I said, my father was not included in this, so we still ate meals made by him, mostly consisting of rice and/or potatoes with some sort of meat. This was the first, but definitely not the last, of the dietary ways of the Connell household. As we moved back to the states, studies started to show that soy milk was not the best substitute for dairy, so we gradually switched over to almond milk. This is one of the few changes that has stayed within our diets.
Health food recipes started to appear on our bookshelves replacing the juicer. My family has always eaten whole wheat along with a Vitamix (blender) and a juicer. Most lunches since I was little, because that was the way my mom was raised, included some sort of smoothie, and as a child color was all so the bread didn’t change. However, no matter how you try to that mattered. Once spinach was added the beautiful purple twist sweets, there is always sugar. blueberry smoothie turned into a boggy green. The most This leads to a question that has plagued my mind for many memorable smoothie is a story told and retold amongst my years. What is truly a healthy diet? Personally I believe that family. many of the diets out in the world are unsafe and unhealthy. The name of the infamous smoothie is “Frog Nog”, the The diet that frustrates me the most is the Keto diet. While the ultimate green smoothie. Since I was at the age where my weight loss is impressive, it’s mostly due to the fact that you’re favorite and hated foods were constantly changing, this drink just not eating anything. continuously switched lists. So as I reflect on all the diets and eating habits my family has One night before parent-teacher conferences my mom put embraced through the years, I have a rough idea of what is truly together some Frog Nog for the family, and webyallPaige piledMcCorkle into good a person. This is in no way scientifically proven, but stafffor writer the car to head to the elementary school. That night I decided for me personally it’s shown to make me feel healthier without Frog Nog was not only a gross beverage, but the most vile starving myself. substance ever created. Screaming, yelling, excessive gagging Everything in moderation. That’s it. Too much of anything all preceded the sips I was forced to take of the drink. Once I is not healthy, an idea we’ve been taught since kindergarten. “If exited the vehicle jumping and feet stomping was added to the you eat too many carrots you’ll turn orange.” “Don’t eat all your mix. This is a story that my father loves to repeat anytime my Halloween candy or all your teeth will fall out.” mom decides to try out a new recipe, and the taste of that Frog Having a cookie isn’t bad for you, but eating an entire package Nog is permanently imprinted in my mind as the most horrific every day might not be the healthiest option. So while eating flavor ever. fads will come and go, it can be certain that one will always stay, Since we’ve moved to the states our eating habits have as everyone says, “a natural, whole foods, organic, homegrown, changed, largely due to the fact that my parents now own a dairy-free, gluten-free, apple-a-day keeps the doctor away.” bakery. Cookies, brownies, and cinnamon rolls line our counter
December 20, 2018 rustlernews.com
ROAD SAFETY
How to stay safe on Montana roads during the winter season by Dorla Gittins, staff writer Some teens are absolutely terrified of driving in the winter. They do not like the icy roads they have to drive heading to school every morning. “I feel like people forget how to drive the first few days of winter,” sophomore Kaitlyn Bratten said. And it’s mostly true. On multiple occasions, students have slid on ice in the middle of traffic and almost gotten hit. I think that Bratten has a point. Drivers get used to good weather and good road conditions for several months before winter starts. When winter arrives most people forgot that they need to start driving slower than they have been. For example, when the roads get icy the snow falls, drivers slide into other lanes because they choose to drive to fast. I think a few ways for drivers to be safer on the road is to slow down. I know I’ve been saying slow down a lot, but it’s what you need to do. Also, when you are trying to slow down don’t try to stomp on your brakes.
You need to take your foot off the gas and slowly come to a stop. I’m not saying don’t use your brakes all the time, but if the road is slick and you don’t want to go sliding everywhere it is a pretty great option.. If you have an older car and you slam on the brakes you will slide. However, if you pump your brakes you can come to a safe and complete stop. Another way is to accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for gaining traction and avoiding skids. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry and take time to slow down for a stoplight. It takes longer to slow down on icy roads. Another good way to be a safe driver on winter roads is to not be distracted by your phone when you’re driving. I feel like most teenagers will look down at their phone to see who has sent them a text or a snap. It takes 4.6 seconds to read a text while driving, but, with icy roads it would be 10 times that. On icy roads, four seconds would feel like four minutes. Photo: Google/CC
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December 20, 2018 8 rustlernews.com
MENTAL HEALTH by Maggie Petersen, staff writer In this time of year, Christmas lights illuminate the night, yet many may still be in a dark place. December hosts a season centered around family and giving, but those with circumstances far from ideal often feel isolated in such a jarringly “holly jolly” atmosphere. “[...] It feels like sometimes we’re bombarded with this happy, wonderful perception of the holidays and that’s just not the case for a lot of people.” Said Brenda Lowry, student counselor at CMR High School. Spend enough time on social media or channel surfing, the idyllic family will soon reveal itself, and through these filtered sources, many people gain a false understanding of what their life should look like, a standard to which many of us fall short. Expectations for Christmas rise all year, and when that burden becomes too great for one person to bare, feelings of inadequacy threaten to replace the joy of the holidays. Unsaid expectations are set up for each individual, and to leave them unfulfilled is often perceived as a personal failure. “It’s kinda difficult to maintain all the stresses of making everybody happy on the holidays,
handling presents and family and making people happy and then I see a lot of people around me getting kind of sad around holidays, which makes me sad.” Senior Hannah Pospisil said. As a student, she explains, it is hard not to notice the negative affect the holiday season has on many of her peers. Students bogged down with school and extracurriculars can struggle with the added responsibility of purchasing gifts for those they care about. Those without jobs find themselves in want of money and those with jobs find themselves in want of time. Make no mistake, Christmas is a happy time for many, even most, and it should not cease to be seen as such. However, with most good things, negatives find a way to sneak in. The ups and downs of life do not pause for a month, despite how all of us wish they would. “If we’ve lost someone around the holidays, it’s hard for us to really associate that with good times.” Lowry said. “I think it’s probably harder for people to really be real about how they’re feeling.” S h e continues. After all, with literal songs devoted to chanting “It’s the most wonderful time of the year”, who would want to disagree? Christmas might seem like a necessary time for negative emotions to take the backseat, but that’s not always the best option, especially if a holiday stops
WINTER
Break
Gabrielle Pope, Sports Editor Oh, the holiday season. A time for cherishing every moment spent with friends and family. The season of gift exchanges, gingerbread houses, Christmas socks, decorated houses and all that is merry and bright. For students there is a lot going on in these few weeks before Christmas vacation -- teachers cramming in tests before we leave for break and forget everything we’ve learned, vacations planned that are longer than the break so school has to be missed, a lack of motivation in the groggy weather along with a million other things running through our minds. Seven days. We are given seven school days to celebrate all of the holiday festivities. Seven days without the stress of that assignment that is due Monday or the test planned during the week. Seven stress-free days to cherish every moment that the holidays have to offer and for me that isn’t enough. I am not here to just sit and complain. I have a solution. If school started earlier in the year, say end of July or early August, there would be more time for longer breaks and we would still be getting out of school towards the beginning of June. There are a lot of teachers and students who think that the shorter the school year is, the better, and in order to have a shorter school year the breaks have to be shorter. I was one of the many who always thought the
someone
from getting help. Christmas is made beautiful by spending time with those we love. If it feels like there is no way to avoid the gloomy aspect of what it may bring, then perhaps explore it with a new perspective. Lowry preaches the importance of simplifying, saying “I think it’s okay to just be okay with how you’re feeling, I think it’s healthy to know that we’re all different and that we don’t have to pretend and buy in to some of that commercialism. For me, I like to simplify things [...]” Enjoying the holidays is not limited to watching the same classic Christmas movies and taking advantage of sales, maybe what makes this holiday season great is getting help, or reaching out to someone, or letting yourself let go of high expectations. Maybe if everyone was to put their energy into themselves and the people around them, then Christmas will be about getting better instead of being perfect. Shed light in dark places this holiday season. In the words of Hannah Pospisil “Having as many people around me as possible, I think helps a lot. Just make other people happy, spend time with them.”
