CMR Stampede Feb. 2015 by CMR Stampede

The Stampede

Rustle Hustle: Dead or Alive Looking into school spirit within CMR

c.m. russell high school great falls, mont. feb.19, 2015 vol. 49, issue 7

An open forum for student expression

www.rustlernews.com

The Stampede

The Stampede staff strives to produce a publication that is relevant to the CMR student body while maintaining journalistic standards. We help to provide a free exchange of ideas and establish a student voice in the school community.

2014-2015 STAFF

CONTENTS 1 - Cover photo by Peyton Fulbright 2 - Table of Contents NEWS 3- Peyton’s column, Late-ins, speech debate 4- Cinderella’s closet 5- 1st semester stats OPINION 6- Editorial, Laura’s column 7- SYM FEATURES 8- Youth art month 9- Edin Agamenoni CENTER 10-11- Student spirit FEAURES CONT. 12- Couples engaged 13- Peyton’s of CMR ENTERTAINMENT 14- 50 shades of Green 15- Thespian festival SPORTS 16- Wrestling and swimming wrap-up 17-Wranglers 18- Basketball update, intramural sports 19- Rustler Athlete, Stats BACKPAGE 20- Prom

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 jesse whiteman elea roberts katelyn smith allison hanson april hummel nate johnson shannon o’neil sarina calaman amanda cornwall carli dieruf tamara miller clara mcclain jara wilkinson iris kaiser

adviser

beth britton

principal

dick kloppel

TOP LEFT: During the pep assembly on Feb 10, cross country coach Doug Darko, who recently retired, was honored by the entire cross country team. TOP RIGHT: Senior Kyla Campbell performs with the cheerleaders during their portion of the pep assembly. BOTTOM LEFT: Freshman Zoey Keel smiles as she is asked to prom. BOTTOM RIGHT: After taking a pie to the face from Indian Education coordinator Jordann Lankford, teacher Chris Hibbert wipes his face clean. 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

Setting time aside

Sophomore Kelsay Jensen elaborates through a series of folk tales by the Brothers Grimm. Photo by Sarina Calaman.

Late-ins provide all students with chance to make up, complete work

Editor-in-Chief

peytonfulbright

by jara wilkinson Thirty-five minutes. About the length of an average TV sitcom. Or, for Rustlers in need of academic assistance, help in the form of a late-in. Late-ins offer students time in the morning to come in and make up missing or late work. But physics teacher Mike Lathrop offers his students a different option. “During late-in mornings, my 7 a.m. students are allowed to come in at 7, or they can come in at 8:05, and work for an hour,” he said. He has altered his schedule into something that’s comfortable for his students. He doesn’t have many students who come in, because they do their work on time, he said. When they do need extra help or make up work, they utilize the late-in time. CMR is in its second year of offering the special schedule several times throughout the year. Late-ins started at Great Falls High. Attending meetings with the school board and listening in, Principal Dick Kloppel decided it wouldn’t be a bad adjustment. “I won’t take credit for the idea, but I will thank the people who helped CMR put it into action,” Kloppel said. Attendance has become an issue for many students, and making up work is a problem. Late-ins allow anyone to come in early for help. “I took time out of our school day, not out of your free time. I don’t see why students don’t use it,” he said of the many students who choose not to participate in late-ins. It will never be forced, he said, but the administration does wish to see more kid come in on those mornings. Freshman Hannah Wilson, who said she believes that students should have their work done on time, finds lateins unnecessary. “No Bueno. I don’t go to them. I never will. Sleep is far more important,” Wilson said. Despite lackluster participation from students, Kloppel remains convinced that late-ins could be helpful to all students. It’s an “equal opportunity” for each Rustler, he said.

Speech, debate succeeds at state meet by jesse whiteman, staff writer Senior Logan Kropp concluded four years with the C. M. Russell High School Speech and Debate team last weekend but anticipates further competition. “It’s my last time competing with the CMR team. It is over in a way,” Kropp said, adding that he hopes to compete in college. However, Kropp can expect one more meet with his coach Cindy Clapp. For the second year in a row, Kropp has earned his way to the National Speech and Debate Meet to be held in Dallas, Tex., starting June 14. “The honor is just going to Nationals,” Kropp emphasized. “I gave up All-Northwest Choir to go to it. I took a gamble and thank God it paid off.” The National Qualifying Meet took place over Valentine’s Day weekend, and the top three performers in each event won a trip to Nationals. Kropp took second. “This was the meet that counted,” he said. Kropp, who competes in Dramatic Interpretation, anticipates upwards of 260 people aiming for the title. “I don’t plan on going to finals. That’s for the elite of the elite,” he said. Dramatic Interpretation is an event in which the speaker prepares a 10-minute excerpt from a piece of literature or a play.

You’re garbage. You suck. You shouldn’t even be trying. Why bother? You’ll never be any good anyways. These are all things I would never tell another human being, but for some stupid reason I can’t stop saying these words to myself. Unfortunately, self-deprecation is an everyday occurrence for me. No matter what I do, I don’t ever feel like I am good enough. Skateboarding? I’m garbage. After all, I can’t skate like Chris Haslam. Making music? Why bother? I can’t play like James Hetfield, so why pretend like I’m doing something worthwhile? Photography? I’m not capturing images like Chase Jarvis does, so why am I pretending to know what I’m doing? The thing is, there’s a good reason I’m not as good as them. Chase Jarvis has the kind of money where he can have generators hauled up a mountain on a whim just because he wants to power his lights for a shoot. James Hetfield is

“I’ve been working on this piece [The Boys Next Door by Tom Griffin] since July,” he said. Speech and Debate coach Tom Cubbage has high hopes for the team after sustaining large losses due to senior graduation. While Kropp is one of two seniors this year, 17 seniors left the team last year. “Most of the students are either freshmen or sophomores,” Cubbage said. “We were kinda starting from scratch.” Cubbage said he has high hopes for next year due to exemplary performances from freshman McKenna Ostentowski and sophomore Kelsay Jensen. “Our young competators really improved, even placing in their events. I’m excited about next year,” Cubbage said. “I did my best, which I feel is necessary,” Ostentowski said. “I’ve improved a lot. I’ve gotten better through the year.” She added that she enjoyed travelling with team and learning more than speech and debate. “I get to put myself out there and learn life skills,” Ostentowski said. “Speech and Debate has given me lots of life skills. It’s indespensible because of that,” Kropp agreed. “No matter what you do, you’re going to have to talk to people.”

considered the greatest rhythm guitarist in history for a reason. He’s been playing guitar more than twice as long as I’ve been alive, so it’s completely understandable that I’m not writing riffs like “Blackened.” Chris Haslam? Yeah, he’s skated longer than I’ve been alive, but he’s just a freak of nature anyways. Sitting here writing this, I know all of this to be fact. I feel stupid admitting how much not being good enough makes me hate myself. But the next time I go try something and I can’t meet my ridiculously high expectations, I’ll hate myself just as much as before. So I ask myself, is it a good thing to feel this way? Maybe. Perhaps my inner hate will push me to greatness. In the meantime, it sure doesn’t seem like a good thing. I’m trying to think more positively. After all, I’d never talk to a friend this way, so it’s about time I start treating myself like a friend.

KEY CLUB New semester means new beginnings! Began your semester right by doing nice.