The holiday season: A time intended for
family
later we can start and the earlier we can get out of there the better it is for all of us, but now, during my senior year, I am looking back on all of the years I have attended a school in GFPS district and realizing that this is my last Christmas I get to spend living at home with my family. The last countdown I will have at home until the New Year. These are our memories in the making. I used to be so concerned with getting out of school, I didn’t care how short the breaks were. But now I realize that what is more important is that I got to spend my time off with the people who matter most to me. We are in school for 180 days no matter how we split the year up. We could go 180 days straight with weekends as our only breaks but I think we would all have to agree that would not be our best option. Breaks and healthy for the soul, our minds need time to decompress with all the hardships that high school brings. There is a beauty in the commotion that comes with school but the only reason we perceive it as beauty is because we have serene times to accompany the chaos. The more we cut down those serene times, that are made to allow our brains and bodies to relax, the more we see problems with our brains and bodies. Students motivation to attend school around this time of year are at an all time low and people need to be allowed positve times to de-stress.
How do you handle the holiday
STRESS?
“I like to walk along the river down past Giant Springs and Rainbow Dam. No music, no phone. Just me and my thoughts and Mother Nature. I have to unplug from the phone, TV, computer on a regular basis -- especially during the busy holidays -- and get away from it all.” Beth Britton, teacher “I plan ahead, get an early start and don’t leave things until the last minute. I’m probably not a very good person to ask about holiday stress because I enjoy all the planning and shopping and cooking and celebrating, but here’s my advice: keep your expectations low and go with the flow. If I do feel stressed or tired, we order a pizza, eat off paper plates and then I turn on the Hallmark Channel.” Dani Stark, teacher “I like to make lists so I can visually see what all I have left to do.” Trey Behling, 12 “I make a conscious effort to stop everything and take 30 minutes or an hour before I go to bed and have a cup of tea and listen to music, read a book, or just sit. I need that time to unwind and turn my brain off or I don’t get the sleep I need, which is the only way for me to refresh for the next day.” Tom Cubbage, teacher “I handle stress over the holidays by giving back to the community. I think volunteering and seeing how much you have and the smiles you put on people’s faces lowers my stress. It shows that sometimes all you need to do is take a step back and not stress so much. I also do holiday activities like looking at Chrsitmas lights.” Carly Cushman, 12 “I like going to the gym because it helps me focus on something else. I also like to do a lot of self care activities like do face masks and and drink lots of tea.” Jillian Painter, 12 “I handle stress during the holiday season by trying to work out more and eat a little better and I make sure I am concentrating on family time because that is my most important duty.” Burke Allen, teacher
FEATURES
December 20, 2018 rustlernews.com
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Let’s get this BREAD Stampede tries baking at Great Harvest
If you want to join us on one of our wild adventures, direct message us on Instagram Hearing about bread from the layout/design editor, Mckenzie Connell, (her family owns or Twitter @Rustler_News, email us at stampede@gfps.k12.mt.us, or come talk to Great Harvest) Stampede knew this would be the perfect opportunity to quench their baking us in room 326! Photos by Taylor Willmarth. thirst. On Dec. 8 various members wandered out of their bed, and scampered downtown, to conquer honey whole wheat buns. After learning about the history of the bakery, the benifits of gluten, and the process of milling, the Great Stampede baking experience began.
“I’m happy I only had to form the bread. If I had to make it from scratch, someone would have gotten salmonella.” -Holly Spragg
Laura Connell led the class on baking. She began with teaching us the basics, including things like gluten, grains, etc. She then led the students to the main part of the bakery to kneed some bread.
“I was impressed by how much they preserve the history and tradition with somthing as simple as creating bread.” - Gloria Baldevia
“It was really interesting to learn a new skill. I feel like it will help me grow in my cooking experience... as I have none.” -Quinn Soltesz
“It was a fun experience, and I learned a lot about baking and how bread is made.” - Aspen Lucero
“I am proud of myself for sucessfully making bread because I can’t cook anything. Give me water and I will probably burn it.” -Nancy Beston
“Kneeding the bread was stressful and satisfying at the same time, but I learned I’m not the baker in the family.” -Grace Carr
December 20, 2018 12 rustlernews.com
Favorite holiday?
Favorite TV-show?
Christmas
“Sports Center”
4th of July
Halloween
“Elf ” and “Home Alone”
“Game of Thrones” and “A Christmas “American Carol” Housewife”
“Steven Universe”
Do you like candy canes?
Favorite Christmas movie?