Meeting Mondays at 4 p.m in room 325

4 news

2.19.15 The Stampede

Cinderella’s Closet

The stress of finding the perfect dress for prom is over thanks to senior project by tamara miller, staff writer When the talk of prom is right around the corner, a girl’s number one thought is about her dress. She wants it to be amazing, but when the price of a dress ranges from $100 to well over $500, dress shopping can get rough. Two years ago, senior Taylor Varner created Cinderella’s Closet for a senior project. Varner wanted her project to go out to any high school girl in the area of Great Falls. Great Falls High even had a small collection due to Varner’s idea. The project was a great success and many girls who never could of thought of having a beautiful dress got one in the end. However when Varner graduated, no one took the project over. The project and the dresses weren’t in use until Family Consumer Sciences teacher Pam Dougherty was asked by shop teacher Jodi Koterba to take over. “Last year the dresses were stored at Paris, they were just in trash bags needing to be used,” Dougherty said. The dresses received a new home in 2014 and now are stored at CMR were the FCS teachers help keep them set up, clean and ready for any girl in need of a dress. “We needed a place to put them so they weren’t scattered everywhere Mr. Hogan

helped take over and transformed old book cases into metal brackets so the dresses could be hung and kept right,” Dougherty explains. Whenever a girl is in a need for a dress there is a deal made, you can make a donation, dry clean the dress, or donate money so the school can get them dry cleaned. If the dress needs a small or minor repair, they are repaired by the sewing classes that Dougherty teaches. As dress donations continue to come in, they can sell the older outdated ones. “After prom we sell the older dresses from $5-$20 for multiple dresses,” Dougherty says. “It gives us more room for more dresses.” When Marshell’s dress shop went out of business, they donated CMR 50 dresses and some to GFH. Varner may not go to CMR anymore but thanks to her senior project, many girls now get the chance to go to prom in a dress they can afford and feel beautiful in. “It’s a great feeling. Girls are excited to go to prom in a beautiful dress when it didn’t seem possible before Cinderella’s Closet. Even the boys are excited to see their date in a beautiful dress that she was able to get.”

Sign language teacher Steve Sangwin goes over vocab with his first period class on Feb. 11. BELOW: Senior Cheyenne Palmer. Photos by Tom Gruner.

Signing into CMR

by tom gruner, visual content editor In his 27th year of teaching, teacher Steve Sangwin finds himself in a unique position. “I’m a high school English teacher first of all,” Sangwin said. “I do that all day long because I dig it.” Starting his teaching career in California, Sangwin moved around to several places before finding himself in Great Falls. Sangwin teaches only one period of sign language at Great Falls High and CMR, and aside from that, he teaches English at the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind for the rest of the day. Sangwin found himself interested in teaching at MSDB when he found out his oldest daughter is deaf. “She was about three years old,” Sangwin said. “So I just started substitute teaching at the school for the deaf and blind and they hired me there.” Senior Amber Smith decided to take sign language in order to start some sort of a hobby. “I think sign language is really fun,” Smith said. “It could be helpful in life.” Smith said she took sign language because she hopes it can help her with communication in the future. “I enjoy [the class] very much so,” Smith said. “It’s fun to say things with your hands that your friends don’t understand.” Sangwin said he believes the class is helpful in any aspect of life. “It doesn’t really matter if it’s American sign language, English, or some other subject,” Sangwin said. “It’s just a vehicle to help people feel better. If we do our job right then [students] become a lifelong learner.”

Join the STEAM EXPO Sign up at the link below!

Great Falls High Field House Saturday, April 11 10 a.m.

http://events.gfps.k12.mt.us/?registration

news 5

1.29.15 The Stampede

After 90 da MR’sStatistics on the grad ys of the school y e es that we have earnaer,dit’s time to review o ur progres s . a nd reflect

John D

Period

English

Hamlet Quiz

students had their F’s changed to D’s

students had their grades bumped from a high B to an A

492

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Algebra I

was the m os class first t failed semester

nglish students failed E

45%

of all F’s w ere earne freshmen d by

44.4%

of AP Calculus students passed the class with an A

424

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A’s were earned in honors and AP courses

3988

572

B’s were g iven be 89% and 9 tween 0%

A’s were earned

Data gathered by elea roberts, staff writer Doodles by shannon o’neil, staff writer

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OPINION School spirit is actually a good thing Rowdy Rustlers: Not So Rowdy

The bell rings at 2:30 on assembly days and many your support at the pep rallies it shows them that even students have their parents call them out or rush out of if you can’t make it to their game you’re still supporting the building to have the extra 45 minutes to do what they them. please. Skipping assemblies is your loss. Your high school Early outs may be a great feeling at the end of the years don’t last forever, and assemblies add to the school day, but taking advantage over assemblies being at memories. First day assemblies, pep rallies throughout 2:30 and not going could just kill your school spirit. the year, and the senior celebration all add excitement Some students think that our assemblies don’t mean to your high school years. In the end, we know it’s your anything, that they are just a waste of time and they don’t choice to attend assemblies. have to go. However, they’re wrong. Students The school staff puts work into the events do end up missing a lot if they leave to go home. that go on at CMR and it means a lot to them From At last week’s pep rally, if you went you could when students show up to support their have seen SRO Nick Taylor and teacher Chris point of view fellow classmates, friends, and teammates. Hibbert be on the receiving end of a pie to the When the guest speakers and performers face. Also, you could have seen the cheerleaders’ finish their act they thrive off of the crowds’ and the Wranglers’ new dance routines, which get better applause. It is important to them when people appreciate each time they perform. the things that they have worked so hard on. Although the Pep rallies and assemblies show us your school spirit, crowd may not understand how much it means, it should they show us that you care about your school and your be considered. fellow classmates. We enjoy every performance that is put on during If you go and support your school, if you participate assemblies and have even more fun capturing the in the theme Thursdays, Homecoming, or even spirit moments while taking pictures and shooting videos. It week, it just proves that you’re interested, that everyone, would be more exciting for those who attend if the crowds including you care. were larger and the students got more interactive with the Some students may not believe that school spirit is speakers/performers. important, but in the end it helps our teams. It gives them For the next assembly, we encourage everyone to hope and it gives them support. If we didn’t cheer for our attend to see what they have been missing out on. You teams at their games they may not have the courage and won’t regret it. support to think they can win. When you demonstrate

OUR

MINI EDitorial

News/Opinion Editor

lauramarsilio

The Stampede would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the drama department for its excellent effort in “Chicken. Road”. Together the actors performed a great play and were rewarded in Missoula for best overall performance for a dramatic play. Senior Logan Kropp won outstanding male supporting actor, and junior Bailey Collins won best lead actress for a drama. As each character said his or her lines during the practices on Feb. 5, eyes filled with tears for those who understood the plot. It was a great

play, and the way the characters lived their parts made it even better. The actors feel that they have learned many skills from drama teacher Chris Evans. Junior Ethan Naranjo is appreciative of the things he has gained from his teacher. “I’m so thankful Mr. Evans gave me the opportunity to be a part of this play and get to witness the hard work and dedication we all put into this CMR production. I can’t wait to show him how right he was to put me in the upcoming show. I won’t let him down,” Naranjo said.

The next play, Stuff 3.0., is being worked on now. Naranjo is excited for his part in another play that will be coming up in May -- “American Roulette.” It was written by Evans, but Naranjo is leaving out the details as it will be a surprise for those who see the play in three months. “I’m happy that Mr. Evans is giving me an opportunity to portray a character that is very near and dear to my heart.” Bravo, Thespians!

You know it’s a good book when you throw it across the room in frustration as you read the last words. After spending my time obsessing over different book series, I have found that this moment of emotional panic is the perfect ending. All my favorite books have been beaten and torn. As the book leaves my hand, every moment from the story goes through my head. Each page of happiness, pain, and complications is put into the energy to throw the book. Books are an escape from reality for a few hours. I always enjoy spending my time reading a good novel. Looking through my own bookshelf I see the lives of every character. Diverse worlds of wonder come together on one shelf, and it is really amazing. I have always loved reading, but I haven’t had as much time to read as I would like. Between school work and filling out college applications my leisure time has dwindled. When I get the chance to read I will sit down with the book until I have finished it, no matter what else is going on in my life. I get so into these “other worlds” to the point where I won’t even hear what my parents are saying to me. I carry the book around wherever I go. The only point I actually let go of the book is at the

by staff writer, nate johnson I don’t want to sound rude, but to put it bluntly, our student sections are garbage. Going to crosstown and only one other game does not mean you have school spirit. We as a school need to show more spirit. How many people skipped our cross-town pep rally? We have a great school and many great teams, but our fans are sub-par. I make it to every game I possibly can, and I hate seeing the small numbers at games. Sure, plenty of people show up to cross-town games, but that just doesn’t cut it for me. What really grinds my gears are those people who show up to only one or two games and then try to take the front row. I feel the front row should be reserved for those students who actually show up to as many games as possible, not just crosstowns or playoffs. It is also important to recognize that all sports need crowds. Knowing our school, it is obvious that football is going to get more attention, but volleyball and both genders of basketball deserve large crowds. This year I was at our volleyball team’s first conference win, along with 11 other people, three of whom were 2014 graduates. We as a student body need to show spirit at more events other than just sports. I went and watched our drama department’s production of “Chicken. Road.” and other than the students who were there with a class, there was barely anybody there. The production was outstanding and the people who were there barely seemed to care. All around Bill Will I saw people whispering amongst themselves and not paying attention. It comes down to that, it isn’t just sports that need our support. I have a hard time believing this piece will even make an impact because I never see anybody in this school reading our newspaper. Many of the clubs in this school are empty; nobody wants to show up to anything anymore. Look, high school is a time to be proud of the school you attend, show some spirit, and enjoy your time in your school. Now I know everybody may not want to show up to everything, but I have to ask, where did the Rowdy Rustler spirit go?

end, where I throw it across whatever room I am in. Most of the time when I’m sitting somewhere outside of my own house reading, I get strange looks. I’ve even been complimented by adults for the great effort I put into being one of the few teens who still reads. I think it’s sad that people don’t read anymore. My lack of time has taken away this opportunity to be a part of a novel. I’ve always been the type of person who has to read the book before watching the movie. The only time I didn’t actually do it was with the Harry Potter series. At the age of 8 I only got about half way through “Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone” before I gave up on reading it. I just never could get into the series. In order to read I need a book that relates to my life is some strange way. Reading will always be one of my favorite activities. During the day I spend my time daydreaming about the books I read at night and wonder what it would be like to live in one of the stories. Being a part of an original world that, within one’s own imagination, is brought to life is incredible. Each person has his or her own vision of the story when they read. Books are great even when they are thrown across a room.

opinion 7

The Stampede 2.19.15

Speak Your Mind

Moving on in life

What are the Do’s and Dont’s for prom? Do have fun, get creative, be “Do dance classy and tag along with a group of friends. smart, thank teachers, and Don’t grind or wear something that is revealing.” dont forget it! - Madison Taylor, 9 “Do wear whatever kind of dress you want, as long as it is appropriate. Do your hair and just make sure you look and feel great. Don’t wear heels.” - Daun Palmerton, 9

- Sierra Kieth, 11

“Don’t stress yourself out too much, just have fun, that’s what prom is for.” - Gavin Key, 11

Do attend and avoid risky behaviors. - Dick Kloppel, principal

“Do be safe and have a good time, be responsible. Don’t get drunk or be stupid.”

Do respect the school and have “Do get yourself together, respect for yourself. Don’t do look nice and impress your anything that could be inappropriate - Nick Taylor, date. Don’t take your date in a to the public eye. muddy truck.”

- Denton Mehrer, 12 “Do plan ahead. Remember that restaurants are so busy. Don’t go with people that you don’t usually have fun with.” - Serena Palmer, 12

SRO

- Brianna Bernier, 10 “Do take a lot of pictures and wear comfortable shoes. Heels will kill you by the end of the night. Don’t try anything new the night before, like an orange spray tan.” - Cali Carter, 11

by crystal trainer, guest writer I can’t believe I’m finally graduating here in about four months. It has definitely been a long 13 years. While I was in middle school, graduation seemed like it would be forever away so I really didn’t give the idea of completing high school much thought. But once I hit high school all that changed, and I had to set my eyes on the goal. I was nervous. It seemed a lot harder than it actually was, but with the support I had and the faith I held I knew I could make it. The thought of walking across the state with my diploma in my hand having my parents and family proud of me, I knew I couldn’t let them or myself down. I had to put my friends second. My high school years have been quite a joy ride. I remember a lot of things from freshman year, but a memory that sticks the most was when my best friend and I would walk to seventh period. We would always stand in the hallway and say “Go Joey” to this senior who we thought was cute. It was a good time. I’m going to miss adorning my friend’s locker with funny cards, and cartoon balloons. Decorating the float for Homecoming or going to all the football games are memories that I will definitely look back on. I do regret not doing sports throughout my high school years, but other than that I’ve had no doubts. Now when I look back on my high school years, I can see that it went by so fast. Memories of freshman year appear like they just happened last week. I cannot wait to graduate. There’s honestly nothing like a free education. I’m looking forward to getting on with my life because there’s just so much I want to do.

FEATURES

Youth Art Month encourages students to let out creative side

by carli dieruf, staff writer It’s three months into 2015, and artists are preparing to celebrate one specific area of education. Artists of all grade levels have their artwork on display arch is nationally recognized as Youth Art Month (YAM). The organizer of this group, CMR art teacher Cortni King, has been an art teacher since 1993, and she stressed the importance of YAM to her and others involved. “Not everyone understands the value of what we do. Art doesn’t always get the recognition that it should,” King said. Along with King, Dusty Molyneaux, the GFPS music and art supervisor, believes that the YAM program is a great thing for students. “It is important to take a moment and recognize the significance of art in our daily lives,” Molyneaux said. He has strong feelings about the importance of art to both adults and children. “We need to understand and study beauty in the world, and be able to express ourselves and to others how we feel. Art is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, way we humans have been able to do this and interact with the world and each other,” Molyneaux said. Art is a way for people to

express themselves in a different way. “They learn to follow rules, and to learn how to creatively break them and express themselves and be independent thinkers,” Molyneaux said. King is passionate about her job and she is upset that some Montana school districts are lacking K-12 art. “They don’t do it because it’s not required, although they could afford it,” King said. YAM has been recognized in the state of Montana by Gov. Steve Bullock. In the proclamation for YAM, he encourages Montanans to acknowledge March as Youth Art Month. “I commend you for your work as YAM chair for the Montana Art Education Association and I support quality school art programs for Montanans,” Bullock wrote in the proclamation. The event will be held on March 6 from 4-6 p.m. at the Great Falls Public Library. Great Falls Mayor Michael Winters will attend to read a proclamation as well. During the event, students’ art work will be on display. King is in charge of picking the work that will be shown and she encourages all to come by to celebrate YAM.