“The Grinch”
Not really Paul Soldano, AP
I love them Sarah Saia, Librarian
Yes Savannah Duke, 12
Christmas
“Rick and Morty”
“How the Grinch stole Christmas”
I love them
Promfreisshmineng
Freshman gains skills in geometry by Madison McKenzie, staff writer Being in an honors class is advanced enough, but being a year ahead of your classmates can be even more difficult, and for Tenaya Gaines, this is no exception. The freshman is currently in Honors Geometry, and while the class may be hard, she enjoys the challenge. “It is a lot harder than I thought it was going to be, but I am glad that I am a year ahead, so that I can finish math early,” Gaines said. She continued to explain finishing math early and how that will set her apart from others in the school. She is actively involved in her class, taking in everything that her teacher, Jetta Slater, tells her. “We just started inequalities, and we just finished triangles and parallelograms,” she said. Gaines said that taking accelerated geometry is challenging, but she doesn’t regret making the decision to go into advanced math. Gaines wants to continue to go into advanced math and she spoke how going into Algebra Two as a sophomore would help. “I think next year will keep challenging me, but it will be rewarding in the end,” she said. Gaines also gives some helpful hints to getting a good grade on your tests. “Make sure you write down everything your teacher
says in class, even though it’s not in the notes, because most likely it will be on the test,” Gaines said. Taking notes is probably one of the best helpful hints that she can give on getting a good grade, she added. “I would suggest color coding your notes, by definitions and chapters, just to keep your notes and mind organized,” Gaines said. Being color coordinated can assist in organizing your notes as well as your thoughts. “Geometry is very visual, so make sure you study your figures and drawings,” she said, adding that drawing pictures can highlight the chapter in a way that is easier to remember. She stressed that not taking notes at all is basically saying you cannot handle the class. When you don’t take notes, you cannot study off of them and your test grades may suffer as a result. While it may be hard to be a full year ahead of most of your classmates, Gaines stresses that it can be done with hard work and a good attitude. She hopes to continue doing advanced math to be an example for others who are deciding for themselves whether to take that extra leap to get ahead of the curve.
Dylan Winkler, 10
4th of July
“Lethal Weapon”
“A Christmas story ”
• •
Yes Peter Dacoulias, 10
Christmas
“Full House”
“The Spirit before Christmas”
No Katelyn Zuris, 9
Photos and chart by Katie Mygland.
Test Tips
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ONLINE EDITOR Holly Spragg
Editor celebrates the holiday joys, both big and small
Montana winters are impressive, beautiful, powerful, and, last but not least, long. The season that is supposed to be filled with the most cheer often hears mumbles and complaints due to the cold and the fact that it can start in October and end in April. Ice patches that aren’t seen until you have fallen are inescapable at the end of the year. Red cheeks and cold noses are a constant throughout the winter months. There are many other reasons why winter is the worst season to many people, but I quite enjoy the season of white. The bitter cold mornings are a great thing to wake up to, especially because it is easier to find the warmth you want rather than it is to find cold during the mid-year, desert months. A look out of a window in the early morning hours will often reveal a
view from a children’s storybook. The Hallmark holiday movies, no matter how cringey, are always a highlight of the season. Not to mention, the actual classic movies are amazing: “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “Elf,” “Home Alone,” “The Year Without Santa Claus,” “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” etc. Even though the air is cold, all the scents of winter seem to be warm: vanilla, sugar plum, apple cider, etc. The cinnamon pine cones that my grandma always seems to have is a smell of winter. Cold air and smoke from a nearby fire place will always bring back memories of childhood snowmen and snow angels. The smell of my mother’s perfume holds memories of late night Christmas Mass and joyful people singing songs. The smells of my candles are often those of winter and snow. There
are certain smells that can take you back to a specific time during your life, and winter holds many of such times. Looking into the night sky and seeing giant, fluffy snowflakes coming down to softly land on a field of snow brings about happiness. Footprints of snow boots tell the story of the day’s activities. The classic ugly Christmas sweater parties pull out the joy behind the cold months. Caramel popcorn, peanut brittle, and peanut butter blossom cookies are made from family recipes. My grandma’s molasses cookies only show up around Christmas time. My winter time holds much more than ice and cold mornings. It holds traditions, memory, and smiles. The image of a fireplace with a tree and stockings hung is a cliché picture that doesn’t cover the cheer winter brings.
December 20, 2018 rustlernews.com
Eat. Sleep. Bleed.
by Kerrigan Edwards and Gloria Baldevia
13
Green & Gold
A glimpse into the life of CMR’s biggest fan
As Rustlers go wild in support of their beloved team, one woman standing along the bleachers of the basketball court, with her pride-filled smile and freshly-baked cookies, stands out among the crowd. This woman is Lynda Morin. Whether you realize it or not, Morin is at every Rustler basketball and football home game. Morin is the senior vice president, financial advisor, and branch manager at D.A. Davidson and Co. But most of all, Morin is the biggest Rustler fan around. In 1974, Morin -- then Lynda Thurber -- was a bright eyed freshman at CMR. Throughout high school, she participated in the school’s pep band. As she attended, her love for CMR grew, and it continued after her 1978 graduatoion. Moving out of state for college, Morin said that coming home to her alma mater had always been something that she has loved unconditionally. Being a Rustler was one of the things that molded Morin to become the successful person that she is today. For more than 40 years, Morin and her family had made going to CMR football and basketball games their idea of entertainment and honored tradition. Aside from being in the sidelines, cheering and singing to Mag 7 along with other students, Morin also shows her support to the athletes of CMR by bringing them cookies that she made herself on game days. “I bake the cookies so the kids will know that somebody is cheering for them,” Morin said. “It matters that someone is beside them and their parents.” Aside from the relationships that she has built along the way, she also shared what she learned the most about being a Rustler. “If you work hard and do your best, you’re going to do well,”Morin said. “All you can do is do your best. But, what I learned as a Rustler was that we work hard, we have discipline, we do our best, and that’s the recipe of success for life.” According to her, Rustler pride means more than representing the green and gold inside each of us; it is also about hard work and the life lessons that we gain throughout the wins and the losses. “Rustler pride means that we are all Rustlers , win or lose. It’s always more fun when we win. But we’re still proud Rustlers if we lose,” she said. As a result of her love and dedication to CMR, other alumni also have displayed their commitment to the school. Her evident admiration for these people Top right: gym exterior. Photo who showed support and pride even after many years, like basketball coach John Cislo and football coach Gary by Kerrigan Edwards. Top left, Lowry, proved to be a great reminder why being a Rustler is bottom right: Morin shows off her school spirit. Photos by Grace Carr. important to her. Bottom left: weight room with new “[Cislo and Lowry] are both Rustlers from a long time ago,” equipment. Photo by Aspen Lucero. Morin said. “ I love the way they continue to promote that Middle right: Morin giving a speech at Rustler pride with things that we do.” ribbon cutting. Photo by Beth Britton. Her appreciation for her school does not only extend to her being present at every game. She and her family have also played a huge part in the construction of the new multipurpose facility.