I know most everyone scheduled last week, but I know I was making changes to my schedule last year up until the fall. So if you are a lady and like me, who this time last year just threw down a bunch of classes to cover the requirements; or you’re still not sure what you want to take opposite a government class or financial tech, I would recommend consumer mechanics. Consumer mechanics is a shop class of all girls taught by Jodi Koterba, and in one semester she covers everything from learning how a car works to maintaining your vehicle. Living in Montana, it’s no surprise that you’re going to spend a lot of your time on the road. Personally, if I had a flat tire or needed to change my oil, I would be clueless as to where I would even begin, and that kind of ignorance is pretty dangerous when I could get stranded driving back home from Missoula next year. I never thought I would see myself walking across the

Features Editor

oliviarudio

Where: Great Falls Public Library When: March 6 at 4-6 p.m.

Graphic design and painting student, sophomore Cooper Lott poses with his personal favorite piece from his painting class based off of his favorite book and movie series. Lott aims to be an art teacher one day. Photos by Amanda Cornwall.

Sophomore Cooper Lott wins design contest for CMR license plate

Top, Brandon Guddendorf poses with his clay scultpture Middle, Hayley Nelson shapes her clay project Bottom, Nichole Grubb gets instructions from Cortni King

by amanda cornwall, staff writer While driving down the highway one doesn’t normally notice a vehicle’s license plate, but for sophomore Cooper Lott will soon see his very own design cruising down the roads of Montana. His license plate design was recently chosen as the winner the contest in his graphic design class. “I was very excited and nervous when I found out,” he said. The specialty plate features a photo of C.M. Russell High School on a sunny day with a bright blue sky in the background. Though there’s still last-minute measuring and checks to be done, within a few months’ time, the specialty license plate he designed will be on cars throughout the state. Designing license plates on the computer isn’t the only art Lott does in his free time, however He spends his time painting, using his personal favorite acrylic paint, because he likes to express himself through art and he enjoys the way the colors look, he said. One of his personal favorite pieces is a Harry Potter-based painting featuring the mask of a death eater. With Harry Potter being one of his favorite series, Lott decided to base the painting around it due to the lasting impact the books and movies have had on his life. Alongside designing the plate, Lott has been planning for the future in his spare time. He said he wants to be an art teacher one day, owing to the fact that he enjoys art and teaching others. “I want to inspire kids to do what they want to do in life.”

mezzanine to take a class in the shop, and each day I do I’m still excited about having a class where I can be around an environment completely different than the traditional classroom. Although Koterba’s class does still have that traditional aspect, her “class time” is a kick as she prefers to have “discussions” rather than “lecture.” She presents valuable information that you are going to need in the real world beyond the safety blanket most of us live under with our parents still a phone call away from an emergency. The class extends well beyond automobile knowhow and was helpful for me to learn basic shop jargon. I am proud to say I currently know the difference between a monkey wrench and a ratchet. If that still doesn’t seem interesting to you, it’s important to acknowledge how useful it will be So ladies, don’t be afraid to take a shop class next year. I promise you won’t regret it.

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features 9

The Stampede 2.19.15 Photo by Peyton Fulbright

Anna Evans acts in “Your a Good Man Charlie Brown” as Adam Wood runs the lights on Dec. 11. Photo by Tom Gruner.

Wood lights up stages across GF

Agamenoni wins Concerto title

by katelyn smith, staff writer Hearing his name called over the five others he was up against not too long ago, senior Edin Agamenoni has to thank one person: Russ Kellogg. “Kellogg told me last spring that I should do the competition,” Agamenoni said. Competing against four other students for the Montana Student Concerto Competition title in his division, out of all 50 years of CMR, Agamenoni is the first to win. “Everyone there was crazy talented,” Agamenoni said. “There were a lot of people from All State and All Northwest that I knew before.” Working over the summer

and making it to the finals was something that band teacher Russ Kellogg could of predicted from the beginning. “Edin is an exceptional student,” Kellogg said. “I don’t want to use the word talented because it’s an understatement.” His 60-minute morning practice is more than a habit. It’s more than a routine It’s a part of him. “He gets here at seven in the morning, he goes into the practice rooms and practices up until the bell,” Kellogg said. “He does exactly what I tell all my band students to do.” Kellogg also has the daily routine of reminding students how

important it is to practice outside of class. “I do everything he tells us we should do. It isn’t all that difficult but once you work on it you can make it more difficult,” Agamenoni said. In one moment, those five plus days, over 120 hours, and 7,200 minutes with his bassoon ‘Jerry’ all paid off. Not just for himself, but for Kellogg. “Edin is an example of how all students should be,” Kellogg said. “The point of making music is to express yourself. And Edin goes and does it. He’s developed skill and passion along the way.”

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by drew brennan, staff writer Most people think of acting when they hear the word theater, but for Senior Adam Wood it is all about the lights. Wood is the light designer and operator for CMR and for most of Great Falls. He does it professionally for the University of Great Falls and for the Montana Actors Theater. He is the president of CMR’s drama club and the Thespians, the honor society of drama. “I like to act any chance I get but I really love doing the lights for shows. Lighting affects everything from the mood to the tone of every single scene. If you don’t have any lighting, you don’t see anybody,” Wood said. Wood said that the greatest part of being preisdent is being able to represent all of the fantastic people that he gets to work with every day. He got to recieve the award for CMR as their team won the Thespian Festival’s “outstanding overall performance: award. Not only is stage important to him but he said that the stage is extremely important to CMR, it gives students an opportunity to excel. “Those that aren’t good at painting or at sports can always find something to do in the theatre whether it’s acting or helping out backstage. Theatre and the shows and also the pieces we perform can often be almost therapeutic in a sense. One great example is the last show we have scheduled for this season, “American Roulette.” The show is based around 24 hours in the life of a school shooting and how those involved cope with what has happened. It’s about the healing, not the damage.”

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12 features

The Stampede 2.19.15

Sweethearts to tie the knot by iris kaiser, staff writer Most freshmen and sophomores are thinking about making paper balls land in the trash can or pulling a face behind the teacher’s back – not when they’re going to walk down the aisle. For sophomore Ronni Kelleher and freshman Truman Cleveland, this is not the case. In fact, one of the only things these two can focus on is when they’ll see each other next and when they’ll get married. Both students are members of the C.M. Russell Key Club and said that being in the same club has definitely brought them closer. Kelleher said that they usually only see each other in the mornings before school and after, but they try to get together outside of school. She said that they see each other the most in Key Club, though this is not their only way of talking to each other. The couple actually call each other at a set time. “No calls on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays,” Kelleher said. “And only between 7:30 and 8 [p.m.]” Which leaves the big question: Do the parents of the young couple know of the engagement? Surprisingly, both said that their parents do not know. Despite all the phone calls and get-togethers, their parents remain in

the dark about the engagement. Friends of the couple are in on the secret, but are they ready for all of CMR to know? “I don’t care what they think,” Cleveland said. Despite all of the lovey-dovey words exchanged between the couple, their relationship is not perfect, Kelleher explained. Cleveland said that they sometimes get into a fight, but usually over small things, including how they met. Cleveland claimed that he saw her before she saw him, though Kelleher has a different story. She said that she saw him in one of the hallways on the second floor. She said the two were going over their schedules the day before school started and had dove into conversation. Cleveland said he saw her in the Commons on the main floor before this encounter. “My first thought was, ‘Wow, she’s really cute,’” Cleveland said. Their first encounter aside, the young couple said they are happy and enjoying the long ride to marriage. Even with the thought of college looming on the horizon for Kelleher, she has made it clear that she knows exactly how her future looks. “I can’t picture myself with anyone else,” Kelleher said. “I’ll go where he needs to go.”