The Thurber family donated $125,000 to purchase the equipment in the new weight room and the signage on the outside. For the students at CMR, the new additions to the school are hard to miss. Thanks to people like Morin, Rustlers are fortunate to have a new weight training facility and gym through her family’s financial assistance. The process behind the new building, however, goes back further than just this year. “One of the reasons we made the gift was to honor our dad, Bert Thurber. My mom and dad took us to CMR football games long before any of us went to CMR. That was our family fun – CMR football, and it has carried on for many years. If you see the plaque over the door of the weight room, that is to honor our dad,” she said. Morin thinks highly of her father, who served on the school board in his time. “One of my dad’s favorite sayings was ‘don’t let your schooling interfere with your education,’”Morin said. Sports are a great way to learn life lessons as athletes and also as fans, she added. “It’s not so much about the win or lose. It’s the lessons that you learn, the relationships that you had. As Rustlers, we all belong. You are a winner. You are part of a winning team. You’re part of a winning tradition,” she said. Morin also helped oversee details of the new building. When the first draft for the paint layout was presented to Morin, the slogan on the side of the building was only supposed to say ‘Home of the Rustlers’ until Morin suggested a crucial change, that for her, made a powerful impact to the overall design. “I wanted it to say ‘Home of the Mighty Rustlers’ because to me, it is the most important,”Morin said. “We’re not just Rustlers. We’re mighty Rustlers.” Morin shared how much she loved the new building, especially the green and gold painted all over. With the new building, Morin is looking forward to a better performance from the athletes. “I hope the students appreciate having a new facility with new equipment that will help to just make them better athletes and better people,” she said. Her family’s donation and selfless support to the school gave the Rustlers a glimpse on how much she values the green and gold blood that is running through her veins. As someone who is proud to say she is a Rustler, Morin hopes that everyone will be, too. “Everyone in CMR should be proud that they get to be a Rustler.”
ENTERTAINMENT
20, 2018 14 December rustlernews.com
Songs to cross the country to
CLASSIC
by Malcolm Contreras, staff writer
Christmas Movies
“Game To Lose” - I’m With Her
FOR YOUR HOLIDAY SEASON
San
If there’s anything that totally screams “road trip”, it’s a nice mandolin solo. “Game to Lose” starts off with a mid-tempo violin solo, and then the three members of the band ring in the verse by Lauren Rich, staff writer with powerful vocal harmonies that reinforce the lyrics. The lyrics, although not very strong in storytelling, are empowering and can easily energize most anyone. Towards the middle of the song, a mandolin solo bursts out of the soft vocals and empowers the whole song. The solo is the main Take Santa, the Macy’s theme for the song and adds a get-em feel to the song with violin pizzicatos and guitar strums Thanksgiving Day Parade, and pushing the solo forward, adding a contrast to the verses. With the folk sound and power this song an adorable little girl -- mix them provides, it’s hard to understand how this song won’t be played while on a roadtrip with the homies. together and you have perhaps the best Christmas film ever!
ta C lau s 189 8
130 years ago, George Albert Smith, an early British filmmaker, set his cinematical sights high, creating the first film to show a depiction of Santa Claus!
ul derf Won a s It 1946
Life
“Walking” - The Dodos
Mi 34 rac th le o 19 stre n 47 et
Discover why Jimmy Stewart is considered one of the best actors of all time in this heartwarming classic!
With a forward moving guitar riff and a bass drum beat joining in after a bar of guitar, this song gains its attitude fast. The instruments take a lot of inspiration from both indie and folk music, integrating banjo and guitar with a strong and firm drum part. The lyrics, though seemingly whacky, are poetic. The song circles the idea that a lot of us end up trapped in the same habits we’ve condemned by taking life slow and waiting for opportunity to come to us. It presents the idea that nothing is going to happen if you don’t make it happen. Life isn’t going to give you what you want; you’ve got to demand it. That’s why it’s such a great road trip song. You can’t wait for the horizon to come to you; you’ve got to chase it and embrace the chase.
n’s poo Lam ation l a Vac ion Nat stmas i You 9 Chr 8 19 Home Alone 1990
If you’re looking for laughs, look no further. One bratty 8-year-old is defending his home against two robbers, can complete your holiday season. ch in s Gr ma e t s th ri w h Ho le C 000 o 2 t S
can’t miss this holiday classic with actor Chevy Chase famously portraying Clark Griswold, a man who wants Christmas to be perfect for his family even as hilarious and disastrous problems arise.
AC hri st
ma s Ca rol 200 9
This comical classic teaches the true meaning of Christmas. Something everyone must see! This comical film featuring Will Ferrell as the main character Buddy, who was raised among Santa’s elves in the North Pole, is one you have to watch this holiday season.
Ebenezer meets Jim enough said.
“Phoenix”- Slaughter Beach, Dog
Scrooge Carrey...
ess
El 20 f 03
pr Ex ar 4 l o 0 eP 20 Th
Grab a cup of hot coco and expierence the magic of Christmas with this film!
FEATURES/ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
“Phoenix” is by far the most reminiscent song on this list. The lyrics talks about past experiences that the frontman, Jake Ewald, has experienced in the past, including memories with his previous band (currently on hiatus) Modern Baseball. Although the memories seem personal to Ewald, it’s easy to relate to a lot of the lyrical content. The song musically is composed of a thin sounding acoustic guitar, synthy strings, and a xylophone. It presents a playful tone that is perfect for early morning drives.
“Agape” - Bear’s Den “Agape” is a Greek word for selfless love, which doesn’t honestly describe the song but rather the song is more so of a misunderstanding of what agape is. The song keeps the same lyrical material throughout the piece once you get to the chorus, but the band makes the second verse and following chorus’ sound different and new once you arrive at them. The lyrical content of the song is probably my favourite on the list. The song talks about an individual who seems to be in a failing relationship where only one of the parties is trying to make things work. In the end, the person expects the other to give up without any effort, and when that happens the vocalist doesn’t know who he will be after they’re gone because they’ve invested so much love and time into their significant other. Despite the sad lyrical substance, the song is carried by a staccato banjo, an acoustic guitar that rips right through it, and a steady soft drum, providing the perfect song to put Photos: Google/CC.
Quinn Soltesz
Competition show perfect for holiday entertainment
Every time the holiday season rolls around, we return to entertainment to celebrate our winter spirit. Channels like Hallmark air seemingly endless made-for-television films, serialized comedies air a Christmas special, and classics like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer or Elf make an appearance. While all of these are great options for spending time with family and reliving memories that make this season great, I, and by extension my family, will be trying something different. What I mean by this is that I will be forcing them to watch a reality show, one that appeals to all media consumers, one that truly celebrates a cornerstone of Christmastime: baking. The Great British Baking Show, first airing in 2010 on the
BBC, has produced nine seasons and multiple spin-offs, one being a holiday edition. While being wildly popular across the pond for years (In the UK, the finale of its season garnered more views than the World Cup Final of that year), it has only just breached the United States market. The rights for the show were acquired earlier this year by Netflix, and the company has developed new seasons on its platforms. For the many viewers just becoming acquainted with the reality show, it features 12 amateur bakers, selected from thousands of applicants, competing for baking supremacy. Over the weeks, professional baker judges eliminate one person each episode and name one “Star Baker”, and the remaining competitors return to bake another week.
This show, distinctly British in form, is set apart from others like it that are produced in the US. Shows like Chopped and Iron Chef often feature intense competition, scheming, and heightened drama. While The Great British Baking Show does utilize many of these things in its production, the competition has an aura of friendliness unlike anything many American viewers have seen before. It is this sense of kindness and relative relaxation that makes Great British such an endearing reality show and worthy of watching this Christmas break. So, sit down, grab something to drink, and ponder over whether your family’s cake would be worthy of earning a “Star Baker” pin.
December 20, 2018 rustlernews.com
15
MATT Hates
puns
Comic by Skyler McKown
Your Aries
Taurus
Gemini
Holiday Horoscope The fiery sign of Aries doesn’t want boring, mundane gifts like books or coasters. Give a thrill loving Aries something to spark their interest: concert tickets, some exotic tea or coffee, even dancing lessons. Taurus is practical and down to earth, but they have guilty pleasures, expensive ones. A massage, soft blanket or pillow, chocolate covered strawberries, anything that will make them close their eyes and relax. Geminis love irony and confidence. Get them something small or channel your inner Mariah Carey, a bow on your head, and be the present. All they want for Christmas is you.
Cancer
Leo
Virgo
Cancers value family and friendship. A photo of loved ones, a hot-chocolate kit, or one of your favorite books will please them. Get them something personal or that will remind them of you. Leos are generous, so it might be intimidating getting a gift for them. Something simple like movie tickets, a gift card, or some jewelry would make a Leo happy, anything that will make them smile. Virgos enjoy the littlest of things. Make them a card or get them a candy bar, either way they will love it. If you want something a more, a basic need like a blender or a planner is great.
by Holly Spragg, online editor
Libra
Scorpio
A style-smart Libra will love any accessory you can find. A sentimental gift would also make a Libra happy, a photo or locket would work great. If all else fails, something sweet like candy or a fruit basket is great. Scorpio’s are intense and emotional, anything that shows how much you love and appreciate them will mean the world to them. They are also fascinated with humans so a documentary on crime or a book on psychology would work great.
Sagittarius
Adventure is what a Sagittarius thrive on, hiking boots, plane tickets, or camping supplies would make them ecstatic. Or, you can put them out of their comfort zone with cooking and horseback riding lessons.
Capricorn
Aquarius
Pisces
Hard working Capricorns want something secure and useful. They don’t often think of themselves so go ahead and pamper them. A gift card to a fancy restaurant, some shiny jewelry, any luxury item of some sort will make them smile. Aquarius often spend time thinking about others. They love their individuality so think of what makes them different, anything for a hobby they have, a yoga mat, new headphones, or maybe some cooking materials. A Pisces thrives when someone put thought into a present, there is nothing a Pisces would hate. A set of art supplies, a book of poems, a scrapbook, or, if you are feeling adventurous, a puppy or a kitten would make them smile.
Think about the life of the child. Get the facts about abortion.
For free literature about abortion and the alternatives, write to: Great Falls Right to Life * 500 Montana Ave. NW * Great Falls, MT 59404 * visit nrlc.org or abort73.com
20, 2018 16 December rustlernews.com
Guide To Gift Giving by Madison McKenzie, staff writer With Christmas around the corner, it’s not too late to give the perfect gift to your loved ones. This holiday, even if you don’t have the money for something expensive, you can still get away from the dreaded gift card and give something special to family and friends. The gift card, while being easy to use and simple to wrap and give, doesn’t include much thought, and while this may seem like a load off, it doesn’t show the love you have for the receiver, and they may get the wrong message. If it is too late to take back that gift card, you can present it in special ways to show how much you really care. For example bundling it with a present, making a list of things they will like from the store, or buying it from a store they really enjoy. If you are not wanting to tackle the challenge of making a gift card more personal (and you are still broke), then trying some cheap options may be your saving grace this year. Going homemade, while it may seem hard, can be a simple, fun way to spread the joy of the season.
From a drawing to a candy basket, homemade gifts have been around for a long time and for good reason. Making a gift yourself, if done correctly, can be a genuine and authentic way to show how much you care for someone. Options range from a coupon book for your friends to a box of sunshine, a box with gifts in involving a theme. You can also bake cookies, or just be there for your friends. Asking what someone wants for Christmas and getting the answer “nothing” can be very frustrating. How can you get someone what they want if they don’t tell you? Getting around this dilemma by knowing waht they don’t want can give you the desired answers you so desparately need. For example, asking a mutual friend for information, or noticing problems throughout the entire year. If you don’t find any of these tips helpful, understand that the meaning of the season isn’t about waking up to get your yearly gifts, and then waiting until Christmas next year. It may seem cliche but the season is really about spending time with family and coming together to celebrate the season of giving to others, and express the traditions passed down through generations.
Winter Holidays: It’s not just Christmas!
by Jayla Mitchell, staff writer
“It’s so interesting to me because I get to take an outsider’s look on the inside of it and the way my family celebrates it.”
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“It’s a lot of fun celebrating the season and doing service for other people and helping out around the community.”
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Christmas: December 25
Hanukkah: December 2 - 10
Kwanzaa: December 26 - January 1
Far before the beloved Christmas, the cherished Hanukkah was celebrated by the Jewish all around the world. Beginning on Dec. 2 this year, the Festival of Lights (Hanukkah) celebrates the Jewish rebellion against the Syrians in the Maccabean War and commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem. This eight-day holiday is centered around the menorah (also known as hanukiah), a nine-branched candelabrum. Each night after sundown, people recite blessings and then use the ninth candle (termed shamash) on the menorah to light an additional candle. Furthermore, families exchange gifts and bring out their four-sided spinning tops (dreidels) to play with. They also fry traditional hanukkah foods like potato pancakes (latkes) and jam-filled donuts (sufganiyot). Although the last day of Hanukkah (December 10 this year) is not a nation-wide holiday in the United States, most Jewish schools get the day off to complete their celebrations.