Thousands raised for young boy with cancer by drew brennan, staff writer Senior Annie Lewis and her fellow Health Occupation Students of America are on a crusade, fighting tooth and nail for one five-year-old from Great Falls named Kyler Streid. Streid, who has been battling lymphoblastic leukemia for the past couple of years, has received nearly $8,000 from CMR’s HOSA. Lymphoblastic leukemia is a cancer that attacks the white blood cells inside of the body and is most commonly found in children. Without early treatment, those affected can die within a few months. Streid’s medical bills have soared over a $1,000,000 since being diagnosed with the disease and his parents have lost their jobs due to the constant commuting back and forth between Great Falls and treatment in Seattle. After finding out about Streid through senior Bailey Collins’ mother, HOSA decided to take on helping out Streid as part of a community awareness project. Lewis said that HOSA made $2,000 from selling 500 lime green shirts which sold out quickly. The lime green is the color associated with this type of cancer awareness. At both Great Falls High and CMR crosstown basketball games there was a basket passed around during halftime for young Streid, giving the students the ability to donate. $2,200 was made at both games, they called it “Miracle Minute.” After relapsing twice, Streid received a bone marrow transplant and seems to be doing well now. Lewis got the chance to meet Streid last Friday. She was impressed. “It’s amazing after all he has gone through, he is so strong sill. He’s proud of it.”

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13 features

2.19.15 The Stampede

The Pa(e)ytons of CMR

Payton Sexe, 12

Self Proclaimed Label: Athletic Relatable Movie Character: Ron Burgundy, Anchorman

Peyton Mitchell, 10

Self Proclaimed Label: The All Around Guy Relatable Movie Actor: Mark Wahlberg “He is funny but serious.”

Peyton Fulbright, 12

“His hair style is impeccable.”

Self Proclaimed Label: The Relucant Hipster Relatable Movie Character: Lloyd Christmas, Dumb and Dumber “That’s my kind of sense of humor granted in my cases it’s sarcasm. I’ve also been told on many occasions I look like Jim Carrey. Or maybe he looked like me. You be the judge.” Statistics on the Pa(e)ytons of CMR 9 Pa(e)ytons in CMR 4 Freshmen 1 Sophomore 1 Junior 3 Seniors

Payton Netz, 12

Self Proclaimed Label: Yerd Relatable Movie Character: Rapunzel, Tangled “We have the same hair and similar personalities.”

Peyton Schliep, 9

Payton Bailey,9

Self Proclaimed Label: Bubbly Favorite Movie: Disney Movies “They are innocent and they are fun.”

Self Proclaimed Label: Artsy Favorite Movie: The Amazing Spiderman 2 “I like superheroes.”

Payton Romig,11

Self Proclaimed Label: Crafty Camera Pose: A Smile Page by april hummel, staff writer

ENTERTAINMENT

50 GREEN f o s e shad

John Green continues to enthrall others with his writing and YouTube channel

clara mcclain, staff writer

Fan Corner “They’re really entertaining. I like how they touch on certain topics of life. At points they get emotional though, depending on the book.” - Brina Martin, 10

“[John Green’s books] are really emotional. But I read them anyway; they’re like an addiction. It’s like you read them and you can’t stop.” -Hailey Koehmstedt, 10

“John Green’s writing evokes emotions and connection to the story that causes an impressive bond to the characters and subject matter that many writers are not able to achieve. His works are must reads!” - Mary Brown, 9 “I use John Green because I think he’s relatable, there’s a lot of humor even though it goes over some students’ heads. It’s more for my entertaiment. Kids recognize him from his books.” - Dennis Mora, world history teacher “I don’t really like the way his books are written, like ‘The Fault in Our Stars’ is too fairy tale. I respect him as an author, but I don’t like his style. I like his YouTube channel though.” - Terryn Premo, 10

VidCon In 2010 John and his brother Hank had a crazy idea: what if they organized a YouTube convention in Los Angeles? Little did they know it would soon turn into the largest convention of its kind worldwide and its attendance numbers would jump from a small and manageable 1,400 to an insane 18,000 in just four years. The Hyatt Regency Century Plaza was the first venue for this crazy idea, hosting VidCon’s attendee’s from 2010-2011. It quickly moved to the Anaheim Convention Center after it almost tripled in size in just three years. The relaxed vibe of the huge gathering of content creators and subscribers is a big contributor to the huge popularity of VidCon. The Green brothers wanted everybody to feel right at home, and they have achieved that in the four years that it has existed.

Top 10 Animal POWER MOVES 10,471,190+ views Published March 10, 2010

People Who Love Giraffes Who Love Giraffes -- 15,996,402+ views Published Feb. 21, 2008

Giraffe Love and Other Questions ANSWERED -- 16,126,974+ views Published Jan. 3, 2009

Why Are American Health Care Costs So High? -- 6,378,837+ views Published Aug. 20, 2013

YouTube Writing

Green is perhaps more widely known for his novels. Since publishing his first book “Looking for Alaska” in 2005, Green’s popularity has increased exponentially, especially amongst teenagers and young adults. Recently, it’s becoming harder to find someone who hasn’t at least heard the name John Green or read some of his works. In 2014, Green’s 2012 novel “The Fault in Our Stars” was made into a feature film and became an instant hit with teenage girls. Now “Paper Towns,” published in 2008, is also being made into a movie. The release date is June 5, 2015 in honor of “The Fault in Our Stars” hitting theaters one year earlier. Green has written “Looking for Alaska,” “The Fault in Our Stars,” “Let It Snow,” “Paper Towns,” “An Abundance of Katherines,” “Will Grayson, Will Grayson,” and he wrote the introduction to “This Star Won’t Go Out: The Life and Words of Esther Grace Earl.” The last book is a collection of journals, fiction, letters, and sketches of Esther Grace Earl, a teenage fan of John Green who died of thyroid cancer at 16 in 2010.

John Green established a YouTube channel with his brother Hank on Jan. 1, 2007. When this channel started the brothers laid some ground rules for how the channel was going to be run. First, John or Hank needed to post videos alternately every weekday. They must make a video speaking to their brother, but made available to the public. Second, there would be no private communication between the Green brothers, but the occasional phone call would be permitted. Third, if one of the siblings should not upload by 11:59 p.m. on any day, a punishment shall be decided. Fourth, videos were not allowed to be more than four minutes long, so John and Hank could watch them in the midst of their busy lives. Fifth, the only textual contact allowed was the blog on which both brothers were allowed to post different messages). The popularity of this channel, creatively called vlogbrothers, has dramatically increased since its start in 2010, as it now has close to 2.5 million subscribers. Hank and John now have separate channels where they teach their subscribers about history (which are a big hit amongst history teachers here at CMR) and science.

entertainment

The Stampede 1.29.15

Mystery motivator

CMR student scatters compliments throughout the girls’ bathrooms by shannon o’neil, staff writer Little pink squares cover the mirrors of the first floor girls’ bathrooms. Words of encouragement are written on each one, all in different forms of positivity. The reactions that come from these sticky-notes are mixed, but in that mix there is someone who really needed those words said to her that day. But who is the girl behind these sticky-notes? Well, that is to remain a mystery, but she has seen how her random notes of motivation have affected the female students and staff at C.M. Russell High School. “I started doing [the stickynotes], and I would see the reactions from the girls,” she said. “Seeing [the girls in the bathroom] smile was a good feeling. However, there are some people who are mean towards the idea.” T h e nameless motivator is new to the school and put an idea she found on the Internet to good use in her own environment. Starting at her previous school, students saw and knew who was scattering the sticky-notes. Here at CMR,

people are clueless as to who is placing the notes on the mirrors, and what started as a simple and fun way to make peoples’ day better turned into a daily routine of kindness. The notes get taken down from the walls of the bathrooms too. Sometimes it is the janitors who take them down, because that is their job. But sometimes there are students who take them down. The anonymous stickynote girl has even witnessed some people tearing them down and tossing them into the trash can while saying mean things about them. Things like that can break a person’s confidence, but the sticky-note mystery girl said she will still continue to place them on the walls, no matter what kind of criticism she gets. “I plan on doing it next year as well,” she said. Those people who truly enjoy them will be able to look forward to them for at least another year. Perhaps someone can take up the role of the mystery sticky-note motivator, but until that day the current girl is going to continue to brighten the days of the ladies of CMR.

Senior Dallas Flemming leads the “Chicken. Road.” rehearsals in the auditorium during period 7 on Feb. 5. The Thespians performed the play at the Thespian Festival in Missoula on Feb. 6-7. Photo by Jara Wilkinson.

Thespians bring home top award Evans, students show great effort in Missoula “Chicken. Road.” performance

by jara wilkinson,staff writer Being able to act can be such a gift, but for drama students, being able to participate in the Thespian show is the best gift of all. Once a year, drama departments from all over the state compete in Missoula at the Thes-fest. They put on a show, and actors are rewarded if they stand out to the judges. To senior Dallas Flemming, acting has become a big part of her high school experience, and it’s possibly something she will continue in the future. “I’ll have a minor in theatre when I go to UM in Missoula so I can stay involved. But I don’t know if I’ll continue after college or not,” she said. This was her second Thespian show. Last year, she was in “Circus.” Although she didn’t win any personal awards, she is thankful that they got all of the lines down before the premiere. “We set deadlines for memorizing and we eventually got it down,” she said. Actors received their scripts right before winter break so they had time to review. After getting to know the play, teacher Chris Evans held

auditions. The students performed the part they wanted to play, and Evans chose whoever represented the character best. Junior Ethan Naranjo secured a role in this year’s production. “My biggest fear personally was to mess up on stage and miss a line. Mostly because the show was already confusing, and timing had to be perfect,” Naranjo said. It’s his third year in drama, and is planning ahead for senior year, too. He said he hopes to get a role in the next Thespian show. “Being able to perform in front of students first really solidified the play,” he said. In addition to the Overall Outstanding Performance award-- for the fifth year in a row-- two of the students took home personal accolades. Junior Bailey Collins was recognized as an Outstanding Actress, and Logan Kropp was recognized as an Outstanding Actor. “When I found out I won the award, I was in complete shock, like frozen in my seat. Other students started to think they were going to have to go grab the award for me. I eventually got up, so I guess that’s good,” Collins said.

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SPORTS Dickson takes state title, retires from wrestling

After all is said and done, Jared Dickson ends his final season with a state championship. “Jared sat down and took his shoes off on the mat, which means you’re retiring, and that was so cool,”said teammate Noah Durnell. Photo by Shane Maurer.

Senior Nick Grasseschi also left his last tournament from Billings on Saturday. “I’m kind of happy I don’t have to wrestle anymore, but at the same time when people ask me what do you do in high school the first thing I say is wrestling. It will always be there for me and it will be kind of hard walking away from it,” Grasseschi said. Grasseschi placed fifth in his weight division over the weekend, he wrestled six matches. “The most physically demanding was the third one,” Grasseschi said. “The first day I was practically starving, you don’t have time to eat.” The second tournament day isn’t much better. “The first round of the second day is physically draining,” Grasseschi explained adding his opponent wasn’t able to score any points on him in the blood round which determines if the

Second down, ball on the one-yard line, 26 seconds to play, and down by just four points. That’s where the Seahawks stood during Super Bowl XLIX against the Patriots. When the Seahawks lined up for their secondand-goal play, my dad asked, “What should they do here? Hand it to Marshawn?” I answer from across the couch, “Don’t throw it.” (Seriously, I said this. You can ask my dad, and he will tell you I should receive a head coaching position in the NFL immediately.) For whatever reason, coach Pete Carroll does not hear me. The Seahawks snap the ball to quarterback Russell Wilson, who fires a slant pass right along the goal line. It appears a Patriots defender has caught the ball. Then it becomes clear there has been an interception by Malcom Butler, just about sealing the game for New England. So, within a few minutes the Patriots are named

Sports Editor

lindsaymartinez

by olivia rudio, features/entertainment editor Soon enough senior Jared Dickson will be joining his father on the CMR wall of fame for winning the state champion title in the 160 weight division but that isn’t all he will take away from his wrestling experience. “After a while you don’t really wrestle for the medals,” Dickson said. “You want to win but if you want to get better you have to remember each match is a lesson, the only way to get better is to lose.” That may have been the case when it came down to wrestling crosstown rival Kessler Leonard. Throughout the season the two wrestled six times each winning three. “I like wrestling with him because all our matches were close but it became the same thing every time because we wrestle so defensively,” Dickson said. He mentioned their matches were so close and often similar that in two separate matches, CMR’s crosstown and state, both came down to the last two seconds in overtime. Dickson won the second match February 14 claiming the state title for his final season. “Now that it’s kinda over I want to remember it but (also) put it in my past,” Dickson said. This may be more difficult than it sounds considering the commitment it took for him to take state his senior year. “I have a relationship with wrestling,” Dickson said, “it’s seriously like breaking up with a girl.” Much to his chagrin, Dickson had the whole bus ride back from Billings to muse over his breakup. “It was probably the longest bus ride of my life,” Dickson said. “Everyone on the bus was asleep and it felt like I was the only person on the bus that didn’t want to sleep.”

competitor will place, “It’s a hard match.” An even harder match still is the quarter finals. “I was much more nervous for that quarter final,” Grasseschi said, adding that anything can happen in the quarter finals including the upset of a first seeder Bjorn Schroeder form Bozeman in the 103 weight division. “He was predicted to win it and didn’t even place, stuff happens especially in that round-it’s do or die.” Sophomore CMR Deven Altenburg is attributed for that upset and beat him late in the second. “(I was) very excited because he has beat me all year and to ruin his perfect record at state was even more exciting,” Altenburg said. “He got me in a tilt to try to get near fall on me but I guess he went straight to his back and that’s how I got the defensive pin,” Altenburg said.

the Super Bowl champions for 2015. After the game, though, Seattle got most of the attention for its headscratching play call at the biggest moment of the contest. Some said the decision was the worst they had ever seen. In all that coverage of the Seahawks’ pass play at the end of the game, people seemed to forget something. There were still another 59 minutes and 34 seconds of Super Bowl action that also contributed to the outcome of the game. It’s easy to villainize the head coach for making a bad decision or the quarterback for throwing a poor pass; I did it myself at first in a bout of knee-jerk reaction disbelief. Sports fans and analysts always look at the last play or last couple minutes of the game. There, we find a hero or the athlete who choked when they had a chance to win the game. Life isn’t about just one moment, however. Sure, a