Celebrated one day after Christmas, Kwanzaa is a seven-day holiday celebrated by African-Americans all over the country. It was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966 because of the Watts riots occuring in Los Angeles at the time. He wanted to find a way to bring the African-Americans in the community together so, by combining harvest celebrations of multiple African tribes, he made Kwanzaa. Although families that celebrate Kwanzaa do it in their own way, celebrations often include songs and dances with the African drums, story telling, reading, and a large meal. Each night, the family gathers around the Kinara (a candleholder) and a child lights one of the candles. Every candle represents one of the seven values (Nguzo Saba) of African culture. These values work to reinforce the community among AfricanAmericans. After the lighting of the candles, the family will share a unity cup filled with grape juice, wine, or water. Sometimes the family will pass the cup around, but other times it just sits in the middle of the Kwanzaa table. After the ceremony, the candles are blown out until the next day. On the seventh day, January 1, the same traditions are carried out, but this marks the end of the celebration until the following December.
SPORTS
December 20, 2018 rustlernews.com
WEIGHTis over
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The
by Madison McKenzie and Katie Mygland “We have a new air filter, so it doesn’t stink, and that is a The wait is finally over and students are flocking to the new good sign. There is AC which is a plus and there is more weight room on the school campus. The old weight room has space,”sophomore Jayden Nelson said. “Have fun, but also seen better days and with the new equipment inside the weight realize that it is also work. We are all about reaching our goals.” room, weight trainers and non-weight trainers alike are amazed “Start slow, be willing to ask questions and don’t be at the space they have to work out in the big room. embarrassed if you don’t know how to lift,” said teacher Aric “It’s beneficial to a person wanting to lose weight, and you Hagen. “Form is more important than weight, and there’s room can work out with friends,” sophomore for improvement.” Cybil Loberg said. “I recommend it, it’s a good way to get There are arguments about the weight “Have fun, but also realize strong, and it doesn’t matter if you are strong room saying it is just for the athletes but that it is also work. We or not, doing weight training really helps,” that is clearly not true. The weight room Melissa Purdy. “Definitely the size it’s are all about reaching our said is open to all CMR students -- any grade, definitely bigger and the windows you can goals.” athlete or not. out kinda be able to see the track and in Jayden Nelson look “It’s a place to get healthy. We have more the old room your crapped together.” non-athletes in the weight room than we “I like it all, because I don’t like to do just do athletes,” said coach Gary Lowry. Nonone thing. I think our squat racks are pretty athletes who are trying to get into working out now have the good, we have really nice kettlebells, slam balls, medicine balls, perfect opportunity to try toning up. I mean everything is just awesome,” Lindsey Gustafson. “I say “They really like it. Crowds of 40 to 50 kids are coming in try to get your feet wet, and try it out because this could be after school to work out. There is beautiful equipment, and it’s something that you really love for the rest of your life, and it can a better environment than the old, cramped weight room,” said start lifelong fitness, and I think it is a good way to get acquainted Lowry. with equipment so when you go out in the real world, you can Students are not the only ones who are excited about the go out into the world and feel comfortable doing different lifts, new gym; coaches also students alike are happy for the breath and you know what exercises go with which muscle group and of fresh air. it’s just a well rounded lifestyle.”
SPORTS EDITOR
Wrestlers praise new facility “It’s awesome . It’s probably the nicest facility in the state. I can say that pretty confidently.” - Coach Aaron Jensen
“It’s definitely nice, going from this little cave to a nice open room. There’s nothing better.”
- Jason Ingalls, 12
“It’s a lot nicer now that we have this better room. In our bigger room, it doesn’t even make sense to run into each other.” - Keaton Jarrett, 11
Gabrielle Pope
Don’t let graduation anticipation ruin the rest of the year
With Christmas right around the corner and the holiday season soon coming to an end the next big thing happening in life in graduation. This is the thought going through most senior’s heads right now. I know it has gone through mine a couple more times than normal lately. But I think that it is time to put that thought to an end. Graduation is coming fast and that gives me a whole bunch of mixed emotions but this just means that it is time to slow things down and appreciate the little victories that are going to happen from now until then. Morp and prom to dance at, games to cheer on, events to plan and a whole slew of other things. There isn’t just graduation in the picture, there are many other things that deserve
some attention along the way. To me there is nothing better than watching my peers do what makes their hearts sing. The drama department did an extraordinary job with The Sound of Music, our boys and girls basketball teams are off to a pretty great start, our wrestlers did awesome at the Holiday Classic tournament hosted right here in our hometown. These are all events that I maybe don’t fully understand but have learned to appreciate. I would never go on stage in a costume and sing, dance and memorize all that our drama department has. If I were to be put on a diving block to race other swimmers underwater I would probably drown before making it to the other side. The
wrestlers, so strong and agile both characteristics that I have never had. Band, choir and orchestra, they create bone chilling sounds from nothing other than some wood, metal or their own vocal cords and that is barely scratching the surface of all the unique, extraordinary work that is being done around our school. So although graduation and getting out of school is the end goal here, it isn’t the only goal. Our goal should be to appreciate the time that we have left in this school. Ignore all the nonsense and recognize the greatness. We can’t do everything but we can respect those who do what we might not be able to. So I need to remind myself and I am here to remind you, to breathe and remember that it will all end up alright.
December 20, 2018 18 rustlernews.com
Cheer team flipping into the new season
The cheer team begins the second part of their season, basketball. They cheer for CMR girls agasinst agsint Missoula Big Sky on Dec. 13. Photo provided by Pat O’Connell.
by Paige McCorkle, staff writer The 2018 - 2019 Cheerleaders are stepping up their game this year. With seniors who have been on the team since they were freshmen as well as new recruits who have joined this year, they have an advantage with family. “The best part of this team is the relationships and respect we have built with the cheerleaders. We are a family,” coach Adrienne Culliton said. “Without the bond we’ve developed, this team wouldn’t be as hard working and as great as they are.” Although CMR and Bison are rivals, both high school cheerleading teams have worked together in the past and created collaborative performances at divisionals in Butte for the basketball games. “We look forward to doing that again,” Culliton said.