With his quarter final upset Altenburg placed sixth in his weight class. “I was relieved because I’ve been working so hard all year and to place a tought tournament like that was just awesome,” Altenburg said. Altenburg wasn’t the only sophomore to cause an upset at the tournament, Noah Durnell placed sixth in his 126 weight division. “I wrestled six matches, won three and lost three, the three that I won were upset matches,” Durnell said. “It was super thrilling,” he said of placing at state, adding that it had been his goal since the beginning of the season and was excited to be able to wrestle in the Metra. “The Metra is huge and it is so cool when you win your match and can look up at that many people watching you, that’s cool. It’s my favorite place to wrestle.” While a venue of that stature may seem intimidating, Durnell pushed aside his nerves to focus on his performance. “I was like it’s my last tournament, you gotta give it everything if I wrestle my best I’m proud of myself and the outcome was really awesome,” he said. Similarly, Dickson pushed any worries aside to be able to focus on performing his best at the sport he loves. “I was more nervous a couple of days before the tournament but once I got there I thought I only have four more matches of my life, I can’t take it too serious,” Dickson said. To help him cope with his nerves Dickson said he just had to “focus only on what was important and that was wrestling.” “On Friday, the first day walking in, I just had a good feeling like it was my birthday or something,” Dickson said. “Getting to do what I loved felt like a gift, even if I would have lost just being there was so awesome.”

lot can go wrong with a couple words that come out of a person’s mouth, or, like in the Super Bowl, one sub-par toss of the pigskin. But still, the Seahawks did advance all the way to the Super Bowl. They played a good game where they put themselves in a position to win. They just couldn’t quite finish. It seems to me that society’s focus on the very end of every event puts so much unnecessary pressure on competitors. As an athlete, I’ve participated in games that were won or lost on final plays: made or missed penalty kicks in soccer shootouts and swishes or turnovers in the fourth quarter of basketball games. I’ve felt the elation after a late win, but also the disappointment of a loss. In either case, I think we get too worked up about the end result and forget to take joy in the entire game. Let’s have fun with sports and learn from them, no matter the final score or what happens at the end.

2.19.15 The Stampede

sports 17

Make way for the

drill team...

Above: The Wranglers perform “Get You Head in the Game” from the movie High School Musical during the Feb. 10 pep assembly. “It’s something we haven’t done before,” senior Wrangler Michelle Braget said of the dance. Photo by Laura Marsilio. Below: At halftime of the Homceoming football game Sept. 26, the drill team dances to the tune of the Rustler marching band. Photo by Sarina Calaman.

Wranglers to welcome back past dancers for Feb. 20 performance by lindsay martinez, sports editor Senior Michelle Braget, captain of the Wranglers and in her fourth year on the drill team, is not the first Braget girl to sport green and gold. Michelle followed in the footsteps of her older sister, Wrangler alum Danielle, who participated in drill for four years before graduating in 2012. Perhaps for this reason, Michelle and Danielle’s mother suggested to Michelle earlier this year that the Wranglers do a “Throwback” dance to honor CMR’s 50th year. The Bragets weren’t the only people considering “It’s going to be inviting back past team members to perform. awesome. It’s going to Drill team coach Jeanne Myers, a former Wrangler blow the minds of the herself and 1992 CMR graduate, said she also thought about a Throwback performance. spectators.” Eventually, the team decided to pursue the idea, and, as Braget said, “All of a sudden we went full throttle.” The Wranglers are excited about the Throwback halftime show, to take place Feb. 20 at the girls basketball game. “Since it is the 50th year, we’re reuniting Wranglers from the past 50 years as a big celebration,” Braget said. “It’s going to be awesome. It’s going to blow the minds of the spectators,” she added. “Jeanne said like 50 percent of them can still do the splits.” Coach Myers, a two-year captain of the Wranglers while in high school, and the team contacted Wrangler alumni for a Throwback. 25 women ended up signing up to participate, according to Braget. Myers herself will also take part in the performance. “My team pretty much insisted,” she said. The other alumni represent a variety of CMR graduating classes: one graduated in the last 10 years, there are some from the 1960s and 1970s, and the majority comes from classes of the 1980s and 1990s, according to Braget. Greydanus Miller graduated in CMR’s Class of 1966 and was on the first-ever drill team. “On that drill team, all we did was march the military-style marching,” Miller said. ”We didn’t use batons, we didn’t do fancy steps, like the dance steps. It was just the first year we were organized, so we laid the groundwork.” Miller said she heard about the Throwback while at Toastmasters, and was thrilled. “I think it’s pretty cool that they’re doing this and they should do it more often,” she said.

Michelle Braget

The ’66 grad said she likes the new style of the Wranglers, and wishes she could do it all with ease. Myers agreed that the drill team is not the same as it once was. “When I was on the team we were 100 percent military, which means precise guiding, marching, and with batons,” she said. “It’s pretty different.” The Feb. 20 performance will include batons, and the alumni will wear special T-shirts with their maiden names and years of graduation. This year’s Wranglers will sport old drill team uniforms during the routine. “I’m excited and nervous at the same time,” Miller said about the upcoming show. “This throwback dance is mostly focused on [the alumni,]” Braget explained. She said that the 19 current Wranglers don’t join the dance until the last 20-25 seconds of the routine. Braget recognizes that the drill team will be different in the future, but said if she were ever invited back to CMR to take place in a Throwback dance, she would do it. “I would love to come back. Not only do you get to see your old teammates, you get to see how the dances have progressed.”

2.19.15 The Stampede

18 sports

CMR swimmers place at state Relays help boys reach the podium

by olivia rudio, features/entertainment editor

State swimming was held Feb. 13-14 at the University Montana Grizzly Pool. CMR boys placed third overall and CMR girls placed fourth, but both placed No. 1 in cheering. “My favorite part was watching my team and participating in the cheers before and during races. It was so cool during the breaststroke when they pretend to pull the swimmer towards them every stroke,” sophomore Kilee Rohlf said. “The whole team was so into it, in and out of the pool. I feel like our team had the most spirit,” Rohlf said. “As I was talking to some swimmers from other teams they said they wished their team did cool cheers like us.” While the team was engaged in the wave in the crowd, they made just as big a splash in the pool. “This was my second year going to state, and it was even better this year,” Rohlf said. “I placed fourth in the 100 freestyle and fifth in the 100 breaststroke. I feel proud of what I accomplished because I have been working hard all season for it.” Junior Madi Smith, a butterflyer who placed 8th in the 100 fly and 13th in the 200 free, also was pleased with the team’s support and performance. “The greatest moment is when someone is in a really close race so everybody starts cheering. It gets to be deafening by the time they get to [the] flags on their last wall until they touch. Then it is dead silent until we figure out who won and their teammates go crazy,” Smith said. “Many people think swimming as an individual sport, but it is just as much a team sport as basketball or football is, and you really see that at state.” Junior Patrick Brennan agrees. After not doing as well as he would have liked in his individual races, Brennan was eager to bounce back with his team in the relays. “Earlier in the state meet I swam my individual races and swam below expectations, but we came back as a team for the relays and that’s really why a team is important because you can have a bad race but then come back together,” Brennan said. “Walking out for the final relay 400 freestyle, we

had a bad seed going in and we knew that the trophy was on the line,” Brennan said. “[But] we already had our bad swims and we knew we were due for good ones. We had to swim fast.” They placed third by five points. According to Brennan, the boys team had success beyond the relays. “We did great. We had a lot of guys swim in finals. Half of our state team swam in finals, which is significant,” Brennan said. “We have some tough competition coming up. It’s definitely going to be faster next year since eight state records were broken this year,” he said. “It’s really going to push everyone to be better.” Although this is senior Jesse Whiteman’s last season, he agrees. “We’re losing half of our medaling relays and those are big shoes to fill,” Whiteman said. “I just wanted to leave things better than how I found them,” he said. “When I joined the team there were four guys so we were competing to not be last, so after we did fairly well last year they wanted us to try to make a run for the podium.” And the team had only one competitor standing in the way: Helena High. “Our biggest competition was in Helena,” Whiteman said. “We went over our projections on Friday night, and Helena was projected to beat us by five points.” Despite the grand finale of his last season, Whiteman said he will miss swimming for CMR. ‘It’s part of my childhood,” Whiteman said. “I’m just going to miss all the guys because the swimming part of it---nobody likes that. It’s about the people who you are with, and we have a lot of good times.” Freshman Molly DeMarco enjoyed her first state experience. “It was my very first state experience and it was absolutely incredible,” DeMarco said. “The greatest moment was definitely our final relay. I was the very first in the water and the whole team was standing at the end of the lane cheering. It was so crazy. I swear the whole building was shaking.”

Seniors Dallas Farren and Bridger Marcotte go head to head in an intramural basketball game on Jan. 20. Photos by Sarina Calaman.

Shooting for glory

Students find fun in intramural by sarina calaman, staff writer When it comes to competition at CMR, not all athletes wear green and gold. Just ask some of the intramural basketball players, who throughout their season wear all sorts of costumes and colors on the court. “One year there was a team that showed up in a different costume for every game,” said Mike Henneberg, who has led the program since 2004. “It has been around since the 70s. It’s a fun deal,” Henneberg said. “Kids really enjoy the competitive aspect of it.” The games run from 8-9:20 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Henneberg said anybody can sign up for the games. Teams just need between five and seven people to compete. Normally intramural basketball players are not recruited to play for the CMR basketball teams, Henneberg explained. “Jordan Wanner was really the only player to play intramural [and] then play for the Rustlers the next year,” he said. Similar to Henneberg junior Josh Smith enjoys the fun times competing with friends. Smith has competed in intramural basketball since he was a freshman. He said some of the best memories came from the ridiculous shots him and his teammates made. “I unfortunately have never made it to the semifinals,” Smith said. Smith will continue to compete in intramural basketball his senior year.

January and February Special $30 Learn to ski special * 2-hour lesson * Equipment rental * Lift ticket for lower mountain chair and carpet

$5 goes to Eagle mount from Pepsi and Showdown

2.19.15 The Stampede

How well doyouknow your

Rustler Athlete? by peyton fulbright, editor-in-chief You see them on the field. You seem them in the halls. You see them going to practice, but how well do you actually know them? C.M. Russell High School has one of the most prestigous athletic programs in the state, made up entirely of student athletes. Although they get attention from the media about their games, wouldn’t you like to know what they are really like? In this monthly feature, three in-season athletes will be profiled in a brief Q&A about their personal life.

What’s the most embarassing thing to happen to you?

I tripped in front of the Olive Garden. After standing up, I turned around and saw the whole side of the Olive Garden was a window and everyone was standing and clapping for me.

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to deal with?

Letting go of the seniors when they leave.

What’s the all-time greatest basketball movie?

sports 19

RUSTLER STATS Last weekend, the wrestling team sent 10

athletes to the state tourney in Billings The boys and girls swimming teams had

‘Love and Basketballl.’ It depicts a great love story while showing the greatest game of all time.

What’s more important, your shoes or your hair? My shoes are more important than my hair because you always have to be looking fresh.

team members travel to the state tournament in Missoula Senior Jared Dickson won the 160

Stevi Farren, 11 What’s the most embarrassing thing to ever happen to you? I was a friend’s house and we decided to jump off her deck onto her trampoline. She was too scared to do it, so I was making fun of her, saying you won’t get hurt becuse you’ll land on the trampoline. She said that she would do it if I did, so I did it and landed on the trampoline wrong and dislocated my elbow.

pound division at state wrestling What’s more important, your shoes or your hair? My hair is way more important because it is usually the first thing people notice.

Most relatable ‘Finding Nemo’ character?

The boys and girls swimming teams won 3rd and 4th

place honors, respectively, at state swimming

I would say Marlin because my family and friends mean a lot to me. I’m also kind of scared of trying new things and worry a lot.

Madi Smith, 11

Jobs Available from the Park and Recreation Department!

HIRING NOW FOR SUMMER! APPLY ASAP! Salaries Range from $8.05 - $13.99 depending on the position

• Seasonal Laborers and Irrigators for Park and Golf Course Divisions • Lifeguards, Head Lifeguards, Pool Cleaners, Cashiers and Concessions Workers • Camp Counselors, Building Monitors and Program Assistants for the Recreation Center

Apply at the Human Resources Office, room 202, Civic Center, online at www.greatfallsmt. net, or call 455-8545 for more information.

The Stampede 2.19.15

Bright lights and starry nights

“Nathan is a ‘super’ nice guy and I needed a ‘super’ way to ask him so we went for a run on the River’s Edge Trail and I knew that it was the perfect way to ask him”. - Shelby Philipps

1990s

The prom attendance declined due to students rallying for antiwar and civil right causes. Prom seemed outdated and not as popluar among studenrts who were trying to resist conformity.

The prom was rejuvenated with the rise of consumerism and more people were willing to spend money on a night of luxury.

1980s

1950s

1930s

Prom first appeared in American high schools as annual class banquets.

Prom began to evolve into an adolescent American rite of passage when American culture developed the “teenager.”

1940s

1910s

Late 1800s

Prom originated in the late 1800s mostly in American University’s. They were known as “promenade balls”.

1920s

Information from: http://www.historyofwaterfilters.com/prom-history.html; http://prom.about.com/od/introtopromsformaldance/a/promhist.htm

“So I looked up promsposals on Pinterest and I saw a lot of trash, but then I found an idea/pun worth while. So I bought some flour, made a poster, and also got my date some flowers”. - Mathew Grooms

1970s

They will be designing cityscapes to go along in the theme “city lights and starry nights.” Senior Anthony Tanguma also is excited that stagecraft was asked to do decorations for prom after the work they did for Homecoming. “That was great to hear all those compliments and that we matter in the department and that they trust us to do great things like prom,” Tanguma said. He said his experience working with Lewis and senior Lindsy Pyette has helped the process. “They’re very supportive. They’ve given me a lot of control, “Tanguma said. “It’s really nice to have that freedom.” Tanguma’s goal is to keep this year’s prom looking sharp. “I’m going for classy-we want class not trash,” he said. “[There will be] lots of golds, dark blues, silvers - it’s not going to be your average dance,” Tanguma said. Main contributors to the decorations include senior painters Dallas Flemming, Serenity McCartney and construction crew led by Ethan Zaremski. Tanguma said after the hard work he is ready to see it all put together. “It will be a great moment to finally see the finished product and see how other people appreciate the hard work we have done.”

1960s

by olivia rudio, features/entertainment editor and allison hanson, staff writer Between booking DJs, planning decorations, and funding card tables, no one is looking forward to prom more than Senior Class President Annie Lewis. “I’ll be relieved when it’s over. It’s been a lot of stress,” Lewis said, “But I’m looking forward to the night of prom.” And so too will a new demographic welcome to prom: freshmen. “We wanted to make it a collaborative student body effort (since) we only have one prom,” Lewis said. This year the senior class extended an open invitation to the freshman class to come to prom as opposed to previous years, when they had been generally discouraged to attend. Another feature of the event that relies on the collaboration of the student body is the music. Students are able to suggest songs to be played at prom Feb. 17 in the main office. “Our DJ is Steve Keller. He’s never done our proms before, [but] he’s really good to work with and he’s really excited,” Lewis said. After the songs are collected, they will be reviewed by the student government, approved by the administration and then eventually played by Keller. Another new aspect to this year’s prom are decorations made by the stagecraft class. “This year we are really lucky because stagecraft is helping us out with the decorations,” Lewis said.