Boys and girls return to the court, new gym by Elinor VanGilder, staff writer “The rewards are far outweighing anything else,” Coach Brian Crosby said about what kept him coaching basketball after almost 11 years as a coach. The new gym brought with it many new opportunities for CMR’s basketball teams and the coaches that direct them, offering more space as well as allowing more streamlined practice times. “Last year and years previously we would have our freshmen and sophomore players practice over at West Elementary. Varsity and JV would be after school, and the sophomores and freshmen would be at 5:30 over there. We’d stagger, and it was a long day from some people,” Crosby said. Boys coach John Cislo and Crosby were able to arrange a schedule that works much more conveniently once the new gym was completed. “If the girls are after school, it’ll be all four teams practicing in the two gyms,” Crosby said. “The boys do the same. It’s really convenient.” Adaptation to the new space isn’t the only thing the two coaches were faced with. Last year’s seniors have left the building and freshmen have flooded the basketball program. Out of the 36 athletes in the program, 22 are freshmen. The face of CMR basketball is decidedly young. “It’s not ideal, but the good thing is they get lots of experience and they’ll be ready to go for the future,” Crosby said. Although injuries have slowed older players, he said he is happy to praise the freshmen and their attitudes towards playing and learning. “It’s like teaching AP [Calculus] to a bunch of algebra students.” One of the biggest differences for Crosby is the style of teaching that he’s had to adopt with these younger players. “I’ve had to teach a little bit more, slow down, make sure everyone understands what we’re doing,” he said. He explained that it wasn’t that they didn’t have the ability to improve, just that he wasn’t able to jump right into the process. Still, teaching is one of Crosby’s motivations to keep coaching. “I love when your students or your players get something and they have an ‘Ah-ha!’ moment, I love that,” he said. Although the oncoming players are talented and dedicated, Crosby is able to experience more of these ‘Ah-ha!’ moments as well as the pride he feels when they occur. Basketball has been a part of Crosby’s life since he was a kid, and he can’t help but feel that his players are his family. “That’s why it’s worthwhile,” he said. Even with all of the adaptations that Crosby and his fellow coaches have had to make with the additional gym coupled with players lost as well as new ones, he sticks to basketball for his love of the sport and team.
Culliton, along with assistant coach Cassie Roberts, guides the girls with coming up with cheers and are laid back for most of the time and don’t give many demands or stipulations. “We allow them to be creative and use whatever resources they like. When they are done, they show us coaches, we give them feedback, then they teach the team,” Culliton said. Despite the cheerleaders having a good time performing, one of the worst parts is the training they go through to get to where they are. “We work them hard. We take conditioning and training very Melissa Purder and Lexi Ray seriously… We run a mile every practice, and incorporate weights, lead the cheer team on Sep. static and dynamic stretching, and other full body circuit routines 14. Photo by Nancy Beston. to mix it up from just exclusively running,” Culliton said.
Winter Sports
Swimming
CMR swimming had its first home meet December 14-15. The invitational occurred Friday while the relay which had larger schools such as Bozeman took place Saturday. The boys won both days. The swimmers will be kept busy over the break with practice twice a day as well as various harrowing, although fun, tasks such as a water polo tournament and a talent show. Their next meet is Jan. 4 at the GFH pool. Top: Junior Keegan Barnes rests during the Dec. 7 matchup against Glacier High School. CMR bested the Wolfpack, and have won every game so far this season. Middle: Junior Emily Funseth takes control of the ball against Missoula Big Sky on Dec. 13. Bottom: Seniors Cason Taylor and Brenden Lindseth rush after the Wolfpack to regain control of the ball. The CMR student section was full on the first boys home game of the 20182019 season. Top and bottom photos by Taylor Willmarth. Middle photo by Pat O’Connell.
Wrestling
December 14-15 brought 56 teams to the CMR Holiday Tournament. Four CMR wrestlers placed, including senior Kai Stewart, who placed first; senior Carter Carroll, who placed fifth; freshman Colton Martello, who placed fourth; and senior Andrew Paradise, who placed fifth in his weight class.
Girls
December 14 saw the CMR varsity girls team with a 66-37 win against Missoula Big Sky. Junior Allie Olsen, who started last season, scored the girls 12 points, while Marley Calliham topped it off with a resounding 19. The next girls home game is Jan. 3 against Helena High.
Boys Basketball
Defending state champions, the CMR boys won 71-64 against Missoula Big Sky Dec. 13 at Big Sky High School. Coach John Cislo commended Big Sky’s improvement from last season and appreciated the tight game for his boys. The next home game for CMR is this Friday against Helena High. by Elinor VanGilder, staff writer
December 20, 2018 rustlernews.com
Students gear up for Showdown by Gloria Baldevia, staff writer As athletes prepare tirelessly for the winter sports that finally kicked off this year, some students at CMR also prepared for action on the slopes at Showdown Montana, which
Senior Landen Blades posing for the picture at Showdown Montana. Photo courtesy of Landen Blades.
officially opened on Dec. 14. Inviting all enthusiast snowboarders and skiers to their annual affair, Showdown Montana, the oldest ski hill in the state, has welcomed and offered various winter activities for both locals and visitors throughout the years. Senior Landen Blades, who has been skiing since he was five years old, expressed his excitement for the upcoming ski season. Blades shared the thing he loves the most about the activity. “Probably just doing [skiing] with friends and that kind of stuff, you know. Getting out in the wilderness and nature,” Blades said. Although the school’s ski club was discontinued, Blades is still looking forward to having a good time with his friends and “just getting back out there.” Like any other physical sports, injuries are also inevitable in skiing. Blades said he is fortunate to have never suffered a serious injury on the
slopes. “I never had serious injuries or crash, but my friend did last year,” said Blades, referring to fellow skier, senior Connor Rearden. Rearden said that he remains hopeful and confident even after breaking his femur from an accident due to skiing last year. “I am doing a lot better. I had to do some rehab. I’m not totally healed yet, but I’m definitely a lot better,” Rearden said. Like Blades, Rearden is also looking to the day he can get back to the hill. “I’m just looking forward to getting back out in the hill. I’m not gonna do anything too crazy, but I’m just gonna go up there and do some easy runs to start off,” he said. Rearden also shared how the art of skiing for him has become a hobby that he enjoys. “Definitely just the adrenaline of skiing. It’s so much fun.”
Skating and sliding into a new season
Photos provided by Kian Lynde
by Lauren Rich and Malcolm Contreras, staff writers With snow on the ground and temperatures dropping, many people’s reaction is to stay inside and keep warm. However, this is not the case for the Great Falls Americans hockey team. For them, winter is filled with skates, pucks, and sticks. Hockey season brings smiles to American players right here at CMR. Senior Taylor Houtz has been playing hockey for nearly 10 years, bringing vital experience to the Great Falls team. He heavily credited his uncle for sparking his interest in the game of hockey when he was merely 8 years old. “My uncle was the only one in the family who used to play hockey so he helped me learn how to skate and get better,” said Houtz. Although the first half of the season did not go as planned, Houtz is looking forward to the rest of it. The senior is especially excited to see what talented new
recruits can bring to the table in their upcoming games. “I think that we will be better than last year. The new coming freshman add a lot to the team. By the end of the year, we will be able to contend with most teams in the state,” said Houtz. Although the season can be “long and grueling”, Houtz explained that he enjoys this challenging and competitive sport, especially with his teammates. Junior Kian Lynde, Houtz’s teammate, couldn’t agree more. “I enjoy hockey because it is fast paced, creating [more of] a challenge the higher the level I play at,” said Lynde. He added, “[I] get to meet amazing teammates.” Lynde had good feelings about the rest of the season, along with Houtz. He acknowledged the hard teams they have already faced, such as Billings and Bozeman. “There is hope for our season to get better though, because we have played some of the tougher teams in the state,” said Lynde. The Americans’ next game should be a thriller, battling against the Salmon Hockey team. Catch them at the Great Falls Ice Plex at 6pm Dec. 21st and 8am the 22nd.
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Swimming into the future... by Jackson Howell and Kerrigan Edwards, staff writers Winter sports have begun and the CMR swim team has started off strong. Varsity swimmer, David Geisen, is optimistic about the rest of the season. “CMR has been [winning a lot] lately,” Geisen said. The CMR boys swim team took first place at the Great Falls Invite on Dec. 15 and has been successful at their other competitions. “So far it has been a pretty good season,” he said, “[but] anything can happen.” Geisen is referring to their defeat at state last year, even though they were succeeding at previous meets. As a junior on the swim team who specializes in the 50 and 100 meter freestyle - as well as the 200 and 400 meter relay occasionally - Geisen practices for about an hour and a half to two hours daily. This not only includes time in the water, but dry-land practice as well. He started swimming his freshman year after his father encouraged him to do so. He realized he was fairly good at the sport and stuck with it. Although he doesn’t think he will gain any scholarships from swimming, “some of my teammates have a really good shot,” Geisen said. He was adamant that all of his teammates are really good at what they do.
...and achieving new personal goals The girls swim team has also kicked off their season with a bang. Junior Jessica Byrne is a consistent winner for the girls varsity swimming team this year. She hopes the team continues their streak of success as they push through the season. “I think the season is going to go well,” Byrne said. “As a team, we are doing good.” Byrne started swimming in the fifth grade, meaning she has been participating in the sport for a total of seven years. She started off taking one-on-one swim lessons from a former swimmer in the CMR Hall of Fame. The star informed her of the Falls Aquatic Swim Team (FAST) and Byrne later joined the team. She became more advanced at the sport and gained an advantage due to the increased stamina she has developed. On Dec. 14, Byrne won first place in the 100 backstroke and second in freestyle. Byrne says she prefers freestyle over other swim strokes when racing. “My favorite races are the 50 free and the 100 free because I enjoy sprint races and I like swimming fast,” she said. “During longer races, I have to pace myself and I don’t like to do that.” Byrne does not plan on continuing her swim career through college, but intends to enjoy as much of her high school experience as possible.
BACK PAGE
December 20, 2018 rustlernews.com
Leadership High School
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Juniors across Electric City learn how they can have a positive impact on their community
by Grace Carr, editor-in-chief One Wednesday a month, hand-picked candidates from around the Great Falls area are earning their free lunch by improving their leadership skills and exploring the community. Every year, the Great Falls Chamber of Commerce selects 40 Juniors from the community to participate in the Leadership High School program. Participants come from schools around Great Falls such as Charles M. Russell, Great Falls High School, Paris Gibson Education Center, Centerville, and Great Falls Central Catholic High School. “Leadership High School’s purpose is to educate and motivate existing and potential leaders by encouraging community involvement for the betterment of the Great Falls community,” Chamber member Lindsay Lalonde said. Applicants apply their sophomore year by submitting a series of short answer questions and an essay. Students then proceed to an interview where they are asked about their leadership skills and motivation for joining the program. Lalonde says there are four overall objectives of Leadership High School. The goals are “to introduce participants to the Great Falls community, to motivate participants toward greater
involvement and volunteerism, to create an opportunity for meaningful interactions between participants within their class, and to educate participants throughout the year on the Chamber’s mission and purpose.” The Chamber of Commerce attempts to accomplish these objectives by informing students of community concerns and volunteer opportunities during each program day. “My favorite activity that LHS has offered me so far was when a bunch of professional employees came to speak with us about careers and what makes Great Falls stand out from from other communities,” CMR member Justin Jackovich said. So far, the selected juniors have had four meetings: “Opening Reception” in Sept., “Team Building” in Oct., “Insight Great Falls” in Nov., and “Current Social Issues” in December. Participants have had the chance to discover ways they can support their community, learned about many social issues taking place in Great Falls that are difficult to discuss, and met other leaders from around the area. Topics for the upcoming meetings include “Putting It All Together” in Jan., “Government Impact on Youth” in Feb., “STAR Day Great Falls” in March, “Effecting Change” in April, and “Graduation” in April.
Top right: Participants visit the Maclean Animal Adoption Center and learn about volunteer opportunities. Bottom left: Isabella Castriz creates decorations for a float. Bottom middle: Members assist the GFHS Giving Tree by making stockings to hold presents. Bottom right: Students participate in a mock city meeting at the Civic Center. Photos by Jamie Williams.
I really joined Leadership High to learn more about our Great Falls community. I heard it was a great experience from upperclassmen last year, so I decided to join this year.
What have you learned about your community?
I’ve learned that there are a lot of amazing non-profit organizations that do a lot of work for our community that aren’t often recognized. I’ve also learned that our community really struggles in some really deep topics that are hard to talk about.
What has been your favorite day or activity so far? I think it was the second day, [...] I was in a group that went to Goodwill Easter Seals and made holiday cookies with individuals who require special attention within our community.
Would you encourage incoming juniors to join the program?
I definitely would. I have learned a lot about the aspects of our community and things that I wouldn’t know if I was just a typical junior attending school. So I think it’s just an eye-opening experience. Plus, you learn a lot more about kids who don’t just attend your high school because it’s a group of 40 to 50 kids from around the county. It’s interesting to see what their high school experiences are, too.
with
Andi Newbrough
Q &A
Why did you join Leadership High?